Soccer Balls – Team Sports Mania

After spending more than 45 hours of research on multiple soccer balls across the spectrum of air retention, rebound, durability, and usability finally we made this best soccer balls review and buying guide for you. Here are the Best Soccer Balls Best official match soccer ball - SELECT Numero 10 Best practice soccer ball - Adidas MLS Top GliderBest indoor soccer ball - Mikasa SX50 Indoor BallBest beach soccer ball - SELECT Beach BallBest street soccer ball - Senda Street Ball How did we research and why should you consider our list as a trusted source? In this soccer ball reviews guide we have reviewed 5 different soccer balls types separately (official match soccer balls, practice soccer balls, indoor/futsal balls, beach soccer balls, street balls). We guess this will ease your way to gain knowledge on the right product based on your purpose.We picked some of the popular balls and reviewed them to make this list.We were not influenced or biased towards any particular brand during the review process.Both the pros and cons are written down against each product.What were the parameters we took into consideration? We considered the price, usability, purpose, quality, performance, user acceptance.None of the products will break your bank. 4 Best Official Match Soccer Balls - Comparison Chart Preview Best for the money Best in quality Title Select Numero 10 Soccer Ball Adidas Telstar 18 - The World Cup 2018 FIFA Approved Soccer Ball Millenti Knuckle-It Pro Soccer Ball Adidas Euro Qualifier Official Match Soccer Ball Air Retention 4/5 4.6 / 5 4.8/5 4 / 5 Rebound 5 / 5 4.9 / 5 4.8/5 4.5 / 5 Durability 5 / 5 5 / 5 5/5 4.5 / 5 Editor's Rating 5 / 5 5 / 5 4.9/5 4.6 / 5 Check Price on Amazon Check Price on Amazon Check Price on Amazon Check Price on Amazon Prime Status - - - - Read Full Review Read Full Review Read Full Review Read Full Review Best for the money Preview Title Select Numero 10 Soccer Ball Air Retention 4/5 Rebound 5 / 5 Durability 5 / 5 Editor's Rating 5 / 5 Check Price on Amazon Prime Status - Read Full Review Best in quality Preview Title Adidas Telstar 18 - The World Cup 2018 FIFA Approved Soccer Ball Air Retention 4.6 / 5 Rebound 4.9 / 5 Durability 5 / 5 Editor's Rating 5 / 5 Check Price on Amazon Prime Status - Read Full Review Preview Title Millenti Knuckle-It Pro Soccer Ball Air Retention 4.8/5 Rebound 4.8/5 Durability 5/5 Editor's Rating 4.9/5 Check Price on Amazon Prime Status - Read Full Review Preview Title Adidas Euro Qualifier Official Match Soccer Ball Air Retention 4 / 5 Rebound 4.5 / 5 Durability 4.5 / 5 Editor's Rating 4.6 / 5 Check Price on Amazon Prime Status - Read Full Review 5 Best Soccer Balls to Buy for Training/Practice - Comparison Table Preview Our Best Pick Title Adidas Glider Soccer Ball One World Play Project Soccer Ball Adidas miCoach Smart Soccer Ball Mikasa Serious (SS Series) Soccer Ball Adidas MLS Top Training NFHS Soccer Ball Air Retention 4.5 / 5 5 / 5 4.6 / 5 4.5 / 5 4.4 / 5 Rebound 4.7 / 5 4 / 5 4.6 / 5 4.5 / 5 4.5 / 5 Durability 4.7 / 5 5 / 5 5 / 5 4.5 / 5 4.5 / 5 Editor's Rating 4.8 / 5 4.6 / 5 5 / 5 4.5 /5 4.4 /5 Check Price on Amazon Check Price on Amazon Check Price on Amazon Check Price on Amazon Check Price on Amazon Prime Status - - - - - Read Full Review Read Full Review Read Full Review Read Full Review Read Full Review Our Best Pick Preview Title Adidas Glider Soccer Ball Air Retention 4.5 / 5 Rebound 4.7 / 5 Durability 4.7 / 5 Editor's Rating 4.8 / 5 Check Price on Amazon Prime Status - Read Full Review Preview Title One World Play Project Soccer Ball Air Retention 5 / 5 Rebound 4 / 5 Durability 5 / 5 Editor's Rating 4.6 / 5 Check Price on Amazon Prime Status - Read Full Review Preview Title Adidas miCoach Smart Soccer Ball Air Retention 4.6 / 5 Rebound 4.6 / 5 Durability 5 / 5 Editor's Rating 5 / 5 Check Price on Amazon Prime Status - Read Full Review Preview Title Mikasa Serious (SS Series) Soccer Ball Air Retention 4.5 / 5 Rebound 4.5 / 5 Durability 4.5 / 5 Editor's Rating 4.5 /5 Check Price on Amazon Prime Status - Read Full Review Preview Title Adidas MLS Top Training NFHS Soccer Ball Air Retention 4.4 / 5 Rebound 4.5 / 5 Durability 4.5 / 5 Editor's Rating 4.4 /5 Check Price on Amazon Prime Status - Read Full Review 3 Popular Indoor/Futsal Soccer Balls Reviews - Comparison Chart Preview Our Best Pick Title Mikasa SX50 Indoor Soccer Ball Mikasa D100 American Futsal Indoor Series Soccer Ball Editor's Rating 5 / 5 5 / 5 Check Price on Amazon Check Price on Amazon Prime Status - Read Full Review Read Full Review Our Best Pick Preview Title Mikasa SX50 Indoor Soccer Ball Editor's Rating 5 / 5 Check Price on Amazon Prime Status Read Full Review Preview Title Mikasa D100 American Futsal Indoor Series Soccer Ball Editor's Rating 5 / 5 Check Price on Amazon Prime Status - Read Full Review 3 Top Quality Beach Soccer Balls - Comparison Table Preview Our Best Pick Title Select Beach Soccer Ball Senda Playa Beach Soccer Ball Baden Praia Beach Soccer Ball Softness 4.5 / 5 5 / 5 4 / 5 Water Resistance 5 / 5 4.6 / 5 4 / 5 Scratch Resistance 5 / 5 4.5 / 5 4 / 5 Editor's Rating 4.8 / 5 4.6 / 5 4 / 5 Check Price on Amazon Check Price on Amazon Check Price on Amazon Prime Status - - - Read Full Review Read Full Review Read Full Review Our Best Pick Preview Title Select Beach Soccer Ball Softness 4.5 / 5 Water Resistance 5 / 5 Scratch Resistance 5 / 5 Editor's Rating 4.8 / 5 Check Price on Amazon Prime Status - Read Full Review Preview Title Senda Playa Beach Soccer Ball Softness 5 / 5 Water Resistance 4.6 / 5 Scratch Resistance 4.5 / 5 Editor's Rating 4.6 / 5 Check Price on Amazon Prime Status - Read Full Review Preview Title Baden Praia Beach Soccer Ball Softness 4 / 5 Water Resistance 4 / 5 Scratch Resistance 4 / 5 Editor's Rating 4 / 5 Check Price on Amazon Prime Status - Read Full Review 2 Best Street Soccer Balls Preview Title Senda Street Soccer Ball American Challenge All-Terrain Soccer Ball Toughness 5 / 5 4.9 / 5 Scratch Resistance 4.7 / 5 4.6 / 5 Editor's Rating 5 / 5 4.7 / 5 Check Price on Amazon Check Price on Amazon Prime Status Read Full Review Read Full Review Preview Title Senda Street Soccer Ball Toughness 5 / 5 Scratch Resistance 4.7 / 5 Editor's Rating 5 / 5 Check Price on Amazon Prime Status Read Full Review Preview Title American Challenge All-Terrain Soccer Ball Toughness 4.9 / 5 Scratch Resistance 4.6 / 5 Editor's Rating 4.7 / 5 Check Price on Amazon Prime Status Read Full Review 4 Best Official Match Soccer Balls Reviews 1. SELECT Numero 10 Soccer Ball Review - Best Soccer Ball for the Money Select Numero 10 Soccer Ball Sz 5 (EA) Check Price on Amazon Air Retention: 4/5 Rebound: 5/5 Durability: 5/5 Bladder: Latex Cover: PU laminated with neoprene foam Panel: Hand stitched 32 panel Overall performance: 5 / 5 Features at a Glance Applicable for both official matches and practice sessions. Offers better bounce and response because of the Select’s premium zero-wing latex bladder. Quality 32 hand-stitched panel and golf structured PU panel offers durability and good aerodynamics. Players can personalize the ball by writing their number on the ball (more on this later). Although the latex bladder doesn’t tend to hold the air for a long, Select Numero 10 is different. It can hold the air for a considerably longer period. Soft and feels good after kicking due to the latex bladder. It travels faster and farther with relatively less force. Easily visible under low light conditions. Can be played on grass or turf. Worth the money. NFHS, NCAA, IMS approved. Multiple colors are available. Things to Remember The inflation hole is a tad difficult to find. Lighter than what you would have expected. Not sure whether we should consider this as good or bad. This is not a streetball. So same rule. Don’t choose concrete as the playing ground. Detailed Review SELECT a Danish brand was founded in 1947 by Eigil Nielsen. No doubt, it’s a quite well-known and reputed brand among the soccer players and coaches. They have a long history of making soccer balls and truly know what it takes to make a quality ball. This ball offers an amazing flight in the air. We are sure you will also feel the same. The texture on the ball helps for controlling and juggling. A couple of users have complained about air retention. We don’t see any major downside in this regard, as you can expect it holds the air for about a month or so. Any top-quality official match ball tends to release the air quicker than the practice balls. Particularly if it is made from a latex bladder. This ball has latex a bladder, so holding the air for a month is quite realistic and good for us. No issue at all. Instead of worrying about air retention, we enjoy the soft and responsive feeling due to the latex bladder that this ball offers. Select Numero 10 is one of their finest balls that we believe is well capable of meeting all the requirements you may expect for any official match or practice session. 