Bowling is a sport that has gained a significant amount of popularity in the recent past. This is major due to the many benefits of the sport that were unknown to many before. However, with the technological advancements, this sport currently ranks so high.
One of those essential components of bowling is the ball. Whether you are a beginner or a professional, there is a need to have the best bowling ball for the intended results to be realized. So which are the best bowling balls? What are features likely to differentiate a good ball from a bad one?
Table of Contents
Reviews of the Top 10 Bowling Balls in 2023
It is quiet to have a look at the top 10 bowling balls on the market today; you can consider them before we get to do anything else.
Brunswick Tzone Deep Space Bowling Ball
[amazon box=”B018LIR2Q2″ ]
The Brunswick Tzone Deep Space is highly rated as one of the best beginner balls. The ball has a pancake core that ensures you make straight hits, hitting the targets without a miss. The accuracy that accompanies this ball is on another level too.
No rocket science is involved in making the ball work for any beginner. The straight shots from this ball are as a result of the polyester material used on its cover stock. For the intermediate players, there is a nice hook potential that comes with this ball.
The ball has a bullet core and is smoothly finished with a royal shine that glows under the backlight. The balls are available in blue/silver/aqua colors. However, the weight of this ball is inconsistent, which sometimes affects the game’s quality.
The beautiful graphics on the ball are so ideal for women and kids, though. Even though this bowling ball is loved by many, you must realize that its uneven weight distribution is something that most people don’t like.
Pros
- Nice straight hits
- Inexpensive
- Beautiful graphics
- Available in different colors
- Perfect for beginners
Cons
- Uneven weight distribution
- Not bags
Pyramid Path Bowling Ball
[amazon box=”B07BNRBFDR” ]
The Pyramid Path bowling ball is another great one from Ebonite. These are specifically designed for beginners. How do you know that it is meant for beginners? Well, the polyester cover stock and pancake core type say it all.
It is a good ball for use in straight or dry lane conditions. This ball shouldn’t be used on oily lane conditions as it is not very reactive so a little inconsistency will be realized. It comes with a hook potential for a little finesse for advanced gaming.
This bowling ball has the ability to stand the test of time as it is highly durable. Its scale rating of 5 is good for a nice bowling ball. These balls also come in different colors with various graphic designs from which you can choose.
It is inexpensive and often accompanied by a warranty of 2 years. There are no holes pre-drilled on this ball; you need the services of a professional to have the balls drilled to your satisfaction. It’s actually a good ball for honing your bowling skills.
Pros
- Good scale rating.
- Durable and hence a 2-year warranty.
- Well-priced.
- Nice straight shots.
- Beautiful colors.
Cons
- No reactiveness on oily lanes.
Brunswick Rhino Bowling Ball
[amazon box=”B01DUUDKT4″ ]
The Rhino bowling ball is another great one from Brunswick, which has been built with an R-16 reactive cover stock that makes it so ideal for professional bowlers. It has a symmetrical light bulb-shaped core. This makes it a little more versatile as well.
This product is easy to hook and use in medium-oil lane conditions. This even makes it easier for a beginner to transition to the intermediate level. The ball comes undrilled, so you have an opportunity to have it drilled to your satisfaction by a professional who probably won’t damage it instead.
This ball is often available in different but high-contrast colors from which you can choose. A combination of the core and the cover stock makes the ball powerful but, at the same time, easy to control. It might be a little costly, but a great ball for anyone who would like to transition from an amateur to a bowling guru.
It might be quite hard to use at first, but through practice, you’ll be in a position to enjoy a wide variety of its features. Most people who have used this bowling ball hate that it constantly chips once drilled and is also quite expensive.
Pros
- Perfect weight.
- Nice hook.
- Easy to control.
- Versatile as a result of the symmetrical core.
- Perfect for use in medium-oil conditions.
- Nice appearance.
Cons
- Constantly chips once drilled.
- A little costly.
Ebonite Cyclone Bowling Ball
[amazon box=”B07T7K22B7″ ]
Here is a Cyclone bowling ball from Ebonite that you can always look up to as well. This is worth considering if you need a ball that will provide the performance you desire on a considerable budget. It is perfect for making those transitions into advanced levels from the intermediate.
Its cover stock is reactive resin, making it ideal for oily lanes. This reactiveness is, at times, a turn-off for beginners. The symmetrical cores of these balls in the range of 10 to 16 pounds are the same. The 400 Abralon finish gives it a nice outlook.
Moreover, it is easy to hook, therefore, improving its performance. It will actually take you a little more practice to enjoy the full potential of this ball. However, it doesn’t perform well on heavy oil lanes, which many people don’t like. It is also quite challenging for beginners to train with.
