Last updated: by Thanassis Koukoutselos
This page explains how I choose, use and judge the basketballs and gear on BallerInstinct, so you can decide how much weight to give my picks.
What I look at in a basketball
- Size and weight: checked against the official size for the age group or league it is sold for.
- Grip: how the ball feels in the hand when new, and after it has been used outdoors.
- Bounce: how consistent it is at the pressure printed on the ball.
- Durability: how the cover and channels hold up on concrete or asphalt.
- Value: what you get for the price compared with the alternatives.
Hands-on versus researched
Every review says which products I have used myself and which I have not. Hands-on picks come with my own photos. For products I have not used, I compare manufacturer specifications and what owners report, and I label them that way.
Keeping reviews current
Basketball models change every season. Each guide shows when it was last updated, and I recheck prices, availability and newer models when I update it.
Affiliate links
Some links are affiliate links, mainly to Amazon and eBay. I may earn a commission if you buy through them, at no extra cost to you. Commissions never decide which product I recommend.
Spotted something wrong? Tell me through the contact page and I will fix it.
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- Learn How to Spin a Basketball on your Finger in less than 3 minutes - July 18, 2022
- Where are basketballs manufactured? (hint : mostly Asia) - June 10, 2022