Tested and Bested: 14 Top Punching Bags

Whether you want something to punch, kick, tone with, practice on, or to build speed, we evaluated, tested, and compiled our favorite options, including Century, Ringside, Quiet Punch, and Everlast.

A quick look at the best punching bags

• Best overall: PEXMOR Freestanding Heavy Bag with Suction Cup Base
• Best for beginners: FITVEN Freestanding Punching Bag with Boxing Gloves
• Best packaged deal: RDX Anti-Swing Punching Bag
• Best hanging heavy bag: Outslayer 100-Pound Heavy Bag
• Best for punching and kicking: Ringside 100-Pound Muay Thai Heavy Bag
• Best portable: Everlast HydroStrike Water Bag
• Best for small spaces: Quiet Punch Smart Punching Bag
• Best for wall mounting: Title Boxing Wall Mount Menace Training Bag
• Most lifelike: Century B.O.B. Freestanding Training Dummy
• Best adjustable: Century Original Wavemaster Freestanding Heavy Bag
• Best hybrid fill: MaxxMMA Water/Air Heavy Bag
• Best wrecking ball: Pro Impact Double-Ended Punching Bag
• Best for people 5 ft and under: Ringside 40-Pound Heavy Bag with Gloves and Wraps
• Best under $100: Tech Tools Punching Bag with Stand

A punching bag for training or stress release can make a major difference.

If you plan to keep training in boxing at home, there are essential pieces of gear — chief among them is a punching bag.

What are the different types of punching bags?

Hanging heavy bags

Hanging heavy bags remain the most common choice in boxing because they let you work a broad array of punches, kicks, knees, and other striking maneuvers.

Typically cylindrical and 4–5 feet (121.9–152.4 cm) tall, these bags often weigh 40–100 pounds (18.1–45.4 kg) or more.

They’re usually suspended from a solid anchor using straps or chains.

Novices should opt for lighter bags, while seasoned athletes may prefer heavier models that can absorb powerful strikes.

These bags are versatile and can serve various combat sports, such as:

• boxing
• kickboxing
• MMA
• Muay Thai

Longer heavy bags are traditionally favored in sports that include kicking.

Freestanding punching bags

One downside of a heavy bag is needing a strong place to hang it. Not everyone can or wants to install a permanent mount.

Freestanding models are an alternative. A heavy base or suction system secures the bag so you don’t have to drill into ceilings or walls, and you can move it as needed.

Freestanding bags work best for standard boxing since the base can interfere with kicking.

They suit all skill levels, though advanced users should pick a heavier base to prevent excessive movement.

Compact punching bags

While heavy bags are the training standard, space constraints mean they’re not always practical.

Teardrop or wrecking-ball style bags are a great substitute when space is tight because they allow similar striking patterns while occupying considerably less room.

Many are filled with water or air, making them easy to transport — you can drain them before moving.

Some models even mount in a doorway for maximum portability.

These bags are best suited for boxing since their height generally makes kicking impractical.

Also, due to their smaller size and quick movement, they’re often used for speed and timing drills.

How we chose the best punching bags

When compiling our list of top punching bags, we weighed the following factors:

• Materials and quality: Bags must endure powerful strikes, so build quality is important.
• Ease of setup, use, and portability: We included hanging, freestanding, and compact styles to suit different spaces.
• Size and weight: Beginners may opt for lighter bags; advanced users often require heavier ones.
• Price: We selected options across a variety of budgets.
• Customer reviews: Every bag listed has mostly favorable feedback.
• Warranty: We favored products that offer a warranty or return policy.
• Vetting: The bags included were vetted to align with Healthline’s brand standards and wellness approach. You can learn more about our vetting process.

Below are the top 14 punching bags for 2023.

Healthline’s picks for the best punching bags

Best overall

PEXMOR Freestanding Heavy Bag with Suction Cup Base

• Price: $$
• Materials:
  • Bag: 2 mm thick polyurethane blast surface made of faux leather
  • Base: round tire-style armored tank with 12 strong suction cups
• Fill: sand (recommended), water
• Weight: 37.6 lb (17 kg) empty, 220 lb (100 kg) when filled
• Height: 69.6 in (175 cm)
• Warranty: 365-day return when all materials are returned (original packaging, instructions, accessories)

The PEXMOR freestanding bag is a full-size option with a sand- or water-fillable base. It’s available in adult and child sizes.

