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Mobile phone and smartphone accessories, Wearable devices and smart watchesLooking for a sport you can enjoy with family and friends whether it rains or shines? Volleyball is a great team sport you can play both indoors on a court or at a gym and outdoors at the beach or even your own backyard. Because volleyball is a versatile sport, it's important to make sure you're buying the right ball for your particular interests and needs.
Our top pick, the Molten Premium Competition L2 Volleyball with official size and weight, is great for indoor and outdoor play, competitive and recreational use, crafted with durable yet soft materials, and offered in many play-enhancing color combinations. For tips on how to pick the right volleyball for your game needs, feel free to scroll down to our handy Buying Guide.
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Table of Contents
To help find the right volleyball for you, we recommend considering whether you'll be playing indoors or outdoors, expertise levels, differences in materials, and league certifications.
Your volleyball will differ in size and configuration depending on whether you’re using it indoors on a court or outdoors on a beach.
A regulation indoor volleyball is between 25 and a half to 26 and a half inches in circumference. On the other hand, a standard beach volleyball is between 26 to 27 inches.
Indoor and outdoor volleyballs are also configured with different levels of internal pressure, measured by psi, or pounds per square inch. This number can help indicate how easily the ball can travel once hit, as well as how effectively it bounces off surfaces.
As a rule of thumb, a lower psi means an easier ability to hit the ball with force, but it also means it is less effective in bouncing off hard surfaces.
An indoor volleyball has a psi of four point three, while a beach volleyball has a psi between two point five to three point two. Beach volleyballs tend to have lower psis because they don't need much internal pressure to bounce off absorbent sand compared to a hard court floor.
Volleyballs are made of an outer layer called the outer shell with leather, synthetic materials, or composite materials, and an inner core called the bladder which is often made with lightweight rubber. The outer layer is composed of eight panels.
For indoor volleyballs, these panels are glued together to ensure a seamless configuration. Smoothness is crucial for these balls because they must be able to bounce off surfaces accurately. If the panels were to be stitched together, the grooves in their seams can cause the ball to veer off in unintended directions upon contact.
An outdoor volleyball's panels are sewn together rather than glued together. This configuration allows for a greater focus on rigidity against rougher surfaces like sand and soil, as well as protection against UV rays and weather conditions like wind or rain.
Outdoor volleyballs can tend to weigh slightly more than an indoor volleyball to ensure that they don't fly away under windy conditions.
Volleyballs for youth are often made slightly smaller to make learning volleyball skills easier at first. These smaller volleyballs can be used for beginner adult players as well, if they want to focus on practicing foundational skills before beginning games or if they still don’t feel comfortable with a standard volleyball.
However, both youth and beginners alike should always aim to upgrade to a standard-sized volleyball after gaining basic familiarity with a smaller one. If you refrain from doing so, you may feel too unfamiliar with a standard volleyball and may lose some of the skills you worked hard to gain previously.
If you are looking for league-certified volleyballs and are practicing for professional games, getting a volleyball with a leather outer shell may be most suitable for you.
But if you’re just looking to rally with your friends or play a fun game outdoors, a synthetic or composite volleyball would be a great alternative.
Typically, volleyballs with leather outer shells are regarded as high-quality volleyballs and certified for professional use. However, since each leather volleyball is made differently, some can be harder than others in the beginning and some can require breaking in. Once they're broken in, they're durable and reliable.
Other volleyballs are made with synthetic or composite materials. Composite volleyballs tend to be recommended as practice balls for youths or beginners trying to master the basics.
Some of these volleyballs are even made with a foam outer layer to allow for softer contact. Some leagues have even certified these composite volleyballs for professional use.
Some volleyballs are approved or certified by national sports' associations, such as the National Federation of State High School Associations. Certifications from the NFHS are best for competitive players at the middle or high school level.
Sizes can vary from official, for competitive players, to 12U, 10U, and 8U for recreational play and youth practice. Some recreational or all-purpose balls can also sometimes be labeled as "official" in size and weight. Recreational or casual players do not necessarily need certified volleyballs.
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This volleyball has many certifications and can be used for both competitive and recreational use indoors. Its soft yet durable microfiber cover allows for a comfortable touch and secure grip at the same time. It comes in many color combinations, to facilitate better ball and spin detection and match your team's colors.
Some reviewers were disappointed that the ball needed to be inflated once they received it. Other reviewers were very pleased with the way this volleyball managed to be soft, sturdy, and lightweight all at the same time.