2. Adidas Telstar 18 - The World Cup 2018 FIFA Approved Official Match Ball adidas World Cup 2018 Omb Soccer Ball Pro White/Black Check Price on Amazon Air Retention: 4.6/5 Rebound: 4.9/5 Durability: 5/5 Bladder: Butyl Cover: Synthetic leather Panel: 6 panels – Thermally bonded Overall performance: 5 / 5 Features at a Glance 3D texture panel helps to maintain the control and grip. TSBE technology ensures minimal water uptake. Butyl bladder confirms the longer air retention. 6 thermally-bonded panels are designed in a way so that the maximum and equal weight can be distributed throughout the ball after kicking the ball. This ensures consistency through the air even better than Brazuca 2.0. Rebounding is excellent. Durable, faster, more stable, and solid than Brazuca 2.0. FIFA tested and approved. In terms of quality, this is the highest quality ball on our list. Things to Remember NFC chip is not anything that attracted us to take this ball into our consideration. It is embedded mostly for the promotional purpose of Adidas. Travels a bit lesser than Brazuca 2.0 over long-distance kick. Detailed Review Television + Star = Telstar balls were first used in the 1970 world cup where the ball was of 32 panels having black and white colors. Telstar 18 that was used in the world cup 2018 is another masterclass production from Adidas. This time they have made it a 6 panels ball keeping the same black and white combination. While we are reviewing the original version here, you will also find the top replique, glider, and mini version for this model. But of course, quality and performance will not be the same although you can buy them at a cheaper price. The 2010 world cup ball Jabulani was being criticized by the players for its inconsistent behavior through the air. Later the Brazuca soccer ball that was used in the 2014 world cup solved the problem. The Telstar 18 is almost similar to Brazuca 2.0 in terms of performance but more consistent through the air for the long shots. After performing a drop test on Jubalani, Brazuca, and Telstar 18, the Telstar 18 outperformed the Jubalani, and did slightly better than Brazuca. That means in terms of rebounding Telstar 18 was the winner. As we said performance-wise this ball is pretty similar to the Brazuca 2.0 version. But the curve and consistency are better in the case of Telstar 18 for the long shots. From this perspective, goalkeepers will love this ball as well. The free-kick takers will find it easier to control their shots better than before as they can dominate the curve better this time. This ball performs well for the header as well. Telstar is also faster than Brazuca 2.0. The main downside of this premium match ball is, it travels a bit less over long-distance kick than the Brazuca 2.0. Otherwise, we found this version a perfect one to go for. Aesthetically you may or may not like the ball as this one is not anything fancy in colors. Here the base is white with black detailing. But the feel, control, and grip are better than other versions. 3D texture panels ensure grip and control. This is 6 panels thermally bonded ball. The shape of the panel is a bit unusual though. But we think that helps the ball to perform well through the air. The valve is red in color, and it looks good. These 6 panels are designed in a way so that it ensures maximum and equal distribution of energy when kicked. This is another reason for the consistency through the air of this ball. TSBE technology ensures minimal water uptake, and the butyl bladder helps the ball to retain the air for a longer period of time. The cover is made from synthetic leather which is one of the most useful materials for any soccer ball in terms of performance. Don’t bother about the NFC chip. It is mostly for promotional purposes. It does not add any value in terms of performance, so we are not overwhelmed with that feature. Overall this premium soccer ball is a perfect option to go for if you are looking for quality, durability, and consistent performance. Although the price is a bit higher. You will get almost similar performance (but not the exact same) from Bend-It soccer balls spending around half of the money than Telstar 18. 3. Millenti-Bend-IT Champions League Soccer Balls Millenti Soccer Balls Size 5 - Knuckle-It-Pro White Soccer Ball with High-Visibility, Easy-to-Track Designs, SB0105WT Check Price on Amazon Air Retention: 4.8/5 Rebound: 4.8/5 Durability: 5/5 Bladder: Butyl Cover: Polyurethane(PU) Panel: Thermally bonded Overall performance: 4.8 / 5 Features at a Glance Visual Response Color (VRC) technology allows you to see the ball moving, rotating, and bending against any background through the air. Valve Position Marker (VPM) shows you the sweet spot that means the proper foot position on the ball or where you should kick the ball, which is very helpful when you take free kicks, penalties, or corner kicks. High-quality balls at a very affordable price. These are thermally fused match balls costing you 70% less than other thermally fused match balls available on the market maintaining the same quality. 100% PU-made cover with water-resistant textured latex material that helps to have great control over the ball when you shoot or a goalkeeper grips it wearing a pair of gloves. The thermal bonding allows longevity. So, you can kick the balls as hard as you can. Things to Remember Only size 5 ball is available. These are not the perfect choice to play on concrete. So choosing concrete as the playground is highly prohibited. Detailed Review According to Bend-IT, they make balls maintaining the quality of Barclays Premier League (BPL), German Bundesliga, Spanish La Liga BBVA, Liga MX, Italian Serie A TIM, and the Eredivisie leagues. What we like most about these balls is the Visual Response Color (VRC) technology that allows you to see the ball move, rotate, and bend against any background through the air. So, as per our findings, clear visibility is the most attractive part that will help you to improve your kicking. The next benefit you will get from these balls is the Valve Position Marker (VPM) which shows you the sweet spot that means the proper foot position on the ball or you can say the place where you should kick it. But this will help you only when you are taking free kicks, penalties, or corners. To test the importance of a Valve Position Marker (VPM), we will advise you to take free kicks four times. Two times making the shot at arbitrary positions on the ball, and two times on the VPM. You will find that the result is noticeably different. Let’s have some knowledge about the construction now. This model is made out of a 100% PU cover that ensures durability and a leather-like feeling. As they have water-resistant textured latex material that helps to have excellent control over the ball not only when shooting but also when a goalkeeper saves it in front of a soccer