Best Longboard Bearings in 2022

The best longboard bearings are the Zealous Bearings. However, there are plenty of other really great bearings for longboards out there. Some of our other favorites include Bones Reds, Bones Swiss, Bronson Speed Co, and so many more.

High-quality longboard bearings can transform how smoothly, swiftly, and quietly your longboard rides. Let’s take a look at the specs and features of all of the best longboard bearings in 2022.

10 Best Longboard Bearings of 2022

1. Zealous (Best Value)
2. Bones Swiss Ceramic (Top Pick)
3. Bones Reds (Fan Favorite)
4. Bronson Speed Co. G2
5. Bronson Speed Co. G3
6. Shake Junt Low Rider
7. Spitfire Cheapshots
8. Bones Big Balls
9. Yellow Jacket Premium
10. Fireball Supply

Zealous (Best Value)

Material: Steel

These Zealous longboard bearings are usually sold for around $15 USD. Which is a great price considering their quality.

The unique feature of our lubricant is how the nanoceramic compound fills in deformations or asperities in the bearing. These deformations cause friction and heat around them which hardens the nano-ceramic compound to that specific area.

Features:

• This micro coating is 5 times the hardness of the host alloy and has a molecular bond with the host metal, filling in all the asperities and eliminating friction over time.
• The coefficient of friction is the lowest in the field of Tribology at 0.003% creating a near-frictionless surface. Mainly because the nanoceramic compound eliminates all asperities.
• Extremely low water washout.
• Corrosion on the inside of the bearing is nearly eliminated.

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Bones Swiss Ceramic (Top Pick)

Material: Ceramic

Bones Swiss ceramics are in a class by themselves. If you want the best there is, this is it. The Cerbec ceramic balls are much lighter, harder, stronger, and longer lasting than the finest steel balls. Accelerate faster, Roll faster and farther, and resist dirt and moisture better.

Bones Swiss have high-speed nylon ball retainers which increase the strength and speed of the bearings.

Features:

• Cerbec ceramic balls are light, hard, and strong for a long-lasting performance
• Precision-grade Swiss design and manufacturing acclaimed for 25 years
• Nylon ball retainers and Bones Speed Cream lubricant for a sustained ride
• Skate Rated for better performance than any ABEC rated bearings; lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects

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Bones Reds (Fan Favorite)

Material: Steel

Bones Reds are quite possibly the best bang for your buck and some of the most popular bearings on the market. Not only are they inexpensive for professional-grade bearings but they’re reliable and trusted by every skater and skate shop. What’s even better, these bearings actually come with a skate tool.

Features:

• Comes with a skate tool.
• Spacers and washers included.
• Best bang for your buck.

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Bronson Speed Co. G2

Material: Ceramic

The Bronson Speed Co. G2’s are quiet bearings that do not use the traditional ABEC scale. There are seven ball bearings in each of these skateboard bearings. Honestly, these are some of the cheaper ceramic skateboard bearings. However, they still pack a punch and live up to their name.

The G2 bearings are some of the finest low-cost skateboard bearings on the market, with top-tier performance. It has a straight edge and frictionless shields that pop off to keep oil in and moisture out, while its line surface improves bearing lubrication and increases roll speed.

Features:

• Deep raceways for the ball bearings to roll in which helps reduce impact and damage
• Shields with a straight, frictionless edge
• High-performance ceramic oil (moisture, rust, and corrosion resistant)

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Bronson Speed Co. G3

Material: Ceramic

Bronson Speed Co. G3’s have all of the features of the G2’s and some. They’re super slick and really fast. Sure, they come at a higher price point but the additional features are totally worth the added cost.

Features:

• Micro groove raceway surfaces improve lubrication, spin, and speed
• Impact cage design keeps the ball bearings more precise which also allows for lubricants to circulate the bearing better

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Shake Junt Low Rider

Material: Steel

Shake Junt Low Rider bearings are some low-cost ABEC 3 skateboard bearings that will not break the bank but will not provide the best ride out there. However, they’re well worth the money. These are entry-level bearings that are suitable for every style of skateboarding.

Even though they are meant for beginners or those on a budget, Low Rider’s still provides a smooth and fast ride. Plus, they look super stylish!

Spitfire Cheapshots

Material: Steel

Spitfire Cheapshots bearings are another inexpensive option that is best suited for beginners and those trying to save money. These are rated ABEC 3 but still provide a quiet and speedy ride.

Cheapshots have been a trusted bearing since the ’90s and continue to produce a great ride. Even though they’re cheap and have a lower ABEC, their ratings and reviews are superb.

Bones Big Balls

Material: Steel

Bones Big Balls skateboard bearings have six 17 percent larger diameter balls, high-speed ball retainers, a detachable dust shield for easy cleaning, and are pre-lubed with Bones Speed Cream to make them go faster and last longer. The construction has several benefits that will appeal to street, park, pool, ramp, and downhill skaters who wish to skate faster.

Big Balls are engineered to roll faster and last longer by using larger ball bearings like the legendary Bones Super Swiss 6 bearings. The larger balls enable you to roll at a higher speed, with quicker acceleration and fewer turns, resulting in less wear and greater longevity.

