The 10 Best Baseball Bat Of 2024, Tested By Our Experts

Jonathan Wilson By, Jonathan Wilson
Updated
Rawlings Raptor USA Baseball Bat
Image credit: Amazon.com

The Rundown

1. Best Overall: Rawlings Raptor USA Baseball Bat

"The Rawlings Raptor is a perfect balance of performance and control. This bat is designed with an improved grip and vibration reduction created from the high-tack grip at the endcap, which allows for a great feel on the ball." Read Review

2. Best Bang For The Buck: Easton ADV Tee Ball Bat

"Easton is devoted to creating equipment designed for the player who wants to give their best effort. Easton's Advanced design is intended to provide a lighter swing with more power, making it perfect for young players looking for a light swinging bat." Read Review

3. Best Compatible: DeMarini 2022 The Goods -3 BBCOR Baseball Bat

"Step up to the DeMarini 2022 and experience the power of a single bat in your hands. Direct Connection: Creates a stiffer feel to deliver even greater power output, while Tremor End Cap: Redesigned with stronger materials to maintain barrel integrity and optimize power." Read Review

4. Best Design: Louisville Slugger 2022 Meta USSSA Youth Baseball Bat

"A bat that provides the perfect combination of speed and power for youth players at an affordable price. This Louisville Slugger bat features a premium GT1-encapsulated cap that maximizes the length and swing speed, providing faster hitting. The balanced swing also gives players of all levels the ultimate combination of power and speed." Read Review

The bats you use have a huge impact on your game. A properly-laid-out batting cage is always the best place to test a bat, but if you don’t have access to one, then renting one from a local batting center can be helpful. A good bat can make all the difference for your skills, and with so many different styles of bats available these days it can be hard to know which one is best for your game.

However, there are some things to keep in mind when choosing the right baseball bat so that you end up with the right option for your needs instead of settling on something that’s suboptimal. The information below will cover everything you need to know about what type of players tend to prefer which types of bats and how they impact play.

You can count on our team of experts who have spent over 18 hours conducting results through 2,943 real customer reviews. Because of this, We came to the conclusion that the best baseball bat is Rawlings Raptor USA Baseball Bat. And Easton ADV Tee Ball Bat is another choice for you while keeping the product's quality and functionality.

Compare

TOP Choice #1 Rawlings Raptor USA Baseball Bat
Our Score:
9.7
Rawlings

IMPROVED CONTROL AND VIBRATION REDUCTION created from the Raptor's high-tack grip and lightweight endcap

IDEAL FOR AGES 10 AND UNDER, the Raptor USA Youth Baseball Bat provides an evenly balanced lightweight design creating faster swing speeds

DURABLE LIGHT-WEIGHT ALLOY DESIGN the Raptor delivers consistent performace all season long

CERTIFICATION: Approved for use in all USA Baseball sanctioned leagues and events

X-TENDED SWEETSPOT TECHNOLOGY creates improved plate coverage by extending the single piece aluminum 2 1/4 in. barrel

TOP Choice #2 Easton ADV Tee Ball Bat
Our Score:
9.6
Easton

ONE-PIECE COMPOSITE DESIGN with rolled end for a light and balanced swinging bat

ENGINEERED WITH HYPERLITE COMPOSITE, Easton’s lightest composite material, for an extremely balanced swing weight

CERTIFICATION: USA Baseball approved for use in all T-Ball leagues

PERFECT FOR YOUNG PLAYERS looking for a light swinging bat to generate more contact and power

THE EASTON ADV TEE BALL BAT is ideal for players 8 and under

TOP Choice #3 DeMarini 2022 The Goods -3 BBCOR Baseball Bat
Our Score:
9.5
DeMarini

Tremor End Cap: Redesigned with stronger materials to maintain barrel integrity and optimize power.

X14 Alloy Barrel: A massive alloy barrel designed specifically for elite power hitters

Direct Connection: Creates a stiffer feel to deliver even greater power output

DeMarini 2022 The Goods Half N Half (-3) BBCOR Baseball Bat - 32"/29oz

Half + Half Construction: A continuation of DeMarini's innovative technology, this stick features a stiff composite handle and massive alloy barrel for a stiff and powerful swing

Premium GT1 enc cap maximizes barrel length and swing speed.

Premium LS Pro Comfort Grip for the perfect mix of tack and cushion.

Balanced swing for the ultimate combination of speed and power.

EKO Composite Barrel – engineered to the pinnacle of performance; light-swinging, large barrel profile and optimized sweet spot.

Three-piece design featuring VCX2 Vibration Control Connection System, a patented elastomeric connection that allows independent movement between the barrel and the handle to control vibration and provide unmatched feel on contact.