Pros
- Available in nice colors.
- Hooks well.
- Ideal for use on dry to medium-oil lanes.
- Versatile.
- Reasonably priced.
- Straight shots.
Cons
- Doesn’t perform on heavy oil lanes.
- A little challenging for beginners.
Columbia 300 Nitrous Bowling Ball
[amazon box=”B001BN4P56″ ]
Columbia 300 Nitrous bowling ball has a two-piece core and the boost reactive cover stock. This enables the ball to become more predictable while at the same time having more gripping power. The ball can be used in medium to light-oiled conditions.
The Columbia 300 is perfect for use by bowlers of different skill levels. With its symmetrical core, you have the ability to drill holes as you desire. The slight reactiveness of this ball is perfect for any beginner.
It has a glossy 500/2000 Abralon finish that is well-polished, making it possible for the ball to travel at high speeds during throws, improving hitting power. Moreover, this bowling ball is not quite expensive and therefore affordable to many people. Its durability is also unquestionable. However, it is not ideal for use by professionals and, in a way, locks out beginners or intermediate bowlers.
Pros
- It can be used on different lanes.
- Durable.
- Strong hitting power.
- Inexpensive.
- Pretty looks.
- Easy to hook.
Cons
- Not for use by professionals.
Pyramid Antidote Bowling Ball
[amazon box=”B09S3STWW1″ ]
The Pyramid Antidote ball is liked by many due to its stylish design. It is among the latest in the Pyramid’s series of bowling balls hence the glamour and topnotch features. It’s New Era 149 symmetrical core makes it more versatile and a good ball for more advanced bowlers.
It comes undrilled, allowing you to drill your preferred holes at places of your comfort. It has a very reactive GPS Navigational Solid cover stock that is perfect for use in heavily oiled lane conditions. The other good thing about this ball is how easy it is to hook.
This ball has a good scale rating of 201.60. Besides, it has a warranty of two years which tells you something about its durability. However, all these top features come at a cost; the ball is a little expensive but still worth the money. The high-quality cover stock majorly causes the high price.
It has a 2000 Grit Abralon polish finish that ensures it runs smoothly along the lane. If you are new to bowling, then this ball isn’t meant for you.
Pros
- Beautiful design and color.
- Quick delivery.
- Hooks nicely.
- Perfect for heavy oil lanes.
- Well-made and durable.
- Predictable reactions.
Cons
- A little costly.
Brunswick Lizard Eye Glow Viz-a-Ball
[amazon box=”B002HE0FZC” ]
To add something unique and spectacular to your game, you must have the Lizard Eye Glow Viz-a-Ball from Brunswick. It has a backlight glow that makes bowling more fun and enjoyable. Its unique design is often intimidating to the opponents, something that will give you an upper hand.
A lizard’s eye forms part of the ball’s design, hence the name. It has a plastic cover stock which again makes it less durable. The ball is perfect for use on lightly oiled lanes as the cover stock material isn’t as reactive as others.
When it comes to making those straight shots, this ball is a nice one. The ball has a rubbing and compound single buff finish that makes it eye-catching. The unique design makes it perfect for kids. It is actually a perfect bowling ball for beginners. However, because it is not drilled already, it tends to be quite costly.
Pros
- Nice straight shots
- Unique appearance
- Quick delivery
- Perfect for beginners
Cons
- Costly as it is not pre-drilled
Ebonite Maxim Bowling Ball
[amazon box=”B08Z8DRW6G” ]
Designed with a three-piece core, the Ebonite Maxim bowling ball is another ball meant for beginners. The design makes it easy to balance and, therefore, easy to use by amateurs. The cover stock is made of polyester/plastic, which clearly indicates that it isn’t meant for advanced bowlers.
Because it is made of polyester, the ball doesn’t hook nicely. However, it is a great ball for use in lightly oiled conditions as the straight shots and precision are on another level. For the big-bodied bowlers, this ball is light and not recommended for you as your hitting power is likely to be so high.
This ball weighs 10.9 pounds. It is also inexpensive. This bowling ball will also make you happy to produce very straight and nice shots that most bowlers love. Did we mention that it is also quite pretty for those who care about how their bowling balls look? However, it easily cracks and therefore is less durable.
Pros
- Affordable.
- Easy to balance.
- Lightweight hence less straining.
- Produces nice straight shots.
- Pretty.
Cons
- Cracks so easily hence less durable.
