Last update on 2021-02-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
In the chart above you see the top 5 best USA baseball bats for the 2021 season.
No matter what your level is, if you want to complement the perfect swing, you’re going to need the perfect bat.
In most youth and amateur baseball leagues, the only standard of an acceptable bat is the USA Baseball logo.
Here, we’re going to look at the five best USA Baseball bats for 2021. I will help you find the one that will help you, your child or your team truly excel.
What makes a USA Baseball bat?
To compete in USA Baseball leagues, you have to have to play with a bat that meets the USA Baseball bat standards.
These standards change over time. In 2018, the new standard is aimed at creating wood-like performance in youth baseball bats. This includes a bigger diameter around 2 5/8″.
In these reviews, we’re going to cover the best youth baseball bats that fit the standard as of the beginning of 2018.
These standards are subject to change, of course, just as new bats are likely to come out. When that happens, we will release a new series of USA baseball bats reviews to match.
We’ve done that with our drop 10 baseball bats as well.
The USA Baseball standard applies to all bats used in Little League, the American Amateur Baseball Congress, Babe Ruth Baseball / Cal Ripken Baseball, Dixie Youth, PONY Baseball and Dizzy Dean.
For USSSA Baseball, the changes in the 2018 USA Baseball standards do not apply as they fit a different series of standards.
Video: USA Baseball Bats Explanation
#1 – 2021 Rawlings Quatro Pro USA
Drop weight: -10
Barrel diameter: 2 5/8″
USA Baseball Bat code: US1Q10
- DESIGNED FOR AN EASIER, QUICKER SWING SPEED, the Quarto Pro USA Youth Baseball Bat (-12) combines power, swing, and balance to deliver explosive results
- CREATED FOR ALL TYPES OF HITTERS AGES 12 AND UNDER, this 2-piece carbon fiber composite bat works great for the middle of the lineup hitter, while the light weight quality is perfect for hitters at the top or bottom of the lineup
- PROVIDES OPTIMAL SWING BALANCE AND A SMOOTH, COMFORTABLE FEEL ON CONTACT due to the redesigned F2 Focused Flex collar
- ULTRA LIGHT DROP WEIGHT AND CONCAVED ENDCAP creates faster swing speeds
- VIBRATION REDUCTION protects the hands of the player thanks to the stiffer, focused flex technology along the entire bat
Last update on 2021-02-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Boasting an carbon fiber, a concaved endcap and handle alongside an F2 Focused Flex collar, the 2021 Rawlings Quatro Pro USA two-piece promises precise weight distribution and control throughout.
The end cap is designed to perfect the sweet spot, sound, and pop directly through the barrel.
This is advertised as a bat designed to provide superb pop for the 12 and under player fast rising in their game with a more physically advanced level of play.
The good
A well-designed two-piece bat that reduces vibration on poorly hit balls with a superior barrel performance and impressible durability.
What’s more, the end cap does the trick with providing a nicely sized sweet spot that optimizes pop with every swing.
The bad
As some reviews state, some of the bats have been found to have “broken pieces” inside the bat upon hitting in under 60 days.
This isn’t common but it’s a lesson to make sure you are aware of the 12 month warranty that comes with most bats of this caliber.
The bottom line
A reasonably priced, high-end bat that’s sturdy for two-piece.
This bat has it all. Power, speed and balance. While best for middle of the lineup hitters this bat can be used at the top or bottom of the order with no problem.
As we will soon see, the seeming discrepancies between the drop weight and the actual feeling of the weight is a running theme following the changes the USA Baseball standards.
Most impressive about the Rawlings Quatro Pro USA is the improved reaction to poorly hit balls, which some of its competitors lack.
2020 Easton ADV Hype Video
#2 – 2021 Easton ADV 360 USA
Drop weight: -11
Barrel diameter: 2 5/8″
USA Baseball Bat code: YBB21ADV11
Last update on 2021-02-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
This is a two-piece bat featuring new Easton Launch Composite and Ultra-Lite carbon fiber technology that’s advertised as reducing swing weight.
While the Hyperlite focuses more on control and feel compared to other Easton bats.
Easton is best known for the x-tended barrel design.
This gives longer barrels and huge sweet spots to better ensure a great pop.
The good
Compared to other Easton models, like the Fuse or Alpha, it provides a little less pop but some would say that it makes the difference thanks to an improved barrel length.
The two-piece design does improve swing weight and make it feel a lot sturdier than many one-piece bats.
As promised, the ADV 360 does deliver a bigger sweet spot and great performance compared to some of the other bats that we are will be looking at a little further on.
