We compared two ball-bearing skipping ropes at very different prices: the budget Beast Gear steel speed rope and the branded adidas Skipping Rope.
What we looked at
Bearings, cable and coating, handles, length and adjustment, storage, and price.
The verdict
If you want a lightweight, adjustable speed rope with ball bearings and a 3m steel cable for under £5, the Beast Gear is the value pick. If you would rather pay more for a 300 cm rubber-coated steel wire rope with textured handles and a drawstring bag, the adidas is the branded option, aimed at more advanced skippers.
A ball-bearing speed rope with a 3m adjustable steel cable for under £5, but few details on the coating or handle size.
A 300 cm rubber-coated steel wire rope with textured handles and a drawstring bag, but it costs over three times as much.
Beast Gear Skipping Rope, Steel Speed Jump Rope for Adult Fitness — Best Value
Intended for: Marketed as a lightweight, adjustable speed rope for boxers, MMA and fitness fans, with BG-Tech ball bearings, a 360 degree handle and a flexible 3m braided steel cable.
What we liked
- Much cheaper than the adidas on these listings
- Flexible 3m braided steel cable that adjusts to any length with a screwing mechanism
- BG-Tech ball bearings stated to prevent twisting and bending, with a 360 degree handle
- Cable coated in a protective layer, with an optional protector for outdoor use
- Non-slip, high-strength plastic handles
Worth knowing
- The listing describes the cable coating only as a long-lasting protective layer
- Listing gives no handle length or rope weight
Best for
- Beginners and budget-conscious buyers who want a speed rope
- Boxing, MMA and HIIT training
- Anyone who wants an inexpensive spare rope for the gym bag
Not ideal for
- Buyers who want a well-known sportswear brand
- Anyone who wants a stated carry bag or textured handles
adidas Skipping Rope — Branded Pick
Intended for: Marketed as an ergonomic skipping rope with textured moulded-plastic handles, a tangle-free ball bearing mechanism and a thinner rubber-coated braided steel wire rope, 300 cm long and adjustable without cutting, with a drawstring bag.
What we liked
- Subtly textured moulded-plastic handles with a smooth tangle-free ball bearing mechanism
- Thinner rubber-coated braided steel wire stated to suit more advanced users and boxing or general training
- 300 cm rope with an adjustment system that does not need cutting
- Comes with a drawstring bag for storage on the go
- Ergonomic bottleneck-inspired handle structure
Worth knowing
- Costs more than three times as much as the Beast Gear on these listings
- The listing pitches the thinner wire at more advanced users
Best for
- Skippers who want a branded rope with a carry bag
- Boxing and general training at a more advanced level
- Buyers who want a stated 300 cm length
Not ideal for
- Budget-conscious buyers
- Absolute beginners who just need a cheap rope
