Buying guide for best bocce ball sets
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If you haven’t played bocce yet, you can probably bet your ancestors did. Historians have found evidence that Egyptians played a form of bocce in 5200 B.C., and the love of the sport traveled to Greece around 800 B.C. The Romans learned it from the Greeks, and Italian immigrants popularized the game in America. Now the outdoor sport is as much a part of summer as an icy Aperol spritz and a day at the beach. The world’s oldest sport boasts the world’s third largest number of participants, after golf and soccer. And you can play, too, with your own bocce ball set.
Bocce’s equipment has changed only slightly over the millennia. We aren’t tossing polished stone or coconuts like our ancestors did, but today’s resin bocce balls aren’t all that different. There are plenty of options out there, and if you’d like to buy a bocce ball set for competition or recreation, BestReviews can help.
Our top choice for those who love the game is the Baden Champions Bocce Ball Set, which meets the size requirements set by the Bocce Standards Association.
Editors’ picks
GoSports 90mm Premium Resin Bocce Ball Set
Editors' Favorite
Ball diameter: 90 mm | Ball Weight: 1.69 lb | Material: Resin | Included Accessories: 1 White Pallino, 1 Measuring Rope, 1 Carry Case
If you want a beginner bocce ball set or something cheap for casual play with friends, we recommend taking a look at the GoSports 90-Millimeter Premium Resin Bocce Ball Set. It comes with eight high-quality resin balls, each weighing 1.69 pounds, making it an excellent set for those who want lightweight balls that are easier to toss.
This set can be used on various surfaces, including grass, sand and bocce courts. Unlike other sets that typically feature balls of two colors, this one features two yellow, two red, two green and two blue, giving players the freedom to play different variations. Included in the set are a white pallino, a measuring rope and a tote carry bag for portability.
If you prefer something more beginner-friendly with a modern look and feel, you can opt for the same set with composite balls instead of resin. Either way, this is a fantastic set for players who want to learn the game without spending too much.
Franklin Sports Bocce Ball Set
Great Value
Ball diameter: 90mm | Ball Weight: 15 oz | Material: Polyethylene | Included Accessories: 1 white pallino target ball, 1 carry case
If you’re a beginner looking for a cheap set to help you get started, the Franklin Sports Bocce Ball Set comes with everything you need. Each ball measures 90-millimeters and weighs about 15 ounces, making it easy for younger players to pick up and learn the game.
The set includes a carrying case so you can take the game on the go. You’ll get the standard eight bocce balls, two of each regulation color, each made from high-quality plastic that doesn’t chip easily, plus a white pallino target ball.
It’s a starter set, so if you’re an experienced player, you may want to consider one of our other top picks. However, it’s a perfect kit for casual play at the park or beach with friends and family.
ApudArmis 90mm Bocce Ball Set
Best for Travel or Kids
Ball diameter: 90mm | Ball Weight: 15 oz | Material: Polyethylene | Included Accessories: 1 white pallino target ball, 1 enduring carrying zipper bag, 1 measuring tape
If you have younger children who want to learn the basics of bocce, the ApudArmis Bocce Ball Set is one of the best ways to show them. This starter set includes four colored plastic balls, each weighing just 15 ounces, making them easy for kids to lift and toss.
The rest of the set has everything you need, including a white pallino target ball and a measuring tape, so kids can develop a sense of competition while having fun. Each ball is colored red, blue, green or yellow to reflect standard bocce gameplay, and they’re scratch-resistant so they’re built to last.
Although it’s not as durable as a polyresin set, this is a great choice if you’re a beginner or for kids looking to learn how to play. It’s affordable and comes with everything required to play right out of the box.
GoSports LED Bocce Ball Game Set
Best for Night Play
Ball Diameter: 100 mm | Ball Weight: 15.8 oz | Material: Plastic/rubber | Included Accessories: 1 white LED pallino target ball, 1 measuring rope, 1 double canvas carrying bag
Once it gets dark, it’s usually time to put away the bocce set, which means the fun stops. However, with the light-up GoSports LED Bocce Ball Game Set, you can play well into the night to keep the good times rolling.
This set comes with four plastic balls, each with a 100-millimeter diameter, so they have a little more weight than some of our other starter sets. Balls are colored blue, red, green or yellow for a traditional design and have a rubber interior with a plastic cover for improved durability. Each ball is battery-powered, so they light up, as does the white pallino target ball.
The light-up balls alone are the primary reason so many bocce-lovers appreciate this set. The entire set is high-quality, and the light-up factor lets you play even in dimly lit areas without compromising vision or gameplay.
GoSports 100mm Regulation Bocce Set
Best Regulation-Size Set
Ball Diameter: 100mm | Ball Weight: 2.3 lb | Material: Polyresin | Included Accessories: 1 white pallino target ball, 1 canvas carrying case, 1 measuring tool
A starter set might not catch your eye if you’re already a seasoned bocce veteran, but this high-end GoSports 100mm Regulation Bocce Set set might be exactly what you’re looking for.
Each ball weighs 2.3 pounds, which provides a real, pro-level feel that lets experienced players toss them with complete confidence and accuracy. They’re made of polyresin, which gives them a durable design, and the 100mm thickness makes them truly built to last. It comes with a white pallino target ball, a carrying case and a measuring tool for competitive play.
The white gloss covering each ball gives this set a truly premium feel you won’t find with many other bocce kits. It’s more expensive than most beginner sets, but if you’re looking for quality and a feel that suits advanced players, this set is a no-brainer.
