Top 10 Best Baseball Bats

This post was most recently updated on December 27th, 2019

Baseball bats are now sports engineered to maximize your chances of hitting homers. Getting a new bat can take your game to the next level. A bat that’s created for dominant performances and big wins gets you game ready to rule the game, to own it.

There’s no denying that when you are set to get a new bat, the choice is limitless. Should you buy aluminum or is wood the best bet? Which bats are designed for fast speed hits and which ones offer the best grips?

So, are you ready to up your game and play like a true winner? Which bat should you buy and take up to the plate with you? Below are the top 5 best baseball bats that will have you playing like a champion.

Easton 2018 Ghost X -3 Adult Baseball Bat

Get power, comfort, and control in your hands with this bat that’s designed for excellent performances. This one features the all-new dynamic feel system that focuses on powerful performances and giving you the best overall feeling while playing the game. Additional new features that enhance the way you play and perform include optimal barrel performance and a two-piece fully composite design end loaded swig weight. Get ready to wow the crowd with this bat that ’s made for you to ace the game.

DeMarini 2018 Voodoo One

Bring more magic onboard with this baseball bat engineered for precision. An excellent choice for those looking for a light-swinging alternative, here’s a bat that’s perfect for young players. Its one-piece alloy design makes for very exact weight distribution. The 2 5/8 barrel all add up to the kind of performances that gets the crowd cheering and hankering for more. This bat bears the USA stamp of approval. Other features, such as balanced swing weight and the three fusion end cap that maximizes the sweet spot, all add to the sheer fun and enjoyment of playing a great game.

Axe Bat 2018 OriginPRO USSSA

Looking for unmatched power on contact and incomparable performance? Well, your search can stop right here, now that you have found one of the best baseball bats there is. This gorgeous looking bat is made for shining performances when the spotlight turns on you. The handle is tailor-made for those looking for superb comfort, terrific speed, great control, and safety, as well. This aluminum, one-piece bat is off -10 length to the weight ratio and comes in a two ¾ barrel size.  The wide-selection of color choices, among which you will find red, navy blue and white, means there’s a bat that is right for you.

Barnett T-Ball Aluminium Baseball Bat

Beautifully crafted, this bat is a delight to look at. What’s more, you can count on it to deliver an incredible performance. This aluminum bat assures durability that withstands long practice sessions and training regimens. It also offers excellent grip that puts you in control of your game. A great choice for youth players, this is the kind of sturdy bat that endures even after numerous games.

X Bats - Pro Model 24 - Wood Baseball Bat

As a hitter, you know which bat works for you and works wonders for your game. Get ready to take it up a couple of notches with this bat with a classic design. With its big barrel and super thin handle, high exit speeds become your every game reality. This is a bat that brings with it an assurance of durability, practice, and train to your fill; this one is not going to wear out easily.  This is just one of the reasons why this bat is a huge hit with players and has everyone raving. Crafted from top-quality materials, this wood bat is fashioned from premium maple that makes this bat ideal for top-notch performances.

Marucci MCBC7 Cat7 BBCOR Baseball Bat

The Marucci MCBC7 Cat 7 sports a one-piece Az4x alloy design and a sweet spot that’s twice larger than its predecessor model Cat6. This provides a clean, smooth swing plus a tack grip that’s easy on the hands.

It also has a 2nd generation Av2 anti-vibration knob fine-tuned with harmonic dampening for less vibration. The engineered barrel-end wall has the right thickness for fast swings. To top this is a 2 5/8” barrel.

This 32-inch rainmaker is 29 ounces heavy which is certified for BBCOR leagues. It has a ring-free barrel technology so you won’t have any ‘dead spots’.

Pros

-Anti-vibration knob
-Twice larger sweet spot than Cat6
-Higher response rate

Cons

-The paint on the bat isn’t very appealing

EASTON Typhoon USA Youth Baseball Bat

The EASTON Typhoon bat follows the USA Baseball standards. It’s made from military-grade ALX100 alloy with a cushioned 2.2mm FLEX grip. It also has a concave end cap for added control with less weight.

