The 5 Best Jump Ropes

Handle Length: 5 ⅞" | Bearings: Yes

The Crossrope Get Lean is for those who take the fitness game seriously. The feature that sets this model apart from the rest is its interchangeable ropes. This package includes both a quarter-pound and half-pound cord, allowing you to intensify your workout with the heavier cord or use the lighter one to focus on endurance. Changing between ropes is a cinch, thanks to the fast-clip system on each handle. If you want a jump rope but don't know where to start, you'll love the Crossrope app with its coached workouts, compatible with both iOS and Android devices.

There are some things to consider before deciding on the Get Lean rope. For starters, it's not adjustable, so double-check that you order a compatible length for your height. Also, it features a much higher price tag than many may want to pay. If you're seeking a budget model, there are much cheaper options to fit your price range. Despite these flaws, we can't imagine a better jump rope for those who want to maximize the effectiveness of their home workouts.

Handle Length: 5 ½" | Bearings: Yes

The Fitness Factor Adjustable is a solid choice for those seeking performance and simplicity from their home exercise equipment. Cutting the PVC cord to the proper length was extremely easy — with just a few short steps and a pair of scissors, this rope can be trimmed to size for heights of 4'9" up to 6'6". The Fitness Factor's simple design makes it incredibly easy to use, especially for those just entering the jump rope world. As a bonus, this model includes a manual that outlines five workout routines to help you get going.

Although the handles feature bearings, they didn't spin as well as some competitors. While this isn't a deal-breaker, choosing a model with higher-quality bearings might make sense if speed and consistent spinning are determining factors. This rope offers no bells and whistles like interchangeable cords with different weights or weighted handles. Still, this is a great choice if you're looking for a basic model with excellent all-around performance.

Handle Length: 6" | Bearings: Yes

Not all jump ropes are priced equally, and if you're looking for a good model on the lower end of the price scale, look no further than the DEgoL Skipping Rope. During our assessment, we became immediate fans of the memory foam handles with recessed rings for added grip. This model comes out of the box at a total length of 9 feet and can be trimmed to any size you desire. The rope consists of a braided steel wire coated with PVC, which would take a lot to break.

On that note, cutting the rope to your desired length is no easy task. You'll need a tool much burlier than scissors to get it done. Also, we weren't thrilled with the performance of the bearings on this model. During our spin timing test, the handles on the DEgoL barely spun for one second. Despite these flaws, we recommend the DEgoL for those shopping for a jump rope on a budget.

Handle Length: 5 ¾" | Bearings: Yes

The Pulse Weighted Handle sets itself apart from the other versions in our review with its weighted handles. Fairly quickly, our testers felt a noticeable difference in the arm and shoulder burn compared to jump ropes with lighter handles. If you decide you've had enough extra arm work and want to go for maximum reps, the weights in the Pulse handles can be quickly and easily removed. During our handle spin analysis, we discovered that the Pulse bearings provided a longer rotation than many of the models in our review. The rope on this model comes at a length of ten feet out of the box, but it's simple to trim down with a pair of scissors.

Though the Pulse Weighted is far from the most expensive model on the market, many more affordable options exist. Despite the high cost, we recommend this model to anybody who desires a jump rope with weighted handles.

Handle Length: 5 ¼" | Bearings: Yes

The WOD Nation Speed likes to go fast. If you want to increase your endurance or the number of reps you can complete in a set amount of time, check out this model. It comes with an extra rope just in case you wear through one or would like to keep two different lengths on hand. If style is your thing, WOD Nation will meet your needs — this one is available in nine different colors.

However, our testers were not the biggest fan of the WOD Nation's handles. They're hard plastic with some texture for extra grip, but it doesn't take much sweat for them to become slippery. As with other braided cable core ropes, this model requires more than just scissors to trim to length. Even with its flaws, our team concluded that the WOD Nation is the way to go for the quickest and most stylish reps.

Handle Length: 5-¼" | Bearings: Yes

We like a few things about the YZLSPORTS Adjustable Steel Wire rope. We appreciate that the handles have an articulated plastic section for your thumb and forefinger, but the rest is foam, which rests nicely in your palm. If you're shopping on a tight budget and aren't picky about bonus features or style, the YZLSPORTS is worth a look.

One downside to PVC-coated braided steel cable models is that they require wire cutters or an even larger tool to cut your desired length. If you want the convenience of trimming your rope with scissors, go with a hollow PVC or rope model. Regrettably, the rotation on the YZLSPORTS feels a bit gritty. If smoothness is important to you, spending a few extra bucks on a higher-quality model would be wise. However, if you like this type of grip and don't want to spend too much on your home workout, this one will suit most people's needs.

Handle Length: 4 ⅛" | Bearings: No

Who doesn't remember a segmented jump rope from their childhood? The Champion Sports 9-Foot Segmented model offers a classic design that brings back memories or helps create new ones. This jump rope is available in an array of sizes ranging from 6 feet for smaller people up to 16 feet in case you have three people or more for group hopping fun. If you're looking for an entertaining way to keep the family active, this is a very affordable way to get it done.