Read the full review => (Coming Soon)
The bad
The ADV 360 has always had an issue with less pop when you don’t hit it on or right near the barrel. The 2020 ADV 360 is, unfortunately, no exemption.
Furthermore, the sweet spot isn’t as large as one might hope. Seeming to be slightly reduced from previous models, but still providing a decent pop when you do hit it.
What’s more, the bat feels end weighted, resulting in a heavier bat when stationary that can take some time getting used to.
Unlike past Easton ADV 360 USA bats, they’ve shifted from a one-piece design to a two-piece composite. The change might be unwelcome to some players.
The bottom line
The two-piece offers the advantage of a sturdier feeling bat, but with increased friction and vibration that can get uncomfortable.
With this bat, it feels like pop is somewhat sacrificed for a longer barrel, contrary to the advertising. It still remains one of the best swings and one of the highest performing bats in the game if you can get used to the end weighted feeling.
It’s a great bat for youth players, but if you have used Ghost Hyperlites in the past, the shift from two-piece to one-piece design might take a lot of getting used to.
#3 – 2020 Louisville Slugger Solo USA
Drop weight: -11
Barrel diameter: 2 5/8″
USA Baseball Bat code: WTLUBS6B1120281
- -11 length to weight ratio
- 2 5/8 inch barrel diameter
- 1-piece SL Hyper Alloy construction
- Approved for play in USA Baseball
- One year manufacturer's warranty
Last update on 2019-10-31 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
This is another one-piece bat from Louisville Slugger with an SL Hyper alloy construction.
The Solo USA promises a stiffer feel and superior energy transfer when the bat meets the ball.
This year’s model comes with a brand-new Speed Ballistic End Cap to improve swing weight and promise maximum swing speed.
This is already one of the best-selling USA baseball bats in 2021.
The good
Nice and light, the Solo USA might be the bat that’s actually closest to its advertised swing weight. It has a long barrel that feels like it’s perfectly distributed to deliver maximum pop.
Compared to other one-piece bats, the new Lizard Skins premium performance grip seems to minimize vibrations. It avoids some of the soreness that other bats cause to players’ hands as well as providing fantastic grip.
Read the full review => (Soon)
The bad
With a small sweet spot, it can be harder to get the pop you want off this bat.
Across the board, this seems to be the general consensus and the most common complaint. Alongside an unfortunate sting on poorly hit balls that competitors like the DeMariini Voodoo seem to have gotten around.
Again, though it feels the closest to its advertised weight, there is a definite discrepancy.
The bottom line
With a superb grip and make nullifying some of the vibration issues found in other one-piece bats, but with all the solidity expected of the type, the 2020 Solo might be the best USA Baseball bat on the market.
Again, a reduced pop and a slightly higher weight will frustrate some buyers, however.
Despite the downsides, the Solo is the most balanced bat on the Louisville Slugger line-up and easily a contender for the best bat of 2021.
#4 – 2021 Rawlings Quatro
Drop weight: -12, -10, -8
Barrel diameter: 2 5/8″
USA Baseball Bat code: US1Q10-27
- DESIGNED FOR AN EASIER, QUICKER SWING SPEED, the Quarto Pro USA Youth Baseball Bat (-10) combines power, swing, and balance to deliver explosive results
- CREATED FOR ALL TYPES OF HITTERS AGES 12 AND UNDER, this 2-piece carbon fiber composite bat works great for the middle of the lineup hitter, while the light weight quality is perfect for hitters at the top or bottom of the lineup
- PROVIDES OPTIMAL SWING BALANCE AND A SMOOTH, COMFORTABLE FEEL ON CONTACT due to the redesigned F2 Focused Flex collar
- ULTRA LIGHT DROP WEIGHT AND CONCAVED ENDCAP creates faster swing speeds
- VIBRATION REDUCTION protects the hands of the player thanks to the stiffer, focused flex technology along the entire bat
Last update on 2020-07-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
A two-piece bat designed for the average hitter, this year’s Quatro features a longer barrel, including a new lightweight end cap that is marketed as reducing the weight.
Compared to other Rawlings bats, the carbon fiber composite material allows for a bigger sweet spot and more pop.
Vibration dampening allows for a smoother feel in through the ball.
Meanwhile, the Ultimate Flex barrel and handle design accelerates speed through contact to further optimize that pop.
Go here and see the new 2021 Rawlings Quatro Pro USA baseball bat.
