Best Basketballs for Indoors & Outdoors in the UK

Review & Comparison, Last Update January 27, 2024
Indoor outdoor basketballs are the balls that have the right cover, the cover that allows you to use them at the gym and on concrete, ...Read more
PROS

The composite leather finish will minimise calluses. The layered cushion construction makes the ball more responsive, so you'll be able to dribble with less force and effort but producing the same results. 

CONS

The ball deflates pretty quickly. 

OUR VERDICT

Spalding NBA Silver will accommodate seasoned hoopers who know what the right ball is supposed to be bringing to the table. You'll be able to ball all out too since the rubber cover is exceedingly durable. 

detailed parameters
Recommended For

Outdoor playing

Size

5 (27.5”) / 7 (29.5”)

Construction

Durable rubber cover, Deep channel design for excellent grip and control 

Weight

17 oz. (size 5) / 22 oz. (size 7)

Warranty

1 year

PROS

The ball has an excellent bounce, so you can bring this one to any court without worrying about the surface. The textured pebble pattern with wide channels will be improving the grip and hand alignment.

CONS

The black print wears out with time. 

OUR VERDICT

Nike Dominate 8P Basketball will not shift the shape but can change the outline, going from the standard orange that makes the ball visible even come nighttime to black and red design that will make the basketball stand out from the boring crowd. 

detailed parameters
Recommended For

Outdoor playing

Size

7 (29.5”)

Construction

Durable rubber cover with textured pebble pattern, wide channels for easy hand alignment and ball control 

Weight

22 oz.

Warranty

Amazon's 30-day return policy

PROS

The special coating makes the ball durable enough to handle rough surfaces without scratching away the pebbled pattern. The premium carcass retains air so that you do not have to inflate the rock every few games. 

CONS

The surface is quite rough. 

OUR VERDICT

Wilson MVP Outdoor Basketball is what we would recommend to people who play basketball anywhere they go, from concrete and synthetic courts to dirt and granulated surfaces. As long as the hoop is there, with this rock, it is time to play ball. 

detailed parameters
Recommended For

Outdoor playing

Size

5 (27.5”) / 7 (29.5”)

Construction

Premium carcass construction for excellent air retention, Durable rubber cover with special coating for rough surfaces, PressureLock™ bladder

Weight

17 oz. (size 5) / 22 oz. (size 7)

Warranty

2 years

PROS

The parallel pebble construction ensures the tightest grip and consistent touch. Also, the pebbles will last, even when you hit the rock against hardwood every single day. The 12-panel Giugiaro design makes sure that the backspin is consistent too.

CONS

The finish feels synthetic. 

OUR VERDICT

Molten BGG7X Pro League FIBA will cost you some but you'll see why the product's more expensive than its less sophisticated competition soon enough. You'll also see why this is the rock that pros all over Europe are using nowadays. 

detailed parameters
Recommended For

Indoor playing

Size

7 (29.5”)

Construction

FIBA Approved X technology (parallel pebble construction) for excellent performance, Soft carcass Dual-Cushion™ technology, Patented 12-panel Giugiaro design with full flat seams for better fingertip control

Weight

22 oz.

Warranty

1 year

PROS

There are two colour scheme choices available: orange and blue and yellow and purple, both pretty bright so that you can comfortably play outside even without great lighting. The rubber bladder makes sure the ball remains inflated. 

CONS

The ball has this specific smell that does not go away. 

OUR VERDICT

When trying to get kids into basketball or organise recreational games between colleagues during lunchtime, MidWest League Basketball is probably what you should stick with. The ball is versatile and will guarantee decent results on most surfaces. 

detailed parameters
Recommended For

Indoor/outdoor playing

Size

5 (27.5”) / 6 (28.5") / 7 (29.5”)

Construction

Rubber bladder

Weight

17 oz. (size 5) / 20 oz. (size 6) / 22 oz. (size 7)

Warranty

Amazon's 30-day return policy

Time to Hit the Concrete

Spalding NBA Silver will be able to add legitimacy to pick-up games at the local park and elevate the competition levels there too. Even the ball's presence, with the NBA logo and the signature Spalding emblem, will make the games feel like there's more at stake there.

The rock looks brilliant, that goes without saying but it is the model's performance that tips the scales. First, the rubber cover is staggering durability-wise. You'll be able to hit the driveways and concrete courts, going from asphalt to concrete to even pavers without worrying about literally scratching the surface.

The cover's so tough that it makes the rock arguably too hard and heavy for hardwood but that's not something you can blame the product for as the description clearly outlines its outdoors disposition. You can blame the model for the fact that the ball deflates pretty quickly but that's normally the case with outdoor basketballs. On the bright side, the company's signature deep channel design will be able to aid grip and control, so you should be able to pull off the toughest moves even if your handles are not all-world.

Bottom line, when you go play basketball outside, Spalding NBA Silver is what you should be playing with. From most perspectives, this is the best basketball for outdoor play.

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $0.00
Stock May be out of stock
ASIN B06WD43JNK

Go Out and Dominate

Nike Dominate 8P Basketball will dominate outside courts. First things first, you can go with the ordinary NBA-style aesthetic, we've nothing against tradition (except that the black paint that outlines the grooves and fills the Nike logo wears out with time). That being said, some might find the familiar look pretty boring, so the people at Nike allow these some to choose different designs too, from ridiculous black and white volts to the aggressive black with red grooves. From where we're standing, all these designs look ace, each in their own right.

