Name an exercise tool that can help you build endurance and strength at the same time? And for around $100? If you guessed battle ropes, you’re correct. If you’ve never trained with battle ropes, then you’re missing out on some killer benefits. This functional workout tool is cheaper than the best treadmills or best dumbbells, yet offers an excellent total-body workout.

As avid fitness enthusiasts, athletes, and personal trainers, our team of Barbend experts has tested some of the best battle ropes on the market to offer our readers a well-rounded list of picks. Whether you’re short on space or shopping on a budget, we’ve found a product for your needs. 

Best Battle Ropes of 2024

• Best Battle Rope Overall: Titan Fitness Battle Rope
• Best Durable Battle Rope: REP FITNESS Battle Rope
• Best Elastic Battle Rope: Stroops 77lb Son of the Beast Pro Kit
• Best Battle Rope Alternative: Inertia Wave
• Best Budget Battle Rope: AmazonBasics Battle Exercise Training Rope
• Best Battle Rope for Small Spaces: Hyper Rope Battle Rope
• Best Battle Rope for Beginners: Living.Fit Battle Rope

How We Tested and Chose the Best Battle Ropes

Battle ropes are just ropes, right? Yes and no. Sure, they are just ropes by definition, but they have unique characteristics that make them great for certain training goals. Our team of experts, including personal trainers and athletes, tested more than 10 different battle ropes. We made our picks based off the following criteria: 

Performance 

Tiny details can go a long way when it comes to achieving killer workouts. While we took different battle ropes through workouts, we considered their ease of use, handle construction, and durability, all of which play a part in overall performance. Then, we considered our general training experience while using different products.

Quality Materials

When it comes to material, generally, ropes are made of 100% Dacron, or a poly-Dacron blend. Both of these options are durable, but the 100% Dacron is heavier. While testing, we also considered how durable the materials felt, prioritizing products that came with sleeves or well-braided ropes.

Rope Size

For the most part, ropes come in different sizes. Thicker ropes sit on the side of 2″ in diameter, while slimmer ropes are around 1.5″. The rope’s dimensions should reflect your hand size and grip strength, so choose based on your comfort level.

Anchors

An anchor is a great component to consider for battle ropes because it can help dictate your workouts and exercises. If you don’t have a squat rack or sturdy bannister to anchor your rope down with, you may want to opt for an anchor-free rope.

Handles

Handles can be another huge performance factor because they determine how well and long you can grip a rope. If you’re worried about calluses or losing grip, consider a rope with rubber handle finishes. We tried ropes with all different handles, noting which options felt durable and secure, while discarding the flimsier options.

Price

This factor is pretty straightforward: How much are you willing to spend on a solid battle rope? There are great ropes out there around $50, then there are higher-quality, more performance-focused ropes around $90 or more. We considered prices across the market to determine which ropes were worth the cost and which were way too pricey.

Best Battle Rope Overall: Titan Fitness Battle Rope

Battle ropes are among the most versatile pieces of fitness equipment. They’re relatively inexpensive (compared to, say, an elliptical) and you can use them for cardio and strength training. Considering you’re going to put them through so much work, you want battle ropes that are durable, easy to hold, and heavy enough to provide resistance.

The Titan Fitness Battle Ropes tick all these boxes, earning a spot as our top overall pick. “These are incredibly sturdy,” according to our tester who gave these ropes a 5 out of 5 for durability. “I’ve actually been keeping these in my basement for a while and they don’t even look dusty. I’ve used them a ton over many months.” 

Our team loves that you can customize your preferred length and thickness, however they do only come in 19 pounds. This may be a little too heavy for some beginners but our testers enjoyed the resistance. “These are incredibly tough and I was able to do a bunch of rope slams and exercises,” our tester said, giving a 4 out of 5 for weight. “They were even heavy enough to serve as loads for shoulder exercises and curls.”

For exercise purposes, the weight works well but we did give these ropes a 3.5 out of 5 for portability. They’re easy enough to move around for most athletes but some may find the weight a little challenging to carry around the gym.

