Need to decide now? My choice for the best basketball wrist brace is the Mueller Sports Medicine HG80 Premium Wrist Brace.
Hand and wrist injuries are very common in basketball – and some of them can keep you off the court for months. These can be caused by dribbling, passing, and catching the ball on the court. Sometimes, an athlete may even get injured when falling.
Fortunately, you can prevent that by wearing basketball wrist braces.
It can be hard to find the right balance between style, comfort, and function.
In this article, I will review the three best wrist braces I have tried that basketball players and sports lovers should consider.
- Mueller Sports Medicine HG80 Premium Wrist Brace
- ComfyBrace Adjustable Wrist Brace
- Bauerfeind Sports Wrist Strap
Top 3 Wrist Braces For Basketball
Let’s get our hands dirty and review each of the highly-rated wrist braces for basketball players.
1. Mueller Sports Medicine HG80 Premium Wrist Brace – Best Overall
Features
- Item dimensions: 2.12 x 3.62 x 6.62 inches
- Item weight: 3.53 ounces
- Sizes: Small/Medium, Large/XL
The Mueller Sports Medicine HG80 is my favorite basketball wrist brace since it lets me be active even with a minor injury.
This wrist support has the Mueller-exclusive HydraCinn moisture-wicking fabric that also has good heat management. The base sleeve is breathable and soft but durable and antimicrobial.
It has flexible steel springs over the top and bottom of the wrist to provide extra protection.
However, I found that the sizes can be too big, so they might not be good for people with small hands.
Pros
- Moisture-wicking fabric
- Lets you play through a minor injury
- Breathable but durable
Cons
- Sizes are too big
2. ComfyBrace Adjustable Wrist Brace – Best Budget Pick
Features
- Item dimensions: 10.75 x 3.9 x 2.13 inches
- Item weight: 3.84 ounces
- Sizes: one size fits all, Small/Medium, Large/XL
The ComfyBrace wrist brace has a plush beaded cushion that conforms to the shape of the hand for more comfort.
It also has a removable palmar splint inside, depending on how much support you want. The company offers free lifetime replacement too!
While this is a good product, you might want to check other wrist braces first before getting this one.
This might be better for out-of-sport uses because it wraps around part of the forearms too, which might feel limiting to a player.
Pros
- Made with a plush beaded cushion
- Handy removable palmar splint
- Free lifetime replacement
Cons
- May be too restrictive for some sports
3. Bauerfeind Sports Wrist Support – Best Premium Pick
Features
- Item dimensions: 3.15 x 3.54 x 0.59 inches
- Item weight: 0.78 ounces
- Sizes: Small/Medium, Large/XL
Bauerfeind offers some of the best wrist braces on the market. Admittedly, the sizing of this product can be too tight on the wrist, and it’s quite expensive. You’ll also notice it also wraps around just your wrist rather than including the thumb.
However, I promise it’s worth trying.
This wrist support is made from 3D AirKnit Fabric, which is lightweight, breathable, durable, and easily washable.
It has adjustable relieving pressure to help you relieve and stabilize the wrist during intense exercises. I also love how it’s low profile.
Pros
- Made from 3D AirKnit Fabric
- Adjustable relieving pressure
- Low-profile
Cons
- Can be too tight
What Should I Consider When Choosing a Basketball Wrist Brace?
People have different anatomies that can affect which wrist brace will best provide support to their wrist and sometimes thumb.
Below are some factors that I consider (and you should, too) when looking at the best wrist braces to wear while playing basketball.
Size
Size is probably the most important factor in choosing the right wrist support.
After all, something too loose won’t be able to properly support your wrists, possibly worsening an already-existing injury. If you wear something loose, you also risk it slipping off your wrist and messing up your game.
On the other hand, something too tight will feel too restricting, which can prevent you from playing basketball properly.
Need
How you play basketball actually factors into the kind of wrist brace you should get.
For instance, you might need a harder brace if blocking is a big part of your play. Alternatively, a more flexible product might be better if your specialty is steals.
More padding might also be helpful if you’re very physical on the court. However, a more lightweight fit can work better if you’re more elusive.
Flexibility
A brace with just the right flexibility is very important in basketball.
After all, something too stiff can make it hard to maneuver the ball.
On the other hand, too much flexibility will defeat the purpose of having a brace in the first place. It can cause sprains or thumb injuries because it lacks support.
Price
The basketball wrist brace that offers you the most comfort and movement doesn’t have to be expensive.
Set a budget range when looking for a wrist brace. No matter your needs, you’ll be able to find something that can fit your hand the best.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
A wrist brace is very helpful to basketball players – especially if you get one with the right fit.
If you have more questions about supportive braces, keep reading.
Who Should Wear a Wrist Brace?
People with arthritis and athletes who use a lot of wrist action (like in tennis and basketball) should wear a wrist brace.
Basketball players can use this as a preventative measure against wrist injuries like sprains. Some braces can support the thumb as well.
Aside from preventing injuries, wrist braces can also protect a recently injured wrist or thumb, too. That’s because they limit the movement of your hand, so you don’t strain it.
A basketball player can also keep it around the wrist even outside of games so they don’t overuse it, allowing the wrist to rest.
Will a Wrist Brace Let Me Play Basketball With a Sprained Wrist?
Can you play basketball with a wrist brace? A wrist brace can let you continue playing basketball as long as it’s only a grade one or mild sprain.
Depending on your pain tolerance, you can still survive a game with this kind of sprain as long as you have protective taping or a wrist brace.
However, if you have second- or third-degree sprains, playing basketball is a huge risk, even when wearing wrist braces. As such, it’s highly recommended that you sit out of your game and consult a health professional about your injury.
They can also help you find the right fit for your wrist and give you more information on how to take care of your injuries.
Conclusion
Wrist injuries like sprains and fractures are common among basketball players.
However, wearing a wrist brace can prevent wrist and thumb injuries. On top of that, it can also protect your hand if it’s still recovering from a previous injury.
The right wrist support should stop your thumb or wrists from moving too much outside of its normal range of movement while still allowing you to continue playing basketball well.
If you have a wrist injury worse than a first-degree sprain, you should consult a medical doctor in order to have it assessed properly.