Elevate Your Game: The Best Beach Volleyballs for 2022 – Gear Hungry (2024)

Billy Brown

Billy Brown has a problem sitting still. His constant search for the next challenge has him doing everything from running ultramarathons and climbing 14er’s to gaining 40 pounds to compete in powerlifting, breaking several state records and growing a killer beard in the process. With over a decade of writing under his belt, his work, covering action sports, gear, and beer, can be found in a variety of publications. He lives with his wife and their two cats in Sacramento, California.

1

Molten BV5000 Beach Volleyball

If you’re looking for a combination of comfort, control, and durability on various playing surfaces, Molten’s BV5000 is a great option. The hand-stitched soft polyurethane cover was tough enough to survive rough play on both grass and the sand, and its leather-like feel provided plenty of grip and control.

Taking the tester out for a game in the park, it’s clear why the BV5000 is the official ball used by USA Volleyball. The polyurethane cover is tough as hell, surviving grass with ease and holding up to repeated spikes into abrasive sand. A few angry kicks out into the street left it with a few minor scuffs, but that was really more my issue than the ball’s. The real standout with this ball was the response – the ball seemed to adjust its rebound to how I hit it. A good bump elevated it softly, the perfect set arced it gently towards the net, and a killer spike fired it past the other team to the ground below. The way it varied between gentle arcs and looking like it was fired out of a cannon made the BV5000 stand head and shoulders above the competition. Read the in-depth review here.

2

Wilson Soft Play Beach Volleyball

Sometimes, when you’re unsure which volleyball to pick, going with the least expensive one is a good option. You’ll have a ball, at least, and if it’s not what you wanted, you can always buy another one without taking a hit to the wallet.

In the case of Wilson’s Soft Play Volleyball, however, you’re probably going to want to keep this one. For less than ten bucks, the Soft Play Volleyball is an official size and weight volleyball with a tough synthetic leather cover and durable 18-panel construction, which means the cover will take a good amount of abuse, and the ball will keep its shape spike after deadly spike. The foam backing just under the cover gives the ball a much softer touch, meaning it won’t sting the forearms as much when you’re digging out a high-speed shot. For more fun items to bring to the beach this summer, check out our list of the best dodgeballs.

3

Wilson OPTX AVP Official Beach Volleyball

If you’re serious about stepping up your game, you’re going to want a killer ball. The OPTX AVP Official Beach Volleyball from Wilson is a great choice. It’s the official ball of AVP Beach Volleyball for a good reason: it’s designed for performance so that you can play like the pros. Or at least look like you do.

The big standout here is the color scheme. It looks cool, but the bright yellow and black pattern is also functional. The bright color is intended to make the ball easier to track in the air, and the contrasting color patterns are there to help you track the spin of the ball, so your eagle-eyed competitors can follow the spin and see exactly where it’s going. Pair that with a tough microfiber composite leather cover, and you’ve got a premium volleyball that’s worth every penny. If you want to try another fun outdoor game, check out these top bocce ball sets that are perfect for bringing anywhere.

4

Wilson Graffiti Beach Volleyball

Looking for a ball that will stand out at the beach? Wilson’s got you covered. The Graffiti Volleyball sports five different design options, all brightly colored and sporting patterns inspired by graffiti found at iconic beach volleyball locations.

The Graffiti Volleyball doesn’t just look pretty on your beach blanket, though: the tough butyl rubber bladder pairs with the durable 18-panel synthetic leather upper to create a durable, reliable ball made for outside use. And the sponge-backed cover creates a softer touch and provides plenty of cushioning when spiking, serving, or blocking the ball. All in all, it’s a fairly standard volleyball, albeit a durable and soft one. But those psychedelic colors are a nice touch. And they’ll make it really hard to lose at the beach.

5

Mikasa VLS300 Beach Volleyball

While most beach volleyballs will survive a quick roll into the ocean, it certainly isn’t doing the ball any good. Exposure to moisture can degrade the balls’ cover, causing them to crack and peel over time. It looks like Mikasa had this in mind when they designed the VLS300. With its durable and water-resistant cover, you can take your time wading into the ocean and recovering it after an errant spike.

In addition to protecting the cover, the water resistance means that the ball won’t immediately take on water, which can cause the ball’s weight and response to fluctuate. The reinforced panels help the ball maintain its spherical shape after tons of abuse, and the supple cover provides plenty of control and a soft touch.

6

Tachikara Sensi-Tec Composite SV-5WSC Volleyball

Those looking for a ball that provides the best control should look at the Sensi-Tec Composite SV-5WSC volleyball from Tachikara. The micro-fiber composite leather cover provides a soft touch and a tacky response for when you want to put a spin on the ball. And the panels are held together with a resin-infused fiber to keep the seams low, minimizing the chance of a seam sending your ball off in the wrong direction. Everything about this ball seems to be built to ensure that the ball goes exactly where you want it to every time.

Even the loose bladder construction, one of the company’s patented design tweaks, is made to enhance control. We tried to find more information on what the loose bladder does to help with control, but all of our online searches led to unrelated (and horrifying) topics. If you love other sports, too, make sure to check out these quality soccer balls from our list.

7

Wilson Cast Away Volleyball

You don’t have to be a film fan to love Wilson’s Cast Away Volleyball, but it helps. In honor of the film, Wilson has created a replica of the second most important character in the Tom Hanks film Castaway: Mr. Wilson, the volleyball with a bloody handprint that Hanks’ character turns into a face. Throughout the movie, Hanks converses, argues, commiserates with, and (spoiler alert) mourns Wilson the Volleyball in one of the most moving cinematic scenes even to involve a volleyball.

You can mount it on a shelf as a decorative piece in a home office or keep it around as a quarantine buddy. Oh yeah, you can use it as a volleyball, too. The 18-panel synthetic cover is durable and responsive, and the official size and weight make it a great ball to practice with. Plus, if you have a rough day at work, you can grab a cup of coffee, sit down with the ball, and vent about your boss for a bit. Seriously, this is one of the best beach volleyball ball designs we’ve seen, and it belongs in every cinephile’s home. Please browse our selection of the best spikeball sets to discover more games you can bring to the beach.

8

Chance Soft Training Volleyball

This list is about beach volleyballs, but we had to include at least one designed for pool use. Besides, this completely waterproof volleyball from California-based sport ball company Chance could survive getting caught in a riptide and be found 10 miles down the beach. Built for use in pools, the Soft Training Volleyball is, as mentioned, completely waterproof, meaning the composite cover won’t degrade when continually exposed to water, and it won’t soak the water up and get heavy while you play.

The sponge-backing behind the cover also provides a super-soft feel to keep your forearms and hands comfortable when digging and serving, and the butyl rubber bladder locks in the air and keeps the ball solid and responsive. Plus, the extra cushioning is going to come in real handy for those hopefully rare times when you block a spike with your face. No shame in taking one for the team. For more fun outdoor games for sunny days, check out these easily portable horseshoe sets.