Football, or soccer to some, maybe the most popular sport worldwide, but it is not the only sport that uses football.
In fact, there are numerous variations on the sport of football like street, indoor, and beach variations. But, one of the more interesting variations is Futsal.
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In a Hurry? The test winner after 5 hrs of research
Similar to indoor football, Futsal is played on an indoor court similar to a tennis or basketball court. This means the best futsal balls need to be durable and display a lower bounce than normal footballs. But, it can be difficult to tell which footballs are best for Futsal.
Best Futsal Ball in 2023
That is why we have to put together a list of the 10 best Futsal balls. Then we provide a helpful buyer’s guide, so you know what qualities are important for a Futsal ball and why.
1. Senda Athletics – Best Futsal Ball (Editor’s Choice)
Senda is a bit of a unique brand. For one, it is the only brand on our list that exclusively manufactures soccer balls for competitive play. This allows Senda to focus entirely on producing the best soccer ball available to the average consumer. Still, Senda is unique in a number of other ways as well.
As a relatively young company, Senda originated behind the idea that the most popular sport in the world was becoming too entrenched and influenced by big money. The supplies also required to play soccer were often exploiting people and regions that supported the sport above all others. As such, Senda is the only soccer ball manufacturer dedicated to producing a fair trade soccer ball.
Senda is also somewhat rare in that explicit manufacturer’s soccer balls for all variations of the sport. Beyond Futsal, Senda also makes soccer balls designed for both street and beach use something that few other companies do in more than word alone.
Special design qualities
The Rio may be labeled as a training ball, but it is in fact far more of a training and match ball than anything else. For one, this is the only ball on our list to include a number of design qualities that are specifically tailored for Futsal balls rather than simply relying on a more generalized approach that allows the ball to appeal to broader market of consumers.
Material and lining
First, this ball is the only one we reviewed that included a foam material with its polyester lining. This is important because Futsal balls have a much more strict regulation concerning the bounce or rebound of the ball. The foam lining works to reduce the ball’s bounce without reducing the feel of the ball.
The Rio is also the only ball on our list that uses a rubber bladder. Once again, this choice is designed to further reduce the rebound of the ball to bring it in line with Futsal regulations. In fact, the Senda Rio is the only ball on our list that complies with regulations for professional Futsal matches.
Stitching
But, the Rio is not without its faults. For one, this ball is made using machine stitching. While this is superior to gluing, it is not as good as hand-stitched nor some of the better types of thermal bonding. Also, this ball does not have either a felt or pebbled texture that is often preferred for an indoor ball.
- Foam lining is better for Futsal
- Thick polyurethane covering for durability
- Rubber bladder to reduce bounce and retain air
- Machine stitching is not the best
- Does not have the preferred covering texture
2. Select Numero 10 – Top Futsal Ball (People’s Choice)
Take Your Futsal to the Next Level
The Select Sport America Magico Ball is for futsal and is made in a way that’s ideal for both first-timers and experienced athletes of the sport.
There’s a butyl bladder in the interior, which helps hold in the air better than those without. And even if that wasn’t included, the leather exterior should prevent routine pumpings once the ball is ready to be served. Just be sure that you have an air pump around in the first place.
Pumping it Up
The ball ships completely deflated, but that shouldn’t be too big of an issue; most balls, even when pumped before sold, would still need a little air.
Other than that, it retails at two different sizes for both adults and children, so if you or your kid need a better futsal ball than what you have already, the Select Sport brand is a dealbreaker.
- Synthetic leather surface contains air inside the ball for a long time
- Comes with a butyl bladder inside the ball for enhanced air retention
- Sold in accurate sizing for adults but also has junior size if needed
- The ball is shipped deflated; will need to be pumped with a device not included with the product
3. Adidas – Best Training Ball
Adidas: Then and Now
Like Nike, adidas is another brand that is known worldwide for manufacturing some of the best sporting equipment available. Unlike Nike, adidas is actually a German company. Adidas is a bit more in tune with the needs of players of sports on an international level and ultimately often produces better products. These two companies hare a surprisingly similar origin, despite the differences between them.
Whereas Nike started when a collegiate coach and runner decided to make shoes specifically for track and field.
In a similar manner, one of the founding brothers of adidas, Adolf Dassler, travelled to the 1936 Olympic Games held in Berlin and convinced U.S. track and field star Jesse Owens to wear his handmade shoes. After Owens won 4 gold medals and upset Hitler’s theory of Aryan dominance.