This 27-inch bat weighs 12 ounces and allows for a fast swing. I also like the tack grip which is comfy even on the strongest of hits.

It’s lightweight yet very powerful in the field. This makes a perfect bat for Little League games and also for beginner players who are still mastering their swing.

Overall, the EASTON Typhoon is a great bat for increased bat speed and hitting contact.

Pros

-Made from military-grade alloy
-Cushioned with a FLEX grip
-Ideal for fast bat speeds

Cons

-I’m not a fan of the bright neon orange color (not really an issue)

Mizuno MZM 271 Maple Elite Baseball Bat

If you’re looking for the best maple bat, don’t miss the 30-inch Mizuno Maple Elite Baseball Bat. It weighs 27 ounces and is made from rock-hard maple wood.

 This has a bigger 2 5/8” barrel and a cupped end that lets the player enjoy a lighter swing weight with a larger sweet spot. It’s paired with a Supra-helix grip for topnotch performance on the plate.

Since this is made from quality Maple, this is automatically BBCOR certified. Besides, wooden bats don’t need league certifications to be used in actual games.

It has a nice pop, somewhat similar to a composite bat.

Pros

-Made from rock-hard Maple
-Comes with a Supra-helix grip
-Excellent pop and sweet spot

Cons

-None so far

Louisville Slugger Omaha 518 USA Baseball Bat

For those on a budget, the Louisville Slugger Omaha 518 is probably the topnotch choice. It’s made from a one-piece alloy with a large sweet spot.

This also sports a 7/8” standard handle with a synthetic leather fade grip. Its 2 5/8” barrel provides a nice pop and inertia to drive the ball to the bleachers.

Overall, this is a USABat-certified model that can be used in leagues like Babe Ruth, Little League, Cal Ripken, Dixie Youth, and AABC.

Pros

-Very affordable
-USABat-certified
-Loud pop

Cons

-The paint seems a bit weak

Rawlings 2018 Velo BBCOR Baseball Bat

Last but not the least is the Rawlings 2018 Velo BBCOR Bat. It’s a 31-inch champ that weighs 28 ounces. It’s made from the loudest acoustic alloy so you can hear the pop in every hit.

Also, it spots a laser-etched groove on the sweet spot which provides better flexibility on the bat. This also comes with a nice tack grip and a concave end cap for added control.

This bat adheres on the -3 drop weight requirement of the BBCOR. It’s also certified to stay within the .50 performance standard of the league.

Aside from its topnotch performance, this bat also has a “pro-looking’ design. It’s an added plus on its overall construction.

Pros

-Contains a laser-etched groove for added bat flexibility
-Made from a loud-ping alloy metal
-Meets BBCOR .50 performance standards

Cons

-A bit heavy for younger users

Best Baseball Bats Buying Guide

When purchasing a league-certified baseball bat, it’s important to know the following points first:

Parts of a baseball bat

Before we dive deep into the specifications of a baseball bat, it’s important to know its parts first. From the top to bottom, a baseball bat has the following parts:

-Endcap
-Barrel
-Taper
-Grip
-Knob

For two-piece bats, the taper area is where the barrel and the handle merge. Meanwhile, the end of the barrel has a cap which provides more batting control without adding more weight to your equipment.

Bat material

There are four main baseball bat material: composite, alloy, wood, and hybrid. Each of these has unique characteristics which will suit specific players.

-Composite

Composite bats are made with a special layer of carbon fiber (or other material) for a larger sweet spot. It also delivers more pop, reduced vibrations, and less sting. A composite bat will sound like the crack of a tree branch when hitting a ball.

As much as composite bats are durable and offer more hitting efficiency, it’s not one without some downsides. First, it needs at least 150 hits for the break-in period. Also, it’s not ideal for temperatures under 65F. Composite bats are more expensive than an alloy bat since it offers better performance.

-Alloy

Alloy bats are more affordable than composite bats. It’s also ready to use straight from the wrapper without any break-in period. Aside from that, it gives the loud ping sound on its metal barrel.

However, alloy bats have a smaller sweet spot as compared to composite bats. This means it will produce more vibration and sting during mishits.

