The Best Slam Balls to Add to Your Home Gym in 2024

Trying to round out your collection of home gym essentials? From squats to overhead presses, the best slam balls have the resistance and versatility to help build strength throughout your entire body. You can slam them against a wall, the floor, or that roach crawling over your sneaker, making them a great tool for functional training and cardio. These CrossFit favorites are often overlooked pieces of fitness equipment that can help build both upper and lower body power, making you a more explosive athlete. 

Slam balls all serve the same function, but there are some differences that may impact how and why they’re used. Dead bounce slam balls can be used when doing wall throws, while slam balls with tread have the kind of grip that should prove helpful during partner drills to help with catching. We’ve rounded up the best slam balls on the market to help you choose which one is right for you and your training.

The 6 Best Slam Balls of 2024

• Best Overall Slam Ball: REP Fitness Slam Ball
• Best Budget Slam Ball: Living.Fit Slam Ball
• Most Versatile Slam Ball: Titan Fitness Rubber Tread Slam Ball
• Most Durable Slam Ball: Fringe Sport Slam Ball
• Best Slam Ball on Amazon: Yes4All Slam Ball
• Best Slam Ball for Grip: TRX Slam Ball

How We Tested and Chose the Best Slam Balls

Whether you are slamming it on the ground, throwing it at the wall, or tossing it to a partner — always in love, never in anger — slam balls shine in gyms for their simplicity and versatility. While these are relatively straightforward pieces of equipment, we dove into the details to sort out which slam ball might be best for your training.

The BarBend team of certified personal trainers, CrossFitters, and weightlifting coaches has personally owned and used 9 slam balls, and we are sharing our hands-on experience to inform your decision. Across 10 categories — like durability, aesthetic, and overall value — we assigned ratings of 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest) to give you a sense of what it’s like to slam these bad boys in the name of fitness. Here are a few of the factors that helped us choose the best slam balls.

Price

When we put together our list, we were mindful to include options that would be accessible to most athletes. Similar to dumbbells or kettlebells, the weight of the slam ball is the main factor that determines their price. Our picks range from $20.99 to $320, with options that satisfy different modes of training. 

If you can accomplish a lot of your training with just one or two slam balls, your best bet may be closer to the $20.99 end of the range, but anyone building a home gym may consider investing in a set. To help you get the most value out of your purchase, we chose slam balls that are available as individual pieces, small sets of two or three, and large sets to fit the needs of the most athletes.

Durability

Slam balls are going to take a lot of punishment. Their entire existence hinges on their ability to withstand huge amounts of force, so many are reinforced with impact-absorbing shells to help them last for years. When we put these to the test, we took note of their shells, the stitching, the air valves, and the included warranties to give you a sense of how long you can expect your investment to last. 

Grip

We also made sure to note how grippy each ball was, as a textured option can serve a different purpose than a smoother ball. Some slam balls offer lightly-textured shells that, compared to more rigid options, can feel relatively smooth. Options with more rigid  textures can be easier to grip during sweat-drenched sessions, but some may find them too rough. Preferences vary from athlete to athlete — and, in our case, tester to tester — so we made sure to include a variety of grip options. 

Best Overall Slam Ball: REP Fitness Slam Ball

With its heavy-duty double-thick rubber shell and REP Fitness’ reputation as a manufacturer of high-quality gym equipment, these slam balls were an easy choice for the best overall slam ball. The exterior features a light texture, which experienced users may prefer over the rigid tread or triangle grips available on other options. After testing it over the course of a few weeks, I rated its durability, feel, and bounce 5 out of 5. 

This slam ball held up during overhead slams, Russian twists, and wall tosses, while I noticed the shifting of the sand added just a bit more challenge.  For example, when I rotated laterally during a Russian twist, my core muscles got a little extra work because they had to account for that shifting sand inside the ball.