The modern design includes a 12-suction-cup armored base and a steel-reinforced pole bolted into the base for added steadiness.

Additionally, the bag has a multi-layer cushion with steel shock-absorbing springs that reduce noise compared with many rivals, making it a sensible pick for multi-level or shared living spaces.

This bag is suitable for karate, boxing, and kickboxing.

Being freestanding, setup is simple; the toughest part tends to be filling the base, as noted by our hands-on tester.

Healthline Multimedia Editor II Kristin Currin-Sheehan had her teenage son, Garrett, try the bag.

He reported that setup was straightforward but time-consuming because filling the base takes effort.

“I found that sand might be preferable between the two fill options. I used water and found it can leak or tip over if hit hard enough.” Still, he described the unit as dependable and a strong choice for those in compact spaces who want a boxing bag.

In our research, this freestanding design seemed among the most stable. The metal reinforcement and suction-cup approach help enable uninterrupted workouts. The product holds a solid Amazon rating of about 4.4 stars from nearly 600 reviews.

Best for beginners

FITVEN Freestanding Punching Bag with Boxing Gloves

• Price: $$
• Materials: synthetic leather
• Fill: foam
• Weight: 205 lb (93 kg) with sand, 160 lb (72.6 kg) with water
• Height: 70 in (177.8 cm)
• Warranty: 1 year

The FITVEN freestanding bag is a great pick for those new to the sport thanks to its manageable dimensions and mass.

Because it’s freestanding, no mounting is necessary and assembly is relatively easy.

The base accepts sand or water, though many suggest sand for greater heft. Suction cups help keep it in place.

Reviewers frequently note its stability, even for larger, stronger users. It averages 4.5 stars on Amazon with nearly 4,800 reviews.

As a perk, the kit includes gloves.

Best packaged deal

RDX Anti-Swing Punching Bag

• Price: $$
• Materials: synthetic leather and nylon straps
• Fill: shredded textile, fabric
• Weight: 37–44 lb (17–20 kg) [4 ft], 42–51 lb (19–23 kg) [5 ft]
• Height: 48 in
• Warranty: 30-day return or replacement

This kit includes a full heavy bag, wall bracket, chains, and gloves — everything to begin training.

It’s offered in both 4 ft and 5 ft versions.

The bag is lighter than many hanging heavy bags, making it beginner-friendly and more budget-conscious. You can tweak the weight by adding or removing fill via the top zip closure.

Though it needs some installation tools, users report it hangs stably. Around 30 reviews give it an excellent average near 4.8 stars.

It also incorporates an anti-swing anchor to limit excessive movement during strikes.

Best hanging heavy bag

Outslayer 100-Pound Heavy Bag

• Price: $$$
• Materials: vinyl
• Fill: 100% cotton fabric
• Weight: 100 lb (45.4 kg)
• Height: 55 in (139.7 cm)
• Warranty: 10 years

The Outslayer 100-pound heavy bag is highly regarded by pros and serious enthusiasts.

It ships pre-filled with dense fabric to reduce settling over time.

Although pricier than many, it includes a 10-year warranty that may appeal to buyers.

With nearly 1,000 Amazon reviews, its rating hovers around 4.9 stars — a premium choice for advanced home athletes.

Note that you’ll need extra hardware to hang it. The bag lacks a bottom loop for a floor anchor — one can be added via Outslayer for an extra cost.

Best for punching and kicking

Ringside 100-Pound Muay Thai Heavy Bag

• Price: $$$
• Materials: synthetic leather
• Fill: natural and synthetic fabric
• Weight: 105 lb (47.6 kg)
• Height: 72 in (182.9 cm)
• Warranty: 30-day return or replacement

At 6 ft (182.9 cm), the Ringside Muay Thai bag is longer than many heavy bags, making it ideal for a full range of low and high strikes.

