10 Best Skateboard Bearings 2024
The best skateboard bearings play a crucial role in rolling your skateboard.
Without them or a wrong decision, your whole board becomes useless. However, many people haven’t understood its importance.
If you don’t want your worthy skateboard to become a useless thing, you have to have the right decision.
We write this post to help you solve your problem.
In this article, we help you to choose a product which not only suits your using demands but also improve the performance of the whole model.
Top 10 Best Skateboard Bearings
1 Yellow Jacket Premium Skateboard Bearings
Yellow Jacket Premium belongs to pro skateboard bearings line because it features high speed and precision.
These bearings are pretty versatile that means you can use them for several different models such as longboards and skateboards even inline skate, rollerblade, and electric skateboards.
Its outstanding feature is protection because the engraved color seals are bright enough to make the bearings more attractive, protecting you away from other vehicles on the way.
Moreover, the outside layer is designed to keep these tools away from dirt, dust, and rocks, lasting its lifespan longer, especially, precision is also improved better.
According to some users, they love how theses bearings minimize friction and fit high speed since it’s easier to lubricate them with the high-speed racing lube.
Their only drawback is that they tend to create noise while working. So, we don’t highly recommend them for riding in crowded places because they can cause significant attention.
In our opinion, if you don’t mind its noise, this is an amazing solution to protect you while riding and run with high effectiveness.
2 Bones Super Swiss 6 Skateboard Bearings
The massive advantage of Bones Super Swiss is that it can provide users with a smoother, more sustainable and speedy ride.
The company and manufacturer pride in their unique and innovative design.
They, for example, have 6 big diameter balls, leading to a speedier acceleration, higher speed, improved durability, and strength.
Rubber shields help you clean these bearings easily and quickly. As a bonus point, the nylon ball retainers promote your bearings run speedier and studier.
Because people pre-lubricate Bones Super Swiss with a speed cream racing lubricant, they aren’t severely influenced too much when facing dust, dirt, heat, and rust.
However, if you want to break it in completely, it may take you a lot of days.
For me, Bones Super Swiss is an ideal choice of design with some fantastic features. But, you should think more about needing to spend a few days to break it in thoroughly.
3 Bones Bearings Reds Bearings
When it comes to reliability, Bones Bearing Reds is the best in the world. You never regret it when buying, for example, these are the bestselling skate bearing in the United States.
You can understand that there are millions of Bones Bearing Reds skaters.
Its single and non-contact rubber shield makes sure your cleaning process free of mess. And it has less friction.
The manufacturer is so proud of their high-speed nylon ball because it plays an vital role in improving the speed and strength of bearings.
Although they were pre-lubricated, you still can find a speed cream as the lubricant in the package.
Apart from the lubricant, you have 8 bearings, a logo sticker, and some instruction manual, but this package could be better.
Finally, if you want to find a reliable brand, Bones Bearings line is the best of the best. You can completely buy a better package.
4 Zealous Bearings
Zealous Bearings are designed for both longboard and skateboard.
Here is the thing:
Investing in Zealous Bearings means you contribute to lowering the risk of losing small parts when changing your wheels or bearings because of its speed rings and spacers.
It is designed to work with the least amount of friction.
For company, the best thing is the color-coordinated rubber seals since they can protect your bearings away from environmental elements such as dirt, and debris, lasting the lifespan longer and more durable.
No matter which type of skateboard truck you use, its 8-mm axles with holes can fit perfectly.
Zealous Bearings use a premium lubricant, penetrating any flaws in the metal to smoothen them out. This thing helps you speed up the bearing and provides you with a fast and smooth ride.
It’s great, but this product also has a drawback that is you can’t expect a faster speed than Bones Reds Bearings.
We love how these bearings work smooth. However, if you are looking for something with fast speed, it’s better to consider Bones Reds Bearings.
5 Heady Shake Pro
In case you need a quick and smooth ride on your longboard, Heady Shake Pro is a wonderful solution.
It looks like a perfect combination of Bones Reds Bearings’ fast speed and Zealous Bearings’ smooth ride.
Thanks to the well-thought-out precision design, these bearings offer you with high precision, a quiet rotation, and high level of spinning speed.
This model uses a special lubricant to help you ride smoothly and quickly.
It is a versatile product, so you can use it for a lot of different models such as skateboards, kick scooters, inline skates, and a roller skate.
There are a lot of things in a package including 8 high-quality bearings, 4 skateboard spacers, and a waterproof sticker.
There is a small disadvantage, producing a little noise while running.
These are wonderful to have a fast and smooth ride. However, you should think twice if you don’t want to cause significant attention.
6 Bones Roller Bones
These are the most exact skate bearings available on the market, so you can expect many outstanding features.
The high-speed nylon cages allow you to remove to use for different models easily.
Moreover, its non-contact and removable rubber shield features less even zero friction that means you have the best ride as desired.
