10 Best Yo-Yos UK 2024 | Yomega, Duncan and More

Whether you're a complete beginner or a seasoned pro, we highly recommend trying the Yomega Raider. It's one of the most popular models in history and has been the yo-yo of choice of the National and World 2A Champions – in fact, it still holds up as a top choice today.

Yomega are well known for their ball bearing systems which have some of the best spin speeds and responsiveness on the market today, being especially suited to looping tricks. It even comes with two extra strings!

Not to be confused with the original Duncan Butterfly, the XT version is the modern and updated version of one of the best selling yo-yos of all time. Duncan claim to be the original and world's #1, and we can see why they would think so with this offering.

Featuring a ball bearing axle that offers ten times the spin time of the original and starburst response, this high-performance yo-yo will serve you well all the way from the start of your new hobby through to intermediate skills and tricks.

If you were a part of the yo-yo craze of the late 90s/early 2000s, you've no doubt heard of the X-Brain. These were the choice of countless kids and the sounds of their ball bearings could be heard spinning across every playground in the country. The "brain" refers to Yomega's signature centrifugal clutch return system.

Just like its predecessor, the Original Brain is the perfect choice for children, or adults, wishing to learn how to first do a wide variety of tricks due to its incredibly forgiving spin length and auto-return system.

Yomega are one of the best yo-yo manufacturers in the business and the Fireball is one of their flagship products. The responsive play is thanks to its unique transaxle design, which facilitates long-lasting and smooth spins. 

A great choice for perfecting string tricks, the Fireball is worth picking up once you've mastered the basics and are looking to move on to more advanced techniques. It's also extremely easy to take apart and replace the string with one of the two extras once the original has worn out.

The Duncan Reflex has taken some of the most popular features and blended them seamlessly into a single yo-yo, making it something of a Jack of all trades. Its modified design sits squarely in between a classic and flared gap and it features the ball bearing and clutch combination found in popular Yomega products.

If you're after a first Yo-Yo but you're not really sure that sort of style you're after, then the Reflex is a great litmus test for finding out what you like and maybe dislike about certain features or designs. 

First things first, you should be aware that the Yomega Glide is not one for beginners as the non-responsive axle means you'll have to be familiar with some advanced techniques to get the most out of it. It's important to be comfortable performing a "bind" to return the yo-yo to your hand.

It may seem a little pricier than some of the other options on our list, but there are plenty of extras included in the package. You'll receive the top-quality yo-yo itself as well as a tin case, a tool, some extra strings and even a spare bearing.

Talking of owning legendary yo-yos, your collection also wouldn't be complete without a Duncan Butterfly. Widely credited with inventing the flared gap or wing shape, this is one of the best selling yo-yos of all time.

As a fixed axel, some tricks may be a bit more difficult than a ball bearing option. Also, the colours will be chosen at random depending on where you order online so keep that in mind. It is, however, one of the cheapest options on our list and well worth picking up for enthusiasts.

If you can master the Duncan Imperial, you'll know you've made it to the upper echelons of yo-yoing as this design hasn't changed in principle since its inception in 1929. There are no helpful ball bearings or clutches here, just a string, an axle and the casing.

While perhaps this isn't the best choice for beginners, thanks to its low price there's no harm in picking one up to own a piece of yo-yo history. It's also worth the price of admission to see what yo-yoing was like nearly a hundred years ago.

If you're after something a little different, it may be worth considering this unique metal design. Offering ultra-smooth spins and a balanced design, this yo-yo is incredibly sturdy and you'll have a hard time damaging it.

That being said, you may want to opt for a plastic option if you're looking at your first yo-yo, simply because most others are made from the material. It'll be easier to switch between different plastic choices rather than a weightier metal one.

The Merlin is an incredible yo-yo focused on high-level performance above all else. Its flared gap shape makes string tricks feel great and its ball bearing axle and silicone response system make playing with it a dream.

The reason it sits so low on our list is that you can't escape the fact that it is by far the most expensive option we've looked at, costing over ten times the price of the cheapest option and around three times the average. It's only worth the price tag for those at an advanced level.