Our team had zero issues with the delivery and setup, giving this category a 5 out of 5. We also enjoyed the PVC handles — they’re easy to grip but may be a little bit wide for beginners who still need to develop grip strength, depending on the thickness you choose.

Overall, we gave the value a 4 out of 5. “The price tag is pretty reasonable for a high-quality battle rope,” our tester said. “This is about the price point I’d expect for battle ropes.”

Best Durable Battle Rope: REP Fitness Battle Rope

Battle ropes have to withstand quite a bit of wear and tear, especially if you use them outdoors. After all, they get slammed against the ground quite a bit. We love REP’s battle ropes for their hard-to-match durability.

“These feel incredibly tough through any kind of exercise,” our tester said, giving the durability a 5 out of 5. “The nylon sleeve can help prevent rips and tears, plus it’s attached to the handles.” So, no matter how hard you plan to slam your ropes, you don’t have to worry about the protective sleeve slipping down the rope.

These come in several different weight and length options, earning a 4.5 out of 5 for optionality. The variety allows athletes of all levels to find their ideal battle rope. Plus, you can choose from three color options, too, including red, black, and blue.

“The handles are definitely on the thicker size,” our tester said, giving the handles a 3.5 out of 5. “You can expect a pretty good forearm pump.” The only reason we marked these down is because the thicker diameter may not work for all athletes, as some people simply have smaller palms. However, you can choose between one and a half- and two-inch handles.

“These are a great value, in my opinion,” our tester said, giving the value a 4.5 out of 5. “It’s an excellent price for a really high-quality product.” These may be pricier than some options but that’s only for the longer and heavier picks, which makes good sense (you’re getting a larger, heavier product). 

Best Elastic Battle Rope: Stroops 77lb Son of the Beast Pro Kit

Once battle ropes became more mainstream, we expected that clever, helpful innovations would emerge. One of the best evolutions we’ve seen with battle ropes is the integration of elastics, like with the Stroops Son of the Beast Pro Kit.

While standard battle ropes have a set weight, these are more like resistance bands with a fabric sleeve on top. These are large enough for standard battle rope exercises, like waves and slams, but you can also practice resistance band exercises, too. For versatility, we gave these ropes a 5 out of 5.

For athletes who want a multipurpose piece of equipment, these are an awesome choice. However, while Stroops does say you can use these ropes indoors and out, the fabric sleeve likely isn’t as durable as a standard battle rope. We think these probably wouldn’t be able to withstand quite as much wear and tear.

The kit does include carabiners and anchors, so you can attach the rope to a stable beam in your home or garage. You can also choose from a pretty broad variety of resistance levels, so there’s something for every fitness level. For optionality, we give these a 4 out of 5.

However, these get their weight from resistance — in other words, the ropes aren’t actually 15 to 150 pounds. So, whereas with traditional ropes the rope itself is heavy, you need to add tension onto these bands, making some battle rope exercises (like slams) a little less effective. 

These are definitely more expensive than most other battle ropes, earning a 3.5 out of 5 for value. This kit ranges from $124.95 to $249.95, which is considerably more expensive than our other picks, however, they’re not exactly traditional battle ropes, so it’s hard to make a totally even comparison.

Best Battle Rope Alternative: Inertia Wave

Maybe you don’t have enough space or just don’t want to invest in a full-on battle rope. The Inertia Wave offers a good battle rope alternative while still offering cardio- and strength-focused workout capabilities.

The Inertia Wave comes with two SOLO tubes, two rail anchors, and an entire workout video library, delivered right to your inbox. These are mainly designed for fast-paced, HIIT-style workouts. However, unlike standard battle ropes, they’re not built to withstand as much wear and tear, earning a 3 out of 5 for durability. The brand advises against slamming them on the floor and you shouldn’t leave them outdoors.

For optionality or versatility, though, the Inertia Wave earned a 4 out of 5. There are more than 30 ways to anchor these ropes for different exercises and workouts. Plus, they’re lightweight and portable, so you can take them on-the-go. And while you shouldn’t leave them outside overnight, you can definitely use the Inertia Wave for outdoor training.

