Originally part of the Brunswick family, DV8 Bowling is now owned by BlueArc Capital Management — a private investment firm currently located in Atlanta, GA.
Brunswick exited the bowling business in late 2015, selling the right to its brands for future use. BlueArc continues to release bowling balls and bowling equipment under the Brunswick and DV8 names. And in 2019, they also purchased Ebonite International and all the brands under their corporate umbrella.
As for DV8, the brand remains a standout in the world of high-performance bowling balls. With plenty of balls in different categories made for different oil lane conditions, DV8 bowling balls are an outstanding purchase decision for any bowler looking to up their performance level at the lanes.
Rather than leaving you to sort through the best that DV8 has to offer, we’ve compiled our own reviews of the DV8 bowling ball oeuvre for our definitive list of the Top 9 DV8 Bowling Balls For 2021.
Starting with #9…
The 9 Best DV8 Bowling Balls For 2021
9) DV8 Notorious Bowling Ball
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An aggressive high-performance bowling ball with one of the stronger hooks on this list, the DV8 Notorious takes the popular Composite Fang coverstock and adds a wild new core under the hood. The brand-new Antagonist asymmetrical core helps create a booming backend reaction that’ll send pins flying in directions you never thought possible. If you want a ball that’s always dialed up to 11, the DV8 Notorious is quite…notorious for that.
Specs
Color: Violet/Azure/Smoke
Core: Antagonist (Asymmetric)
Coverstock: Composite Fang (Hybrid Reactive)
Factory Finish: 500/3000 Siaair Micro Pad
RG: 2.476
Differential: 0.047
Flare potential: High
Recommended Lane Condition: Heavy
Pros
- Aggression is the name of the game with the DV8 Notorious. This ball goes for it, every time.
- The backend reaction on this one is something to behold.
- The new Antagonist core is one of our favorite new asymmetrical cores in the marketplace.
Cons
- This ball might be way too aggressive for some. It never holds back, to a fault.
- On dry lanes, this ball might as well be a paperweight.
8) DV8 Turmoil Pearl Bowling Ball
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The DV8 Turmoil Pearl has a way of getting creative in medium oil. This ball loves a balanced oil setup, offering maximum angularity coupled with breezy length down the lane. It also has the kick of a pronounced skid-flip motion, allowing you to hit the pocket from anywhere and find your groove accordingly. No ball does medium quite so spectacularly as the DV8 Turmoil.
Specs
Color: Navy/Yellow/Purple
Core: Turmoil (Symmetric)
Coverstock: Composite Flip Pearl (Pearl Reactive)
Factory Finish: 500 Siaair, Crown Factory Compound
RG: 2.528
Differential: 0.042
Recommended Lane Condition: Medium
Pros
- You can do so much with this ball in medium oil. It’s really a bag of unlimited tricks.
- The skid-flip motion is a real treat and helps you attack the pocket from wherever you want.
- This ball sails down the lane with ease. The length is really impressive.
Cons
- This ball likes balanced oil. Too wet or too dry can be a major detriment.
- It’s not the hardest-hitting ball on this list.
7) DV8 Poison Pearl Bowling Ball
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In terms of flip, there’s the DV8 Poison Pearl and there’s everything else. This bowling ball flips on command, allowing you to alter your approach to the pocket for maximum pin action. This is a fantastic update of the original DV8 Poison thanks to the new Toxin-SF pearl reactive cover. This wild, radium green coverstock adds length while promising a bigger back-end reaction than its predecessor.
Specs
Color: Radium Green
Core: Toxicity (Symmetric)
Coverstock: Toxin-SF (Pearl Reactive)
Factory Finish: 500/1000 Siaair, Crown Factory Compound
RG: 2.564
Differential: 0.054
Recommended Lane Condition: Medium-Dry
Pros
- We adore this update of the old DV8 Poison, especially with its pronounced boost in length down-lane.
- The back-end reaction is sneaky big and creates some crazy pin carry.
- From a purely aesthetic standpoint, the radium green cover definitely turns heads. It’s different in a good way.
Cons
- This ball isn’t made for the heavy stuff. It’s better when oil conditions are more depleted.
