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Most volleyballs are versatile and you can play with them both indoors and outdoors. However, if you are specifically looking for the best indoor volleyball, we’ve prepared this guide just for you. Whether you are looking for a ball for school, camp or casual indoor gaming, we are going to show you exactly what to buy.
Contents
Our Top Indoor Volleyballs
After doing plenty of research, testing, and seeking expert opinions, we have identified the following volleyballs to be the best for indoor games.
Molten Official NORCECA Volleyball
There are a number of reasons why we believe the Molten Official NORCECA volleyball is the best option for indoor play. First off, we found it to be a great option if you are looking to stand out as an MVP (Most Valuable Player) in professional games. This ball makes for a great training tool that you can use to sharpen your skills in the comfort of your indoors.
This is also one of the most innovative volleyball in the market. For instance, it taps on the special FLISTATEC technology to boost flight stability and ball control. This will help you master the game faster especially if you have problems handling a volleyball.
On top of that, you will find the premium micro-fiber composite cover a welcome addition for durability and stability. Unlike most indoor balls which are prone to damage, this one employs high-quality material to make it endure rigorous training sessions.
We also recommend this volleyball for athletes who want to develop quick spikes and hits. This is because the ball is fairly flexible with a good bounce. Thanks to FLISTATEC Technology and the nylon wound that makes it stronger and even more durable.
The hexagonal patterns on the cover make it easy to see and grip the ball even when it is fast-spinning. This makes it easier to control. That is why we think this ball has the best handling compared to other recommendations in this guide.
Overall, if you are looking for a durable volleyball with a superior handling, premium design, and a firm grip, you should prioritize the Molten’s FLISTATEC volleyball.
What We Like
- Preserves air pressure well
- Comes in a variety of colors and designs
- Durable
- Great for indoor training
- Offers a firm grip
- Easy to control
What We Don’t Like
- Expensive
- A bit hard and may hurt the players
- Not good for kids
- Constructed from polyurethane leather
- Waterproof
- Comes with the advanced, nylon wound, dual layer laminated butyl bladder
Mikasa MVA200 2008
The Mikasa MVA200 2008 caught our attention for being the official ball for the 2008 (Beijing), 2012 (London), and 2016 (Rio) indoor Olympic Games. While that might be a convenient selling point, it is not the only reason why you are going to add this volleyball to your sporting arsenal.
For starters, we found this ball to offer the best blend of features that are suitable for casual and professional indoor gaming. Some experts admit that it is a bit more durable than the Molten Official NORCECA. It appears smaller than the latter though it comes in the official size.
This ball also strikes a great balance between durability and functionality. Although it is more affordable than Molten’s NORCECA, you will find that they share most of the features. These include the durable cover, attractive design, and ease of use.
The Mikasa MVA200 2008 has small dimples on the surface which makes it more textured and easy to handle. We found it a bit hard on the hand, especially when passing or receiving. However, after some time, your hands will get used to the collision and you’ll be able to control the ball without wincing.
Additionally, the 8-panel swirl design creates a bigger surface which helps to improve passing and control. This in combination with the dimpled microfiber material makes this ball durable and really easy to work with.
We believe this is the most durable recommendation in this guide. It even lasts longer than our overall pick although it lacks the former’s innovativeness.
What We Like
- Very durable
- Beautiful color patterns
- Easy to pass, receive and control
- Unique 8 panel design
- Employs advanced aerodynamic engineering
What We Don’t Like
- Doesn’t come with a ball pump
- Hard when passing or receiving thus not suitable for kids and women
- official game ball for the 2008(Beijing), 2012(London), and 2016(Rio) indoor Olympic Games
- New 8 panel swirl design allows for more contact area on the surface of the ball, improving passing...
- Dimpled microfiber material creates turbulence in the air, which allows ball to fly through air.
Under Armour 595
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The Under Armour 595 comes in a triple-ply cover and rugged seams to help maintain its shape even after long hours of rigorous gaming. Although it is not as durable as our first two recommendations, it still manages to retain air for long enough. This makes it a good choice for indoor practice sessions.
The ball uses the UA TOUCHSKIN technology which gives it a smooth feel and soft touch. Like most of our recommendations, it has a composite cover and a 100% butyl bladder that makes it flexible and agile when passing and striking.
