Bocce is one of the few games—if not the only game—that is still as fun today as it was in 5000 B.C. Though the physical materials have changed quite a bit over the centuries, the game itself has maintained the same simple objective: to get as close to your target as possible.
Bocce sets can cost anywhere between $15 and $200, but many decent sets can be found for no more than $50. Pricing primarily depends on the material that the balls are made of. Plastic sets, for example, will be significantly cheaper than balls made of baked clay or resin.
Perhaps there is no wrong choice when it comes to choosing a bocce set; after all, the ancient Romans played the game for decades with nothing more than coconuts. However, there are a few things you’ll probably want to consider before making your decision. Keep reading to see which bocce sets we recommend, and how to choose which set is best for you!
Who is Playing?
Your choice of bocce ball will largely depend on who you will be playing with. If you are looking to play a casual game in the backyard with friends or with children, you may not be overly concerned with the size or structure of your set.
On the other hand, if you are playing in regulation terms with a group of competitive players, you will want to make sure you adhere to the proper size and weight of the balls. After all, bocce is a regulated sport.
Standardized bocce balls are 107mm in diameter and 920 grams.
https://www.boccestandardsassociation.org/equipment_standard.htm (source)
A good quality regulation size bocce ball set will typically cost around $100, and to build the court will be about $10 a square foot, or $25 a square foot to have it done professionally. If you plan on playing in your backyard, you won’t need a court, and can use a cheaper set if you choose.
Playing bocce ball can end up only costing whatever the price of the set you go with is. Or, you could have a professionally installed court and pay a few thousand dollars. Building a court yourself can be done for around $1000.
| Budget | Mid-Range | High-End | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Court | Free (Yard) | $1000 (DIY) | $3000 – $6000 |
| Bocce Ball Set | Under $40 | $40 – $80 | $80 and Up |
What Are Bocce Balls Made From?
The materials that bocce balls are made of can influence the game greatly. The materials are also the greatest predictor for how long a set will last.
Most bocce balls are made from:
- Wood
- Plastic
- Metal
- Resin
Wood is a popular option that offers a vintage, classic feel. Wood balls are also relatively lightweight and inexpensive.
Plastic bocce balls are lightweight. Plastic balls are a good option for children, especially if you are teaching your kids how to play bocce for the first time. However, they are usually not very well-balanced, as they are intended for more casual games.
Metal is a good material for long-term durability. Most metal balls are made of stainless steel, as it is more likely to maintain its sleek and shiny appearance over time.
Resin balls are designed for more competitive games. Bocce players often prefer resin balls for their durability and well-balanced structure.
Here’s a quick video with an inside look at a bocce ball factory. The video is old and a bit grainy.
What Are Carrying Cases, and Do I Need One?
Carrying cases facilitate the transportation of your bocce set from place to place. Even if you don’t plan on traveling with your set, a carrying case can be a very useful tool in terms of cleanup. Carrying all eight heavy bocce balls without one would be rather difficult otherwise.
The carrying case also makes storing the bocce set in the garage (or anywhere) much easier.
Carrying cases are usually made from:
- Wood
- Plastic
- Nylon
Wooden cases are the recommended material for optimal protection of your balls; however, they are usually the most expensive option for a carrying case.
Plastic cases are the least expensive option for a carrying case, but their low price comes with compromised protection. Not only do plastic cases provide very little protection for your balls, they are also likely to break themselves.
Nylon cases are perhaps the “happy medium” of the options. Balls are kept in one compartment, permitting some friction between them. This can sometimes cause scratches and markings on each ball, but with the nature of the game, these sort of marks are to be expected. The cases themselves are convenient and reasonably priced.
Considering Your Budget
Most often, bocce ball sets will come with both the balls and the carrying case together. This doesn’t necessarily mean that wooden balls will come in wooden cases, or that plastic balls will come in plastic cases. That is why the price of a bocce ball set can vary so greatly.
“Cheap” sets are usually under $35, sometimes costing as little as $15. These sets are usually made of plastic, and are not likely to last very long. The game itself inevitably leads to bumps and friction, so it is better to invest in a more durable material.
Mid-range sets cost between $35 and $80, and are usually made of plastic or wood. Sometimes, plastic balls will even be coated with a resin lining for a better feel. If you’re looking for a family friendly game, you can find pretty decent sets within this range.
The more expensive sets cost $80 and above. This price range is where you will find high quality balls of standardized weight and size. These balls will be well-balanced and durable. Additionally, these sets will often include wooden cases, so that your set receives optimal protection.
You can usually find a really nice regulation set for around $100.
How Long Should My Bocce Set Last?
The amount of use you can get from a bocce set depends largely on the durability of materials and how well your set is stored. Resin balls offer the most durability, and wooden cases offer the most protective storage.
