10 Best Outdoor Basketballs: Compare, Buy & Save

Over the years, one of Spalding’s most popular outdoor balls has been their NBA Street Basketball.

Featuring a durable rubber cover, the ball has been cited for being long-lasting and able to withstand the rigors of the outdoor game, which generally includes dribbling on hard concrete surfaces. The wide-channel design is perfect for getting an excellent grip whether dribbling or taking a long 3-pointer.

With an NBA logo on the ball, the Street Basketball is available in three sizes — official, intermediate and youth — and all are priced under $20.

Wilson is the official ball of the Men’s and Women’s NCAA Tournament and the Replica Rubber Basketball was designed for outdoor play.

Featuring a high-performance rubber cover, you’ll have no problem getting a solid grip in the street pick-up games. And that grip and performance can also be attributed to the design, which has wide and deep channels, necessities when dribbling and shooting in the outdoor elements.

The ball is available in two sizes — official (29.5 inches) and intermediate sizes (28.5).

It’s all in the name for this Baden basketball — Grip Tread Rubber. And one look at the ball, and you’ll understand what they mean.

Engineered to give ultimate grip, the ball doesn’t have the look of a typical basketball, but features a unique tread design guaranteed to catch the eye of everyone on the court. The street ball, which can also be used indoors, is very durable and was made to give great performance and maximum air retention.

The Baden ball is available in official size (29.5 inches) only. And if you’re looking for an unconventional choice, this is one of the best outdoors basketballs you can find.

Expect supreme grip and control with Wilson’s Killer Crossover Basketball, which is perfect for indoor or outdoor use.

The 16-panel construction features an optima rubber cover with pebbled channels which ensure a soft, tacky feel and durability, important characteristics when dribbling and shooting on the playground. Wilson is the official ball of the NCAA Tournament so you know they’re not going to put their name on anything.

The Killer Crossover is available in official and intermediate sizes making it a great ball for the recreational player.

This isn’t your typical street basketball. No, Spalding NBA Zi/O Indoor/Outdoor Basketball has a look and feel like you should be playing under the bright lights of a pro arena. But its construction makes it ideal to the outdoors as well.

The Zi/O composite leather includes full-ball pebbling which provides a tacky feel, which is ideal for streetball play. And the cover is also back-lined with foam for a softer feel and durability. You’ll maintain a solid grip and control whether you’re inside or in the park playing pick-up.

It measures (29.5 inches — official size) and features the official NBA logo and is one of the best outdoor basketballs Spalding makes.

The FIBA approved Molten X-Series Indoor/Outdoor Basketball certainly has a unique look with its 12-panel design. But it’s not just a great looking ball, but also supplies plenty of performance.

Perfect for both indoor and outdoor play, the ball’s aligned pebble pattern guarantees a consistent contact no matter where the ball is being held. And it’s durable; the inner ball bladder is constructed of butyl rubber.

The ball ships deflated and is available in three sizes — official (7), intermediate (6) and junior (5) — and comes with a 1-year warranty.

If you’re looking for a quality outdoor ball at a bargain price, the Franklin Sports Grip-Rite 1000 Basketball could be for you. It’s made of high-quality rubber with inner yarn winding so you can expect to get a durable basketball that can withstand the elements of outdoor play.

And as for grip, the pro-style ball has deep channel construction so you’ll get a great feel for when you’re leading the fast break or pulling up for a deep 3-pointer. The ball is available in 4 different colors — Red/Black, Brown, Blue/Black, Green/Black — and 3 sizes — 29.5 inches, 28.5 inches, and 27.5 inches.

Baden’s second item on this list is the Contender Composite Basketball which can be used for both indoor and outdoor play. The top grade composite cover will stand up to the rigors of outdoor play, but lend the feel of an indoor ball.

Another interesting highlight to this ball is the Baden’s Stealth Soft-Valve System, which cuts down on the amount of exposed rubber from the valve, therefore making it one of the better air-retention balls on the market. That ensures consistent play and dribble with every bounce.

It’s available in official and intermediate sizes and in various bright colors, which give off that old school charm.

Highlighted by GRIPSKIN Composite technology, Under Armour’s 495 Indoor/Outdoor Basketball is designed to give you an amazing grip and soft feel regardless of the surface you’re playing on.

With a deep channel design and full ball pebbling, you’ll get top-notch performance and be in control on every dribble and shot. It features 80 percent nylon windings so the ball is ensured to keep its shape over time. And thanks to the 100 percent butyl rubber bladder the ball will endure minimal air loss.

Despite being on the pricey side, the Under Armour 495 is one the most popular and best outdoor basketballs on the market.

Show support for your favorite squad with the Spalding NBA Courtside Team Outdoor Rubber Basketball. The ball is made of high quality rubber, so you’ll be sure to have a great handle on the ball when playing outdoor surfaces. It can also be used inside.

It’s official size (29.5 inches) and comes in vibrant colors of your No. 1 NBA team, including logos. Golden State is pictured here, but if you’re not a Warriors fan, it’s OK — the ball comes in almost all NBA teams.