The Best Ball Pumps
Beautiful days call for outdoor team sports, and outdoor team sports call for ball pumps. No matter your location or type of ball, chances are good that changes in temperature, overuse, and time have deflated your ball of choice between usages. Ball pumps vary in size, ease of use, and compatibility depending on the sport or customer of choice. While neighborhood garages or coaches' offices are likely to boast bulk stand-up units or even compressors for high volume, sometimes a lighter touch is needed for travel or tiny hands. Whatever your preferences in pumping and mobility are, our top ball pumps are built with durable materials and thoughtful design to keep you in the game.
Franklin Sports Ball Pump Kit
Inflation nation
Franklin Sports’ ball pump kit will allow you to focus on warming up instead of filling up right before the whistle sounds. While you’ll definitely need to work your upper body for fully deflated toys, this pump is friction-free for fast maintenance. In addition to two spare needles that interface with the most popular sports balls, the purchase includes a separate pressure gauge and flexible hose for better reach. Overall, referees, coaches, and players alike will love the compact build and peace of mind that Franklin Sports delivers at practice and main events.
Pros:
- Carrying case included for easy storage
- Secret handle compartment for securing needles
- Pressure gauge measures by pounds and kilograms
Cons:
- Will not work for bicycles and inflatable pool balls
Tonuni Portable Air Pump
Affordable air accessory
When you’re looking for versatility, check out Tonuni. Most hand pumps are restrictive because they only include one type of needle size. Tonuni has you covered for any activity, with both metallic needles and plastic nozzles included. We absolutely love this unit for quick fill-ups of kids’ toys, pool accessories, and even high-pressure balls like soccer balls and basketballs. Tonuni’s reliable customer support and dependable quality control are here to deliver a product that both kids and adults can use to reinflate fun whenever you slow down.
Pros:
- A spare nozzle and needle come with the pump
- Durable plastic body with a metallic piston
- Great price
Cons:
- The needle attachments may bend easily
Revivl Ball Pump
Gaming on the go
Reviving old game balls for pre-season training just got a whole lot easier with Revivl. This palm-sized pump is an absolute necessity for gym bags and sports equipment, helping your game get going with less effort. Aside from the size, the biggest appeal of Revivl’s ball pump is its ingenious functionality. While most manual pumps can take an eternity to inflate, Revivl cuts your use time in half thanks to the double valve system. Both pushing and pulling forces air into the ball, saving you time better spent preparing for a rigorous season or enjoying a lovely afternoon with friends.
Pros:
- Seven accessories, including extra needles and carrying pouch
- You can mount the hose on the pump when not in use for ultimate accessibility
Cons:
- The small size is not ideal for full deflated larger balls
Sunta Automatic Electric Ball Pump
Don't break a sweat
Save your arms from the exhaustion and your mind from the frustration of inflating ball after ball with Sunta’s automatic ball pump. While most people think of a bulky air compressor when the phrase electronic air pump is uttered, not all devices fit this bill. Sunta’s electric pump is battery-operated and fits in your hand, delivering rapid-fire airflow without a mechanic’s garage. The hose makes bending needles a problem of the past, while the mounted LED allows you to fill under the cover of darkness. If you don’t want temporary setbacks to ruin competitive matches, Sunta will guide you through games when you need it the most.
Pros:
- It fills empty balls in a couple of minutes
- Operates on three AA batteries
- It makes very little noise while in operation
Cons:
- No automatic shut off feature
Bell Air Attack High Volume Pump
Inflate intelligently
Bell’s Air Attack pump is the ultimate stay-at-home inflator for families and active couples alike. This device is built to handle both high-pressure bicycle tires and balls of all types, thanks to the included attachments and tire chuck. While you won’t be able to store this powerful pump in a gym bag, the wide barrel and foot anchors make sure you’ll never leave home with a deflated ball ever again. In addition to ease of use, we love the attention to detail provided by Bell. The padded handle and highly visible gauge prevent sore hands and overinflating, while the hose and needle anchors keep every working part safe and ready to use at a moment’s notice.
Pros:
- Maximum pressure limit of 100 PSI
- Includes a needle for balls and an inflation cone for other inflatables
Cons:
- The gauge may be slightly off calibration
Frequently Asked Questions
Does optimal PSI vary across sports?
Different levels of competition and different sports, in general, tend to prefer varying levels of pressurization. While each manufacturer will likely print the recommended PSI, or pounds per square inch, on the ball in question, this is far from an authoritative answer. For example, soccer’s global governing body FIFA requires soccer balls to be between 8.5 and 15.6 PSI before each game. As far as practice is concerned, the lower end may be better for younger players just learning how to control the ball, while higher pressure will allow you to blast the ball further than usual.
How do I check and fix ball leaks?
Ball leaks are a regular occurrence depending on how hard or abrasive your playing surface is. While softer surfaces, such as volleyball or soccer balls, can be repaired with the proper adhesive and fabric patch, harder units like basketballs will require some creativity. First, the quickest way to identify a leak is to fill the ball and submerge it in water to see where air bubbles are escaping. For vinyl balls, you may be able to seal the hole by melting the affected area with a hot metal tool.
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