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- Best Overall – Wilson Evolution
- Best Wide Range Options – The Rock Basketball
- Best High End – Spalding NBA Official Game Ball
Basketball players know that you don’t just buy any random basketball you see in the aisles of Walmart. When purchasing a basketball, you need to choose a ball that has the right kind of material and properties that cater to either indoors or outdoors. In this case, we are focusing on indoor basketballs.
It’s important to know that indoor basketballs are different from outdoor ones. Indoor basketballs must only be used for hardwood courts because they’ll easily wear down if used on harsh outdoor concrete.
So don’t settle for cheap $10 balls and invest in premium made ones! You’ll really notice the difference in terms of the ball’s performance once you buy proper basketballs. Remember, the quality of a basketball makes a whole lot of difference and it’s a big deal! I mean, you surely wouldn’t enjoy doing layups with a ball that doesn’t even bounce off of the floor well, right?
This is why we are gladly introducing you to our list of the best indoor basketballs! You may scroll down further to see a more detailed review of each ball.
Table of Contents
Factors You Should Look for in a Basketball
Do take note of these factors as these will determine the quality of the basketball you’re about to purchase. With this brief guide, you’ll be able to prevent buying a defective and poorly manufactured ball.
Material
In the sports industry, manufacturers make use of materials such as genuine leather, rubber, and composite leather. Below are the differences among the three materials:
- Genuine Leather. This material has the highest quality. It also has a break-in period and after that, you’ll get an unrivaled performance from the ball. This material is usually used by pros in the NBA. This is also the priciest compared to rubber and composite leather.
- Composite Leather. Mostly all indoor basketballs are made out of this material. This one is softer compared to rubber, it has more grip and generally makes scribbling and shooting much more enjoyable. This material feels similar to genuine leather but at a lower price point. Sadly, these aren’t as durable as genuine leather and they feel slippery once you take them out from the box. The NCAA Basketball Tournament makes use of composite leather balls.
- This is the cheapest material for a basketball and this is readily available in almost any store. These are very durable, which makes them perfect for outdoor use. However, these don’t provide enough texture and bounce, so gripping this material would be difficult and you won’t get much ball control.
What Makes a Good Indoor Basketball?
- This has got to be the most important thing in basketball. The ball must have a good grip to make passing, dribbling, and palming much easier.
- A soft basketball is a sign of a good ball. The cushioning on the ball improves the way you pass, receive, and release a shot. Cheap materials like rubber tend to be firm.
- You need to look for a ball that provides consistent and reliable bounce. If the surface of your ball is smooth, you’re going to get better bounces off of it. Deeper grooves on a ball help players with their shooting but it can also hinder them from getting reliable bounces.
- Air Retention. When a ball constantly loses air, it makes us so pissed off! Luckily this isn’t a problem that much when it comes to indoor basketballs. It’s recommended that you follow the standard air pressure that the NBA uses which is between 7.5 and 8.5 pounds per square inch.
- The ball has to be tacky enough. If it’s not, then you’ll encounter difficulties with handling, passing, shooting, and dribbling the ball. Tacky surface equates to better grip.
Overview Of The Best Indoor Basketballs
1. Wilson Evolution
● 4.8/5 rating
● Manufacturer: Wilson Sporting Goods
● Size: 27.5’’
● Sport Type: Basketball
● Color: Original
● Material: Composite
● Target Group: Unisex-Youth
● Proper Inflation Level: 7-9 PSI
2. Spalding NBA Official Game Ball
● 4.4/5 rating
● Manufacturer: Spalding
● Size: 29.5’’
● Sport Type: Basketball
● Color: Orange
● Material: Leather
● Target Group: Unisex-Adult
● Proper Inflation Level: 8 PSI
3. Baden Elite Indoor
● 4.8/5 rating
● Manufacturer: Baden
● Size: 29.5’’
● Sport Type: Basketball
● Color: Orange
● Material: Composite
● Target Group: Unisex-Youth
● Proper Inflation Level: 8 PSI
4. The Rock Basketball
● 4.8/5 rating
● Manufacturer: The Rock
● Size: 29.5’’
● Sport Type: Basketball
● Color: Original
● Material: Composite
● Target Group: Adult
● Proper Inflation Level: 7-9 PSI
The 4 Best Indoor Basketballs You Must Have
1. Wilson Evolution
4.8/5 Overall Rating
Pros:
Nice quality basketball Has exceptional playability Very durable and will maintain its great shape even after years of use The surface of the ball feels nice on the hands Micro-pebble fiber enhances grip which is great whenever hands start to sweat The ball has a soft feel to it The grip gives you great control of the ball
The grip doesn’t wear out over time This ball has gained tons of positive reviews and is claimed to be a top-notch indoor basketball
Some have complained about getting knockoffs from online storesEven after inflating it to its proper PSI, it still doesn’t bounce well (this may be due to having fakes or defects
What do most people think of this product?
