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Tuesday night in a rented middle school gym: a club team warming up in pairs, the sharp slap of the ball into a teammate’s hands, a wing player rising off one foot and snapping a shot past the keeper. Then someone grabs the old club ball, it slips out of their fingers on the first jump shot, and everyone laughs. The ball matters. The best handballs are the right size for the player’s age and gender, built for the way your gym plays (with resin or without), and approved for the level you play at. This guide explains the IHF sizes, resin vs resin-free balls, what “IHF approved” means, and seven real balls plus one resin worth buying in 2026, from a youth size 1 to a match-grade handball size 3.
Prices change often. The prices below are what we saw at the maker or a major retailer in October 2026; check the current price before you buy.
Our top picks
Molten 5000 Handball (H3A5000)
- Size 3, hand-stitched
- Official IHF ball (listing)
- About $82
Select Ultimate Replica EHF Champions League v24
- Size 3, hand-stitched
- EHF approved
- Grip with or without resin
Erima Vranjes 2.0 Handball
- Size 3
- With or without resin
- About $84
Kempa Gecko Handball
- Size 3 listing
- Foam layer for soft feel
- About $45
Molten D60 Resin-Free Handball
- Size 1
- IHF approved (listing)
- About $63
Handballs compared
| Ball | Size checked | Resin | Approval (per listing) | About (Oct 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Molten 5000 | 3 (size 2 also sold) | Not stated | Official IHF ball | $82 |
| Select Ultimate Replica v24 | 3 | With or without | EHF approved | $107 |
| Erima Vranjes 2.0 | 3 | With or without | Not stated | $84 |
| Kempa Gecko | 3 (sizes 0–3 sold) | Suitable for resin | Not stated | $45 |
| Molten D60 | 1 | Resin-free | IHF approved | $63 |
| Select Solera v24 | 1 | With or without | EHF approved | $55 |
| Mitre Handball | 3 | Not stated | Not stated | $26 |
Handball sizes by age and gender
The IHF Rules of the Game (July 2025) set three ball sizes, each in two versions: one for play with resin and a slightly smaller, lighter one for play without it. Circumference and weight:
| IHF size | Who plays it | With resin | Without resin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size 3 | Men and boys 16 and older | 58–60 cm, 425–475 g | 55.5–57.5 cm, 400–425 g |
| Size 2 | Women, girls 14 and older, boys 12 to 16 | 54–56 cm, 325–375 g | 51.5–53.5 cm, 300–325 g |
| Size 1 | Girls 8 to 14, boys 8 to 12 | 50–52 cm, 290–330 g | 49–51 cm, 290–315 g |
For mini-handball, the game for kids up to about 8, the rules don’t set a size or weight; makers sell soft “size 0” and mini balls for small hands. A ball that’s too big for a young player makes one-handed catching and throwing hard, so buy the size for the age group they play in now, not the one they’ll reach in two years.
Resin vs resin-free
Resin (players also call it glue or wax) is the sticky paste rubbed on the fingertips for grip on fast passes and spin shots. IHF rules allow it on the shoes and the fingers, and national federations can add restrictions. Some gyms don’t allow it because it’s hard to clean off floors, so ask your club. If your gym is resin-free, look for a ball the maker says grips well without resin, or one built only for resin-free play like the Molten D60. A ball that’s been played with resin stays sticky, so don’t switch one ball back and forth.
What “IHF approved” means
Under the IHF Ball Regulations (December 2025), balls are tested against the federation’s standards, and approved models carry the IHF logo printed on the ball. There are three categories: IHF APPROVED PRO for official IHF matches and other international and elite national matches, IHF APPROVED for elite national matches, and a seal for testing purposes. The licence runs one year at a time. For club practice and rec leagues, an approved ball isn’t required, but it’s a good sign of consistent size and weight. Your league may name an official ball, so ask before buying a match ball.
The best handballs for 2026
1. Molten 5000: best match ball
Molten’s 5000 is a hand-stitched indoor ball with a premium synthetic-leather cover and a high-density latex bladder, and the Amazon listing calls it an official ball of the International Handball Federation. The H3A5000 is the size 3 for men and boys 16 and up; Molten also sells the H2A5000 in size 2 (about $82) for women’s and older youth play.
- Good: match-level build; size 2 and size 3 at the same price; IHF branding.
- Watch out: only a few were left in stock when we checked (more on the way); the listing doesn’t say whether it’s made for resin.
- Best for: club teams that want one serious game ball.
Check the Molten 5000 price on Amazon
2. Select Ultimate Replica EHF Champions League v24: best Champions League feel
This is Select’s official replica, a training ball modeled on the match ball of the EHF Champions League, Europe’s top club competition. It’s hand-stitched with an HPU 1000 cover, a natural latex bladder and 3 mm lamination for soft contact, and Select says it grips well with and without resin. It’s EHF approved; the listing we checked was a size 3.
- Good: works in resin and resin-free gyms; soft feel; the look players know from TV.
- Watch out: priced like a match ball on this listing, though it’s sold as a training ball; compare sizes and sellers.
- Best for: adult and older teen players who follow European handball.
Check the Select Ultimate Replica price on Amazon
3. Erima Vranjes 2.0: best all-round club ball
Erima, a German team-sport brand, makes the Vranjes 2.0 as a game and training ball for experienced players and beginners. The maker says it has a soft grip, works with or without resin, and uses a seamless natural latex bladder, with each size adapted to its players. The listing we checked was size 3.
