Best outdoor volleyball
Let’s start with a very clear overview of the best outdoor volleyballs.
| Main usage | Durability | Waterproof | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wilson AVP Soft Play | All round | 3.5/5 | 3.5/5 | $ |
| Wilson AVP OPTX | Beach | 4.5/5 | 2.5/5 | $$$ |
| EVZOM Super Soft Volleyball | Beach | 3.5/5 | 3.5/5 | $ |
| King of beach | Beach | 4/5 | 2.5/5 | $$ |
Before we jump into the detail, I want to explain that outdoors can mean different things. The terrain can be different and this would require a different ball.
Most people who are looking for an outdoor volleyball are looking for a beach volleyball. However, some of you might also want to use it on a grassy or even concrete/asphalt surface.
There are obviously many volleyballs that are made especially for beach volleyball. Most volleyballs are also pretty good for using on a grass field. However, the material used in volleyballs isn’t really made for hard surfaces like concrete and asphalt. This does not mean that you can’t use it, but volleyballs won’t last an extremely long time. For this reason, I highly recommend buying a (or multiple) cheap volleyball if you intend to use it a lot on concrete/asphalt.
In this post, I will provide you with an option for everyone. However, if you would like to see a selection of solid, but cheap volleyballs, you might also like my other article: best cheap volleyballs.
List of the best outdoor volleyballs
Let’s take a look at each option.
WILSON AVP Soft Play Volleyball
If you are looking for a solid beginner option, you can’t go wrong with the Wilson soft play. It’s a solid, but affordable volleyball that can be used both indoors and outdoors.
It has a synthetic cover, which should make the ball more durable. However, it does give it a slightly harder touch than one might expect from a soft play volleyball. If you are looking for a really soft touch, Wilson does make a super-soft variant, which is also budget-friendly. Keep in mind that the Wilson AVP Soft Play does soften up quite a bit after a break-in period.
In theory, this should be a very durable volleyball. However, there have been a good amount of complaints about the outer fabric getting cracks. That said, most people do support the statement that the Wilson soft play is durable volleyball.
Overall, this would be my go-to recommendations if you intend to use the volleyball on all types of terrain, including sand, grass and concrete/asphalt. It’s pretty durable, cheap, pretty waterproof and it’s still a fun ball to play with.
This ball is delivered inflated, but a pump is not included. Sometimes the ball deflates a little bit during transportation, so having a suitable pump is always recommended.
The good
- Good value
- Good overall volleyball
The bad
- Not super soft
The best price can usually be found on amazon: Wilson AVP Soft play
WILSON AVP OPTX
The Wilson AVP OPTX is a high quality beach volleyball. Perfect for the more serious beach volleyball games.
Even though the ball is mainly used for beach volleyball, it can be used on grass as well. I would not recommend using this ball on harder surfaces like concrete or asphalt, simply because the ball would sooner be damaged. This would be a shame since it is a high quality and expensive volleyball.
For the price, there might be some arguments against the durability of the ball. However, you should be able to get at least a couple of months of playing regular volleyball. Also, you can make a claim on their website, because their products do have a limited warranty. This is, of course, only under certain conditions, like using it in the intended way.
If you are looking for a high quality beach volleyball, the Wilson AVP OPTX is a great option. If you do think that this ball is a bit too expensive, there are still plenty off other options that you can consider.
The good
- High quality
The bad
- Expensive
The best price can usually be found on amazon: Wilson AVP OPTX
EVZOM Super Soft
The next option on the list is the EVZOM Super Soft volleyball. The super soft touch makes it great for beginners, recreational play or even children.
It’s a solid budget beach volleyball, it even made it on the list of best cheap volleyballs.
The surface is made of natural rubber, which is easy to clean. The ball is also waterproof, so you don’t have to worry that the ball would get waterlogged. In other words, a great volleyball for outdoors usage.
In the end, it’s pretty simple, if you are looking for a cheap, soft volleyball that is suitable for beach volleyball, this is the one to get.
The ball is also suitable for indoor or outdoor (non-beach) volleyball, but if you don’t intend to use it on the beach, I would say that there are better options out there.
If you want a volleyball that can be used on all sorts of outdoor terrain, but mainly beach volleyball, the EVZOM should be perfect for you. Using it on asphalt isn’t optimal, but this is the case with any volleyball, it can still be done. Whenever the ball does get damaged, it isn’t the end of the world because it isn’t an expensive product.
It isn’t the most durable volleyball out there, but considering the price, the durability is actually pretty good.
The ball is shipped deflated, and a pump is not included.
The good
- Waterproof
- Easy to clean
- Soft touch
- Cheap
The bad
- Not super durable
The cheapest place to get this volleyball is usually amazon: EVZOM Super Soft Volleyball
Mikasa King of beach
When talking about the best outdoor volleyballs, the Mikasa King of beach (also known as KOB) cannot be ignored.
The Mikasa is another high quality beach volleyball. It might not be as high quality and not as pleasant to play with, but it’s still very popular and loved. The main argument to go for the Mikasa King of beach over the Wilson OPTX is easy, it’s a lot cheaper.
The change in quality is mostly noticeable in the balance and the consistency. However, only higher rated players would very clearly notice the difference. For recreational play, it really doesn’t matter that much.
The Mikasa king of beach is the wright outdoor volleyball to go for if you want a good quality beach volleyball, but you don’t want a very expensive price tag.
The good
- Good value
The bad
- Not super consistent and balanced
The cheapest place to get this volleyball is usually amazon: King of beach
How do we pick the best outdoor volleyballs
It’s one thing to create a list, but how did we actually end up with this conclusion? Let’s take a deeper look at what we considered as factors for rating the best outdoor volleyball.
Main usage
Before deciding which volleyball to go for, it’s important that you think about the main usage. Will you use it only for beach volleyball? Also on grass surfaces? Maybe even concrete or asphalt?
Real beach volleyballs are a different type of volleyball. So if you are only playing on the sand, it makes sense to go for a dedicated beach volleyball.
If you are also intending to use it on a grass surface, a beach volleyball is also a good option, but you could also opt for a soft touch all round ball. It depends on your preferences. However, the more expensive you go, the less I would recommend using a ball on a surface it isn’t made for. Grass is usually still okay, but when you are playing on concrete or asphalt, it’s highly recommended to stick with the cheaper volleyballs because all volleyballs have a higher chance of getting damaged.
Waterproof
Some volleyballs tend to get waterlogged when used outside. It’s an important factor to keep in mind when talking about the best outdoor volleyballs.
If you don’t play in wet conditions, it might not be the biggest of your concerns. However, a waterproof coating usually also means that a ball is easier to clean. When using a volleyball outdoors, cleaning is a bigger concern than when you only use it indoors.
Durability
Of course, durability is important. It’s actually always an important factor. However, it becomes even more import when we are looking specifically for an outdoor ball.
The ball will be used on various surfaces and this will mean the ball will have a bigger test of durability.
Price
Last but not least, the price is very important. Especially when you keep in mind that volleyballs don’t last forever. Not when only used indoors or only on the beach, but even less so when used on various terrains.
Best outdoor volleyballs – conclusion
When it comes to the best outdoor volleyballs, there are plenty of choices to pick from. Important to know that when using volleyballs on all types of outdoor terrains will mean that the volleyball will sooner get damaged. Therefore, cheaper volleyballs are usually preferred for all round outdoor volleyballs.
For more professional play, we expect players to usually play on sand, maybe sometimes on grass, but not on concrete or asphalt. In this case, a more expensive outdoor volleyball might be the better option to improve the quality of the game.
If you are interested in more volleyball information, make sure to take a look at these articles:
