The 13 Best Punching Bags

A quick look at the best punching bags

• Best overall: Dripex Freestanding Heavy Bag with Suction Cup Base
• Best punching bag for beginners: FITVEN Freestanding Punching Bag with Boxing Gloves, RDX Heavy Bag with Gloves, Chains and Wall Bracket
• Best hanging heavy bag: Outslayer 100-Pound Heavy Bag, Ringside 100-Pound Muay Thai Heavy Bag
• Best portable punching bag: Everlast HydroStrike Water Bag
• Best quiet punching bag: Quiet Punch Smart Punching Bag
• Best freestanding punching bag: Century B.O.B. Freestanding Training Dummy
• Best adjustable punching bag: Century Original Wavemaster Freestanding Heavy Bag, MaxxMMA Water/Air Heavy Bag
• Best budget bags under $100: Pro Impact Double Ended Punching Bag, Ringside 40-Pound Heavy Bag with Gloves and Wraps, Tech Tools Punching Bag with Stand

Combat sports like mixed martial arts (MMA) and boxing have seen a resurgence in popularity, with new studios opening worldwide.

If you want to continue your boxing training at home, you’ll need key pieces of equipment — the main one being a punching bag.

What are the different types of punching bags?

Hanging heavy bags

The hanging heavy bag is by far the most popular punching bag used in boxing because it allows you to practice a wide range of punches, kicks, knees, and other boxing movements.

These bags are typically cylindrical and 4–5 feet (121.9–152.4 cm) tall, and they may weigh 40–100 pounds (18.1–45.4 kg) or more.

They’re usually designed to hang from a stable surface with straps or chains.

Beginners should select a lighter bag, whereas advanced trainees will want a heavier bag that can absorb powerful punches and kicks.

These bags are highly versatile and can be suitable for a number of combat sports, including boxing, kickboxing, MMA, and muay thai.

Longer heavy bags are traditionally used for combat sports that include a kicking component.

Freestanding punching bags

One major requirement of a heavy bag is a solid place to hang it. However, not everyone wants to go to the trouble of permanently installing one.

Freestanding options are one alternative. In these models, a heavy base or suction cups hold the bag in place, which means you don’t need to drill holes in a ceiling or wall. Plus, you can move the bag around as you please.

Freestanding bags are best for traditional boxing, as they have a base that often gets in the way of kicking movements.

These bags are suitable for all levels of experience, though a heavier base is recommended for more advanced trainees to prevent unwanted movement.

Compact punching bags

While heavy bags are the gold standard in boxing training, not everyone has the space to hang one.

Teardrop or wrecking ball punching bags are an excellent alternative to heavy bags when space is limited since they allow for similar striking patterns but usually take up less than half the space.

These bags are often filled with water or air. This makes them quite portable — you can empty them before moving them.

Some versions can even be mounted in a doorway, allowing for ultimate portability.

Bags of this style are best suited for boxing training because they are usually too high for most people to kick.

In addition, because of their smaller size and rapid movement, these bags are often used for speed training.

How we chose the best punching bags

When setting out to find the best punching bags on the market, we considered the following factors:

• Materials and quality. Punching bags need to be able to hold up to strong punches and kicks, so quality really matters.
• Ease of setup, use, and portability. We included hanging, freestanding, and compact options to help you find what works best for your space.
• Size and weight. Beginners may prefer a lighter bag, while advanced trainees will probably need a heavier one.
• Price. We included a range of options to suit a variety of budgets.
• Customer reviews. All the bags on our list have mostly positive reviews.
• Warranty. We selected bags with a warranty or return policy.
• Vetting. The punching bags on our list have been vetted to ensure that they align with Healthline’s brand integrity standards and approach to well-being. You can read more about our vetting process.

Here are the top 13 punching bags of 2022.

Healthline’s picks of the best punching bags

Best overall

Dripex Freestanding Heavy Bag with Suction Cup Base

• Price: $$$
• Materials: faux leather
• Fill: foam
• Weight: 182 lbs. (82.6 kg) when filled with sand, 137 lbs. (62.1 kg) with water
• Height: 69 in. (175.3 cm)
• Warranty: 30-day return/replacement

The Dripex Freestanding bag is a full-size punching bag with a sand-filled base. It comes with 12 suction cups attached to the bottom of the base to provide additional stability.

Furthermore, the bag is equipped with shock-absorbing springs that make it significantly less noisy than its competitors and a good choice for home use.

This bag can be used for boxing, kickboxing, and a number of martial arts.

Since the bag is freestanding, setup is pretty straightforward. The most challenging part is filling it with water or sand.

The Dripex Freestanding bag has 2,800 5-star ratings on Amazon, and users report that it’s durable and stable enough for larger adults to use.

Best for beginners

FITVEN Freestanding Punching Bag with Boxing Gloves

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

The FITVEN freestanding bag is an excellent option for beginners because of its manageable size and weight.

