TOP BOWLING BALLS ON A BUDGET | 2024

[@cmihale]

*Cough* Hammer Arctic Vibe *cough* :) Looking forward to this one, Nick.

[@jjets489]

Still cost me 180$ (including drilling) 😭

[@paulscheidel3258]

Arctic Vibe is a steal for the price. I love that ball.

[@tmtmtlsml]

I've been telling anyone that will listen that the Radioactive Vibe is one of the most slept-on balls ever made. It has been a secret weapon on more sport/PBA patterns than I can count, but I very rarely see anyone else throwing it. In long blocks, it's very rare that the lanes don't break down into something the Radioactive Vibe works well on. The Scorpion Low Flare and a Motiv Tank Rampage (since I DO bowl PBA events) are the next on my list. I recently bowled on Cheetah for a non-PBA tournament and when my Purple Hammer started sliding too long, I struggled to find something that would stay on line consistently.

[@aleffel9668]

Tank rampage would be less overall than the purple for what its worth, I believe they list the tank yellowjacket as stronger on their website. Would either go with a lot of surface on a black hammer or iq 78u for a pba compliant choice..

[@jazlarvonsteich]

@@aleffel9668 I have the Black Hammer Pearl and Tank Yellowjacket pretty close in overall strength. Both are way more ball than the 78U and Rampage Pearl (I own all 4 of these). The purple would be above them all. My BHP hooks on just about anything as a rev dominant two hander. I've owned purples in the past and there are very few shots I would need one.

[@aleffel9668]

@@jazlarvonsteich yeah I feel like most people that want something earlier than the purple hammer they just switch to the 16lb purple hammer or to reactive

[@doglover74651]

Brunsnick recommendations are always legit 🔥

[@richr115]

Love this type of video. Great list, would like to some similar stuff. BTW...the shirt is 🔥.

[@MarkOliveras215]

As a kid, I used light bowling balls to help me put up big numbers win or lose but as an adult, it needs to be not too light but not too heavy either and it has paid off handsomely!

[@Mikey-1990]

I added the Scorpion Strike to my league bag as a step down off of my 3.0 and Effect. It has been a great compliment so far I'm very happy with it.

[@doglover74651]

I love my Scorpion Low-Flare!!

[@edb3877]

I'm really enjoying my NU Blu Hammer bowling ball. Works great for league in my local house. Need to move right 4-5 boards in mid 2nd game, though, due to oil movement down the lane and into the transition.

[@acecan6475]

Thanks for sharing I would also add the Rino series.

[@steveg7018]

NICK!!! Thank you for this one!!!

[@dalewilliams6440]

Awesome. I am getting Scorpion Strike this week.

[@kenfrank7708]

I love my Radical Sneak Attack Solid. Very versatile!

[@Lifter4Life]

Great list Nick this really helps me out 😊

[@tigertolliver5199]

Great video content,a lot of knowledge you are putting out here, thanks.

[@JoeleyPANTS-Okay-ist-Bowler]

I cut my teeth with a purple hammer, LOVE IT! It took me so long to learn to properly throw reactive. I do throw my Purps at league and tournaments, no ones said anything, but I'm willing to square up for it. I was debating on getting a Tundra Fire. My center seems allergic to oiling lanes and throwing Urethane and Widows makes that not any fun. So I got a Raw Hammer Pearl and its working quite nicely!

[@miguelm6307]

Great video as always! One good point also is that its release season. With brands putting out new gear, old one may go on sale. I scooped up my Columbia Atlas (Solid) for $95 once the Atlas Hybrid got released. Also agree with the Vibes. I picked up an Ocean Vibe and its definitely a much more advanced ball than its price would lead you to believe.

[@ryanmcmullen3378]

Great list! I know it was probably hard narrowing down what to put on that list but I love my Hammer Raw solid, I haven’t thrown the pearls or the hybrids but I feel like my solid performs way above the price point it comes in at

[@mitchchambers]

Radical Sneak Attack solid

[@Jbmccain86]

My weak ball is the Sneak Attack (OG Hybrid) and it’s my ol trusty! Love that ball!

