Top 5 Cheapest Bowling Balls Reviews [Updated for 2022]

Cheapest Bowling Balls

Ah! Bowling balls. The soul of every bowling game. Are you a well-seasoned bowler on a budget? Or, are you just getting started with bowling? Either way, you might be interested in the cheapest bowling balls to save some bucks. Of course, you cannot win a game without the best bowling equipment. But the bowling balls we are gonna talk about will change your mind, despite being affordable. Previously, you may have struggled to find the correct ball that matches your deemed budget. Well, those days of the most daunting task are over. Dive into real bowling with these inexpensive yet exquisite bad boys.

05 Cheapest Bowling Balls Indepth Reviews for You

1. Brunswick T-Zone Deep Space Bowling Ball

Brunswick T-Zone Arctic Blast Bowling Ball, Arctic Blast, 6 lb
  • Coverstock: plastic/polyester
  • Ball Finish: High Gloss Polish
  • Hook potential: 25 (low) on a scale of 10-175 low-high
  • Ball color: many colors available- product color of this ball is listed in the title of this ball

Can beginners hook with their bowling ball? The answer is no. It’s because entry-level bowling balls are designed to make them learn the basics of bowling. This means the ball needs to go straight. A straight ball can also be used for spare shots. And to make it all happen, you need the Brunswick T-Zone Deep Space bowling ball.

This polyester ball with a symmetric core inside has a high polish finish and shows the best performance on dry lane conditions. Having polyester coverstock, the ball is perfect for beginners. With an RG of 2.715, the ball isn’t really ideal for hooking, rather, they are the best when you want the ball to go straight as you aim.

Beginners or spare shooters don’t need to break a bank to get the job done. If you’re looking for the cheapest bowling ball that does not hook, you’ve come to the right place. Besides not hooking, this bowling ball delivers a flawless ball rolling from beginning till the end, and hits the pins with maximum force. So get your average higher with the Brunswick T-Zone Deep space bowling ball.

Pros:

  • Pinpoint Accuracy line
  • Reads the lane fast
  • Durable polyester coverstock
  • Strongest on the dry lanes
  • Suitable for all players
  • Beautiful vibrant colors
  • Available in all sizes

Cons:

  • Not oil lane friendly

2. Columbia 300 White Dot Scarlet Bowling Ball

Columbia 300 White Dot Scarlet Bowling Ball
  • Available in 6lb, 8lb thru 15lb
  • Used for Light Oil Lane Conditions; Reaction is Straight
  • Pancake Core with Polyester Coverstock
  • Finish is 800/800/1000/2000 Abralon, Polished w/Powerhouse Factory Finish Polish
  • USBC Approved

Whether you’re an experienced or inexperienced bowler, a spare ball like the Columbia 300 White Dot Scarlet Bowling Ball can never go wrong. Popular in the market for more than 30 years, White Dot has won many bowlers’ hearts with its consistency and knock-out performance.

Despite being the cheapest bowling ball, White Dot has a great personality of improving your bowling average. The ball reads the lane fast and rolls straight on the lane without any breakpoint, meaning the ball doesn’t hook, thanks to the 2.716 RG and the symmetric pancake core. A non-hooking ball is exactly what you need to pick up those spares.

The polyester coverstock of the White Dot has a vibrant and shiny scarlet red color. As the cover has a high polish Powerhouse factory finish, the ball is best for dry lane conditions. Say goodbye to those nasty corner pins that kept you from having better scores and bring this plastic bowling ball into your life.

Pros:

  • Unbeatable quality
  • Maximum spare shooting capability
  • Durable and strong
  • Consistency in performance
  • Maintains optimum momentum
  • Abrasion preventive
  • Available in all weights

Cons:

3. Columbia 300 White Dot Pink/Black Bowling Ball

This is possibly the best and the cheapest bowling that does not hook under affordable prices. Introducing Columbia 300 White Dot Pink-Black Bowling ball. Amateurs and Pros- everyone loves this ball equally. Certain unique features of this ball like- the symmetric pancake core and 4000 Abralon factory finish (standard) make it even better.

The disc-shaped pancake core is placed in the center to keep the ball on the track, This allows the ball to consistently move straight every time to shoot it. For better pin knock-down, it sustains its optimum momentum. Although it’s recommended to use it on dry lanes, practically, you can go for slight oil patterns as well. Of course, the performance will be different.

We all know how great polyester coverstocks are when it comes to speed management. You get to control your ball so precisely that even the stubborn corner pins will be knocked down too. Those who intend to use it as their main ball instead of a spare ball, go ahead, this ball is an all-rounder. As the ball prevents hooking, this ball will be an excellent choice for straight bowlers.

Pros:

  • Unbeatable quality and price
  • Maximum spare shooting capability
  • Durable and strong
  • Consistency in performance
  • Maintains optimum momentum
  • Abrasion preventive
  • Available in all weights

Cons:

  • Not for heavy oil patterns

4. Pyramid Pathogen Bowling Ball

Pyramid Pathogen Bowling Ball
  • New Era 139 Symmetric Core, 2.54 RG, 0.032 Differential (Medium Flare Potential)
  • GPS Navigational Solid Coverstock with 2000-Grit Abralon/Factory Polish Finish
  • Gives Benchmark motion on Medium Lanes
  • Versatile drilling options for different bowling styles
  • Perfect Scale Rating: 197.20

Do you want the cheapest bowling ball with a strong hook? We got your back. It’s pretty rare to find an affordable bowling ball that has the capacity to hook for a stronger ball motion and pin knockdown. So, thanks to Pyramid for their Pathogen Bowling Ball.