Even you can reach the smoothest ride because its lubrication is a low-viscosity speed cream.
According to some feedbacks, the lifespan of Bones Roller Bones lasts pretty long which is a long-term investment. Besides, the speed and free of hassle cleaning are what you will love it.
Like other products, this also has a tiny disadvantage that it creates noise while working.
In sum, if you are looking for something works completely quiet, this is not an ideal choice. They can meet your requirement about speed, smooth ride, and durability.
7 Mini-Logo Skateboards Bearings
Mini-Logo Skateboards bearings are known with the consistent and excellent performance and a precision 608 bearing.
Besides, it also comes with the followings:
There are 2 removable shields on 2 sides (one made from metal and another made from rubber). You can remove them to change new ones anytime.
This advantage also helps you to keep your bearings away from the outside elements such as dirt, wetness, and moisture. Cleaning and re-lubricating are not hard tasks anymore.
They have a molded ball retainer to promote the speed better.
Here is the most significant benefit:
These bearings are pre-lubricated a speed cream which minimizes friction. Furthermore, they have integrated the hardened chromium steel balls, resulting in a ride as smooth as possible.
We don’t highly recommend these products for advanced skaters because it isn’t suitable for a high-speed ride.
In general, you can expect an average result of performance from these bearings, but for the fastest ride, they are not an ideal choice.
8 Spitfire Burner Skateboard Bearings
This product is designed for those who have a tight budget.
Below, we let you know it not only has an affordable cost but also is a worthy investment.
They have an excellent performance of speed and precision for skateboards.
Let’s discover the details:
Thanks to the integrated removable nylon cages, it’s impact-resistant. These bearings are not easy to be broken, lasting very long.
What’s more, these products are heat-resistant through the high-carbon chromium steel rings, so you don’t have to worry when your bearings expose under the sunlight too long.
The manufacturer well-polishes to keep them away from harmful elements to use in a long time.
For experienced skaters, its too basic design may be a possible problem.
If you want to invest in a high level of durability and performance, don’t skip Spitfire Burner. But, we don’t strongly recommend them for people who hate a too basic design.
9 Bones Ceramic Super Reds
This is another product of Bones line. As you know, Bones company has the best reputation in the skating industry for 25 years.
Time has proven their quality and performance, but you need to know more than this thing.
Let’s see below:
The waterproof capacity is not the best feature of it. You may be surprised with their balls which are harder, stronger, and lighter than others.
Moreover, thanks to the ceramic material, its lifespan is longer than the premium steel balls.
They feature a helpful removable rubber shield which takes less your effort on your end to clean and maintain them. Also, it creates less friction.
The manufacturer pre-lubricated these bearings with a speed racing lubricant, so you can roll all day without any problem.
Don’t forget that it is also a suitable choice for people who are looking for a product with a reasonable price tag and a warranty for more confidence.
You can easily purchase some better steel bearings on the market, obviously, with a higher price.
According to our own opinion, although you can buy bearings with better performance on the market, it’s hard to purchase them with a lower price like Bones Ceramic Super Reds.
10 Bronson Speed Co, Next Generation
Our last recommendation is Bronson Speed Co, Next Generation, which is packed in a single set composed of 8 bearings. 2 outstanding feature is speed and smoothness.
However, you can ultimately expect more in this product, ease of riding around the streets or across the park, for example.
The inside is covered by a non-contact rubber seal, so they keep themselves away from dust and dirt.
There is a nylon-precision cage to hold the balls which stay in place when bearings spin.
When it comes to protection, they have an ABEC rating of seven and an industry standard 608 size. Besides, the package has eight integrated washers, four shrink-wrapped spacers.
However, these things lead to a disadvantage that is you have to spend a lot of time breaking it in.
We think that it’s hard to find out a perfect product like Bronson Speed Co, Next Generation. Thus, if we have much time, this is our choice for sure.
Skateboard Bearings: Composition & Parts
There are 7 main composition and parts of a skateboard bearing including shield, ball cage, ball, outer ring, inner ring, shield, and C-ring:
Shield
The shield is on the side of the bearing.
Here’s the fact:
It’s a medium-sized ring, which plays a critical role in protecting the balls away from dirt. Typically, the best skate bearing must have a rubber seal or shield to last the lifespan longer.
Or it also can be a soft rubber ring in the outside of the bearing which has a responsibility for protecting the interior away from dirt and debris.
Ball Cage (Ball Retainer)
It is designed to separate the balls that means it can maintain the symmetrical radial spacing of each ball. But, its primary function is to keep all bearings together.
The manufacturer offers lubrication through the ball cage, which works as a reservoir for oils.
Balls
A bearing usually has a set of 6-7 ceramic or steel balls, which are set in the retainer or cage. They let the casing spin around smoothly.
Outer Ring
The outer ring is the round metal exterior. It fits all other components and parts.
Inner Ring
Compared to the outer ring, the inner ring is a smaller metal ring, fitting within the outer ring.
