Best Skateboard Wheels 2023 – Reviews and Buyer’s Guide

May 24, 2023 by Brad Hanson

If your skateboard isn’t sliding as effortlessly as you’d like, it could be time to switch the wheels. If you’re considering getting the best skateboard wheels, you should initially figure out what you need to make an informed purchase.

Your skateboard wheels’ caliber may have a significant influence on your skating performance. Whether you’re shopping for wheels at a skate store or online, the variety of sizes, as well as colors available, might be daunting. So if you don’t know what to search for while purchasing skateboard wheels, then keep on reading.

We’ve identified and evaluated some of the best skateboard wheels on the marketplace. In addition, we’ve also provided a buying guide, so at the end of the article, you’ll understand which skateboard wheels to get.

Best Skateboard Wheels 2023 – Comparison Table

Image	Skateboard Wheel	Our Rating
	Sector 9 Top Shelf Jump to review	Size: 74mm Hardness: 78a	Check Price
	Spitfire Formula 4 Classics 101du Jump to review	Size: 52mm Hardness: 101a	Check Price
	Ricta Clouds Jump to review	Size: 58mm Hardness: 86a	Check Price
	Spitfire Formula 4 Classics 99A Jump to review	Size: 52mm Hardness: 99a	Check Price
	Bones 100’s Jump to review	Size: 52mm Hardness: 100a	Check Price
	OJ Mini Super Juice Jump to review	Size: 55mm Hardness: 78a	Check Price
	Orangatang Fat-Free Jump to review	Size: 65mm Hardness: 83a	Check Price
	Shark Wheel Jump to review	Size: 60mm Hardness: 78a	Check Price
	Santa Cruz Slime Balls Jump to review	Size: 66mm Hardness: 78a	Check Price
	Spitfire Bighead Jump to review	Size: 54mm Hardness: 99a	Check Price

1. Sector 9 Top Shelf Skateboard Wheels 

• Size: 74mm
• Hardness: 78a
• Use: Best for street cruising.

Isn’t it true that if you want decent skateboard wheels, you should go to a company that specializes in giving you high-quality products? Sector 9 utilizes the urethane formula to make high-quality wheels.

The elegant style is available in a variety of colors and is 74mm in diameter. They’re capable of handling flips as well as corners. This package of four wheels is comprised of high-quality urethane, which provides exceptional traction, stress absorption, but also extends the lifetime of the wheels.

Beginner to moderate riders will be able to ride these wheels. These wheels offer the ideal balance of power as well as durability. Regrettably, these wheels are somewhat pricey. However, considering their high-quality efficiency, the cost is reasonable.

2. Spitfire Formula 4 Classics 101du Skateboard Wheels

• Size: 52mm
• Hardness: 101a
• Use: Best for park and street skating. 

Spitfire wheels have been crushing it in the business for many years, producing the highest grade urethane wheels. Spitfire wheels are noted for maintaining their structure as well as form regardless of where you skate.

These wheels are made of high-quality elements and have a prolonged lifespan. Hard wheels typically offer strong velocity but not pleasant traction or balance. On the other hand, the Spitfire Formula 4 classic wheels have a treaded surface as well as a greater width, thus providing you with the necessary balance and grip.

Stunts are simpler to do with this balance as well as grip. These are definitely some decent skateboard wheels to buy if your skating abilities are modest.

3. Ricta Clouds Skateboard Wheels 

• Size: 58mm
• Hardness: 86a
• Use: Best for rough terrains.

Because of their lightweight construction, Ricta Clouds 86a Skateboard Wheels are the perfect skateboard rims when cruising as well as filming. You’ll have a fantastic time cruising down the roads, whether you’re a newbie or a skilled skateboarder.

You won’t have any concerns about these wheels breaking down quickly because of their flexible urethane design. They’re also made for harsh lands, so you may ride on the stony or spiky ground without hurting your wheels.

Riding across rocky terrains is also made simpler due to the wheels’ glossy surface. This layer not only enhances grip but also gives better sturdiness as well as hold.

These wheels come in a variety of sizes, starting from 52mm to 60mm in diameter. If you’re a newbie, begin with 52mm, and if you’re an advanced skater, go with 58mm. It’s best to select the diameter based on your abilities.

4. Spitfire Formula 4 Classics 99A Skateboard Wheels 

• Size: 52mm
• Hardness: 99a
• Use: Best for street and skateparks.

Spitfire’s iconic set of four wheels are available in ten distinct colors. It has a diameter of 52mm as well as a durometer of  99a, enabling it both speed as well as toughness.

The Formula Four Urethane is what sets them apart from the competition. It has a particular resistance to abrasion, which means there are fewer flat parts. You also get better traction, greater velocity, as well as a perfect anti-slick glide, resulting in the finest skating experience possible.

These wheels have a very slender riding surface. They not only provide you with greater acceleration, but they also give you the most stability during those tight bends and steep rides down the hills.

Moreover, if you are on a tight spending plan, the amazing qualities combined with the low price make them among the very best skateboard wheels available.

