If you’re a casual or novice skateboarder, or even a more experienced one, you may not have given your skateboard’s bearings much thought. Skateboard bearings are the small, round metal pieces on the inside of the wheels of skateboards. Small as they might be, bearings are a crucial part of the skateboard since they’re what mount the wheels to the axle. Your skateboard wouldn’t be able to move without them. They also help your skateboard to roll faster and smoother. Since they’re such an important piece, keeping extra bearings on hand is a wise move if you skateboard with any frequency. Here are our top recommendations.

What to Consider in Skateboard Bearings

Here’s what to look into:

• Material: Most skateboard bearings will be made out of metal, usually steel. The higher quality steel, the better off you are, since premium steel is less prone to rusting, which can affect your skateboard’s speed or even damage your wheels. Steel is also nice and durable and won’t warp or lose its shape. Ceramic bearings are an alternative material. These are often pricier but produce less friction and never rust, so they don’t need to be replaced as often as their metal counterparts.
• Multipurpose: Skateboards are not the only type of recreational transportation equipment that requires bearings. Longboards, inline skates, scooters, and the like also use bearings to attach their wheels to their axles. Some skateboard bearings will also fit these devices’ wheels. If you own a scooter or something similar in addition to your skateboard, these sorts of multipurpose bearings are a worthwhile investment.
• Quantity: Most skateboard bearings are sold in sets of eight. Each wheel requires two bearings, so a pack of eight bearings is one full replacement set. If you own multiple boards or similar equipment, find that you go through bearings quickly, or simply want to be prepared, then consider buying them in larger quantities. While less common, is it possible to buy sets larger than eight at a time, and that may save you money in the long run.

Top Choice: Bones Bearings Reds Bearings

Here are high-quality skateboard bearings that come equipped with everything you need to keep your wheels safely attached. These precision metal bearings have a single, non-contact rubber shield that helps keep them clean of dirt and reduces friction. The rubber shields, white or red in color, can be removed whenever you want to clean them or the bearings themselves. The strong nylon ball retaining offers the wheels higher speed and a smoother ride. You receive the standard eight bearings with your purchase, along with four spaces, eight washers, instructions for installation and use, and a bonus logo sticker to decorate your skateboard if desired.

Best Value: FaGoBearing Double Shielded Bearings

These are top-notch single row skateboard bearings that support radial loads and are well worth every penny you pay for them. Instead of the usual eight, you’ll receive a set of 20, enough to replace your bearings twice, and then some. But these bearings aren’t high value simply because you receive almost three times the usual amount for one low price. They’re made of strong, high-quality bearing steel, with a high-carbon chromium exterior. The double-shielded sealing keeps lubrication inside the bearings and contaminants out to provide a longer lifetime. These bearings also have anti-dust properties to prevent clogging, are highly resistant to abrasion, and are nice and quiet, so they won’t squeak or squeal as you skate. You also have the option to choose from classic silver, black, bright red, or cool blue coloring to better match your skateboard. As a bonus, they’ll fit inline skates and scooters as well as skateboards.

Best Multipurpose: Bones Reds Skateboard Bearings

If you own a lot of recreational equipment, these bearings are an ideal option since they can be used for more than just skateboards. Whether you’ve got a skateboard, longboard, scooter, or spinner that needs new bearings, these will fit them all. And no matter which piece of equipment they’re attached to, these bearings offer excellent speed once you adhere them to the wheels. The spacers are precision cut, so they can fit and hold up to even the tightest tolerances on 8-millimeter axles. Your purchase includes an all-purpose skate T-tool that includes a hardened-steel and chrome-finished driver with Allen and Phillips heads, a socket for truck kingpin nuts, a socket for hardware, and a socket for axle nuts. You also have two additional purchasing options with extra spacers and washers.

Most Color Options: Yellow Jacket Premium Skateboard Bearings

If your skateboard’s color and design are some of the important features for you, these bearings offer a great way to ensure that even one of the smallest pieces of your skateboard matches your desired aesthetic. You have the choice of seven colors to choose from, from classics like black and white to bright yellow and red, as well as cool blue, grass green, and pale orange. These bearings are highly precise and made of high-end steel for an extra smooth spin. The premium steel helps defend them from debris like rocks, dust, and dirt to prevent wear and tear, meaning these bearings will last you that much longer. This protection also ensures they’ll maintain their precision even with long-term usage. You can buy the pack of eight bearings by themselves or a set that includes washers and spacers as well.