The inner ring is essential when you slide the wheel or set up bearing into the axles because it fits the axles through.
C-ring
C-ring is a thin ring, fitting into a groove on the outer part. It’s helpful locking the shields in the right places.
Understand ABEC Ratings
ABEC is Annular Bearing Engineering Committee which offers a rating for bearings, indicating their speed and performance.
People also use ABEC to determine the accuracy of ball bearings in addition to the standard industry.
Here’s the rule:
The higher the rating is, the more efficient and precise the ball is. If your product has a high rating that means the risk of errors is lower.
Let’s discover some of the ABEC ratings:
ABEC 1: this rating shows your bearing has the lowest accuracy level, so these types are usually cheap. The majority of bearing companies avoid producing these which have deficient quality. However, if you have a tight budget, you can still choose it for skateboarding. It runs slower than bearings with a higher rating.
ABEC 3: the price of these bearings is pretty reasonable. There is only a small problem that is they don’t roll smoother and faster than the higher-rated bearings.
ABEC 5: this level is the standard rating of all bearings. It provides an excellent performance as well as the speed at an affordable price.
ABEC 7: you get what you pay for. Its price is higher, but it features a good speed and smooth performance.
ABEC 9: Bearings with ABEC 9 works extremely fast, so it’s perfect for downhill skating. We highly recommend this thing for advanced skaters.
ABEC 11 and more: Many companies advertise their products with this rating, but the highest rating is usually 9.
There are other ways to rate bearings such as RBEC (Anti-Fascist Bearing Manufacturers Association), German National Standards Organization, and ISO (International Standards Organization). But, ABEC is the most popular rating.
Skateboard Bearing Materials
Below, we will list the most popular materials of skateboard bearing:
Steel
This material is the most popular one on the market. Because it is the industry standard in the skateboarding field, many people consider steel bearing is one of the best ones.
This type usually comes with a circular shape, flat sides, 7-8 lubricated balls which distribute the weight of the load as well as reduce tension between the wheel and axle.
The most significant benefits of steel bearings are durability and user-friendly budget.
Meanwhile, its drawback is that it can heat metal when the energy is triggered by heavy friction between axle and wheel, leading to bearings work less effective.
In case, you buy a steel bearing, you must try to keep it dry, clean and lubricated always.
Ceramic
Ceramic bearing is made from a compound with mainly, silicon nitride. Compared to steel, ceramic can offer a smoother ride.
There is decreased friction which doesn’t require too much lubricant.
Ceramic bearing isn’t influenced by heat energy which may put a negative impact on the skateboard’s overall performance. Because of the high performance, you may need to spend a lot of money to buy it.
Titanium
Although titanium isn’t as popular as other materials, it is still useful for skateboarding. It provides you with a smooth and light ride without sacrificing speed and durability.
Skateboard Bearing Options
Bearing Spacers
They mean the small metal cylinders fitted into the wheel between the bearings.
They play an important role in improving performance when they distribute the weight.
If your choice is right, you get smoother and more stable turns.
Speed Washers
Speed washers are the metal, and thin washers slipped over the axle. They are designed between the nut and bearing, and between the hanger and bearing.
The biggest function is to reduce friction for the speedier and faster turning of the wheels.
How To Remove Skateboard Bearings
If one day, your wheels are worn out, this part will be essential for you. You need to know how to remove them from your wheels to change new ones.
Now, let’s take a look at some easy steps below:
- Turn your board on one side as long as the axle is pointing upwards.
- Loosen the nut of the axle to get rid of the top speed ring.
- Take the wheel off the axle, but remember to reinsert it at an angle slightly to pry the bearing from the wheel core.
- Don’t put too much force because you may damage the bearing. Using a little muscle is enough.
How to Clean Your Skateboard Bearings
To extend the lifespan of your bearings, cleaning is a must. Proper cleaning helps you bring your old and worn bearings back to the fast and smooth-rolling bearings.
What You Need to Prepare
- Lubricant
- A container
- An appropriate cleaning solution (pure alcohol, a citrus-based cleaner, for example)
A step-by-step to Clean Your Skateboard Bearings
- Remove the rubber covers or shields carefully.
- Slide the bearings onto the bolt attached to the bottom of the container lid.
- Put the balls facing upwards and the cage sitting in downwards.
- Pour the cleaning solution into the container and reseal the lid.
- Shake in a while, then let the bearings soak to get rid of the grime.
- Remove the bearings from the bolt carefully and let them dry completely.
- After that, apply 2 drops of lubricant to each bearing.
- Place the shields back on and done.
The Last Word
Now, perhaps you know that bearings are the most valuable parts of a skateboard. They have the responsibility of keeping the wheels work smoothly, leading to a smooth ride.
Have you chosen the best skateboard bearings? Which product is your choice? Please let me know your mind by leaving a comment.
Also, don’t forget to share this review for other like-minded skateboarders.