In The Lab Silent Basketball Review & Best Alternatives for Silent Basketball Training

If you're shopping for silent basketballs, In The Lab's Silent Basketball is one of the names you'll see a lot. It's sold alongside a free video training program from trainer Devin Williams, and the brand pitches it as a soft, quiet ball for dribbling at home. But how does it hold up once you actually start practicing with it, and are there better options for quiet indoor training?

Key Takeaways

• In The Lab's Silent Basketball is a polyurethane foam ball sold in one standard men's size, listed at $44.99 on sale ($49.99 regular) when we checked.

• Owners say it's quiet enough for indoor dribbling, but it isn't completely silent and you have to dribble harder than with a real ball.

• The brand's FAQ says it offers no refunds and no warranty, and recent reviews mention slow shipping and slow support.

• If you want a quiet ball with more size options, a money-back guarantee and app-based training, QBounce is a strong alternative.

Silent basketballs have become a go-to for players who want to work on their handles at home without the thud of a rubber ball. Apartments, late-night practice and sleeping siblings all make a regular basketball a hard sell indoors.

In The Lab built its name on basketball training content, so its Silent Basketball comes bundled with a free program of 100+ drill videos. That's a big part of the appeal, especially for players who want structure and not just a ball.

In this review, we'll break down what the In The Lab Silent Basketball is, what owners like and dislike, how it performs, and which alternatives are worth a look, including how it stacks up against QBounce.

What Is the In The Lab Silent Basketball?

The In The Lab Silent Basketball (the brand calls the current version 4.0) is a foam training ball made from polyurethane. It comes in one standard men's size and weighs roughly 315 to 325 grams, which is about half the weight of a regulation basketball.

The brand describes it as soft and quiet with an improved bounce, and says it's designed for indoor ball handling. Every purchase includes free access to a training program of 100+ videos led by Devin Williams, delivered by email after you order.

Unlike some competitors, In The Lab doesn't sell youth or toddler sizes, and its FAQ states that all sales are final, with no refunds and no warranty on the ball.

Pros: What People Like

Here's what owners and reviewers tend to like about the In The Lab Silent Basketball:

• Quiet enough for indoor use: Most owners say it's much quieter than a regular ball, especially on carpet.

• Consistent bounce on common floors: One Reddit user who owned it said the bounce was pretty good and consistent on both wood and carpet.

• Free training program: The 100+ video program gives players a plan instead of just a ball.

• Soft on homes: The foam build is less likely to damage walls, furniture or floors than rubber.

Cons: Common Complaints

Like most foam balls, the In The Lab Silent Basketball has trade-offs:

• Not completely silent: Owners say it's quieter, not silent. Hard floors still produce some sound.

• Takes more effort to dribble: A common Reddit comment is that it doesn't bounce like a real basketball, so you have to put more power into each dribble.

• Lighter than a real ball: At around 315 to 325 grams, it feels noticeably lighter than a regulation ball.

• No refunds or warranty: The brand's FAQ says sales are final, so there's little recourse if it doesn't work out.

• Shipping and support complaints: Several recent reviewers mention long waits and slow replies.

Feature Comparison Table

Is the In The Lab Silent Basketball Right for You?

It can be a good fit if you're an older player who wants a quiet ball plus a ready-made drill program, and you're comfortable with a final-sale purchase. It's less ideal for younger kids, since there's only one adult size.

If you also want to practice shooting indoors, pair any silent ball with a wall-mounted hoop so you can work on your form without leaving the house.

Customer Feedback Overview

Feedback on the ball itself is fairly mixed but leans positive on noise. Owners like that it lets them get reps indoors, and the free program is often mentioned as a bonus.

Feedback on the buying experience is weaker. On Trustpilot, In The Lab's page showed a 2.2 rating from 10 reviews when we checked, with reviewers describing orders that took weeks to arrive, emails that went unanswered and no option to return.

What Reddit Users Report

On Reddit, players who've tried the ball say it's useful for quiet practice but not a 1:1 match for a real basketball. One owner said it isn't completely silent but carpet gets it close, and another summed it up as not absolutely silent, but it does the job.

Other users say you have to dribble harder to get it back up. One commenter in December 2025 said their late-November order hadn't shipped, that they were told the ball was oversold, and that they were offered a $25 credit.