Our team gave these rope handles a 5 out of 5. They’re relatively small, compared to traditional battle rope handles, making them easy to grip. These ship within two to three days and there’s really no setup involved.

For value, we had to give this product a 3 out of 5. The solo system (available in eight color options) costs $109.95, which is comparable to standard battle ropes. However, for a rubber tube-style rope, this seems a little steep. But if it fits within your budget and you don’t have the space capacity for battle ropes (or want something different), these are a solid product.

Best Budget Battle Rope: AmazonBasics Battle Exercise Training Rope

When it comes to budget-friendly pricing, these AmazonBasics battle ropes take the cake. At only $37.39, this product definitely earned a 5 out of 5 for value. “These are an absolute steal, especially if you’re training at home,” according to our tester. “These aren’t very heavy but with enough effort and reps, you can still get a challenging workout.”

Considering these are lighter than most other battle ropes (about 16 pounds), we gave them a 5 out of 5 for portability, too. They’re easy to move around, drag, or coil up for storage. And the delivery and setup was a breeze. All you have to do is open the box, uncoil the rope and you’re good to go. 

We gave these a 4 out of 5 for weight since there are heavier options out there. But again, if you add enough intensity and reps into your workout, you can still get a great workout with these budget battle ropes. 

Our tester did have to ding them a little for durability, though. “These are plenty durable for home use and I’ve seen them in a gym setting, too,” our tester said, giving the durability a 3.5 out of 5. “The handles do get worn with a lot of use and the anchor point wears down if you use it really often.” 

We gave the handles the same rating, considering they do wear with use. “Don’t get me wrong, the handles are nice but I’ve seen them break down with a ton of use,” our tester said, giving them a 3.5 out of 5. “However, I use mine a bunch in my basement and they still look brand new. For individual purposes, they’re great.”

Compared to other battle rope products, like the REP Fitness or Titan Fitness ropes, these don’t have as much optionality, earning a 3 out of 5 in this category. Amazon’s battle ropes are only available in a 30-foot length and one and a half-inch width, which may not work for every athlete.

Best Battle Rope for Small Spaces: Hyper Rope Battle Rope

Battle ropes can require a lot of space to be able to train, but not everyone has a huge home gym. For athletes training in smaller spaces, we recommend the Hyper Rope Battle Rope. “These are among the smallest battle ropes you can find,” according to our tester who gave these a 4.5 out of 5 for portability. “These are still plenty heavy and they’re a great option for a home gym.”

For optionality, we gave the Hyper Rope Battle Rope a 4 out of 5. You can choose from two different weights and lengths, depending on your allocated space and fitness level. We also gave the durability a 4 out of 5. “Because these are braided instead of twisted, they should last longer than your standard battle rope,” our tester said. “The internal weighted core is still flexible and stays in place.” 

We had to give the handles a 3.5 out of 5, though. “There’s nothing super notable about the handles,” our tester said. “The grip should last but it’s heat shrink rubber, so it will probably crack and fall apart faster than the rope itself.” 

Although you don’t need an anchor point with these ropes, making them super convenient in small spaces, we weren’t too happy with the price, giving this product a 3.5 out of 5 for value. 

“This is a high-end product and it’s really pricey,” according to our tester. “If you’re looking to outfit your home gym and have extra space, I’d recommend a cheaper option. But if you’re tight on square footage and can afford the price tag, it’s a worthy option.”

Best Battle Rope for Beginners: Living.Fit Battle Rope

If you’re looking for a high-quality battle rope but don’t know where to start, then these Living.Fit Battle Ropes are the way to go. These offer plenty of customization for the length, construction, and size, so beginners can find their ideal product. Plus, the company offers battle rope workout guides to help you get started.

“The rubber handles allow you to get a really solid grip as you’re working out,” according to our expert product tester Jake Herod, who gave the handles a 4.5 out of 5. Getting a good grip on the handles can be challenging for beginners who haven’t yet developed grip strength. Luckily, that’s no problem here.