The good
Well-balanced and easy to swing, the Quatro might have the fewest complaints regarding the weight discrepancy that has been showing up in 2021’s USA Baseball bats.
Well-weighted, it is certainly the bat for the average hitter. One of the best bats to incorporate the larger barrels featured within the new guidelines.
Despite a slightly decreased pop compared to other bats, youth players are going to find little difference in how far they can send the ball. Little to no uncomfortable vibration on contact.
Read the full review => (Soon)
The bad
Compared to the others, specifically to the Solo USA, it simply doesn’t produce as much pop.
It does suffer from that lack of stiffness that you tend to get only with one-piece bats. But it feels better balanced than, for instance, the DiMarini Voodoo.
The bottom line
But for those ongoing weight discrepancies, the Quatro seems to be exactly as it is advertised.
One of the most comfortable experiences of the new 2018 USA Baseball bats, especially for players of an average size.
#5 – 2019 Rawlings 5150 USA
Drop weight: -10
Barrel diameter: 2 5/8″
USA Baseball Bat code: YBB18COV9
- DESIGNED FOR AN EASIER, QUICKER SWING SPEED, the 2019 5150 USA Baseball youth bat (-10) delivers proven performance every single at-bat no matter where you are in the lineup
- CREATED FOR ALL TYPES OF HITTERS AGES 14 AND UNDER, this 1-piece 5150 Alloy bat is Rawlings’ most radically responsive, aerospace-grade alloy built for performance and durability
- MORE POWER AND LARGER SWEET SPOT thanks to the new pop 2. 0 technology engineered in every bat
- LIGHT DROP WEIGHT AND HYPER LITE SPEED ENDCAP creates faster swing speeds
- APPROVED FOR 2019 USA BASEBALL STANDARDS
Last update on 2019-10-31 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
A one-piece with a 100% alloy barrel and handle, the Rawlings 5150 offers a balanced weight increasing swing speed and high-quality performance.
The Hyper-Lite Speed Cap provides a light feel, improved control and faster swing speed making up for what other one-piece bats tend to lack.
Meanwhile, the pOp 2.0 technology aims to create a bigger sweet spot to guarantee better pop.
The good
One of the most impressive thing about this year’s Rawlings 5150 is the fact that the handle does seem to mostly succeed at offering the stiffness that many other one-piece bats lack.
It offers decent swing speed, little vibration, and a mostly comfortable experience.
The bad
A small point, but the bat does produce an uncomfortable “snapping” sound when it makes contact with the ball. This is rather distinct compared to the other bats.
What’s more pertinent is that the 2019 Rawlings lineup seems to suffer some of the worst changes for those who prefer a lighter swing weight.
On another note, some customers have complained that the listed weights aren’t accurate.
For example one customer said that the listed 19 oz bat is actually 19.6.
The bottom line
A lesser-known bat that can compete with most mid-to-high range bats with little difficulty.
However, of all the bats suffering the weight increases and pop reduction that seem to be the running theme of 2021, the Rawlings 5150 might suffer the worst of them all, with a much smaller sweet spot than hoped and a weight balance that feels uncomfortable compared to its counterparts.
Final Thoughts on These Top 5 USA Baseball Bats
It’s a hard choice, with a few options here for different players depending on what you need from your bat.
For the average player, the Quatro does offer exactly what it says, a more comfortable experience of getting used to the new standards.
However, the Slugger 618 might offer the superior pop and swing for those who are able to handle a bat that feels slightly heavier.
By contrast, the DiMarini is comfortable to hold, but time will tell whether or not it truly is the best option for the more physically advanced player.
To some, that might seem like little more than empty words justifying what feels like a much heavier bat.
On the other hand, the two seeming losers of 2021 are Mizuno and other Easton bats.
While perfectly fine bats in their own right, they simply don’t seem to compete with the high-performance offered for above-average players that the Slugger 618 offers or the comfort and ease of use that the Quatro does.
Despite Complaints These Top 5 USA Baseball Bats Are Great Choice
For 2021, there have been complaints across the board of approved bats coming in above advertised weight, not to mention a reduced pop.
Many players, parents, and coaches are complaining about the sudden shift to aiming for the wood-like feel in new bats.
It might take time for any young player to regain their confidence with a new bat.
Hopefully, a look at the top five USA baseball approved bats helps you find the perfect tool to make the most of your youth baseball league games.
As mentioned, this will be an ongoing series.
This list which contains the best USA bat will be changing each year to match the changes in the market.
There might also be changes in the USA Baseball standards so come back next time to see which comes out on top.
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