goal. The thermally-bonded construction allows you to kick the ball as hard as you want without worrying about longevity. We must admire the shape retention capability of all the Bend-It models. Butyl bladder provides a longer period of air retention. Instead of buying any replica promotional balls, we would suggest you buy these balls because of the affordability that these models provide. According to Bend-It, you are getting one ball for the price of three balls. From our point of view, we should consider it as a true statement because not only this model but also other models from Bend-it are very reasonable for the quality they provide. Bend-it offers a 70% lower price compared to other thermally fused official balls available on the market. Only size 5 is available for this model. So if you want to buy a different size, then you should not go for this option. If you are not sure about the different sizes of a soccer ball (i.e., size 5, size 4, size 3, size 2, size 1), then click here to read our guide. Altogether, all of these models are capable of performing like an original official ball, but the price is noticeably less. These are obviously FIFA-tested and approved models. If you want to know the FIFA testing process, click here. 4. Adidas Euro Qualifier Official Match Ball adidas Soccer Ball: adidas Euro Qualifier Official Match Ball 5 Check Price on Amazon Air Retention: 4/5 Rebound: 4.5/5 Durability: 4.5/5 Bladder: Butyl Cover: Synthetic Polyurethane (PU) leather Panel: Thermally bonded Overall performance: 4.6 / 5 Features at a Glance Although because of the thermally-bonded seamless surface the trajectory is predictable, still you will get a very satisfactory response after knuckling. The unpredictable trajectory can deceive the goalkeeper easily, but that leads your shot mistargeted very often too. The surface also provides lower water uptake, and better touch and feel. Simplistic design, nothing too flashy. The graphics don’t flow with the panel shape that gives the ball a unique look. Two figure-eight type panels in red, black and gray that run opposite ways from one another. Good rebound, and control. Synthetic polyurethane leather cover offers durability. Butyl bladder for a longer period of air retention. FIFA tested and passed; used in 2016 Euro qualifier match. Things to Remember Only size 5 is available for this model, which is the case of any official match balls as size 5 is the standard size of official matches. This is not streetball. So don’t choose concrete as the playing ground. Detailed Review This is another high-quality ball from Adidas. Pricing is moderately high, but you should accept the price if you are looking for a quality option. This ball was used in 2016 Euro qualification matches, so definitely it was tested and passed by FIFA. As far as the graphics are concerned, this is mainly a white soccer ball, and this is one of the Brazuca variants we should say. The graphics don’t follow the panel shape that gives it a unique look. Only two minimalist silver and red colored pattern on the ball that makes it simple styling without anything really flashy. So if you are a fan of the simplistic design, then this is a perfect choice for you. This time we are going to test a ball that is made out of 100% synthetic polyurethane leather, which is the best regarding quality. This is the main feature that took our attention and forced us to keep this model from Adidas on our list. The panels are also thermally-bonded which means the surface is seamless. Altogether from our experience, we found a good response, and rebound from this model. We found a fantastic touch and feel due to the synthetic leather cover, which offers lower water uptake as well, and a more predictable trajectory. Butyl rubber is used to make the bladder for a longer period of air retention. But obviously official match balls do not retain air for long like practice balls. So, all in all, this is a quality option that you can trust. Only size 5 is available for this model. 5 Best Training/Practice Soccer Balls Reviews Despite having so many good reviews from the users, why aren’t we keeping Wilson's traditional ball on our list? It is because we strongly think Wilson is specialized in making tennis equipment. On the other hand, this model did not meet our expectations. This model seems too heavy to us, and the overall feel was not too good. That is why we are not recommending you to go for this option. But obviously, the final decision is yours. So many people are still buying this :) 1. Adidas MLS Top Glider - Best Training Soccer Ball adidas 2018 MLS Top Glider Soccer Ball, White/Blue, Size 3 Check Price on Amazon Air Retention: 4.5/5 Rebound: 4.7/5 Durability: 4.7/5 Bladder: Butyl Cover: Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) Panel: Machine stitched Overall performance: 4.8 / 5 Features at a Glance Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) cover to provide durability. Internal nylon-wound carcass and machine-stitched construction to offer a soft feeling. Butyl rubber bladder to ensure maximum air retention. Available sizes are size 5, size 4, and size 3. Things to Remember This is a practice or training ball. At most, you can use this for recreational play. But don’t expect the same performance and durability if you use this ball too often for tough matches. This is not a street ball, so don’t play with this on concrete or beach. Detailed Review Adidas is undoubtedly specialized in making all types of soccer gear/ equipment, and we recommend their balls more than any other brand. As per our online study, this MLS top glider soccer ball is specially manufactured for training, practice, and recreational playing purpose. We found a lot of good reviews on this version. Hence we kept this on our shortlist. Please note, we are keeping the older version of Adidas MLS Top Glider. Because this is a tested warrior. Anyways, at first, we tried to see how comfortable this ball is during the kick or head. The feel is quite perfect we must say. It is not too hard, not too soft. So we can say regarding the feel on foot, and head this can be an ideal choice. As per our study, The cover is made out of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). The combination of machine-stitched construction, nylon wound carcass, and TPU offer durability, water resistance, and a soft feeling. We already examined the feeling; now it’s time to examine the durability and water resistance. Now we are going to reveal the result of the water-resistance capability. The fact is even after few weeks of play you will find the ball is performing quite well, only if you use it for practice and recreational purposes. Due to the butyl rubber bladder, the air retention is also good. There are three sizes available for this ball. Size 5, size 4, and size 3. Which size means what? We wrote a clear guideline on this. Choose the right size during the buying process. 