As a member of the massive Brunswick Bowling and Billiards Corporation, the DV8 brand has carried prestige and heritage spanning several decades. The best DV8 bowling balls are reasonably priced, readily available in most local professional bowling shops, and are handled and managed by expert bowling technicians and bowling professionals.
Alongside the likes of Brunswick, Ebonite, Hammer, Radical Bowling, and Track, the manufacturing process has been top-notch and is rivaled only by the other leading brands in the field of bowling.
If you have friends or teammates who have tested DV8 bowling balls, you would surely have heard of the brand’s reliability, durability, and potential to produce great results in the lanes.
In this guide, we will take a look at the consensus picks for the best DV8 Bowling Balls available online.
If you would like to get to know about the best DV8 has to offer, then continue reading!
The Top Recommended DV8 Bowling Balls
DV8 is known to give their bowling balls names that are not only eye-catching but also very aggressive in nature. In a way, this also speaks to how their bowling balls are utilized, primarily with a calculated and aggressive hook shot or a very precise straight shot.
In terms of difficulty of use, DV8 has produced bowling balls for users of all styles, techniques, and proficiency levels, so you should not worry about whether or not the bowling balls you get from this label are particularly more challenging than those offered by other brands. It all boils down to the purpose of your purchase and your intended use for the bowling ball down the lanes.
When considering design and aesthetics, we would suggest taking a look into performance first. Luckily, for fans of DV8 bowling ball products, the makers behind each ball made sure to have the ball look the part, as you will be seeing repeatedly in the entries we have listed below.
As for coverstocks, weight blocks (or bowling ball cores), and finishes, we will mention the factory specifications of each as necessary.
Here’s the six best DV8 Bowling Balls reviewed.
1. DV8 Zombie
Marketed as a spare bowling ball, this zombie-themed monstrosity is meant to wreak havoc on stubborn pins that are still standing.
Crafted with a polyester coverstock, a bullet core, and a high gloss polish, expect to roll straight and true with this scary bowling ball.
It comes in a variety of sizes (or weights), namely:
The DV8 Zombie performs well under any and all lane conditions (referring to light, medium, and heavy oil lane conditions) and has a straight and accurate trajectory as long as it is released properly.
We also have to give praise to its design and paint job. It has been a conversation piece and has led to plenty of meaningful relationships within the hallowed halls of bowling facilities. This ball is definitely an attention-grabber and compliment-getter.
2. DV8 Activ8
The DV8 Activ8 is a surprisingly good mid-performance entry offered by the brand as an offshoot of the great sales and performance of the earlier released Hell Raiser Return and Damn Good Verge bowling balls.
In its brand new condition, the Activ8 is a glossy finished, symmetric-core bowling ball that is intended for high-rev and 2-handed use in bowling alleys.
This ball has a patented Activ8 core (symmetrical), a composite fang hybrid coverstock, and is categorized as a hybrid reactive resin bowling ball.
It comes in five different sizes (or weights), namely:
The symmetric core and variety of weight configurations will definitely provide any bowler with a personalized feel for the ball and will deliver great results with practice.
If you are a fan of the unique and nostalgic designs of marbles, then the DV8 Warrant Solid would definitely bring back fun childhood memories for you.
Marketed as an upper to mid-performance bowling ball, this asymmetric-core bowling ball paired with a hybrid coverstock is ideal for medium oil lane conditions, particularly when the bowling lane starts to break down.
Available in a 15-pound configuration, this bowling ball utilizes a captive asymmetric core, the patented N-Forcer SF Hybrid reactive resin coverstock, and has a factory differential of 0.054 with a 500 and 1000 finish.
As for colors, this bowling ball is offered in three unique shades, namely:
Most of the commendations for this bowling ball should be given to its design and hook potential (largely due to the asymmetrical core or weight block). Some of our bowling coaches and teammates have even gone so far as to say that this iteration of the DV8 Warrant is far superior to its predecessor.
If the name of the bowling ball has not lit a fire in your belly, then the specifications of this product definitely will.
The DV8 Intimidator Pearl bowling ball is a great bowling ball that has been preferred by Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) players for the past couple of years.
This bowling ball is marketed as a strong and aggressive ball and performs well in a variety of oil patterns and lane conditions due to its versatility and engineering. It is also marketed specifically for heavy oil lane conditions and should hook well when thrown correctly.
The DV8 Intimidator Pearl uses the Assailant asymmetrical weight block, an Inciter Max Pearl reactive resin coverstock, and a crown factory compound 500, 1000 finish.
This bowling ball is available in the following weight configurations:
This bowling ball’s aesthetic and performance during tournaments and casual use are top-notch. It has also demonstrated versatility when traveling towards the mid-lane and back-end. This ball also performs well in lane conditions that are caught in between being broken down and having full oil density.
The Hell Raiser Blaze is arguably the best (albeit somewhat redundantly) named bowling ball produced by the DV8 franchise.
A spiritual successor to the older DV8 Hell Raiser bowling ball and a partner to the Damn Good Verge bowling ball in terms of release period, the DV8 Hell Raiser Blaze is designed to have the nastiest hook potential regardless of oil lane conditions.
It uses DV8’s patented DOT core system and takes advantage of the Incite Max Traction reactive resin coverstock with a 1000 grit manufacturer finish.
This bowling ball comes in 5 different sizes, namely:
We give this bowling ball its props for how well it performs for bowlers who utilize higher speeds at a lower rev rate. On the flip side, we also find this bowling ball to be good for two-handed bowling techniques.
The DV8 Hell Raiser Return is yet another worthy addition to DV8’s Hell Raiser series. This particular bowling ball is an homage to the original DV8 Hell Raiser which significantly raised the brand’s value and reputation in the field of bowling.
This direct successor to the original DV8 Hell Raiser still possesses the same core design but with an updated DOT iteration with DynamiCore technology for improved hitting power and reliability.
The aesthetic has also changed for the better. The colors now pop even more and can therefore grab more attention than its predecessor.
This bowling ball also utilizes a Inciter Max Flip reactive resin coverstock and has a factory finish of 500, 1000, 15000 Siaair.
This bowling ball comes in five different weight configurations, namely:
This bowling ball’s excellent performance is largely due to its use as a skid or flip bowling ball (seemingly normal trajectory then a sudden aggressive change in direction). It performs smoothly upfront, travels a good length, and brings astounding pin action. This bowling ball does good on a variety of oil house patterns and the ball’s aggressive nature should be viewed as an asset rather than an uncontrollable disadvantage.
Conclusion (and Our Top Pick)
As for our top pick, we have to go with none other than the DV8 Zombie. Having personally had the chance to use this spare bowling ball, there is absolutely no doubt in our minds that this is one of the best balls to get if you are looking for a tested and proven straight-shot bowling ball. The others on the list are equally good in their own right, but we have to tip our hats in favor of the Zombie simply because of our personal history with the ball.
DV8 has produced top-quality bowling balls over the years, and although the best DV8 bowling balls possess aggressive and tenacious labels, there is no need to worry about its performance for those looking for a smooth and consistent experience. So, if you are in the market for a brand new bowling ball, look no further than DV8.