DESIGNED FOR EXCELLENCE for the HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE ATHLETE. Crafted for ultimate power and end-loaded feel, the TWO PIECE CAT9 CONNECT combines a CARBON COMPOSITE HANDLE with the strengthened, thermally treated AZR ALLOY BARREL. Our one-of-a-kind OUTER LOCKING SYSTEM creates the stiffest connection available, while dismissing virtually all vibrations on contact for your STRONGEST, SMOOTHEST SWING YET

OUR USSSA 1.15 BPF CERTIFIED BASEBALL BATS utilize a three-stage thermal treatment process, our new AZR ALLOY offers a more responsive microstructure for better feel, more forgiveness and more performance while maintaining the same strength as its predecessor

TWO-PIECE HYBRID design combines a CARBON COMPOSITE handle with the AZR ALLOY BARREL designed for power. One-of-a-kind, OLS, Outer-Locking System, attaches the AZR alloy barrel to the composite handle from the outside in, creating the stiffest connection available, while dismissing virtually all vibrations on contact for the STRONGEST, SMOOTHEST SWING YET

PROFESSIONALLY INSPIRED HANDLE features a removable taper and an ERGONOMIC KNOB SHAPE for more top-hand CONTROL AND COMFORT. SOFT-TOUCH GRIP is micro-perforated with extra tack improves feel and control

ALUMINUM BASEBALL BAT with multi-variable wall design creates an EXPANDED SWEET SPOT and thinner barrel walls that are more forgiving after off-centered contact. Our RING-FREE BARREL construction allows for more barrel flex and increases performance with NO “DEAD” SPOTS

Tremor End Cap: Redesigned with stronger materials to maintain barrel integrity and optimize power.

One-Piece Construction: Allows for maximum stiffness, ultimate bat speed, and a feeling similar to wood bats

X14 Alloy Barrel: A massive alloy barrel designed specifically for elite power hitters.

EKO Composite Barrel helps deliver the mix of performance and feel that elite hitters crave – along with an expanded sweet spot and barrel profile.

Balanced swing weight, making the Meta perfect for all types of players.

Meets BBCOR standard

Three-piece design focused around the 3FX Connection System gives players a ‘stiff’ feel, while also dramatically reducing vibration on mis-hits.

Paraflex Plus Composite Barrel: Engineered for consistent responsiveness and a huge sweet spot

ReAction End Cap: Built with a blend of stronger and lighter materials, this end cap increases barrel performance without sacrificing swing speed

3Fusion Connection: The streamlined design allows for greater weight control and feel while continuing to reduce vibration and redirect energy back into the barrel

Two-Piece Composite Construction: Designed for improved weight distribution that allows for great balance, bat speed and barrel control

9 DeMarini 2022 Zoa -3 BBCOR Baseball Bat
Our Score:
8.8
DeMarini

Continuous Fiber Barrel Wall Construction: Long, unbroken lengths of fiber provide a barrel with superior strength, stiffness, and consistency across a larger optimized hitting area.

Two-Piece Composite Construction: Designed for improved weight distribution that allows for great balance, bat speed and barrel control

Anomaly End Cap: A blend of durable and lightweight materials maintains barrel integrity and optimizes performance.

3Fusion Connection: The streamlined design allows for greater weight control and feel while continuing to reduce vibration and redirect energy back into the barrel

Paraflex Plus Composite Barrel: Engineered for consistent responsiveness and a huge sweet spot

ReAction End Cap: Built with a blend of stronger and lighter materials, this end cap increases barrel performance without sacrificing swing speed

Two-Piece Composite Construction: Designed for improved weight distribution that allows for great balance, bat speed and barrel control

Tips and strategies for selecting the best baseball bat on the market

People are always attempting to make the best decisions for themselves and their families. Whether they're shopping for new shoes or a new automobile, knowing which best baseball bat to buy on the market might be difficult. Fortunately, this article gives some amazing keyword selection tips and tactics, so you don't have to worry about making a bad option!

Materials

The majority of youth baseball bats are made out of aluminum, wood, and composite. Composite bats, which are similar to carbon fibre, provide substantial pop and lower vibrations on mis-hits than any other bat. The bats will require an initial break-in of between 150 and 200 balls strikes to achieve peak performance.

Length

Children aged 4-6 years old who want to get into baseball are likely to need a teeball bat. These bats can be from between 24 and 27 inches in length. For players aged 7-13, leagues will require that they use a USSSA (USA Baseball) approved bat. The length of the bat is between 25 and 32 inches. It also has drop weights which are weight minus length.

Price

There are many price options for youth baseball bats. Even though the bats that are more costly may be longer lasting and better in performance, they are generally not recommended for novice players.