2. One World Soccer Ball Review One World Play Project Indestructible Soccer Ball - Unpoppable, Unbreakable, Non-Deflating, Non-Toxic Futbol - Orange, Size 4 Check Price on Amazon Air Retention: 5/5 Rebound: 4/5 Durability: 5/5 Bladder: N/A Cover: Ethylene-vinyl acetate foam Panel: Built-in Overall performance: 4.6 / 5 Features at a Glance Virtually indestructible. Even after being run over by a truck or being punctured it never goes flat. Made out of special foam (ethylene-vinyl acetate foam) that allows it to re-inflate. Never needs a pump. Playable on every surface like concrete, greenfield, sand, or any other rough and tough surface. Ultra-durable, even setting it on fire will not damage it at all. The response and playability are almost like a standard soccer ball. Any level of players may find it useful for recreational playing and practice. Perfect for goalkeeper training. One of the best balls for your dog. A chance to participate in a “Buy One, Give One” charity model. Read below to know more. Things to Remember Performs almost like a typical soccer ball, but you will find this a bit heavier than the standard ones. Rebound and response are not exactly like other standard balls. Having said that, this is quite ok for recreational playing and practicing purposes. Only size 5, and size 4 are available. Although this should not be an issue as you will use this ball only for recreational playing and practicing purposes, so kids are ok to play with this option as well. A bit expensive than other regular practice balls, but the durability itself justifies the cost. On top of that, this ball does not need any pumping. So it’s worth buying this option. Detailed Review One of the main reasons but not the only reason to select this ball for reviewing is the great mission of the company. If you buy one ball, they will donate one ball to the kids of developing countries against your purchase. So, this is a “Buy One, Give One” charity model, and of course, it is a good mission where you can also contribute by buying one. But should this be the only reason to go for this one for practice/training purposes? The answer is “No”. This ball must serve the real purpose of buying. So, let’s analyze the reasons behind we have chosen this ball for practicing and recreational match purposes. By the way, we must say this is not an official match ball, and you shouldn't use this for competitive tournament play. Well, this ball is virtually indestructible. Even after being run over by a truck, it will keep on balancing. You set it on fire, see the result, there will be no damage done. You can play with this ball on concrete, on a greenfield, on any rough and tough surface, or even on sand. So in terms of durability, you can rest assured. What amazed us most is this soccer ball never needs a pump, and never goes flat. One world ball are made from special foam that is called “ethylene-vinyl acetate foam” that allows them to re-inflate. It does not break even if it is punctured. See the videos below for the proof. So it is now clear to you that you won’t have to worry about the air retention capability, durability. Now, how good is the playability? Well, in terms of rebounding, this ball performs almost like a standard ball but obviously not exactly like standard balls. Having said that, we must say the rebound is enough for recreational play and practicing purposes. You will also find this ball a bit heavier than standard balls during the shots. That is why we don’t suggest you use this option for tournament play. This can be used as a great option for goalkeeper training as well. Why? Look, you can hardly see the lines on this ball, hence you won’t be able to guess the direction by only seeing the spin of the ball. That means as a goalkeeper you will have to give full concentration to detect the direction of the sliding balls. This is obviously helpful if you are a goalkeeper, and looking for a sliding challenge. Only size 5, and size 4 are available for this. Although this should not be a major problem as this is for recreational play and practicing purposes, so kids are ok to play with this as well. In fact, the ball that will be given away to the developing countries will be used by the kids mostly. If you are buying this for an adult go for size 5, and if you are buying for kids or youth players then better go for size 4. This is considered one of the best balls for dogs. The ball stays inflated even after getting bites from your dog month after month. 3. Adidas miCoach Smart Soccer Ball - Best Smart Soccer Ball Adidas Smart Soccer Ball Check Price on Amazon Air Retention: 4.6/5 Rebound: 4.6/5 Durability: 5/5 Bladder: Butyl Cover: Polyurethane(PU) Panel: Thermally bonded Overall performance: 5 / 5 Features at a Glance Smart ball with Bluetooth sensor suspended inside. Determine the power, spin, trajectory, and strike point of your kick. You can track the flight path of each of your kicks. Records the data and sends it to the miCoach Smart Ball app that is compatible with iOS version 7 and higher, Android version 4.3 or greater, and Windows 10. Provides tips to improve your performance based on the data. The app allows you to compare the kick with your friend and also lets you challenge your friends. Traditional 32 panels but seamless, meaning thermally-bonded panels with PU cover, and a butyl bladder to ensure durability, softness, and air retention. Comes with a rechargeable battery that can last for 2000 kicks per week. It takes one hour to recharge the battery fully. This package comes with a charger base and AC power plug. Things to Remember Expensive. Detailed Review Warning! This option is only for those who are serious about their training and learning. Because the price is very high. With that being said, the technologies that are implemented in this ball make it a smart ball indeed. Isn't it cool seeing a ball acting like your coach? Yes, this ball can record and give you instant feedback on the power, spin, trajectory, and strike point of your kick. You can track the flight path of each of your kicks too. How? Using sensors. Yes, a sensor package is installed inside the ball that collects and provides information to your iOS or Android app. The sensor detects the speed of your kick, the amount of spin, trajectory, foot-strike point and sends the information to your device via Bluetooth. The miCoach SMART BALL app is compatible with iOS version 7 or higher, Android version 4.3 or higher, and Windows 10. The app gives you tips to improve your performance as well. This has thermal bonded 32 panels, PU cover, butyl bladder to ensure durability and air retention. This ball comes with a rechargeable battery, while one charge is enough for 2000 kicks per week. It will take only one hour to charge the battery fully. The charging base and AC power plug are included with every purchase you make. While this is an excellent choice for training with the number of features and tips with video recording, still we think this is a very expensive choice considering the purpose and usability. The price should have been lower than the current price. But if you feel the price is ok for you to spend, then don’t worry about the quality. Go for it. 4. Mikasa Serious Soccer (SS Series) Ball Mikasa Serious Soccer Ball (Black/White, Size 4) Check Price on Amazon Air Retention: 4.5/5 Rebound: 4.5/5 Durability: 4.5/5 Bladder: Butyl Cover: Soft cushioned composite cover Panel: Hand stitched Overall performance: 4.5 / 5 Features at a Glance Long lasting stitching. Soft cushioned composite cover to provide softness. 2-ply butyl bladder for maximum air retention. Three sizes are available in the market. Size 5, size 4, size 3. Things to Remember This is neither a streetball nor a beach ball. So don’t expect any durability if you want to play on concrete or you throw it very often to the ocean during playing on the beach. Choose the right size according to your need. Detailed Review Mikasa released a number of soccer balls on the market, according to our experience this model is one of the best models when you are finding training balls. One of the main reasons behind our consideration is you won’t regret using this model considering the money you have to spend. This is a very affordable option for you. We first wanted to see if the ball provides enough softness to the foot, head, and chest. Well, this model provides a quite satisfactory level of softness during the impact due to its soft cushioned composite cover, and machine stitching panels. As this is a machine-stitched soccer ball, younger players will find it easy to control. Usually, younger players find less control from hand-stitched balls, but for adults, hand stitching is not a problem to control. But this is not something obvious but just a preference. So control of the ball is quite ok we should say. Next, we wanted to see the responsiveness of the ball. As it has a 2-ply butyl bladder, it was expected that we are not going to get too much responsiveness from this model. In reality, the responsiveness was not that high but not too low either. Quite ok to be a good practice ball. While the responsiveness was so-so, the air retention capability was quite satisfactory as well. You won’t have to inflate this ball too often. Obviously, you should limit your expectation because this is one of the budget balls available on the market. You can’t expect a budget choice is performing like a premium choice. But for practice or training sessions or to play a recreational match, this is a good to-go choice. Please note, there are only 3 sizes available for this model; size 5, size 4, and size 3. So it is crucial that if you are looking for size 2 or size 1, then this is not an option for you. So, choose the right size before buying so that you don’t regret it after receiving the purchase. If you are not sure which size means what then click here to read our guideline. 