- Best overall: the Spri Xerball, a thick-walled rubber ball with a textured, basketball-like surface.
- Best for rotation: the Dual-Grip Medicine Ball, whose two thick handles suit golf and tennis patterns.
- Best for slams: the Dead Weight Slam Ball, sand filled so it does not bounce back.
- Best for wall throws and catches: the 14-inch Soft Medicine Ball with a padded vinyl-coated cover.
- Bouncing or dead? Decide that first, then pick the weight.
Best overallSPRI Xerball Medicine Ball Thick Walled Durable Construction with Textured Sur
Best for rotationSPRI Dual-Grip Medicine Ball with Handles (4 lb)
Best for slamsSPRI Dead Weight Slam Ball - Durable Sand-Filled No-Bounce Heavy Duty Ball for
Best slam ball with bounceSPRI Slam Medicine BallThe best medicine ball for you depends on one question: will it bounce, or should it land and stay put? Spri makes both kinds, plus a handled ball and a soft-shell ball for catching, so the right choice comes down to the drills you plan to run.
Below are six Spri medicine balls, each with a clear job. All specs are taken from the product listings, and you can check each one before you order a weight.
Our picks
SPRI Xerball Medicine Ball Thick Walled Durable Construction with Textured Sur
The Xerball has thick walls that, per the listing, extend the life of the ball, and a higher rubber content for a better bounce. You can add air to increase that bounce. The textured, basketball-like surface keeps your grip secure when hands sweat. Bold color coding and weight stamps make each size easy to spot.
- Adjustable bounce with air
- Textured grip
- Color coded and weight stamped
- Rebounds, so not ideal for full-power slams
SPRI Dual-Grip Medicine Ball with Handles (4 lb)
Two thick handles give leverage and control for twisting moves. The listing names golf swings and tennis strokes as target patterns, plus abdominal, cross-body and lower-body drills. An instruction sheet with an exercise guide is included. The handles also make it easier to hold overhead.
- Two thick handles
- Strong control for twists
- Exercise guide included
- Handles get in the way of catches
SPRI Dead Weight Slam Ball - Durable Sand-Filled No-Bounce Heavy Duty Ball for
This dead weight ball is sand filled and built not to bounce, according to the maker. A heavy-duty rubber shell handles repeated tossing and slamming. The listing lists total-body, core and explosive power work, and notes it is common in CrossFit-style sessions. An exercise guide is included.
- No bounce-back
- Heavy-duty rubber shell
- Exercise guide included
- Shape is softer and less round than a rubber ball
SPRI Slam Medicine Ball
Spri built this one-piece, roto-molded ball specifically for intense slamming. The listing says it can bounce and slam on rubber, concrete, hardwood, turf and cinderblock. Weight is distributed evenly. Basketball-style grooves and a tacky texture keep it from slipping.
- One-piece roto-molded build
- Rated for many surfaces
- Grooved, tacky grip
- Rebounds can surprise beginners
SPRI Soft Medicine Ball
This soft medicine ball has a 14-inch diameter and a soft-shell build. The durable vinyl-coated polyester cover is moisture resistant and padded for comfort. Spri pitches it for high-impact and dynamic strength work. A large, soft ball is easier to catch than a small, hard one.
- Large 14-inch diameter
- Padded, moisture-resistant cover
- Softer to catch
- Bulky to store
SPRI Soft Mini Xerball
The Soft Mini Xerball weighs 1 lb and fits in one palm. It is sand filled with a soft but durable shell. The listing calls it a strength conditioning alternative and explains how to re-inflate it with a needle if it hardens. It works well for Pilates and rehab drills.
- Palm sized
- Soft, safe to drop
- Re-inflatable
- Only 1 lb
Which is the best medicine ball for your training?
Bounce and grip separate these balls more than weight does. Use the table to match the shell to your drills.
| Ball | Shell | Bounce | Grip | Best use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xerball | Thick-walled rubber | ✓ Adjustable | Textured surface | Core, passes |
| Dual-Grip | Rubber with handles | ~ Not the point | ✓ Two handles | Rotation |
| Dead Weight Slam Ball | Rubber, sand filled | ✗ None | Rubber shell | Slams |
| Slam Medicine Ball | Roto-molded one piece | ✓ Yes | Grooves, tacky | Outdoor slams |
| Soft Medicine Ball | Padded vinyl cover | ✗ Minimal | Soft cover | Wall throws |
| Soft Mini Xerball | Soft, sand filled | ✗ Minimal | Palm sized | Pilates |
All six sit in the Spri fitness picks, and the dual-grip ball also appears in the compare table on the home page.
What weight medicine ball should you get?
Here are the weights of the specific listings above. Most of these balls come in other weights too.
Listed weight of each pick
From Spri listing sizes, pounds
For throws and rotation, lighter means faster, and speed is the point. For slams, a heavier ball is fine because gravity does half the work. Core holds sit in between.
What to look for in a medicine ball
Bounce vs dead weight
A ball that rebounds is great against a wall and risky when slammed close to your face. Dead-weight balls stay down, which is safer for slams.
Surface and grip
- Textured rubber grips well when sweaty.
- Handles help with twists but block catches.
- Soft covers are kind on hands during wall throws.
Where you train
On a wooden floor, put a mat down first. Our exercise mat guide covers thick options for impact work.
Start lighter than you think
Even the best medicine ball turns into a liability if it is too heavy to move fast. Pick a weight you can throw with crisp form for 10 reps, then move up one size once the last reps stay quick. Check the shell for cuts or soft spots before each session.
Top medicine ball picks at a glance
SPRI Xerball Medicine Ball Thick Walled Durable Construction with Textured Sur
Check price →SPRI Dual-Grip Medicine Ball with Handles (4 lb)
Check price →SPRI Dead Weight Slam Ball - Durable Sand-Filled No-Bounce Heavy Duty Ball for
Check price →These three cover the best medicine ball use cases for most homes. Building a small setup around them? See our small-space home gym guide.
How we picked
We read every Spri ball listing in our catalog and grouped them by shell type and bounce. To choose the best medicine ball in each group, we kept models whose listings state their construction and intended drills.
We picked one ball per job, not one per weight. Prices, ratings and review counts were left out on purpose.
FAQ
What is the best medicine ball for beginners?
A 4 to 6 lb Xerball is an easy start. It bounces predictably, has a textured grip and suits core work, passes and squats.
What is the difference between a slam ball and a medicine ball?
A slam ball is built to be thrown at the floor. The Spri Dead Weight ball is sand filled and does not bounce. A classic medicine ball like the Xerball is rubber and rebounds.
Can you slam a regular medicine ball?
Gentle slams on a soft surface are fine for a rubber ball, but a bouncing ball can come back fast. For hard slams, use a slam or dead-weight ball.
Do medicine balls lose air?
Some do. Spri says the Xerball can take air to adjust its bounce, and the Soft Mini Xerball can be topped up with 3 to 4 pumps from a needle pump.
Is a medicine ball good for core workouts?
Yes. Twists, passes, Russian twists and overhead slams all train the core. The handled Dual-Grip ball adds control for rotation.