The Best Frisbee: Shopping Guide and Recommendations (04/23)

Welcome to our big Frisbee test 2023. Here we present all the Frisbees we have tested in detail. We have compiled detailed background information and added a summary of customer reviews on the web.

We would like to make your purchase decision easier and help you find the best Frisbee for you. You will also find answers to frequently asked questions in our guide. If available, we also offer interesting test videos. Furthermore, you will also find some important information on this page that you should be aware of if you want to buy a Frisbee.

Summary

• Frisbees can be used in many ways, both recreationally and professionally. They offer fun for everyone and can basically be used everywhere.
• Depending on the intended use, a distinction is made between ultimate, disc golf, freestyle and dog frisbees, among others. The main differences are the diameter, the weight and the material.
• The choice of the right frisbee depends mainly on how it is to be used. The different types are optimally adapted to the respective sport.

The Best Frisbee: Our Picks

Guide: Questions you should ask yourself before buying a Frisbee

Decision: What types of Frisbee are there and which is the right one for you?

The choice of the right Frisbee depends mainly on the area of use. Depending on the sport, the material, the diameter and the weight differ. This article presents the following types of frisbees:

• Ultimate Frisbee
• Discgolf Frisbee
• Freestyle Frisbee
• Dog Frisbee

Depending on what you want to use the disc for, a different type of Frisbee is suitable. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages. In the following section we would like to make your decision easier.

What is an Ultimate Frisbee and what are its advantages and disadvantages?

Ultimate Frisbees are suitable for recreational players and professional athletes. Whether just for throwing back and forth or for professional Ultimate Frisbee. The discs have stable flight characteristics and can be thrown up to over 100 metres. A diameter of 27 cm and a weight of 175 g have become established. The relatively large diameter and the relatively high weight can make throwing and catching difficult, especially for beginners and children.

Ultimate Frisbees are particularly suitable for practising the sport of the same name. It is a team sport in which two teams compete for the disc. The aim is to catch the Frisbee in the so-called end zone and thus score a point.

What are the characteristics of a Discgolf Frisbee and what are its advantages and disadvantages?

Discgolf Frisbees are specially designed for the sport of the same name. They are therefore only suitable for this purpose. In disc golf, you throw at a specific target, just like in conventional golf. This is a basket where chains intercept the flying disc and drop it into a basket below. Disc golf does not require a high level of physical performance, which is why it is suitable for every age group.

Some disc golf frisbees have sharp edges and can reach high flying speeds. There is therefore a risk of injury.

This also makes them unsuitable for throwing back and forth. Golf discs are available in many different variations, which have different flight characteristics. A distinction is made between drivers, mid-ranges and putters. Drivers are long throw discs that are mainly used for the first throw on a course. Midrange discs are approach discs that are suitable for throws from shorter distances. Putters are mainly used for the final throw into the target.

What are the characteristics of a Freestyle Frisbee and what are its advantages and disadvantages?

Freestyle Frisbees are used to perform special tricks. The disc is thrown into the air and caught again in an artistic and dancing way. Freestyle Frisbee can be played alone or in a group. In tournaments, there are always two or three players. Possible tricks include balancing the disc on the fingernails, kicking it with the foot or catching it in a spectacular way. Simple tricks can be learned quickly even by beginners.

However, some manoeuvres require the use of accessories. For example, the Frisbee can be treated with silicone spray to reduce friction. Other advanced tricks are not possible without the use of artificial fingernails. These also reduce friction. The extension of the fingernail also enables handling in the inner rim of the disc.

The Freestyle Frisbee usually has a lower weight of 160 g, a smooth surface and a higher edge. Due to its special shape, the disc not only flies but sails. However, this makes it more difficult to catch.

What distinguishes a discus for dogs and what are its advantages and disadvantages?

Discs for dogs are Frisbees that are specially designed for dogs. The sport of dog frisbee or discdogging is about the human throwing the disc and the dog bringing it back. In addition to recreational games, there is also a tournament version where various tricks are practised with the disc. For dog frisbees, flexibility plays an important role. The Frisbee should give way when played. This is for the dog’s safety and ensures that the disc lasts longer. Secondly, the Frisbee should be bite-resistant. This is especially important for retrieving. If the disc is not bite-resistant, small parts can be swallowed.

Discdogging trains the dog’s heart and circulation and can also be used for dog training.

It should be noted, however, that this sport is not suitable for every dog. Preferences and breed-specific characteristics should be taken into account.

Buying criteria: Use these factors to compare and evaluate Frisbees

In the following, we will show you which aspects you can use to decide on the right Frisbee. The criteria you can use to compare frisbees include:

• Diameter
• Weight
• Material
• Shape and colour
• Official recognition for competitions

In the following paragraphs, we will explain what each criterion means.

Diameter

The diameter of Frisbees varies depending on their use. For the Ultimate Frisbee, for example, a diameter of 27 cm has become established. Discgolf discs, on the other hand, are smaller and have a diameter of about 21 cm. Discs used for Freestyle Frisbee vary between approx. 21-27 cm. The diameter of Frisbees for dogs varies greatly. They start at about 15 cm and go up to 24 cm. The right disc should be chosen depending on the size of the dog. So-called mini Frisbees are also available. These have a diameter of only about 6-7 cm. This makes them easy to carry in your pocket.

