Silent Ball Academy Review & Best Alternatives for Silent Basketball Training

If you've been researching silent basketballs, you may have come across SilentBall Academy, often searched as Silent Ball Academy. The Lithuania-based brand sells a foam ball as part of a full home training system, with a floor mat, grip socks and a coach app. But how does the ball perform, what do buyers say, and are there better options for quiet indoor practice?

Key Takeaways

• SilentBall Academy's SilentBall is a 100% polyurethane foam ball in Size 7 (24 cm, 320 g) and Size 5 (21 cm, 230 g), listed at €39 on the brand's site when we checked.

• Its Training Kit bundles the ball with a training mat, grip socks and lifetime access to the SilentBall Coach app, with no subscription.

• Trustpilot showed 4.0 from 87 reviews when we checked: many like the app and training, but some report durability problems, customs fees and slow support.

• The brand itself says the ball's lifespan is around 3 to 6 months, so players who want app-based training with US pricing and four sizes may prefer QBounce.

Silent basketballs have taken off with families who want kids practicing at home without the noise. Some brands sell just a ball, while others sell a full system.

SilentBall Academy is firmly in the system camp. The brand pitches its kit as a complete home training setup, with drills designed by a professional basketball player.

In this review, we'll cover what SilentBall Academy is, what buyers like and dislike, how it performs, and the best alternatives, including how it compares to QBounce.

What Is SilentBall Academy?

SilentBall Academy is a training brand built around the SilentBall, a silent basketball made of 100% high-density polyurethane foam. The brand says the foam has microscopic air pockets that compress on impact, letting the ball bounce like a basketball while absorbing most of the sound.

The ball comes in Size 7 (24 cm, 320 g) and Size 5 (21 cm, 230 g). It's designed in Lithuania and manufactured in China. The brand claims a bounce of up to about 90% of a standard ball, noting that results vary by surface, and says it works on tile, wood, carpet and concrete.

Beyond the ball, SilentBall Academy sells a Training Kit that adds a training mat, grip socks and lifetime access to the SilentBall Coach app, which it says includes 100+ dribbling drills. The kit was listed at sale prices of €159 to €199 depending on the page and bundle when we checked, and the brand advertises a 30-day money-back guarantee on the kit.

Pros: What People Like

• Complete system: Reviewers like having a ball, mat and app that work together.

• No app subscription: Kit buyers get lifetime app access with no extra payments, according to the brand.

• Quiet practice: On-site reviews praise how quiet it is for early-morning or late-night training.

• Two real sizes: Size 7 and Size 5 cover teens, adults and older kids.

• Structured drills: Trustpilot reviewers often mention the app being easy to use and helpful for skill improvement.

Cons: Common Complaints

• Short lifespan: The brand's own FAQ says the ball lasts around 3 to 6 months depending on use and floor type.

• Durability reports: One Trustpilot reviewer said their ball started falling apart after three weeks.

• Customs fees: A reviewer outside the EU said they paid customs fees they didn't expect.

• Support response: Some reviewers say support was slow or didn't reply.

• Lighter than a real ball: The brand notes it doesn't fully replicate the weight of a standard basketball.

• Stock: The ball showed as backordered on the brand's site when we checked.

Feature Comparison Table

Is SilentBall Academy Right for You?

It can be a good fit for families in Europe who want an all-in-one kit with a one-time app purchase. Shipping from the brand's EU warehouse is listed at 2 to 4 days. US buyers should factor in euro pricing, possible customs fees and the brand's stated replacement cycle.

Want to add shooting to your setup? A wall-mounted hoop makes indoor shooting practice easy.

Customer Feedback Overview

The ball's product page showed 34 on-site reviews when we checked, with 91% five-star. On Trustpilot, the brand showed a 4.0 rating from 87 reviews, with 66% five-star and 19% one-star.

That split tells the story. Many buyers love the training system and app, while a meaningful share report problems with ball quality, delivery costs or customer service.

