The 8 Best Medicine Balls, Tested by Our Team of Editors and Trainers

When it comes to medicine balls, there’s not much to dislike about the REP Fitness medicine ball, which is one of MH’s favorites and our overall winner. This ball checks off every box in what to look for, starting with a universal 14-inch diameter throughout all varying weights (this normally varies with other brands). Built with extreme durability in mind, these are hand-stuffed and double-stitched with very thick threading, so whether you’re slamming them against the wall or the ground (not ideally recommended), they will hold up well over time.

Coming in 10 various weights ranging from 4-30 pounds, no matter what your training needs, you can find the perfect weighted ball (each is color-coded, too, for those grabbing multiple balls). With a grippy synthetic leather material construction, these are still great options to hold onto, no matter how sweaty you get during a workout. While they are not designed for slamming against the ground during training and have minimal bounce, they are sturdy and affordable enough to make them an excellent choice.

Maybe when you think of a medicine ball, you envision a basketball-looking, yet much heavier, and striped-coloring rubber ball. If that’s the case, this traditional-looking medicine ball is a wonderful addition to your home gym. Amazon Basics nailed a simple, affordable, yet pretty durable medicine ball that is accessible to everyone.

This no-frills medicine ball is made with a firm rubber exterior and a slightly textured pebble-esque surface to allow for a more enhanced experience. As with all rubber balls, it offers exceptional bounce and durability, however it is not best for wall throws, as its aggressive bounce-back is not ideal. With a superb price tag like this, most feel that it is still well worth it.

When it comes to CrossFit, the one name that stands out best is Rogue. Its rubber medicine ball dubbed the Rogue Rubber Medball, is as durable as they come thanks to its all-rubber construction. This is a must for anyone performing WODs and something that can hold up to ground and wall slams, all the way through performing the total-body Wall Ball exercise.

But if you’re worried that a rubber ball might be too slick to use, Rogue was way ahead of you and designed it with a diamond-like grip pattern that offers just the right amount of grip without being overly aggressive. This firm-feeling yet surprisingly spring-like exterior shell offers the perfect versatile medicine ball from slams with a normal bounce-back effect to back-and-forth passes with a gym buddy for partner abs. With weighted options being offered in nine differing weights (6-30 pounds), the Rogue Medball is a solid pick for all the CrossFit lovers out there.

If you truly want to increase rotational power as an athlete or develop a functional core, this soft-shell medicine ball is the best bet. Unlike rubber medicine balls that aggressively bounce back when attempting wall throws or slams (which can be a safety concern), the soft shell allows for maximal power throws with virtually no bounce back, sparing you from a harmful torpedoing object.

These balls are not only the best for impact absorption but are also sweat, moisture, and scuff-resistant thanks partly to their very durable vinyl materials and exceptional construction. While similar brands may make OK soft-shell balls, the Dynamax brand has found its way into collegiate and professional sports programs. While very expensive, you can rest easy that this investment will last for years to come.

Medicine balls can start to lack once the sweat starts dripping and the balls become slick and slippery. This dual-handle medicine ball eliminates that altogether. With these handles, you end up getting more than your normal medicine ball. You get a workout tool that becomes more versatile than others.

From seated Russian twists, to kettlebell swings, to shoulder presses and much more, all are exercises you can perform thanks to this ball’s handy handles. While other options use thin, flimsy handles, Titan Fitness’ handles are thick, sturdy, and deep enough to make handling and pressing very convenient and comfortable. Rubber and a single material construction help to make this one long-lasting medicine ball.

There are good options when it comes to using a med ball as a functional tool, especially for wall or ground slams—then there are the Slam Balls from Yes4All. Others may claim to be good for ground slams, but this one backs that up. Filled internally with sand and built from uber-durable PVC construction, this thing can take a beating and then some. No matter how much force you slam this thing to the ground with, it impacts like sludge and has zero rebound.

Perfect for functional training, the added treaded pattern increases grip, so even if you’re doing overhead ground slams, you can ensure it won’t slip out of your hands. There is also a slight lopsidedness you get when using it, which makes your core work even harder. While it doesn’t roll (by design), this is one functional med ball that’s offered at a great price, too.

Those who love a good vintage aesthetic will appreciate this leather medicine ball from Everlast. The brand that became the first household name in Boxing still makes quality heritage-like products today. With its all-leather construction, this medicine ball is still functional enough for gym use as the leather build is a durable material that ages gracefully over time.

Unlike some aggressively patterned rubber balls, this leather med ball provides a more comfortable option with excellent grip, as leather works well with moisture, creating a tacky-like feel. While it’s best not to use it for wall throws and ground slams, the ball is still durable enough to perform push-ups on it. It also earns bonus points for elevating your gym’s look, too.

For those above normally strong, strength athletes, these heavy-duty, sand-filled med balls from Perform Better take your strongman training to the next level. While most medicine balls top out around 30 pounds, PBs matches that and then goes beyond, with 30-100 pounds available in ten-pound increments.

“I’m a huge fan of these medicine balls because of the variety they bring,” says Don Saladino, who has used med balls in his own training, as well as that of his clients like Ryan Reynolds. “I have been using med balls for years, and being able to go heavy and push my capacity is huge.”

Made from sturdy and durable PVC and filled with sand, these balls feel like gel, while the soft textured shell is easy enough to toss and catch (using the reasonably weighted ones). Whether you use them as Atlas stone pick-ups, over-the-shoulder pickup and drops, or keg tosses, you won’t find a better, heavier medicine ball.