Bowling balls are of many types, and unlike balls from other sports, they’re not a one-size-fits-all.
Real bowlers know that having the right bowling balls makes a significant difference. They provide the right balance of power, control, and precision to take your game to the next level.
But picking the right ball can be as tricky as having to choose between chocolate and mint chocolate chip flavors at your favorite ice cream store.
From budgetary considerations to size, weight, and materials, every bowling ball looks both enticing and wrong to the untrained eye. This is why this article exists – to help you understand the choices you have to make to improve your game.
If you want to be the best, you need the best bowling balls in your bowling bag (you can read our article on the best bowling bags you can buy here).
By the end of this article, you should be able to tell what differentiates different bowling balls and what makes one the right fit for your playing style.
You will also enjoy knowing why certain materials are used in making bowling balls and how they improve your game. Now, here are nine of the best bowling balls you can find.
To 9 Bowling Balls
Here are the top nine bowling balls you need to know about.
1. Radical Outer Limits Pearl
The Radical Outer Limits Pearl bowling ball is an entirely new core concept despite being a pearly rendition of the original Radical Outer Limits.
By infusing pearl into the ball’s HK22 resin, Radical has ensured that those who use this ball will experience increased skid at the front of the lane and a more powerful, prompt change in direction at the breakpoint.
It is an asymmetrical ball conceived to improve backend motion, and many bowlers have testified that the Outer Limits Pearl does not disappoint in its core offering. This is because the company was not shy about infusing technology from a competitor, Brunswick, to make this ball.
The core of the Outer Limits Pearl features DynamiCore, Brunswick’s innovative outer core technology.
This industry-leading technology is a more durable outer material that does not compress much when it hits the pins. This means that the hitting power of any ball with this outer core is much stronger than others.
It’s a sure strike for anyone who uses a Radical Outer Limits Pearl ball, as long as they know what they’re doing on a bowling lane because the ball produces a much better sound and contact with the pins.
2. Motiv Crimson Jackal
The Motiv Crimson Jackal is a high-performance bowling ball designed for speed and agility.
Its Propulsion HV+ cover technology (the strongest propulsion core in the bowling ball-making industry to date) ensures a lightning-fast response in heavy oil lane conditions.
Its core is the Predator V2 core, which is known for its fast revs and significant flare. This ball is built for speed, just like the jackal, one of the most efficient predators in the wild. It is also one of the best pearl bowling balls you can find.
The Jackal line is one of Motiv’s most popular lines but many have stated that the Crimson Jackal is what will make people pay more attention to Motiv as a brand, especially after the flops that were the gold and mythic jackals as well as the jackal flash.
Even though it is asymmetric, the Crimson does great from the deep inside part of the lane. This is something that many pearl balls cannot effectively do, which means that every bowler should have one of these.
For balanced bowlers, this should be the first ball out of your bag. For the speed-dominant ones, this is the ball that should be trusted to create angle and shape when other pearls would be too weak to get started or get around the corner.
3. Roto Grip Optimum Idol
The Roto Grip Optimum Idol is a technologically advanced ball that’s just perfect for transitions and backend issues. It’s been described as being a cheat code for most lanes, making it a popular ball among bowlers.
Between the original Ikon™ block encapsulated with A.I. Core Technology and Roto Grip’s MicroTrax™ Solid Coverstock wrapped around the outside of the ball, the Optimum Idol is the product of patient and painstaking technological research.
The research was done to enhance the qualities of the original Idol, one of Rot Grip’s most popular balls.
Roto Grip says that their MicroTrax™ coverstock makes the ball perfectly balanced for mid-lane traction while making it less responsive to friction between the lane’s surface and the ball. This also helps the ball avoid wear and tear for longer.
It is a ball that’s been engineered for lanes with medium/heavy to heavy oil conditions, which means that professional bowlers of all styles will best be served having this one in their bags.
That last statement is one of fact as every review of the ball points to the fact that it is a staple of the PBA Tour. It’s also been described as a strong benchmark-type ball.
4. Hammer Black Widow 3.0
For there to be a version 3.0 of a product, it means that there’s a version 1.0 and version 2.0 of that product. Also, the product’s versions 1.0 and 2.0 must have been popular.
One thing manufacturers will never do is continue a product that’s not best-selling or one that has enough positive reviews to keep it around the top of customers’ lists.
The Hammer Black Widow 3.0 falls right into this category.
The Black Widow is Hammer’s most successful line of bowling balls. There have been four balls in this line before the 3.0 and all were received well by the bowling community.
The Black Widow 3.0 is a direct successor to the 2.0 hybrid version, which has a surface and tractions more in oil.
The ball is a solid reactive like the Black Widow 2.0, but the cover has been upgraded with a solid version of HK22, which gives the new Black Widow an advantage on medium to oily lanes.
The ball is also covered in the traditional black and orange of the Hammer brand, which makes it one that was made to appeal to the brand’s long-standing fans.
5. Roto Grip Attention Star
Every bowling ball is made with lots of attention to detail, with lots and lots of simulations over how it should work being at the forefront of the ball’s manufacturing process.
The influence of technology in creating bowling balls – especially in modern times – cannot be overemphasized.
Among all the balls in this list, the Roto Grip Attention Star can boast of being one of the most technologically advanced balls you can find.
The Roto Grip research and development team claims that they spent endless hours evaluating computer-generated stats based on various asymmetrical block shapes modeled at different densities inside the Attention Star’s A.I. Core.
I can tell you that this claim is right because the motion of the ball is so smooth! The ball’s core was upgraded with an inner block design originally of Roto Grip called the Momentous™ Core, which was exclusive to their international market.