5. Bones 100’s Skateboard Wheels 

• Size: 52mm
• Hardness: 100a
• Use: Best for rough streets.

To generate this very exact wheel, Bone’s wheels are made up of many urethane formulae. These durable wheels are not only fast, but are also very adaptable. They can withstand any type of riding, and the urethane is also scratch-resistant. As a result, you won’t be bothered with flat spots.

You may utilize them on a variety of grounds and with a variety of skating techniques. The only drawback is that they might be a little harsh in the beginning. Once you’ve worn in the wheels a little, it’s all perfect skating after that.

They are one of the toughest wheels in the industry, with a durometer of 100a. As a result, they can easily accommodate complicated stunts. These are excellent skateboard wheels to consider regardless of whether you’re a rookie or an expert.

6. OJ Mini Super Juice Skateboard Wheels 

• Size: 55mm
• Hardness: 78a
• Use: Best for street, as well as freestyle skateboarding.

OJ Wheels is the earliest known company. With so much expertise, they create some of the greatest wheels utilizing only the finest urethane formulae.

OJ takes it a stage further by offering wheels for various sorts of skating, including wheels that give a comfortable, stealthy ride on gravel or concrete, as well as wheels suited for velocity as well as longboarding.

OJ skateboard rims have a significant following due to their high goods. Their cruiser wheels are also quite famous and of high durability. The wheels are tough as well as long-lasting, and the designs are vibrant. The wheels are truly an all-rounder, as they are appropriate for every terrain.

7. Orangatang Fat-Free Skateboard Wheels 

• Size: 65mm
• Hardness: 83a
• Use: Best for rough terrains and freestyle riders.

Orangatang fat-free Skateboard Wheels are among the industry’s best-rated skateboard wheels. The Fat-Free is a compact, ultralight freeride wheel intended to use on smaller longboards such as minis as well as double skateboards.

For flips as well as glides, they offer swift acceleration, maneuverability, and are lightweight. They’re made with their trademark Happy Thane mix for a comfortable but sturdy ride. They’re ideal for commutes, carving, as well as lengthy rides. These wheels are made to keep you steady and prevent you from slipping as you ride down the street.

Given the enormity of these wheels and their incompatibility with typical settings,  you’ll need to invest in a boosted board with risers. Ultimately, the extra cost is definitely justified because these wheels will drastically improve the way your board works.

8. Shark Wheel Skateboard Wheels 

• Size: 60mm
• Hardness: 78a
• Use: Best for rough and wet terrains.

The Shark Wheel 60 mm 78a Skateboard Wheels have a distinctive style that renders them difficult to overlook. The wheels’ bent design contributes to the elegance as well as usefulness. This form provides smooth-skating, making them one of the greatest street skateboard wheels available.

These wheels are powerful enough to shove tiny pebbles plus other obstructions out of your way, allowing you to travel easily and keep your pace. Moreover, they include a proprietary sidewinder composition that reduces friction and increases grip, so you won’t lose balance.

Some consumers were upset to see that the bearings that were promised as being featured with these wheels were not supplied. Nonetheless, these 78a durometer 60mm shark wheel skateboards are a wonderful purchase for improving your riding performance.

9. Santa Cruz Slime Balls Skateboard Wheels 

• Size: 66mm
• Hardness: 78a
• Use: Best for performing tricks and stunts.

If you want to be groovy on the streets, the Santa Cruz Skateboards SlimeBalls Skateboard Wheels are for you. Thanks to the amusing patterns and vibrant green hue,  these wheels not only look great, but they also function effectively.   The distinctive mold, in combination with the exclusive urethane recipe, enhances your riding experience.

Furthermore, the wheels are wear-resistant and do not crack. Skaters will not experience bearing seat stretching, softness, or velocity reduction.

Moreover, while rolling over any surface, these wheels offer incredible acceleration, stability, as well as traction. The surface has been smoothed out to make it simpler to glide and perform your outrageous skateboard flips. Regrettably, these wheels are extremely costly. However, considering their high-quality performance, the price is reasonable.

10. Spitfire Bighead Skateboard Wheels 

• Size: 54mm
• Hardness: 99a
• Use: Best for skate parks and pools

If you’re searching for a trustworthy as well as sturdy skateboard wheel, the Spitfire skateboard wheels are the way to go. These wheels are constructed of excellent materials and have a considerable lifespan.

Hard wheels usually give strong speed but not pleasant traction or steadiness. However, with the Spitfire Bighead wheels, you will have the essential balance as well as a grip when skating due to their treaded base and bigger width.

Stunts are simpler to do with this stability as well as grip. Furthermore, the user-friendly characteristics, along with the 99a durometer, make these wheels ideal for skating effortlessly in pools as well as skateparks.

Ensure to inspect your wheels for production problems, as one user reported experiencing instability because the molding was a little uneven. Aside from that, these wheels are incredibly fantastic and reasonably priced.

Best Skateboard Wheels – Buyer’s Guide 

What to look for?

