Finally the Wilson Evolution has reached “Perfection”… just by another company
Since most everyone has used the Wilson Evolution I figured it would be easiest to review it and compare the Badens directly to the Evo. The Evo feels great in hand but during actual game play, my main gripes are :
- Sweat doesn’t get absorbed and makes the ball slippery
- Inconsistent bounce due to the cushioning (dead spots). It’s frustrating to be dribbling and the ball doesn’t come up as high as expected for no reason.
The Baden Perfection balls fixed both of those problem.
Here is what Baden says about their balls and why they are better:
Better symmetry for consistent balance.. Makes sense to me
I can verify all the info above is true but not sure if any of us can tell a difference in every day play.
I will say I love the small valve they use it looks way cleaner.
The Covers
According to Baden, the Element is the new and improved version of the Elite which makes no sense from a naming standpoint . Elite means it’s the cream of the crop while Element means the basis of something ..
I loved the cover of the Elite ball because it blended a soft tacky leathery feel with the cushion of an Evo with no slickness even when wet.
The Element feels more like an Evo cover so the leathery tackiness is gone and has that dry touch feel. I didn’t experience any slickness with this ball either so if you like the Evo cover, this is your ball.
Channels
Both balls have the same channel design. They are made extremely well with no glue spots or sloppy seams.
Below: Element . Most balls glue the channels all along the seams seen below but the Perfection ball only uses two pieces.
Below : only place where channels come together is in the middle from two pieces = less prone to breakage, less glue, better balance
Below : Elite
Below: Elite
Cushioning
Almost the exact same amount of cushioning behind the panels as the Evo so if you like the Evo you’ll love these balls. I didn’t experience dead spot bounces like I did with the Evo but then again I seem to be the only one who notices the dead bounces.
Durability
Scuffs don’t really show up like they do on the Tf1000. I found this old Elite ball at my sons basketball camp and it still felt great even though it was run through the ringer.
And yes that’s a KD Sonic slushy in the back
Air valve
I just think this is brilliant and gives the ball a clean look.
Conclusion
If you like the Wilson Evolution but wanted a better cover or a more consistent bounce, these are your balls. The Element is so similar to the Evo that you’d have a hard time telling the difference if you closed your eyes. I like the cover of the Elite better than the Element but it comes down to personal preference. I found the Element ball on sale at Kohls for $39 while the Elite runs about $47. Baden used to have a larger prescence about twenty years ago but Wilson and Spalding have grown so much that Baden got pushed out of the market. If you want a better ball or you’re tired of looking through rows of Evos looking for your ball give these a shot, you won’t be disappointed.
schwollo.com 
Hey bro great review! Do you consider reviewing molten? Molten is a ball brand and is what fiba uses. Their gl7 and gg7 are 2 of my favorite balls to play in.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve heard a lot of good things about those so I may look into them soon .
LikeLike
Agreed,i also want to see what you will say about gg7 ,very consistent bounce and soft as well
LikeLike
Nice review!!! Do you have any idea what is the best outdoor ball? It’s very hard to find indoor court in my country.
LikeLike
Hmm I play with a spalding tack soft outdoors and has held up very well. Prior to that I used a Wilson ball thst is now out of production and it lasted a long time until I ran over it lol. Spalding and Wilson lower end indoor outdoor balls like the tack soft / excel are all pretty good
LikeLike
I’ve been using a Wilson NCAA replica indoor/outdoor ball for about a year now, not to be confused with the replica outdoor only ball. It’s my primary outdoor ball and I also use it indoors for warm-ups before pickup games. Retails for $29.99 but it’s basically $19.99 in reality. Absolutely better than all the other ~$30 mixed use balls I’ve tried. It holds up well and the cover is great. I fact, if there are no older tf-1000s available to use for pickups, people usually start clamoring for my Wilson OVER the Wilson evo another guy brings. People don’t like the softness of the evo and it bounced strangely sometimes.
