Wilson Soft Play Outdoor Volleyball
Chance Soft Volleyball
Mikasa VLS300
Visit any popular beach around the world and you could end up being a spectator to a game of beach volleyball. Perhaps this is a favorite beach game you play with your friends when you hit the coast? Volleyball is a fast, fun game that has been around for over a century. It didn’t take long for the beach version to become just as popular.
Beach volleyball is a little more supercharged as it is generally played with only four players – two teams of two. Of course, that’s the standard for regulated competitions. When you get a bunch of friends together to play beach volleyball, you can get away with many more players and even a few alterations to the rules.
As with all sports, you need equipment. You don’t need a lot for beach volleyball. You need a net and something to mark the perimeter of the playing area or court, and you need a beach volleyball. There are many different types of balls you can play this awesome game with, but we’ve put together a list of some of the best beach volleyballs to give your game a little bit of an edge.
The Best Beach Volleyball
1Wilson Soft Play Outdoor Beach Volleyball
You don’t need to be a pro to play beach volleyball, but that doesn’t mean you can’t play with a good ball. That makes Wilson Soft Play Outdoor Volleyball a great ball for the recreational player. This is the ideal ball to take to the beach with a group of friends for some beach volleyball fun. It has a butyl rubber bladder for excellent air retention and a synthetic leather cover with soft play technology. It also has a sponge backed cover for a softer feel. Like all good outdoor volleyballs, it also features an 18-panel construction that has been machine sewn for enhanced durability making this ball ideal for beginners or for having some fun in the sun with friends. It also comes in a great range of fun colors for those wanting to show a little bit of individuality. You may also be interested in some of the best bocce ball sets, so check them out.
18-panel construction for good grip and handling
Excellent air retention thanks to the butyl rubber bladder
Adopts the brand’s soft play technology
Premium, hard-wearing synthetic leather cover in vibrant color choices
Excellent choice for repetitive practice and intense outdoor use
- BrandWilson
- ModelWTH3500
- Weight12 ounces
2Tachikara Institutional Leather Beach Volleyball
If you’re looking for a more durable volleyball to take to the beach then Tachikara is the ball for you. The single unit construction is incredibly durable and reliable enough for some seriously rough play. The cover is Woven-Fiber v100 composite over a cotton reinforcement to provide a soft and consistent feel. And the bladder is made from butyl rubber for better air control. This is the ideal ball for team players and with a selection of great colors, you can outfit each team in their individual team colors.
Ball is shipped deflated and requires inflating before use
Manufactured using durable colored composite leather
Suitable for all ages and levels of ability
Made using the brands single unit construction method
Volleyball benefits from excellent shape retention and in air performance.
- BrandTachikara
- ModelSV18S
- Weight1 pounds
3Wilson Cast Away Beach Volleyball
If you’re a movie buff you’ll love this iconic ball that was featured in the movie Castaway, starring Tom Hanks. The inspiration behind this ball is Tom’s character’s the only friend on the deserted island, Wilson, the volleyball. It even won the Best Inanimate Object award for the 2001 Critics Choice Awards.
You don’t have to be shipwrecked to make Wilson Cast Away your friend but you can have lots of fun with your friends at the beach playing beach volleyball. This is a replica of the ball that featured in the movie and is an official sized ball for the serious player. The cover has been constructed by top quality synthetic leather and has 18 panels of machine sewn construction to make it a very durable piece of playing equipment. Play your game of beach volleyball on a secluded beach with some friends for that authentic movie experience. Our selection of the best basketballs may also interest you so check them out.
Synthetic leather cover
Perfect for indoor and outdoor use
Soft play technology
Designed for competitive players
- BrandWilson
- ModelWTH4615
- Weight8.8 ounces
4Chance Soft Volleyball
You might not have heard of Chance before. That’s because they’re a relatively new, California-based company, trying to ‘spread positivity one ball at a time’. If you’re looking for an alternative to Wilson and Spalding, keep reading. Chance Soft Volleyballs are competitively priced and among the most durable on the market, according to many users. Similar to Wilson balls, they benefit from an 18-panel stitched construction with a sponge-backed composite cover. This gives them a super soft feel and prevents soreness when you’re playing. You can get these balls in two colors – celine and teal – and they have a modern and stylish look about them. The only slight downside is that they come deflated, so you’ll need an air pump and a needle (not included).