Durable nylon straps with D-rings and chains provide a secure hanging setup, though there’s no bottom loop for a floor anchor.

Nearly 800 reviews peg its Amazon rating at about 4.7 stars, with many noting its strong value for the price.

Remember you’ll need mounting hardware to hang it properly.

Best portable punching bag

Everlast HydroStrike Water Bag

• Price: $$
• Materials: plastic
• Fill: water
• Weight: ~100 lb (45.4 kg) when filled with 12 gallons (54.6 L)
• Height: 28 in (71.1 cm)
• Warranty: 2 years

The Everlast HydroStrike is a solid choice for home gyms with limited room.

Filled with water, it reaches roughly 100 lb (45.4 kg) at capacity.

You can empty it quickly for easy transport or storage.

Though smaller than full heavy bags, it provides comparable resistance suitable for boxing and some martial arts.

With nearly 1,400 Amazon reviews, its average sits near 4.5 stars. Users report that a water-filled bag is gentler on joints and provides a pleasing feel on impact.

The bag includes a chain so you only need a hook to hang it.

Best for small spaces

Quiet Punch Smart Punching Bag

• Price: $$$
• Materials: plastic and foam
• Weight: not specified
• Height: not specified
• Warranty: 1 year limited

The Quiet Punch Smart bag solves problems for home setups:

• tight spaces
• multi-family buildings
• thin walls

It mounts in a doorway using heavy-duty elastic straps, minimizing footprint and noise — a good option for apartments.

The unit has sensors to measure strikes and connects to the Quiet Punch Play app to track metrics and offer workouts.

Quiet Punch also offers a non-tracking version for about $100 less.

Reviewers report a solid workout experience and ease of use. The brand’s site shows almost 300 reviews averaging 4.9 stars.

Garrett, the tester, tried the Quiet Punch Smart bag and said:

“The app has tutorials, workouts, and a power metric that shows how hard you punch. Right away I noticed the Quiet Punch is very light and when you hit it, it kind of feels like you’re not really hitting something. It doesn’t give much resistance, but it’s great for timing, similar to a speed bag.”

He added that while it’s useful for apartment dwellers or as a complement to a traditional bag, setup can be tricky. It’s marketed as travel-friendly but is better suited to being installed and left in place.

Best for wall mounting

Title Boxing Wall Mount Menace Training Bag

• Price: $$
• Materials: leather cover, steel frame
• Fill: mixed-density foam
• Weight: ~25 lb (11.34 kg)
• Height: 24 in (61 cm)
• Warranty: 120 days limited

The Title Boxing wall-mount bag is ideal for folks with limited space who can’t suspend a traditional bag.

It can fasten to wood studs or masonry, making it a fit for garage or outdoor gym setups, but it may not suit thin or shared walls like in apartments.

Compact at 24 in tall and 16 in wide with a 16 in depth, it uses mixed-density foam and a leather exterior for durability. The steel frame is sturdy, though mounting hardware is sold separately.

Given its size, it’s best for boxing-specific drills and fitness but less suitable for kicking.

Only a few reviews on the brand site put its rating around 4.3 stars.

Most lifelike

Century B.O.B Freestanding Training Dummy

• Price: $$$
• Materials: high-strength vinyl
• Fill: high-density urethane foam
• Weight: up to 270 lb (122.5 kg)
• Height: adjustable 60–78 in (152.4–198.1 cm)
• Warranty: 1 year

The Century B.O.B. is a freestanding dummy shaped like a human torso to make drills more realistic. Its form allows practicing strikes that a round heavy bag doesn’t replicate.

Height adjusts from 60–78 in and the base fills with water or sand, accommodating trainees of different sizes.

With an Amazon rating around 4.8 stars and nearly 2,000 reviews, the B.O.B. is well-regarded among boxers and martial artists.