The Wilson Evolution Game Ball is the most popular ball for indoor use and this ball is being used in most high schools in the U.S. each feature of this ball is exceptionally great, from the moisture-wicking composite material to the laid-in composite channels that provide a consistent feel and texture for unrivaled grip and control, this ball seems to just have everything you’re looking for.
What this ball boasts is its Signature Evo Feel. Wilson makes use of a Cushion Core Carcass that gives a soft touch and an easy grip that every player loves. For that ultimate control over the ball, it has these laid-in composite channels that create a consistent texture and feel. I would say that this ball really specializes in its grip. The micro-pebble technology ensures that players really get the most out of the ball’s grip. I can attest to this because even though my hands are sweaty, the way I handled the ball was still the same (as if my hands weren’t wet at all!). This was made possible thanks to the moisture-wicking laid-in channels. It’s obvious that this ball is made out of composite leather and this type of material has lasted for seasons based on other reviews about the Wilson Evolution.
In terms of its bounce, it’s almost close to perfect. It performs really well and I believe the Cushion Core technology has something to do with that. Although, there are instances wherein you should pump the ball frequently. So make sure you regularly check the air retention of the ball so you can get the most out of its bounce. But then again I won’t really consider this an issue because when the ball loses air it only loses a bit of it and not to the point that it’s completely deflated.
Breaking-in the ball will take months. If you’re skeptical of the ball’s quality because it feels too slippery and not grippy at all, then all you need to do to fix this problem is to break-in the ball.
Overall, the ratings on the Wilson Evolution says a lot about the ball itself. Just goes to show that a lot of people are satisfied with their purchase and the features that the ball possesses live up to its claims. Well what can I say, the quality of this is superb. It’s the perfect balance of quality and price. This is definitely the #1 indoor basketball for me. The only downside of this ball is purchasing it online. There have been complaints about the Wilson Evolution in terms of not having the same quality as store-bought balls. I still highly recommend this ball and as much as possible, I advise you get yours in a physical sports store so you won’t encounter any problems like fakes or defects.
2. Spalding NBA Official Game Ball
4.4/5 Overall Rating
Pros: The ball is very easy to handle This ball gets grippier the more sweaty your hands are The bounce on this is more consistent compared to other composite basketballs Shooting with this ball feels like a dream It’s made out of genuine leather which is the highest quality material a ball can have The performance gets better as you break-in the ball Bouncier than the Wilson Evolution
Pros vouch for this basketball
Some have complained that when they ordered the ball it arrived in a lopsided state There is a possibility that you may end up with a fake ball if bought online Needs to be air pumped after 2 to 3 uses
Not cushioned enough
What do most people think of this product?
The brand Spalding is not new to us in the sports industry as they have been manufacturing basketballs since way back when. They have built their reputation and that’s a clear sign of Spalding providing quality products. This is why this specific ball is called the NBA Official Game Ball because professionals seem to just love the performance it provides. The ball is made out of full-grain leather that turns soft after breaking them in. Also, this is strictly for hardwood floors only.
This ball is designed for competitive plays and it shows through its material which is genuine leather. Specifically, the leather used for the Spalding NBA Official Game Ball is called the Horween leather. It’s a full-grain leather that turns soft after breaking them in. The ball has wide channels which are known to provide great grip and control and the material is very durable, so it’s worth splurging on this ball. In terms of consistency, both the grip and control has it. The ball is available in three sizes and offers a wide variety of colors for you to choose from.
When comparing this to most composite leather balls, like the Wilson Evolution for example, this one is better in the long run. The bounce on this is better than composite balls and it shows more consistency as well. Then when it comes to durability, this lasts longer because some composite balls tend to wear down quickly.
So when it comes to preference it actually varies per player. Some prefer composites and some prefer genuine leather. So if you’re used to playing with composite balls then the Spalding NBA Official Game Ball may surprise you with the amount of time you need to fully break it in. The more you use the ball the better. Instead of its performance declining over time, it actually gets better and better by becoming more tacky and grippy. Do take note that this is strictly designed for hardwood courts only. Once you use this for outdoor use, it will dramatically reduce the lifespan of the ball.
Overall, this ball is definitely a bang for your buck. It may be a bit expensive but it’s better to invest in a good ball rather than opting for a cheap but poorly made one. Break-in time may take months but it’s worth it in the end. Nothing beats having a genuine leather ball! No wonder the NBA uses this as its official game ball. Just be careful when you purchase this online because there are a lot of complaints about receiving fakes once they place an order.
3. Baden Elite Indoor Basketball
4.8/5 Overall Rating
Pros: No break-in needed Affordable Significant soft feel Some claim that the Cushion Core technology is far better than the cushioning in NBA official balls The ball holds up well even after years of use The ball has a great feel to it Ball is soft and not slippery right out of the box Delivers a perfect balance each time a player uses it Stealth Valve
These become lopsided easily
What do most people think of this product?