You can choose whatever paintwork and outline you want, the basketball will always come equipped with this textured pebble pattern that not only improves the grip but also makes the ball's finish durable enough to handle extended outdoor use. The channels will remain wide too, enabling easy hand alignment and elevating ball control. The ball's shipped deflates, so you'll have to find some pump to inflate this one before you're able to play outdoors but, when inflated, it is not too bad at retaining air, so you won't have to inflate the ball especially often.

Long story short, Nike Dominate 8P Basketball lets you choose between different designs so that you can dominate the local competition with style and confidence.

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price £23.45
Stock In stock
ASIN B076DDJZZL

The Crunch Time is Now

Wilson MVP Outdoor Basketball has been designed to accommodate beginners but the model's versatile enough to satisfy even the most experienced hoopers. To begin with, the traditional rubber surface and the classic design means that you won't have to get used to anything new here since the rock not only looks but also feels familiar.

Sure, some might find the special coating somewhat odd but, with some time, you'll get used to the new tactile impression. Besides, the coating's important to make the ball able to handle all surfaces, from concrete and dirt to granulated surfaces and synthetic courts. What's more, the PressureLock™ bladder will make sure that the bounce is consistent so that you're able to dribble the rock and grab the boards without having to test the grounds first.

More often than not, outdoor basketballs deflate within 3-5 games but this one, thanks to its premium carcass construction, excels at air retention, so you won't have to bring a basketball pump with you to the games.

To sum this up, despite the affordable price, Wilson MVP Outdoor Basketball will be able to accommodate most skill levels, from complete amateurs that would be usually put on skates to veterans shooting sick fadeaways, pulling insane crossovers, and dropping dimes left and right.

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $0.00
Stock May be out of stock
ASIN B003ARSP4I

For the Real Game

Molten BGG7X Pro League FIBA is not cheap but that's because the ball's been FIBA approved, so you'll be shooting the same rock that the best European players are playing with. Plus, it is not like you'll be playing for the name alone.

To get the proverbial ball rolling, the FIBA Approved X technology that employs parallel pebble construction will make sure the grip is always tight and that every touch feels the same, no matter which part you grabbed. Besides that, the carcass is soft, making the ball easy to dribble with but, at the same time, thanks to the Dual-Cushion™ tech, the soft carcass does not affect the bounce, keeping it high and consistent.

What will also remain consistent is the backspin, primarily owing to the patented 12-panel Giugiaro design. Adopting full flat seams, this design not only keeps the backspin consistent but also improves fingertip control so that you don't have to grip the ball with the full palm to dribble and drop brilliant dimes.

With different technologies galore, the finish feels somewhat synthetic, not what you'd expect from Spalding and Wilson rocks but something that should take you very little time to get used to. Even taking the synthetic leather into account, Molten BGG7X Pro League FIBA is what you should be bringing to the hardwood if you're serious about basketball.

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $0.00
Stock May be out of stock
ASIN B010NK7KUE

Good Enough

MidWest League Basketball is pretty cheap. This is not the rock you buy when you've hitting hooping for decades. This is the rock you buy your children to get them into the sport or for casual lunch games between the colleagues.

There's nothing especially bad about this basketball but nothing especially good too. Looks are subjective but we cannot make an argument that this ball is sporting anything interesting, from the outline to the colour scheme. That being said, you can choose between orange and blue and yellow and purple, with both options bright enough to aid ball games with limited lighting.

The rubber bladder will make sure that the rock remains inflated, meaning you won't be worrying about this one deflating at the park when no one has brought a basketball pump. Plus, the valve is compatible with standard basketball pumps, so you won't have to get creative when inflating the ball.

As the model's not adopting any sophisticated features, you can play with this rock indoors and outdoors, probably with matching, decent results. Last but not least, you can choose between 5 (27.5”), 6 (28.5"). and 7 (29.5”) sizes that weigh 17, 20 oz, and 22 ounces respectively, meaning that, again, you can buy this one for kids and adults alike.

Last updated price £9.49
Stock In stock
ASIN B06X9W81F9

What Are Indoor & Outdoor Basketballs?

Basketball might be the most discriminating sport but it is also the game that requires more skill, poise, and finesse than most. People like to associate the NBA with 7-feet tall demigods dunking the rock and athletes like MJ flying from the free-throw line to the hoop but you do not have to be a freak of nature to enjoy and even sometimes dominate the sport, something that people like Steph Curry prove every day. All the youth need is the right attitude, the right mindset, and the right basketball equipment.

Without the right basketball, practice won't be making perfect. The right basketball is not only about the right weight and size (circumference) but also about various technologies aiding the game. The cover should feel soft but not too soft, facilitating gripping and dribbling but without making you too comfortable. The channels ought to be deep enough to further promote the grip and let you execute mean crossovers. Last but not least, the rock is supposed to be durable enough to make sure the texture is there, even when thrown against the hardwood and concrete for hours on end.

With these basketball hoops, you can turn any driveway into an actual court, while these gym bags will let you bring everything you need to hoop with you to the gym/park.

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