Buying guide for best skateboard bearings
Written by Alec Welsh
Updated June 2024
Whether it’s speeding downhill, hitting vertical ramps or skating the streets, a reliable set of skateboard bearings is crucial. They’re designed to take high impacts and remain solid while keeping small dirt and debris from getting inside. Great bearings can reduce friction, lessening the energy required to gain speed.
There are plenty of options to choose from and they’re made from a variety of different materials. If it’s speed and reliability you’re after, Bones Swiss Ceramics Skateboard Bearings are the best.
What are the best skateboard bearings to buy?
Top skateboard bearings
Bones Swiss Ceramics Skateboard Bearings
What you need to know: Precision-grade Swiss design, engineering and manufacturing has built these ceramic bearings that are best for street and park skateboarders.
What you’ll love: These premium ceramic wheel bearings are lightweight, hard and strong for lasting performance. The nylon ball retainers and speed cream lubricant make for a sustained, effortless ride. They’re rated for better performance than any ABEC-rated bearings and come with a lifetime warranty against manufacturer defects.
What you should consider: Although ceramic is an extremely tough material, it doesn’t compare to traditional carbon steel.
Top skateboard bearings for the money
Spitfire Bearings Burners Skateboard Bearings
What you need to know: This is a versatile set of bearings manufactured by a reputable and long-lasting skateboard brand loved by professionals and amateurs alike.
What you’ll love: These high-precision speed bearings are built to last. The manufacturer has a great reputation in the field and is endorsed by some of skateboarding’s greatest athletes. A bold red design gives them a visible pop of style.
What you should consider: Made from traditional metals, they come in at a slightly higher weight. They don’t include any warranty against manufacturing defects.
Worth checking out
Yellow Jacket Stripes Premium Skateboard Bearings
What you need to know: These bearings are high-speed and high-precision for longboarders, skateboarders, in-line skaters and electric skateboard riders.
What you’ll love: They’re top-quality at a low price and pre-lubricated for high speed with minimal friction. Shields seal and protect the inside of the bearing and wheel and they’re available in a variety of colors. If you’re not 100% satisfied, you can return them for a full refund.
What you should consider: These are from a lesser-known brand without a team of the sport's most recognizable athletes.
What to know before you buy skateboard bearings
Style of skateboarding
There are many different styles of skateboarding in today’s world. If you’re longboarding, speed could be the top factor. If you’re trick skating in the streets or a park, weight might be the main concern. If you prefer vert or pool skating, then reliability is probably most important.
Brands
Skateboarding has come a very long way in the past few decades, and with that have been a roster of brands that have come and gone. It may be best to look at which brands have survived the tides, such as Bones Swiss, Spitfire and Yellow Jacket.
What the professionals rely on
Brands that make skateboard bearings sponsor different riders to help promote and market their products. Oftentimes, skateboarders choose to ride for the brand that has been most reliable for them throughout their amateur and professional careers. If you skateboard, find out which team your favorite skateboarders ride for and go with that brand.
What to look for in quality skateboard bearings
ABEC rating
Throughout the different variations and styles of skateboarding, one thing remains crucial: speed. The bearings are the determining factor of this because they make the wheels turn. The Annular Bearing Engineering Committee is an industry-accepted standard for the tolerance of a ball bearing. Higher ratings equal higher precision, enabling more revolutions per minute.
Weight
Weight can be a crucial element when deciding on the right set of bearings. Skateboarding's physics rely on forceful pops from the concave tail on the back of the board to lift the entire skateboard up, over and on top of obstacles. As you can imagine, lighter options are always better.
Material
Bearings can be constructed from a variety of different materials, with each one having its own set of benefits and drawbacks. Ceramic is light and although strong, it is not as strong as other materials such as alloy or carbon steel, which can increase weight. It’s best to consider which style of skateboarding they’ll be used for when making this decision.
Durability
When going down big drops like staircases or launching off ramps, the bearings are going to take a lot of impact, so durability is a key factor. If you’re riding a longboard for fun or speed, this may not be as important. Durability factors depend on the ABEC rating and trusted names in the field.
How much you can expect to spend on skateboard bearings
The price of skateboard bearings typically depends on two factors: their material and their ABEC rating. Packs of eight are required for building a complete skateboard and can range in price anywhere from $7-$150.
FAQ
What happens if skateboard bearings break?
A. Considering there are two bearings in each wheel for a total of eight, if one breaks, it’s unlikely it will jam the entire riding system and cause a fall. They can be replaced individually if necessary.
Are skateboard bearings covered under warranty?
A. Depending on the brand, yes. Certain brands even offer a lifetime warranty for any manufacturer defects.
