We tested dozens of batting gloves to find the best options based on factors including fit, grip, bat feel, material quality, durability, breathability and price.
Our top picks are:
#1. Franklin CFX Pro (Best Overall)
#2. Marucci Luxe (Best Premium Option)
#3. Under Armour Harper Hustle
#4. Easton Professional Collection
#5. Mizuno B-303
#6. Franklin 2nd-Skinz (Best for Youth Players)
#7. Rawlings Remix (Best for T-Ball and Coach-Pitch Players)
#8. Rawlings Workhorse (Most Durable Adult Batting Gloves)
Note that most of the batting gloves on this list are around the $40 (per pair) price point. While there are less expensive options available, we have not found any with an MSRP of less than $30 that we feel comfortable recommending, as most of the cheaper options on the market either have major durability issues or offer mediocre to poor performance.
#1. Franklin CFX Pro
Why we ranked it #1: The palm and fingers are made from soft, textured sheepskin leather that provides ample grip without being too tacky on the bat, while the back of the gloves are made from synthetic material that is designed to flex with the hand as it moves. No other glove on the market offers the same combination of high-quality materials, performance and price.
- Performs well in all weather conditions, with sufficient breathability to prevent sweat buildup.
- Offers outstanding material quality at a mid-range price point.
- Unlike many competing models, the back of the gloves have limited embossing (making these a comfortable option for wearing under a fielding glove).
- Not the most durable batting gloves available (expect to replace them once during your season).
- The leather is relatively thin and stretches with use.
- They don’t have the most conforming fit, which means that some players may have hands that are between sizes.
Key product details:
- Materials: Sheepskin leather, synthetic materials.
- Colors: Dozens of color combinations.
- Sizes: Youth XXS – Adult XXL
- Average price: $34.99
Get the Franklin CFX Pro on Amazon
Get the CFX Pro on Franklin’s website
#2. Marucci Luxe
Why we ranked it #2: The Luxe features premium sheepskin on both the front (grip surface) and back of the glove, as well as a full wrap-around elastic wristband — padded with neoprene — that makes it easy to get the exact fit you’re looking for. They’re super comfortable, but at an MSRP of nearly $80, they’re twice the price of the Franklin CFX Pro.
- The ultra-premium materials provide unmatched comfort and fit.
- Perforations on the back of the glove offer plenty of breathability.
- The wrap-around wrist closure is the most secure and adjustable among the gloves we tested.
- The leather is non-textured, and provides slightly less grip than other models (especially in wet conditions).
- The embossed lettering on the back panel makes these less than ideal for using under a fielding glove.
- The premium materials come at a very high price point.
Key product details:
- Materials: Cabretta sheepskin on the palm and back, with synthetic materials elsewhere.
- Colors: White, gray/black.
- Sizes: Adult small through XXL. The Luxe is not offered in youth sizes.
- Average price: $79.99.
Get the Marucci Luxe on Amazon
Get the Luxe on Marucci’s website
#3. Under Armour Harper Hustle (2023 Model)
Why we ranked it #3: Features a textured synthetic palm and fingers that offer excellent grip while being significantly more durable than genuine leather, though this durability comes at the cost of a slightly less natural feel on the bat. The premium-quality material conforms to your hand and stretches with movement, and the updated Velcro closure is much more secure than previous years’ models.
The Harper Hustle’s combination of performance and durability makes it our choice for the best batting gloves when you’re on a budget.
- Has the best synthetic leather grip out of any of the gloves we tested.
- Offers above-average durability.
- The new model (released in 2023) features a stylish two-tone design.
- Players note that the sizing is inconsistent and tends to run small.
- The neoprene wrist strap is comfortable but adds bulk.
- Only a few color combinations are available.
Key product details:
- Materials: Fully synthetic.
- Colors: Black/red, white/red and royal/silver.
- Sizes: Kids’ small through large; men’s small through XXL.
- Average price: $40 for men’s and $35 for kids’.
Note: As of July 2023, the Harper Hustle are no longer available on the Under Armour website and appear to have been discontinued. They’re still available on Amazon, and we’ll update this when we get more information from UA.
Get the Harper Hustle 2023 model on Amazon
#4. Easton Professional Collection
Why we ranked it #4: The embossed sheepskin palm and fingers provide outstanding grip combined with natural bat feel, and we love the stretchy, microfiber and spandex back panel. Unfortunately, the material is thin (both the leather and the synthetic material), which seriously reduces durability. That makes the Easton Professional Collection a great option for players who don’t mind replacing their batting gloves multiple times during the season.
- Best-in-class design that conforms to your hand.
- Excellent breathability thanks to multiple panels of perforation on the back of the glove.
- Relatively low-profile embossing makes this good for use inside a fielding glove.
- Below average durability.
- The leather grip is so soft that it’s not ideal for use in wet conditions.
- Has an ill-placed seam across the center of the palm that can be uncomfortable depending on how you hold the bat.
Key product details:
- Materials: Cabretta sheepskin on grip area, with synthetic materials elsewhere.
- Colors: Black, white, and caramel.
- Sizes: Medium, large, XL and XXL. Not offered in small.
- Average price: $49.95.
Get the Easton Pro Collection on Amazon
Get the Pro Collection on Easton’s website
#5. Mizuno B-303
Why we ranked it #5: Mizuno’s B-303 is offered in both a standard version and a pro version. The pro version offers a good combination of material quality and performance, with a unique double-layer leather grip area that makes it the most durable of any genuine-leather glove we tested. However, the durability comes at the cost of added thickness, which makes this glove bulkier and hotter than other options (while also reducing bat feel).
The pro version also has smooth leather (rather than an embossed or textured surface), which is not our preference. But in our testing, we found the grip to be sufficient (though it’s worth noting that we didn’t have a chance to test these gloves in the rain). The standard version (which retails for $20 less) features textured leather, but players report serious durability issues.
- The pro version is the most durable genuine leather glove available.
- The very low-profile embossing makes this one of our favorites for use inside a fielding a glove.
- The angled wrist closure is the least secure of any option on this list (we were constantly adjusting it).
- The fingers are cut wide, so players with small hands may have trouble with the fit.
Key product details:
- Materials: Genuine leather grip area, with synthetic materials elsewhere.
- Colors: Black and white (pro), many colors (standard and youth versions).
- Sizes: T-ball through adult XXL.
- Average price: $40 for youth and adult standard, $60 for adult pro. (The pro version is not offered in youth sizes.)
Get the Mizuno B-303 on Amazon: Pro Version, Standard Version (youth and adult sizes are both available on these pages).
Get the B-303 on Mizuno’s website: Pro Version, Standard Version, Youth Version.
Other Options Worth Considering
- Rawlings Remix (Amazon/Not available on Rawlings’ website). As with the Franklin 2nd-Skinz, the overall quality of these gloves is nowhere near that of the other options on this list. However, the Rawlings Remix are one of the only gloves we found that are specifically designed to fit the hands of t-ball and coach pitch players (as opposed to just being downsized versions of the standard model). This makes them a good choice for kids aged seven and younger.
- Rawlings Workhorse (Amazon/Rawlings). If you’re looking for a batting glove that will last a whole season or more, the Rawlings Workhorse is hard to beat. It features thick leather on the grip surface that is specifically designed to hold up well over the course of a season, as well as a reinforced palm area (that also helps protect against shock and rubbing). Of course, this durability comes at the cost of bat feel; these gloves are thick, bulky and hot (thanks in part to a serious lack of ventilation).
We’re always testing new gloves and updating this list, so please tell us about your recommendations and experience in the comments section below.
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