Choosing the best football really depends on what size you need. With such a vast array of top sportswear brands manufacturing their own footballs as well, buying your own one isn't always straightforward.
However, as a football is the most important part of the game, it's important to get it right in order to get the most out of your training and also perform to the best of your ability while getting the most out of your football boots and in a match.
As a result, we've compiled a list of our top picks based on price, features, and reviews, to help kick off your search in the best way possible.
Features-wise, we've picked out footballs made from durable materials, such as synthetic leather and canvas, to ensure they last. Moreover, a number of footballs we've picked out come with advanced technology to improve their flight and weight for a 'truer' strike each and every time.
So, from classic footballs for training, like this Mitre Impel, to standout match-day footballs, like this Nike Premier League Flight, we've rounded up the very best right here.
We've also answered some of the most commonly asked questions surrounding footballs to help you figure out what exactly it is you're looking for. Before that though, let's dive into our list.
Best football
- Best all-round football - Nike Premier League Flight
- Best football for training - Mitre Impel
- Best football for matches - adidas UWCL Pro Ball Eindhoven
- Best football for indoor use - Sondico Neosa
- Best football under 50 - Mitre Delta
Best all-round football - Nike Premier League Flight
Nike has been the official football supplier to the Premier League since 2000, so we feel is pretty well-versed in what makes a great football.
With that in mind, you better have your best goalie gloves to hand as the Premier League Flight comes with Nike's Aerowsculpt technology which has been designed to keep the ball stable during flight and, therefore, more accurate.
It also utilises moulded grooves to disrupt the airflow, making it easier to strike cleanly to avoid scuffing your shot.
Nike even incorporates All Conditions Control technology to help you keep the ball under your spell, even during poor weather like rain or hail, making it a great matchday option for both summer and winter fixtures.
All in all, if you're looking for one of the most advanced footballs around, then this Nike football might be for you.
Best football for training - Mitre Impel
This highly popular football should be a great bit of kit to train with thanks to a durable design which, Mitre boasts, is great at retaining air after you pump it up.
Some of the features that help make this ball so durable are its canvas outer layer, which should withstand a number of high-impact shots, and its soft foam lining designed to protect both itself and your feet as you strike the ball.
Being a size 3, this ball is slightly smaller than a regular match ball, but its smaller size will likely help you train your close control, especially on an artificial pitch wearing your best pair of astros.
Ultimately, if you're looking to practice regularly and are in need of a relatively inexpensive ball to accompany you, the Mitre Impel provides a great option to consider for training.
Best football for matches - adidas UWCL Pro Ball Eindhoven
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.
Over the years, adidas has produced some amazing footballs as a result. However, the Pro Ball Eindhoven, made for the UEFA Women's Champions League Final, looks to be one of the best.
It features a 100% polyurethane cover with a high-grade butyl bladder to ensure it stays pumped up and in one piece during a game. This is also helped by the thermally bonded surface, which can also deliver a more predictable trajectory and better touch, all whilst reducing its water intake.
Moreover, this ball is FIFA Quality Pro certified, thus assuring that this football is up to professional standards. So, if it's a matchday ball you're after, make sure you check out this adidas bit of kit.
Best football for indoor use - Sondico Neosa
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.
Best football under 50 - Mitre Delta
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.
Frequently asked questions about footballs
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 a high-quality and low-quality football?
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.
Read More: Best football boots under 100 available now