As someone whose hands tend to get a bit more — OK, a lot more — sweaty than average during a workout, I worried that this slam ball would slide out of my grip pretty quickly. I tend to prefer a more rigid grip, but the six small grip rings that circle the ball helped. I also agreed with another one of our testers — a USA Olympic weightlifter — who remarked, “It has a very slight texture, but I was surprised how grippy it felt.”

We appreciated that REP’s slam balls are available in 5-pound increments, compared to other brands that offer 10. Although the heaviest option comes in at 70 pounds — 80 pounds less than the heaviest of other brands — the weight range of these balls should satisfy the majority of athletes looking to practice explosive movements. 

Best Budget Slam Ball: Living.Fit Slam Ball

With a 2-year home use warranty and reasonable pricing across its weight range, the Living.Fit Slam Ball is a BarBend favorite. Given the price range — $29.99 to $174.99 — unique triangle texturing and dense sand filling, we think it’s great value. Compared to the 100-pound option from Fringe Sport ($220), the same weight in this set comes in at $175. The Living.Fit Slam Ball earned high praise from our tester — a USA Olympic weightlifter — whose score for overall rating and value were both 4 out of 5 or higher. “At this price point, the Living.Fit ball is a great item,” they said.

BarBend’s expert product tester and certified nutrition coach Jake Herod agreed. “I’ve been using it for a while now and really appreciate all the different buying options and the way it’s designed to absorb impact without bouncing much.” See what else Herod had to say about the Living.Fit Slam Ball, including how it felt performing Russian twists and overhead slams, in his video review below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1W3BaHLCbv8

A lot of slam balls have a smooth exterior texture, but the triangle grip and dead bounce both earned a rating of 5 out of 5 from our tester. “I thought the triangle texturing made for a comfortable grip, and there was just enough bounce to catch after slamming it — exactly what you want.”

Being available in 5-pound increments also makes them more accessible for more people, as you’ll be able to zero in on the weight that suits your specific needs. Though we have seen options up to 150 pounds from other brands, our tester felt that the 5- to 100- pound range was more than enough for most people. Just keep in mind that heavier weights can be useful for exercises like shoulder throws or carry variations.

The only area to earn less than a 5 out of 5 was its aesthetics — 4 out of 5. “Apart from the triangle tread, it won’t be that eye-catching in your gym.” But at this price point, we felt that its durability and 2-year warranty give it a lot of value.

Read our full Living.Fit Slam Ball review.

Most Versatile Slam Ball: Titan Fitness Rubber Tread Slam Ball

With the widest weight range of any slam ball we have trained with — up to 150 pounds — this offering from Titan Fitness is our pick for the most versatile slam ball. I tested a ball with a grippy rubber tread, but Titan also offers balls with a more classic, smooth texture. While I was content to train with the 20-pound option, another one of our testers — a USA Olympic weightlifter — eloquently described the 150-pounder as “a doozy.”

As someone whose hands tend to sweat a bit more — a lot more — than most during workouts, I especially appreciated truncated ridges on the shell. I rated its grip 5 out of 5 because I prefer those larger ridges compared to the triangle or lightly-textured options I’ve used. Even during fast-paced overhead slams, the grip made it easy for my slippery fingers to scoop it back up, and the dead bounce certainly helped, too. 

For a movement like an overhead slam, too much bounce would send the ball back up toward your chest, forcing you to bend your elbows up for the catch, while your momentum is still carrying down. Our other tester also noted its lack of bounce. “I really appreciate a good dead bounce and this one felt great slamming down.” Of course, this could be a negative for plyometrics exercises, where you want a bit of bounce, so consider what kind of slams you’re going to be putting this fella through before picking it up. 

Although its aesthetics earned just a 3.5 out of 5 from our tester, neither they nor I put much stock in the curb appeal of our fitness equipment. Across all ten categories, this was the only rating under 4 out of 5, including its overall value. “It feels like it’s going to last a long time, and at this price point, it brings a lot of value,” they said.