Considering that the bag is freestanding, no mounting is required and setup is fairly straightforward.

The base can be filled with sand or water, though most users recommend using sand since it’s a bit heavier. Suction cups on the bottom provide additional support.

Many reviewers mention that this bag’s stability makes it a good option for bigger and stronger individuals.

As a bonus, the bag comes with gloves.

RDX Heavy Bag with Gloves, Chains, and Wall Bracket

• Price: $$
• Materials: synthetic leather and nylon straps
• Fill: shredded textile/fabric
• Weight: 44–48.5 lbs. (20–22 kg) pre-filled
• Height: 60 in. (152.4 cm)
• Warranty: 30-day return/replacement

This set includes a full-size heavy bag, a wall mount, chains, and gloves — everything you need to get started with your training.

It’s also available in both 4-foot and 5-foot versions.

The bag is lighter than most other hanging heavy bags, which makes it a good option for beginners and a little more budget-friendly. If you need to adjust the weight, you can easily add or remove filling using the zip closure at the top of the bag.

While it does require some tools to install, users find it fairly easy to hang and very stable.

This bag also comes with an anti-swing anchor to prevent it from swinging too much when you hit it.

Best hanging heavy bag

Outslayer 100-Pound Heavy Bag

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

The Outslayer 100-Pound Filled Heavy Bag is top-rated among professionals and boxing enthusiasts.

The bag comes pre-filled from the factory with a dense fabric to prevent settling during use.

Though this bag has a slightly higher price tag than some others, the 10-year warranty provides assurance for buyers.

Based on almost 800 5-star reviews on Amazon, the Outslayer heavy bag is a high quality option for even the most advanced home exercisers.

It’s important to note that you’ll need additional hardware to hang it. Also, this bag doesn’t come with a bottom loop for attaching a bag anchor, which can help reduce unwanted swinging. You can add one on Outslayer’s website for an additional fee.

Ringside 100-Pound Muay Thai Heavy Bag

• Price: $$
• Materials: synthetic leather
• Fill: natural and synthetic fabric
• Weight: 100 lbs. (45.4 kg)
• Height: 72 in. (182.9 cm)
• Warranty: 30-day return/replacement

At 6 feet (182.9 cm) long, the Ringside 100-Pound Muay Thai Heavy Bag is significantly longer than your typical heavy bag.

This makes it quite versatile to accommodate anything from low kicks to high punches.

The nylon straps with D-rings and chains make for a secure hanging solution, but it doesn’t have a bottom loop for attaching a floor anchor.

This bag has 4.7 out of 5 stars on Amazon, and many reviewers mention that its quality comes at a reasonable price.

Keep in mind that you’ll need additional hardware to properly hang the bag.

Best portable punching bag

Everlast HydroStrike Water Bag

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

The Everlast HydroStrike is a perfect option for home gyms with limited space.

It’s filled with water and weighs about 100 pounds (45.4 kg) at full capacity.

The bag can be quickly emptied, so it’s easy to move around or store.

While it’s a bit smaller than a full-size heavy bag, it provides similar resistance to many larger bags, which makes it suitable for boxing and certain martial arts.

This bag comes equipped with a chain, so all you need is a hook to hang it from and you’re all set.

Best quiet punching bag

Quiet Punch Smart Punching Bag

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

The Quiet Punch Smart Punching Bag provides a solution for home gyms that can’t accommodate full-size punching bags.

This bag is mounted in a doorway using elastic bands, so it doesn’t take up much room. This setup also helps reduce noise, making it a viable option for apartments and other small spaces.

It also includes sensors that track your punches, and the Quiet Punch Play app tracks your data and provides workout routines.

Quiet Punch also makes a version of this bag without punch tracking for $100 less.

Reviewers find that this bag provides a solid workout and is easy to use.

Best freestanding punching bag

Century B.O.B Freestanding Training Dummy

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

The Century Body Opponent Bag (B.O.B.) training dummy is a freestanding bag with human characteristics to help make your training more realistic. Its shape lets you practice more specific punches and kicks that regular heavy bags don’t allow.

With an adjustable height of 60–78 inches (152.4–198.1 cm) and a base that can be filled with water or sand, this bag is versatile for trainees of all sizes.

With a rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars on Amazon and more than 1,800 reviews, the Century B.O.B. has an established track record among boxers and martial artists alike.

Best adjustable punching bag

Century Original Wavemaster Freestanding Heavy Bag

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

The Century Wavemaster Freestanding bag has many of the benefits of a typical freestanding bag with the bonus that its height is adjustable from 47–68 inches (119.4–172.7 cm).

This makes the bag quite versatile, able to accommodate people of all sizes and suited for a variety of movements, from kicks to high punches.

The base can be filled with water or sand, but most reviewers recommend filling it with sand for better stability.

