Choosing the best football is crucial for getting the most out of the game. But with so many top sportswear brands manufacturing their own footballs in a range of sizes, finding the perfect one can be a challenge.
Fortunately, we've done the hard work for you and compiled a list of our top picks based on price, features, and reviews. Our selection includes footballs made from durable materials such as synthetic leather and canvas, much like some of the top football boots on the market, thus ensuring that they last longer. Additionally, we've handpicked a number of footballs that come with advanced technology to improve their flight and weight, allowing for a 'truer' strike each and every time.
From classic footballs for training to standout match-day footballs, our selection features the very best options available. For example, we'd recommend the Mitre Impel for training, while the Nike Premier League Flight is our top pick for match day.
In addition to our top picks, we've also included answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about footballs to help you make an informed decision. We understand that the football is the most important part of the game, and getting it right is crucial for performing at your best. So let's dive into our list so you can head to the pitch!
Best football
1. Nike Premier League Flight
Best football overall
Size: 5
Since 2000, Nike has been the official football supplier to the Premier League. This extensive experience has granted the brand a deep understanding of what constitutes an exceptional football.
In light of this expertise, your opposition is going to need a pair of the best goalie gloves to handle the sheer class of Nike's Premier League Flight. This football incorporates Nike's cutting-edge Aerowsculpt technology, engineered to maintain the ball's stability during flight, thus enhancing its accuracy. Additionally, the ball features intelligently designed moulded grooves that disrupt airflow, facilitating cleaner strikes and reducing the risk of scuffed shots.
Furthermore, Nike has integrated its All Conditions Control technology into this ball, ensuring you maintain control even in adverse weather conditions. This versatility makes it an excellent choice for matchday, whether you're playing in the sweltering heat of summer or the chill of winter.
So, if you're in search of one of the most advanced footballs available, the Nike Premier League Flight deserves your consideration.
Read More: Best Nike football boots
2. Mitre Impel
Best football for training
Size: 3
The Mitre Impel is a highly popular football that's perfect for training, offering durability and reliable air retention for practice all day long.
Key features that contribute to its exceptional durability include a robust canvas outer layer, capable of handling high-impact shots, and a soft foam lining that not only protects the ball but also your feet during strikes.
This size 3 ball is slightly smaller than a standard match ball, which makes it an excellent choice for honing your close control, especially when practising on artificial pitches.
Therefore, if you're seeking a cost-effective yet reliable training companion and plan to practice regularly, the Mitre Impel is an excellent choice to consider.
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3. adidas Final Oceaunz Pro
Best football for matches
Size: 5
Like Nike, adidas is a brand synonymous with football as it has been one of the major suppliers to UEFA and FIFA tournaments since 1970. As a result, the brand has manufactured some incredible footballs over the years, however, this Final Oceaunz Pro sits, in our opinion, right at the top of the mountain.
If you haven't already guessed by the name, this was the ball used during the semi-finals, third-place playoff and final of the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup. Because of this, it features shimmering shades of yellow and gold as a nod to the coasts, outbacks, and more in host nations Australia and New Zealand.
But it's not all about aesthetics right? Well, thankfully, this football performs just as great as it looks. A high-grade butyl bladder sits inside to hold in air, while the outside features a thermally bonded surface for a more predictable bounce. The shapes and grooves you see across the ball have also been meticulously placed to create stability, thus giving it a "truer" flight in the air.
Rounded off by the FIFA Quality Pro stamp of approval, this Women's World Cup ball is an excellent choice, particularly for 11-a-side games.
Read More: Best adidas football boots
4. Sondico Neosa
Best football for indoor use
Size: 4
If you prefer or find yourself regularly playing football indoors then you'll probably need a ball that is slightly softer to cushion the impact as it ricochets off of walls at tremendous speed.
The Sondico Neosa caters to the indoor market thanks to its absorbent felt outer layer and its rougher texture, helping prevent the ball from skidding underfoot whilst you play.
Due to the constant rebounding indoor balls endure, the ball has been designed to hold its air comfortably and retain its round shape, meaning the ball should roll straight on the hard floor no matter how long you use it.
On the whole, this ball is a great option for indoor football, and thanks to its simple design, comes at a very affordable price as well.
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5. Mitre Delta
Best football under 50
Size: 5
The Mitre Delta is an all-time classic when it comes to great yet relatively inexpensive footballs.
It comes with the FIFA Pro Quality accreditation, which is uncommon for a ball in this price range, but should signify this ball has been built to last and fly true to shot.
Moreover, the fourteen panels on the surface are bound together using Mitre’s Hyperseam technology to reduce water uptake and maximise air retention, so you shouldn't have to constantly worry about keeping this ball pumped up.
In terms of control, the surface has been textured to increase friction and therefore hopefully improve your control, giving you the feeling that the ball is stuck to your feet as you dribble your way through to the goal.
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Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
With so many different shapes and sizes available, you probably have a number of queries about footballs, but don't worry because we're here to clear up a few of the most common questions.
What does a football size mean?
The size of a football has been simplified into three, easy-to-understand numbers that represent the circumference and weight of the ball sizes 3, 4, and 5.
Size 3 is the smallest and is designed for players under 10 primarily, but can also be used to train with as they can help to improve your coordination thanks to their smaller size and lightness.
By comparison, a size 5 ball is the biggest and will often be used during aged 14 or above games. Size 5 footballs weigh between 410 - 450g and have a circumference of 68 - 70cm, so are more suitable for the adult game.
How do you pump a football?
To inflate a football, you must first get a pump, like this highly rated Mitre High Speed Inflator, which comes with a long, thin needle on the end to insert into the football so you're ready to inflate it with air.
Sometimes it is recommended you use a lubricant like Glycerine as well as clean the valve when you enter the needle. Make sure you do this slowly to avoid puncturing the bladder.
Once inside the ball, all you do is use the handle to pump air into the football.
How much air does a football need?
FIFA state the air pressure in a regulation football must be between 8.5 psi and 15.6 psi, however, most of you probably won't have the time to be measuring the pressure each time you want to play.
So, with that being said, you can just go off of how the ball feels and whether you think it would be suitable for kicking and heading.
You want the ball to be firm but not rock hard because, firstly, it hurts and, secondly, it can cause injury if it hits your head for example.
What should you do if you get a football wet?
If you play Eleven-a-Side or even just Five-a-Side, you've presumably played in the rain at some point.
If you're using your own ball in wet conditions, you never want to store it damp as this can seriously deteriorate the lifespan of the ball.
What you should do is take a towel or cloth and dry it before storing it to help maintain its condition, and never forcefully dry it using heat as this can cause the outer layer to crack and therefore ruin the ball.
What does the FIFA Approved logo mean?
The logo simply means the ball in question has been approved by FIFA, the governing body of association football.
FIFA will typically test whether the ball is spherical, made out of suitable materials for water resistance, the correct circumference and diameter for the stated size, and the correct weight.
In purchasing a FIFA-approved ball, there's some level of assurance that what you're picking up compiles with the rules of the game.
What's the difference between high-quality and low-quality footballs?
Typically speaking, more expensive footballs are made from higher-quality materials and feature the latest, most advanced technology designed to give the football in question perfect flight.
Not only will a higher-quality football come with a better flight, but it should also be optimally weighted to help you control and strike it.
Keep in mind that replica footballs, although they may look like the real thing, are not the same as official match balls which are the highest quality you can get.