Most Durable Slam Ball: Fringe Sport Slam Ball

You can spot a low-quality pair of jeans by shoddy stitching, and the same is true of slam balls. If one splits open and turns your home gym flooring into a beach, it’s likely to be due to a weak or frayed seam. The Fringe Sport Slam Ball is our pick for the most durable slam ball because its stitching was so flush against the tough rubber exterior that I could barely feel it when running my finger across it. After slamming, dunking, or chucking it across several weeks, it became clear why Fringe stamped it with their No-Questions-Asked guarantee.

For durability, I rated this slam ball 5 out of 5 because, while less-durable slam balls may begin to lose their shape after years of slamming, I feel confident that its lightly-textured rubber build will last for years. While some athletes prefer a more rigid grip, smoother options with less grip may also be better for advanced lifters, as they can help you train your grip and increase the difficulty of the exercise. Anyone looking for a classic slam ball feel may find its texture just right. 

One element of its light texture is the six small grip rings around it. For me, this wasn’t quite enough, so I rated its grip 4 out of 5, as I typically need a tread or triangle-patterned grip. My hands tend to sweat a decent amount as I get deep into a workout, so even though I never felt like the ball would slip out of my hands, I did need to pause to wipe them and the ball several times. 

The 150-pound ball in this set is among the largest we’ve seen, so for optionality I scored it a 5 out of 5. That said, several of Fringe’s 12 weight options were out of stock when I checked. Maybe you’ll have better luck. 

Best Slam Ball on Amazon: Yes4All Slam Ball

Though at times — not always, Mr. Bezos! — Amazon can be somewhat of a crapshoot with mysterious sellers and reviews, Yes4All has established itself as a brand selling affordable and dependable products — like slam balls. Constructed from high-quality PVC that impressed our tester — a USA Olympic weightlifter — all seven of Yes4All’s weight options qualify for Prime shipping and are backed by Amazon’s 30-day Refund, Return, or Replacement policy. As an owner of a few Yes4All kettlebells, I have confidence in this brand’s quality.

“Considering the price, this slam ball is an incredible value,” our tester said. “I wasn’t expecting much in terms of durability, but was pleasantly surprised by the construction.” 

Both of us rated its durability 4 out of 5. We also scored its value 5 out of 5, as the least expensive 20-pound option is nine dollars less expensive than the same weight from other brands that we tested. Eighty percent of the 12,000+ reviews on Amazon were five stars, but a few users reported that theirs broke down relatively quickly. One said “I bought this product three months ago and the ball has broken and now is not usable.” However, our tester and I both found ours to be durable and think they will hold up.

While the balls cap out at 40 pounds, there are multiple colors and grips available, prompting a 5 out of 5 for aesthetics from our tester. “You don’t typically see this many color options, so that was a nice touch, especially for someone building out a home gym.” 

I used the black 15-pound slam ball with a triangle exterior for two weeks, rating its grip 4.5 out of 5, only docking a half point because the sweet spot for me is a tread grip. Thankfully, Yes4All also offers that option. 

Best Slam Ball for Grip: TRX Slam Ball

Ah, my favorite grip. Among the slam balls I have used over the years, I’ve seen lightly-textured smooth grips, triangle-patterned grips, and tread grips (imagine a tire tread). As someone with sweatier-than-average hands — just ask my middle school girlfriend — I prefer the rigid grip afforded by a tread exterior and that is what made the TRX Slam Ball our pick for the best slam ball for grip. 

Perhaps unsurprisingly, this slam ball earned a rating of 5 out of 5 for its grip from yours truly. I would also venture that most athletes doing fast-paced overhead slams or a rollover push-up would appreciate the texture on this slam ball. Smoother grips tend to feel slippery in my admittedly sweaty hands, but I never had a doubt with the TRX slam ball. 