Century Original Wavemaster Freestanding Heavy Bag

• Price: $$
• Materials: vinyl/plastic
• Fill: high-density foam
• Weight: 250 lb (113.4 kg)
• Height: adjustable 47–68 in (119.4–172.7 cm)
• Warranty: 1 year limited

The Wavemaster freestanding bag offers typical freestanding benefits plus adjustable height from 47–68 in, giving versatility for users of different sizes.

The base takes water or sand; most recommend sand for superior stability.

It’s suited for boxing workouts and light strikes; those wanting a bag that won’t move at all might prefer a hanging bag instead.

With about 4,300 Amazon reviews, it maintains an average rating near 4.6 stars.

Best hybrid fill

MaxxMMA Water/Air Heavy Bag

• Price: $$
• Materials: vinyl
• Fill: water and air
• Weight: 70–120 lb (31.8–54.4 kg)
• Height: 36 in (91.4 cm)
• Warranty: 2 years for inner bladder

The MaxxMMA uses water plus air for resistance, making weight easy to change.

Adjustable between 70–120 lb, it’s suitable for varied experience levels.

It includes an air pump and a hose for adding water.

Users like its value and say it mimics a traditional heavy bag. With around 600 reviews, it averages 4.4 stars.

Best wrecking ball

Pro Impact Double-Ended Punching Bag

• Price: $
• Materials: genuine leather
• Fill: air
• Weight: under 2 lb (0.5 kg)
• Height: 9 in (22.9 cm)
• Warranty: 30-day return or replacement

Weighing under 2 lb, the Pro Impact double-ended bag is extremely light.

It doesn’t provide heavy resistance but is ideal for speed and precision training.

The kit includes bungee cords for mounting — inflate it and install with floor and ceiling anchors.

It’s a solid choice for speed drills and holds an Amazon rating near 4.3 stars from about 450 reviews.

Best for people 5 ft and under

Ringside 40-Pound Heavy Bag with Gloves and Wraps

• Price: $
• Materials: vinyl with nylon straps
• Fill: synthetic fibers
• Weight: 40 lb (18.1 kg)
• Height: 40 in (101.6 cm)
• Warranty: 30-day return

The Ringside 40-pound bag is an affordable pick for kids, teens, beginners, and folks under 5 ft tall. It may be small for many adults.

At 40 in long, it’s compact but sturdy enough to handle hard punches from smaller users.

Reviewers call it well-made and a good value. With around 430 reviews, it averages 4.6 stars.

It also includes gloves and wraps to get you started. Note that hanging hardware is required separately.

Best under $100

Tech Tools Punching Bag with Stand

• Price: $
• Materials: synthetic leather
• Fill: air
• Weight: 8.4 lb (3.8 kg) shipped, can be filled with 15 lb sand for stability
• Height: adjustable 48–58 in (121.9–147.3 cm)
• Warranty: 30-day return

This bag resembles a double-ended unit but is easier to relocate because it’s freestanding.

Height adjusts from 48–58 in, and the small size with spring-back action makes it useful for speed and technique.

The package includes gloves and a pump to inflate the bladder.

It has over 4,200 Amazon ratings and averages about 4.3 stars, making it a popular entry-level option.

How to choose the best punching bag

With numerous punching bags available, picking the right one can feel overwhelming.

Consider these main factors:

• Level of experience: Advanced users often need heavier bags; beginners can start with smaller, lighter options.
• Body weight: A common guideline is to select a bag about half your body weight.
• Space requirements: Think about how much room you have for a bag and swinging radius.
• Type of training: Different combat sports favor different bag sizes and shapes.
• Bag height: Depending on your needs:
  • Beginners: ~3 ft (36 in or 91.4 cm)
  • Intermediate/advanced: 4–5 ft (48–60 in or 121.9–152.4 cm)
  • Advanced/specific strikes: 5 ft (60 in or 152 cm) or longer

Also weigh your budget and the warranty or return policy in case the bag fails or you change your mind.

How do these punching bags compare?