Baden claims that the Baden Elite Basketball is their Top-Of-The-Line leather basketball in which they have dedicated 30 years to perfecting. This ball is designed for aspiring players who wish to hone their skills with superb playability and consistency. Elite makes use of this advanced microfiber that doesn’t absorb the moisture from your hands, gain weight, or have any discoloration forming on the surface unlike other balls on the market.
The Elite Indoor Basketball has a great bounce thanks to the Cushion Control Technology or CCT. This ensures that players won’t get bad bounces from the ball. The brand also claims that the Elite Indoor Basketball is the only one on the market that sports a true symmetrical design that gives off perfect consistency and balance. The ball has exceptional grip due to its advanced microfiber cover which provides a high tack grip. Also, it doesn’t absorb moisture so the player can maintain their grip on the ball. The tackiness is almost similar to that of the Wilson Evolution actually. So of course this means that the ball is soft and that makes it unsuitable for outdoor use.
Baden boasts this feature called the Stealth Valve, which is the pathway where you feed in the air inside the ball, and this is actually a good feature since it eliminates any inconsistencies when it comes to dribbling the ball. Some basketballs that have protruding valves tend to get in the way so the Stealth Valve is a nice addition.
The bounce on this ball is pretty consistent if you keep it to a PSI of 8. So it would bounce the way you’d expect it to. In terms of durability, it can take a beating, that is if it’s used solely on indoor courts. It contains air very well too so frequent air pumping won’t be necessary.
Overall, this is a good basketball for starters. It’s a bit cheaper than the Wilson Evolution and performs a bit better in a way. But the reason why I didn’t place this in the #1 spot is because of its downsides. It loses its shape after frequent use and they don’t offer sizes for adult men.
4. The Rock Basketball
4.8/5 Overall Rating
Pros: Affordable It gives off no feeling of slippage even with sweaty hands Has great handling Has a soft tacky feel to it Absorbs moisture pretty well No problems with air retention Construction is good and only minimal wear shows up over time Super easy to grip Channels are deep and pebbled for optimum performance Build is durable No break-in needed
The grip wears off eventually
What do most people think of this product?
The Rock Basketball is created by a family-owned company called Anaconda Sports. This may be a small brand but the ball can actually be compared or even be better than some of the popular basketballs being offered by big brands like Wilson and Spalding. Some top athletes in the NBA even vouch for using this ball too!
The ball is engineered to deliver superb performance. The ball’s exterior is made up of this patented sponge rubber material that makes it extremely scuff resistant and buttery soft for great ball handling. The ball itself is made out of composite leather for superior durability. So expect this ball to live a very long life if you only use it indoors. As always, indoor basketballs are only intended for indoor use only, once used outdoors, it will significantly decrease its lifespan.
When it comes to grip, this one is super tacky. This has got to be the highlight feature of The Rock to be honest. It still performs well whether the surface is wet or the ball itself is wet and upon careful observation, it performs even better when the surface is moist. I can’t stress enough how excellent the traction is on The Rock, especially when used in hardwood courts.
Another great feature this ball has is the C2C technology (Cover to Cover Technology) which makes it a primary choice for most professional athletes. The surface sports a pebbled design and high precision performance that’ll be a great addition to a player’s experience. Moreover, it has a 100% Nylon wound texture that offers superior grip and traction in any indoor court. The ball also has a double ply butyl bladder for extra strength.
When we take a look at The Rock’s channels, we can see that they’re deep and pebbled. These are proven to offer more grip compared to other basketballs that have smooth channels. These channels are wider as well. In terms of air retention, the air lasts inside the ball for a long time. The recommended PSI for this ball would be between 7.5 and 8.5 which is pretty much the standard measure for basketballs. Although it may not lose air frequently, you’d have to be more careful once the winter season hits. As for its bounce, despite having deep channels which are known to be a hindrance in giving great bounces, The Rock is still able to provide a consistent bounce.
It comes in three sizes, 5, 6, and 7. The size 5 would be 27.5 inches which is geared towards kids, size 6 would be 28.5 inches which is the standard size for women, and lastly size 7 would be 29.5 inches which is a standard size for men. The Rock can be bought at a very reasonable price. Despite being cheap, it doesn’t sacrifice quality for sure. This incredible ball comes up to par or even goes beyond some basketballs that big brands manufacture.
Overall, it’s worth giving this ball a try. I have read some reviews that other people wrote and to my surprise, they even preferred The Rock over Wilson Evolution! They’re both composite leather balls and in terms of performance, some really vouch for The Rock. while I still prefer Wilson’s basketball, this one is definitely a must-have as well! Especially for those people who want to try out a different brand for a change so they can compare the performance that different basketballs have.
