You’d think choosing something like some small stainless steel balls inside a casing would be an easy task right?
Like it or not, skateboard bearings play just as significant role in the performance of a set-up as your wheels, trucks, and deck.
They assist with speed, meaning less pushing and shorter run-ups for tricks.
They also contribute to the smoothness of your ride, allowing you to spend more time and energy concentrating on your skating. But which bearings are the best?
After the reviews of the best bearings on the market, we discuss the key things to look out for when choosing.
Our top pick: Bones Super Reds Ceramic
Take the proven quality and performance of Bones Super Reds and upgrade the bearing material to ceramic and you have what could be the fastest, most consistently high-performing skateboard bearings on the market.
With less friction than their stainless steel counterparts, the bearings spin faster and for longer, even without lubricant.
Completely rust resistant and self-polishing, these ceramic bearings also have an incredible life span, meaning you’ll need to replace them much less frequently than regular bearings.
Pros
- Lighter and faster
- Higher quality steel races
- Super durable and long-lasting
- Pre-lubricated with Speed Cream
Cons
- Very expensive
Runner up: Bronson Raw Bearings
The new kids on the block in the world of bearings, Bronson have recently been taking the scene by storm.
Uniquely, the Bronson Raws are shieldless bearings. This seems to fly in the face of everything we know about skate bearings, namely that the shields protect the bearings from dirt and dust, reducing wear, tear and rust, and prolonging their life.
However, these bearings have been put through their paces and people only have positive things to say about them, with most skaters praising not only their speed, but also their long-lasting durability.
We think it is likely to have something to do with Bronson’s tungsten coated races, a micro-thin dry lubricant coating, that is designed to be fast, slick and non-stick to minimise friction.
Pros
- Fast out of the box
- Long lasting and low maintenance
- Unique sound
Cons
- More expensive than other stainless steel options
Also great: Bones Swiss Skateboard Bearings
The Crème de la crème of skateboard bearings, Bones Swiss have been the favourite of pro skaters for decades.
Super fast with almost zero break-in period, these bearings feature a high-speed nylon ball retainer that provides added strength and speed.
They are also pre-lubricated with Speed Cream racing lubricant.
Unfortunately, this level of performance comes at a cost, with Swiss bearings being some of the most expensive on the market.
Pros
- Proven quality
- Made in Switzerland to Bones’
- exceptionally high standards
- Pre-lubricated with speed cream
Cons
- Expensive
Best Value: Bones Super Reds
Arguably the best value bearings on the market, Bones Super Reds deliver superior performance at an affordable price point.
An evolution from the famous Bones Reds, Super Reds are built with higher quality steel races, better quality and grade balls, and a superior surface finish.
They are also quieter, smoother, and more durable than their little brother.
Pros
- Higher quality steel races
- Higher grade balls
- Superior surface finish
- Pre-lubricated with Speed Cream
Cons
- More expensive than standard Reds
Bones REDS Skateboard Bearings
An excellent mid-range option and some of the most popular bearings on the market, bones-reds are famous for being super quick from their first skate.
These are Bones best selling bearings because they offer performance very close to the level of Bones Swiss but at a much more affordable price point.
Durable, reliable, high-performing and affordable, it’s hard to go wrong with Bones Reds.
Pros
- From the makers of Bones Swiss, incorporating similar technology and precision
- Affordable
Cons
- A slight sacrifice on performance vs higher grade Bones bearings
What Makes Good Skateboard Bearings?
Materials
The most common materials bearings are made from are:
Steel – cheap, entry level bearings
Stainless Steel – extremely resistant to rust and roll smoother than steel
Ceramic – rust resistant and harder than steel with improved durability, lighter weight, and faster speed
Most skaters use stainless steel bearings as they provide a good balance of performance, durability, and price. However, which is right for you will largely depend on your budget.
ABEC Ratings: Not As Important As You Might Think
Bearings often come with an ABEC rating, which is measured in odd numbers from 1 to 9.
ABEC stands for Annual Bearing Engineers Committee, a group established to measure tolerances and specifications for the size and geometric accuracy of bearings from manufacturers from around the world.
The higher the rating, the higher the level of precision.
However, as discussed in detail here, and in the video below, the rating really isn’t relevant for skateboard bearings.
And while for the longest time skaters have placed huge emphasis on the ABEC rating, it just doesn’t matter that much.
This is why new skateboard bearings brands like Bronson ignore choose to omit reference to ABEC ratings altogether.
Verdict
At the end of the day, the best bearings for you are going to come down to your personal preference and budget.
If we could just skate one set of bearings we’d go with the incredible Bones Super Reds Ceramics, offering superior long-lasting performance.
However, it’s hard to go wrong with any of the options on this list.
