Gear We Stand Behind, Picks You Can Trust
Since 1984, Bowling World has been helping bowlers of every skill level find the right gear to improve their game. Now, we’re tapping into the knowledge and experience of our team across 60+ pro shop locations to highlight the very best products in the sport.
Through Bowling World Select, we recognize the standout balls, shoes, bags, and accessories that our staff know and trust from years on the lanes and in the shops. These picks represent the gear we’d recommend to our own teammates and customers alike—the proven performers that deliver consistency, quality, and value where it matters most.
Bowling Accessories Awards
Consistency in bowling often comes down to the tools you keep in your bag - accessories. They’re the little things that keep your grip consistent, your ball reaction sharp, and your body supported frame after frame. With so many options on the market, it’s not always clear which products are truly essential, and which ones are just hype. That’s why we created Bowling World Select—to highlight the accessories our staff believes make the biggest difference for bowlers of all levels.
Our team has tested, stocked, and recommended these products day in and day out across leagues, tournaments, and pro shops nationwide. From the best cleaners that keep your gear performing like new to the wrist supports, tapes, and sanding products that keep you at your best, these are the items we’ve seen bowlers rely on again and again.
Each winner was selected because it stood out in performance, value, or usefulness, and earned the trust of our staff as products we’d recommend without hesitation.
So whether you’re just starting to build your accessory kit or you’re looking to upgrade your must-haves, this guide is your look at the best bowling accessories of 2025—handpicked by the Bowling World team.
Top Bowling Ball Cleaner
With so many ball cleaners on the market, each promising something different, our staff looked for the one that consistently delivers performance, value, and broad appeal. The Brunswick Big B Cleaner stood out as a great all-around option at a price point bowlers appreciate. It removes oil, dirt, and belt marks quickly and effectively without leaving residue behind, making it a reliable choice for everyday use.
It’s no surprise this is also the cleaner we sell the most of. Bowlers trust it because it works on all coverstocks, it’s easy to use, and it keeps equipment performing the way it should. For those reasons, the Big B earned our nod as the Top Bowling Ball Cleaner of 2025—a product that proves sometimes the most straightforward choice is the best one.

Honorable Mention: CTD That Purple Stuff
Best New Accessory [2025]
When our staff gathered to choose the Best New Accessory of 2025, the Hammer Black Widow Rubber Shammy quickly rose to the top. Everything with the Black Widow name tends to be a hit, and this shammy has been no exception—it’s been one of the most talked-about and purchased new accessories in our shops. Available in both red and blue, it offers bowlers a premium option that not only looks sharp but also performs at the highest level.
What sets this shammy apart is its construction. Built with oil-absorbing leather on one side and a durable molded rubber backing, it restores ball tack and reaction after every use. Compared to standard shammies, the Black Widow Rubber Shammy feels sturdier in hand, delivers more consistent results, and lives up to Hammer’s reputation for bold, performance-driven gear. Its combination of popularity, premium build, and proven results is why it earned the award for Best New Accessory of 2025.

Honorable Mention: Brunswick Pizza Grip Sack
Most "Giftable" Accessory
When it comes to bowling accessories, few items are as universally useful—or as easy to gift—as a shammy. Every bowler needs one to keep their ball performing its best, and because they naturally wear out with use, replacements are always in demand. That makes a shammy a gift that’s both thoughtful and practical, whether it’s for a league bowler, a casual player, or someone just starting out. It’s an accessory that every bowler will appreciate and put to good use.
Another reason shammies make such great gifts is the sheer variety available. From bold branded designs to colorful patterns and team-inspired styles, there’s a shammy out there to match every bowler’s personality. You can choose something unique to the individual while still giving them an essential tool for their game. For its usefulness, longevity, and versatility, the shammy easily earned the title of Most Giftable Accessory of 2025.

Honorable Mention: Protection Tapes
Top Wrist Support
The Brunswick Shot Repeater earned our staff’s pick as the Top Wrist Support of 2025 thanks to its balance of comfort, control, and consistency. Wrist supports are a critical tool for many bowlers, helping reinforce proper hand positioning and creating repeatable shots, and the Shot Repeater delivers exactly that. It offers the stability bowlers need without feeling overly restrictive, making it a favorite for both league play and competitive settings.
What really makes the Shot Repeater stand out is its combination of durability and performance at a reasonable price point. It’s built to last, easy to adjust, and helps bowlers of all levels achieve a smoother release and more consistent ball motion. Add in Brunswick’s trusted name behind it, and it’s no surprise the Shot Repeater rose above the competition to be recognized as our Top Wrist Support of 2025.

Honorable Mention: KR Kool Fit Positioner
Top Protection Tape
Protective tape is one of those accessories that bowlers quickly learn they can’t live without, and in 2025, the VISE Hada Patch stood out above the rest. Designed to apply smoothly on the back of the thumb, it provides a clean and consistent release while preventing irritation and blisters during long sessions on the lanes. Our staff recognized it as a staple for bowlers who want comfort, durability, and confidence every time they step up to the approach.
What makes the Hada Patch special is how it blends performance with feel. Bowlers often say it feels better than their own skin, and that difference shows up in the consistency of their shots. It’s simple to use, effective across all skill levels, and one of the best-selling protective tapes we carry. For its reliability, comfort, and popularity among bowlers everywhere, the VISE Hada Patch earned our nod as the Top Protective Tape of 2025.