With typical backyard recreational play, a good set can last decades.
Do I Need Access To A Court In Order To Play?
Unless you intend to play with a league or in a tournament, bocce ball can be played in the comfort of your own backyard. It is recommended to find a relatively even surface though, so the ball rolls true to your throw. Without an even surface, your throw becomes more susceptible to bumps and hills.
If you are a more competitive player, perhaps you have considered building your own bocce court in your yard. Regulation sized courts are about 13 by 91 feet, but your backyard court can be any size you’d like. A recommended size for a backyard would be about 10 by 60 feet.
A bocce ball court can cost anywhere from $7 to $14 per square foot if you plan to construct it yourself. Professional help will cost about $25 per square foot. The price will vary depending on how much landscaping work is required.
To learn more about building your own bocce ball court, check out our How To Build A Bocce Ball Court step by step guide.
To have your own bocce court built for you, I recommend looking into HomeAdvisor Landscaping. You’ll have to see what the landscapers in your area will be able to do, but I’ve had good luck finding good companies on there.
Here’s a quick overview video about building a bocce court to show you what it entails.
Eight Great Bocce Sets
Here’s a list of some of the most popular bocce ball sets available today. We love the Baden Bocce Ball Set (link to Amazon) and recommend it to everyone. But, you may not care about regulation sizes and the same things we do. So we’ve compared all the most popular sets below to help you find one that works for you.
GoSports Backyard Bocce Set
The GoSports Backyard Bocce Set (link to Amazon) is a great quality set for casual play. For as little as $40, you get a complete set that includes:
- Eight balls (four different colors, eight different line patterns)
- White pallino
- Canvas bocce bag
This set is designed for fun backyard games with many players. The set offers balls with different colors and line patterns, so you can play the game with 2-8 people. The glossiness and brightness of the balls and the pallino makes them easy to spot in grassy areas.
The set can be purchased with balls made of classic resin or soft rubber. The classic resin balls are high quality and appear polished, unlike cheaper resin balls that can appear somewhat cloudy. The soft rubber balls are also a good alternative option for child-friendly games.
The balls fall a bit short of standard size, measuring only 90mm in diameter. However, this set is intended for casual backyard games, where size and weight of the balls are not particularly important anyway.
Pros:
- Many teams can play
- Different material options for balls
- Colorful and glossy finish
- Reasonable price
Cons:
- Not of standard size and weight
Baden Bocce Ball Set
The Baden Bocce Ball Set (link to Amazon) is our top pick and comes with the essentials:
- Eight balls (two different colors, eight different line patterns)
- White pallino
- Measuring tape
- Carrying case
This is a great set, regardless of your skill or experience level. For each color, all four balls come with a different line pattern, which allows for more teams per game. This is especially convenient when playing with many people, as you can now divide teams based on specific patterns, not just based on color.
The balls are made of resin, enhancing their durability. This set also comes with a convenient carrying case, permitting easy travel and cleanup. While this set is intended for casual backyard games in grassy areas, it is still able to handle most other surfaces.
The size and weight of the balls in this set are standardized, measuring the proper 90grams and 107mm in diameter. This set also comes with a measuring tape, enabling fair scoring among a more competitive group.
Pros:
- Many teams can play
- Standardized size and weight
- Convenient carrying case
Cons:
- Somewhat expensive
Hey! Play! Family Bocce Set
The HeyPlay Bocce Set (link to Amazon) offers fairly high quality materials for a decent price. It comes with:
- Eight balls (two different colors, eight different line patterns)
- White pallino
- Carrying case
These balls are made of polyresin, a compound material that is resistant to cracks and damage. Polyresin will assist in maintaining the quality of your balls over time, so that you don’t have to worry about re-entering the bocce market for a while.
This set is intended for casual outdoor play. It also offers many different line patterns so that you can play with large groups. It works well on grassy and sandy surfaces, making it perfect for a backyard or beach game.
This set is ideal for beginners, since it resembles a higher quality set while still offering a lightweight feel and a reasonable price.
Pros:
- Resistant to damage
- Many teams can play
- Convenient carrying case
- Reasonable price
Cons:
- Not of standard size and weight
St. Pierre Sports Professional Bocce Set
The St. Pierre Sports Professional Bocce Set (link to Amazon) is ideal for a more competitive group of players. This set features:
- Eight balls (two different colors)
- Yellow pallino
- Carrying case
While this set can be played in backyards or on beaches, it is particularly targeted towards serious competitors. This set is perfect for leagues or amateur tournaments. (In fact, this company also sells an official tournament set for a slightly higher price.)
The balls are made of professional-grade resin and are highly durable. This set also comes with a convenient nylon bag for protection and easy transportation.
Perhaps most importantly, this set is extremely well-balanced, and its balls are precisely measured to fit the standard size and weight.