Product and price — Type — Materials and fill — Weight and height

PEXMOR Freestanding Heavy Bag with Suction Cup Base, $$ — freestanding — faux leather, foam — up to 220 lb (99.8 kg), 69.6 in (176.8 cm)

FITVEN, $$ — freestanding — synthetic leather, foam — up to 205 lb (93 kg), 70 in (177.8 cm)

RDX, $$ — hanging heavy bag — synthetic leather, shredded textile — 44–48.5 lb (20–22 kg), 60 in (152.4 cm)

Outslayer 100-Pound, $$$ — hanging heavy bag — vinyl, 100% cotton — 100 lb (45.4 kg), 55 in (139.7 cm)

Ringside 100-Pound, $$$ — hanging heavy bag — synthetic leather, natural & synthetic fibers — 100 lb (45.4 kg), 72 in (182.9 cm)

Everlast HydroStrike, $$ — water-filled teardrop — plastic, water — 100 lb (45.4 kg), 28 in (71.1 cm)

Quiet Punch, $$ — door-mount — plastic, foam — dimensions vary

Title Boxing Wall Mount Menace Training Bag, $$ — wall mount — leather, 25 lb — 24 in (60.96 cm)

Century B.O.B., $$$ — freestanding dummy — vinyl, urethane foam — up to 270 lb (122.5 kg), 60–78 in (152.4–198.1 cm)

Century Wavemaster, $$ — freestanding — vinyl/plastic, high-density foam — 250 lb (113.4 kg), 47–68 in (119.4–172.7 cm)

MaxxMMA, $$ — hanging water/air heavy bag — vinyl, water & air — 70–120 lb (31.6–54.4 kg), 36 in (91.4 cm)

Pro Impact, $ — double-end ball — genuine leather, air — <2 lb (0.5 kg), 9 in (22.9 cm)

Ringside 40-Pound, $ — hanging heavy bag — vinyl, synthetic fibers — 40 lb (18.1 kg), 40 in (101.6 cm)

Tech Tools, $ — freestanding speed bag — synthetic leather, air — 8.4 lb (3.8 kg) without sand, 48–58 in (121.9–147.3 cm)

Frequently asked questions

What kind of punching bag is best?

That depends on your intended training. For general-purpose use, a hanging heavy bag is usually the most versatile, working well for:

• boxing
• kickboxing
• martial arts
• cardio

Is a standing punching bag better than a hanging one?

Both styles have advantages. Standing bags are convenient if you need to move or store the bag between sessions or cannot hang a bag (for example, in rental housing). Some standing bags are height-adjustable, which is handy if multiple users will train.

Hanging bags are preferred for advanced-level boxing because they better withstand powerful strikes without sliding, and many are long enough for both punching and kicking across user heights.

How do you hang a punching bag?

Traditionally, heavy bags are anchored to a ceiling joist or other sturdy wood or metal support. You can sometimes hang them from a pullup bar or power rack.

It’s essential the anchor be solid to prevent the bag from falling and causing injury. If unsure, consult:

• a local carpenter or home improvement pro
• a gym owner or trainer
• the manufacturer’s instructions or website

What’s the best filling for a punching bag?

High-quality bags often use natural fabric fills since they hold shape and resist settling.

Common fills include:

• fabric scraps
• water
• air
• sand
• synthetic fibers

Some bags combine multiple fill types.

What are the benefits of using a punching bag?

Using a punching bag regularly can offer several benefits depending on your training goals.

Boxing-style workouts are linked to a range of positive outcomes, including improved cardiovascular health, lower blood pressure, better balance, increased strength, and weight loss for those aiming for it.

Additionally, punching bag training can help with stress relief.

Is it better to use a punching bag with or without gloves?

That’s a matter of preference. Training without gloves can strengthen knuckles and wrist tendons, but it raises the risk of wrist or hand injury if punches land improperly. Many athletes use gloves or hand wraps to protect the hands and wrists.

The bottom line

As combat sports grow more popular, punching bags have become standard equipment in both home and commercial gyms.

There are many bag styles in different shapes, sizes, and sport-specific designs.

When selecting a punching bag, consider your:

• body weight
• experience level
• available space
• type of training

A punching bag is fundamental for boxing or MMA training, and you’ll likely also want gloves and hand wraps to train safely.