Fast-forward to present-day and adidas used that precipitous moment in history to build a brand that has become known for far more than simply running shoes. Adidas has made a major showing attempting to appeal to the soccer market in particular even going so far as sponsoring the FIFA World Cup in 2014. As such, it should come as little surprise that adidas makes a quality soccer product.
Great training ball
In this particular case, the MLS Top Glider is definitely a high-quality soccer ball. That being said, it is not the best ball to use for Futsal. In fact, it is not the best match soccer ball regardless which variation of the sport you play. The Glider is worth its value for highly competitive players as a great training ball due to a number of factors.
Material and Casing
First, the TPU casing is one of the best that we reviewed. Even other brands that use TPU materials for their casing generally do not hold up quite as well as the Glider. This allows the Glider to handle the rougher texture of the indoor courts without the casing wearing away. Unfortunately, the casing is will not necessarily prevent some of the flaws of this ball from showing through.
This ball suffers from what a number of soccer balls we reviewed do: poor stitching. The machine-stitched Glider will have difficulty keeping air after extended use. This remains true despite the fact that the Glider uses a butyl bladder known for it durability. Moreover, the stitching will also fail to keep the Glider’s shape leading to a situation where the ball slowly deforms and develops slight bulges over time.
- Thermoplastic Polyurethane is one of the best Futsal covering materials
- Nylon wound lining is more durable than polyester or cotton
- Butyl bladders are the most durable
- Machine stitching is not the best
- Have difficulty holding air after extended use
- The size and shape may be non-standard
4. Mikasa Sports – Budget Futsal Ball
Mikasa is unlikely to be a brand that many soccer players are familiar with but it is one of the older manufacturers of sporting equipment having been started in 1917. Most soccer players are unfamiliar with Mikasa considering the brand started as a maker of volleyballs and eventually water polo balls.
In this regard though, the Mikasa brand is arguably the top dog representing numerous leagues in both sports around the world as well as supplying equipment for Olympic events.
Unlike some of the larger brands on our list, Mikasa content itself with making balls for various sports and not moonlighting as a fashion brand as well. This allows the brand to focus on qualities that determine a high-end sporting ball. For Futsal, Mikasa achieves mixed results. In fact, there are other balls they make designed more for indoor soccer, but few of them are tailored for Futsal specifically.
Features
Honestly, this is not at all the best ball you could purchase for Futsal or any other variation of soccer. But, it does have one factor in particular that makes it ideal for a specific consumer: its price. Regardless the size or style, the Misaka Serious is consistently one of the less expensive soccer balls on the market even at retail price.
In terms of features, the Misaka Serious offer a number of qualities that make it attractive. For example, this ball uses a butyl bladder to ensure that it retains the air as best as it can while also standing up to the rigors of play. Unfortunately, this does not always play out as well as desired in practice.
The biggest disadvantages
This ball will often struggle to last more than a couple weeks of consistent use from adults and older adolescents. Users have reported that the ball will struggle to hold air pressure and will eventually deform, unable to maintain a perfectly spherical shape after repeated strikes.
Of course, part of this may have less to do with the butyl bladder and more to do with other factors of its construction. Specifically, the machine stitching of the Mikasa Serious seems to be a bit lower quality than with many other machine stitched soccer balls. The seams have been known to split after an alarmingly short amount of time of use.
Aside from that, the glossy finish which may serve well on traditional pitch further reduces the type of grip and control preferred for indoor play.
- Soft synthetic leather covering adds to ball control
- Butyl bladders are the most durable
- Extremely inexpensive Futsal ball and weighs a bit heavier
- Machine-stitching is not the best
- The glossy finish slip on feet and courts
- Have difficulty holding air and shape after extended use
5. NIKE – Best Tracking Ball
Nike as a company
Little needs to be said about Nike, it’s one of the most famous brands of sporting equipment around the world. Nike is definitely geared more towards the Basketball market than any other. This is likely due to the fact that Nike is an American company that got its start making shoes though originally it manufactured track shoes.
Since that time in the 1960s, Nike has grown to incorporate almost every type of sport and its equipment into their catalog. Nike even created a special European branch to better reach and cater to the sports that were played around the world but less so in the United States.
Unfortunately, this has not always led to consistent results and many of the worldwide sporting equipment made by Nike often lack subtle nuances that other manufacturers more familiar with these sports employ.
