When searching for the best outdoor basketball, your primary considerations should center on whether that ball will retain air pressure well, whether the ball will grip well, and whether it will bounce well in the short and long term.
Other aspects that might help determine the outdoor basketball that you purchase are your age, gender, and your skill level. There is no set rule on which basketball you should choose. This article will offer some guidance on what outdoor basketball to choose and why you choose that basketball.
Outdoor Basketball
Specifications
Price
What Is The Best Outdoor Basketball In 2021?
The Spalding Zi/O Indoor/Outdoor basketball is the most compelling option for somebody looking to purchase a new basketball. Its most redeeming quality is that it can actually be used for both indoor and outdoor basketball in equal measure.
Traditionally, basketballs that are used indoors aren’t worth much once you attempt to play with them outdoors, and vice versa. However, this basketball ticks all the boxes on that front. The ball has a high average rating among Amazon customers, which is among the highest ratings you will encounter for an outdoor basketball. Indoor basketballs generally score a lot higher than this.
Whether you purchase the 2021 ball or the 2022 version you are going to part ways with some serious cash, but that additional expenditure will be worth your while, because of this balls performance.
The air pressure retention of this basketball is better than most outdoor balls, and the handling of this basketball is also much better than the handling you will encounter on most other outdoor basketballs. One of the keys to this piece of detail is that the ball is made with polyester material, and not rubber - which is the convention with other outdoor basketballs.
Not only are we looking at more control here, but we are also looking at better feedback and feel from the ball. That is the sort of detail that allows a basketball player to play and shoot with a little more comfort or less fear. That contributes to a little more fun on the court.
The ball is only available in brown, with black channels. This ball also features some stunning golf trim.
Factors That Determine The Best Outdoor Basketball
1- Outdoor Basketball Size
The size of a basketball is particularly relevant for three groups of people. The first is adult males, who generally thrive with the Size 7 (29.5 Inches) basketball. The second group is your women who are most comfortable competing at the highest level with a Size 6 (28.5 Inches) basketball. The third group of people is your youth, which will be most comfortable playing with a Size 5 basketball. Those are typically 27.5 Inches in diameter. If you have smaller hands and just want to improve your basketball experience, there is no shame in playing with a smaller ball.
2- Outdoor Basketball Material
If you select a ball made from leather, or even composite leather, you are not going to have much joy playing outdoors in the long term. Because balls made from those materials are not designed to deal with all of the elements and the rougher playing conditions you are likely to experience outdoors. If you are searching for the best outdoor basketballs, the materials you want to find are rubber or polyester.
Top 10 Best Outdoor Basketballs In 2021
1- Spalding Street Phantom Outdoor Basketball
The Spalding Street Phantom Outdoor Basketball is the 2021 basketball. However, it is worth noting that the marketing is already being done for the 2022 Spalding Street Phantom Outdoor Basketball, which will not be made from the Machine Ball material in the 2021 version.
Instead the 2022 version of this ball will be made from rubber outright. If you think the 2022 basketball will have a more positive impact on your game, then it might be worth holding out on your purchase until that is made available at vendors like Amazon. Naturally, there has yet to be a price attached to the 2022 version.
Pros
Cons
2- Wilson Killer Crossover Basketball
The Wilson Killer Crossover Basketball is designed with younger basketball players in mind, which is why there are essentially two sizes available for this ball. When you scroll through vendor pages, you will likely establish that the more colourful the ball, the smaller it is. That is just our little joke, but the important thing to remember is that you must check the ball sizes carefully before you make a purchase for what you might deem to be the more attractive ball.
Because the ball is constructed from rubber, it is obviously suitable for outdoor basketball. However, this is really a ball that can be used on multiple surfaces and in multiple conditions and environments. If a Jack of All Trades were a basketball, the Wilson Killer Crossover Basketball would be it.
Pros
Cons
3- AND1 Supreme Grip Rubber Basketball
The AND1 Supreme Grip Rubber Basketball is an oddball, because the design sometimes feels like a step into the future, while there is an element to it that feels like something of a blast from the past. Regardless of how you look at it, we think it might be safe to say that no basketball has looked like it belongs in a street scrap more than this.
Vendors actually have three different designs available for purchase, which is something you should be careful about as the prices vary by design.
Pros
Cons
4- Spalding Street Outdoor Basketball
The Spalding Street Outdoor Basketball is a number one bestseller at Amazon. However, that isn’t the only thing that this basketball has going for it, by any stretch of the imagination. Of all the outdoor basketball that we feature on this list, the Spalding Street Outdoor Basketball has the most traditional look.
