Best soccer balls to buy

The best soccer balls [futbols] to buy depends on what you specifically want.  Some of you might want good quality, while others want a better price.  Below I’ll explain how you can get both.  With a little knowledge you can get a good ball for a low price, which is a win win.  However you don’t want to get a cheap quality ball.  Some brands won’t last 1 year.  Even if you get it for $5-10 it’s not worth it if the ball doesn’t last.  More experienced youth or adult players need a better ball because it helps with performance.  Below I’ll explain how you can get a good ball for a low price and why you don’t want poor quality.  

Soccer ball shopping for beginners and experienced players

Whether you are a parent with a beginner or a player who’s experienced, you can get a good ball for a low price.  I think the biggest difference from a novice vs higher level player is the knowledge of knowing. 

Obviously a new soccer player or parent doesn’t know the difference from a good or bad ball.  This is why you’ll see a new player with a ball that is lighter than a volleyball.  If the ball is this light it’s not good. The one thing I do like about those balls is it can boost a kid confidence because they’ll be able to kick it further and easier.  I’d prefer you get a better quality ball and just don’t pump it up as much.  Once you kid learns how to lock their ankle when kicking you can air it up more. 

How to shop for soccer balls

The video in this blog – you’ll see me explaining the difference of several balls on the shelf.   

What I’ve come to realize is the sports stores and manufacture companies don’t really know what’s good.  This is why I want to show you how to shop for the best soccer balls for you.  

You can get a really good ball for a low price or you can get a bad ball for a high price.   LEARN how to shop for the best soccer balls by watching me in THIS VIDEO. 

Best soccer balls by brand

You can get good or bad balls choosing any brand.  Well, almost any brand.  There are some brands that I would never buy.  Puma, Adidas, Select, Nike & Brine are probably your best 5 brands for soccer balls. 

The Wilson brand soccer ball I would Not get.  Not even worth $5.  You can get some really good adidas balls on sale for $9.99 and $12.99.  Keep reading below to see the best soccer balls for sale. 

Most younger kids are just choosing a ball by the color.  I get it…   Some players want pink, others want red…   Most younger players don’t care about quality. 

Good quality is worth the extra few bucks and ugly color. 

For learning what size soccer ball by age – click here. 

Explaining the difference in material 

The skin of the ball makes a big difference and is how I can immediately tell if it’s a good or bad ball.   Two ways you can tell is by simply looking at it and second is by feeling it.  

The glossy / shiny balls are not good.  Of course when they are new some will have a little shin, but try to avoid the super glossy ones.  They are usually very light balls and don’t last long due to easy tears in the skin.  Balls can get torn up by being kicked on a brick wall, concrete ground, sticks, trees or chain fence.  If you keep the ball on the grass only, it will last longer.  

I really recommend you use a brick wall and train on concrete, therefore a better quality ball is worth it.

A good price for soccer balls

You can get good balls for $15 – $20 most of the time.  Sometimes you can get a ball of this price on sale.  Below (under the next subtitle) I share how to shop for balls on sale.

Getting a ball less than $15 can be risky because most at this price are not good.  $25 – $40 balls are usually pretty good, but you can get bad ones for $25.   

Professional teams use very good balls that cost up to $80 – $165.   You can tell the difference, but I sure would hate to lose that ball…  I think it’s worth it if you have the money.  Just don’t take it to a big camp or practice with tons of other kids or you will lose it (I mean someone will steal it).   It’s funny because only the good  or new balls end up missing.  The old beat up looking balls miraculously stick around. 

Best soccer balls for sale

At the big sports stores you can find sales every 3-4 months.  

Another thing these stores do is put the balls on sale towards the end of the aisle.   I often see a ball priced at $12 and then the SAME ball in the front of the aisle for $20!   SO make sure you walk to the end of the aisle.  Academy sports does this I know.

The local (smaller) soccer stores, which I do recommend because I love small business will sometimes sell locals $20 and $25 balls for $15.  Get to know the store owners.  Treat them good by spreading the word and shopping there and they’ll treat you good in return with sales.

You can also Shop Online Here for some of the Best Soccer Balls and find what you like – without leaving the house. 

Balls not to buy for older players

Like the picture below, balls that are gold or plastic looking are probably not good.  Hey – I’m sure there are a few gold balls that are good:)

Like I mentioned before, the balls that are super light similar to a volleyball are not good – UNLESS your kiddo is age 4-6.  Younger ages it doesn’t matter and many will benefit from having a lighter ball because it’s easier to kick.   

Age 7+ is when you should invest in a better ball.  At these younger ages 4-7 you can let a little air out.  This will also help them kick the ball better and give them more confidence.  A ball that is aired up all the way is more difficult to pass and shoot for this younger age.  Once the players are age 8-9+ is when they need to be introduced to the best ways to kick a ball.