Best Pilates Balls (2026): 10 Mini and Weighted Balls Compared

The best Pilates ball for most people is a soft, 9-inch mini ball you can squeeze between your knees or slip under your lower back. The Trideer 9-Inch Pilates Ball is Yahoo Health's pick for best mini ball, and ProBody's latex-free 9-inch ball is a solid alternative that comes in lots of colors.

In a studio, "Pilates ball" usually means that small, squishy ball, not the big one. Peloton describes it as a soft, air-filled ball and warns not to confuse it with a medicine ball, which is weighted and hard. Gaiam says "balance ball," "stability ball," "exercise ball" and "Swiss ball" all mean a large ball, "approximately knee high." That's what most people call a yoga ball, and it's a different tool.

When you choose a mini ball, four things matter: diameter, how soft and grippy it is, its anti-burst rating, and whether you actually want weight. Short version: 7.5 in for between the knees, 9 in for all-round use, 12 in for floor ab work.

Quick comparison

The best Pilates balls

Best Overall

1. Trideer 9-Inch Pilates Ball

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Yahoo Health named the Trideer ball its best mini ball. Its reviewer said it "inflates in seconds, holds air well, feels durable and has just the right amount of stickiness."

According to Yahoo Health:

• Size: 9 in (23 cm)
• Weight capacity: 264 lb
• Build: burst-resistant PVC with a "honeycomb anti-burst" design
• Extras: inflation straw, plug and nine exercises

Yahoo Health's cons: the exercise sheet could be more thorough, and some Amazon reviewers found the sizing inconsistent. Trideer also sells a smaller 7–8 inch version that comes with a needle pump.

Pros

• ✓ Yahoo Health's best mini ball
• ✓ Highest weight capacity we could confirm among the mini balls here
• ✓ Straw, plug and exercises included

Cons

• ✗ Exercise sheet could be more thorough, per Yahoo Health
• ✗ Some buyers report inconsistent sizing, per Yahoo Health

Best Latex-Free

2. ProBody Pilates Ball Small (9")

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ProBody's Amazon listing describes it as "clinic grade" anti-burst PVC that's latex-free and phthalate-free, inflated with a straw. ProBody markets it for stabilizing between the knees and for postpartum and rehab work.

ProBody says the ball is "recommended by trainers and physical therapists," which is the brand's own claim.

All variants showed as sold out on ProBody's site when we checked in October 2026, so Amazon is the main place to buy it. Each color, and the version with a pump, is a separate Amazon listing. ProBody doesn't list a maximum weight.

Pros

• ✓ Latex- and phthalate-free, per the listing
• ✓ Straw inflation, per the listing
• ✓ Many colors

Cons

• ✗ Maximum weight not published
• ✗ Sold out on the brand site when we checked

Best From a PT Brand

3. THERABAND Mini Ball (9")

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TheraBand is a physical therapy brand, and its Amazon listing pitches this yellow 9-inch ball for "Pilates & Yoga" and "Physical Therapy."

Retailer copy describes it as latex-free PVC that's "elastic and squishy when fully inflated," with a slightly textured surface, an inflation tube and an exercise poster. Walmart lists a much higher maximum load than the other balls here, but we couldn't confirm that figure with TheraBand, so we've left it out.

Pros

• ✓ Physical therapy brand
• ✓ Latex-free, slightly textured surface
• ✓ Exercise poster included

Cons

• ✗ Maximum load not confirmed by TheraBand
• ✗ Only one color on this listing

Best for Beginners

4. Merrithew Mini Stability Ball – Large (12")

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Merrithew (the company behind STOTT Pilates) says its 12-inch Large mini ball "creates a hefty base of support and is great for new mini exercise ball users." It also calls the ball "compact and portable" and a tactile cue for positioning.

According to Merrithew:

• Size: 12 in (30 cm), with "a size variance of .59 in (1.5 cm) depending on inflation and manufacturing"
• Build: "100% non-toxic PVC," hypoallergenic and phthalate-free
• Anti-burst rating: up to 176 lb (80 kg)
• Extras: straw and plug; 30-day returns

The same ball comes in Medium (10 in) and Small (7.5 in) with the same specs, and as a set of three.