5. Adidas MLS Top Training NFHS adidas Performance 2017 MLS Top Training NFHS Ball, White/Silver Metallic/Black, Size 5 Check Price on Amazon Air Retention: 4.4/5 Rebound: 4.5/5 Durability: 4.5/5 Bladder: Butyl Cover: Thermoplastic polyurethane(TPU) Panel: Thermally bonded Overall performance: 4.4 / 5 Features at a Glance Thermally bonded seamless panels offer good trajectory, less water uptake, and better touch. Thermoplastic polyurethane(TPU) cover ensures durability and softness. Butyl rubber bladder for a longer period of air retention. Three different sizes are available in the market; size 5, size 4, and size 3. The quality is almost like a match ball; the price reflects that. FIFA inspected and passed. NFHS approved. Things to Remember This is not a street ball. It will not last if you play on concrete. Choose the right size among the three available sizes. Wrong size selection will lead you to return the purchase. If you are not sure which size to select then see our soccer ball size guide. A bit heavier than standard training balls, but the weight is very much within the tolerance level as FIFA gave the clearance after inspecting the weight, rebound, water absorption capacity. Detailed Review Well, there is doubt in people’s minds whether this is NFHS approved or not. But we don’t care about that issue in this case because we just wanted to make sure if this serves our practicing purpose or not. This is, in fact, our best pick from the practice ball list. So let’s find out the reason behind choosing this as our best pick. This time there is no stitching to attach the panels, but they are thermally bonded. This is the interesting part. First, we wanted to see how it performs in the air for a free-kick. You will find a decent, predictable trajectory. Although when you are knuckling, the result mainly depends on your skill and the air direction, a ball plays a vital role as well to help your process of a successful knuckle shot. Next, we wanted to see, how this model feels during the kick and head. As the panels are attached seamlessly; expectedly we found it comfortable to kick and head the ball. We found the control of the ball was excellent as well. Overall the control and feel are very similar to match balls. Any thermally-bonded panels should have better water resistance and longer air retention power. Why? Because in this case there is no stitching meaning the ball is seamless. Where there is no involvement of seam, it is very normal that the air has got lesser space to go out from the ball. The bladder is also made out of butyl rubber, whose core responsibility is to ensure a longer period of air retention. All together this ball performs well regarding air retention. So, all in all, this is a perfect choice for practicing purposes. You can expect good control, less water absorption, predictable trajectory, comfortable feeling, durability and shape retention, a longer period of air retention, a satisfactory level of responsiveness. Three different sizes are available for this ball; size 5, size 4, and size 3. Be sure to choose the right size before buying. 3 Popular Indoor/Futsal Soccer Balls Reviews Mikasa SX50 Indoor Ball Sale Mikasa SX50 Indoor Soccer Ball (Size 5) Check Price on Amazon Overall performance: 5 / 5 This is a felt cover ball, which is the major characteristics of an indoor soccer ball. Durable felt cover offers softness and helps to control the rebounding characteristics. This is a size 5 ball with hand-stitched panels. Hand-stitched panels are more durable than machine-stitched panels. The bounce is not too high, which should be the case with a standard indoor soccer ball. Tachikara SS32 “Soft Kick” No products found. Overall performance: 4 / 5 This is another popular model for indoor playing. “Soft Kick” is a foam-backed fabric cover ideal for indoor playing, and skill development of younger players. Mikasa D100 American Futsal Ball Sale Mikasa D100 American Futsal Indoor Series Soccer Ball Check Price on Amazon Overall performance: 5 / 5 This is a size 4 ball with a deluxe stitched cushion cover. Please keep in mind that size 4 is the standard size of a futsal ball. Correlating the budget and quality, we recommend you buy this model. Like any other futsal ball, this one also bounces less than a standard ball. 3 Top Quality Beach Soccer Balls Reviews 1. Select Beach Ball Select Beach Soccer Ball, Size 5, White/Blue/Green Check Price on Amazon Softness: 4.5/5 Water Resistance: 5/5 Scratch Resistance: 5/5 Bladder: Butyl Cover: Polyurethane(PU) Panel: Hand stitched Overall performance: 4.8 / 5 Detailed Review Offering comfort by making the covers with soft material is one of the topmost priorities of any beach ball. This model from “Select” provides that comfort. But more importantly, it ensures water resistance more than the Senda Playa beach ball that we reviewed earlier. There is a water-repellent soft material that is used to make the cover. Using multiple bright colors is another characteristic a beach soccer ball should have, and this one has mainly three different bright colors (green, blue, white). That is why you will get good visibility during playing on the sand. This model has the perfect weight that is required to play on the beach to minimize unpredictability. Hand-stitched panels but the stitching are so soft that it feels like there is no stitching when you kick the ball. 2. Senda Playa Beach Ball Sale Senda Playa Beach Soccer Ball, Fair Trade Certified, Orange/Yellow, Size 4 (Ages 8 - 12) Check Price on Amazon Softness: 5/5 Water Resistance: 4.6/5 Scratch Resistance: 4.5/5 Bladder: Latex rubber Cover: Thermoplastic polyurethane(TPU) Panel: Hand stitched Overall performance: 4.6 / 5 Detailed Review Comfort during the shot should be the number one factor to watch out for when you are buying a beach soccer ball. Senda Playa offers you that comfort from its larger, and softer panels. So, you will find it very easy to shot the ball barefooted. The panels are scratch-resistant too that makes them suitable for playing on the rough sand beach. No doubt, like any other beach ball, this one also offers water-resistant cover too. As you will be using this ball on the rough sand, it is important to have the panels manually stitched. That means hand-stitched seam is a big plus for the sake of durability of the panels. Senda Playa beach soccer balls are hand-stitched, that is why we found this one as a good choice regarding durability. The bladder is made out of latex rubber (with four layers of polyester/cotton hybrid lining) that helps it to retain the shape and bounce. Altogether this is one of the top-notch soccer balls to buy if you are searching for a ball to play on the sand beach. 