- Good: one ball for games and practice; resin optional; in stock when we checked.
- Watch out: no IHF approval stated on the listing.
- Best for: adult club and college club teams that move between gyms.
Check the Erima Vranjes 2.0 price on Amazon
4. Kempa Gecko: best value training ball
The Gecko is Kempa’s play and training ball, sold in sizes 0, 1, 2 and 3. Kempa describes a soft, non-slip cover, an extra foam layer for a soft feel, and a laminated latex bladder for roundness and low air loss, and says it’s suitable for play with resin. It was the lowest-priced name-brand size 3 we found in stock, and a size 0 listing (about $52) suits the youngest players.
- Good: every size from 0 to 3; soft feel; fair price for a team bag of balls.
- Watch out: prices differ a lot between sizes and colors, so check the one you pick.
- Best for: coaches stocking practice balls and players who want a ball at home.
Check the Kempa Gecko price on Amazon
5. Molten D60 Resin-Free: best for gyms without resin
Molten built the D60 for play without resin: the listing says it’s IHF approved and has an absorbent surface, which helps grip when fingers are bare. The listing we checked was size 1 (model H1D4000), the youth size for girls 8 to 14 and boys 8 to 12.
- Good: made for resin-free gyms; IHF approved; in stock when we checked.
- Watch out: the listing is size 1; check sizes carefully if you need a 2 or 3.
- Best for: youth clubs and school programs that can’t use resin.
Check the Molten D60 price on Amazon
6. Select Solera v24: best for youth players
The Solera is one of Select’s popular training balls: hand-stitched, EHF approved, with 3 mm lamination for very soft contact and a natural latex bladder. Select says it grips well with and without resin and is very well balanced. The listing we checked was size 1, a good first real ball for young players moving up from mini-handball.
- Good: soft on small hands; works with or without resin; EHF approved.
- Watch out: stock was limited in some colors when we checked.
- Best for: kids 8 to 12 in a club or summer camp.
Check the Select Solera price on Amazon
7. Mitre Handball: best budget ball
Mitre’s handball has a vulcanized soft rubber cover that the maker says holds up on all surfaces, and it’s sold for all levels and ages. That makes it a sensible pick for PE classes, driveway throwing and outdoor courts where a synthetic-leather ball would wear out fast. The listing we checked was size 3. It ships deflated, so you’ll need a ball pump.
- Good: low price; tough rubber cover; fine indoors or out.
- Watch out: a rubber ball feels harder than a match ball; no IHF approval stated.
- Best for: schools, beginners and outdoor play.
Check the Mitre Handball price on Amazon
8. Erima Trimona 2.0: best resin
If your gym allows resin, the Trimona 2.0 is Erima’s classic handball wax made from natural resin, with strong grip for training and games. The listing we checked was the 250 g tub (a 500 g tub is also sold). Ask your club first, keep resin on your fingers and shoes as the rules allow, and use it only with a ball made for resin.
- Good: natural resin; strong grip; two tub sizes.
- Watch out: some gyms don’t allow resin; it’s sticky to clean off hands and balls.
- Best for: experienced players in resin-friendly leagues.
Check the Erima Trimona 2.0 price on Amazon
How to choose a handball
- Size first: size 3 for men and boys 16 and up, size 2 for women, girls 14 and up and boys 12 to 16, size 1 for girls 8 to 14 and boys 8 to 12, and a soft mini ball below that.
- Ask about resin before you buy: a resin-free gym needs a ball that grips without it; a resin league can use either, but once a ball has resin on it, keep it for resin play.
- Match ball vs training ball: hand-stitched synthetic leather with an IHF or EHF approval for games; a softer or rubber ball is fine for practice, schools and outdoor play.
- Check the size on the listing: many handball listings group sizes 0 to 3 under one page, and the price often changes with the size you pick.
- Keep it pumped right: inflate to the pressure the maker gives, using a pump with a gauge; an overinflated ball feels hard on the hands.
- Mind the fingers and shoulder: sore throwing shoulders and fingers bent back by a hard pass are part of the game. If pain lasts or a finger stays swollen, see a sports medicine doctor, physical therapist or athletic trainer.
The ball is only part of the kit: our handball gear guide covers court shoes, knee pads, ankle braces and goalkeeper protection, and the youth handball guide explains how kids start, from mini-handball up. For fingers, shoulders and knees, see handball injuries. Start at the handball hub, read more in our handball blog, or check our best speed training equipment and best recovery shoes guides.
Handball questions
Who uses a handball size 3?
Men and boys 16 and older. Under IHF rules a size 3 ball for play with resin measures 58 to 60 cm around and weighs 425 to 475 g; the resin-free version is 55.5 to 57.5 cm and 400 to 425 g.
What size handball do women play with?
Size 2, for women and girls 14 and older. Boys 12 to 16 use size 2 as well. Younger girls (8 to 14) and boys (8 to 12) use size 1.
Do I need resin to play handball?
No. Many experienced players use it, but some gyms don’t allow it. The IHF rules have separate ball specs for resin-free play, and several balls here are made to grip without resin.
What is the difference between IHF APPROVED and IHF APPROVED PRO?
Both mean the ball passed IHF testing. IHF APPROVED PRO is for official IHF matches and other international and elite national games; IHF APPROVED is for elite national games. The logo and the category are printed on the ball.
How do you clean resin off a handball?
Use a resin cleaner made for handballs and follow the label; most are spread on the ball, left to work, then rinsed off with warm water. Avoid harsh solvents, which can damage the cover.