[@ScottyThompson-lt7wl]

Cool video talk tech bowling ball brunsnick

[@gattsgodai3]

The one encore is a steal right now on most sites! IMO it should be in more bags.

[@marke219]

Hey I just wanna let you know that I love listening to you and phil on perception versus reality

[@flyin172s]

Niiiiick, I used to watch you bowl at Santa Clarita Lanes! Thanks for the reviews! My son just got into bowling and I was just talking about your back swing like a week ago.

[@brunsnick]

What up!

[@muruhs]

Pyramid asym $75 brand new!!! Ball is slept on.

[@mariansowinski8967]

Another great video! Thanks Brunsnick!!

[@aleffel9668]

love this list and it illustrates pretty well that hammer has one of the best lines in bowling. I would argue you could've mentioned the BW 3.0 as a "budget" high performance ball even, same performance as the big boys but down a step in price from the extreme envy, mesmerize, etc. Hammer releases banger after banger.

[@brunsnick]

Was mindful of budget and had a price cutoff but Black Widows have been the best bowling balls in the world hands down.

[@doglover74651]

Been looking forward to what this, gonna be a good one!

[@FSerrano2789]

Fireball has been so good for me

[@fuzzytattoo]

Averaged 202 over 4 games on open play carry down out the box with the Arctic Vibe. Played multiple areas of the lane and the ball just worked. That’s just playing around and seeing what the ball can do. Can’t wait for league and play it as intended. Great ball for the price.

[@wingracer1614]

The Arctic Vibe is proving quite popular at my house. Several people putting up good scores with it. One guy likes it so much he bought the matching jersey. I want one myself but my Hustle RIP fills that spot in the bag beautifully. If I didn't have that, I would grab one.

[@fuzzytattoo]

@@wingracer1614 Def agree. If you got one that fills the spot it's hard to want to justify dropping $150 ish on a new piece. Never know what will come out next as well by the time that one no longer serves your purposes. Missed out on a lot of good releases cuz I just didn't need that one at the time. There was always another great one there to take its place though.

[@nathannye4048]

Fireball! I've been throwing it like Ryu!

[@SeasonedSalmon]

What is the best beginner bowling ball to get that can "grow with you" a bit. I was between storm tropical surge, ebonite fireball, Brunswick rhino, and either the hammer raw or hammer magenta urethane. Please help

[@dd101dd4]

I always have GB. Currently running the GB5, wouldn't mind a pearl.

[@RewindCountry]

Try the GB Asym, it's a pearl. I've been throwing GB's for years back to the OG Vortex line and love the GB Asym! It's my go to when things start to dry up. The core is a slightly modified V2 so if you only throw GB's you won't notice much difference.

[@dd101dd4]

@@RewindCountry I just got a Radical Rattler Big Bite and its insanely good. I'll most likely wait for the next GB to be released and get that. I have seen the GB Assym pearl around. I've thought about that one as well.

[@Kingpinboy50]

I own as far as Brunswick balls the gb4 solid, the radical crypto, the track latitude pearl, the Brunswick ultimate nirvana, the DV8 brutal collision, the DV8 hellcat, and the radical trailblazer solid, for spares I have the brunswick tzone Caribbean blue.

[@emperorking900]

One of the main reasons I throw exclusively B7 balls now is B7 deals. Everything else is so overpriced. But if you just follow what B7 puts out and keep a running list of what B7 balls are on your radar, virtually all of them go on major clearance towards the end of their run. And bowling ball runs end within like 6-12 months of their debuts. So I treat it like a crypto market, just watching the bowling shopping sites every few days and then snipe B7 balls when they fall into that golden $90-120 B7 clearance range. i have grabbed so many great balls this way (Paragon Solid, Katana Assault, Brutal Collision, Legion Solid, Archetype, Crypto Boom, etc etc etc) and it is the best thing. You can get all of B7's stuff for literally 50% of the price of the competition if you just wait a few months. This business model of B7 along with the best engineering in the industry, the biggest catalogue and Radical's media department are the reasons I am a huge B7 devotee.

