The word cheap has such a negative ring to it that most people I know keep their distance. But it doesn’t have to be this way. The term “cheap,” when it’s used in tandem with baseball gloves, doesn’t necessarily mean terrible. A budget baseball glove just means you’re paying less for the leather, the branding, and sometimes the break-in work, not less for actual performance.
In my early days when I didn’t have the moolah to pick up some popular, big-name baseball gloves, I had to contend with the budget alternatives. Did it affect my performance? Yes. But I learned the ins and outs of the game. And before you cross a certain skill level, you can learn and enjoy the game with the best cheap baseball gloves.
That’s why I’m going to break down 5 budget-friendly baseball gloves that I’ve had an excellent run with, all still priced at or near the $100 mark as of my latest price check. So, what you’ll get from me:
- An honest, no-BS review of 5 of the best budget baseball gloves under $100
- A way to get the most out of these affordable gloves
- And last but not least, what to look for in a cheap baseball glove when you’re on a budget leash, capeesh?
Top 5 Best Cheap Baseball Gloves Under $100
Before I begin this glove sermon, I should inform you that all the gloves listed here are priced in the $100 territory. Some of them sit comfortably at the lower end of the range, while a couple of others hover right around it depending on size, color, and retailer, so it always pays to double-check the current price before you check out.
Anyways, all the gloves I have over here can help you win a game. So, don’t take it out on the glove. Instead, maybe practice a bit more (wink).
- 1. Rawlings Player Preferred Baseball Glove
- 2. Wilson A900 Baseball Glove
- 3. Rawlings Sandlot Series Glove
- 4. Wilson A700 Baseball Glove Series
- 5. Franklin Sports Baseball Fielding Glove
- What's The Material Of The Best Cheap Baseball Gloves?
- Size – Choose The Perfect One That Fits Your Hand
- Webbing Helps You Improve Your Catching Experience
- Comfortable Padding To Secure Your Hand
- Comes With a Warranty Or Not?
1. Rawlings Player Preferred Baseball Glove
Rawlings Player Preferred is one of the highest-rated budget baseball gloves you can find for the price, and it’s a completely different animal from Rawlings’ $300+ Pro Preferred line, so don’t get the two confused. It’s cheap. But the performance you get from this baby is amazing with a capital A.
For starters, this glove is made with top-shelf pro-preferred style leather that’ll last longer than the below-average budget glove.
There’s also zero-shock palm padding inside of this glove to protect your hand from the impact of a super-fast ball coming your way.
Most baseball gloves aren’t meant for softball. However, this glove can easily perform like a utility glove because of its 12.5-inch size, and I’ve seen it work just as well as a solid youth baseball glove for a growing player who needs a bit more room in the pocket.
On the outside of this glove, there’s a flex-loop Velcro strap that helps you adjust the fit to your hand measurement.
As you know, there’s nothing worse than having an uncomfortable glove during an important match. So, simply adjust the strap accordingly, and discomfort won’t be an issue.
RHT and LHT models are both available. You can play in any position with this glove. However, I’d recommend staying in the infield or general utility spots because that’s where this budget glove really shows its value.
2. Wilson A900 Baseball Glove
Everyone’s aware that Wilson is one of the most trusted names across the baseball glove community. And the Wilson A900 baseball glove is another perfect example of that reputation.
It’s durable, comfortable, budget-friendly, and one of the better-rated affordable gloves that comes from Wilson Sporting Goods. In my experience it’s routinely one of the cheapest Wilson gloves you’ll find on sale, sometimes well under $100 even at full retail.
Let’s look at the specs. The A900 is made with “select pro” leather that comes from specially chosen cowhide. There’s H-web construction that makes catching a ball easier without letting the impact injure your hands.
A lot of youth baseball gloves suffer from comfort issues.
But Wilson added a double-palm construction to make sure your hand stays safe and snug. Unlike the first glove on this list, the A900 isn’t available in every position and hand variation, so check the size chart before you buy.
While it’s an older model at this point, it’s still one of the better-selling budget baseball gloves out there. The best part is that it comes with a 50% factory break-in, so you’re not stuck fighting stiff leather all season.
3. Rawlings Sandlot Series Glove
If looks are on your wish list, I believe you should give the Rawlings Sandlot baseball glove a shot. I haven’t seen a budget glove with such a slick look, and it’s still priced right around the $75 to $100 range depending on where you buy it.
I’d say the price, presentation, and performance combined make this glove a bang for the buck.
Similar to the much pricier Rawlings Heart of the Hide, this one is also made with full-grain oiled leather that gives it a vintage look.
While talking about its beauty, I should also mention it’s one of the more durable gloves on this list. You can easily play for a couple of seasons if you just maintain it properly.
It comes with a 90% factory break-in, meaning it’s game-ready in a fraction of the time a stiff synthetic leather glove would take.
If you still want to know how to break in a synthetic glove, you can find out more in my detailed guide on breaking in a synthetic glove.
The zero-shock palm pad and added finger-back lining maximize comfort while protecting your hand. Plus, the Sandlot series is available in a wide range of web styles and glove lengths.
Follow our size chart to know which one suits you perfectly.
4. Wilson A700 Baseball Glove Series
If I had to streamline it, I’d say this is a top-notch glove for those who are out of bucks, though I’ll be straight with you: newer A700 model years have crept up toward, and in some sizes past, the $100 mark at full retail. This particular listing has historically run cheaper, so check the current price before you buy, and treat it as a “close to $100” pick rather than a guaranteed one.
Made with high-quality blonde full-grain leather, the glove can take a ton of hits. It also comes with an H-web design to add more ease for the player.