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Though Wilson's Soft Play volleyball has a soft and spongey outer layer for painless playing, it's strong enough for professionals thanks to also its sturdy machine-sewn synthetic leather. It's gentle enough for beginners or younger players and can be used indoors and outdoors.
Some reviewers didn't like that the paint on some of the colored versions peeled off easily. However, most others were impressed at how durable the ball was against rougher surfaces and were happy that the ball didn't sting as much as others when they hit it. Some also used this for Little League games.
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This official-sized volleyball is made of composite leather with Tachikara's patented Loose Bladder Construction, which they claim improves ball flight and facilitates smoother movement. Offering many different color combinations, Tachikara also makes sure their colorways are crafted both strategically to facilitate detection and creatively for aesthetic purposes.
Some reviewers expressed disappointment that it didn't last as long as they expected and tears appeared in the leather. However, most other reviewers liked the stability of the ball's flight during play and found that this was a good ball for recreational beginners, especially during practice sessions.
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This ball is the official volleyball of the AVP tour and was crafted with careful color variance for spin detection and ball tracking, particularly in outdoor environments where sun glare can be a factor. While this ball is geared toward competitive outdoor games on the beach, it can also be enjoyed by those playing for fun near the water.
Some reviewers received balls they thought were too slippery, lost some of the color and graphics too easily, or stopped holding air over time. But most reviewers found the ball to be of good quality for outdoor play. They were impressed by how the vibrant colors helped ball tracking and how soft the outer layer was despite it being an outdoor volleyball.
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Mikasa's Olympics-approved V200W volleyball is known for its aerodynamic 18-panel design, crafted to improve smooth ball movement. Its double-dimpled microfiber outer shell not only enhances grip, but is also made with an anti-sweat coating that prevents the ball from getting too slippery.
A few reviewers noted that the ball was quite hard and painful to play with, even if you're an advanced player. However, the majority of customers appreciated how effectively this ball allowed for smooth sets, hits, and serves, and its unique design which made spin detection much easier.
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This is a volleyball recommended for youth aged 12 and under or beginners learning and practicing the basics. It's designed to be softer and 25 percent lighter than the official weight and size of volleyballs. This lets youth and beginners practice and develop skills with less risk of injuries.
Some reviewers didn't like that the ball had to be inflated before each practice and how it tended to lose air if it sat in storage. However, the majority of customers appreciated how soft the ball was and how it enabled their children to learn hitting and passing without getting marks on their skin or feeling the sting of contact.
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This ball is the official volleyball of the NCAA Men's Championships, has a two-year warranty, and is certified by NORCECA and the NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics). Its outer premium microfiber shell is embedded with texture to enhance grip and accuracy whether it's in passing, setting, or hitting.
Some reviewers experienced problems with the seams cracking or showing early wear and tear. Others had issues with the ball not staying inflated. However, the majority were impressed with their ability to grip the ball and hit well thanks to its textured microfiber cover. Some also noted that they were able to pass with better precision.
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This volleyball is constructed with durable yet comfortable softness in mind, with a composite material that is layered on a bladder that's reinforced with cotton. The layers of this volleyball provide a softer touch for players whose skin may be more sensitive or not as acclimated to contact.
Some had problems keeping the ball inflated and others found that the seams did not hold together well. But more reviewers thought the ball was good to play practice matches or use for casual games between friends and family. They found the firmness of the ball to be ideal for practicing as well.
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This waterproof and heat-resistant volleyball is best for playing a fun outdoor game, even at the pool. The polyurethane outer shell is made with both comfort and weather resistance in mind, making it a great option for all indoor and outdoor settings.
Some reviewers experienced problems with the ball deflating after a few uses and found it a hassle to keep inflating it frequently. However, other reviewers appreciated the ball's durability against outdoor conditions like sand and water and found it a perfect choice for the backyard or pool.
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Molten's Recreational Volleyball is made for recreational indoor and outdoor use, and to hold up to summer camp use or frequent practices. Not only does the ball's soft polyurethane cover sting less on impact, making it beginner-friendly, but it also comes in many fun and unique designs perfect for younger children.
Some reviewers found the ball to be too slippery and hard to grip. Others thought it didn't retain air as well as other models. But most found the ball worked well for practice in the backyard or with younger children looking to try out their skills. They also liked that the ball could be used in a variety of environments.
Get ready for your volleyball match with some sports basics. Check out these other items that can keep you in the zone!
If you're still unsure what to choose, feel free to browse Amazon's best sellers link for volleyballs.
The descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
Apps
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