The humble medicine ball has enjoyed something of a renaissance in recent years. And thanks to a bit of a makeover and upgrade in design, this age-old staple of just about every gym under the sun is now more practical and functional than ever before. For those who don’t have time to get to the gym, there are few simpler ways to get in a fat-shredding, strength-building full-body workout.
We reviewed dozens of medicine balls to identify the best of the best. We examined a range of factors, including material, size, weight, grip, convenience, cost, and average customer reviews. All of these top-rated medicine balls can be purchased online at Amazon.com.
Having considered a large number of medicine balls, we chose the Day 1 Fitness Soft Wall Medicine Ball as our top pick. This 10-pound ball ticks every box, using a robust, heavy duty, vinyl-coated shell, double-stitched seams, a softer exterior that makes it both easy to grip and ideal for wall training and throw training with a partner, and a softer outer core that provides a higher level of shock absorption than most of its competitors.
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The 5 Top-Rated Medicine Balls
| Editor’s Picks | Brand | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Best Medicine Ball Overall | Day 1 Fitness Soft Wall Medicine Ball | 4.7 |
| Best Leather Medicine Ball | Champion Sports Rhino Promax Slam Ball | 4.4 |
| Best Budget Medicine Ball | AmazonBasics Medicine Ball | 4.7 |
| Best Medicine Wall Ball | j/fit Soft Wall Ball | 4.7 |
| Best Medicine Ball with Handles | ZELUS Medicine Ball |
4.7 |
*Ratings are from Amazon at the time of publication and can change
Best Medicine Ball Overall: Day 1 Fitness Soft Wall Medicine Ball
The Day 1 Fitness Soft Wall Medicine Ball is a remarkably well-made medicine ball that’s suitable for both beginner and more advanced users and offers simply outstanding value for money.
This ball has a 14-inch diameter and is made with a heavy-duty, vinyl-coated shell that’s moisture resistant and offers plenty of grip even when you’re moving fast and working up a sweat. Although the ball featured in our review weighs in at 10 pounds, the same model is available in 6 other weights (ranging from 6 to 30 pounds) with identical dimensions.
Two of the most commonly cited problems with medicine balls are burst seams and a slightly lopsided feel either out of the box or after a few training sessions. With this ball, gladly, neither of these potential dealbreakers is an issue. Each of Day 1’s medicine balls is balance tested to ensure even weight distribution and their double-stitched, reinforced seams prevent you finishing your session with a lot less ball than you started it with.
The softer exterior of this ball also means it can double up as a large, post-exercise massage ball that can relieve sore, cramping muscles and apply deep tissue massage, which can be done by simply putting pressure on a specific part of your body with the ball and then rolling your weight back and forward against the muscle fibers.
The bottom line? A superbly robust, durable, and well-made ball that isn’t intended for slamming but is ideal for partner tosses, twists, wall throws, and just about every other exercise that doesn’t involve hurling the ball with all your force at hard surfaces.
Day 1 Fitness Soft Wall Medicine Ball Key Features:
- Weighs 10 lbs.
- Available in 7 weights
- 14-inch diameter
- Heavy-duty vinyl-coated shell
- Sweat-resistant surface
- Double-stitched seams
- Not suitable for slamming
Best Leather Medicine Ball: Champion Sports Rhino Promax Slam Ball
The Champion Sports Rhino Promax Slam Ball is an awesome choice of medicine ball for slammers and old-school aesthetes who want a ball that looks as good as it performs and that performs as well as any other slam ball on the market.
The Rhino Promax, you’ll be glad to hear, isn’t made with real rhino skin but rather a proprietary, nonslip, textured leather shell that makes it both comfortable to grip and easy to throw, catch, and slam—even when you’re working up a sweat during intense workouts. This shell is also exceptionally hard-wearing and built to withstand as much rough treatment as you can put it through without losing its shape or weight balance.
