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When it comes to upgrading your ride, skateboard bearings are a key component that directly impact speed, smoothness, and control. These small circular parts fit inside your wheels and determine how freely they spin. Whether you’re cruising, bombing hills, or hitting the skatepark, having the best bearings for skateboards can make a world of difference. In this 2025 guide, we’ve tested and compared top-rated bearings to help you find the right match based on quality, durability, and real-world performance.
Best for : Advanced/Pro
Bearing precision: Abec 6/ Swiss
Best for : Beginner/Intermediate
Bearing precision: Abec 5
Best for : Intermediate/Advanced
Bearing precision: Abec 9
Quick Specs: Ceramic balls, Swiss precision, 9-ball design, lifetime warranty
These ceramic bearings are a go-to for pro riders who demand speed with minimal maintenance. They’re lighter, harder, and more durable than steel, offering lower friction and higher precision. Compared to the standard Bones Swiss, these offer better resistance to moisture and dirt—ideal if you skate in variable conditions. The 9-ball construction improves load distribution, reducing wobble during high-impact tricks. Includes spacers, speed cream, and a sticker pack.
Best For: Competitive skaters and all-weather riders
Quick Specs: 6 large steel balls, ABEC 6 precision, removable shield
These are unique because of the 6-ball setup instead of the standard 7, which allows them to handle more load and roll faster. Ideal for riders who value acceleration and longevity. With nylon ball retainers and Swiss manufacturing, these bearings are durable and engineered for smooth landings. Great for bowls and ramps.
Best For: Transition skaters, speed enthusiasts
Quick Specs: Ceramic balls, steel races, single shield design
Ceramic Super Reds are a more affordable version of the Bones Swiss Ceramic but still offer noticeable improvements over traditional steel bearings. They’re lighter and don’t corrode easily, making them great for humid climates. The ceramic material drastically reduces friction, meaning you’ll push less and coast more.
Best For: Intermediate skaters upgrading from steel
Quick Specs: Deep groove raceways, high-speed oil, straight edge shields
These bearings are designed with deep grooves to protect against side impacts—a common problem in park skating. They’re micro-polished and factory-lubed with high-speed oil. What makes them different is their frictionless shieldless design and audible speed tech that’s built to spin longer with less drag.
Best For: Street and park skaters looking for high-quality bearings also benefit from these options.
Quick Specs: Swiss precision, chromium steel, speed cream lubricant
One of the longest-lasting products on the market, these bearings are known for their 25-year track record. The construction uses chromium steel, nylon ball retainers, and a removable shield for easy maintenance. These are ideal for skaters who want the feel of pro-grade bearings but aren’t necessarily interested in ceramics, as they can go with Bones for a reliable option.
Best For: Serious skaters who prefer steel
Quick Specs: High-grade steel, polished finish, pre-lubricated
A step above the regular Reds, Super Reds are made with better materials and a higher finish quality. They’re pre-lubed with Bones Speed Cream, making them great straight out of the box. Although not ceramic, they perform nearly as well for a fraction of the cost.
Best For: Beginners to intermediate skaters
Quick Specs: Lightweight design, pre-lubricated, 0.71 ounces
Designed for cruising and light tricks, Spitfire Burners are among the lightest bearings on this list. The low-friction build and pre-lubricated setup make them ideal for casual use. While they lack the durability of premium models, they’re perfect for riders who prioritize ease of maintenance and simple setup.
Best For: Casual riders and commuters
Quick Specs: Chrome finish, 16-pack, low viscosity lube
These bearings come in a stylish black chrome finish and are built with speed in mind. With 16 pieces per pack, they’re great for skaters who rotate wheels often or run dual setups. Pre-lubricated with Bones Speed Cream, they offer solid spin quality and are reliable for street skating.
Best For: Street skaters, multi-board users
Quick Specs: Steel balls, removable rubber shield, budget-friendly
A staple in the skate world, Bones Reds offer the best mix of performance and price. This combo pack adds spacers and washers, giving you a full setup solution. While not the fastest bearings on the list, they’re reliable and easy to clean—ideal for beginners and everyday riders.
Best For: Beginners or those on a budget
Quick Specs: German precision, high-grade steel, color-coded shields
These bearings are manufactured using German techniques and emphasize quality and precision. They’re sealed and color-coded for easy identification, with a built-in money-back guarantee. Durable enough for both street and transition use, but require careful cleaning to maintain performance.
Best For: Intermediate skaters, brand-conscious buyers
Quick Specs: ABEC 7 rating, high-performance steel, blue shields
RADECKAL offers a strong budget option with a surprising level of speed and smoothness. Rated ABEC 7, these bearings are pre-lubed for immediate performance. The blue colorway adds style, while the build suits street and beginner skaters.