You’ve probably upgraded from your previous rank, so now you want a ball that will hit the pins with a particular benchmark reaction breakpoint shape. Pyramid Pathogen can make your wish come true. Its GPS Navigational solid reactive coverstock has just a standard 2000 Grit Abralon Factory Finish Polish, which makes it perfect for medium patterns.

On the inside, you will get the New Era 139 symmetrical core that allows just the perfect amount of hooking for advanced bowlers. With an RG of 2.54 and a Differential of 0.032, the ball ensures great length and adequate movement down lane. The ball will glide off your hand without any trouble and read the friction just on time.

To add more temptation to this beautiful-looking ball, it was designed to maintain its motion through the midlane, and later, it popped off the spot on the backends. The Pathogen ball will let you stay further right. Thus, it’ll open up the pocket and give you plenty of room to work with. So what’s more can you ask for such an inexpensive ball?

Pros:

  • Bang for the buck
  • Advancedlevel performance
  • Suitable for medium lanes
  • Plenty of strong hooking and flare
  • Performanceenhancing
  • Attractive color (lime green)
  • Versatile and durable

Cons:

  • Keep this ball away from fully dry lanes

5. Storm Electrify Pearl Bowling Ball

No products found.

Get a shocking high score with our ultimate favorite Storm Electrify Pearl Bowling Ball. Although it is one of the cheapest bowling balls in the market, you will be thundered to know what this ball has to offer. Staring with its Reactor Pearl coverstock that is finished at a 1500 grit factory polished. Compared to Electrify Hybrid, Electrify Pearl provides a much stronger hook at the backends.  Designed to tackle various lane conditions, the ball is widely versatile and suitable for many players.

Inside, the symmetrical Circuit core boasts a low RG  of 2.51 and 0.030 Differential. This indicates the ball’s versatility, hooking potential, and flawless performance. The Sky, Amethyst, and Fuchsia color, and Frosted cake scent combo make the ball a catch. You’ll definitely like how this ball goes through the pins.

As mentioned the Electrify Pearl has a strong hook, and it also delivers great continuation all the way to the pins. If you typically bowl on heavy oil then you’re familiar with the lanes breaking down. When that happens, you can take out this bowling ball and quite significantly change your overall gameplay. No doubt, the ball is great as it clears the fronts and still manages to give you enough backend reaction. If you’re a fan of typical house shots, this bad boy can cover that as well.

Pros:

  • Faultfree ball motion
  • Plenty of control on the lanes
  • Bang for the buck
  • Advancedlevel performance
  • Suitable for medium lanes
  • Versatile and Sturdy
  • Performanceenhancing
  • Available in all weight ranges

Cons:

  • None

What to look for while buying the cheapest bowling ball for a little hook or no hook?

Balls that don’t hook are typically called non-hooking or straight balls. Professional, well-seasoned, or advanced bowlers need non-hooking balls for spare shots, whereas beginners need it for their regular practice. There are many cheap bowling balls that offer no hooking and provides smooth straight ball motion. So here are some of the factors you should consider while buying these kinds of bowling balls:

  1. Coverstock: Coverstock is a great deal for determining a ball’s reactivity, and whether a ball will hook or not depends on the ball’s reactivity to the lanes. Polyester/Plastic bowling balls are the best when you want your ball to go straight to the pockets. In some cases, Urethane or Reactive balls can also make it happen, but it’s always safe to go for Polyester ones.
  2. Finish: Whatever your coverstock is, make sure it matches the finish it comes with. Generally, Polyester balls don’t need a higher polish finish since they are already pretty lightweight. But the Urethane or Reactive coverstock should have a higher polish or matte finish.
  3. Core: At the end, your ball’s overall motion depends on what’s inside. If you want your balls to not hook a little or not at all, make sure it has a symmetrical core type. Pancake, Bullet, etc, are some of the core that bowlers should go for if they want to knock down those stubborn spares.

What to look for while buying the cheapest bowling ball that hooks?    

Before you say anything, yes, you can get a bowling ball that can truly hook like those expensive bowling balls. But since you’re getting a bang for the buck, it can get a little too good to be true. So there are factors you have to keep in mind if you want your affordable bowling balls to hook on the lanes. They are-

  1. Coverstock: One of the most expensive bowling balls, Brunswick Quantum has Reactive coverstock. At the same time, the last two balls we have suggested for being cheap have reactive balls. So it’s normal to be confused about how to tell a ball’s hook-ability just by its coverstock. The verdict is simple- you can’t predict a bowling ball’s hook ability based on its coverstock. But we will highly suggest you stay away from plastic balls if you want your ball to hook on the lane.
  2. Finish: Like any other balls, do make sure if the finish matches your ball’s coverstock.
  3. Core: What’s inside matters the most. Bowling balls that hook can be either symmetrical or asymmetrical and most of the time the core has a unique shape and size. But they are never the pancake or bullet cores that we usually see in non-hooking bowling balls.

Conclusion

Tight on the budget? No worries, you can still get amazing bowling balls at a good price point. These affordable goodies we just talked about will surely get the job done. Hook or not, these are indeed some of the best bowling equipments. No more rented ball. Just enjoy your time with your own budget-friendly bowling ball, non-stop.

Last update on 2024-03-22 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Brian

I’m an aspiring bowler with an immense love for bowling. I started playing the game at a very early age and it’s been an integral part of my life ever since.

Recent Posts