Every ball tends to deflate a bit over the course of time. Both the ball that is used much and has been worn out and the balls that are not used at all loose air. Deflated balls do not respond very well when dribbled, nor the shot is accurate as it needs to be. And that is not the only defect.
Only properly filled ball has the official size and weight that will give you a full on-court experience. So, if you have invested in a good ball, it is time to invest in the best air pump.
It is very important to use quality air pumps because the cheap ones can damage the ball’s valve, and you can never be sure if the ball has enough air or if the pressure is bigger then needed.
Our Top Picks
- Best Hand Pump(1): Franklin Sports Ball Maintenance Kit
- Best Hand Pump(2): Under Armour Dual Action Ball Pump
- Best Hand Pump(3): Franklin Sports Perfect Pump
- Best Electric Ball Pump: TorrX Smart Ball Pump
- Best Electric Ball Pump(2): Automatic Morpilot Electric Fast Ball Pump
- Best Air Compressor Pump: EPAuto Portable Air Compressor Pump
- Best Basketball Needles: Spalding Inflating Needles
Best 7 Basketball Hand Pump Reviews of 2020
1. Franklin Sports Ball Maintenance Kit
This is a complete kit for inflating your sports balls. It comes with three extra ball needles that easily store in the handle of the device. It comes with a pressure gauge so you will know the exact amount of air pressure in your ball and will not ever accidentally over-inflate your things. It stands on 7.5 inches tall and it has a flexible extension hose that makes it easy to maneuver. It even comes with a convenient carry bag that all of the accessories fit into.
You can easily keep this device in your sporting bag so you always have the ability to air up your balls and you never have to cancel a game because your ball is flat.
2. SPORTBIT Ball Pump with Push & Pull Inflating System
This is a unique ball pump that comes with an additional five ball needles. The pump is unique because it is designed to easily fit into your hand and be comfortable to hold and use.
It has an air delivery system that allows it to deliver air when you are pushing the cylinder in and when you are pulling the cylinder out. That means your balls inflate in half of the time than if you were using a standard air pump.
It is also unique because it has a soft needle plug system that eliminates needle bending.
The pump even comes with a healthy breakfast e-book that will provide you with 20 recipes that will power you up as you start your day.
3. Under Armour Dual Action Ball Pump
This is a double action ball pump that comes in a pack with two needles. It has an analog pressure controller, and the valve for deflation if necessary. It is very versatile and it supports multiple team sports balls. It has the perfect design and it is made out of quality plastic. This is the best manual/old school pump that you can find on the market. If you are a person who does not care about modern solutions and just wants to have a reliable pump, then this is the product made just for you.
4. Franklin Sports Perfect Pump – Best Ball Pump With Gauge
This is a fully manual double action ball pump that comes in a pack with three needles. It too has the gauge that is showing the air pressure in the ball, and there is a valve built for deflation. The handle is designed with convenient storage to secure the needle when not in use. This pump has the best price/value ratio, it will give you all the benefits of the expensive pumps but cost considerably less.
5. Kitbest Hand Pump For Ball and Bike
This air pump is made in the traditional bike-pump style. It is made from an aluminum alloy so it is very lightweight and easy to transport.
The pump has a valve head that can be easily adjusted to make it fit perfectly on a Presta or a Schrader valve. This pump is capable of producing high pressure that will inflate your basketballs and volleyballs in one quarter in a shorter amount of time than most ordinary bicycle pumps will.
It is user friendly and capable of being used to air up balls, bicycle tires, and many other inflatable items around your house.
You do not need to buy batteries to power the device and it will not be damaged if it were to get damp from rain or humidity.
6. Ball Pump with 5 Needles – Best Basketball Air Pump
This is a small and portable inflation system that you can easily transport in your sports bag so you never have to worry about a flat ball again. It measures just 6” so it will not take up a lot of space.
It is capable of inflating your ball at a speed that is twice as fast because it sends air into the ball when you push and when you pull back. It takes less work and energy to inflate your balls, and you are ready to play sooner.
It comes with a handy storage pouch, 5 extra ball needles, 2 flexible hoses and 2 plastic nozzles. It does not require any batteries to operate, and you have everything you need to keep your balls properly inflated.
7. NIKE Dual Action Ball Pump
If there are any reasons that you can’t buy a ball pump that has a pressure control of any kind, then go for the Nike Elite ball pump. It comes in a package with the extension hose and one metal needle. This pump is made in many different colors that you can choose from. My personal favorite color is gold. If you are a person who likes pretty stuff and cares more about aesthetics then anything else, this is the pump that you should be looking for.
Best Electric Ball Pumps with Rechargeable Lithium Battery
1. TorrX Smart Ball Pump
The first pump on our list is a hand pump of a new generation that will make you fall in love with it on first inflation. It has a Manual and Automatic mode and it`s super easy to use. In AUTO mode it will inflate or deflate to targeted ball pressure that is shown on a LED display. It also contains Lithium-Ion battery that is rechargeable and when fully charged it can be used up to 50 times. It is lightweight and portable so you can keep it in your sports bag and not even notice it is there. With this pump, be sure that you’ll never have a flat ball again.
2. Automatic Morpilot Electric Fast Ball Pump
One more Automatic pump made the list. This device is, even more, user-friendly because it has several programs installed in it. All you have to know is what kind of ball you want to inflate, to press a button that is beneath the picture of that ball you have and sit back and let the pump do the rest. There are programs for basketball, football, soccer, and volleyball. It contains Lithium-Ion battery that is long lasting and that can be recharged. The device is easy to use and very silent while working. One of the best things about this pump is its speed. It takes about a minute from empty to fully pumped ball. The only flaw is that it does not have a manual mode, so if you forgot to recharge it, you will not be able to use it.