When it comes to selecting your next pair of skateboard wheels, there are several factors to examine. Even little changes in wheel diameter or toughness can have a significant impact on how your board feels but also performs. Finding the greatest skateboard wheels is a matter of subjective taste dependent on the type of skating you want to perform.

1. Wheel Type

Skateboard wheels come in three basic forms, each of which is enjoyable and effective for different sorts of riding. Read on to see whether any of these are a good match for you.

Street Wheel

They are usually of diameter 50-60mm and durometer 95-101a.

These hard wheels are the perfect skateboard wheels for a park as well as street skating. Due to them being lightweight, they glide fast on smooth surfaces as well as roll smoothly.

Cruiser Wheel 

They are usually of diameter 55-60mm as well as a durometer 77-90a.

Cruiser skateboard wheels, or soft skateboard wheels, are typically bigger and a lot softer and smoother than park/street wheels. Suitable for any deck and roll fast on any surface. 

Longboard Wheel

They are usually of diameter 60-75mm and durometer 75-85a.

The biggest and softest wheels available, longboard wheels are designed to power through rough surfaces and keep their grip through corners. There’s a huge variety of options for everything from carving and cruising to sliding and downhill racing.

2. Diameter

50-53mm: These smaller wheels are great for trick riding and difficult riding. They may be used at skate parks as well as skating bowls. When you utilize small wheels, you should anticipate a slower ride.

54-59mm: Larger riders or newbies will benefit from these wheels. They may be used at skate parks. They’re also great for everyday riding.

60 mm and up: these huge wheels are great for speed skating, transitioning, as well as skating on rougher terrain.

3. Durometer

78 to 87 A: these softer wheels are perfect for longboarders as well as uneven terrains. They offer lots of traction and can smoothly glide over small rocks as well as cracks.

88 to 95 A: these wheels offer less traction than the group above, but enough that they can still be appreciated by skaters who longboards or does a combination of street riding as well as riding over rough terrains.

96 to 99 A: this wheel is an excellent choice for skaters who need an all-around wheel. You can use it at the skatepark, ramps, pools, or even as a newbie.

101+: these wheels are harder as well as faster to give the minimum amount of traction so skaters can comfortably perform stunts. 

4. Shape

Sharp-lip Shape

This wheel type is ideal for casual cruising, carving, as well as racing in some circumstances. When pressure is applied during severe bends, a sharp lip on a wheel provides more traction than “round-lip” wheels.

Round-lip Shape

Round-lip wheels are ideal for skaters who want to do surf-inspired sliding as well as carves, or perhaps for those who want to understand how to power slide. A wheel’s round-lip design allows for a consistent glide from beginning to e

How to choose the right Sized Wheels?

It basically depends on your skateboarding style and skill set. If you like to do more fun tricks, ollies and stunts then street/park wheels are the best for you as they roll beautifully on smooth surfaces.

If you like cruising then cruiser wheels are better for you as they roll more smoothly than street wheels. But if your interest lies in carving and downhill racing then you should choose longboard wheels.

We recommend doing thorough research before you decide to buy any wheel online. If you head down to your local skate shop make sure to ask the help of the shopkeeper as he can probably provide the best wheels according to your needs.

How to choose the right Durometer Wheels?

The hardness of skateboard wheels is measured in durometers and is constructed of polyurethane. Most are in the 76a to 103a range. A soft wheel is one with a rating of 79a to 89a, a moderate range of 89a to 98a, and a hard wheel with a rating of 99a or above.

For skateparks or street skating on ledges, rails, gaps, especially manual pads, we suggest hard wheels. When cruising, transit, as well as longboarding, soft wheels are ideal. 

Pros and Cons of Small Wheels vs Large Wheels

Big wheels

Pros:

• Perfect for cruising as well as speed.
• Don’t halt you as quickly when you skate over cracks or rocks.
• Big wheels have a more high speed.

Cons:

• Much heavier and bulkier than small wheels.
• Have slower acceleration.

Small wheels

Pros:

• Perfect for street skating.
• Are lightweight hence easy to ride.
• Small wheels have much better acceleration.

Cons:

• Can halt really easily if you glide over a crack or a rock.
• They have a slower speed.

Best Skateboard Wheels – FAQs 

Final Verdict – Wrapping it up

So that’s it; we’re going to call it a day. To offer you a clearer view, we went over a number of fantastic skateboard wheels in depth. It’s critical to assess your skating abilities before picking which one to purchase.

It will be much easier to pick skateboard wheels once you know which group you fit into. Some high-end wheels for experienced skaters may appear to be a lot of fun to use, but you should select wheels that are appropriate for your ability level.

By training often, you may take your skating game to the next level. The majority of the wheels come with installation instructions to guide you through the procedure. Make sure you read it all the way through to make sure you’re on the correct track.

Brad Hanson

Brad Hanson is a skateboard enthusiast who owns and edits Skateboards Insider, a website devoted to the latest news and information on skateboarding. He started skating at the age of 12 and has been hooked ever since.

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