Storm Tropical Breeze Bowling Ball
[amazon box=”B07ZPGCQ8L” ]
Here is a ball for different skill levels that have been made through the combination of tough chrome and carbon colors. There is a little cinnamon fragrance added to it. The Storm Tropical has a reactor pearl reactive cover stock, making it stand out among the rest.
The ball has a well-balanced camber core to make even beginners enjoy gaming with it. The balanced core ensures you make straight shots. It gives a harder hit on the pins compared to many bowling balls. Its core resembles an inverted light bulb to offer pin carry for down-lane motions.
You can also hook the ball with a lot of ease due to the reactive resin from which it is made of. With these advanced features, the ball still comes at a reasonably low price. However, beginners and even professionals alike will need some form of training to be able to use this bowling ball effectively.
Pros
- Powerful strikes.
- Reasonably priced.
- Pretty and strong smell.
- Easy to hook.
- Lightweight.
- Nice appearance.
Cons
- Needs the training to play with.
Hammer Black Widow Legend Bowling Ball
[amazon box=”B00LA4WHIS” ]
This is a legend, just as the name suggests, when it comes to bowling. It is a common ball in the bowling alleys. Its cover stock is a hybrid one that makes it suitable for use across many lane conditions. However, the ball performs perfectly well in medium-heavy oil conditions.
It has a polished cover that makes it quite aggressive. It also has a Gas Mask core to ensure nice shots, especially on the backend, that carries through to the pins. With a warranty of 3 years, this product has a long life. This also tells you more about its durability, which is unquestionable at.
The ball is a little costly and difficult to use on dry lanes. This product is a standard 2-piece core type. Moreover, it is a high-performance bowling ball that every bowling enthusiast wants to try. The durability of this bowling ball is also not questionable at all. However, this product is a bit expensive and scuffs quite easily.
Pros
- Versatile due to the hybrid cover stock.
- Durable.
- High performance.
- Perfect reaction.
- Nice appearance.
Cons
- Expensive.
- Scuffs easily.
What Factors Are Important in Selecting a Bowling Ball
Getting an ideal bowling ball for your gaming isn’t as easy as you might think. The looks are quite deceptive, don’t fall for a bowling ball just from its appearance; a lot more need to be considered.
In this section, we’ll look at the key features that should be considered before a bowling ball is purchased. This is of great importance to beginners and professionals alike.
Type of Cover stock
The bowling ball’s surface is what is often referred to as the cover stock. It is one of the most important things to consider in a bowling ball as it affects how the ball is likely to operate on lanes of different types. You really need to pay full attention to the material from which the cover stock has been made, as this determines the amount of friction likely to be produced against the lane.
Polyester or plastic balls are usually liked because of their inexpensiveness. However, they are not the best types for hooks. These are usually recommended for beginners. They do give some nice straight shots, though.
Resin cover stocks, which are solidly designed from urethane, are known to produce some of the best hooking potentials. However, they are not usually consistent, which requires additional power in every throw you make.
These reactive resin balls are either solid or pearl reactive. The pearl reactive is mica infused for additional ball reaction, especially on dry lanes, while the solid ones are built with small but many pores on the surface. These are so good for hooking purposes.
On the other hand, hybrid reactive cover stocks are designed for mid-lane gaming alongside solid and back-end motions.
Core Type
Do you know that bowling balls have different core types? Well, if you didn’t know, then know it now. Based on these differences, the performances of your balls might vary from one ball to the next. For beginners, a three-piece core is the most ideal as such balls provide a lot of balance as they make straight motions.
Pancake cores also give beginners the standard bowling experience, built using filler materials. They are well-balanced as well. For the more experienced bowlers, you must go for the asymmetrical and symmetrical cores. Asymmetrical cores aren’t shaped uniformly on the sides. This makes these balls quite difficult to control and, therefore, are specifically meant for seasoned bowlers.
On the other hand, symmetrical cores are considered more versatile as the finger holes are easy to drill on. Furthermore, they make great curves minus loss of power and control. You don’t require any special skills to use the symmetrical core bowling balls.
Weight of the ball
Bowling balls are available in different sizes and weights. The kind of game you want to play should dictate to you the weight of the ball you need to go for. A good bowling ball shouldn’t be too heavy as such will make you feel exhausted in just a few minutes.
On the other hand, a too-light ball is likely to swerve off the lane if hit with a lot of power. The ball’s weight will affect its performance to a greater extent. You also need to be a little careful when it comes to weight.
Looks and Design
Every bowling ball is designed uniquely to distinguish it from the rest. It is always said that looks are deceptive, but there are instances when you just have to settle for fancy stuff. Why would you buy something that isn’t pretty?
