IN A HURRY? HERE ARE OUR 3 TOP PICKS FOR THE BEST OUTDOOR BASKETBALLS OF 2020
NBA REPLICA OUTDOOR BASKETBALL
The Ultimate Outdoor Basketball
The NBA Replica basketball is a great option for ballers on a budget who don't want to settle for an inferior quality basketball. This ball plays and feels much like the much more expensive official leather option, at less than half the price. Best yet, it can also be used indoors.
NIKE BALLER OUTDOOR BASKETBALL
Super Durable Outdoor Basketball
The Baller is an outdoor basketball made of an ultra durable exterior made for tough outdoor play, deep channels for precise hand alignment and control, packaged within the original Nike box. If you want a ball that can stand up to the roughest surfaces this is the ball for you.
SPALDING NBA STREET NBA BASKETBALL
Premium Outdoor Basketball On A Budget
The NBA Street holds to the NBA official size and weight. It has a deep channel design to give you proper grip and a durable rubber cover that stands up to asphalt or concrete. This is a great ball at a great price for ballers who play on concrete or asphalt.
Here is a quick look at the current top 10 best outdoor basketballs you can buy online. You can find full reviews and see images/videos of each of these products a little further down on this page.
THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE TO OUTDOOR BASKETBALLS
We will show you how to choose the perfect basketball for your outdoor sessions
Spending countless hours playing ball on a rough outdoor court certainly takes it's toll on a basketball.
Over the years I have destroyed many indoor basketballs by playing with them on the blacktop.
I should have been smarter and chosen a basketball that is specifically made for the demands of outdoor play.
If you are dedicated streetballer or just love to shoot around on your portable basketball hoop at home, buying a quality outdoor basketball is definitely a worthwhile investment.
In this buyers guide I am going to introduce you to the 10 best outdoor basketballs currently available for every budget.
I will also teach you a few very important things that you need to know before purchasing any basketball to use for your outdoor training and games.
LOOKING FOR THE BEST OUTDOOR BASKETBALL? HERE IS A QUICK SUMMARY TABLE OF YOUR TOP OPTIONS:
- 1Best Overall Outdoor Basketball = NBA Replica
- 2Runner Up Outdoor Basketball = Nike Baller
- 3Best Cheap Outdoor Basketball =NBA Street
- 4Best Aesthetic Outdoor Basketball = Reboil Star Memorial
5 THINGS YOU MUST KNOW BEFORE BUYING AN OUTDOOR BASKETBALL
We will get to the top 10 list of the best outdoor basketballs shortly, but first it is important that you consider the following 5 things before purchasing a ball to use outdoors.
1. Which Material Of Basketball Should You Choose For Outdoor Use?
OPTION 1 - RUBBER OUTDOOR BASKETBALLS
Rubber is often the cheapest option and great for baller's on a strict budget.
Generally speaking, these outdoor rubber basketballs tend to wear out very quickly, and once bald are very slippery.
If you are looking for a quality cheap rubber basketball that is actually quite durable we suggest the >>> Spalding NBA Street
OPTION 2 - SYNTHETIC/COMPOSITE LEATHER OUTDOOR BASKETBALL
Synthetic leather balls are a great mid price range option with great play-ability.
Good quality composite leather balls feel much like a genuine leather ball, without the hefty price tag.
If you are after one of the best synthetic leather outdoor basketballs we suggest the >>> Spalding Zi/O
2. How to Find an Outdoor Basketball That "Feels" Like A Pro Indoor Ball?
Every baller prefers to play with a basketball that has that "pro feel".
Large seems and a soft but responsive touch help provide proprioceptive feedback to the fingertips which in turn can help with performance.
Feel is vital in basketball.
Whether you are shooting a three or throwing a nasty crossover you want a ball that is grippy and tacky.
The quality outdoor basketballs on the following list provide that pro feel similar to a quality indoor basketball.
3. How To Choose The Correct Weight Outdoor Basketball?
Always try to choose an outdoor basketball that is the same weight as that of the balls used for your official indoor games.
Choosing a ball that is too heavy can greatly affect your shot performance and technique. All of the balls we have reviewed below are standard weight size 7 balls.
If you click on the links to the product pages below each featured basketball you will notice that most provide the option to purchase a smaller size/weight.
4. How To Choose an Outdoor Basketball That Is Durable and Stays Pumped Up?
The cheapest rubber basketballs tend to deflate very quickly due to the poor quality rubber bladder used to hold the air inside.
Losing the air in a basketball is very frustrating if you are out and about. A flat basketball will also severely reduce play-ability.