However, even if you do end up spending the maximum on this, it is quite likely that you will think it worth it in the end. Both the 2021 and 2021 versions of this ball are compelling options for basketball players who want to work the streets.
Pros
Cons
5- AND1 Fantom Rubber Basketball
The AND1 Fantom Rubber Basketball is quite a spectacular looking ball. If this were to be based purely on aesthetics, the money that you pay for this basketball is honestly tremendous value. It is important to note that the prices for this basketball do vary, depending on the colour ball that you purchase with your online vendor. Be sure you are paying for the ball that you want, and that you are paying for the right size of basketball.
Pros
Cons
6- Chance Premium Rubber Outdoor Basketball
The Chance Premium Rubber Outdoor Basketball offers up some of the most overt expressions of fun you will ever see on a basketball court. Every colour combination provided to vendors by the manufacturer is as conspicuous as a basketball will ever be, especially when you are playing with it outdoors.
While there are designs of this ball available to adult male basketball players, the fact that a Size 6 and 5 basketball are also readily available online speaks volumes about who this basketball is really targeted at.
This is a basketball designed for female players, youth, and folks who perhaps consider themselves more casual or recreational basketball players, who need to be persuaded to stay interested in the game.
When you are choosing the colour of your choice from an online vendor, you just need to be extra careful about choosing the right size ball and be doubly aware of how much you will be expected to pay for it.
Pros
Cons
7- Nike Basketball
The Nike Basketball grabs your attention simply by association. The best basketballs in 2021 are normally associated with brands like Spalding and Wilson. So, the presence of Nike on our best basketball list is rather refreshing. A telling detail with this basketball is that it does tend to match the high expectations that come with the Nike association. The ball is not a disappointment, by any stretch of the imagination.
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Cons
8- Spalding SGT NeverFlat HexaGrip Basketball
The Spalding SGT NeverFlat HexaGrip basketball makes a rather extraordinary claim. Calling the ball NeverFlat does attract the attention nevertheless, especially as you will never be expected to pay a considerable amount for this outdoor ball.
Pros
Cons
9- AND1 Street Premium Composite Leather Basketball
The AND1 Street Premium Composite Leather Basketball is peculiar, because it is not actually made from composite leather, as is advertised with online vendors. Leather and composite leather basketballs are most associated with indoor basketballs. Nevertheless, this ball is definitely made from rubber but it is still one of the best outdoor basketballs.
Beyond that, this ball comes in a few different colours, and all of them are priced differently. In some instances, they will also be sized differently. That is something you probably need to take note of before you make the purchase.
The ball is perfectly designed for younger players who are trying to improve their grip, control, and dribbling skills on the court. If you purchase this ball, there is the very distinct possibility that you will indeed become a better player. The jury is perhaps out on just how much better you will become.
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Cons
10- Senston Outdoor Basketball
The Senston Outdoor Basketball is one of the best outdoor basketballs because it is a visually compelling product, especially with the balls that have a gold trim for the channels. Something important to note before making the purchase for this ball is that the prices will change, depending on the colour scheme that you choose for your basketball.
Pros
Cons
How To Test For The Best Outdoor Basketball
When you test for the best outdoor basketball, your primary metrics should be air retention, moisture resistance, durability, and weight. In most of those respects, your skill level will have a bearing on the final choice that you make in this regard.
Conclusion
There are two certainties when shopping for the best outdoor basketballs on the market. The first is that they are almost certainly going to be made from rubber. Not every player enjoys playing with a rubber ball because that could compromise your feel or feedback.
However, one of the certainties with rubber is that you will get a ball that can withstand all the elements that are associated with the outdoors a little better. Another certainty with outdoor basketballs is that you will have better grip, which more often than not will translate to better control of the ball.
However, the biggest selling point when considering the purchase of an outdoor basketball is that you are seldom going to need to break into a bank before you can purchase one. Equally compelling to those looking to buy an outdoor basketball is that the material often allows you to play just as effectively whether you are indoors or outdoors. The best outdoor basketballs are great as crossover products, and many of the basketballs that we have featured in this list tick off that box too.
Generally speaking, outdoor basketballs offer you a lot more flexibility than anything of the indoor variety, even though purists are most likely to adopt that indoor route anyway.
Hey, I’m Aleksandar and I am a Basketball freak! That is why I decided to create this blog. Teaching people How to dunk a basketball and How to Jump Higher in this sport or other related sports that require vertical jumping, is my specialty. If that’s your aim, then you have come to the right place.