Nero Ninja Silent Basketball Review & Best Alternatives for Silent Basketball Training

If you're looking for silent basketballs for a younger child, the Nero Ninja Silent Basketball is likely on your list. It's small, inexpensive and sold both on neroball.com and on Amazon, where it has picked up hundreds of ratings. But is a Size 3 foam ball the right tool for real indoor practice, or are there better options?

Key Takeaways

• The Nero Ninja Silent Basketball is a small airless polyurethane foam ball, listed as Size 3 (about 7 inches) and 3.68 oz on Nero's site.

• It was listed at $19.95 (mesh bag) or $24.95 (Ninja box) on neroball.com and $24.50 on Amazon when we checked.

• Amazon reviewers like that it's quiet and safe for young kids, but some say it's smaller than expected and durability feedback is mixed.

• Families who want full-size options or app-based training may prefer an alternative like QBounce.

Silent basketballs let kids dribble inside without the bang of a rubber ball, which makes them popular with parents in apartments and homes with small children.

Nero Ninja leans into that toddler and young-kid market. Its small size and light weight make it easy for little hands to control, and the brand sells a matching Ninja hoop.

In this review, we'll look at what the Nero Ninja ball is, what buyers like and dislike, how it performs, and the best alternatives, including how it compares to QBounce.

What Is the Nero Ninja Silent Basketball?

The Nero Ninja Silent Basketball is an airless foam ball made of polyurethane. Nero lists it as Size 3, about 7 inches across and 3.68 oz, and says it has the same bouncing reaction as a regular ball while staying quiet.

The brand markets it for homes, offices and gyms. On neroball.com it's sold in a mesh bag for $19.95 or in a Ninja box for $24.95, and Nero also sells a Ninja hoop for $37.95. On Amazon, the ball was listed at $24.50, and an Amazon listing also showed a Size 7 option.

Through Amazon, the listing mentions a one-year warranty and a 30-day refund window.

Pros: What People Like

Here's what Amazon reviewers and buyers tend to praise:

• Quiet play: Amazon's review summary says customers find it quiet.

• Good bounce for its size: Many reviewers say it bounces well.

• Safe for little kids: Parents like that it's soft and safe for young children.

• Strong ratings: One Amazon listing showed 4.4 out of 5 from 292 ratings when we checked, with 70% five-star.

• Low price: It's one of the more affordable branded silent balls.

Cons: Common Complaints

• Smaller than expected: Some reviewers say the ball is smaller than they pictured.

• Mixed durability: Amazon's summary shows mixed feedback on how long it lasts.

• Mixed value: Some buyers feel it's overpriced for what it is.

• Keep it dry: One reviewer warned that if it gets wet it can become lopsided.

• Not a real-ball feel: Independent reviewers note it doesn't bounce exactly like a regular basketball.

Feature Comparison Table

Is the Nero Ninja Silent Basketball Right for You?

If you have a toddler or young child who just wants to bounce a ball around the house, Nero Ninja is an easy, low-cost choice. Older kids working on real ball handling will likely outgrow a Size 3 ball fast.

Want to add shooting to the mix? A wall-mounted hoop lets kids practice their shot indoors without a full-size setup.

Customer Feedback Overview

Overall, buyer sentiment is positive for young kids. Most praise centers on how quiet and safe the ball is, while most complaints focus on size and how well it holds up over time.

A second Amazon listing showed 4.3 stars from over 1,000 ratings when we checked, which suggests a lot of families are happy with it as a kids' indoor ball.

What Amazon Reviewers Report

Amazon reviewers commonly mention that the ball is quiet, bounces well and is safe for young kids. The mixed reviews tend to say it's smaller than expected or that it wore out sooner than they hoped.

One reviewer's tip was simple: don't let it get wet, or it may get lopsided. An independent review site also noted that it's smaller than a standard ball and doesn't bounce like a regular basketball.

Performance & Quality Analysis

For little kids, the Nero Ninja ball performs well. It's light, easy to grip and quiet, so it's a good way to get young children comfortable bouncing and catching a ball.

For skill training, the small size is the limit. Dribbling a 7-inch ball is very different from handling a full-size ball, so older kids and teens won't get much carryover to the court.

Common Complaints & Issues

• Sizing surprise: Check the listing carefully, since the default is Size 3.

• Wear over time: Some buyers report it didn't last as long as expected.

• Moisture: Keep it away from water to avoid warping.

• Hard floors: For extra quiet and floor protection, use a basketball mat.

Who It's Best For

• Toddlers and young kids

• Parents who want a cheap, soft indoor ball

• Light play in small spaces

Who Should Avoid It

• Older kids, teens and adults working on real handles

• Players who want a full-size feel

• Anyone looking for structured, app-based training

Nero Ninja vs QBounce

Both are quiet foam balls, but they're built for different players. Here's how they compare based on each brand's listings:

Nero Ninja is a good starter toy for very young kids. QBounce covers more ages, including a Size 3 for toddlers, and adds app-based training as players grow.

Best Alternatives to Nero Ninja

If Nero Ninja isn't the right fit, consider these options:

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 Nero Ninja Silent Basketball is a solid, affordable ball for toddlers and young kids. It's quiet, soft and well-rated on Amazon. But its small default size and mixed durability feedback make it less useful for players who want to build real skills.

If you want a quiet ball that grows with your player, in sizes from toddler to adult with app-based training, QBounce is the alternative we'd suggest.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Is the Nero Ninja ball really quiet?

Amazon's review summary says customers find it quiet, and it's made from airless foam to reduce noise.

2. What size is the Nero Ninja Silent Basketball?

Nero lists it as Size 3, about 7 inches. An Amazon listing also showed a Size 7 option.

3. How much does it weigh?

Nero lists the Size 3 ball at 3.68 oz.

4. How much does it cost?

It was listed at $19.95 to $24.95 on neroball.com and $24.50 on Amazon when we checked.

5. Is it good for toddlers?

Yes. Parents often say it's soft and safe for young children.

6. Is it good for older kids?

It's small for older kids. A full-size or youth-size ball is a better fit for real handles.

7. Does it have a warranty?

The Amazon listing mentions a one-year warranty and a 30-day refund window.

8. Can it get wet?

It's best kept dry. One reviewer said it got lopsided after getting wet.

9. Does Nero sell a hoop?

Yes, the Ninja hoop was listed at $37.95 on neroball.com.

10. How does it compare to QBounce?

QBounce comes in Size 7, 6, 5 and 3, has a 30-day money-back guarantee and works with the QBounce AI Sports Arcade app.

11. Will it damage my floors?

Foam balls are gentle on floors. A mat can add extra protection.