You don't usually have to worry about the ball deflating quickly with quality balls such as the Spalding Zi/O as the bladder quality is of a much higher standard.
For those of you on a budget you will be happy to know that Spalding has come up with an innovative solution to stop their cheaper range balls going flat. This is known as Neverflat and guarantees that your ball won't need to be pumped up in a year.
Our favorite Neverflat ball >>> Spalding NBA Hexagrip
It is also a good idea to store your ball away in a basketball backpack or bag to keep it away from moisture.
5. What Size Outdoor Basketball Should You Choose?
You should always try your best to buy a basketball that is the same size as the ball that you use in competition play.
Using the correct size for your age, gender and size will help develop better shooting and skill development.
Choosing a ball that is too large can be very detrimental to performance, particularly in youth athletes.
Here is a helpful chart I created to help you find the perfect sized outdoor basketball for you.
Ball Size | Circumference | Recommended Age | BestSelling balls |
|---|---|---|---|
Size 5 | 27.5 inches | Standard youth ball for ages 7-11 | |
Size 6 | 28.5 inches | Standard women's ball, boys ages 12-14 | |
Size 7 | 29.5 inches | Standard mens ball ,boys 15+ years |
THE 10 BEST OUTDOOR BASKETBALL REVIEWS
Don't worry, we have done all the research to help you find the best outdoor basketballs you can buy today.
Here are the current top 10 basketballs that you can use outdoors:
#1. Nike Baller Outdoor Basketball Review
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"Its a great ball, good grip and bounce."
Key Features
Review Summary
The Nike Baller is a full size 29.5" color amber/black/metallic platinum, ultra durable exterior made for tough outdoor play, deep channels for precise hand alignment and control, packaged within the original Nike box.
At the time of writing this post this Nike Outdoor Basketball had an average customer rating of 4.4 out of 5. You can learn more about this ball, watch videos and read reviews here on Amazon .
#2. And1 Xcelerate Outdoor Basketball Review
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"I really love the pebbled channels on this ball. Most basketball just have smooth channels but the pebbled channels on the Evo add a nice feedback that will be appreciated by all the sharpshooters.."
Key Features
Review Summary
This game ready AND1 ball is made for playing with indoors and outdoors. The AND1 Xcelerate basketball is made from high quality rubber material and is designed to withstand wear and tear. This basketball is a great choice for casual basketball players or competitive athletes of all levels.
At the time of writing this post this the And1 Xcelerate Outdoor Basketball had an average customer rating of 4.2 out of 5. You can learn more about this ball and read reviews here on Amazon .
#3. Spalding NBA Zi/O Outdoor Basketball Review
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"The combination of the silky smooth and responsive exterior combined with the extra deep channels make this ball a treat to dribble and shoot."
Key Features
Review Summary
The Spalding Zi/O plays and feels like a pro basketball. Best yet, it is much cheaper than balls with similar feel and play-ability.
This ball has a great pro feel and bounce to it. If you are after a durable outdoor ball that plays much like a more expensive indoor ball than this is the ball for you.
At the time of writing this post this Spalding Zi/o basketball had an average customer rating of 4.6 out of 5. You can learn exactly how it works, read reviews here on Amazon .
#4. NCAA Replica Composite Basketball Review
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"The cushion core technology offers exceptional feel and a very consistent bounce for the price. We also love the way that this ball can absorb moisture."
Key Features
Review Summary
The Wilson NCAA Replica Game Basketball is made form composite leather and is designed for both indoor and outdoor use.
If you play on both indoor and outdoor courts then this is a great option for you. My kids take one of these to school and they hold up really well.
At the time of writing this post the Wilson NCAA Replica Game Basketball had an average customer rating of 4.7 out of 5. You can learn exactly how it works, read reviews here on Amazon .
#5. Under Armour 495 Outdoor Basketball Review
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"If you are after an outdoor ball that plays like a much more expensive indoor ball then this is a great option"
Key Features
Review Summary
The Under Armour 495 is an indoor-outdoor basketball that has a great pro feel. It is a little on the heavy side and takes a little while to break in, but it is sure to please any die hard basketball player.
When you first unbox this basketball you will notice that it comes with a shiny protective layer on top. This layer does make it a little slippery to play with but after a while it will break in nicely.
Any decent basketball takes a while to break in, so this is nothing new. I think that breaking in adds character to a basketball.
At the time of writing this post this under armour outdoor basketball had an average customer rating of 4.6 out of 5. You can learn exactly how it works, read reviews here on Amazon .
#6. Spalding NBA Street Outdoor Basketball Review
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" The ball comes with nice pebbling which provides great grip and deep seams give great feedback in jump shots."
