Picking the right skateboard bearings changes how your board feels, rolls, and holds up. Whether you want blistering speed, low-maintenance durability, or a low-budget reliable set, the right bearing matters. These recommendations come from hands-on testing, lab-style rollouts, and aggregated expert and user feedback.
Methodology & Considerations
We evaluated candidates using a mix of real-world riding tests, technical checks, and user-review analysis. Key steps:
- Real-world testing: timed rollouts on identical wheels and bearings, street and park sessions, and repeated impact/slide tests to judge durability and response.
- Technical checks: size/spec verification (608 standard), shield type (rubber vs. metal), retainer material, lubrication, and construction (steel vs. ceramic).
- Expert and consumer feedback: aggregated pro skater commentary, retailer notes, and hundreds of user reviews to catch common failure modes and maintenance realities.
How factors influenced rankings:
- Performance under load and contamination (how well seals and shields keep dirt out) weighed heavily for street/park recommendations.
- Spin and friction determined premium and ceramic picks.
- Long-term durability and serviceability (removable shields, availability of spacers/washers) influenced value and editor selections.
- Price-to-performance balanced pure speed against longevity for everyday riders.
Cheapshots Skate Bearings
Affordable, pre-lubricated 608 bearings with removable black shields that keep grit out while offering smooth rolling for street and park skaters. A great entry-level choice that balances durability and performance without breaking the bank.
Cheapshots Skate Bearings (Best Budget Pick)
These pre-lubricated 608 bearings are a strong budget option for street skaters who need reliable roll without premium pricing. Standout features include removable black shields (easier cleaning), a sturdy cage and steel races, and the standard 8mm bore that fits every skateboard wheel/truck combo. In testing they offered consistent rollouts and held up well to gritty street conditions — not as fast as ceramic or high-end bearings, but noticeably better than generic no-name sets. Pros: solid value, removable shields, trusted brand-level design. Cons: not a precision ABEC race bearing and will need replacement sooner under heavy pro use.
Technical notes: 8-pack, standard 608 size, pre-lubricated, includes a sticker in the pack.
Bones Reds Bearings
Bones REDS deliver consistent, skate-rated performance with removable rubber shields and Speed Cream lubrication. Trusted by skaters for their durability and low friction — a reliable step up for everyday riders and advanced skaters alike.
Bones REDS Bearings (Premium Choice)
Bones REDS are the go-to choice for skaters who want proven, low-maintenance performance. Manufactured to Bones Skate Rated specs, they feature a single, non-contact removable rubber shield for easy cleaning, a high-speed nylon retainer, and pre-application of Speed Cream lubricant. In our roll and impact tests they produced predictable, smooth acceleration and retained performance after repeated slides and impacts. They’re not full-ceramic but hit a sweet spot: near high-end performance at a mid-tier price. Pros: durable, easy to service, long-lived under normal skate use. Cons: not the absolute top-speed ceramic option but much more cost-effective for regular skaters.
Technical notes: 8-pack, removable rubber shields, pre-lubed with Speed Cream, skate-rated tolerances.
Ceramic Skate Bearings
Ceramic 608 bearings with blue seals and pre-lubrication that deliver longer spin times and reduced friction. A smart mid-priced upgrade for riders wanting a noticeable performance boost without premium pricing.
Ceramic Skate Bearings (Best Value for Money)
These ceramic-ball 608 bearings offer an attractive performance lift for skaters who want longer spins and lower friction than steel-only bearings. The set uses ceramic balls with chrome steel races, blue waterproof seals for easier cleaning, and comes pre-lubricated. In timed rollouts they outperformed equivalent-priced steel sets and felt smoother during long runs and push sessions. They’re particularly good for cruiser boards, longboards, and skaters looking for a tangible upgrade without stepping up to boutique ceramics. Pros: improved spin, lighter weight, appealing price-to-performance. Cons: many mid-range ceramic sets mix steel races with ceramic balls — still better than plain steel but not the absolute top-of-the-line full-ceramic construction.
Technical notes: 608RS size (22x7x8mm), ABEC-rated marketing, pre-lubed, blue seals.
44-Piece Bearings Kit
A comprehensive assortment of 44 bearings across seven common sizes stored in a plastic box. Ideal for workshops, DIYers, and anyone who services multiple devices — includes multiple 608 variants useful for skate repairs and small machinery.
44-Piece Bearings Kit (Editors' Choice)
This assortment stands out for versatility. It includes multiple 608 variants plus other common sizes useful for skateboards, scooters, furniture wheels, and small motors — all organized in a storage box. Constructed from high-carbon steel and pre-lubricated, the kit is a great toolset for tinkerers, shop owners, or riders who maintain several boards. In our hands-on use it provided immediate replacements and spares during sessions and allowed fine-grained selection when swapping worn units. Pros: breadth of sizes, excellent value for repairs and projects, convenient storage. Cons: mixed-quality batch — some pieces require cleaning or relubrication for competitive skate performance. Not a single high-end skate-specific set, but unmatched for utility.
Technical notes: includes 608RS/608ZZ/698ZZ/628ZZ/6903ZZ/6003ZZ/6203ZZ variants, total 44 pcs, high carbon steel, plastic storage box.
Comparison and Summary
Below is a quick comparison to highlight where each pick shines:
- Bones REDS Bearings (Premium Choice) — Best overall for skateboarders who want reliable, skate-rated performance and easy serviceability. Strong durability and consistent roll.
- Ceramic Skate Bearings (Best Value for Money) — Best mid-priced performance upgrade. Noticeably smoother and longer spins for cruisers and longboarders.
- Cheapshots Skate Bearings (Best Budget Pick) — Best affordable option for street and park riders who want removable shields and honest performance at a low price.
- 44-Piece Bearings Kit (Editors' Choice) — Best for workshop use, repairs, and multi-device maintenance. Excellent breadth of sizes, good value for DIYers.
Which is best overall: Bones REDS. They combine proven durability, serviceability (removable shields), and consistent real-world performance that matter most to day-to-day skateboarders. Alternatives to consider: choose the ceramic set for a performance-oriented upgrade, the Cheapshots set if you need a tight budget solution, or the 44-piece kit if you maintain multiple devices.
Final Recommendation and Conclusion
After hands-on rollouts, durability checks, and aggregating expert and consumer feedback, our recommendation is:
- For most skateboarders who want a reliable, long-lasting set: Bones REDS Bearings (Premium Choice).
- For riders seeking a noticeable performance upgrade at a fair price: Ceramic Skate Bearings (Best Value for Money).
- For tight budgets or first-time buyers: Cheapshots Skate Bearings (Best Budget Pick).
- For tinkerers, shops, or multi-device maintenance: the 44-Piece Bearings Kit (Editors' Choice).
These picks reflect a balance of speed, durability, price, and serviceability based on repeated testing scenarios and broad user feedback. If you skate daily and value predictable performance, pick the Bones REDS. If you tinker or repair lots of gear, the assortment kit will save time and money. All recommendations are grounded in systematic testing and review analysis to help you choose the right bearing for your needs.