Every pro skateboarder knows the importance of good skateboard bearings, and that’s why they strive to buy the best ones that money can afford.
Skateboard bearings are small, metallic loops that are placed on the trucks, and they bear the wheels (hence the name). Two bearings carry one wheel at all times, and the bearings’ job is to ensure the wheel turns nicely and with as less friction as possible to ensure maximum speed.
So, if you’re a beginner looking to get some good quality bearings, this is the place for you. We’ve made a list of best skateboard bearings on the market and organized them in a convenient table for you to skim through.
Check it out!
Things to Consider
There are two things to consider when it comes to bearings: the material and the ABEC rating.
- Material. When it comes to material, bearings are usually made of two materials – steel and ceramics.
Steel bearings are the most common and are very sturdy, and come at a reasonable price. They are, however slower than ceramic bearings.
Ceramic bearings are more expensive, but do not heat up form friction, and are extremely fast, but they are prone to cracking under pressure.
- ABEC Rating. This is a rating list made by the Annular Bearing Engineering Committee. It determines the quality and speed of bearings; however, not all brands follow these ratings and use their own rating system.
ABEC has 9 levels with the first level being the lowest and cheapest bearings, and level 9 being some of the best bearings on the market, and the fastest.
Top 10 Skateboard Bearings Comparison Chart
| Picture | Name | Material | Price | Rating (1-5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Bones Bearings Reds Bearings | Steel | $$ | 4.6 |
| 2. Bones Roller Bones Bearings | Steel | $$$ | 4.5 |
| 3. Bones Super Reds Bearings | Steel | $$$ | 4.5 |
| 4. Zealous Bearings | Steel | $$ | 4.4 |
| 5. SCSK8 ABEC 9 Bearings | Steel | $ | 4.3 |
| 6. VXB 608 ZZ Skateboard Bearings | Steel | $$ | 4.3 |
| 7. Bones Swiss Ceramics Bearings | Ceramic | $$$$ | 4.1 |
| 8. Bones Original Swiss Competition | Steel | $$$ | 4.1 |
| 9. Generic ABEC 9 Bearings | Steel | $ | 3.5 |
| 10. Mini Skater Generic Abec 9 Precision | Steel | $$ | 3.5 |
Top 3 Best Skateboard Bearings Reviews
1. Bones Bearings
The first product on our list is the Bones Red Bearings.
Bones is, in fact, a major powerhouse in the skateboarding world, and their products are highly regarded. These are high-quality steel bearings and ones of the fastest in the market.
They, however, don’t use the ABEC rating system, as Bones has their own rating system, but we did some research and found that they are close to ABEC 8 level. They are fitted with easy to remove rubber ring that allows you to disassemble and clean the bearings, making maintenance very easy. They are lined with SpeedCream lubricant that allows for smooth sailing and less heating of the steel from friction.
Pros:
- Superb make and quality.
- High-quality steel.
- Easy to disassemble and maintain.
- Pre-lubricated with superb Speed Cream.
- ABEC 8 bearings.
Cons:
- They are, after all, steel bearings, so wear and tear from constant friction is inevitable.
What more can be said about Bones Red Bearings? They are the best of the best, thanks to amazing craftsmanship of the manufacturer. They are fast, reliable, and you will certainly make a good move if you decide to get them.
2. RollerBones
At spot number two, we have another Bones product. Coming from the same manufacturer, these bearings exhibit all the best characteristics their counterparts do. They have the same high-quality steel make and are just as easily taken apart and cleaned.
They too are lined with Speed Cream, a low viscosity lubricant that does a magnificent job at keeping the steel cool and allowing it to run smoothly and develop great speed. These bearing also feature removable nylon ball cages, which further increases the convenience when cleaning them. They don’t use ABEC rating, but we deem them ABEC 7 rated bearings.
Pros:
- Very reliable and long lasting.
- Very fast bearings, ABEC 7-ish.
- Easily disassembled and reassembled for quick and easy maintenance.
- Lined with Speed Cream.
Cons:
- Being steel bearings, they suffer all the problems steel does.
And that’s it for these ones. The Bearings Roller Bearings are one of the best skateboard bearings in the market, and hardly any other stand on a par with them. Offering excellent speed and superb durability, they are favorites for pros and newbies alike.
3. Bones
The last product up for review is the Bones Super Red bearings. What more words of praise shall we say about Bones that we haven’t said before? Just like its predecessors on this list, these are outstanding steel bearings, able to withstand tremendous punishment, and are viable for long-term usage over a long number of years.
The bearings have the same easily removable rubber rings and nylon ball cages, so you can really get to that elusive dirt that gets inside. The speed cream allows the bearings to be extremely fast, and at the same time it reduces the overheating of the metal, prolonging its lifespan.
Pros:
- Excellent quality bearings, long life span.
- Very good quality steel.
- Excellent speed cream allows for great speeds developed and prolongs the life span of the metal.
Cons:
- Steel bearings tend to heat up and break or warp under stress.
Final thoughts? These are simply great, there’s no simpler way to put it. They are very fast and very durable, and it will serve any rider well over a long course of years. They are also easy to clean and maintain, which further increases the lifespan of these beautiful things.
Final Word
We’re mostly looking at steel bearings, although we did put in a set of ceramic ones for variety. We favor steel bearings, however, as they offer a longer lifespan, and are less costly to replace. Among those, we would like to give kudos to Bones bearings, as they simply outclass others. They are just so great, and having a set of these on your board will offer you an amazing experience.