18-panel stitched construction
For indoor and outdoor use
Butyl rubber bladder
Available in two colors
Comes deflated
- BrandChance
5Molten Recreational Volleyball
This fun and reliable recreational volleyball from Molten comes in a host of contemporary color choices and patterns and is a stylish and durable option. The bright color combinations make it easier to spot mid-flight, which is an excellent feature for young players. It’s quality constructed by a highly reputable brand and is machine stitched with an ultra-soft polyurethane soft-touch cover. It’s the ideal standard for volleyball camps and general recreational use and is manufactured to the volleyball association regulation size and weight. With soft contact ideal for all types of players including beginners, it’s suitable for use on both indoor and outdoor courts. Providing good control, the ultra-soft PU cover eliminates sting so if you do come into contact with a flying ball, it shouldn’t hurt.
Designed to meet official regulatory size and weight requirements
Perfect choice for beginners and also indoor and outdoor game settings
Deliver soft-touch play and is non-stinging on contact
Durable quality machine stitching and ultra-soft PU cover
Multi-colored and stylish designs make the ball highly visible mid-flight
- BrandMolten
- ModelMS500-VBP
- Weight7.2 ounces
6Tachikara Sensi-Tec Composite SV-5WSC Volleyball
Tachikara Sensi-Tec volleyball is quality crafted, high performing ball made from patented microfibre composite leather. Manufactured with the brand’s patented loose bladder construction and an innovative resin fiber, this ball is all about control and consistency. It delivers a soft touch feel and is suitable for both kids and adults. Available in a comprehensive range of contemporary color choices uniquely designed to improve bad visibility and focus, there’s bound to be a color option that you’ll love. Manufactured with superior-high-quality materials, it’s ultra-durable and can withstand the rigors of tough match play. Combining just the appropriate level of weight to firmness ratio the Tachikara Sensi-Tec ideal for newbies and pro’s alike, boasting reliability and durability.
Ball is shipped deflated and requires inflating before use
Manufactured using colored composite leather
Suitable for all ages and levels of ability
Features the brands patented Loose Bladder Construction
Seamless in-flight motion for highly accurate performance
- BrandTachikara
- ModelSV5WSC.BKW
- Weight8 ounces
7Mikasa VLS300
A good beach volleyball is one that is able to withstand a lot of punishment and it’s inevitable that it will also end up in the water. You want a ball that won’t take on water and become water-logged. Mikasa VLS300 is the ball that is often favored by the pros. It is water resistant and has a double cloth backing so it won’t lose its shape. This ball also offers superior control during play to give your game a winning edge. The reinforced panels have been designed to maintain the perfect, spherical shape and the soft feel of the ball make it an exceptional choice for the serious and professional beach volleyball player. This is the official game ball of the FIVB and also the official ball used in the 2012 London Olympics and the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic games. This is the beach volleyball you want to be seen on the beach with.
8Wilson AVP Game Volleyball
You’ll make the beach your own when you play volleyball with this AVP Game Volleyball from Wilson. This amazing ball is a masterpiece of 18 panels that have been sewn by hand so expertly that you’ll have the ultimate in ball control and wind resistance. The outer layer of the ball has been made from premium microfiber composite leather that deflects dirt and water and simply feels amazing in your hands. The stunning graphics feature a contemporary design, but also improve the ball’s spin detection. This ball has been so well made, it will last for quite a long time and not lose its perfect spherical shape. This is the ball preferred by pro beach volleyball players and is the official game volleyball used by the AVP. Don’t forget to check out the great colors to add a little something different to your game. Find more great products like this by checking out our guide to the best medicine balls.
9Molten Elite Beach Volleyball
Elite beach volleyball competitors need a volleyball that will outlast other balls during practice and play. This Molten Elite Beach Volleyball will do just that as it has been designed for maximum durability. It has a top quality hand stitches polyurethane cover for a superior touch that makes it excellent for playing a fierce game. It is perfect for all types of outdoor games including sand and grass. It is the ultimate performance ball in any weather conditions and features a soft, consistent touch that will give players full control. Approved by NORCECA, this is the official ball used by USA Volleyball.
10Wilson Graffiti Volleyball
If you’re buying a volleyball purely on looks, the Wilson Graffiti Volleyball blows everything else out of the water. It has an awesome multicolored design that looks like a bunch of psychedelic stained-glass windows. It’s the perfect vibe for beach volleyball. Underneath this awesome paint job, it’s a pretty standard Wilson volleyball. It’s the same size and weight as an official game ball, so it’s great to practice with. Plus, it comes fully-inflated, so you can get straight out there and start playing.