3. Baden Praia Beach Ball Baden Praia Beach Soccer Ball - Size 5 Check Price on Amazon Softness: 4/5 Water Resistance: 4/5 Scratch Resistance: 4/5 Bladder: Butyl Cover: Thermoplastic polyurethane(TPU) Panel: Hand stitched Overall performance: 4/5 Detailed Review Baden Praia is another colorful beach ball on our recommendation list, but only if you are on a budget. Otherwise, you should go for the other two options we recommended above. This ball has all the essential qualities that a beach soccer ball should have. Especially the weight is higher than the other two balls that we reviewed. Being heavier is considered an essential requirement of a beach soccer ball to minimize unpredictability. The construction is also not bad. The cover is made of deluxe cushioned TPU with water-resistant 20 panels. Butyl bladder offers a longer period of air retention. Although this ball is well constructed, from our experience, we will only recommend you to buy this one if you are searching for a budget ball. Otherwise, our recommendation is to go for the Select beach soccer ball that we reviewed earlier. You will get much better quality and feel from it than this one. Top Street Soccer Ball Reviews 1. Senda Street Soccer Ball Review SENDA Street Freestyle, Trick, and Skills Soccer Ball with Rubber Outer Cover, Fair Trade Certified, Black/White, Size 4 (Ages 13 & Up) Check Price on Amazon Toughness: 5/5 Scratch Resistance: 4.7/5 Bladder: Butyl Cover: Rubber Panel: Hand stitched Overall performance: 5/5 Features at a Glance Spherical shape as it should be the case of a street ball. High-quality rubber was used to make the cover. 32 panels/cover. Hand-stitched panels using high-quality seam. The three-layer lining between cover and bladder ensures toughness and durability. Latex bladder to offer high performance and bounce. Playable on a concrete, hard surface, or other rugged terrains. Things to Remember As the panels are made out of rubberized material, sometimes the ball may get sticky. Be aware of that. Detailed Review So many buyers make one common mistake, and then they either regret or put negative comments against the purchase. What is that mistake? They either buy a practice or official match balls but eventually use them to play on the concrete or hard surface. Consequently, the ball does not last long. We all should keep in mind that the construction of a standard soccer ball is different than a street soccer ball. When you are playing on a street or hard surface, you need a rough and tough ball. The shape needs to be spherical, and the cover/panels should be made out of rubber. They need to be scratch-resistant as well. Not only that, if the panels are not hand-stitched with the high-quality seam there is a big chance they will not last long. All in all a street soccer ball needs to be rough and tough with all the attributes we discussed so far. Senda street soccer ball has fulfilled all these requirements and met our expectations. We recommend you to buy this option if you want to play on the street or hard surfaces. We found this as a good quality model with the proper construction as we discussed. The weight and bounce are also according to the requirement of a street soccer ball. 2. American Challenge All-Terrain Street Soccer Ball Review American Challenge All Terrain Outdoor Rubber Soccer Ball (Black, 5) Check Price on Amazon Toughness: 4.9/5 Scratch Resistance: 4.6/5 Bladder: Butyl Cover: Rubber Panel: Hand stitched Overall performance: 4.7/5 Features at a Glance A genuine all-terrain soccer ball that you can play on surfaces like asphalt, concrete, or grass. It boasts the required grip to make it playable in the street. This ball is made out of nicely conditioned rubber—no stinky feeling. It provides a fair amount of bounce to consider itself as a useful practice street soccer ball. Quite suitable for any recreational street game. The butyl bladder is well capable of retaining air for a long. Different sizes (2,3,4,5) are readily available. Dog owners love to use this ball as it’s virtually indestructible by the dogs. The price is a bargain. Things to Remember It lacks fluorescence. Despite having all the necessary features regarding longevity, its durability is still questionable (based on some other real user’s thought). Detailed Review When it's about choosing a decent street soccer ball, first, you have to consider the ball's toughness. This particular American Challenge all-terrain street soccer ball is quite tough to handle on rough surfaces like asphalt, concrete, or grass. As this soccer ball is hand-stitched with high tensile polyester, you can expect it to last longer than the machine-stitched ones. This street soccer ball features four layers of cotton lining, butyl bladder, high tensile polyester stitching to get the job done correctly. It's one of the most favorites amongst puppy lovers. One of the notable downsides of this soccer ball is, it lacks visibility compared to the other street soccer balls like Senda. The company should focus on adding some bright paint to solve this drawback. Despite having a few hiccups that we mentioned above, we still believe it's well worth spending on this ball. Best Soccer Ball Buying Guide Let’s discuss the construction of a ball first, and also the different materials that are used to make it. Why is it important to know the construction? Because it will help you to understand the impacts that different materials and their variations usually put on the performance and longevity of the ball. Soccer Ball Construction Cover The cover is the outermost part of a ball which is responsible for providing the feel, softness, durability, and usability. The appearance of a ball also depends on how beautiful the cover is. So, now you realize the variation of the cover depends on the materials mainly, right? Obviously, the material of the cover of a street soccer ball is not the same as the material of the cover of an official soccer ball. Eventually, the question that is playing on your mind now is, what are the materials that are used to make the cover of different balls? Mostly there are three types of materials you will find that are used to make the cover. i) Synthetic leather, ii) Polyurethane (PU), iii) PolyVinyl Carbonate (PVC). Let’s find out what they are, and what are the roles they actually play? Synthetic Leather Synthetic leather is used to make the highest quality balls. You are quite sure by now that these are the most expensive ones among the three types of cover material (i.e. Polyurethane (PU) and PolyVinyl Carbonate(PVC)). Synthetic leather will give you a great feel, control, and softness but they are less durable and less water-resistant than PVC or PU. This material is used to make premium match balls. Polyurethane(PU) Polyurethane is staying in between Synthetic leather and PVC regarding quality. This material will give you a leather-like feeling, and regarding durability, they are almost as durable as PVC. A ball made out of PU is used to play competitive matches due to its preferred feel and reliability. The downside is that a PU-made ball may scuff and degenerate faster than the PVC-made ones. PolyVinyl Carbonate (PVC) PVC ensures durability. The balls made of PVC don’t scuff easily like PU or synthetic leather. While durability is the main benefit of this material, the other side of the coin is they are less flexible than synthetic leather, and Polyurethane, resulting in less control. Very often you will find glossy coating to help increase water-resistant, and additional protection. PVC-made balls are perfect for practicing. These are the least expensive ones among these three types of materials. By now, we hope you have good knowledge about the different materials that are used to make the cover. Now let’s move on to the next part. Yes, we want to talk about the panel now. Panels Well, panels are not any different components. Panels are the segments or octagon quilt that are seen outside the balls. Of course, nowadays you will find some other shapes besides the octagon. FIFA official balls usually contain 32 panels. But