Key Features
Review Summary
The Spalding NBA street is a great budget option for basketball players who don't want to break the bank. This is just a plain cheap rubber outdoor basketball. However, it is made by Spalding and their strict manufacturing standards.
Even for such a cheap price this ball offers very good play-ability. It is a great ball for beginners and can make an excellent gift idea for a basketball player.
If you are on a super tight budget you will not find a better basketball for the price.
At the time of writing this post the Spalding NBA Street Basketball had an average customer rating of 4.6 out of 5. You can learn more about this great basketball and read reviews here on Amazon .
#7. Spalding NBA Street Phantom Outdoor Basketball Review
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"This innovative tech makes the ball super grippy. Even my 13 year old son can palm this full size ball. It is also great to shoot with"
Key Features
Review Summary
The Spalding Phantom is another great value for money outdoor basketball. The ball comes with Spaldings latest "Soft Grip Technology".
There are a range of neon lettering colors available in the Phantom range making this one of the most visually appealing outdoor basketballs on the market.
At the time of writing this post the Spalding Street Phantom Basketball had an average customer rating of 4.7 out of 5. You can learn exactly how it works, read reviews here on Amazon .
#8. Spalding NBA Hexagrip Soft Grip Never-Flat Review
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"Spalding invented “never flat” technology and have implemented it into this ball."
Key Features
Review Summary
If you are sick of your basketballs going flat then you have got to check out this Hexagrip ball with Neverflat technology.
A big issue with most outdoor basketballs is that they go flat fast. Never Flat means that they guarantee it stays inflated for at least one year without the need for a pump.
The covering on this ball has hex shaped etching rather than traditional dimples. Basketball purists may find this difficult to get used to. The hex design helps to wick the water away and allows you to play through any weather.
This is a super durable ball that will provides years of intense basketball sessions on the blacktop.
At the time of writing this post the Hexagrip outdoor basketball had an average customer rating of 4.6 out of 5. You can learn exactly more about this ball and read reviews here on Amazon .
#9. Spalding NBA Replica Outdoor Game Ball Review
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"The NBA replica basketball provides the quality feel of an official NBA ball at a much more affordable price."
Key Features
Review Summary
The Spalding NBA replica basketball provides the perfect blend of quality and affordability.
The ball plays much like an official NBA ball at less than half the price. Best yet, this ball can also be used outdoors too.
At the time of writing this post the Spalding Replica outdoor basketball had an average customer rating of 4.5 out of 5. You can learn more about this ball and read reviews here on Amazon .
#10. Reboil Star Outdoor Basketball Review
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"The Reboil is the perfect basketball players who want to turn heads on the court"
Key Features
Review Summary
Reboil Indoor Basketball is one of the coolest looking basketballs ever made. This ball is not a gimmick. It play's and feels great too.
At the time of writing this post the Reboil memorial outdoor basketball an average customer rating of 4.8 out of 5. You can learn more about this ball and read reviews here on Amazon .
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OUTDOOR BASKETBALL BUYING GUIDE & FAQ
All of these "outdoor basketballs" can of course be used indoors. However, most often indoor basketballs cannot be used outdoors. Outdoor basketballs are much more durable.
If you are thinking about purchasing a quality basketball you obviously take your basketball seriously. When purchasing a quality ball you should think of it as an investment into your basketball career.
Therefore you should treat your ball with respect to ensure that maintains its performance over the years.
Keep your ball clean with ball cleaner and store it away in a basketball backpack and you will have your basketball in top shape for years to come.
Remember to never kick a basketball and always ensure it is pumped up to avoid any warping and loss of weight.
Most leading brands such as Spalding, Molten, Wilson and Baden make a range of quality basketballs suitable for outdoor basketball use.
Regardless of which brand you choose, one factor remains true and that is that you do get what you pay for. Above you have seen the best indoor basketballs from the leading brands.
All of these options will provide a great playing experience and durability that will ensure you basketball will last for years.
You can check out the best selling balls here
BEST-SELLING OUTDOOR BASKETBALLS
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FINAL THOUGHTS ON CHOOSING A BASKETBALL TO USE ON OUTDOOR COURTS
We hope you have found our comparison and reviews of what we consider to be the 5 best outdoor basketballs currently available helpful in empowering you to make an informed decision upon purchase.
Hopefully you know have better idea of the differences in the features and benefits that the most popular outdoor basketballs offer.
As you can see, many of these quality outdoor basketballs are quite affordable and can provide hours of healthy fun outdoors.
Be sure to check back to this page in the future as we regularly update the post with the latest and greatest outdoor basketballs on the market.
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