Honorable Mention: Genesis Excel
Most Overlooked Accessory
When our staff considered which accessory bowlers tend to overlook the most, the answer was clear: ball cleaner. Despite being one of the simplest and most effective tools for maintaining equipment, it often gets forgotten in the shuffle of bags, shammies, and tape. Regular cleaning is absolutely crucial—not only does it keep a ball reacting the way it was designed to, but it also extends its lifespan by removing oil, dirt, and lane debris that build up after every game. Skipping this step means performance starts to fade much faster than most bowlers realize.
That’s why we felt it was important to highlight ball cleaner as our Most Overlooked Accessory of 2025. It’s affordable, easy to use, and makes an immediate difference in ball motion, yet many bowlers aren’t using it as consistently as they should. For those who want to get the most out of their investment and keep their ball rolling strong for years, a good cleaner isn’t optional—it’s essential.

Honorable Mention: Shoe Covers
Top Interchangeable Thumb
The JoPo Twist earned the title of Top Interchangeable Thumb of 2025 for its innovative design and reliability on the lanes. Interchangeable thumbs are all about giving bowlers consistency and flexibility, and the JoPo Twist delivers both with ease. Its patented twist-and-lock mechanism makes swapping inserts quick and secure, eliminating the worry of a thumb slug coming loose mid-game. For bowlers who like to experiment with different fits or need to adjust on the fly, the JoPo Twist has become the go-to solution.
What set the JoPo Twist apart in our staff’s eyes is how seamlessly it blends performance and convenience. It holds up under the stress of high-rev, high-speed bowlers while still being simple enough for everyday league players to use. Its durability, secure feel, and ease of installation have made it one of the most trusted interchangeable thumb systems on the market. For all of these reasons, it was the clear choice for our Top Interchangeable Thumb of 2025.

Honorable Mention: VISE IT System
Top Sanding Product
When it comes to surface adjustments, nothing has made a bigger impact in recent years than the CTD TruCut Sanding Pads. Designed specifically for bowling balls (unlike many generic abrasives on the market), TruCut pads cut cleaner, last longer, and give bowlers a true, consistent finish. Our staff selected them as the Top Sanding Product of 2025 because they take the guesswork out of surface prep, helping bowlers dial in the exact reaction they want with confidence and precision.
What sets TruCut pads apart is the way they pair with products like CTD’s So Fresh & So Clean or That Purple Stuff to restore performance and extend ball life. Bowlers trust them because they’re easy to use, effective on all coverstocks, and available in a wide range of grits for any lane condition. For their durability, accuracy, and the clear results they deliver, the CTD TruCut Sanding Pads earned their place at the top of our list this year.

Honorable Mention: Brunswick Siaair
All Bowling World Select winners can be identified with the badge 'Award Winner'
All 2025 Award Winners
Bowling Ball Award Winners
Top Overall Bowling Ball: Hammer BW Tour V1
Top Solid Bowling Ball: Hammer Special Effect
Top Hybrid Bowling Ball: Brunswick Hypnotize
Top Pearl Bowling Ball: Ebonite GB5 Pearl
Top Entry-Level Bowling Ball: Hammer Bubblegum Vibe
Best Value Bowling Ball: Hammer Bubblegum Vibe
Best Benchmark Bowling Ball: Hammer Hammerhead
Best Tournament Bowling Ball: Hammer BW Tour V1
Bowling Bag Award Winners
Top Single Ball Tote: Brunswick Blast
Top Single Ball Roller: KR Cruiser
Top Double Ball Tote: Brunswick Edge
Top Double Ball Roller: KR Cruiser
Top Triple Ball Tote: Hammer Dye-Sub
Top Triple Ball Roller: Hammer Carbon Shield
Top Quad Ball Roller: KR Royal Flush
Top Backpack: Hammer Tactical BP
Bowling Shoe Award Winners
Top Mens Athletic: Brunswick Fanatic
Top Womens Athletic: Dexter Raquel LX
Top Mens Performance: Dexter SST 8 line
Top Womens Performance: Dexter SST 8 line
Best Lightweight Option: KR Flyer Lite
Most Comfortable: Hammer Power Diesel
Most Durable: Hammer Power Diesel
Best Value Shoe: Dexter Pro BOA line
Bowling Accs Award Winners
Top Ball Cleaner: Brunswick Big B
Best New Accessory: Hammer BW Rubber Shammy
Most "Giftable" Accs: Shammy
Top Wrist Support: Brunswick Shot Repeater
Top Protection Tape: VISE Hada Patch
Most Overlooked: Ball Cleaner
Top Interchangeable Thumb: JoPo
Top Sanding Product: CTD TruCut
You don’t have to search far to find this year’s standouts—we’ve gathered all of our 2025 Bowling World Select Award winners in one place. From top entry-level choices to high-performance tournament favorites, you can explore every ball that earned our staff’s vote by clicking the button below and shopping the full collection.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Bowling World Select?
Bowling World Select is our team-driven recognition program where our IBPSIA certified pro shop professionals across all 65+ locations vote on and highlight the top-performing products in bowling. These are the balls, shoes, bags, and accessories our staff know and trust most.
How are the winners chosen?
Winners are selected through employee voting, feedback from pro shop operators, and insights from our staff’s firsthand experience with products on the lanes and in the shops.
How often are Bowling World Select awards announced?
Awards are currently planned to be updated once a year, with new categories and products added as the bowling industry evolves.
Are Bowling World Select winners based on sales numbers?
Not directly. While customer popularity is a factor, these awards focus on the knowledge and expertise of our staff, highlighting gear that consistently performs and earns our trust.
Do Bowling World Select winners ever change?
Absolutely. As new technology is released and gear improves, our team may recognize new products each year that set the bar for performance, comfort, and value.