6 Best New Balance Tennis Shoes in 2023
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Why trust us
Like other sports performance shoes produced by New Balance, its tennis shoes are the go-to options for players with broad feet. And though New Balance tennis shoes are pretty underrated compared to other big labels like Nike, ASICS, and Adidas, some of these kicks excel on the court.
We took time to scrutinize and actually playtest heaps of NB court shoes meant for rocking it on the hardcourt and multiple tennis surfaces. We spent no less than 16 hours a week to find out which NB shoes land among our top picks. From the two-week drill test, we had the chance to sift out which tennis shoes are superbly cushioned, light and agile, and the cheapest. Check out our verdict below.
How we test tennis shoes
Coming up with unbiased reviews takes effort. Here is the procedure we follow before providing our top picks:
- New Balance didn't supply us with the shoes. We buy ALL the shoes from our funds; we examine and playtest them objectively.
- We assess them based on performance, playability, comfort, durability, and traction.
- We also collate ALL available reviews from regular users and legit tennis shoe experts.
- We rate each shoe from 1-100 using our automated Corescore tool.
- Finally, we consolidate the result of our two-week wear-test with the ratings taken from the aggregate reviews to roll out these top choices.
Best New Balance tennis shoes overall
New Balance FuelCell 996 v4
87
Superb!
What makes it the best?
Airy, light, and responsive are some of the top-selling attributes of the New Balance FuelCell 996 v4. By utilizing the Hypoknit cover, the shoe turns out to be lighter and quicker than the previous models.
Pros
- Excellent stability
- More rebound and cushioning
- Comfortable right out of the box
- Lightweight
- Excellent ventilation
- Excellent traction
Cons
- Not flexible
- Narrow
Today's best price
Men
Women
Any color
Amazon
Prime & free shipping
$105
Zappos
Running Warehouse
REI
Best New Balance hard court tennis shoes
New Balance Fresh Foam X Lav V2
80
Good!
What makes it the best?
A ton of underfoot cushioning meets top-notch stability in the Fresh Foam X Lav V2 from New Balance. No matter which direction you jump or slide into while reaching for the ball, this tennis shoe is ready to pick you up and get you back into the starting position. As long as you don’t mind taking some time to break in the shoes.
Pros
- Plenty of responsive cushioning
- Off-the-charts stability
- 6-month durability warranty
- Excellent grip (hard and clay)
- Spacious toebox
- Feels light on the foot
- Visually appealing
- Good for plantar fasciitis
Cons
- Requires a break-in period
- Not durable for the price
- Lacks breathability
- Too high up the ankles
Today's best price
Men
Women
Any color
Amazon
Free shipping
$111
New Balance
Free shipping & returns
$125
Zappos
Free shipping & returns
$150
Road Runner Sports
Free shipping
$150
Best New Balance all court tennis shoes
New Balance 1006
85
Great!
What makes it the best?
New Balance kept the MC 1006 sleek and clean, which got the interest of players searching for supportive and stable court shoes. Its innovative midsole minimizes impact, making it one of the most comfortable New Balance tennis trainers in the market.
Pros
- No break-in period
- Supportive
- Lightweight
- Provides ample traction
- Breathable
- Sleek
Cons
- Too sturdy
Today's best price
Men
Women
Any color
New Balance
Free shipping & returns
$100
Zappos
Running Warehouse
REI
Best stability New Balance tennis shoes
New Balance 806
84
Great!
What makes it the best?
The New Balance 806 didn't fail the expectations of consumers who need a trainer packed with tons of support. It isn’t only equipped with a torsional control mechanism in the forefoot but a responsive cushioning too that wears off pressure underfoot during foot strikes.
Pros
- Exceptionally stable
- Amply cushioned sole
- Excellent court grip
- Adorable classic design
- Long-lasting outsole
- Durable
Cons
- Heavy
- Long break-in time
- Too narrow
Today's best price
Men
Women
Any color
Zappos
Free shipping & returns
$120
New Balance
Free shipping & returns
$120
Running Warehouse
REI
Best cushioned New Balance tennis shoes
New Balance 696 v4
82
Good!
What makes it the best?
Flexing your tennis skills on cross courts using shoes that come light on the budget? 696 v4 got you covered. It allows you to tackle and perfect those backhand, forehand, and groundstroke shots with much-needed support. It won’t drag your foot down as it comes even lighter than the third-generation model.
Pros
- Offers decent support and stability
- Comfortable to use
- No long break-in time
- Extremely light
- Excellent value for money
Cons
- Tighter than expected
- Doesn’t have enough space in the toe box
Today's best price
Men
Women
Any color
Joes New Balance Outlet
$30
Amazon
Prime & free shipping
$41
Zappos
Running Warehouse
Best lightweight New Balance tennis shoes
New Balance 796 v3
77
Good!
What makes it the best?
Yep, this one is light but don’t dismiss it yet when you are after that “steady-as-she-goes” support and stability, because guess what? New Balance 796 v3 got those! What’s good about this is it’s firm even in the absence of a shank, giving way to flexibility. Accessibility-wise in terms of budget? This one, thankfully, doesn’t make the buyers scratch their heads because it is available at an inexpensive value.
Pros
- Provides support
- Gives excellent stability
- Allows trouble-free movement changes
- Zero break-in
- Super lightweight
- Superb indoor and outdoor court traction
- Affordable price
Cons
- Unexpected tight fit
- Skimped on padding and cushioning
Today's best price
Men
Women
Any color
Amazon
Prime & free shipping
$75
Road Runner Sports
Free shipping
$90
Zappos
Running Warehouse
Comparison of the 6 best New Balance tennis shoes
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