- This isn’t the most angular offering out there.
6) DV8 Glam Bowling Ball
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The DV8 Glam Bowling Ball treats medium-dry and medium-oiled bowling lanes as its own personal runways. There isn’t another ball on this list or in the DV8 catalog that eases down the lanes and recovers this well. The Diva symmetric core isn’t new to the DV8 oeuvre, but the added DynamiCore technology has given it a welcome boost in hitting power and backend violence. Beauty isn’t weak. Neither is the DV8 Glam.
Specs
Color: Gold/Pink
Core: Diva (Symmetric)
Coverstock: Composite Fang Pearl (Pearl Reactive)
Factory Finish: 500 Siaair, Crown Factory Compound
RG: 2.516
Differential: 0.052
Recommended Lane Condition: Medium-Dry
Pros
- From a length perspective, the DV8 Glam excels to the nth degree.
- This ball recovers consistently and gets you pocket hit after pocket hit.
- Wrapping the Diva core in DynamiCore technology creates some major crashes to and through the pin deck.
Cons
- The deeper the oil, the less this ball seems to find its footing.
- It’s not super hard to get creative with the DV8 Glam, but your angles can be limited sometimes.
5) DV8 Frequency Bowling Ball
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Are you a hook-dominant bowler in need of a new strike ball? The DV8 Frequency Bowling Ball is your new best friend. Offering unreal hook potential in medium to heavy oil conditions, the DV8 Frequency keeps its length while allowing you to take the pocket from any angle you so choose. This ball is a versatile beast that goes long, stays strong, and hits like a ton of bricks.
Specs
Color: Sky/Indigo/Grape
Core: Adversary (Asymmetric)
Coverstock: Flexure (Hybrid Reactive)
Factory Finish: 500/2000 Siaair Micro Pad
RG: 2.476
Differential: 0.047
Recommended Lane Condition: Medium-Heavy
Pros
- There are hooks aplenty with this monster. You’ll be able to maximize your hook and come at the pocket from a position of pure strength.
- For a hook-crazy ball, the DV8 Frequency sure is balanced. Its versatility is a real highlight.
- Hitting power is a major plus with this ball.
Cons
- This ball is so dang hook-heavy. If you want something a bit tamer, look elsewhere
- The DV8 Frequency should probably be bagged when lane conditions really break down.
4) DV8 Warrant Bowling Ball
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A skid/flip standout perfect for the end of league night, the DV8 Warrant Bowling Ball gets revved up with oil starts to deplete and break down. It’s one of our favorite balls in the history of the DV8 brand when it comes to cornering and cleaning things up when lanes start to get choppy. The N-Forcer SF Hybrid eats oil for dinner, using that energy for some wild pin action come impact time.
Specs
Color: Royal/Green/Navy
Core: Captive(Asymmetric)
Coverstock: N-Forcer SF Hybrid (Hybrid Reactive)
Factory Finish: 500/1000 Siaair, Crown Factory Compound
RG: 2.505
Differential: 0.054
Recommended Lane Condition: Medium-Heavy
Pros
- This ball rips around the corner, getting wildly angular for major pin carry.
- Whether you’re in deeper oil or playing on a complex oil pattern, this ball saves up energy for some backend fireworks.
- We love the hitting power of the DV8 Warrant. It packs a punch from any angle.
Cons
- While it blends wet and dry well, it shouldn’t be used on purely dry or medium-dry lanes for too long.
- The asymmetric core can be quite off-kilter for those who aren’t ready to harness it.
3) DV8 Verge Pearl Bowling Ball
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When lane conditions break down and you need a ball that can keep its length and hitting power, the DV8 Verge Pearl is there for you. The original DV8 Verge utilized the same Threshold symmetric core. But, the DV8 Verge Pearl ups the ante with the new Inciter Pearl pearl reactive coverstock. This combination means that you’ll go longer, stronger, and enjoy a sharper and more angular reaction at the breakpoint.