This glove is a high-performing beast. Wilson has stated it can absorb repeated high-speed impacts without breaking down, which lines up with what I’ve seen in the field.
I personally tested it because my cousin Steve has been using this one for years. I can assure you that the A700 lives up to the expectations people have of Wilson.
The laces are made of leather, which means more flexibility there. You’ll find dual hand variations and the option to choose a glove for different positions.
It comes with a 50% factory break-in to make it easy to use. So, if you’re looking for a glove that punches above its price tag, just try this one out. You’ll love it.
5. Franklin Sports Baseball Fielding Glove
I’ll be frank. Franklin is another well-known manufacturer, and their target customer is the budget hunter. Just a heads-up on price, though: Franklin’s own CTZ5000 line now starts at $99.99 straight from the manufacturer, with larger sizes and some colorways running a bit higher, so this pick sits right at the $100 line rather than comfortably under it. Smaller sizes and sale pricing are your best bet for staying under budget.
So, if you’re on the fence about getting a budget glove from reputed brands like Rawlings or Wilson (because you’re not sure whether their budget gloves will be good enough), Franklin Sports Baseball Fielding Glove is worth a look.
The first thing you should know is that it’s an excellent outfield glove. It’s made from genuine black cowhide leather, so you can rest assured about the durability of this glove.
There are no color options, though. But I think the black premium design makes it more lucrative than other colors.
It comes with a large H-web design and a bigger pocket that helps you catch tough fly balls with more ease. There’s also an I-web and basket web design available.
You can choose what you want according to your playstyle. The soft palm lining provides maximum comfort while you’re in the field.
Like other baseball gloves, you have to break it in. But a light and quick break-in is more than enough to finish the process.
As I said earlier, if you’re looking for the best budget infield or outfield glove and don’t mind sitting right at the $100 threshold, the Franklin CTZ5000 has got you covered.
How To Choose The Best Cheap Baseball Gloves
Choosing the best baseball gloves is definitely not a walk in the park. And when you have monetary problems, it just gets tougher. Plus, there are tons of budget baseball gloves that don’t even deserve a second glance.
But you can easily get some budget gems if you follow a few rules before buying. It also helps to understand how much a baseball glove really costs and where that money actually goes, so let me show you how to go about it.
What’s The Material Of The Best Cheap Baseball Gloves?
There are several materials that can be used to make baseball gloves. Cowhide, premium steer-hide, full-grain leather, synthetic leather, and kip leather are some of them.
Each of them comes with a different level of durability. So, know what material is used and weigh it against the price you’re paying. If you’ve ever wondered how a cheap glove actually stacks up against an expensive one, material quality is usually where the gap shows up first.
Besides, the gloves I’ve reviewed here have been through grueling ordeals and survived. So, I’m pretty confident all of these budget gloves can handle roughhousing unless you somehow go overboard.
Size – Choose The Perfect One That Fits Your Hand
Size depends on your position, hand measurement, and personal preference. Follow the glove size chart to figure out which one is right for you.
A baseball glove or mitt shouldn’t be too loose or too tight. If it’s not the right fit, it creates an uncomfortable situation for players.
Adjustable straps can mitigate the problem to some extent. The Rawlings Player Preferred comes with an adjustable strap that helps you fit the glove to your hand measurement.
Webbing Helps You Improve Your Catching Experience
Good webbing and a bigger pocket can help you catch more balls with ease. The webbing design varies according to player position.
Gloves that come with a bigger pocket have more catching efficiency compared to other gloves. However, infielders don’t need a deep pocket, they need quick transfer.
Again, the ideal webbing comes down to your position on the field. Know where you’re going to be, and pick a web type built for that position.
Comfortable Padding To Secure Your Hand
According to Healthgrades, baseball is the 7th sport that is most likely to cause injuries. And believe it or not, baseball gloves were invented to protect the player’s hand from incoming projectiles. So, comfortable and secure padding plays a vital role here.
Choose a glove that protects you from the impact of high-speed balls coming off a bat.
Every one of the 5 budget gloves I reviewed here has held up to real impact in my own testing, so none of them should leave your hand worse for wear.
Comes With a Warranty Or Not?
A warranty assures a product’s performance. If a glove comes with a warranty, that means the manufacturer is confident it won’t break the customer’s trust.
Every Baseball Hover reader also gets a one-year extra warranty on eligible gloves through our agreement with Wilson. If you’re interested, you can see how that extra-year warranty agreement works for the full details.
Final Thought On Cheap Baseball Gloves
Once you start the glove hunt, you’ll find hundreds or maybe thousands of cheap gloves. But here’s the thing. Most of them tend to hit the bucket pretty quickly.
That’s why I’ve picked and reviewed these 5 best cheap baseball gloves. The gloves I’ve listed in this article can’t tango with the big-boy gloves. However, if you use them correctly, these budget gloves can give even high-end gloves a run for their money.
With that said, I had a great run with all the gloves I’ve mentioned. So, it’s hard for me to just pick one from the lot. Still, if you ask me to choose a specific one, I’d say go for the Wilson A900. It’s got a lot going for itself, it’s consistently one of the cheapest picks on this list, and the gigantic brand name of Wilson is attached to it. So, there’s little risk.
I hope this article has answered all your questions about the best cheap baseball gloves under $100. Here’s to hoping that you can save that home run with a budget glove, cheers!
With 4 years of Division II experience, a .272 career batting average, .410 on-base percentage, and 7 home runs, I’m now in my fifth season. I’ve played baseball since age 3, alongside future MLB Draft picks, and I aim to pursue a career in baseball professionally, be it playing, coaching, or scouting.