What Trustpilot Reviewers Report

Positive Trustpilot reviews focus on the app and training. Reviewers say it's easy to use, helps kids at different levels and keeps practice engaging.

Negative reviews are pointed. One reviewer said the ball started falling apart after three weeks and compared it to cheap marketplace balls. Another said the training mat slipped during drills, that they paid customs fees they hadn't expected and that support was slow. Trustpilot showed the brand had replied to 57% of negative reviews.

Performance & Quality Analysis

For quiet dribbling, SilentBall gets good marks from its fans. On-site reviewers mention training every evening without disturbing anyone and say it doesn't mark floors.

Durability is the bigger question. The brand openly recommends replacing the ball every 3 to 6 months, which adds to the long-term cost, and some Trustpilot reviewers say theirs wore out even sooner.

Common Complaints & Issues

• Ball wear: Plan on replacing it, per the brand's own guidance.

• International costs: Buyers outside the EU may face customs fees.

• Mat grip: One reviewer said the mat slipped. If you use a mat, make sure it stays put, like a non-slip basketball mat.

• Customer service: Response times vary, according to reviewers.

Who It's Best For

• European families who want an all-in-one kit

• Players who want lifetime app access without a subscription

• Teens and older kids using Size 7 or Size 5

Who Should Avoid It

• US shoppers who want local pricing and no customs risk

• Families with toddlers or younger kids who need smaller sizes

• Anyone who doesn't want to replace a ball every few months

SilentBall Academy vs QBounce

Both brands pair a quiet foam ball with app-based training, so this is a close comparison. Here's how they stack up based on each brand's listings:

SilentBall Academy is a well-thought-out system for European buyers. QBounce offers more sizes, including youth and toddler, a larger drill library with AI form tracking, and US pricing.

Best Alternatives to SilentBall Academy

If SilentBall Academy isn't the right fit, consider these alternatives:

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.

DribbleUp Smart Basketball

If you're after a more structured training system, DribbleUp pairs its balls with an app that tracks the ball through your phone or tablet camera and runs guided classes. Its original Smart Basketball isn't a foam ball, but the brand now also sells a foam Silent Smart Basketball. Just note that the full class library requires a separate monthly membership.

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.

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

SilentBall Academy offers a thoughtful home training system, and its one-time app access is a real plus. But euro pricing, a ball the brand itself says lasts 3 to 6 months, and mixed reviews on durability and support are worth weighing.

If you want a quiet ball in sizes for the whole family, paired with the QBounce AI Sports Arcade app and a 30-day money-back guarantee, QBounce is the alternative we'd recommend.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is SilentBall Academy?

It's a Lithuania-based brand that sells the SilentBall silent basketball and a home training kit with a mat, grip socks and a coach app.

2. Is Silent Ball Academy the same as SilentBall Academy?

Yes. The brand writes its name as SilentBall Academy, but many people search for it as Silent Ball Academy.

3. What is the SilentBall made of?

100% high-density polyurethane foam.

4. What sizes does it come in?

Size 7 (24 cm, 320 g) and Size 5 (21 cm, 230 g).

5. How much does it cost?

The ball was listed at €39 on the brand's site when we checked, and the Training Kit at sale prices of €159 to €199 depending on the bundle.

6. Does the app need a subscription?

According to the brand, Training Kit buyers get lifetime app access with no subscription.

7. How long does the ball last?

The brand says around 3 to 6 months, depending on usage and floor type.

8. Where does it ship from?

The brand lists an EU warehouse with 2 to 4 day delivery.

9. Will I pay customs fees?

Possibly, if you're outside the EU. One reviewer reported unexpected customs fees.

10. Is there a money-back guarantee?

The brand advertises a 30-day money-back guarantee on its Training Kit.

11. How does it compare to QBounce?

QBounce comes in Size 7, 6, 5 and 3, works with the QBounce AI Sports Arcade app's 200+ drills and AI form tracking, and has a 30-day money-back guarantee.

12. Can I practice shooting with a silent basketball?

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