Pros

• ✓ Bigger base for floor ab work
• ✓ Published anti-burst rating
• ✓ Same specs in three sizes

Cons

• ✗ Anti-burst rating (176 lb) is modest
• ✗ 12 in is too big for between-the-knees work

Best Small Ball

5. Merrithew Mini Stability Ball – Small (7.5")

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If you mostly squeeze the ball between your knees or thighs, a smaller ball fits better. Merrithew's Small is 7.5 in (19 cm), and the brand pitches it to "up muscle activation in sitting, standing or lying exercises." See what size Pilates ball for Merrithew's sizing guidance.

It has the same PVC build, 176 lb anti-burst rating, straw and plug as the Large. We couldn't confirm a specific Amazon listing, so the button below runs a search.

Pros

• ✓ Right size for between the knees
• ✓ Same build and rating as the Large

Cons

• ✗ Smaller base for lying-down work
• ✗ Amazon listing not confirmed

Best Studio Brand

6. Balanced Body Inflatable Ball (8"–10", Storm Gray)

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Balanced Body, a long-established Pilates equipment maker, describes this 8- to 10-inch ball (code 10250) as a "multifunction tool for support, positioning and proprioceptive work." It has a slightly "grippy" surface and you inflate it with a straw or by mouth.

Balanced Body says the ball is "designed to be used at varying levels of inflation depending on the exercise/use." It doesn't list the material, phthalate status or a price on its product page, so we couldn't confirm those. Balanced Body sells it on Amazon.

Pros

• ✓ Studio brand
• ✓ Grippy surface
• ✓ Made for use at different inflation levels

Cons

• ✗ Material and anti-burst rating not published
• ✗ Price not listed on the brand page

Best for Back Extension

7. Balanced Body Inflatable Workout Ball / TOGU Ball (12")

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Balanced Body's 12-inch TOGU ball (sold on Amazon as the Inflatable Workout Ball) is the bigger option for lying-down work. Balanced Body says it's suited to "abdominal, back extension, and lateral flexion exercises" and is "commonly used partially deflated."

Balanced Body also says it's strong enough to "kneel, lay and stand on," which is the brand's claim. It doesn't publish a weight rating or a price on the product page, so check the listing.

Pros

• ✓ Large 12-inch size for back and ab work
• ✓ Brand says you can kneel and stand on it

Cons

• ✗ No published weight rating
• ✗ Price not listed on the brand page

Best With a Pump

8. Bala Pilates Ball (Non-Weighted, 8")

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Bala's non-weighted Pilates ball stands out for its included pump. It's 8 in across and comes in six muted colors: Charcoal, Blush, Sage, Sea, Sand and Bone. Bala describes it as "über-thick, pop-resistant PVC," and says you can "over-inflate for more support or half fill."

It ships deflated with a mini pump, which saves you from the straw. We found no independent reviews, and we couldn't confirm it's sold on Amazon, so the button goes to Bala's site.

Pros

• ✓ Mini pump included
• ✓ Six muted colors

Cons

• ✗ No independent reviews found
• ✗ Pricier than most mini balls here

Best Weighted

9. Merrithew Toning Ball (1–3 lb)

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A toning ball isn't a squishy mini ball. It's a small, sand-filled ball you hold in your hand. Merrithew says its toning balls "increase intensity" and "bring awareness to shoulder girdle stability" in Pilates mat and equipment work, barre and interval workouts.

According to Merrithew:

• Weights: 1, 2 and 3 lb
• Size: the 2 lb ball is 4.3 in (109 mm)
• Build: PVC shell filled with iron sand
• Returns: 30 days on unused items

The Amazon listing title says "2 lbs (Blue)," but its part number matches the pink ball on Merrithew's site. Check the weight and color on the listing before you buy.

Pros

• ✓ Small enough to hold during arm work
• ✓ Three light weights

Cons

• ✗ Not a replacement for a soft mini ball
• ✗ Color and part number don't match on Amazon

Best Weighted Range

10. ProsourceFit Weighted Toning Ball (2–8 lb)

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ProsourceFit's toning balls cover a wider range: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8 lb, from 4.7 to 7 in across. They're PVC filled with natural sand and color coded by weight.

ProsourceFit says the ball was originally designed for Pilates moves like "butterflies" and "side-lying arm circles," and its site mentions a lifetime warranty. We couldn't confirm a US Amazon listing, so the button runs a search.