This high-quality volleyball features an 18-panel machine-sewn construction that makes it durable and perfectly round. The ball itself is a butyl rubber bladder covered in sponge-backed synthetic leather. It’s not the highest-quality ball on this list and we certainly wouldn’t recommend it for competition-level play, but for beach volleyball, it’s absolutely perfect.
18-panel machine-sewn construction
Butyl rubber bladder
Sponge-backed synthetic leather
Vibrant graffiti design
Official ball size
- BrandWilson
- ModelGraffiti
- Weight9.9 ounces
11Wilson Soft Play Volleyball
The Wilson Soft Play might just be the ultimate volleyball for training. It features Soft Play technology, which gives the ball a spongy feel on the outside, without compromising the performance of the ball. This has much less impact on the player’s wrists and allows them to practice for longer. Like most Wilson volleyballs, it’s a butyl rubber bladder covered in sponge-backed synthetic leather. This makes the ball both durable and soft-to-the-touch. Check out the Amazon reviews and you’ll see multiple examples of people abusing these balls but not breaking them – seriously, they’re super tough. You can get this volleyball in a bunch of different colors and they even make a Wilson Super Soft Play ball for even more comfort.
Soft Play technology
Sponge backed synthetic leather
For indoor and outdoor use
18-panel machine-sewn construction
Butyl rubber bladder
Available in six colors
- BrandWilson
- ModelSoft Play
12Wilson OPTX AVP Official Beach Volleyball
If you want to take your beach volleyball to the next level, you need a proper ball. The Wilson OPTX AVP Official Beach Volleyball is the correct choice. The official ball of AVP Beach Volleyball, it’s designed for performance, so you can play like the professionals. It might seem like a standard volleyball but it’s full of awesome technologies that make it outperform anything else on the market.
For example, the color scheme and Optic Flow graphics are designed to improve ball tracking and spin detection in any beach volleyball settings. This is called Visual Spin Technology and it’s designed to reduce mishits and increase accuracy with every point. The rubber bladder is covered in premium microfiber composite leather and hand-stitched to ensure the quality.
Official ball of AVP Beach Volleyball
Optic Flow graphics
Rubber bladder
Premium microfiber composite leather
Visual Spin Technology
- BrandWilson
- ModelOPTX
Beach Volleyball Buying Guide & FAQ
How To Choose The Best Volleyball From Our List
Sizing – The beach volleyballs in our list are all official size so even recreational players can enjoy the same experiences as the pros. This makes them perfect for beginners as it will make practice more efficient than playing with a non-standard ball and pros will settle for nothing less.
Materials–Controlling a volleyball is quite challenging so you want a ball that is easy to hit and easy to grip. All of the volleyballs in our list feature synthetic leather or composite covers that ensure full ball control, yet are still soft to the touch. Apart from exceptional ball control, these materials are also incredibly durable so you can be sure that each ball will last through several hours of play over the course of many summers.
Brands –Every volleyball in our list comes from a brand with a stellar reputation for manufacturing quality sporting goods. This is your reassurance that you are choosing a volleyball that has been designed by companies that have dedicated considerable resources to research and develop their products to perform well under any conditions. By only considering these reputable brands, you can be certain you are getting an authentic volleyball and not a cheap imitation.
Price – A good quality beach volleyball won’t come cheap. However, if you are willing to invest in a good quality ball you will not be disappointed. Cheaper balls are available in almost every sport and variety store, however, the lesser the quality, the more often you will find yourself purchasing a new on. The extra money you spend on an authentic beach volleyball from a reputable manufacturer, such as those from our list, ensures you will get plenty of use out of your ball which will save you money in the long term.
Quality – When we looked at the average use of a beach volleyball, quality is a high priority. Beach volleyball is a rigorous game and the ball can be put through some devastating action. Even though beach volleyball is generally played on sand, beaches often have other elements to them. First of all, there is water. A good quality volleyball will feature proper stitching that is resistant to water seeping through the outer layer, waterlogging the ball and making play difficult. That same outer layer needs to be made of exceptional quality and durable material as many beaches have rocks protruding on land and sea.
Beach Volleyball FAQ
Q: What is the difference between regular volleyball and beach volleyball?