This bag is good for boxing workouts and light striking, but those looking for a bag that won’t move at all may want to opt for a hanging heavy bag.

MaxxMMA Water/Air Heavy Bag

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

The MaxxMMA Water/Air Heavy Bag uses a combination of water and air for striking resistance, which makes it easy to adjust the weight.

Because it’s adjustable from 70–120 pounds (31.8–54.4 kg), it’s appropriate for trainees of varying experience levels.

Plus, it comes with an air pump to inflate the bag and a hose to add water.

Users mention that the MaxxMMA heavy bag provides a great value and mimics the feel of a traditional heavy bag.

Best budget punching bags under $100

Pro Impact Double Ended Punching Bag

• Price: $
• Materials: genuine leather
• Fill: air
• Weight: less than 2 lbs. (0.5 kg)
• Height: 9 in. (22.9 cm)
• Warranty: 30-day return/replacement

At less than 2 pounds (0.5 kg), the Pro Impact Double End Punching Bag is extremely lightweight.

While it doesn’t provide the resistance that heavy bags do, it’s an excellent option for speed and technique work.

It comes with the necessary bungee cords to install the bag — just fill it with air and you’re good to go.

With an Amazon rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars, the Pro Impact Punching Bag is a solid option for boxing speed work.

Ringside 40-Pound Heavy Bag with Gloves and Wraps

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

The Ringside 40-Pound Heavy Bag is a budget-friendly choice for teenagers or beginners who are just getting into boxing or other combat sports. It may be a little small for some adult users.

At 40 inches (101.6 cm) long, this bag is approachable in size but still substantial enough to handle hard punches.

Reviewers report that the bag is well made and provides a great value for the price.

As a bonus, it comes with hand wraps and gloves to help you get started.

Note that you’ll need additional hardware to properly hang this bag.

Tech Tools Punching Bag with Stand

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

This punching bag is similar to a double-ended punching bag with the added benefit of being easier to move because it’s freestanding.

The height adjusts from 48–58 inches (121.9–147.3 cm), and the bag’s smaller size and spring-back action make it useful for speed and technique work.

In addition to the punching bag, you’ll get a pair of boxing gloves and a pump to blow up the air bladder inside the bag.

With more than 3,300 ratings on Amazon, the Tech Tools Punching Bag is a popular entry-level option.

How to choose the best punching bag

With so many punching bags to choose from, deciding which one to buy can be a bit overwhelming.

Here are a few main factors to consider:

• Level of experience. More advanced trainees may require heavier bags, whereas beginners can use smaller, lighter bags.
• Body weight. A good general rule is to choose a bag that weighs half your body weight.
• Space requirements. Consider how much space you have for a punching bag.
• Type of training. Various combat sports require different sizes and shapes of bags.
• Bag height. Depending on your training level, you may need a bag of a specific height.
  • For beginners: 3-foot (36-inch or 91.4-cm) bags
  • For intermediate and advanced trainees: 4–5-foot (48–60-inch or 121.9–152.4-cm) bags
  • For advanced trainees or specific striking movements: 5-foot (60-inch or 152-cm) or longer bags

Finally, you may also want to consider your budget and the warranty or return policy, just in case the bag malfunctions or you change your mind.

How do these punching bags compare?

Frequently asked questions

What kind of punching bag is best?

This largely depends on what kind of training you will be using it for. That said, the best punching bag for all-around use is likely a hanging heavy bag, as it’s suitable for a variety of training applications — boxing, kickboxing, martial arts, and more.

How do you hang a punching bag?

Traditionally, punching bags are hung from an anchor that is bolted to a ceiling joist or another solid piece of wood. In some cases, they can also be hung from a pullup bar or weightlifting rack.

It is very important that the punching bag be fastened to a solid piece of wood or metal to prevent it from falling and causing injury. If you are unsure about how to hang one, consult a local carpenter, a gym owner, or the company’s website for assistance.

What’s the best filling for a punching bag?

Punching bags use a variety of fillings, such as fabric scraps, water, air, sand, and synthetic fibers. Some even use a combination of a few fillings.

Generally speaking, the highest quality punching bags are filled with natural fabrics or fibers because these tend to hold their shape and resist settling.

What are the benefits of using a punching bag?

Depending on what kind of training you do, regularly using a punching bag can come with several potential benefits.

Boxing-style training is associated with a number of positive outcomes, including improved heart health, lower blood pressure, better balance, increased strength, and weight loss in individuals for whom that is a goal (1, 2).

In addition, regularly punching the bag can help provide stress relief (3).

The bottom line

With the rise in popularity of combat sports, punching bags have become a staple in home and commercial gyms alike.

Numerous types of punching bags are available in various shapes, sizes, and sport specifications.

When choosing a punching bag, consider factors like your body weight, level of experience, available space, and type of training.

Though a punching bag is a key piece of equipment for boxing or MMA training, you may also need boxing gloves, hand wraps, and jump ropes.