While a dead bounce like this is ideal for certain exercises like the wall tosses I tried, some may require a little more bounce, so make sure you consider what types of workouts you want to accomplish. I scored its optionality 4 out of 5 because, although some people may not need anything heavier, the heaviest option from TRX (50 pounds) comes up 20 pounds shy of most other brands. 

In terms of value, I gave this slam ball a score of 5 out of 5, especially in the context of others I have used. The 20-pound variety comes in around $6 less than many of the other slam balls we tested, so even if you needed to snag another weight, it might be manageable budget-wise.

Benefits of the Best Slam Balls

Slam balls are generally used for two main reasons — improving body conditioning and increasing power. Certified personal trainer and BarBend editorial member Kate Meier has been adding slam balls to her clients’ regimens for years. “As a weighted implement, the slam ball is fantastic for building strength and muscular endurance. It can be used for the classic slam ball exercise as well as deadlifts, presses, and rotational core exercises.”

These versatile tools are an easy way to add resistance and weight to dynamic movements like Russian twists or sit-ups. With a slam ball and a little creativity, you can complete a full-body workout with an emphasis on explosive power and conditioning. Check out a few of the benefits of adding a slam ball to your workout.

Increased Instability During Bodyweight Movements

Because most slam balls are filled with sand, they are unevenly weighted. Compared to the best dumbbells or kettlebells, the movement of the sand is unpredictable and different muscles — like the core or forearms — need to react to stabilize the shifting sand filling. Many people employ the use of slam balls for core training with exercises like rotational slams, sit-ups, and even hanging knee raises. 

Increasing Power

Because slam balls won’t bounce much — if at all — when you toss them against a wall or the floor, you can exert maximum effort with each throw or slam. Imagine doing some wall balls with a basketball. As the air in the basketball would make it bounce back, less force would be required in each throw. Performing movements like chest passes or overhead throws can help increase explosive power, because you can throw it as hard as you can without fear of it bouncing back at you. (1)

Improving Conditioning

Whether it’s conditioning for weightlifters or the average Joe, repetitive work with lighter slam balls can improve stamina. Certified personal trainer Kate Meier laid out how she uses them to boost the intensity for her clients, saying, “Anyone who has done slam balls for even just 30 seconds knows how quickly your heart rate becomes elevated. I love working slam balls into circuits with my clients for that reason.”

Slam balls are also an easy way to build core strength with exercises like Russian twists or V-sits. For improved conditioning and endurance, these are commonly used to increase the intensity of bodyweight movements like rollover push-ups.

How Much Do the Best Slam Balls Cost?

Slam balls have a low barrier to entry when it comes to price, but the costs can add up rather quickly — much like the best weight plates and dumbbells. A 5 or 10-pound slam ball won’t put a big dent in your bank account, but if you’re interested in picking up a set of them, you’ll be making a more significant investment of a few hundred dollars.

Best Overall Slam Ball	REP Fitness Slam Ball	$24.99 to $119.99
Best Budget Slam Ball	Titan Fitness Slam Ball	$39.99 to $289.99
Most Versatile Slam Ball	Living.Fit Slam Ball	$24.99 to $174.99
Most Durable Slam Ball	Fringe Sport Slam Ball	$35.00 to $320.00
Best Slam Ball on Amazon	Yes4All Slam Ball	$20.99 to $52.90
Best Slam Ball for Grip	TRX Slam Ball	$28.99 to $99.99

Lighter slam balls (roughly 5 to 20 pounds) cost around $30 to $50, while heavier options generally cost more (about $60 to $150). Some companies make products that are like slings that can transform medicine balls into slam balls with a handle, and those are usually priced somewhere around $50.

What to Consider Before Buying the Best Slam Balls

While many slam balls can serve similar purposes, different weights and grips can be best suited for different experience levels and training purposes. Here are a few factors to consider before buying a single slam ball or a whole set.