nowadays you will also find 26, 18, 14, 8, or even 6 panels with different shapes and designs from those of conventional balls. What does the number of panels determine? They determine the control and movement through the air. Fewer panels (ranging from 6 to 26 panels) will make the ball faster and curve more through the air because of less stability. On the other hand, more panels offer control and playability. There are two ways so far to place the panels on the lining; stitching or gluing. The highest quality balls are stitched, and that is why they are more durable than glued ones. Stitching can be done by using a machine or manually. Manual stitching means the balls are hand-stitched. Hand-stitched balls are more durable than their machine-stitched counterparts. Usually, in the case of practice balls, the panels are glued together onto the lining. Glued balls offer a harder feeling than those stitched balls, and they are less expensive as well. Lining The lining is the middle part that is placed in between the cover/panels and the bladder. Lining plays an important role by giving the ball an incredible shape, structure, and control. More layer of lining with polyester and cotton helps to retain the shape and bounce over time. The high-quality balls have four layers of polyester and cotton lining to give them strength, and bounce. Mid-quality balls usually have two layers of polyester and two levels of the cotton lining. On the other hand, low levels ones usually have two levels of the polyester lining. Bladder If you say the cover and lining are the body parts of a ball then I will say the bladder is the heart of it. It is the innermost part and contains air. The bladder gives the ball shape and movement. There are mostly two types of bladders: i) Butyl, ii) Latex Butyl Butyl bladders are not as responsive as latex bladders, but they can retain air for a longer period than latex bladders. That is why they require less frequent air refills, and they are easier to maintain. This type of bladder is used to make mid-priced or cheaper balls. Latex Latex bladders are used in high-quality balls. These kinds of bladders are soft and provide a good feeling. They offer better response and bounce than Butyl bladders, but the downside of this kind of bladder is they don’t hold the air for too long. As a result, they require filling more frequently. Air escapes due to micropores on the cover, but nowadays some balls are constructed with carbon latex bladder to help to close these micropores. As a result, the balls can hold air for a longer period. Wow! We hope it’s been a good journey so far to know about the ball construction and the materials that are used to make different parts of it. Now let’s read about the various sizes of the balls. Soccer ball sizes Choosing the right size according to your age group is important. Not only based on the age groups but also based on different leagues. The reason is different leagues use different-sized balls. So you should buy the perfect size so that your practice makes you perfect for league matches. So what are the different sizes and what size is right for you? Let’s have a look. Size 5 soccer balls Size 5 is for adults aging over 12 years. That means from 13 years of age and above. So definitely size 5 is used in major tournaments or league plays. These balls have a circumference of 27-28 inches and weigh 14-16 ounces. Size 4 soccer balls Size 4 is used by the children who are in the learning stage, ranging from 8-12 years of age. These balls have a circumference of 25-26 inches and weigh 12-13 ounces. Size 3 soccer balls Size 3 soccer balls are for children under the age of 8. The circumference of these balls varies from 23-24 inches, and the weight is 11-12 ounces. Size 2 soccer balls Size 2 balls are played by children aging below 4 years. These balls are also used for ball control drills. The circumference of size 2 balls varies from 20-22 inches. Size 1 soccer balls A size 1 soccer ball is called a mini soccer ball or skill ball. Because the clubs use these balls to train their players to improve their skill and ball control. Now you know that there is a total of 5 variations in ball size. Buy the appropriate size as per your requirement. Some buyers who don’t know these differences, make a mistake while buying. For example, if someone is looking for an official match ball, but they purchase a size 3 ball by mistake or because of lack of knowledge. If you also do this, surely you are not going to be satisfied with the purchase. So, what’s next? So far you have gone through the construction and the different size variations. You probably got the idea of which material is used to make what type of balls and which size is suitable as per your age or necessity. Now let’s have some knowledge of different types of balls. Why? If you know what the different types mean, then you will be able to make a correlation between your requirement and the characteristics of various types. Ball Types There are several types of balls available these days. We are going to give you some ideas on each major type one by one. Premium Match Soccer Balls These are used in international level matches and top league matches like UEFA Champions League, Italian Serie A, English Premier League, Spanish La Liga, Bundesliga, Major League Soccer. Not only these but also all the tournaments approved by FIFA. So you can easily understand that these are the highest quality balls with the highest level of air retention, shape, water absorption, trajectory, curve, and performance. Otherwise, FIFA would not have approved these balls. These are size 5 balls. As these are the highest quality balls so you easily can understand that their cover is made out of either synthetic leather or premium quality polyurethane (PU). Official Match Soccer Balls When it is about quality, these are almost the same as premium match soccer balls but obviously not the same. To be exact, you can say official match soccer balls are positioning between premium match balls and training soccer balls regarding quality. That means these balls also offer an excellent level of air retention, shape, water absorption, curve, and performance. Although usually, they are not as durable as training balls but as a whole, they are very much durable. These are often NFHS, and NCAA approved to play high school or college team soccer matches. Obviously, these are cheaper options than premium match balls. Training Soccer Balls Training/practice soccer balls are highly durable and tough. Most of the training balls are made of PVC covers and latex bladder to ensure durability and playability. But this is not obvious. Some of them are also made of butyl bladder and PU covers. Usually, these balls have four or fewer layers of lining. These are the least expensive ones compared to other types. Turf Soccer Balls These are other forms of balls that are durable and tough. You can play with these on the hard surface where there is no grass. They are specially made for this purpose. They are mostly hand-stitched that ensures durability. Indoor Soccer Balls Indoor soccer balls are very interesting in the sense that they actually have felt cover like a tennis ball. These have all the sizes available like other outdoor balls we have talked about so far. The primary objectives of making these balls are to ensure the accurate level of bounce, and rebound as they are played on turf, and artificial grass. Futsal Soccer Balls There are mainly two main differences between a futsal ball and other standard balls including the indoor soccer ball. In the case of a futsal soccer ball, the bladder is filled with foam instead of air to keep the bounce low. The other difference is futsal balls are mainly size 4 balls although the weight is mostly the same as other standard balls. Beach Soccer Balls The main responsibility of the beach soccer balls manufacturer is to ensure the