Hamsters are cute and adorable. It is interesting to watch them pick food with their tiny hands as they eat. However, if not monitored, they can become overweight or even obese. One of the best ways to keep your hamster active and to allow it some time out of the cage is to use a hamster ball.
These balls provide a secure channel for the pet to exercise, as a cage does not facilitate this. In this guide we explore the best hamster balls available on the market and run through our top tips of what to consider when purchasing one.
Best Hamster Ball Reviews
We’ve researched and reviewed the top hamster balls available in the UK.
1. Rosewood Boredom Breaker Hamster Ball
Our Rating: 5/5
Check PriceThis Rosewood Boredom hamster ball is our recommendation if you are looking for a safe and secure exercise ball for your hamster. This ball is fairly basic, with a simple twist lid to allow you to put your hamster in and out. We found the lid to be very secure, and after significant use (with a lot of banging against walls) the lid was 100% secure.
The translucent material lets you see your pet and allows light in for your hamster to explore. The ball is made of shatter-resistant plastic material that can withstand a lot of force when banging on skirtings around the house (of course, you can protect your walls by building a small playpen out of cushions if needed!)
Rosewood is a trusted brand for small pets like hamsters. You will not go wrong with this choice, and for the price we think it offers excellent value for money for the hours of exercise and fun that your hamster will have.
Why we like it
- It is made of shatter-resistant material
- It measures 18 cm making it a good choice for all hamsters
- The lid remained very secure during use
2. Living World Exercise Ball for Hamsters
Our Rating: 5/5
Check PriceThis hamster ball from Living World comes with a stand allowing your hamster to exercise in one place. The stand connects onto both sides of the ball, holding it in place. This is ideal if you are concerned about your hamster escaping if it hits into solid objects like walls or skirtings. This ball provides the best of both worlds as it can also be used without the stand (we much prefer not using a stand as this gives your hamster a chance to explore and to feel slightly more free than simply running on the spot).
This product is made from break-free, non-toxic plastic. The material is durable and easy to clean. It keeps your hamster safe inside by being well ventilated for proper air circulation, and is secured using a twistable lid. The ball is medium sized, at 17 cm, making it suitable for all hamsters.
If you want to increase your hamster’s activity levels but don’t want to deal with the nuisance of a plastic ball moving around the house, this product is the perfect hamster ball choice for you. We like the clear plastic, that will allow your hamster to see clearly when it is running around. We
Why we like it
- Hamster ball with a stand to prevent the hamster from bashing into walls
- Durable and easy to clean
- It comes with a secure twist-to-lock lid
- Has transparent plastic material
- Well-ventilated hamster ball for adequate air circulation
- The plastic is unbreakable and non-toxic
3. Kaytee Transparent Hamster Ball Premium
Our Rating: 4.5/5
Check PriceThis is yet another perfect hamster ball you can choose for your pet. Measuring 18 cm, this ball is big enough for larger hamsters. Your pet will have healthy interactive fun without straining.
It is made from sturdy, durable plastic. You have little to worry about your pet being injured inside the ball. The Kaytee Transparent premium hamster ball has a simple twist-to-lock closure system for facilitating the pet’s security.
Kaytee Transparent premium hamster ball comes in a transparent design. Therefore, you can see what your pet is up to. In addition, a see-through design means that the hamster will not be exposed to overheating. It is also easy to clean.
Why we like it
- It comes with an easy twist to lock lid
- Features durable and secure plastic
- It is big, measuring 17.8 cm in length, width, and height
- It is transparent
- The ball provides a controlled exercise platform for the hamster
4. Interpet Limited Superpet Critter Chopper
Our Rating: 4/5
Check PriceInterpet’s critter chopper is a unique option for those who are not fazed by the usual hamster exercise balls. It has a motorbike design making it a cool choice.
This product has more of a wheel design and comes with a flamed-detailed motorbike attached to it. You will easily spot the hamster approaching or veering off. You can easily detach the wheel if you need to use the exercise ball only.
The hamster ball by Interpet is made of plastic and is available in a variety of colours. The design of this hamster ball makes it a bit heavy for dwarf hamsters to move around. It is, therefore, a better option for bigger pets. The ball measures 18 cm and weighs 454 g.
Why we like it
- Hamster ball with a motorbike design
- An ideal choice for large hamsters
- Features a secure, easy to detach exercise wheel
- Measures 18 cm
Useful Addition! Andiker Hamster Track
Our Rating: 5/5
Check PriceHamsters are energetic pets who like to exercise. As such, this hamster track coupled with hamster balls can make the perfect toys for your pet as they’ll help them exercise.
The addition of a hamster track will help you to keep your hamster on a fixed route within your house, meaning they won’t bash into walls or objects (the main reason that hamsters often end up escaping from poor quality balls). This track can accommodate balls measuring 12cm, 14cm, 16cm, and 18cm which covers all balls reviewed in this guide.
It’s made in a way that it has a hollow track that evenly distributes the weight of a hamster running ball. Put your pet in a hamster ball and then onto this track, and watch as your pet runs and rolls on the track.
Installing and disassembling this hamster track is quite easy. And the best part is that you can rest assured that the hamster ball will not roll outside the tracks thanks to the 4cm depth and 9.5cm width.
The exercise track is made of environment-friendly quality material that’s BPA-free. In addition, the material is washable and can fold easily.
Why we like it
- It complements the hamster ball
- Durable thanks to the strong materials used to make it
- Easy assembly and disassembling
- Confines hamster movement
What to consider when buying a hamster ball
When shopping for the best hamster ball, there are crucial things to look out for, for your space and your hamster.
Colour. The ball’s colour determines how much light reaches the hamster. Some hamsters get stressed when placed inside dark-coloured balls. In addition, dark coloured balls absorb more heat. This might put your pet in an environment where they experience over-heating.
Choose a light coloured hamster ball to avoid these problems and allow better viewing.
Size. Unknown to most people, hamsters vary in size. Dwarf ones measure around 2” while Syrian ones range between 5” – 9” in length. It is vital to know the size of your pet before you bet it a ball.
Tiny hamsters will get disoriented in a big ball, while bigger ones are likely to feel cramped inside a small one. If you are not sure about the right size of a hamster ball to get, research or talk to your vet first.
Ventilation. As with all living things, hamsters need to breathe. The best hamster ball should have a sound ventilation system. Holes should be all around the ball and big enough to ensure enough air reaches your pet.
Material Used. Most hamster balls are made of plastic. But the quality, thickness, and general design of the plastic is also a thing to consider. Thin plastic is dangerous in the long run.
Go for plastic materials that are thick, smooth; ideally, BPA-free ones will be a good option. You can be sure that your pet is safe, even if it decides to chew the ball.
Security Features. Hamsters can easily wander away. Pay special attention to the ball’s opening and closing features. Ensure that the ball has a safe closure system so that the pet doesn’t figure a way out.
If still not comfortable with the security features of the hamster ball, it might be best only to use it when you are close and in a safe, clean space, away from other pets.
Would you like to test products for us?
If you own a dog, cat, rabbit, ferret or hamster we would love to talk to you about testing some of the products that we feature on Cutely. As a tester, we send you products (completely free of charge, and you keep them after!) to test and review with your pet. In return, we ask for your thoughts on the product, what you liked and didn’t like, and some photos of the product being used by your pet (all sent via email).