Balls in soccer
In terms of soccer, Nike generally produces a handful of different balls and simply customizes the design to favor some of the more popular teams and leagues around the world. This ultimately translates into a range of products whose features are mostly similar to one another and do not readily lend themselves to more specific variations of the same game.
Balls in Futsal
When it comes to Futsal, Nike no longer even makes a soccer ball tailored to that type of game. Instead, Nike’s Futsal offering is a more generalized soccer ball that can be used for a wide variety of soccer categories without truly shining in any of them. That is the case with the Nike Pitch.
The Pitch is actually designed to be used outdoors, but Nike did at least alter a few of the common soccer ball qualities so that it will perform adequately indoors as well. The TPU casing provides a solid blend of durability with responsiveness, so Futsal players do not have to worry about the ball separating mid-game.
The Pitch also “feels” heavier when in use. Keep in mind, the ball is not heavier than other soccer balls, but it is a bit stiff so that the responsiveness is reduced a tad though not egregiously making it feel heavier. But, this in no way reduces the rebound of the Pitch which is not Futsal regulation.
Durability
But, Nike made a soccer ball intended for use in a wide variety of settings but did not actually manufacture a ball that was durable enough to handle those setting. For example, while the TPU casing is sufficient for the expected rigors of Futsal play, should the ball sail into a sharp, cornered edge maybe against a bleacher it is liable to tear a hole.
- Thermoplastic Polyurethane is one of the best Futsal covering materials
- Bright colors make it easy to track
- Heavier feel for better control and less bounce
- An extremely expensive Futsal ball
- Machine stitching is not the best
- Thin covering is not durable enough
6. One World Play Project – Most Durable Ball
Company and its mission
Out of all the oddballs on our list, this on is by far the least likely. In some respects, this brand can be seen in a similar light as Senda, though the comparisons do not cover the actual products each respective company produces. Instead, the One World Play Project is specifically designed to serve as a type of charitable organization. As a “B corporation,” One World Play Project is not truly non-profit.
That does not diminish the positive impact the company has with their mission to bring the game of soccer to the most disadvantaged regions and peoples on the planet. Much like Tom’s shoes, every time you purchase a One World Play Project soccer ball another is donated to a less fortunate community. Of course, most of these regions do not have the infrastructure or funds to support either an indoor or outdoor soccer field.
Advantages
That is why the One World Play Project has designed a soccer ball unlike any other. This soccer ball is arguably not only the most durable on our list but the most durable ever made. This is in large part due to the fact that the One World Play Project soccer ball uses a hard rubber casing. But, this quality carries with it both positive and negative features.
On the positive side, the hard rubber casing is a big part of what makes this ball nearly indestructible. Even if the ball gets punctured, it will not got flat. Another great benefit about the rubber casing in regards to Futsal specifically is that it dampens the ball’s rebound, bringing it more in line with regulations.
Disadvantages
Unfortunately, rubber is simply not the best material to use for a soccer ball’s casing. To make matters worse, the hard rubber only amplifies the faults of the material. As such, this is by far the least responsive soccer ball on our list.
Also, the hard rubber casing is far more painful to kick hard. Another issue with the One World Play Project is the way it maintains air pressure. Since poorer people may not readily have access to an air pump, this soccer ball is inflated and sealed with a lid. That lid is sealed with glue. This creates two issues. First, the lid itself protrudes a bit from the ball creating a bubble. This bubble prevents the ball from rolling true.
Second, the lid is liable to come off after repeated use by adults and older adolescents, and there is no way to fix it.
- Nearly indestructible no matter the field/court
- The reduced bounce is in line with Futsal
- Multipurpose and goes to help a good cause
- Covering is made out of hard rubber
- The lid will come off when kicked by stronger players
- Not truly spherical and does not roll true
Best Futsal Ball Review – Buyer’s Guide
Casing Materials
The outer shell of a soccer ball is called the casing. Depending on the material the casing is made out of, the soccer ball will be more or less durable. It can also have an impact on how easy the ball is to control. With Futsal soccer balls, this becomes a bit trickier, because you need the ball to be durable enough to withstand play on a hard court but give enough to respond to the smaller size and shorter passes.
Polyurethane
Polyurethane, or PU, is seen as the all-around best material for a soccer ball casing. It walks the line between durable and responsive better than any of ther other materials used for soccer ball casings. In fact, PU is the material used for FIFA regulation soccer balls though technically any of the commonly used materials could conceivably be used.