“Both the canvas and non-canvas ropes are really durable,” Herod adds, giving a 5 out of 5 for durability. “Specifically the canvas one is great for outdoor usage on any textured flooring or even turf surfaces.” 

We gave the optionality here a 5 out of 5 as you can choose from several different lengths, diameters, and, as mentioned, surface materials. Living.Fit also includes a portable anchor, which is helpful if you’re training outdoors.

Our team gave the value a 4 out of 5. “You can find cheaper ones on the market, like Amazon,” Herod says. “But those probably aren’t going to last you long.” So, if these fall within your budget, they’re definitely worth the price tag.

Benefits of Battle Ropes

Battle ropes have gained a lot of popularity due to their highly publicized use by MMA fighters, football players, and other athletes — and for good reason. This simple piece of equipment has quite a few benefits.

Improved Strength and Cardio Endurance

The attention on battle ropes is justified. This simple piece of equipment can help improve your strength and cardiovascular endurance. Battle ropes help strengthen most of the muscles in your body, including your shoulders, arms, back, legs, and glutes. Plus, when used properly, battle ropes may be able to help improve your upper- and lower-body power output. (1)

Portability

Some battle ropes are also rather portable and easy to move around your home gym. While there are longer ropes on the market for sure, you can also find sets that are less than 20 feet long, making them easy to coil up and toss into your car.

Budget-Friendly

Compared to larger cardio machines, like treadmills, battle ropes are pretty cost-friendly. You can find sets that are less than $50 and the majority of high-end battle ropes sit around $100 total. 

What to Consider Before Buying Battle Ropes

There are a few things worth considering before you make your battle rope purchase. From your training space to fitness goals, ponder some of these factors before completing your purchase.

How Much Space Do You Have?

If you want to purchase a traditional rope, you’re going to need decent space or outdoor access to train properly. If you do, you have a variety of great value options available. On the flipside, those with minimal space should choose a more innovative option, which can be more costly.

What Materials Are Used?

The big choice here is natural or man-made fibers. Polyester is your main man-made choice and is hard-wearing, but less grip-friendly. Manila is the usual natural choice and is easier to hold, but can shed fibers, so if you’re training in the house or in a garage gym, be prepared to whip out the broom from time to time.

Don’t forget about elastic options as well. With some ropes now made of elastic materials, you may find that you get more benefit — both in training and space saving — from an elastic option.

Are You Training Indoors or Outdoors?

Those who can train outdoors may want to factor that in with your rope choice. Whilst all the ropes on our list are more than durable enough to handle outdoor training, some of them are going to be easier to clean than others.

If you want to spice up your training outdoors, you’ll certainly have more space for a larger rope. Don’t let that be the end of your thinking though. You’ll still have to store the rope post-workout. So make sure you’ve got a space to put it away when you’re through with your session.

Do You Have Design Preferences?

Usually not a huge priority with battle ropes, there are nonetheless certain ropes that have really put some thought into their designs. From sheaths to rubber handles, the details can make some products more appealing than others. As per usual, more details tend to mean higher price tags, so if the bells and whistles are important to you, expect to pay more.

Tips

New to battle ropes or are you trying to up your battle rope game? We have a few suggestions below to help you make your best decision. 

Final Word

Battle Ropes are not only an effective training option, but they can also be really good fun. They offer up a great way to channel any excess aggression while simultaneously providing an awesome full-body workout and proper conditioning.

It’s true that in the past, the length of the rope ruled them out as a choice for many people, but with the development of shorter ropes that have the same functionality, most people can now enjoy the benefits. If you struggle to motivate yourself to train, they are well worth investigating as an unusual and invigorating modality.

FAQs

References

1. Chen, Wei-Han, et al. “Eight-week battle rope training improves multiple physical fitness dimensions and shooting accuracy in collegiate basketball players.” Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, vol. 32, no. 10, Oct. 2018, pp. 2715–2724, https://doi.org/10.1519/jsc.0000000000002601.