Yellow Jacket Premium

Material: Steel

Yellow Jacket Premium skateboard bearings come in ABEC 9 and ABEC 11, varying slightly in price. However, you get to choose what color bearings you get from green, blue, orange, red, yellow, and white.

Yellow Jacket Bearings are durable, high performing, and most importantly easy on the wallet. The stainless steel roller cage is lubricated with high-speed race lube, ensuring that the bearings are operational right out of the package. Most race bearings are rather costly, yet Yellow Jacket Bearings deliver the race performance you desire for a fraction of the price

Fireball Supply

Material: Steel or Ceramic

Fireball Supply bearings are great because just like Reds, there is so much to choose from. They really have a bearing for every budget and skate type. Whether you want ceramic, steel, skateboard or longboard bearings, Fireball Supply has something that will be up your alley.

What To Look For In Longboard Bearings

Longboard bearings are circular metal pieces that reside inside the longboard wheels and cause them to spin. They’re manufactured from a variety of components with an average size of 8mm (core), 7mm (width), and 22mm (outer diameter) to ensure compatibility among all wheels and bearing types.

Speed, durability, load capacity, finish, lubrication, materials, and tolerance are just a few of the factors that distinguish good longboard bearings from poor ones. As a result, it’s vital to understand why some bearings might cost you more than you are prepared to spend when other sets may be cheap.

What Are Longboard Bearings Made Of?

Although it may appear that longboard bearings are tiny, they actually contain a lot of technical components. The following are the most common smaller components in longboard bearings:

• Ball bearings: Steel or ceramic ball set that sits in the ball retainer. They allow the bearing casing to spin around them since they are the most important components.
• Ball retainer: This component, often known as the Delrin crown, keeps each ball bearing in place while allowing the casing to rotate around it.
• Bearing shield: A small plastic ring that surrounds the bearings and prevents dirt and debris from entering.
• C-ring: A small ring that secures the shields in place by fitting around the outside of the bearings.
• Inner ring: A tiny metal ring that goes on the inside of the outer ring.
• Outer ring: The outer casing, holds all the other components.
• Rubber seal: A soft rubber ring placed on the exterior of the bearings that protects the interior of the bearings from dirt and other particles.

Longboard Bearing Materials

The material of your longboard bearings will ultimately determine the quality and performance of your ride. The three most popular materials used to construct longboard bearings are steel, ceramic, and titanium.

Steel Longboard Bearings

Steel bearings are the industry standard for their durability and cost-effectiveness. Steel bearings vary in quality from brand to brand, with steel, sealing, and interior ball bearings being the most important parts. The greater a set of longboard bearings is costly, the higher its quality, as they contain better sealing, higher-quality metals, and more inner ball bearings. When you come to an abrupt stop on your longboard, you’ll feel the difference between high-quality bearings and their lower-cost counterparts.

The one downfall to steel bearings is that they rust when exposed to moisture. The best way to avoid getting rust is to keep your bearings lubricated. If you’re not sure how you should learn how to lubricate bearings.

Ceramic Longboard Bearings

Ceramic longboard bearings are more durable and require less maintenance than steel bearings. They’re harder than steel, incredibly smooth, heat resistant, and produce little friction at higher speeds. Unlike steel bearings, they deform fewer times, do not rust when exposed to moisture, and do not need as much upkeep.

Titanium Longboard Bearings

Titanium bearings are lightweight, long-lasting, and highly resistant to oxidation. They function similarly to steel bearings, but due to the material’s strength and resistance to corrosion, they can last longer. It’s important to note that titanium bearings require lubrication in order to reduce friction.

What is the Longboard Bearing ABEC Scale?

The ABEC rating is a measurement used to evaluate the accuracy, tolerance, and physical limits of bearings. The tolerance of bearings determines how precisely the components fit together, with tighter fits leading to smoother and more efficient operations at higher speeds.

Bearings are often referred to as the “heart” of a skateboard, and there is a lot of information available on this topic. A higher ABEC rating does not necessarily indicate that longboard bearings move faster. An ABEC 9 bearing from one manufacturer may be lower than an identical ABEC 9 bearing from another.

The following are the most common ABEC grades:

• ABEC 1: The most basic, least precise, most durable, and crudest of all is wrought iron. The quality of steel used here isn’t particularly great.
• ABEC 3: These are often inexpensive, but they don’t roll very fast or smoothly.
• ABEC 5: Longboard bearings with this grade are recommended for most types of longboarding. These bearings typically provide enough speed at a reasonable price.
• ABEC 7: Quick, smooth, and pricey. It’s important to remember that if you skate too aggressively or hard, you’ll risk unintentionally damaging them.
• ABEC 9 and above: These are the fastest grade of bearings. However, that also means that they’re the most expensive.

Conclusion

Now that you know all about longboard bearings, it’s time to choose the right ones for your board. Consider the type of riding you’ll be doing, your budget, and your personal preferences to make the best decision.

No matter what kind of longboard bearings you choose, be sure to take care of them. Regular cleaning and lubrication will help extend their lifespan so you can enjoy a smooth ride for years to come.