Experience Level

Also, stronger athletes may need a slam ball with less bounce due to the amount of force imparted on the ball. For instance, I’d probably want a ball with a bit more bounce than my Olympic weightlifter colleague (he’s stronger than me…)

Bounce vs. Dead Bounce

When you’re checking out different options for your training, consider how much you’ll need your slam ball to bounce. For instance, for core training movements like a Russian twist, you wouldn’t necessarily need a ball with a bounce. But for partner drills like a slam pass, you might want to look for an option with some bounce, so it can return to you or bounce to your partner more easily. Along the same lines, for an overhead slam, too much bounce would send the ball up into your chest, forcing you to raise your arms up for the catch, fighting the downward momentum from the slam.

Weight Variety

Like dumbbells and kettlebells, slam balls are available individually or in sets. Adding hefty weight to dynamic movements like a burpee can help build strength, as well as improving your speed and mobility. Lower weights work well during speed and reaction drills while also benefiting rotational exercises, like halos or a wall side toss.

Heavier weights are useful in exercises like shoulder throws or carries. Before choosing a set or individual slam ball, make sure that weight will support your fitness goals. Some brands carry standard sizes ranging from five pounds to 50 pounds, while others can reach up to 150 pounds.

Price

While smaller fitness equipment like slam balls are more affordable than the best home gym machines or squat racks, the costs can add up. A 10-pound slam ball can cost around $20 to $30, but as the weight increases, so does the price. When you’re reading about each option, check for an included warranty, as this usually means the company is confident their ball is durable and strong enough to withstand any type of slam.

What Are Slam Balls?

Whether they’re being passed to a partner, tossed against a wall, or slammed into the ground, slam balls are constructed to endure high impact. Their tough shells are usually made of rubber to withstand any surface and allow for better grip during catch-and-release drills. Combine that outer shell with a sand or gel filling, and you have a ball that doesn’t bounce or ricochet onto your face.

Slam Balls vs. Medicine Balls

Some people make the mistake of using medicine balls as slam balls and only realize the error when it’s already too late — the medicine ball has popped and the gym owner is asking them to clean up the sand that has spread all over the mat.

While some slam balls can be used for medicine ball exercises, medicine balls cannot always be used for slam ball exercises. While some are made of rubber, most are made of leather, vinyl, or plastic. After consistent slams to any surface, even some of the best medicine balls can start to tear apart and deflate. Medicine balls are best used for tosses and partner drills since they’re softer.

An easy way to remember which type of ball to use during your exercise is to consider if it involves propelling the ball with intense force or not. If so, choose a slam ball. It’ll not only be the correct tool for your high-intensity workout, but it’ll also save you from having to buy another ball sooner than later.

Final Word

Compared to other types of fitness equipment that have evolved with new technology, the slam ball hasn’t changed much in the decades since it became a favorite of CrossFit and functional fitness athletes — I mean, it would be hard to graft an HD touchscreen on a rubber ball full of sand. But that hasn’t changed how effective they are for increasing the intensity of bodyweight exercises, while building strength and muscular endurance.

For being such effective tools in any athlete’s toolkit, most are affordable and versatile, with some optionality that can meet most people where they are on their fitness journey. With smooth, triangle, or tread grips, and weight ranges from 5 to 150 pounds, we tried some of the best slam balls on the market to bring you quality options from brands we have trusted for years. If you’re ready to spice up your training and take out some frustration on your walls, floors, or training buddies — be gentle with your buddies — slam balls are a fun way to ramp up any workout.

FAQs

References

1. Ignjatovic, A. M., Markovic, Z. M., & Radovanovic, D. S. (2012). Effects of 12-week medicine ball training on muscle strength and power in young female handball players. Journal of strength and conditioning research, 26(8), 2166–2173.
2. Szymanski, D. J., Szymanski, J. M., Bradford, T. J., Schade, R. L., & Pascoe, D. D. (2007). Effect of twelve weeks of medicine ball training on high school baseball players. Journal of strength and conditioning research, 21(3), 894–901.