If you're a hardcore fitness enthusiast, this is likely not the model for you. The small plastic handles become slippery with even a tiny bit of sweat, and if you're going for speed, it might only be a matter of time before the string inside the segments wears out and breaks. That said, the PR9 Plastic Segmented will provide endless hours of family fun.

Why Trust GearLab

We initiated our extensive test plan after buying the top jump ropes on the market. We took several measurements and carefully inspected each model for design strengths or weaknesses. Then our team of product testers and athletes used each one exhaustively, hopping and skipping for thousands of reps and comparing every rope's overall feel and performance in our review.

Our lead tester Austin Palmer and review editor Ross Patton hopped right on this review when it came down the line. Ross is a lifelong athlete and has competed in several sports that require rigorous off-season cross-training, such as ski racing. In his adulthood, he has spent a decade in winter sports product research and development with a Bachelor of Science from the University of Nevada, Reno, to back it up. Also a lifelong athlete, Austin grew up playing flag football, soccer, tennis, and wrestled — and can still double under crisscross a jump rope to this day. Having tested hundreds of products for 15 years between them, you can trust that these two are beyond qualified to distinguish well-made products from shoddy ones.

Analysis and Test Results

To determine the best models available, we tested and analyzed each model for overall functionality while thoughtfully considering which features would be better for different applications. We divided our evaluation into three categories — rope type, adjustability, and grip.

Rope Type

The rope composition greatly affects the overall feel while in use. Also, the material can determine overall durability and how susceptible the cord is to tangling, twisting, and kinking.

During testing, we found that ropes consisting of a braided steel cable with a PVC coating were the easiest to keep a good rhythm with, the least likely to tangle, and the most durable. Our favorite models that use this type of rope are the Crossrope Get Lean, WOD Nation Speed, and the DEgoL Skipping Rope.

Many other modern jump ropes are PVC without the braided steel cable core. This type tends to be a bit lighter and cheaper, which might be positive for you. Though a bit more susceptible to wear and tear and tangling than their metal cousins, we were still very pleased with the overall performance of the PVC ropes. Our favorite PVC models are the Pulse Weighted Handle and the Fitness Factor.

Lastly, some models are made out of rope or the classic construction using segmented plastic pieces to protect and add weight to a thin rope.

Handles

Handles can make a surprising amount of difference in performance. Sweat can cause plastic grips to become slippery, but the material is typically lighter than foam handles. Foam handles tend to be easier to grip but absorb sweat, making them heavier and harder to clean. Some handles feature bearings to help the rope spin freely, but we found a high degree of variability in bearing quality. To assess the handles, we gave them a few good spins to time how long they could rotate while hanging freely, then measured each handle's length. Finally, we carefully examined how each model felt during an exercise routine.

If you prefer a more slender plastic handle, it's hard to top the Crossrope Get Lean performance. With a length of 5 ⅞," you'll have plenty of room to position your hands in whichever way is most comfortable for you. The Get Lean bearings are some of the best that we've seen — their spin time showed an average of 8 to 10 seconds. The WOD Nation is another option with thin handles, but this model has significantly shorter grips with a measured length of 5 ¼". When we measured the handle rotation time for the WOD Nation, we found that they would spin for 4 seconds on average.

Regarding memory foam handles, we are fans of both the Pulse Weighted and DEgoL Skipping Rope designs. Each has a large diameter for those with larger hands or who want something more substantial to hold onto. The recessed grooves on the handles increase grip, even if they're soaked in sweat. These models have bearings, but the Pulse handles spun for 3 or 4 seconds while the DEgoL barely rotated for a second.

Finally, the Fitness Factor handles are a plastic and foam hybrid that allows you to grab a bit of plastic with your thumb and forefinger if you so choose, then the palm grips are foam. These handles are 5 ½" and put up an average time of 2 seconds during our spin analysis.

Adjustability

For many people, adjustability will play a vital role in the decision-making process when purchasing exercise equipment. You may want to cut your cord to a specific custom length or have weight options for the handles or the rope itself.

You cannot cut the Crossrope Get Lean to a custom length, but this model has multiple sizing options available for purchase. The Crossrope distinguishes itself from the rest with its quick-release interchangeable ¼ lb and ½ lb braided steel PVC-coated ropes. The ¼ lb is excellent for cranking up your skipping speed, while the ½ lb is ideal for adding resistance to your workout routine.

The Pulse Weighted is adjustable in two different ways — you can easily cut the PVC rope to a custom length using nothing more than a pair of scissors, and the weights can be removed from the handles by simply unscrewing the caps and sliding them out.

The Fitness Factor, DEgoL Skipping Rope, and WOD Nation can all be cut to a custom length. However, the Fitness Factor is the only one of the three you can cut with scissors. For the other two, you'll need some burly wire cutters or another type of tool to get through the braided steel cable.

Conclusion

Deciding which product is right for you can be a complicated task, even for something as seemingly simple as a jump rope. We purchased and tested models for all types of applications and at several different price points to determine the best for each situation. We hope that by reading our review, you now have the confidence to buy the one that matches your needs. Happy hopping!