Players, pitches, tactics and attitudes have continually changed in football over the decades, and the same can be said for the equipment. Take the actual football, for example. Back in your Dad’s or even Grandad’s day, these would have been tough, leather balls that soaked up the puddles and rain like a sponge. But things have certainly moved on, and modern footballs have come a long way.
They’re no longer bland white but multicoloured and stuffed with new technologies that make them lighter and more unpredictable, which, in turn, makes the game much more exciting. However, how do you find the perfect one? Easy – just read on! Our article will take you through the main features to consider when buying a football. After that, we’ll show you some of the best footballs around from brands such as Nike, Adidas and Mitre.
Quick List - Top Footballs
A recommendation service that carefully researches each product and consults with experts across many disciplines. We are constantly creating new content to provide the best shopping experience from choosing ‘cosmetics’ to ‘food and drink’, ‘home appliances’ to ‘kids and baby’ products, reaching users all across the United Kingdom.
Table of Contents
In reality, you can play football anywhere with practically anything. Stone in the schoolyard? Check. Rolled up towel in the changing room? Check. Nutmeggin’ your mate with a bottle on the way home from the pub? Check. While willingness to play is first and foremost, getting the right ball for the right situation can certainly elevate enjoyment. So, let’s take a look at the options.
The first and arguably most important consideration is the size of the ball. The options run from 0 – 5, and choosing the right one will vary depending on the age and whether you’re looking for something to play a traditional game with or to hone your skills.
Sizes 1 – 2 are best for children under the age of 6 as they’ll be able to make good contact without it being too heavy. Furthermore, they’re popular with older players, who are trying to increase their skill and coordination, as the smaller the ball, the more difficult it is to control.
Sizes 3 – 5 are the most common. Size 3 is best for 6 – 9-year-olds, size 4, 9 – 13-year-olds and size 5 is best for 14+. These guidelines are recognised internationally by both professional and amateur teams. It's also worth mentioning that size 5 is regulation. So, this is the size that teams play with in the Premier League and other professional competitions.
The next factor to consider is where you, or whoever you’re buying the football for, regularly plays. We know that many of the country’s best footballers grew up playing on the street, but sadly, companies don’t make balls for that. Instead, there are three different scenarios they cater for – grass, astroturf or indoors.
Generally speaking, grass and astroturf balls are pretty interchangeable and will work fine when played on either ground - they'll also work fine indoors. However, if you regularly play games inside, you should opt for a specialised ball.
These balls are constructed from a different material (more on that in a moment) which has less bounce, meaning it’s easier to control in tighter situations. Additionally, the material is less harsh and shouldn’t mark the floors of the gym or hall that you’re playing in, which we’re sure the owners will appreciate.
As we mentioned, the design and materials used to build footballs have come in leaps and bounds. After all, we don’t think many people nowadays would be too keen to play if they were still using inflated pig bladders.
The most common materials used in the 21st century are synthetics, such as TPU, PVC or synthetic leather. These are generally hardwearing, require little maintenance and remain consistent as long as they're treated correctly. If you’re looking for something that's even more durable, you could always keep an eye out for a double outer layer.
The only time the material changes is when you opt for an indoor football. These have a felt outer layer, similar to that of a tennis ball. This is used so that the football doesn’t damage the gym or hall, and they're easier to play with on smaller, indoor pitches due to having less dynamism.
Finally, while this part of the ball is regularly overlooked, the bladder is essential. In fact, they say that a football is only as good as its bladder. Again, the body part of an animal is no longer used, so chances are, it will be made of either latex, rubber or synthetic material.
All these materials serve the same purpose, and when it comes time to play, you will probably not notice the difference in touch. However, rubber is often considered the superior option, particularly butyl, which appears in higher-end balls.
This is for two reasons – the material retains air better than the other options, so there's no need to be constantly pumping it up. Also, it’s durable and has a more consistent form and dimensions, meaning it should stick in shape much better throughout its life.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Adidas Uniforia Football | ![]() | The Football of Summer 2021 | |
2 | Nike Pitch Team Training Football | ![]() | The Training Ball Made to Be Played | |
3 | Mitre Ultimatch Indoor Football | ![]() | An Improved 20 Patch Design | |
4 | Adidas Tango | ![]() | The Classic Football That's Been Around Since 1978 | |
5 | Mitre Impel Training Ball | ![]() | From One of the Most Trusted Names in Footballs | |
6 | Sondico Neosa Indoor Ball | ![]() | A Truly Undervalued Ball With a Classic Felt Exterior | |
7 | Meteor Training Football | ![]() | Available In The Full Range of Sizes | |
8 | Nike Flight | ![]() | Achieve a 30% Truer Flight With This Ball From Nike | |
9 | Mikasa SX50 Indoor Soccer Ball | ![]() | Hand-Stitched Goods From the USA | |
10 | Puma TeamFINAL 21.6 | ![]() | From a Company Rising Up the Football Ranks |
The Uniforia was the official match ball of the summer tournament Euro 2020 (played in 2021). It seems like an amalgamation of some of the company's most popular designs - the Brazuca from the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and the Tango we mentioned earlier, which is a killer combo.