To some extent, the color of your ball says a lot about your personality. If you can get a great quality ball while having a nice look, don’t hesitate to part with a few dollars for it.
Your ideal ball should have a smooth and highly glossy finish. On the color, anyone that amazes you is so fine. The balls are actually available in different colors from which you can choose. Choose one that has top-notch graphic designs.
Price of the bowling ball
The bowling balls are available at different prices, majorly based on the materials used and skill levels. A high-quality ball is likely to cost more than a mere crap of a ball. This doesn’t mean that these balls are costly.
The balls built for beginners are less expensive as they are only meant to improve one’s game. You know what you want; now it’s time to go for that pocket-friendly ball for your gaming.
These are some of the important factors to consider whenever you want to buy a bowling ball. Remember not to compromise quality for looks and cost. Make the right decision by often consulting professional gamers.
What Are the Best Bowling Ball Brands?
Bowling ball brands keep growing every day. With this game’s popularity, expect more brands to hit the market. However, in this section, we want to have a look at the top 5 brands that have been in the market for quite some time now.
They have stood the test of time with regard to quality and value for money. They should be your first destination whenever you search for a ball.
Brunswick
This brand has been in the market since the 19th century, and it’s still going strong. From the 1880s to date, Brunswick has been in the production of bowling balls for use across the world. Seen as one of the most trusted brands today, the success of Brunswick hasn’t been a walk in the park, though.
The quality of their bowling balls has increased a lot, even though some expected a drop in their quality after BlueArch Capital Marketing purchased the company’s bowling ball section in 2015. That very quality is what they have stood to defend all these years.
Storm
This is another top-ranked brand that has been in the market since the 90s. For a long time, they majored in the design of professional players’ bowling balls. However, recently they’ve seen a market in the kid’s block as well and are now producing kids’ balls too.
This brand first came into the limelight by producing cleaning products for bowling balls. After that, it saw a gap in the market and ventured into the production of balls as well. It can be quite hard to get a ball from this brand if you are a beginner.
As you head towards professional bowling, you need to have them at the back of your mind.
Ebonite
This is another popular brand you have probably encountered in your search for a bowling ball. This company makes balls under Hammer, another popular name for bowling balls. They have been able to make huge sales across the globe as a result of their high-quality balls.
In 2007, Ebonite bought another bowling ball firm, Columbia, under their watch. The brand has stood out among the rest due to sponsorship offers to some of the well-organized bowling competitions globally. Additionally, their production of balls meant for different professionals, beginners, and advanced is another great thing. This brand is headquartered in Hopkinsville, Kentucky.
900 Global
This is a new kid on the block, unlike the previously mentioned brands. They are beginning to win many bowlers to their side due to their high-quality balls. It is a brand that might soon take over the markets if they remain consistent in terms of quality. Its headquarters is in San Antonio, Texas.
Motiv
In the 90s, Motiv specialized in the production of bowling cores alone. However, in 2017 their research team began a product development that would see them develop a new model of bowling balls. Kids and women love their balls because of their NeoMark graphics that make the balls stand out.
The graphics improve the performance of the balls by making them unnecessary to engrave. This is another new kid on the block, but going by the rate at which it is making inroads, it will soon be a globally recognized brand.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the weight of a good bowling ball?
A. Bowling balls weigh differently from one another. A nice ball should weigh between 10 to 17 pounds. However, depending on the lane conditions and your body size, a bowling ball of your choice shouldn’t be too bulky or too light.
Where to buy a bowling ball?
A. Bowling balls can be found in online and offline markets such as Bowling Alleys and Amazon. They don’t cost much.
What is the size of a bowling ball?
A. All bowling balls worldwide are manufactured using a standard size of 8.5 inches in diameter; therefore, that is the size of bowling balls. While the size of bowling balls is universally the same, the weights of these balls vary.
What is inside a bowling ball?
A. Bowling balls normally have an outer shell and an inner core. The inner core has what is contained inside a bowling ball. As for the lighter bowling balls, they normally have a core that is made of foam. Heavier bowling balls, on the other hand, use resins and polymers.
Conclusion
You have probably seen the top bowling ball brands currently on the market today. Besides, you have discussed their features, merits, and demerits in-depth. You’ve also looked at some of the important factors to consider when buying bowling balls.
What now remains is for you to choose which ball suits your game plan. All the balls in this guide are unique and will serve you right. However, among the best bowling balls we have reviewed, Hammer Black Widow Legend Bowling Ball takes the overall price.
Do you have any questions or comments to make? Feel free to get in touch with us. Thanks for reading this article.