Performance & Quality Analysis

For stationary dribbling and basic handles, the In The Lab ball does what it's meant to do. The foam absorbs most of the impact sound, and the bounce is steady enough on wood and carpet for ball-control drills.

The trade-off is feel. Because it's light and the foam soaks up energy, you have to push the ball harder than you would a real basketball. That's fine for warm-ups and home reps, but it won't feel exactly like game ball handling.

Common Complaints & Issues

• Shipping delays: Some buyers report orders taking weeks or longer to arrive.

• Support response: Reviewers mention slow or no email replies.

• Final-sale policy: No refunds and no warranty means you're stuck if the ball wears out early.

• Floor noise: Hard floors are louder. A basketball mat can help reduce sound and protect your floors.

Who It's Best For

• Teens and adults who want one standard-size quiet ball

• Players who want a free video drill program with their purchase

• Apartment dwellers doing light home dribbling

Who Should Avoid It

• Families shopping for younger kids who need a smaller size

• Buyers who want a money-back guarantee or warranty

• Anyone who needs the ball quickly

In The Lab vs QBounce

Both are polyurethane foam silent basketballs built for indoor dribbling, but they differ on sizes, policy and training. Here's a side-by-side look based on each brand's own listings:

If you only need one adult ball and like Devin Williams' content, In The Lab can work. If you want sizes for the whole family, a guarantee and app-based progress tracking, QBounce is the more flexible pick.

Best Alternatives to In The Lab

If In The Lab's Silent Basketball doesn't sound like the right fit, these are worth considering:

QBounce Silent Basketball

If you want something quiet that still feels close to the real thing, QBounce is a strong pick and, for many players, the best silent basketball. Its foam ball bounces at about 85 to 90% of a regular basketball while staying about 70% quieter than rubber, and it comes in Size 7, 6, 5 and 3, so there's a fit for kids and adults. It's backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee.

It also works with the QBounce AI Sports Arcade app, which offers 200+ drills from Beginner to Master, AI form tracking, and streaks, XP and leaderboards that keep players motivated. Not sure which size to choose? See our silent basketball size guide.

Wawawewa Silent Basketball

Wawawewa is a popular lower-cost foam ball that many families pick for beginners, kids and casual indoor play. We break down its bounce, noise and durability in our Wawawewa silent basketball review.

Dribble Dream

Dribble Dream is another foam ball built for quiet indoor dribbling. Our Dribble Dream review covers what customers like, the common complaints and who it suits best.

Want more options?
See our silent basketball comparison, where we compare foam training balls by bounce, noise, grip and value - all with indoor practice in mind.

Final Verdict

The In The Lab Silent Basketball is a reasonable quiet ball for older players, and the free video program adds real value. But one size, a lighter feel, a no-refund policy and mixed shipping feedback hold it back.

If you want a quiet ball in the right size for every player in the house, with a money-back guarantee and an app that tracks progress, QBounce is the alternative we'd recommend.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Is the In The Lab Silent Basketball really silent?

Not completely. Owners say it's much quieter than a regular ball, especially on carpet, but hard floors still make some sound.

2. What is the In The Lab Silent Basketball made of?

It's made of polyurethane foam.

3. How much does it weigh?

The brand lists it at roughly 315 to 325 grams, about half the weight of a regulation basketball.

4. What sizes does it come in?

It comes in one standard men's size.

5. How much does it cost?

It was listed at $44.99 on sale and $49.99 regular when we checked. Prices can change.

6. Does it come with training?

Yes. Purchases include free access to a 100+ video program led by Devin Williams.

7. Does it bounce like a real basketball?

Not exactly. Owners say you have to dribble harder to get the same bounce.

8. Can I return it?

According to the brand's FAQ, all sales are final with no refunds and no warranty.

9. Is it good for kids?

It can work for older kids, but there's no youth or toddler size.

10. How does it compare to QBounce?

QBounce offers four sizes, a 30-day money-back guarantee and the QBounce AI Sports Arcade app with 200+ drills and AI form tracking.

11. Can I practice shooting with a silent basketball?

Yes. Pair it with a wall-mounted hoop for quiet indoor shooting practice.

12. Will a silent basketball damage my floors?

Foam balls are much gentler than rubber. A mat adds extra protection and reduces noise further.