A: Players – The first difference you will see between regular or indoor volleyball and beach volleyball is the number of players per team. Regular volleyball has six players per side, with each player filling a specific position according to their skills. Beach volleyball, on the other hand only has two players per side and both players are usually evenly matched in terms of skills. In more serious competitions, one player may be better at digging, while the other may be more skilled at blocking.
Court Size – Indoor courts are considerably larger than beach volleyball courts. They measure 18 meters by 9 meters with a parallel attack line 3 meters from the center. A beach volleyball court is 16 meters by 8 meters and there are no attack lines, just perimeter lines. The smaller court size of a beach volleyball court is due to the smaller number of players and the fact that it is difficult for the players to move with ease over sand.
Keeping Score – A game of indoor volleyball consists of 5 sets. The first team to reach 25 points wins the set with the obvious winner being the one who wins 3 out of 5 of those sets. If the game comes to a fifth set tiebreaker, they may only play for 15 points in the final set. The teams will switch side after each set.
In beach volleyball, there are 3 sets and to win a set, the team needs to win 21 points. Two sets win the match and if a tiebreaker is needed, they may only play for 15 points.
Whether you are playing indoor or beach volleyball, you must win each set by a minimum of 2 points. Similarly, both games use rally scoring. This means you don’t have to serve the ball to win a point. The winning team is the one that wins the rally.
Balls –Indoor volleyballs are usually made of leather and carry considerably more weight than beach volleyballs. With indoor volleyballs, you want more power with each hit so you need a ball that is heavier so it can move with more speed and can be hit a lot harder.
Beach volleyballs are slightly larger than indoor balls and they are lighter. This lighter weight gives the ball the ability to flow more fluently through the air and many professional players will use their weather to gain an advantage over their opponents.
Beach volleyballs also tend to be made from synthetic and composite materials. These tend to be more durable and the materials are generally lighter than the real leather used in indoor volleyball competitions.
Q: What are the different shots in volleyball called?
A: Serve – A good serve is needed to start a game of beach volleyball and there are two main types of serve in the game. The first one is commonly known as the floater and involves tossing and hitting the center of the ball with the simple intention of sailing the ball over the net. A topspin serve involves hitting the ball in much the same way as with a floater, however, instead of hitting the center of the ball with your palm, you hit a little lower which will give the ball a bit of a spin.
Passes – When the opposing side hits the ball into your side of the volleyball court, your team is allowed a total of 3 shots to clear the ball back over the net to your opponents. One of those shots is often referred to as the dig. This involves getting your both of your hands under a descending ball with the intention of not letting it hit the ground. Your hands should be close tougher, almost clasped with your thumbs and heel of your hands facing up. The idea is to direct it to your teammate who will usually await the ball a setting shot. This is done using the tips of your fingers to guide the ball towards the net for the third, and hopefully, the final shot which is the spike. The aim of the spike is an attacking shot and the aim is to shoot it over the net with as much force as possible to make it difficult for the opposing players to return. Whenever possible, a spike should be aimed at a space on the opposition’s side of the court that is void of players. This is one of the best ways to score points during the game.
Q: Is beach volleyball always played on a beach?
A: For many years, the game of beach volleyball was played on the beach, and many tournaments still insist on the beach as a location for their competitions. However, many lovers of this great game live too far away from a beach to play as much as they’d like to. Fortunately, as beach volleyball has gained in popularity, particularly over the last couple of decades, more and more sports centers have accommodated players by including a volleyball court with sand instead of the usual surface. Not only has this trend made it possible for inland professionals to practice all year round, but it has also made it possible for recreational players to enjoy this sport no matter where they are located.
Whether you are a recreational beach volleyball player or a professional one, this is a game that appeals to the masses for a number of reasons. Firstly, it appeals to beachgoers looking for a little more activity than swimming or sunbathing. It’s lots of fun and you don’t necessarily need any equipment or skills to enjoy the game. All you need is a pair of shorts, or a swimsuit, and a volleyball that has been designed for the outdoors. For recreational players, you should have a net, but if you’re just playing for fun, you can forgo the net. If you fell yourself getting too hot and sweaty playing on the sand, simply move a few steps and take your game into the water. Professional players are usually a little more selective and need the net and a marked court. Their choice of volleyball will be a little more decisive and they will choose the best beach volleyball for their needs.
Whatever your reasons for hitting the beach with a volleyball, choose a volleyball from our list and you’ll enjoy a great game on the beach. You’ll look like a pro … even if you aren’t one.