For Futsal a specific type of PU often works better: thermoplastic polyurethane. TPU is similar to PU in many respects but it sacrifices a bit of responsiveness to provide more durability. This is especially important for Futsal soccer balls as the hardcourt takes more of a toll on the ball than a grass or astroturf pitch would.
Polyvinyl Chloride
Polyvinyl Chloride, or PVC, is technically considered a lower grade material to be used for soccer balls. Of course, Futsal balls require a bit different qualities, and in this regard, PVC can be more acceptable for a Futsal ball than a standard outdoor soccer ball. PVC is more durable than PU or TPU but is not nearly as responsive.
In terms of performance, PVC will still be less preferred for Futsal matches but may serve as a better practice ball material. Depending on the team or league’s budget, a PVC ball may work well for a match if a TPU ball cannot be had and only PU balls are available.
Synthetic Leather
For outdoor matches, synthetic leather is generally considered the best material to use for a soccer ball covering. While PU is technically used as synthetic leather, this material generally refers to synthetic leathers that are softer than PU. This provides the player with increased control at the expense of durability.
For Futsal balls, synthetic leather is arguably one of the worst materials to use specifically because it is also the least durable. The hardcourt used for Futsal will wear and tear a synthetic leather casing much quicker than either PU, TPU, or PVC.
Rubber
Rubber is the lowest grade material used for soccer balls. But, rubber does often have the advantage of being the most durable. Usually, rubber soccer balls are used for street play where the rough, textured asphalt will quickly wear down other casing materials.
Futsal is actually better played with a rubber soccer ball than softer synthetic leather materials. Of course, the hardness of the rubber will further reduce responsiveness and often hurt to kick, so children playing Futsal should use a softer material. Finally, a rubber-covered soccer ball is best left to practice for Futsal.
Bladder Materials
After the casing, the next most important factor for a soccer ball is the bladder. The bladder is the part of a soccer ball that holds the air. Much like the casing, the material used for the bladder will determine the number of overall qualities about the soccer ball. Again, this dichotomy comes down to responsiveness vs durability.
Latex
Latex is often seen as the best material to use for a soccer ball’s bladder. This is because latex is the softest material used for the bladder which provides the player with increased control over the ball. However, latex bladders do not retain their air quite as well as the other materials nor are they as durable all around. For Futsal balls, latex has the unfortunate quality of generally rebounding more than regulation permits.
Butyl
Butyl is a far more common material used for soccer ball bladders because it is less expensive and more durable than latex. Also, butyl bladders are generally the most durable and hold air better and longer than other materials used for the bladder. But, butyl bladders are also the hardest material used for this purpose and ultimately are the least responsive. For Futsal balls, butyl bladders are the most common for both their durability but also because they do not rebound as much as latex.
Rubber
Conclusion
In the end, finding a great Futsal soccer ball will be somewhat difficult. This is because Futsal is not nearly as popular as outdoor soccer. Futsal is not even the most popular form of indoor soccer. Still, there are numerous soccer balls that can serve admirably for Futsal and even a few made for the sport specifically.
If you need a match-ready Futsal ball, your best bet will be to go with the Senda.
This is one of the few brands that explicitly manufactures a Futsal soccer ball, especially within a reasonable price point. The inclusion of foam in the lining combined with the rubber bladder makes this the only soccer ball we reviewed that meets official Futsal regulations.
But, if you are looking for a training ball, the Adidas MLS Top Glider is an excellent option. Its TPU casing is exceptionally durable while its butyl bladder performs admirably. Also, the nylon-wrapped lining is one of the better performing available.
If these weren’t enough, check out some other picks from Amazon also:
- LOW BOUNCE BALL made with a durable cover specifically designed for optimal extended futsal play on hard courts and wooden floors featuring a special foam backing for a softer touch
- REINFORCED BLADDER made from rubber & synthetic materials for better air retention, less ambient air loss, and less frequent inflations
- U. S YOUTH FUTSAL OFFICIAL BALL - Senda is proud to be the Official Ball Partner of U. S. Youth Futsal and is committed to the growth and development of youth futsal in the United States
- HI-TECH PRECISION MACHINE STITCHING - pre-stretched threads, along with superior materials creates more uniform and stronger seams, especially when compared to other lower quality futsal balls
- FAIR TRADE CERTIFIED - Manufactured in a factory, where child labor is outlawed, workers health & safety is safeguarded, living wages are paid to employees, and part of the proceeds are used to help better the communities were our balls are produced
- Adult Size, Size 4
- Indoor Use; Adult Size, Size 4
- Yellow, Green, Red
- Country Of Origin: China
- Futsal is a variant of soccer played on a hard court slightly larger than a basketball court. It is mainly played indoors, but it can also be played outdoors. Futsal is played between two teams of five players each.