Its surface is wrapped with the time-tested and proven eTrax™ PLUS Pearl Reactive coverstock which helps it roll smoothly down any kind of lane. This pearl covering is the best there is.
The ball has been described as revolutionary by many expert bowlers and is gaining popularity among bowlers of different styles.
6. Brunswick Tzone Deep Space Bowling Ball
Sometimes, people just want to have fun at bowling alleys and the balls on offer tend not to fit their hands or bowling styles. To solve this, they just go out and buy their own balls to enjoy their favorite pastime of bowling.
The Brunswick TZone™ is one of such balls.
This Brunswick line has eight different colors: Indigo Swirl, Night Sky, Galactic Sparkle, Frozen Bliss, Ocean Reef, Scarlet Shadow, Caribbean Blue, and the Deep Space.
The line was first released in 2015 after getting its manufacturing approval from the PBA in 2007. This shows how long Brunswick spent to develop this masterpiece of theirs.
All Brunswick TZone™ balls are made with the same materials: Polyester for the levels, coverstock and cover type, the original TZone Bullet for the balls’ cores and a Crown Factory Polish for the finish.
They all have the same performance index, which you can find on the Brunswick website.
If you just want to have fun with friends at an alley and don’t care much for the sport of bowling, this ball is for you. The Deep Space variant is the most popular among beginner bowlers but you can buy anyone that appeals to you.
7. Pyramid Path Polyester Bowling Ball
The Pyramid Path Polyester bowling ball is much like the Brunswick TZone™ balls, mostly used in casual settings. If you need a personal ball for your game with friends, this is another great option to invest in.
It ranks high among spare balls (balls that are used to knock down remaining pins after the first bowl).
For those new to bowling, this means it has no hook (the curving ability of a bowling ball) and can be thrown straight toward the pins that remain standing after the first bowl.
This also means that professional bowlers can own a Pyramid Path Polyester bowling ball because of its design, which eliminates any hooks from the bowl. It is also a good ball for young bowlers to practice with.
The Pyramid Path Polyester bowling ball comes in many different colors and patterns, including one that looks like a baseball, one that looks like a basketball, one that looks like an 8-ball from a pool table, and one with a scary skull.
These make for great shopping, especially among kids and teens who have a genuine interest in bowling.
It’s also affordable, which should attract bowlers on a budget.
8. ELITE Pre-Drilled Star Polyester Bowling Ball
The ELITE Pre-Drilled Star Polyester Bowling Ball is still gaining acceptance in the bowling community, but every casual bowler with a good knowledge of bowling balls swears by it.
It’s a spare ball which means that it’s never the first ball out of a bowler’s bag, whether they’re casual or professional.
The Star Polyester comes in seven vibrant colors, including Blue Pearl, Black/Blue/Silver, Pink Pearl, Purple Pearl, Purple/Royal/Silver, and Red/Black/White. It’s a great gift for beginner bowlers.
You will not find much information on the company, ELITE, because they’re relatively new, but with their attention to the creation of this ball, they are expected to be one of the leading names in bowling ball production and sales in the coming years.
The company was created by former bowlers who wanted to make the pastime more accessible to casuals and enthusiasts on a budget.
Of all the balls on this list, it is the cheapest, which shows the true intention behind the company’s creation.
The Star is one of the best lines that ELITE has out right now (although they do not have many lines). From the praise this ball has gotten, it shows that this is their flagship line.
9. Brunswick Rhino Bowling Ball
Many casual bowlers and beginners swear by the Brunswick Rhino Bowling Ball. This ball is regarded as the best one around and is highly sought after by bowlers of all levels.
No matter the size and color, bowlers who sport this ball are regarded as knowing their stuff. But what makes the Brunswick Rhino Bowling Ball a standout choice among bowlers?
It has a smooth roll: One problem many bowlers always look to avoid when selecting bowling balls is one that doesn’t roll on the lane smoothly.
For that, bowling ball makers employ materials that can ensure that their balls roll smoothly when bowled, and the Brunswick Rhino has proven to be one of the smoothest around.
It offers precise control: Bowling balls can be difficult to control. They’re big and weigh quite a good amount, no matter how big or strong the bowler is.
Precise control is needed to be able to bowl a weighty object like a bowling ball, which means makers have to optimize for this. The Brunswick Rhino has been proven in this regard.
It lasts longer than many balls: Nobody wants to replace bowling balls often. They’re expensive. For this reason, balls that are constructed with materials that don’t wear and tear easily are in high demand.
The Brunswick Rhino falls into this category, making it popular among bowlers of all levels. This also makes it a great practice ball.
Bowlers of all styles can use it: Bowling balls are not one-size-fits-all. The Brunswick Rhino works well for all styles, which also makes it popular.
How to Pick the Perfect Ball for You?
Here’s how to choose the perfect one for you!
Understand Your Bowling Style
Are you a cranker, stroker, or tweener? Different balls work well with different styles. If you’re versatile enough to use all three styles, get balls that fit all of them. I believe this is a safer option than specialized balls.
Understand Bowling Ball Anatomy
This simply means understanding the parts of a bowling ball, the materials it is made from, and its weight distribution.
Understanding a bowling ball’s coverstock, top weight, and weight block and how these affect performance is crucial to selecting the right bowling ball for you.
Choose the Right Weight and Size
Are you a big person with a large palm? Don’t buy balls that are made for smaller palms. Also, test different weights to see the ones that you can release faster.
Final Thoughts
Now that you have information on the best bowling balls seek professional guidance if you find all of these difficult to determine on your own.
Choosing the best bowling ball helps you become a better bowler and allows you to have more fun in official games or while playing with friends!