Pros:
- Extremely durable and well-balanced
- Standardized size and weight
- Convenient carrying case
Cons:
- Somewhat expensive
AmazonBasics Bocce Ball Set
The Basics Set (on Amazon) provides the basic necessities for an affordable price. It includes:
- Eight balls (two different colors, eight different line patterns)
- White pallino
- Measuring device
- Carrying case
This set essentially offers the same items as the Baden set, but for nearly half the price. Of course, with a lower price also comes lower quality, but these balls are composed of poly-resin to provide some decent protection, nonetheless.
The balls may experience some scuffing or chipping on hard surfaces. If you intend to play primarily on soft or grassy surfaces, you will probably be able to avoid this kind of damage. If you think your set will take some abuse over the years, I don’t recommend this set.
This set also comes with two sizing options, but unfortunately, neither option is of the standard regulation size. You can choose between diameters of 90mm and 100mm for only a $5 difference.
Pros:
- Many teams can play
- Different sizing options for balls
- Convenient carrying case
- Reasonable price
Cons:
- Not of standard size and weight
- Balls may experience some scuffing
Champion Sports Bocce Ball Set
The Champion Sports Bocce Set (link to Amazon) offers a durable set with a high-quality feel. This set comes with:
- Eight balls (two different colors, eight different line patterns)
- White pallino
- Nylon carrying case
Although this set falls short of regulation size, the durable resin material provides a seemingly professional feel. The balls are heavy and well-balanced, rolling reliably and smoothly as intended.
The weather-resistant nylon carrying bag encases the balls compactly so that there is minimal friction or bumping between them, which further ensures the durability of the set.
If this set was regulation size, it would probably be my favorite on the list.
Pros:
- Many teams can play
- Extremely durable and well-balanced
- Convenient carrying case
Cons:
- Not of standard size and weight
- Somewhat expensive
Play Platoon Bocce Ball Set
The Play Platoon Set (link to Amazon) offers yet another durable set for a reasonable price. This set includes:
- Eight balls
- White pallino
- Carrying bag
- Measuring rope
The balls are made with a durable rubber core that is surrounded with an outer layer of premium polyresin. The polyresin is resistant to damage, so the balls’ finish will remain colorful and shiny even after many uses.
The sets come with two color options or four-color options, depending on which size you select. In both cases, however, you can play with 2-4 players.
Play Platoon offers three different size options, although none are of standard regulation size. They can be purchased at 100mm, 90mm, or 84mm.
Pros:
- Extremely durable and long-lasting
- Convenient carrying case
- Reasonable price
Cons:
- Not of regulation size and weight
- Only four players can play at maximum
Funsparks Crazy Bocce Set
This choice is a little bit unconventional, but a fun option nonetheless. The Funsparks Crazy Bocce Set (link to Amazon) uses cubes instead of the traditional balls. This set comes with:
- Eight cubes (four different colors)
- White pallino cube
Although it may seem a bit radical to the average bocce player, this set offers a lot of unexpected and unique benefits that you can’t get from a traditional game.
The cubes are made from durable wood, which makes them resistant to cracks and damage. They are small and lightweight, only weighing 2.2 ounces and measuring 50mm in length. The unique shape, size and bright colors make this set a fun option for kids and families alike.
With cubes, the game can be played just about anywhere, regardless of whether you have access to an even surface. You can play on hilly areas or even indoors on the carpet.
While this option doesn’t offer much in terms of competition, it still serves as a fun family game for a reasonable price of only $20. If it wasn’t for the price, and the fact that you can play on uneven surfaces, I wouldn’t even have looked at this one. This is not really bocce ball, but fun either way.
Pros:
- Unique and exciting
- Can be played on any surface
- Comes with a carrying bag
- Reasonable price
Cons:
- Not intended for competitive use
Ideas for Your Own Personal Bocce Set
Whether you’re shopping for yourself or for a friend, bocce ball is a universally great gift.
Besides the logistical factors of purchasing a new set, it might be nice to consider engraving. Some bocce ball set sellers offer an opportunity to engrave your name in the carrying case, or even the balls themselves! This might require an added fee, but it can be a nice personal touch.
Additionally, it is important to take proper care of your balls. To prevent the buildup of dirt, make sure to clean your set after each use. You might want to consider buying a bocce cleansing cloth to clean the balls efficiently without wearing down the colors.
Regardless of which set you choose, your bocce set will definitely be the highlight of every backyard barbecue, beach party, or competitive tournament you bring it to!
Helpful Links:
- How To Build A Bocce Ball Court: Complete Guide
- HomeAdvisor Landscaping (link to HomeAdvisor)
- What Makes A Quality Bocce Ball Set
- Baden Bocce Ball Set (link to Amazon)