[@traviskirk3834]

I bowl on old wood on the burn I use my green pin purple pearl hammer urethane drilled to hook strong and controllable backend reaction I have it usually at 3000 grit but I just hit it with 120 trucut 500 trucut and finished with 3000 trucut from creating the difference and the surface lasts ALOT longer then a siaair pad or a abralon the surface lasts 3-9 games depending on what grits you use and holy cow does she hook ALOT more now. I bowled the Dave husted 2024 pro am with the arctic vibe and the green pin purple pearl hammer urethane and we had a typical house shot with some of the shark pattern out from before and with my purple pearl hammer urethane I ended up on 25-26 when I put the ball on the lane and 29-30 with my feet and I had to get it out to 5 and it would hook back to the pocket. So purple pearl hammer urethane and arctic vibe are great choices. And maybe the raw series.

[@therealreice9356]

is there anything like the scorpion low flare? i stand on the on the far right and aim for the 1-2 instead of 1-3, i also average 16.25 mph i don’t know if that’s considered speed dominant player..any recommendations?

[@jmsshannon]

Ebonite Emerge hybrid. Not sure of price when it was new but I see it same price point as GB series and that ball has some serious backend

[@roybringus31]

Tbh the Raw solid has a lot of performance for the price as well

[@CliftonDon74]

Thabks Nick. The GB5 or Arctic Vibe may get into my bag at some point. I guess I am in the minority where i do not care for a Purple Hammer Urethane. I much prefer the Storm Pitch Black and if I were to go with a B7 urethane, I would go with the Black Hammer Pearl Urethane. The Purple Hammer is a shim wrecker, even for the person throwing it.

[@brunsnick]

Have you had one?

[@willieyoung7070]

Two balls that I think you forgot, is both the Hammer and Radical NU. I am 100% guilty of using my hammer 78D or my purple hammer during league on a house shot, however the last two months my hammer NU has been my benchmark ball. Both the radical and hammer Nu may be two of the best balls ever created! They give you control like a true urethane, without hooking super early. I love their versatility and how you really can use each ball for the entire league night. Big asymmetrical solid balls, can really only be used for a game and half. On the opposite end, you really can’t use a shiny/pearl ball on a fresh pattern. The radical and hammer Nu is the best of both worlds. Since both balls are solid, you can use them on a fresh oil pattern. Since both balls are symmetrical, you can still use them late in game two/game three. I have mine at the original out of box finish and there’s this kid in my league who shined his up to 2000 grit. No one want to be carrying two of three bags to league, so having a ball that pretty much do the job of two balls is amazing. I stand by my statement above, both the hammer and radical Nu might be two of the best balls ever created!

[@mutated__donkey5840]

IK you're B7 but in all honesty the hustles are the absolute best bang-for-buck bowling balls out there.

[@wingracer1614]

The only reason I don't get the Arctic Vibe is because I already have a Hustle RIP

[@vance836]

To be honest, Nick, you could have thrown the BW 3.0 in there. Similar price point to the Scorpions and the performance rivals some upper performance asyms. I know when we say budget, we never think of an asym. But the fact you can get a 3.0 for a similar price to that of a Scorpion; that is what I would call a budget friendly asym.

[@brunsnick]

Yes but I had a cutoff at some point. No arguing that the Black Widows the the best out there.

[@dp3677]

could have thrown in the teal rhino pro in this list as well, even potentially the DV8 chill pearl

[@myronromero7071]

Great video as I need to get my grandson a new ball. Now which one

[@marcanzlovar72]

Where can I find that purple hammer shirt? I own two and win lots of money with fine, just need the shirt. Thanks Nick

[@brunsnick]

@@marcanzlovar72 here you go! www.insidebowling.com/products/still-legal-bowling-tee-shirt-brunsnick-brands-of-brunswick-bowler-tshirt?variant=44360015970538

[@BrodyDYk]

Shoutout purple hammer reactive. That go crazy

[@brunsnick]

@@BrodyDYk yessir. Just discontinued now.

