Best Rugby Balls

Updated January 2019
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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers.
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.
Bottom Line
Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
Gilbert
USA Official Replica Rugby Ball
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Bottom Line

Size 5 rugby ball that will work for training or recreational play.

Pros

Perfect rugby ball to show off pride in the national team. Carries all of the official licenses. Size 5 ball meets regulation standards. Includes bright scarlet and navy blue colors that stand out.

Cons

Price point is a little high. May not stand up well to rough use.

Gilbert
Photon Match Rugby Ball
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Bottom Line

Durable size 5 rugby ball made for high-level training and games.

Pros

Includes a hydratec surface that allows the ball to repel water successfully. Durable materials in this ball that ensure it will perform well for many practice sessions and games. Four different color options.

Cons

May need to be re-inflated often. Higher price than some others.

Omega
Precision Training Rugby Ball
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Bottom Line

Surface contains dimples to ensure a sturdy grip and durable feel.

Pros

Available in three different color options and in three different size options of 3, 4, or 5. Perfect for helping novices learn to control the ball during practice sessions. Tacky outer surface yields a good grip in all weather.

Cons

Ball may struggle to hold air over multiple practice sessions.

Best Bang for the Buck
Gilbert
Elegant Violence Rugby Ball
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Bottom Line

Cool all-black design with a skull and crossbones that kids will love.

Pros

Size 5 ball that will work well for practice or for recreational games. Also works well as a display ball. Black color holds up nicely over time and repeated use. Delivers a solid quality for the price you'll pay.

Cons

Tends to lose air during use, requiring frequent reinflation.

Pro Impact
Training Rugby Ball
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Bottom Line

Classic size 5 rugby ball that offers a good grip for practice or recreational play.

Pros

Uses outer cover of rubber and cotton to provide a steady grip on the ball. Provides a good price point for a recreational level of rugby ball. Carries a standard size 5 that's perfect for practice sessions.

Cons

Ball struggles to continue holding air the more it's used.

How we decided

We purchase every product we review with our own funds — we never accept anything from product manufacturers.

  • 22 Models Considered
  • 10 Hours Researched
  • 1 Experts Interviewed
  • 503 Consumers Consulted
    • Zero products received from manufacturers.

    We purchase every product we review with our own funds — we never accept anything from product manufacturers.

    Why trust BestReviews?
    BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.
    BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers.
    BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.

    No, you can’t use a football to play rugby. While they are both oval in shape and 11 inches long, the ends of a rugby ball are flatter. That means it has more drag through the air as it is passed from one player to the next, which is a lot more frequent in rugby than it is in football, where the ball is often thrown in a lateral formation. All rugby balls now are synthetic, since leather absorbs water and becomes heavy. While the standard regulation rugby ball size is 5, there are also smaller sizes for kids and practice use, and a wide range of colors and licensed logos are available.

    The team that worked on this review
    • Heather
      Heather
      Chief Content Officer
    • Kyle
      Kyle
      Writer
    • Melinda
      Melinda
      Web Producer
    ×

    Gilbert

    USA Official Replica Rugby Ball

    Gilbert

    USA Official Replica Rugby Ball

    Size 5 rugby ball that will work for training or recreational play.
    $34
    ×

    Gilbert

    Photon Match Rugby Ball

    Gilbert

    Photon Match Rugby Ball

    Durable size 5 rugby ball made for high-level training and games.
    $25
    ×

    Omega

    Precision Training Rugby Ball

    Omega

    Precision Training Rugby Ball

    Surface contains dimples to ensure a sturdy grip and durable feel.
    $15
    ×

    Gilbert

    Elegant Violence Rugby Ball

    Gilbert

    Elegant Violence Rugby Ball

    Cool all-black design with a skull and crossbones that kids will love.
    $15
    ×

    Pro Impact

    Training Rugby Ball

    Pro Impact

    Training Rugby Ball

    Classic size 5 rugby ball that offers a good grip for practice or recreational play.
    $18

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