If you find the Mikasa MVA200 2008 a bit hard when passing, striking, or receiving, you’ll appreciate the soft composite leather that this ball is made from. There is also a floating bladder construction that makes it easy to handle and control the ball.
The Butyl bladder offers desirable air retention though we found it to deflate a tad faster than the Mikasa MVA200 2008 and the Molten’s NORCECA volleyball. Still, you get to play for a long time before inflating again.
So, if you are looking for better durability and longer air retention, you might want to go with the Mikasa MVA200 2008. However, if you just want an affordable ball that does just fine at indoor volleyball, you will love Under Armour 595.
What We Like
- Affordable
- Durable due to the composite cover with 3-ply cloth layup
- The Butyl bladder offers decent air retention
- UA TOUCHSKIN™ Technology makes the ball smooth and soft to the touch
What We Don’t Like
- Not good for kids since it’s a bit heavy
- Can get a bit hard after pumping
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What to Look for in the Best Indoor Volleyball
| Factor | Importance |
|---|---|
| Weight | |
| Weight | Affects whether kids can use it or not |
| Material | Affects durability and comfortability |
| Brand | Some brands have different characteristics |
| Ease of use | Beginners should use softer and lighter balls |
Below are some of the factors that we prioritized while researching and testing volleyballs for this guide
Weight
This is an important factor to keep in mind when buying a volleyball for kids. While volleyballs come in only one standard size, you will need to get a lightweight one for your kids. Usually, full weight balls for seniors weigh up to 0.62 lbs while those for kids can go as low as 0.51 lbs. The Mikasa option is slightly lighter than the other recommendations and most kids can handle it well.
Durability/Material
You probably want an indoor volleyball that can last for long enough. In this case, durability is directly proportional to the material used. For indoor volleyball, you won’t have to worry too much about durability since there are few hazards that can damage the ball.
Most good volleyballs have composite leather or synthetic covers for improved durability. We prefer leather materials since they are more durable compared to synthetic ones.
Brand
Just like with most products, brand reputation matters when it comes to choosing an indoor volleyball.
This helps to avoid buying a vague ball especially from brands that are just cropping up.
Below are some of the most trusted brands in the volleyball market.
- Mikasa: Official ball of the FIVB (Federation Internationale de Volleyball)
- Tachikara: This is the Official Ball of the NJCAA and NAIA Championship
- Molten: Official ball of USA Volleyball, and of the NCAA Championships
- Baden: Official Ball of the AVCA (American Volleyball Coaches Association)
- Wilson: Official sponsor of the AVP (Association of Volleyball Professionals) beach volleyball tour
Depending on what features you are looking for, you will probably settle for one of these brands.
They all have their own ups and downs so we recommend that you choose one based on what you are specifically looking for.
Ease of Use
While you might think all volleyballs are the same, they are actually pretty different when it comes to usability. Some are easy to use while some need some time to get used to it. That is why ease of use is an important factor to consider in any purchase, especially if you are a beginner.
Ease of use comes in the form of how you can comfortably control the ball especially when serving and receiving. We also recommend softer balls as opposed to hard ones which may hurt your hands while playing.
Related Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions about the best indoor volleyball balls.
What Volleyball Do the Pros Use?
Professional volleyball players mostly use Mikasa size 5 balls, which is the standard size for players over the age of 14. Players under that age, need to use lower sizes in order to play comfortably. If not, a size 5 ball could hurt their arms and fingers, leading to injuries.
Which Brand of Volleyball Is Used in the Olympics?
The brand associated with the Olympics is Mikasa. Therefore, every volleyball in this tournament is playing with a Mikasa volleyball ball. They were chosen because of their high-quality materials, great manufacturing, and amazing durability.
Is Mikasa or Molten Better?
This depends on your preferences. Mikasa’s balls are lighter than Molten’s, which makes them float more while being served or set. On the other hand, Molten balls are sturdier. This makes you more accurate at the expense of feeling a stinging sensation in your arms every time you hit them.
Conclusion
Buying the best volleyball for indoor use is not as easy as it sounds. There are a number of features you need to keep in mind in order to make an educated decision. These include durability, ease of use, brand reputation, and design. We hope this guide will help you buy an indoor volleyball that is the best fit for your specific needs.