[@BrodyDYk]

@@brunsnick I’m sad about that. I was going to by 2 more and get a pin up and down. I have one now that’s pin down but couldn’t get the pin up. That ball was crazy good

[@Hlywood25]

Motiv Hyper Venom is a great find for the price

[@charlesmitchell9689]

As someone who just bought and drilled a cypher and that's gonna be a benchmark and getting back to a hobby after 20 yrs and in casual league play, what would pair with that? Or just one for house league and do it all

[@brunsnick]

I’d go with a nice midrange pearl to complement it. Tundra Blue Fire or Scorpion Strike. Something better for moving in.

[@Barksbowling]

I know it came out towards the end of 2023, but the Sensor Solid deserves some love ❤️

[@dsrad85]

The Hammer Raw Series is pretty good too for their price point!

[@brunsnick]

@@dsrad85 I agree. kzbin.info/www/bejne/h4Tbknemg5eakJYsi=aqlv7tY_RFNm6_eU

[@dennismcclintock3154]

Nick you Rock and solid bowler. Thought on Hammer purple reactive not the urethane one then any idea on the Hammer Jacked Raw? One more I have a Brunswick Attitude Control pearl Urethane that I just love it a sleeper under the radar

[@brunsnick]

@@dennismcclintock3154 those are all discontinued.

[@dennismcclintock3154]

Yes I know thats why I got them 😂😂 cheap price 😂😂

[@EviLNox8]

Would that fireball be close to the hussle rip? My pro shop got me into the hussle as my first ball.

[@brunsnick]

Not sure.

[@scottshiira6551]

Messenger Black/Gold is awesome

[@timothypope5300]

Series question. If you could only pick one from this list other than urethane because I already have urethane, which is your favorite budget ball on this list?

[@brunsnick]

Only one for house? Probably Scorpion Strike for me.

[@timothypope5300]

@brunsnick appreciate your response. I was thinking arctic vibe or scorpion strike myself.

[@dominicguggino1556]

Please do a high and mid performance version 🙏

[@Jest_Fishing]

Best budget balls for 2024 are the marked down high performance ball from 2022/23.

[@brunsnick]

I mention this.

[@stefanleonard7947]

Can I have a link to the Cupid bowling balls in your video you mentioned

[@brunsnick]

To the what?

[@stefanleonard7947]

A link to the bowling balls you shared on your channel

[@brunsnick]

@@stefanleonard7947hammerbowling.com columbia300.com trackbowling.com ebonite.com I can’t link direct to any retailers.

[@thomaswegener6594]

Purple Hammer and an Artic Vibe are a disgusting 1-2 combo

[@sergiobermudez3383]

I was thinking about getting a Rhino for my first ball, is that a good choice?

[@brunsnick]

@@sergiobermudez3383 yes absolutely. Picking Your First Reactive Bowling Ball | Beginner's Guide kzbin.info/www/bejne/h4Tbknemg5eakJY

[@fishntyme8495]

I have an old Zone that I am trying to get identified. For sure Pre 2000. Can you help?

[@brunsnick]

Okay.

[@fishntyme8495]

@brunsnick Oh, maybe I should have said Brunswick Zone ball. Lol. It looks like the Special Edition in color, but does not have Special Edition etched in. I want to say it was new in 1992. It was matched up with an Ebonite Turbo Urethane in my arsenal.

[@jeffladrillono2313]

I'd add the Widow series when you consider price to performance. I don't think you can get better performance at the price from any brand.

[@brunsnick]

Probably not no!

[@theperfectbrother]

Ok my favorite ball was a pink hammer does Brunswick make a ball similar to that ball or can you find me a 15 pound one

[@brunsnick]

A pink Hammer? No.

[@ryanmcmullen3378]

You talking about the 3d Offset?

[@timothymorath3794]

Only Brunswick family balls? Pyramid has some decent low -priced stuff. And what about the Radical Sneak Attack?

[@brunsnick]

Yes, only Brunswick brands.

[@ripvanrevs]

I'm ready to buy a black hammer and just take it, the purple hammer, and my spare ball to every sport shot tournament.

[@kevinanderson9093]

Was wondering why you didn’t mention the sneak attack solid?

[@brunsnick]

It performs as advertised but doesn’t outperform its price point IMO. It’s similar to RAW Hammer.