Pros

• ✓ Six weights up to 8 lb
• ✓ Color coded
• ✓ Lifetime warranty mentioned by the brand

Cons

• ✗ Heavier balls are bulkier
• ✗ US Amazon listing not confirmed

Also considered

• Bala Power Ball: a 2 or 3 lb weighted ball, 4 in across, made of "über-thick, pop-resistant PVC," according to Bala. It was sold out in every color and weight when we checked in October 2026.
• THERABAND Pro Series SCP Exercise Ball: if you actually want the big ball, this is Yahoo Health's best overall exercise ball. It comes in 45 to 85 cm, burst-resistant, phthalate- and latex-free PVC, with a poster and pump adapter but no pump. Pilates instructor Despina Stamos told Yahoo Health it's "constructed from nontoxic materials, is burst-proof and it's made for physical therapists." See the yoga ball section for sizing.
• SISSEL Pilates Soft Ball: a premium soft ball sold in 22 and 26 cm (about 8.7 and 10.2 in). Sissel's UK site says it's phthalate- and latex-free, comes with an inflation straw, two stoppers and an exercise manual, and lists a maximum body weight of 150 kg (about 330 lb). It's a European brand, and we couldn't confirm US Amazon availability or a price.

How to choose a Pilates ball: size, inflation and weight

What size Pilates ball?

Tap the diagram to enlarge

Mini Pilates balls usually range from about 7.5 to 12 in:

Nine inches is the most common size, used by ProBody, Trideer and TheraBand. Merrithew calls its 12-inch ball a "hefty base of support" for new users. Merrithew pitches the 7.5-inch Small for squeezing work and the 12-inch Large as a bigger base for floor exercises.

Expect a little variation. Merrithew notes its balls can vary by about 0.6 in depending on inflation and manufacturing.

Inflation changes the feel

Mini balls are meant to be used at different inflation levels. "A slightly deflated ball provides more stability whereas a firmer ball makes for a more challenging workout," Merrithew says. Balanced Body says its TOGU ball is "commonly used partially deflated."

Most mini balls come with a straw. Bala includes a mini pump, and Trideer's smaller 7–8 inch ball comes with a needle pump. Balanced Body also sells a 4-inch ball that needs a needle pump.

Pilates ball vs. yoga ball

Tap the diagram to enlarge

They're different tools. Gaiam says "balance ball," "stability ball," "exercise ball" and "Swiss ball" all mean a large ball, "approximately knee high." That's what most people call a yoga ball. BarBend notes that core moves on a mini ball "won't be as difficult as they would be on a ball that lifts you higher off the ground."

If you want the big ball, size it to your height. Charts disagree by a few inches:

Colorado State University gives a simple fit test: "When you are sitting on the ball your knees should be at a 90-degree angle and your thighs should be parallel to the floor." It also warns, "Do not use heavy weights while training on your ball."

Need a big ball? Yahoo Health's top overall exercise ball is the TheraBand Pro Series, sold in 45 to 85 cm.

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The same naming confusion comes up with mats. See Pilates mat vs. yoga mat.

Do you need a weighted ball?

Probably not to start. Peloton instructor Kristin McGee recommends "a soft, inflatable ball rather than anything with added weight," and says lighter balls are more versatile. She uses one between the upper thighs, under the sacrum, under the shoulders and under the head.

Weighted toning balls (1 to 8 lb across the brands here) are a separate, hand-held tool for arm and shoulder work. Merrithew and ProsourceFit both market theirs for Pilates.

Materials and safety

Most mini balls are PVC. Merrithew and ProBody say theirs are phthalate-free. ProBody's Amazon listing and TheraBand's retailer copy describe them as latex-free, which matters if you have a latex allergy. Published load ratings vary: Merrithew rates its mini balls anti-burst up to 176 lb, and Yahoo Health lists the Trideer at 264 lb. Several brands don't publish a rating at all.

A note on pelvic floor claims

You'll often hear instructors cue a ball squeeze to "activate the pelvic floor." The research is mixed. A small 1994 EMG study in healthy women (Bø & Stien) found the pelvic floor co-contracted when they squeezed their inner thighs. But a 2017 study of 20 healthy women who had never given birth (Amorim et al., PLoS One) found that adding hip adduction to a pelvic floor contraction "did not increase intra-vaginal force," and concluded such hip actions "are not justified for improving PFM strength and endurance." A 2018 International Continence Society abstract (15 women, EMG) found adductor and glute contractions did co-activate the pelvic floor, but like the 1994 study it measured muscle activity, not strength.