Specs
Color: Ocean Blue/Dark Blue
Core: Threshold (Symmetric)
Coverstock: Inciter Pearl (Pearl Reactive)
Factory Finish: 500/1000 Siaair, Crown Factory Compound
RG: 2.476
Differential: 0.049
Recommended Lane Condition: Medium
Pros
- This is how you update a classic. The DV8 Verge Pearl is a much more complete ball than the original Verge, in our opinion.
- Length and strength are the calling cards of this ball. You’ll stay on the lane and do damage at impact.
- For a ball with a reactive pearl coverstock, the sharp breakpoint reaction is quite impressive.
Cons
- This coverstock is made for more balanced oil conditions. It gets a bit unwieldy when it’s too wet or dry out there.
- While it’s more angular than the previous DV8 Verge, it’s not quite as angle-friendly as other balls on this list.
2) DV8 Decree Bowling Ball\
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With a strong mid-lane read and a gloriously violent back-end reaction, the DV8 Decree hits cleanly and with force every time you slot it into the pocket. Out of the balls we chose to review for this article, the DV8 Decree may be the most balanced option for those playing in medium lane oil conditions. With just enough slick stuff, the Decree revs up and continues to and through the pins with controlled fury.
Specs
Color: Black/Pink/White
Core: Command (Symmetric)
Coverstock: Composite Fang Solid (Solid Reactive)
Factory Finish: 500/3000 Siaair Micro Pad
RG: 2.53
Differential: 0.043
Recommended Lane Condition: Medium
Pros
- There isn’t a ball on this list that rolls and hits cleaner than the DV8 Decree.
- The Composite Fang Solid reactive coverstock has some crazy hitting power to its credit.
- This ball feels like it’s a magnet for the pocket. It’s almost effortless to find your line through the pins.
Cons
- It’s not the most aggressive ball on this list. It’s more of a jack of all trades than a hook-heavy boomer.
- If it’s too dry out there, this ball tends to lose some of its oomph.
1) DV8 Intimidator Bowling Ball
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Are you ready to go deep? The DV8 Intimidator offers maximum hook and unparalleled control in heavy oil conditions. There isn’t another ball in the DV8 catalog that hits harder and hooks with more malicious intent when lanes are their slickest. The Assailant asymmetric core and durable solid reactive coverstock pair together for some of the wildest, wackiest, and most effective strikes you’re ever gonna get.
Specs
Color: Black/White/Purple
Core: Assailant (Asymmetric)
Coverstock: Inciter Max (Solid Reactive)
Factory Finish: 500/2000 Siaair
RG: 2.481
Differential: 0.051
Recommended Lane Condition: Heavy
Pros
- If you want to make a statement at the lanes, the DV8 Intimidator is your ticket to strikes that explode like sticks of dynamite.
- The new asymmetric core sharpens this ball’s angles for some glorious impacts.
- There isn’t a heavy-oil ball on this list that gets results like the DV8 Intimidator.
Cons
- Dry lanes are a no-no with this aggressive bowling ball.
- For intermediate bowlers and those just finding their way, this might be way too much, way too soon.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are DV8 bowling balls good?
Of course! DV8 Bowling is known for manufacturing high-performance bowling balls for bowlers of a different breed. In fact, they’re one of the most trusted manufacturers of bowling balls and specialized bowling equipment going today! From bowling bags to top-level bowling accessories, to some of the swankiest bowling apparel you’re gonna find, DV8 has something for the aspiring bowling pro in every household.
What is the hardest-hitting bowling ball in the DV8 catalog?
Our pick for the hardest-hitting bowling in the DV8 catalog is also our pick for the best bowling ball that DV8 has to offer. The DV8 Intimidator lives up to its name. It makes pins shake where they stand and simply gets results with a massive back-end reaction. As soon as this ball gets some momentum, look out! It’s not just the hardest-hitting DV8 ball. The DV8 Intimidator is one of the hardest-hitting balls in the market, period.
Closing Thoughts
For those bowlers looking for an edge and a boost to their overall skill level, adding a DV8 bowling ball is a fantastic first step to future glory on the lanes. Shipping a high-performance DV8 ball to your house shows you’re serious about the game. And with fantastic ball options available at a price you can afford, there’s no reason not to shop through the options above and choose your next standout strike ball.
