If you start or are still quite new to the world of juggling, you might wonder about all the different types of juggling balls that are available.
Below you find a list of the main types of juggling balls, like with everything in our trade, there is far more wonderful and crazy stuff around, but we focus just on the main types of juggling balls here.
If you are a beginner and look for your first set of juggling balls, I recommend beanbags. Please don’t go for the “Set of 3” cheap version. These are to lightweight and small to give you any control. Your first balls should have a diameter of around 63 mm and a weight above 100g.
Try out different types of juggling balls and find out which you like best. This might actually change with progress or what you practise.
Personally I started with bean bags, then preferred stage balls for ages, but now I like MMX the most.
1. Beanbags
Beanbags are the most common type of juggling balls, especially favoured by beginners. They are soft and malleable, filled with seeds, grains, or plastic pellets. Their flexibility makes them easy to catch, and they won’t roll away when dropped, reducing the need to chase after them during practice.
2. Stage Balls
Stage balls are larger, hollow balls made of plastic or rubber. They have a smooth surface and are lightweight, which makes them highly visible on stage. Their size and bright colours enhance visual appeal, making them ideal for juggling performances where audience engagement is key.
3. Russian Balls
Russian balls are partially filled with a small amount of sand or salt inside a lightweight shell. The shifting weight provides stability and control during flight, aiding in precision. They are popular among jugglers who perform technical tricks or juggle multiple objects simultaneously.
4. LED/Glow Balls
LED or glow balls are equipped with lights or are made from glow-in-the-dark materials. They create stunning visual effects in low-light conditions, making them a favourite for night performances, festivals, and events. TheiIllumination adds an exciting dimension to juggling routines.
5. Contact Juggling Balls
Contact juggling balls are solid spheres, often made from acrylic or silicone. They are designed for rolling and balancing on the body rather than being thrown in the air. Their perfectly balanced weight and smooth surface allow for fluid movements and illusions, captivating audiences with mesmerizing effects.
If you get your first acrylic contact ball, make sure to get a pouch for it. If you don’t cover an acrylic ball, it act like a lens or better a burning glass in sunlight. It can set fire to things or just burn a whole in your diabolo when your ball is resting in there (believe – been there, done that and didn’t even get a t-shirt)
6. Bounce Balls
Bounce balls are crafted from high-rebound materials like silicone or rubber. They are designed to bounce consistently off hard surfaces, enabling jugglers to perform bounce juggling tricks. This style incorporates the floor into juggling patterns, adding a dynamic and rhythmic element to performances.
7. MMX Balls
MMX balls are hybrid juggling balls that combine the qualities of both beanbags and stage balls. They have a soft PVC shell filled with millet or plastic beads. MMX balls maintain a consistent shape like stage balls but have the dead drop characteristic of beanbags, preventing them from rolling away. They are durable and suitable for both practice and performance, making them a versatile choice for jugglers of all levels.
8. Fire Juggling Balls
Fire juggling balls are specialized props made to be safely ignited and juggled. Constructed with fire-resistant materials and equipped with wicks, they are used by experienced performers to add a dramatic flair to their acts. Fire juggling requires proper training and strict adherence to safety precautions to ensure a secure performance.