Weight

The appropriate weight also differs depending on the intended use. In general, the outer rim of a good disc should be heavier than the surface. This preserves the transmitted angular momentum and gives the disc its flight stability. The official weight for Ultimate Frisbees is 175 g. The weight of disc golf discs differs depending on the type of disc. A distinction is made between drivers, mid-range and putters. Drivers are the lightest of the disc golf discs. They usually have a weight of 150-169 g. The weight of midrange discs depends on the skill of the player. Beginners should rather choose a weight of 150-169 g. More experienced players can use heavier discs.

Professionals throw with the heaviest midrange discs, which weigh 178-180 g. Putters weighing 170-175 g are suitable for most disc golfers. Heavier discs are generally more reliable and fly more stable. However, younger players should rather go for lighter frisbees. Most freestyle frisbee players prefer a disc weight of 160g. However, preferences can differ here. Finally, we come to the dog frisbees. The weight, like the diameter, should be adjusted to the respective animal. For small dogs, frisbees with a weight of 60 g are suitable. For larger dogs, discs with a weight of over 100 g are available. Mini Frisbees have a weight of approx. 20 g.

Material

Frisbees are usually made of plastic or bio-plastic. High-quality discs are flexible and can be bent when compressed. In competitions, this property is required to reduce the risk of injury. Good discs are made of a polyurethane/polyethylene mixture. The polyethylene is very soft in its origin. Therefore, fillers have to be added to make the material harder. The resulting expense has a corresponding effect on the price.

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Cheaper discs are usually made of polypropylene. This material is very hard and is also used for hardware such as computer housings. Due to the low price of this material, Frisbees are often made from it as promotional items. Dog frisbees are ideally made entirely of natural rubber or have a rubber edge to reduce the risk of injury to the dog. There are also variants made of neoprene. These have the advantage of being buoyant.

Shape and colour

All Frisbees have the same basic shape. It is a round, curved disc with a thicker outer edge. The lower edge is slightly drawn inwards. This shape gives the Frisbee its ability to fly. The shape of the disc differs slightly depending on the type. Freestyle Frisbees, for example, have a higher rim and a very smooth underside, which makes it easier to perform tricks.

Throwing discs are available in all kinds of colours. Bright colours have the advantage that the Frisbees are easier to find again. There are also many suppliers where you can have your disc individually printed. This is especially advantageous when Frisbees are given away as promotional items.

Official recognition for competitions

If discs are used for professional Frisbee sports, official requirements should be met. For Ultimate Frisbee, a diameter of 27 cm and a weight of 175 g are prescribed. Manufacturers of official discs are for example Discraft, Daredevil or Eurodisc Discgolf discs must not be smaller than 21 cm and not larger than 40 cm. The maximum possible weight depends on the diameter, but must not exceed 200 g.

Interesting facts about Frisbees

Who invented the Frisbee?

The Frisbee was invented by Fred Morrison in the USA in the 1950s. The name “Frisbee” goes back to the company name “Frisbie Pie Company”. Among other things, the bakery produced pies in round pie moulds. Over time, children began to play with the discarded shapes by throwing them at each other. Morrison observed this and set about improving the flying properties of the discs. In 1951, he then created the so-called “Pluto disc”, which was commercially manufactured and distributed by Wham-O from 13 January 1957.

How does a Frisbee work?

The Frisbee owes its ability to fly to two reasons. Firstly, the disc is curved, and secondly, the throw causes it to rotate. The curvature causes a pull upwards. The rotation has a stabilising effect when flying. The disc has a thicker outer edge that resembles the shape of an aircraft wing. The lower edge is slightly drawn inwards. During flight, the air is divided at the outer edge. This creates suction on the surface and pressure on the underside, similar to an aeroplane.

The pressure on the underside functions like an air cushion on which the disc glides. Without the rotation, however, the disc would not fly very well. This is because the buoyancy of the front half is usually somewhat stronger, which creates a torque that causes the disc to rise ever steeper until it tips over. When the disc is thrown, angular momentum is imparted to it, creating a gyroscopic momentum that stabilises the axis of rotation.

Where can I learn to play Frisbee?

In general, you can play Frisbee anywhere. Parks and beaches are particularly suitable for recreational purposes. To play disc golf, you also need a special disc golf basket. Alternatively, you can also attend a permanently installed course. If you want to play a Frisbee sport professionally, you can join a club or association. There you will also be taught the correct throwing techniques.

How can I teach my dog to play Frisbee?

At the beginning, the dog’s interest must be aroused. After that, it is only a matter of throwing the Frisbee and bringing it back again. Once this has worked, the dog should learn to take the disc from the hand and then later to catch it from the air. In the beginning, the throws should be flat and short so that the dog can catch it easily.

With time, the throws can then become wider and higher. To teach your dog to play Frisbee, you can also attend a club or course. There you will be taught throwing techniques by expert instructors.

Photo source: 123rf.com / 84562335 (L)