Diameter

Little League allows children to play with bats not more than 2.25 in diameter. In some cases, older players can have bats that are up to 2.62inches in diameter. It is important to understand what the league rules are about bat diameters before you make a purchase.

Drop Weight

Bat descriptions often include a weight drop, which is the bat’s length in inches divided by its weight. For youth bats it usually ranges from 5 to 13 Higher drop weights will make it easier to swing.

One-piece Or Two-piece

You should also consider whether the bat you choose is one-piece (or two-piece). This is what the main difference will be between them.
One-piece metal bats look like continuous pieces. One-piece bats are very rigid and give little in contact with the ball, leading to little energy loss. The result can be very good for balanced, powerful swings. However, it can also cause irritation in the hands from mishits.

Construction

The manufacturing process of a baseball bat is either one-piece- or two-piece.
It is a one-piece construction. The entire bat (from the end to barrel) is constructed with only one material. These bats can be flexed less and are more energy-efficient. They're extremely balanced and have great swing speed, allowing you to hit the ball quickly. They also don't suffer vibration or dampening, as can happen with extreme pressure.
It has a connection to the handle and bat barrel in a two-piece structure. Through the connector vibrations created when the bat comes in contact the ball's surface are dampened. A fused connector helps increase bat speed, and gives the bat more flex. The downside is that they cost more than one-piece bats.

FAQs

What Size Baseball Bat Should You Use?

Measure the distance from your chest to your hand and measure it. This measurement should approximately be the length your bat.
Another option is to measure the distance from your floor to the palm end of your hand, and you will get an identical result.
If this is still not enough, many manufacturers provide a handy size comparison chart that you can use to measure your height or weight and help you choose the perfect size baseball bat.

How To Determine Bat Weight For Youth Baseball?

It's impossible to know the exact weight of a bat versus age. However, there are simple ways to find out if it's right weight.
You can also check the drop weight for a bat. That is, its total weight (in ounces), minus its height in inches. Parents can start looking for similar bats once they've determined the drop weight that works for them.

Why Do MLB Use Wooden Bats?

Although there are many reasons MLB uses wood bats for its games, safety is the primary reason.
While pros strike the ball quickly enough, an aluminum bat could make it more difficult. That's why the MLB regulations state that the bat must be one-piece of solid wood.
While you might argue the rule can be altered, baseball is often a game that is bound by tradition. Since wooden bats were what the players used throughout history and all data has been based upon, there will probably continue to be wooden bats within MLB.

How Long Of A Bat Should I Get?

While it is important to adhere to the rules of your league, you can still choose the length of the bat that you use. You will have to respect your league's requirements, but this is a matter of personal preference. Try a number of different bats until you find one that feels comfortable for your hitter. This chart will provide a guideline for you to start your search. This chart is not meant to be definitive but should provide some guidance.

How To Increase Bat Speed In Youth Baseball?

Both overload and underload can be used to increase bat speed in young players. When they are practicing underload, they will swing a heavier bat than the one they would normally use. A lighter bat may help hitters improve their agility and speed, as well as give them the ability to move faster.
In order to improve swinging strength, overload training should be done with a heavier bat.

Is It Important To Get A Bat For Baseball Approved By My League?

Yes. You need to make sure your bat conforms with the rules of your league. This is because each league has different requirements regarding weight, swing speed, etc.

What Does The Negative Number Printed On A Bat For Baseball Mean?

These numbers represent the length to weight ratio (or drop). You subtract the bat's length from the bat's weight in ounces. This would mean that if the bat has a weight of 18 ounces and measures 30 inches in length, it will display a number of -12.

Conclusion

Choosing the best baseball bat for your purposes might be a difficult challenge. It is critical to remember what you want to achieve with the purchase as well as any factors that may influence your selection. 
Whether it's as basic as reading reviews before purchasing or inspecting images of best baseball bat on the market from numerous perspectives. When you wish to locate another one, you may also look at the DeMarini CF -3 BBCOR Baseball Bat. Now, let’s pick one for you!


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About Jonathan Wilson

Jonathan Wilson

Jonathan Wilson is a former pro football player and tech reporter who now serves as the editor of Kris Van Assche's website. He is a dedicated fitness enthusiast who splits his workout time between strength and conditioning training, martial arts and running.

Jonathan's athletic career began in college, where he was a star running back. He went on to play professionally for several years before injuries forced him to retire. Afterward, Jonathan transitioned into a career in tech reporting, where he quickly made a name for himself as a knowledgeable and insightful commentator on the industry.

In addition to his work with our website, Jonathan remains active in the world of sports. He regularly competes in martial arts tournaments and running events, and he is always looking for new ways to challenge himself physically. Jonathan is an inspiration to many people, and he is proof that it is never too late to pursue your passions.

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