- Senda Belem is a low-bounce futsal training ball made with a textured cover featuring a special foam backing for a softer touch.
- Reinforced bladder made from rubber & synthetic materials for better air retention. Senda is proud to be the Official Ball Partner of U. S. Youth Futsal and is committed to the growth and development of youth futsal in the U.S.
- Hi-Tech precision machine stitching combined with superior materials creates more uniform and stronger seams, especially when compared to lower quality futsal balls.
- Senda is committed to Fair Trade, where child labor is outlawed, workers health & safety is safeguarded, living wages are paid to employees, and part of the proceeds are used to help better the communities were our balls are produced.
- QUALITY FUTSAL BALL AT A GREAT PRICE: Popular match and training futsal ball made with a high quality TPU material.
- NEW COLORFUL DESIGN FOR 2018-2020: New colorful design graphics for improved visibility and faster player reactions.
- SPECIAL FUTSAL BLADDER: Butyl bladder with polyester fibres inside to ensure a perfect bounce and easy control.
- PLEASE NOTE: Ball ships deflated. A ball pump is required to inflate the ball before use.
- material type: Synthetic
- COMPLETE CONTROL: Crafted with a soft abrasion, resistant cover for excellent touch and feel
- HIGH VISIBILITY: Dynamic colorful graphics for a ball that is easy to see for all players on all surfaces
- LOW BOUNCE: Our stuffed and wound low bounce bladder keeps the ball low to the ground and works well both indoors and outdoors
- BUILD YOUR SOCCER SKILLS: Perfect for working on footwork and ball control
- JUNIOR SIZE: Our Futsal balls meet recognized standards for Official Junior Futsal ball size 3, weight and low bounce.
- LOW BOUNCE - Increase your performance and ball control on the field with Futsal low bounce soccer balls
- PRECISION - Each soccer ball is handsewn to ensure each panel is sewn together with precision and accuracy
- PERFORMANCE - The advanced PU cover material gives you a truer flight and better control
- REINFORCED - Butyl bladder provides maximum air retention and durability
- USFF APPROVED - Meets U.S. Futsal specifications
- LOW BOUNCE PERFORMANCE BALL: Keep the game low for optimal play and ball handling on regulation futsal courts, gym floors and more with the GoSports ELITE Futsal Ball
- ENHANCED CONSTRUCTION: Outer ball features durable TPU exterior to resist abrasions while inner ball utilizes various layers for shock absorption, reinforcement, and low rebound
- ATHLETE DESIGNED: Built to withstand extended competitive and recreational play from futsal players of all skill levels
- BONUS AIR PUMP: GoSports includes a premium hand pump for maintaining optimum air pressure - Balls ship deflated
- Low-bounce ball for superior futsal play made with a durable textured cover, similar to those used in top-level match balls
- Patented ‘DuoTech’ construction, using both high tech stitching and glue bonding, combines increased performance and durability especially when compared to machine or hand stitched balls
- Senda is proud to be the Official Ball Partner of U. S. Youth Futsal and is committed to the growth and development of youth futsal in the United States
- Reinforced bladder for extended air retention
- Manufactured in a FAIR TRADE CERTIFIED factory, where child labor is outlawed, workers health & safety is safeguarded, living wages are paid to employees, and part of the proceeds are used to help better the communities were our balls are produced
- Size 2; Indoor use
- Indoor use; Size 2
- Black, white
- Ball ships deflated. Inflation is required. Pump not included.
- Outer cover made of a super-grippy tire-like rubber material for extended durability and superior control
- Reduced bounce, in-between that of a soccer and futsal ball; reinforced bladder for extended air retention
- Designed for use in freestyle, trick, street skills, or play on asphalt and rugged terrains
- Note: not recommended for group soccer matches as grippy surface could interfere with gameplay or when fighting for possession
- Fair Trade certified ensures improved working conditions for producers, better livelihoods for their communities, and no child labor
