our top picks

The Best Wiffle Ball Sets and Bats for Backyard Games

A good wiffle ball setup is gloriously cheap and lasts for years, so the real questions are whether you want the genuine official WIFFLE ball that curves like nothing else, which bat suits your players, and whether a bundled set or a pick-your-own combo makes more sense. The official ball is the one purists swear by, while Franklin and other brands make solid all-in-one sets and a range of bats. Here are the sets and bats I would grab for backyard games.

TOP 4 PICKS RANKED FOR REAL BACKYARDS 2 to 10 (1 to 5 per side) PLAYERS
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The shortlist

Our top wiffle ball picks at a glance

PickBest forScore
Official WIFFLE Ball and Bat Combo Best Overall 95 Check Price
Franklin Sports MLB Wiffle Style Ball and Bat Set Best Set 89 Check Price
Big Barrel Blow-Molded Plastic Baseball Bat Best Bat for Adults 87 Check Price
Wiffle Ball Multi-Pack (Replacement Balls) Best Value Add-On 86 Check Price
MVP Pick
95 Best Overall

Official WIFFLE Ball and Bat Combo

Pros
  • The genuine ball curves and breaks far more than any imitation
  • Classic lightweight bat is easy for kids and adults to swing
  • Simple, durable, and the real deal that backyard purists want
Watch for
  • The thin classic bat can crack if adults swing it hard for years
  • Comes with only a ball or two, so you will want extra balls
Who it's for

This is the pick for anyone who wants pitches that genuinely dance, and households swinging hard as adults should add a sturdier bat.

Check Price on Amazon
89 Best Set

Franklin Sports MLB Wiffle Style Ball and Bat Set

Pros
  • Convenient all-in-one set with a bat and balls ready to play
  • Sturdy, kid-friendly bat that holds up to backyard use
  • A reliable, well-reviewed brand that makes a great gift
Watch for
  • The included plastic balls do not curve quite like the official WIFFLE ball
  • Bat barrel may be small for adults who want more pop
Who it's for

Grab this for an easy, gift-ready set that gets kids playing right away, and curveball purists should pair it with a real WIFFLE ball.

Check Price on Amazon
87 Best Bat for Adults

Big Barrel Blow-Molded Plastic Baseball Bat

Pros
  • Fatter barrel is far more forgiving for making solid contact
  • Tougher blow-molded build survives hard adult swings
  • More fun for grown-up games and home-run derbies
Watch for
  • Heavier and bigger than little kids can handle well
  • Usually sold as a bat only, so you supply your own balls
Who it's for

This is the bat for adult backyard games and derbies where contact matters, while small kids will do better with a light classic bat.

Check Price on Amazon
86 Best Value Add-On

Wiffle Ball Multi-Pack (Replacement Balls)

Pros
  • Keeps a game going when a ball cracks or rolls off into the bushes
  • Cheap insurance for any set, since balls are the thing you lose
  • Lightweight and easy to stash a few spares in a bag
Watch for
  • Generic packs may not curve as sharply as the official ball
  • Balls are a consumable, so you will reorder eventually
Who it's for

Add this to any purchase so a split ball never ends the game, and pick an official-ball pack if maximum curve is what you are after.

Check Price on Amazon
From the commissioner

How to choose a wiffle ball set

  • Decide whether you want the genuine official WIFFLE ball. The original WIFFLE ball, with its eight oblong holes on only one side, is the ball that curves and breaks more sharply than any imitation. Generic perforated balls are fine for casual catch, but if you want pitches that genuinely dance, the official ball is worth seeking out. It is the heart of the game and it does not cost much.
  • Match the bat to your players. The classic skinny yellow plastic bat is light, whippy, and perfect for kids, but bigger and fatter barrel bats are more forgiving and more fun for adults who want to make contact. Some bats are flimsy and crack at the handle after a season, so look for a sturdier blow-molded bat if grown-ups will be swinging hard. The right barrel size makes a huge difference in how satisfying the game feels.
  • Choose between an all-in-one set and a build-your-own combo. Brands like Franklin sell convenient sets that pair a bat with a few balls, which is the easy grab-and-go option, especially for a gift. If you care most about the ball curving properly, you can pair an official WIFFLE ball with a separate bat you actually like. Sets win on convenience, mix-and-match wins on quality of each piece.
  • Think about a strike-zone target if two people will play. The thing that lets just two players run a full game is a strike-zone target behind the batter that calls strikes for you. Some kits include a target board, and you can also improvise one with cardboard or a chair. If your household is mostly one-on-one games, a set with a target board is genuinely worth a little extra.
  • Buy extra balls, because you will lose and crack them. Wiffle balls are light and they crack along the seams after enough hard hits, and they love to roll under decks and into bushes. A multi-pack of balls is cheap insurance that keeps a game going when one splits or disappears. It is the single best small add-on to any wiffle ball purchase.
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Build the whole roster

Outfitting a party or a whole backyard? Grab the bundle and save a trip, or see how wiffle ball stacks up against the rest.

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Buyer's desk

Wiffle Ball buying FAQ

What is the best wiffle ball for the backyard?

The genuine official WIFFLE ball, with eight oblong holes on one side, is the best because it curves and breaks far more than any imitation. Generic perforated balls are fine for casual catch but do not dance the same way on a pitch. If you want movement, buy the real one; it is inexpensive.

Do you need a special bat for wiffle ball?

No, but the bat changes the game. The classic skinny plastic bat is light and great for kids, while a fatter big-barrel bat is far more forgiving and fun for adults who want to make contact. Match the barrel size to whoever is swinging and the game gets a lot more satisfying.

Is a Franklin wiffle ball set worth it?

Franklin makes convenient, durable all-in-one sets that are a great grab-and-go or gift, with a sturdy kid-friendly bat and a few balls. The one tradeoff is that the included plastic balls usually do not curve as sharply as the genuine official ball. For most families the convenience is worth it, and you can always add a real WIFFLE ball later.

How many wiffle balls should you buy?

Buy more than you think, because the balls are the part you lose and crack. They are light enough to roll under decks and into bushes, and they split along the seams after enough hard hits. A cheap multi-pack of spares is the single best add-on to keep a game from ending early.