softness of the cover to provide the highest level of comfort when you kick the ball barefooted. Typically these balls are brightly colored so that you can see them clearly on the sandy beach. Not only that, they are water-resistant too to protect them from the water of the ocean. Beach soccer balls are not too light and do not lose pressure. These qualities make them compatible for playing on the beach. Street Soccer Balls These are mainly rough and tough friendly balls. Street balls are specially made to sustain for a longer period on concrete. Our main intention of discussing the different types of balls is to educate you so that you can buy the right product. For example, using practice balls on the street will bring you no good but some awful experiences as the ball will not last long. Similarly, an indoor soccer ball is not good to play on a beach. Keep this in mind when buying, and using a ball. Enough learning on different aspects of soccer balls? Let’s have some fun then. We are going to give you our other specific reviews on different types of soccer balls so that you can choose the right option for you applying the knowledge you have just gathered. Obviously, we suggest you buy from the ones that we reviewed above. But you can consider the following ones as well. You can do practice with our selection of official match balls as well. The main differences between our list of practice balls and official match balls are: Official balls can be used for practice, competition or league plays. But the practice balls should only be used for practicing purposes.The price of the official balls is higher than the practice balls, which indicates the quality difference between these two types.Our main intention of finding the official match balls was to help you find a solution that is good in quality, and you can use it for league plays. The process was tough we must say. Not all the replica balls have good quality. That is why we were very choosy in the process. We filtered the balls not only based on our experience but also based on the experience of other users. Final Words If you have gone through this article that we have prepared for you to choose the best soccer ball, then we are confident that, you are now able to take an educated, and wise decision to buy the top soccer ball according to your requirement. During the process of our reviews and making this buying guide, we tried to pick some of the best soccer balls for the money. There are a lot of options available on the market. But to buy the perfect soccer ball, you need to ask yourself, whether you are going to use it for practice, official matches, indoor playing, street playing, or playing on the beach. You also need to know the actual size you need. We tried to cover all these topics including the construction of a ball so that you have the idea of the different materials that are used to make it, and which material plays what type of role in the performance of your best buddy on the ground. Hope you enjoyed reading our detailed reviews and soccer ball buying guide. Now it’s your turn to take the right decision. Did you find this review article, and buying guide a helpful one? Did it give any value to make your buying decision? If the answer is no, then please help us improve the article. How? By telling us the aspects that you were looking for but have not found in this article. Cheers! Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Yes, of course. If you are not new to the sports world, you must have heard about Adidas. Asking about Adidas is rather a silly question to the professionals. Adidas makes both premium quality official match balls like Adidas Telstar 18, and high-quality practice soccer balls like Adidas Glider soccer balls. It has earned an excellent reputation over the years for its quality ball production. It’s a pretty straightforward question to answer. Professionals use size 5 soccer balls. It’s because size 5 is perfect for adults. Either a size 2 or a size 3 soccer is a perfect choice for a 4-year-old kid. Size 5 soccer balls are perfect for any youth or adult aging over 12 years old. It’s a bit of a tough question. Several companies are producing top-notch soccer balls. Companies like Adidas, Nike, Mikasa, Select, Senda, Puma, Under Armour, Bend-IT are making high-quality balls without hurting your pocket. I’ve reviewed several soccer balls from these brands. Better check the review before deciding on one. A soccer ball has several parts like cover, panel, lining, bladder. Covers are mostly made from these three materials - i) Synthetic leather, ii) Polyurethane (PU), iii) PolyVinyl Carbonate (PVC). Panels can be placed in two ways - i) stitching, ii) gluing. The high-quality balls have four layers of polyester and cotton lining to give them strength, and bounce. Mid quality balls usually have two layers of polyester and two levels of a cotton lining. On the other hand, low levels typically have two levels of the polyester lining. The bladder can be made from either butyl or latex. Indoor soccer balls typically have felt cover like tennis balls. As these are made to play on turf or artificial grass, that’s why it’s quite essential to ensure the proper bounce and rebound to make these balls. You have all the sizes available for indoor soccer balls, like the outdoor soccer balls. The weight of a soccer ball depends on the size of the ball. Size 5, size 4, size 3, and size 2 have different weights to suit the various ages of players. Generally, the size 5 weighs 14-16 oz, size 4 weighs 12-13 oz, size 3 weighs 11-12 oz, size 2 weighs 6-10 oz. A world cup soccer ball is undoubtedly an official match ball and size 5 ball. It should weigh in between 14-16 oz. Soccer balls lose air over time. It's because the air's nitrogen and oxygen tend to pass through the tiny holes between the rubber molecules. How quickly the ball loses air depends on the construction of the bladder. If it's a butyl bladder, it will keep the air longer than the one made of latex bladder. A glider ball is mostly used in practice sessions or for recreational games. Compared to the official match balls, the glider soccer balls tend to have longer air retention characteristics. However, they are made of lower quality materials than the official match balls. That’s why a glider ball costs low. Adidas manufacturers some quality glider balls that are easy on the wallet but shine in quality. Temperature affects the bounce of a soccer ball and also the distance it travels. Generally, a soccer ball in hot temperatures tends to travel and bounce more than a ball in cold temperatures. It’s because the molecules inside the ball expand to increase the energy in hot temperatures. Both latex and butyl bladders have their own set of merits and demerits. Latex bladders are softer, provide better control, feel response, bounce, etc. However, the air retention of the latex bladder is lower than the butyl bladder. Generally, latex bladder is used to make the official match balls. On the other hand, the butyl bladder tends to retain the air longer than its latex counterpart, but it doesn't give the same amount of bounce, and liveliness. Butyl bladder is used to make the practice soccer balls in most cases. To get the best output from a soccer ball, it’s recommended to keep the air pressure between 8.5 psi and 15.6 psi. Less than 8.5 psi would make it tough to kick. On the other hand, more than 15.6 psi would make the ball too bouncy and difficult to control. This air pressure range is applicable for size 3, size 4, and size 5. Soccer balls are filled with normal/regular air. It’s quite easy to check soccer ball pressure these days. You will want to use a pressure gauge to measure the current pressure before you start playing with it. Besides the analog pressure gauges, you will find some electric pressure gauges too to measure the air pressure accurately and more conveniently.