We found no study that tested a mini Pilates ball directly. If you have incontinence or other pelvic floor symptoms, see a pelvic floor physical therapist.

How to use a Pilates ball

• Between the legs: BarBend says you can place a mini ball "in between your feet or legs," or hold it "between your calf and hamstring during kickbacks."
• Under the body: McGee uses it under the sacrum for stability, under the shoulders to open the chest, and under the head for people with neck issues.
• In your hands or feet: Anna Clark, owner and master trainer at Nexa Studios in New York City, told Yahoo Health that small balls work well "as a tool to pull everything into alignment when you place them in the hands or feet."

The verdict

A soft 9-inch mini ball covers most mat and barre work.

• Most people: Trideer 9-Inch Pilates Ball, Yahoo Health's best mini ball.
• Need latex-free or want more colors: ProBody 9-inch.
• New to mini balls or mostly doing floor abs: Merrithew 12-inch Large.
• Want arm work: a 2–3 lb toning ball like Merrithew's, in addition to a mini ball rather than instead of one.
• Want to sit or do big-ball work: a 55 or 65 cm stability ball is a different tool. Size it by height and check that your knees are at 90° when you sit.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What size Pilates ball should I get?

Most mini Pilates balls are 7.5–12 in, and 9 in is the most common size (ProBody, Trideer, TheraBand). Merrithew calls its 12-inch ball a "hefty base of support" for new users. For between the legs, a smaller ball fits better; see the size section above for Merrithew's guidance.

Is a Pilates ball the same as a yoga ball?

Usually not. Gaiam says "balance ball," "stability ball," "exercise ball" and "Swiss ball" all mean a large ball, "approximately knee high." That's what most people call a yoga ball. A Pilates ball usually means a soft mini ball used between the legs or under the back, as Peloton and BarBend describe.

What size yoga or stability ball do I need for my height?

Merrithew recommends 55 cm up to 5'7", 65 cm for 5'7"–6'1" and 75 cm for 6'2" and up. Gaiam's chart switches sizes at 5'5"/5'6". Colorado State University suggests a sitting test: your knees should be at 90 degrees and your thighs parallel to the floor.

How much should I inflate a Pilates ball?

Mini balls are meant to be used at different inflation levels. Merrithew says "a slightly deflated ball provides more stability whereas a firmer ball makes for a more challenging workout," and Balanced Body says its TOGU ball is commonly used partially deflated.

What is a Pilates ball used for?

Mostly squeezing between the knees or thighs, and support under the sacrum, shoulders or head, per Peloton instructor Kristin McGee and BarBend.

Should a Pilates ball be weighted?

Not usually. Peloton instructor Kristin McGee recommends a soft, unweighted ball for versatility. Weighted toning balls (1–8 lb across the brands we compared) are a separate, hand-held tool. Merrithew says its toning balls "increase intensity" and bring awareness to shoulder girdle stability.

Does squeezing a Pilates ball strengthen the pelvic floor?

The evidence is mixed. A small 1994 EMG study in healthy women found the pelvic floor co-contracts with the inner thighs, but a 2017 study of healthy women who had never given birth found adding hip adduction didn't increase pelvic floor force. No study we found tested a mini Pilates ball directly. See a pelvic floor physical therapist if you have symptoms.

Sources

• Yahoo Health: The best exercise balls
• Peloton: Pilates ball exercises
• BarBend: Best exercise balls
• Merrithew: Exercise balls
• Merrithew: Mini Stability Ball, Large
• Merrithew: Mini Stability Ball, Medium
• Merrithew: Mini Stability Ball, Small
• Merrithew: Toning Ball
• Merrithew: Choosing the right stability ball
• Balanced Body: Inflatable Ball
• Balanced Body: TOGU Ball
• Balanced Body: Small exercise ball
• ProBody Pilates: Mini balls
• ProBody Pilates Ball on Amazon
• Trideer: Pilates balls
• THERABAND Mini Ball on Amazon
• Bala: Pilates Ball
• Sissel UK: Pilates Soft Ball
• Bala: Power Ball
• ProsourceFit: Toning Ball
• Gaiam: Balance ball FAQs
• Colorado State University: Stability ball training
• Amorim et al., PLoS One 2017
• Bø & Stien, 1994
• International Continence Society 2018 abstract 318