How we analyzed
First, we looked into bocce ball starter sets for beginners and experienced players. For beginners, we considered a lower price point to offer an affordable entry-level set for learning the basics. Those sets are usually made with cheaper plastics, but include everything needed to get started. Sets on the more expensive side are built for durability and intermediate players looking for quality.
Regulation vs. non-regulation bocce balls
Much like any other sport, you first have to decide whether you need regulation or nonregulation equipment. It all depends on who will be using the set, where, and why.
Regulation
If you want to play like the professionals, already play in a bocce league, or have dreams of joining one, you need a regulation bocce ball set.
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Set size: Bocce rules dictate that a regulation set is eight balls identical in size, weight, and composition.
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Ball color: Traditionally, bocce balls are red and green.
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Ball diameter: Tournament-grade balls vary from 100 to 115 millimeters in diameter.
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Regulation specs: The Bocce Standards Association (BSA) dictates that regulation balls must be made of hard plastic composite, 107 millimeters in diameter, and 920 grams in weight.
Non-regulation
These sets come in a wide range of sizes and weights to cater to all sorts of players, including children, the elderly, and beach-goers. These balls can vary in size from 74 to about 109 millimeters and be made of lighter materials. Non-regulation sets are often less expensive. If you plan to play bocce on an uneven beach, there’s no need to use perfectly weighted balls. You can find non-regulation sets in a variety of bright colors (which is a big help for color-blind players).
Bocce ball materials
Think about how you will use your set – and for how long – to determine what type of material your bocce balls should be made of: wood, plastic, metal, resin, or composite.
Wood
You might run across a decorative or antique set of wooden bocce balls for sale. They’re a neat collector’s item, but they won’t suit regulation play or withstand wear too well. Skip wooden bocce balls if your goal is to play with your set and not just look at it.
Plastic
Sets made for children, the elderly, and the beach often have lightweight plastic balls. These are more portable, making them great for parties. Budget-friendly options like this aren’t going to be perfectly weighted, but that doesn’t matter when you’re playing on an uneven lawn or the beach.
Metal
Some modern, mid-price sets have metal balls, which can be great so long as you buy stainless steel balls that won’t rust. These polished silvery sets have different markings to enable you to tell them apart. While metal bocce balls may look beautiful, it can be difficult to tell the teams apart from a distance.
Resin
Pure resin balls are what the professionals use because they’re weighted perfectly to roll true and are the least likely to crack or chip. These bocce balls consist of a foam core encased in resin. They’re kind of like miniature bowling balls. A good set of resin bocce balls can be passed down from generation to generation.
Resin composites
Some bocce balls are made of a combination of resin and recycled materials or fillers. These sets are less expensive and more likely to chip and scratch to the point that they lose their colour. The filler in the centre can cause the balls to roll unevenly.
Marbleized resin
Some of the most expensive bocce ball sets are made of marbleized resin. The purely decorative pattern is created from different colors of resin swirled together. It can include multiple colors or just red and white or green and white. These balls won’t help your aim, but they make a pretty nice gift.
Bocce ball set containers
If you’re going to spend your money on a nice bocce ball set, you’ll want to keep it in a container that will protect it and make transport easy.
Plastic carrier
A less-expensive bocce ball set for recreational use may come in a hard plastic carrier that has a slot for each ball and a handle. It’s convenient, but it doesn’t protect the balls from scratches and dents.
Nylon bag
These square bags look like lunch boxes but are the most common way bocce balls are stored and transported. Many have slots for the individual balls.
Wooden case
More protective but also more cumbersome, special wooden boxes are common containers for more expensive bocce balls.
Bocce ball set prices
Bocce ball set prices vary widely. You can pay from $15 to more than $300, depending on quality and extras. You can buy an inexpensive set to enjoy on summer afternoons for about $15 or a quality set to pass down through the generations for about $90.
Inexpensive: For $15 to $35, you can get a simple set of plastic bocce balls for that is perfect for the beach but not so great for honing your technique.
Mid-range: For $35 to $65, you can get a good-quality set of resin bocce balls that would satisfy most adult players. You will still probably experience chipping and wear on the balls with these sets.
Expensive: You should expect to pay between $65 and $100 for a professional-grade bocce ball set with perfectly balanced resin balls that roll straight and true.
Premium: You’ll pay from $100 to over $300 for bocce ball sets with more balls, hefty carrying cases, and accessories.
Tips
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Check the ball composition. Are the bocce balls made of pure resin or only 2% resin? It’s the difference between buying a set that will last and a set that will crack.
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Consider engraving. For a fun gift idea, have a bocce ball set professionally engraved. Some sellers offer engraving for an extra fee at purchase, and the engraving doesn’t affect the roll of the balls.
- Clean your set after each use. To prevent dirt from building up in between the markings on the balls, make sure to wipe down your set with a cleaning agent and soft cloth before storing them.
FAQ
Q. Do bocce balls have to be red and green to follow regulations?
A. No, some leagues play with blue and yellow, too. Red and green are just the traditional colors.
Q. My bocce ball set came with a measuring tape and rule book. Are they regulation grade?
A. Not necessarily. A measuring tape is a common accessory in bocce ball sets because you need it to settle the score on those super tough calls. You should check the publication date of the rule book because it could be out of date or incomplete.
Q. What’s the difference between bocce and pétanque balls?
A. While bocce and pétanque are similar in rules and general play, bocce players roll the balls while pétanque players toss the balls. Pétanque balls are made of metal, smaller, and hollow. Bocce balls are usually made of resin, larger, and solid. The size difference is something like that of an orange versus a grapefruit.
