We often get asked the question --- What's better, a balanced bat or end loaded bat? The answer is 100% subjective and will vary from player to player and bat to bat.
Balanced baseball bats offer hitters excellent control through the swing. As a result, they tend to be the preferred option for contact hitters, but all types of players use them. Because of that, JustBats has ranked the best balanced bats based on customer feedback, reviews, and popularity.
Before we get started, what exactly is a balanced bat? If a bat is balanced, the weight is evenly distributed from the end of the barrel all the way to the tip of the handle, which helps create faster bat speeds, exceptional control, and ultimately more power through your entire swing plane. This allows batters to maximize performance without sacrificing control at the plate. With that being said, here are the best balanced bats in the game today.
*Note: Images used throughout this article are all BBCOR bats, but the descriptions and the features apply to youth baseball bats.
Victus Vandal Gold
Players continue to fall in love with the Victus Vandal Gold. Built with a one-piece aluminum alloy design hitters can expect to see results straight from the wrapper.
Don't just take our word for it though, here's a review we received from Gavin Gilpen regarding the Vandal. "It is lightest bat in bbcor with a above average sized sweet spot and it still has amazing pop!"
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Beyond the lightweight swing design, the Vandal Gold delivers premium performance. It was selected as one of the best bats in 2023 by the Baseball Bat Bros. And a ringless barrel design enable top-levels of POP across the entire barrel. Other notable features of the Victus Vandal Gold include:
- Free shipping and a full (1) year warranty if purchased through JustBats!
- Ultra-Lightweight Swing Design for maximum control
- Carbon Composite End Cap to create a more balanced design throughout the entire bat profile
- Pro Taper Handle for better top-hand control and accelerated barrel speed
COMBAT B2
For years, the COMBAT name has been synonomous with balanced baseball bats. They deliver big composite barrels and lightning fast swing speeds. Most recently, COMBAT released a lineup of B2 Ultras that are exclusively sold by JustBats and players are loving the results:
"Love the way this bat feels. Right out of the box and was hitting bombs off the tee and in front toss. A balanced swing weight and huge composite barrel makes it feel much better than most new bats."
"This thing is hot out of the wrapper. It has a ton of pop and is loud. The 1-piece design will give you great exit velo and the surprisingly low level of sting on miss hits will have you taking full cuts with no fear. It’s almost as vibration free as a 2-piece. With a very balanced swing weight (32/29), you’ll love the feel of this bat."
Needless to say, we had to include the latest COMBAT B2s in our list of the best balanced baseball bats.
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- Free shipping and a full one (1) year warranty if purchased through JustBats!
- 20-40% larger hitting surface compared to competitor models.
- Seamless construction guarantees uniform strength with premier pop.
- ATB Composite Construction employs computer-controlled precision
- Hot out of the wrapper performance.
Louisville Slugger Solo
For the 2023 season, there isn't a better option than the Louisville Slugger Solo. With a lightweight swing weight score of 1.1, the Solo is the most balanced bat in the Louisville Slugger baseball lineup. This low score is thanks in large part due to the SPD end cap that reduces unnecessary weight towards the end of the barrel without sacrificing durability.
"This bat definitely has some better vibration handling from last years model, while still being super light, it is great for contact players and players who have a lot of power as this has some great pop to it."
Other key features of the Solo include:
- Free shipping and a full one (1) year warranty if purchased through JustBats.com!
- Anti-vibration handle construction helps eliminate sting in the hands on mis-hits.
- Custom Lizard Skin grip offers exceptional comfort and cosmetics.
- SL Hyper alloy construction delivers a traditional, stiff feel with maximum energy transfer on contact.
Marucci Cat 9
The Marucci Cat series is one of the most sought after bat lineups in the game today. Players love the combination of balanced swing weight and hot, aluminum alloy barrels. The sweet spot is bigger than most alloy bats and the anti-vibration knob technology creates a comfortable, confident swing for players of all ages.
"My son loves this bat. He's not a homerun hitter, more of a line drive hitter which turns into homers. Great pop and balance. Nice ping to it, lets you know when you hit sweet spot."
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Other Notable Features:
- Free shipping and a full one (1) year warranty if purchased through JustBats!
- AZR Alloy - Creates a more responsive microstructure that results in a better feel, more forgiveness & more performance.
- Multi-Variable Wall Design creates an expanded sweet spot and thinner barrel walls that are more forgiving after off-centered contact
- Ring-Free Barrel Construction allows for more barrel flex and increases performance with no dead spots
- Precision-Balanced Barrel results in a lower M.O.I. and balanced feel for precision and control
Easton ADV Hype
This baseball bat from Easton lives up to the... Hype. Ok, we couldn't help ourselves there but the sentiment is still correct.
The ADV Hype is one of the best composite baseball bats in 2023. This balanced bat now features a brand-new composite barrel, a new connection piece, and one of the best feelings on contact you'll ever experience. Hitters continues to turn to the ADV Hype when forced to choose their next bat. Take it from one of the reviews we recently received from a parent that purchased the ADV Hype for their son:
"My son is a contact/gap hitter so we were looking for a nice and balanced composite and this fit the bill. Extremely balanced and the ball seems to jump off the bat. He has used it over the last 2 months, so about 4 tournaments and multiple practices and its holding up fine."
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- Free shipping and a full one (1) year warranty if purchased through JustBats!
- New Thermo Composite Technology
- New Connexion Max - Creates a smoother feel on contact
- Pro-Stiff Carbon Handle - Adds stiff on contact to give hitters better leverage and more power
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What do you think? Have you had the chance to swing one of these balanced bats? Which one is your favorite? Did we leave one off that you feel should be on this list of the best balanced bats? Feel free to leave a comment below letting us know your thoughts to start the conversation. Or, if you have any baseball bat or softball bat-related questions, our Bat Experts are available via phone at 866-321-2287, email at experts@justbats.com, or you can click here to live chat. Don't forget, we're always here for you from click to hit!
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