Best Basketballs 2023: Top-10 Indoor/Outdoor Picks

Best Basketballs 2020: Indoor & Outdoor Top-10 Picks

Want to get a new basketball? That’s good news!

What are the best basketballs in 2023? Which is the best basketball for indoor or outdoor courts?

Though with the overwhelming number of makes and models out there, you could easily get confused and end up with a ball that is either too big or too hard or just doesn’t have the right bounce.

How to Choose the Right Basketball

Choosing the right basketball has to do with a lot of factors. As a beginner in the game of basketball, a standard NBA ball may not actually be ideal, because of the size, the weight, and the materials used in making the ball.

Standard issued basketballs are made of leather. They are usually the most expensive and ideal for the hard-wooden floors used in indoor courts. But they don’t last very long on the more rugged concrete floors of the outdoor courts. 

Yet there are suitable balls for both indoor and outdoor courts, which are made from a synthetic material made to look and feel like leather, and they are called composite leather. These basketballs can be used on both outdoor and indoor courts, and they are a lot cheaper than the genuine leather balls.

The rubber balls, on the other hand, are the cheapest in the market. They are hard on the hands, and they lack the consistent bounce, good grip, and almost every other characteristic of leather balls.

It is basically not a good option for those people who are trying to improve their game, and it should only be used in outdoor courts.

Although some special rubber balls will go ‘toe to toe’ with some of the best composite leather basketballs in the market, as you will find out later in this article.

So with that out of the way, let’s take a look at the top-10 best basketballs for indoor and outdoor courts.

The Best Basketballs: Indoor and Outdoor Top Picks

1. Spalding NBA Zi/O Indoor/Outdoor

Spalding NBA Zi/O Indoor/Outdoor
  • Overall best basketball 2023 pick

Probably the best commercial composite leather basketball ever made by Spalding. The Spalding NBA Zi/O Indoor/Outdoor is our best basketball overall pick.

It has a great soft spongy feel to it with a thin layer of foam that ensures great handling when dribbling and passing. The Spalding NBA Zi/O was made following the same strict specifications used in creating balls for the NBA games.

So if you’re looking for something really close to the real deal to help improve your game, then this ball is just what you need. Another great feature of this model is the fact that it has a consistent bounce, and it was made for both the indoor and outdoor courts.

2. Wilson Evolution Indoor Game Ball

Wilson Evolution Indoor Game Ball
  • Best Indoor basketball 2023 pick

Wilson Evolution has been the go-to model for colleges and high schools alike. It is the favourite model of the NCAA, and it is used in most high school and college tournaments.

This indoor basketball has a soft smooth leathery feel and a really good grip. The bounce is just as you would expect from a ball used in tournaments, very consistent and predictable.

The Wilson Evolution Indoor Game Ball is perfect for every player.

3. Spalding NBA Instinct

  • Best outdoor basketball 2023 pick

Made solely for the outdoor courts, this durable piece from Spalding has been infused with the “Neverflat” technology. This means that you don’t have to worry about the ball deflating for at least a year, whether it’s played in the heat of the summer or the rain.

The ball stays pumped and ready for action all through the different changes in temperature and weather conditions that occur at different times of the year.

The ball’s skin is etched with hexagons designed to keep water away and help maintain the grip when playing in cold, wet weather.

4. Under Armour 495 Indoor/Outdoor Composite Basketball

Built to withstand harsh weather and rugged courts, Under Armour really did a great job with this ball. The outer layer is covered in soft composite leather that delivers a very good grip and has a really consistent bounce when used both indoors and on outdoor courts.

If you’re looking for a ball that feels good on your palms yet strong enough to play on an outdoor court for a good long time, then you definitely should get an Under Armour 495.

5. Baden Elite Indoor Game Basketball

This is another great ball with its outer cover also made from composite leather. It feels just as good as the Wilson Evolution and has great moisture draining properties that keep the grip consistent.

That is great, especially if you’re the type that flows like a fountain while having a basketball game. It is also built with an almost inconspicuous valve to ensure the ball maintains a steady bounce and a true flight path.

6. Spalding NBA Street Phantom Official Outdoor Basketball

If there were an outdoor ball with class, it would definitely be the NBA Street Phantom. This black ball colored with “neon-like” letters was specially designed for tough surfaces like concrete and asphalt.

Yes, it is also a rubber ball, but it was designed using Spalding’s soft-grip technology, making handling a lot easier. Its grip is also very consistent, even when you’re all sweaty or playing in the rain.

The ball also has a great bounce. Just don’t pump it any higher than it’s supposed to be. Else it becomes a little unpredictable.

7. Molten X-Series Indoor/Outdoor Basketball

The Molten X-Series has been the official basketball of the international governing body FIBA for a while now. Being used in most international tournaments by several top professional athletes has made the ball a popular basketball both at home and abroad.

Also designed using composite leather, this basketball was created to provide a high level of finesse and functionality in the game of basketball.

This unique specimen is a great choice for those who switch between indoor and outdoor courts.

8. The Rock Indoor Basketball

Well, it’s not an actual “rock,” but for a brand that hasn’t really been in the market for as long as it’s competition, the makers really did a great job.

This superb specimen is NFHS approved and can give the most popular brands a run for their money. It has an almost excellent tacky feel, a very reliable grip, and a bounce that is just as good as any of the great models out there.

What really sets “The Rock” apart is its excellent durability. Just don’t go using it on an Outdoor court, it is durable, but it wasn’t designed for hard concrete floors.

9. Wilson Killer Crossover Basketball

Wilson Killer Crossover Basketball
  • Best budget basketball 2023 pick

A rubber ball that plays perfectly in an indoor court, who would have thought of that? The Killer Crossover is one hell of a basketball.

Its intricate designs and superb pressure lock. The Killer Crossover is one ball that has everything required to give players a seamlessly smooth and efficient game on both concrete and wooden floors.

No wonder the NCAA made it an official ball.

10. Nike Versa Tack Basketball

With its smooth and tacky feel, you would definitely be surprised that the Nike Versa Tack is also as tough and durable as most indoor or outdoor balls.

With an outer layer made using tacky composite leather and a tough rubber core the Nike Versa Tack provides, it will definitely give you a smooth ball game on every court.

With several users having used the ball for almost 6 years without throwing it out, you can be sure that you would definitely be getting your money’s worth.


There you have it – Our top-10 best basketballs for indoor and outdoor picks 2023.

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