Other than the aesthetics, this ball has a lot of quality features. For instance, the outer layer and bladder materials are top of the line, ensuring durability for years to come. Plus, it's always going to be remembered as the ball that England got to the final with, so it could be worth a few quid later on down the line if you're into collecting football memorabilia.
With a name like this, you can bet that training is in this balls nature. The Pitch Team ball from Nike is made to be played, thanks to its robust and durable double TPU outer layer. Therefore, it should stay in shape for years to come without ever fraying or falling out of form.
Moreover, the bladder component is made from the trusted rubber material. It's available in two different sizes, as well as three other colourways. All options are pretty loud and bright, meaning they have a modern aesthetic and are better for playing in dark conditions.
The last of our indoor options, and another product from the trusted Mitre, is the Ultimatch. It's the perfect ball for use in sports halls, gymnasiums and on any other laminate surface. Thanks to the luminous yellow, it's high in visibility, which is handy when the halls are bright, and the players wear various colours.
Furthermore, it has a new and improved 20 patch design which helps improve the shape of the ball. Not only that, it's available in a couple of different sizes, and all for a very reasonable price.
The first version of the Adidas Tango was released in 1978 for the World Cup in Argentina, and it was affectionately named after the famous dance. Since then, it's become a classic in the world of football and is considered by many as the ultimate option for those who prefer the retro style.
However, over the years, the ball has seen some upgrades. Mainly in materials, so don't be surprised to see the use of TPU instead of leather and a butyl bladder. Thankfully, they've not once altered design, and let's hope it stays that way.
While Mitre was once a big name in the football game, to those who don't have their finger on the pulse, it might've seemed that they had disappeared. But when a football has over 11,000 positive reviews on Amazon, you know they're still doing something right.
The Impel is the perfect training football. It's durable thanks to the TPU outer, plus there's even an EVA foam backing, giving the ball a good cushion. The 30 panels are durable and help shape retention, but most importantly, it's an absolute steal!
Sondico is one of those companies that is hardly ever the first choice, but when they play with one of their products, they're happily surprised. In a way, it's kind of like when you're handed a packet of Seabrooks crisps. What we're trying to say is, they're criminally undervalued.
The ball is built from a classic needle felt outer layer and is available in size 4 or 5. Word of warning, it comes deflated, so you'll want to make sure you have a pump handy. That said, at such a low, you can probably afford to pick one of those up as well.
Solid footballs that come in small sizes are surprisingly difficult to come across these days. Whatever happened to the Nike Scorpion balls? Anyway, thankfully, Meteor has carried on the tradition, and their range comes in sizes from 1 - 5, all with reputable components.
The ball's outer layer is made from PVC, and although it's not as dynamic as TPU due to its rigidness, it's still more than good enough. Plus, it has a higher-end butyl bladder, meaning it should stay in good nick for a while.
Modern footballs are plagued with inconsistencies when it comes to flight. While this might make it more entertaining when shots are raining down on the goalkeeper, it can also cost players who play long balls, whip in corners or take long-range shots, as they consistently struggle to find their target.
With Nike's Flight football, the company has tried to minimise this risk somewhat. The design on the one-panel outer layer gives a 30% truer flight than its Nike predecessor. That said, it's going to cost you a pretty penny to get that precision.
Here, we have our first indoor ball. It's manufactured by a company in the USA known for their top-quality goods, and their speciality is balls. The design is built with a durable felt cover and hand-stitched panels to ensure it can really take a kicking.
Sadly, though, we do have a couple of issues. For example, it's only available in size 5, meaning it's not an option for younger children. Add that to the fact that we're unable to find out what the bladder material is. Plus, it's pretty darn expensive.
While its name may give you the feeling that it should be reserved for only the showpiece occasions, this offering from Puma is a pretty nifty ball to have lying around. The design comes in many sizes, perfect for a range of age groups.
Additionally, the design is available in various colourways, however, we're smitten with the white, rose and ocean. Sadly, though, some users have found that the valve on the ball isn't the best quality, which can see it deflating more often than it should.
Of course, you don't need to shell out a fortune to improve your game, but when you really get into a sport, it feels incredible knowing you also look the part. Have a browse through our sports section to see if there's any other bit of kit that takes your fancy!
While the world of footballs isn't exactly vast, there are plenty of options available. This is great news, but it can make your choice a little difficult! Hopefully, with this buying guide and ranking, we've helped shine a light on some of the nuances and steered you in the right direction for the perfect purchase.
Author: Lewis Clark
No. 1: Adidas|Uniforia Football
No. 2: Nike|Pitch Team Training Football
No. 3: Mitre|Ultimatch Indoor Football
No. 4: Adidas|Tango
No. 5: Mitre|Impel Training Ball
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
Automotive
Baby Products
Beauty
Books
Business, Industry & Science
Computers & Accessories
DIY, Garden & Tools
Electronics & Photo
Fashion
Grocery
Health & Personal Care
Home & Kitchen
Large Appliances
Musical Instruments & DJ
PC & Video Games
Pet Supplies
Sports & Outdoors
Stationery & Office Products
Toys & Games