[@kevinanderson9093]

@@brunsnick agreed. Wanted it for the last ball in my arsenal. The Black Widow sold is the top of my arsenal. Been trying to figure out a good ball to put between them! Do you have a good recommendation? I have a Purple Hammer urethane. Just trying to build a 4 ball arsenal mainly for league and sometimes tournaments.

[@DitchD0C_Bowler]

You left out the Track Cypher

[@daviderickson2135]

Any advice for kids starting out around 7 years old???

[@brunsnick]

For a ball? Or general advice?

[@daviderickson2135]

@@brunsnick ball, I have bowling IQ like 5 miles from my house but I watched your video and I have no idea. I’m guessing it doesn’t matter, it’s just for fun but good quality for probably 3 kids

[@brunsnick]

@@daviderickson2135 kind of depends on what weight they can throw. Twist will be available in 8lb on up and is reactive.

[@glenngerstner9228]

How about some love for the Radical Sneak Attack solid?

[@brunsnick]

Good ball but I don’t think it outperforms its class like these.

[@DerrickDial-o8t]

For the money how come you didn’t include the Black Widow 2.0 Hybrid or 3.0?

[@brunsnick]

@@DerrickDial-o8t had to make a cut off on price somewhere. Everyone already knows Black Widows are the best performers in the market.

[@njavrg.9100]

Before I even watch the whole video, I’d say top on my list would be the hustle RIP

[@ripvanrevs]

Guarantee that one won't be on the list!!

[@itisshlerman3079]

I think i see all 3 vibe balls there

[@itisshlerman3079]

At least 2 of them and maybe a GB5

[@mauricerogers1980]

Ebonite fireball money I won't 4 pots in league and the strikeout with it paid for itself

[@shawnboller5433]

Will they leave 8 pins? 🤔

[@brunsnick]

55% of the time they leave one every video.

[@b.r.fowler785]

Shawn, why you gotta do Nick like that? 😂🤣

[@CKBowling1]

Radical Deadly Rattler

[@danielwelsh4503]

No Radical balls mentioned. Next Perception VS Reality should be interesting! LOL

[@brunsnick]

And Phil will be here at Brunswick too

[@myronromero7071]

What about Hustle line

[@brunsnick]

I work for Brunswick so..

[@wingracer1614]

Awesome balls but a guy named Brunsnick isn't going to know anything about them.

[@myronromero7071]

Well Arctic Vibe it is saw on bowlersmart it 109 buck same price as hustle

[@enigma8464]

idk how you don't mention the Hustle line

[@brunsnick]

First time on the channel?

[@dennischristner]

Black Widow 2 0 hybrid

[@ZachFreytag]

No Hammer Raw series? I was hoping that would make your list for budget balls.

[@brunsnick]

They’re good for entry level performance. This is about high performance on a budget.

[@ZachFreytag]

Roger that. Maybe I should read the vid title first before commenting. Any recomendation for a 1st game fresh league shot, maybe a solid that takes surface well? Just picked up an Arctic Vibe but haven’t thrown it yet. 2 hand no thumb 360 rev right hand 17 mph release. Thanks Nick!

[@brunsnick]

@@ZachFreytag you might have a good one with surface right there in the Arctic. 👍🏻 if not, I really like Scorpion Low Flare for fresh.

[@ZachFreytag]

Can’t wait to try the AV. Thanks again Nick. 8 pin King👑

[@jmax1219]

Radical?

[@Mebrit]

You forgor RAW Hammer....

[@brunsnick]

@@Mebrit no I didn’t. It doesn’t belong on this list with higher performers. It belongs here Picking Your First Reactive Bowling Ball | Beginner's Guide kzbin.info/www/bejne/h4Tbknemg5eakJY

[@Mebrit]

@@brunsnick Clearly understood! Vibe series hits different though. Best ball ever!

[@brunsnick]

@@Mebrit I agree! I think Vibes pack a punch quite a bit over RAW, just stronger covers used compared to the Juiced on the RAW.

[@theastuckett]

I have two pre-loved luxrul that people left the stickers on, and when you remove them, the hardware looks different than the hardware right next to it that the sticker didn't touch. It's not because the other has scratches, the sticky stuff affected the finish.