LikeLike
Wow you have smart friends . It’s the opposite here everyone runs for evos. I noticed the weird dead bounce on it as well . I haven’t played w the replica ncaa ball except at the store . Very similar to the ncaa ball so your comment doesn’t surprise me
LikeLike
I just checked and the ball I’ve been using is the Wilson NCAA ‘Premier’ ball, which retails for $40 but is always priced around $20. The reason people, myself included, like this ball is because the channels are not as deep as some other newer balls, and the cover is leathery feeling, not rubbery. Now, I will only suggest this as an outdoor ball with occasional shoot-around use indoors. You certainly could use it to play indoors, but c’mon.. it’s a $20 ball 😛
schwollo, how would you compare the channel depth/width on the Baden perfection balls compared to the Evo?
Personally I do not like the deep channels on the evo, and I much much prefer the older tf-1000 wide channel (which is kind of continues in the newer ‘Classic’, but even that is a bit deeper than the tf-1000s from like 3-4 years ago). Softness I can deal with, but super deep channels always feel strange to me.
LikeLike
Channels are very similar but Baden is slightly shallower. Deep channels do feel weird but i don’t feel the evo is over the top or anything
LikeLike
You thoroughly Reviewed the Wilson Evolution, Anaconda The Rock and Baden Perfection Element/Elite Basketballs. I am currently in the market to purchase 2 Indoor Balls, for Rec League, and have only used the Original Spalding TF-1000. Based on your personal knowledge/review, which ball would you recommend and Order Rank. I am glad I was able to find your Website and have read several other Articles you published. THANKS!!!
LikeLike
I love the original tf1000 do not really like the legacy tf. In order of ranking 1) tf1000 orig (the re release is good but pricey 2) the rock 3) Wilson solution 4) perfection elite 5)evolution
The rock is a very under rated ball. Better absorption than evo and nice overall feel. Doesn’t get slick like the evo. I also enjoy the Solution ball. Not slick at all and made well. The perfection and evo are very similar but perfection cover is better. I hope that helps!
Btw the rock has some sales for logo over runs.
LikeLike
Excellent and thorough review! I think the Baden Elite is EVERYTHING the Evolution is…only better! It’s one of the few balls that I know if it were lost or stolen, that I wouldn’t hesitate to buy a new one.
By the way, I did some checking, and it is the Elite, not the Element, that is Baden’s top-of-the-line indoor game ball. The Element is an upgrade/replacement over the Lexum ball that I’m not sure is in production anymore, but Baden States this on their website and it is also more expensive, like you mentioned in your review.
LikeLike
Oh thanks I didn’t know that ! Yep the elite is a great ball ! It’s a shame everyone flocks to the evo
LikeLike
I bought the Baden Element, and it feels great! But for some reason, I feel like it is smaller than the official men’s size or Evolution even when it is the right size. Is there any reason for that?
LikeLike
Not sure why that would be ?
LikeLike
I’m not sure why, but whenever I play with it, it feels like a much smaller ball than it actually is. Does this have to do with any elements of the design, or is it just me?
LikeLike
I don’t think it’s the design. You could try contacting Baden or the company that you bought it from and exchanging if it’s something that concerns you.
LikeLike
Ok,thanks. But all in all, this ball is incredible!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes it is !
LikeLike
I know I’m years late BUT would you by The Rock basketball over the Baden Elite?
LikeLike
I like the Rock a little more bc I like the covers feel but the Baden is just as good too. Think upgraded evolution cover
LikeLike
Thanks for the review. Sounds like if I like the elite, and don’t really like evos, then there’s no point trying out the element. Works for me. And I agree with you, my problem with the evolution is they are super inconsistent. I’ve played with some good ones, feel great even, but others, including two I’ve owned, got super slippery even when dry, and were almost unusable. And they weren’t even very old.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Really good under rated ball.
LikeLike