3. Cadrim Electric Ball Pump, Smart Ball Inflator and Handheld Air Inflation
This ball pump is battery powered and takes all of the work out of airing up your own basketballs or volleyballs. The device allows you to choose the type of ball that you are inflating and then just press a button to start the inflation process. The machine will automatically stop supplying air when it reaches the standard PSI that is supposed to be in the type of ball you are using.
It is a small device that can easily be carried in your sporting bag. It has a lithium ion rechargeable battery. It takes about 2 hours to charge it and after charged it will inflate about 30 balls.
It has a flashlight to help you when it is dark, and it comes with a USB charging cable, a waterproof carry bag, a swim ring nozzle, a 10cm air hose, 2 extra ball needles and a users’ manual.
Top 3 Best Electric Air Pump For Basketball
1. EPAuto 12V DC Portable Air Compressor Pump
This is the oil-less air digital compressor and if you are a gadget person that this is the one you will not skip to have. It is silent and it is fast, it is small in volume and it is light. The pump is fully automatic, it has the preset program for targeted pressure and when the wished pressure has been achieved the pump will turn off by itself. It has the pressure gauge so you can control how much air is pumped into the ball and it is all shown on the digital monitor. The pack contains four different adapters giving you that extra option usability vise. It is smaller than the competition and it works on 12v so it can be used with the car lighter interface.
2. SUAOKI Cordless Tire Inflator Handheld Air Compressor
This electric air pump is user-friendly. It is fully automatic, so all you need to know is what is the exact pressure for your ball, set the digits and watch your ball get inflated. It has the built-in LCD so you can monitor what is currently going on. This multifunction pump is perfect to carry in your car because it does not take too much space. The pack contains tree different adapters, it works on 12V so it is very safe to use. It comes with the USB connector, so you can use it everywhere you go.
3. Champion Sports Economy Electric Inflating Air Pump
This electric air pump is built just for inflating balls so there are no other adapters in a pack. The pump is ultra quiet while working, and it is very fast. It has a pressure gauge and a built-in handle for easy transport. It has a steady pumping flow and works very fast. It works on 110 V so it is perfect for the sports gear stores where you need a strong and fast pump witch does not take a lot of space and does not make a lot of noise.
Best Basketball Needles
1. Spalding Inflating Needles
This is a ten pack of needles to use to inflate sports balls with. These needles are NBA branded and they easily fit into the majority of standard air pumps used to inflate balls, bike tires, and swim toys.
If you play basketball or volleyball then you know how important it is to not let your ball get deflated. If you have these needles on hand then you always have the ability to add air to your ball and get back in the game.
You can use these needles on basketballs, volleyballs, footballs, soccer balls and many more items. They measure 3.9” x 3.1” x o.5” and they weigh about 0.64 ounces each
2. TurnOnSport Basketball Pump Needle
This is the perfect needles for basketball players, football players, soccer players, volleyball players and more. The 12 sporting ball inflation needles come in a convenient carry case so you do not lose them.
They will fit the majority of all ball pumps including the portable hand held styles, the foot pumps like the old bike pumps, and more.
The needles are stainless steel and they will never rust or corrode. The stainless steel needle is harder to bend than other ball needle varieties.
The needles are 1.5 inches in length and have a 0.27 inch diameter.
With this many needles you will always have a needle when your ball goes flat.
Everything You Need to Know Before Buying Best Basketball Pump
Types of Pump
Just a few months ago we had just two types of basketball air pumps: hand pumps and electric pumps. Now we have the third party joining the crowd: battery air pumps. They have built-in lithium-ion batteries that are rechargeable.
How to inflate a basketball with a needle
No matter if you are using metal or plastic, the needle needs to be inserted into the ball with care. The valve is made out of plastic so it creates big traction while in contact with other materials. The needle needs to be wet in order not to damage the ball. Read our post to know more details.
How to deflate a ball without a needle
Using any needles that are not built for balls is a bad idea. Ball needles are a perfect fit for the valve and if you try and improvise you can end up with a damaged ball. You can try with using the car tier pumps that have no adapters on them, both electric of foot. Just lean the head of the pump directly on to valve and start pumping. The process will be longer and you will have no idea about the pressure inside the ball.
How to Measure Air Pressure in a Basketball
If you choose to buy a pump with a built-in pressure gauge, you will always have the information about the air inside your ball. If your pump does not possess built-in gauge, then it is best for you to buy separate pressure control gadget.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much air does my ball need?
Every ball has it’s own recommended ball pressure values, and they are always printed on the ball. These numbers inshore that the ball experience will be at it’s best.
How to pump a basketball?
Before you do anything, go and read the recommendations for your ball. The numbers should be by the valve or in the declaration box. No matter if you are using manual or electric pump, the position of the needle is the most important. It needs to be positioned in the manner that it fully obliterates the valve. After that, if you are using hand pump, you need to start moving the handle in a constant flow, or if you inflate the ball with the electric or battery pump, you need to press the ON switch. To know more check this wiki post.
Why does my basketball keep losing air?
Even if it’s not damaged, every ball is loosing air over the course of time, but the ball’s that are better in quality lose it at a slower pace. The core of the ball is made out of rubber and the air is made out of oxygen and nitrogen. The rubber membrane is permeable for the molecules of oxygen so in time, you will notice the ball is a bit flat.
Final Word
The standards for my ratings are obvious. I value the automatic pumping mechanisms and pressure control. I do not believe the bouncing ball test and I do not like plastic needles. I love when the pump is small and easy to carry, so there were no big electric pumps in the review.
These are the best basketball pumps in 2020. I hope these informations will be of use and you will always have fully prepared basketball for a game with your friends.