Best For: New skaters or casual users
Quick Specs: Shieldless design, micro-polished races, nitrogen packaging
The Raw series is all about speed and friction reduction. These shieldless bearings are built for minimal drag and maximum spin time. Nitrogen-filled packaging keeps the oil fresh, while the audible spin tech ensures you’re always rolling clean.
Best For: Advanced skaters and performance junkies
Choosing the right bearing isn’t just about the ABEC rating. Here’s what actually matters:
Pro Tip: If you’re skating in wet conditions or commuting long distances, ceramic or waterproof bearings (like Bones Ceramic or Bronson Raw) are worth the investment, as they are among the famous skateboard bearings.
The majority of skateboard bearings are made of steel. There is a variation in the general strength of the bearing material, the binding, and the inside ball bearings, from manufacturer to manufacturer. An oft-repeated rule of thumb is that the more expensive the skateboard bearings, the better the output. Cheap skateboard bearings use inexpensive materials; more durable ones have greater sealing, more inner ball bearings, and higher-quality bearings. More vulnerable to rust and gravel causes you to make a screeching orie sound as you stop suddenly on your skateboard. It’s still a smart idea to invest in those higher-quality bearings.
The new generation of ceramic bearings have less friction, are super-smooth, and won’t stretch at all, which means skaters no longer need a special lubricant to use. They are marginally more expensive metal than ordinary bearings, but need less upkeep. There has been a lot of discussion in the skateboarding about ceramic bearings, and whether or not they are stronger. In normal applications, the prices for Roller Racing normal-bearing axles range between $70 and $100, but most of the time they start at about $15.
Bearing spacers are small metal tubes that fit into a skateboard wheel between the bearings. Their aim is to reduce the weight allocated to each bearing, which will make your turns smoother and more stable and also prolong the life of your bearings. Bearing spacers are entirely optional; long boarders and novice skaters certainly won’t place enough weight on their boards to ever need them, but they are probably a smart investment if you want to slip, perform a bunch of tricks, and just skate hard. Bearing spacers are usually cheap, and can be constructed from steel, aluminium, or other forms of metal.
There is a specialised component that keeps the hanger in place that is known as a speed washer. Although their roles are distinct, both share the same objective: to reduce the pressure on the wheel in order to make it spin faster. They act as a buffer between the crankshaft and the main shaft to prevent them from injury.
ABEC 9 bearings are precise, but top speed depends more on build quality than just the rating. High-quality skateboard bearings like Bones Swiss Ceramics or Bronson G3 Bearings often outperform cheaper ABEC 9s.
The best skateboard bearings on the market include Bones Swiss Bearings, Super Swiss Six, Zealous Bearings, and Swiss Ceramics. Each offers top-tier speed, durability, and smooth performance.
Ceramic models like Bones Swiss Ceramics are the smoothest due to their low-friction material. These professional-grade bearings reduce drag and stay cleaner longer than steel.
For street skaters doing tricks, Bronson G3 Bearings, Bones Super Reds, and Swiss Six Bearings offer strength, quick response, and impact resistance.
Cruisers should go with Zealous Bearings, Spitfire Burners, or Bones Reds. These provide a stable, quiet, and long-lasting roll without needing frequent maintenance, making them some of the best bearings for your skateboard.
Brands like Bones Bearings, Bronson Speed Co, and Zealous dominate the scene. Bones, especially, has a wide bearing range trusted by pros worldwide.
Yes, bearing spacers reduce stress on the bearings, improving alignment and prolonging life. They’re especially helpful if you skate hard or do downhill runs.
To clean bearings, remove shields, soak in a non-corrosive cleaner, dry completely, and re-lubricate. A clean bearing ensures higher speed and better performance.
The main drawback is maintenance—bearings will make noise and slow down when dirty. Also, low-quality bearings instead of ceramics can rust or deform faster.
Think about your riding style. For top speed, go with Swiss Ceramics or Titanium Bearings. For beginners, Bones Reds are a best-selling bearing that balances price and performance. Always check how the bearings are made and what materials are used.
Skateboard bearings might be small, but they pack a punch when it comes to performance. Whether you’re after the fastest skateboard bearings or just need something durable for casual cruising, there’s a pair here for every budget and style. From high-precision ceramic options to reliable steel models, our 2025 list brings you the best skate bearings to upgrade your ride today. For tricks, go with Bronson or Super Reds. For cruising, consider Spitfire or Rollerbones. For top-tier performance, nothing beats Bones Swiss Ceramic.
Choose smart, skate hard.
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