This ball offers a little more give and bounce than most medicine balls, making it ideal for all kinds of extreme contact in the form of slamming exercises (straight slams, side-to-side slams, wall slams) but also for more low-contact exercise like crossfit, TRX, and plyometrics.
Champion Sports Rhino Promax Slam Ball Key Features:
- Weighs 16 lbs.
- 14-Inch diameter
- Available in 6 different weights
- Textured, nonslip leather shell
- Designed for slam exercises
- Double-stitched seams
Best Budget Medicine Ball: AmazonBasics Medicine Ball
The AmazonBasics Medicine Ball is an excellent, low-cost option for beginners to medicine ball training or those simply wishing to try out a more reasonably priced ball to learn the ropes before splurging on a heavier and more advanced model.
This ball is simplicity defined. It uses a sturdy, robust rubber shell that is built to endure plenty of rough treatment and uses a very sticky, nonslip, textured finish that most users will find comfortable to grip and just as easy to hold onto with sweaty hands as the shells used on far pricier models.
This ball’s 10-pound weight makes it suitable for a wide variety of exercises, whether you’re doing sit ups, twists, arm raises, squats, and lunges or more dynamic exercises like partner throws, tosses, thrusts, squat throws, and sit up wall slams. However, it you think this weight might be just a little above you pay grade, this ball is also available in 8-pound and 6-pound models.
AmazonBasics Medicine Ball Key Features:
- Weighs 10 lbs.
- Can bounce off hard surfaces
- Sturdy rubber shell
- Textured, nonslip finish
Best Medicine Wall Ball: j/fit Soft Wall Ball
If wall ball tosses, plyometrics, and core work are your thing, then the j/fit Soft Wall Ball deserves a place somewhere very near the top of your shortlist.
This ten-pound ball is available in plenty of other weights (ranging from 4 lbs. to 30 lbs.) but for must users, 10 pounds provides ample heft to alternate between exercises designed to strengthen the core and all the major muscles groups and more explosive or aerobic workouts.
This ball is hand stuffed with a combination of cotton, recycled cotton, sand and rubber in the inner core and uses a heavy duty, laser cut, triple-stitched soft shell covering that provides remarkably good grip even when your hands are soaked with sweat. It’s also specially weighted to maintain its balance and shape in the long term and that softer outer core offers a higher level of shock absorption that allows you to do more explosive solo or partner training without injuring your hands and joints.
All in all, a great choice for wall-based workouts or partner training for beginners and advanced users alike.
j/fit Soft Wall Ball Key Features:
- Weighs 10 pounds
- Available in 8 weights
- Triple-stitched soft shell
- Cotton, sand, and rubber inner core
- Shock-absorbing outer core
Best Medicine Ball with Handles: ZELUS Medicine Ball
The ZELUS Medicine Ball is one for those who place versatility high on their list of priorities and are looking for a ball that’s a bit of a multitasker.
This 10-pound ball features a duo of burly, ergonomic, anti-slip grips allow you to hold the ball more firmly and with more confidence than a regular medicine ball and which also let you use the ball like a standard dumbbell for bicep curls, shoulder presses, one-armed cleans, lat raises, and a variety of other exercises. They also, of course, make carrying the ball from A to B far easier.
One of the most attractive selling points of the ZELUS is that it is made with entirely nontoxic, eco-friendly, and odorless materials—not a claim that can be made by the vast majority of its competitors. These materials are also highly durable, offer plenty of grip when throwing and catching, and remain comfortable to the touch throughout even the longest and most intense workout sessions.
ZELUS Medicine Ball Key Features:
- Weighs 10 lbs.
- Eco-friendly, nontoxic materials
- Dual grips/handles
- Heavy-duty rubber shell
- Textured, nonslip finish
If you’re in search of some useful home workout equipment to stay fit even when you can’t make it to the gym, these top-rated medicine balls are a great choice. For more at-home fitness gear, check out our reviews of the Best Ankle Weights, Best Yoga Mats, and the Best Exercise Balls.