The consolation here is that alloy bats can be used in any temperature, not to mention that it’s more affordable.

-Wood

The batting efficiency of wood bats depends on the type of wood used. Maple is the strongest type and it can hit the ball in excellent distances.

Overall, wood has a steep learning curve. It’s heavier and needs a break-in period. Still, experts say that if you can bat with a wood bat, you can bat with any other material. Also, most wooden bats don’t need the certification of baseball leagues to be used on a game.

-Hybrid

Hybrid bats are a combination of an alloy barrel and a composite handle. It allows the player to have a lighter handle while the alloy barrel makes it usable straight from the wrapper.

The two-piece construction also reduces vibrations and sting of miss-hits. Hybrid bats are usually expensive than alloy types.

Measuring the right length

Getting the right length of the bat is important for efficient hits and in complying with the league’s equipment rules.

Generally, we recommend the following sizes based on the player’s height and weight

Take note that this is just a general sizing table. To confirm if the mentioned bat size suits you perfectly, you can perform the following steps:

1.    Measure the distance between the middle of your chest and the tip of your middle finger. Make sure that your arm is straight out on your side. Compare the measurements on the size indicated for your height and weight above.

2.    Hold the bat on your side, with the endcap resting on the floor. The knob should be resting anywhere in your palm.

3.    Place the knob at the center of your chest with the barrel pointing in front of you. Reach out and grab the barrel. If you grab any part the barrel, you have the right size for the best baseball bats.

Drop weight

Drop weight is a difference of the bat’s weight in ounces and length in inches. If you have a 20-ounce bat that’s 30-inch long, the drop weight would be -10. The bigger the drop weight becomes the lighter the bat will be.

College and high school bats are regulated which needs to have a drop weight that’s not more than -3.

Each league will have a rule of its own, some of which we discussed below.

For strong hitters, a heavier bat is the usual choice. Still, it’s a matter of personal preference since each player will have their own feel for each bat model.

Here’s what you need to consider when deciding about the drop weight:

-Light bats are faster to swing but it doesn’t have the extra inertia to drive the ball to farther distances.
-Heavy bats, on the other hand, are slower to swing but it’s loaded with more inertia to send the ball to the bleachers.

It all boils down to your hitting strategy. For a general guide, here’s what we recommend:

-13.5 to -12: ages 7 and under
-13.5 to -10: ages 8 to 9
-13 to -10: ages 10 to 11
-10 to -9: ages 12 to 13
-3: ages 14 and over

This is just a rough guide and will vary per player’s preference.

Barrel diameter

The barrel diameter should be in line with the league where you’ll be playing. Some leagues will require a 2 ¼ barrel while others need a 2 5/8. Larger barrels offer a bigger hitting spot but it may also impact the weight and swing style.

We recommend that you check the equipment rules of the league you’re planning to play in. This will save you from the hassle and expense of buying another bat.

League certification

Below, we’ve discussed some of the bat rules of the biggest baseball leagues:

-BBCOR

BBCOR or Batted Ball Coefficient of Restitution imposes the current standards for adult baseball bats. BBOCR requires that the bat has a 2 5/8 diameter as well as a -3 length-to-weight ratio. Take note that BBCOR certifications are required for all college and high school baseball bats.

-USSSA

The USSSA or United States Specialty Sports Association requires a baseball bat to have a 2 1/4” barrel. Some bats can have a 2 5/8” or 2 ¾” barrel as long as it bears the USSSA seal. These kinds of bats are usually called as Senior League bats.

-USA Baseball

For the USA Baseball League, you can swing a 2 ¼” or 2 5/8” barrel as long as it bears the USA bat mark. They somehow share the same equipment rule with BBCOR.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

The difference between good baseball bats and the best ones is which bat makes you play like a professional, like a winner. Hitting homers can become a habit when you play with a bat that is perfect for the way you play baseball. The ideal bat compliments your style of playing and enhances it. Whether you are looking for the best baseball bat with a ping so loud that it’s music to your ears, or it’s control and highest exit speeds that you are after, your search can end right here on this page. There’s a bat out there that is perfect for you; you need to get it.