# Where to start spin tops (what's good to buy) **URL:** \ **Category:** Spin Tops\ **Created:** [August 3, 2026, 5:00am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/where-to-start-spin-tops-whats-good-to-buy/450260 "2026-08-03T05:00:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Bznalcapone](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/bznalcapone/32/691806_2.png) [@Bznalcapone](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Bznalcapone)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2026, 5:00am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/where-to-start-spin-tops-whats-good-to-buy/450260/1 "2026-08-03T05:00:12Z")
I am practicing yoyos and I have been watching a bunch of spin top videos here on the forums and it looks challenging and fun. I’m sure this has been asked a ton but what should I look at to buy. There are cheaper ones like the yoyofactory then there is one called the Alice but looking at the forums there are just so many brands. I’ll take any and all advice on brands and what to buy. Also, should I buy a spin top with a ball bearing? I’m a little confused on which way to go ---
**Author:** ![Simyo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/858c86/32.png) [@Simyo](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Simyo)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2026, 5:03am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/where-to-start-spin-tops-whats-good-to-buy/450260/2 "2026-08-03T05:03:52Z")
Start with a Yoyofactory one. ---
**Author:** ![SlowThrow](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/slowthrow/32/307451_2.png) [@SlowThrow](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/SlowThrow)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2026, 11:59am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/where-to-start-spin-tops-whats-good-to-buy/450260/3 "2026-08-03T11:59:16Z")
Spin tips are a little more forgiving to start with from what I’ve learned, and the YYF short circuit is a great starter for sure. ---
**Author:** ![Slestak75](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/slestak75/32/212315_2.png) [@Slestak75](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Slestak75)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2026, 12:31pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/where-to-start-spin-tops-whats-good-to-buy/450260/4 "2026-08-03T12:31:09Z")
You are correct, this has been asked before. I’ll give you the same advice that I give everyone based on my own experience. The spin top can be very frustrating to learn. When learning the basic throw… you will be lobbing a spinning object out into the room. It will take many bad throws and frustration just to figure out the basic throw. Even more getting up to your hand and then figuring out how to keep it there. Now… this is in no way meant to dissuade you, just to say that you want a very tough top to start out. Also affordable and light are good as when a top lands on its side as it will do a LOT when first starting out, they will get traction and go flying off into things and they can be quite damaging. I know that my wife did not appreciate this very much. With that said… the YYF Short Circuit is an amazing first top. It’s less that $10, tough as nails but not destructive like metal can be, and it’s all a person need to get started and honestly there are many who continue to throw the SC regularly. As far as bearing tips go, I like having one but I’ve not gotten into the more complicated tricks. The bearing , I feel, is great for learning to balance the top in your hand as you’ll get much greater spin time and you’ll need it because even balancing the thing in your hand is counterintuitive. ---
**Author:** ![mable](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/mable/32/194074_2.png) [@mable](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/mable)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2026, 12:32pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/where-to-start-spin-tops-whats-good-to-buy/450260/5 "2026-08-03T12:32:17Z")
You can just buy a Short Circuit. Tops are hard and high effort, considering you’re either going to be heading outside or making a safe zone in your house where you don’t risk breaking anything to play. Bearing tips are weird and very different, starting on one is a bad idea. Just get a short circuit and learn the basics first, that’ll give you a good feel for if tops are something you actually enjoy and want to pursue further. ---
**Author:** ![Bznalcapone](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/bznalcapone/32/691806_2.png) [@Bznalcapone](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Bznalcapone)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2026, 1:24pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/where-to-start-spin-tops-whats-good-to-buy/450260/6 "2026-08-03T13:24:10Z")
Excellent advice from all thank you all. I will order the yoyofactory I might get both regular and bearing. I do understand the learning curve and difficulty but that’s ok and I also understand it can cause damage to things. I want to try it I think it would be awesome to learn. As for the price I wasn’t too worried about it like the Alice is only like 35 bucks and seems to be made of delrin be higher quality so I wasn’t to worried if it was 35 or 10 or 50. Just wanted something that will last and is made of good quality but I’m ok with just spending 10 bucks if you all think the yoyofactory is a good option. I learned in yoyo that spending top dollar does not always give you the best and sometimes cheap is just as good. I came to not yoyo throwing money around buying expensive yoyos and some of the cheaper ones I have I like better so that’s why I wanted the advice on what to buy and I’m listening this time ---
**Author:** ![SlowThrow](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/slowthrow/32/307451_2.png) [@SlowThrow](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/SlowThrow)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2026, 1:33pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/where-to-start-spin-tops-whats-good-to-buy/450260/7 "2026-08-03T13:33:23Z")
I do think it’s fun to have each, they both play differently. Seriously tho, tops are so hard to master lol As for the Strommel8, I enjoy mine, it’s super high quality, but it gave me no super powers, and I’m afraid to destroy my hardwood floors with its metal tip lol Also the Alice is small, which would be more challenging. ---
**Author:** ![Bznalcapone](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/bznalcapone/32/691806_2.png) [@Bznalcapone](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Bznalcapone)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2026, 1:47pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/where-to-start-spin-tops-whats-good-to-buy/450260/8 "2026-08-03T13:47:06Z")
Good point on the metal tip didn’t think about that either. Im going to buy the yoyofactory with bearing and without for 20 bucks why not have both. ---
**Author:** ![Slestak75](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/slestak75/32/212315_2.png) [@Slestak75](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Slestak75)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2026, 1:48pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/where-to-start-spin-tops-whats-good-to-buy/450260/9 "2026-08-03T13:48:13Z")
I actually encourage anyone to get the Alice. For the simple reason that Strummol8 is no longer in business and those are the last. ---
**Author:** ![Bznalcapone](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/bznalcapone/32/691806_2.png) [@Bznalcapone](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Bznalcapone)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2026, 2:06pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/where-to-start-spin-tops-whats-good-to-buy/450260/10 "2026-08-03T14:06:20Z")
Done all 3 ordered. Time to start another new journey. ![1000003076](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/uploads/yoyoexpert1/original/4X/c/e/3/ce3e2d7ca6f62cfb67cbe6fb1d60813333705d57.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![SlowThrow](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/slowthrow/32/307451_2.png) [@SlowThrow](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/SlowThrow)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2026, 2:24pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/where-to-start-spin-tops-whats-good-to-buy/450260/11 "2026-08-03T14:24:09Z")
Welcome to the struggle bus! ---
**Author:** ![Bznalcapone](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/bznalcapone/32/691806_2.png) [@Bznalcapone](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Bznalcapone)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2026, 2:53pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/where-to-start-spin-tops-whats-good-to-buy/450260/12 "2026-08-03T14:53:32Z")
I’m excited I can’t wait to join the frustration bus ---
**Author:** ![tonyevo52](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/tonyevo52/32/666576_2.png) [@tonyevo52](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/tonyevo52)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2026, 4:55pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/where-to-start-spin-tops-whats-good-to-buy/450260/13 "2026-08-03T16:55:54Z")
All good choice. Start with the Electrick to get a feel for throwing a good boomerang and then move on to the fixed tips. I wasn’t a fan of the fixed tip at first due to the quick spin time and not knowing many tricks, but once you learn a few tricks, they are just as fun! The Alice was my first delrin and I was hooked after that - I like the heavier weight. ---
**Author:** ![SlowThrow](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/slowthrow/32/307451_2.png) [@SlowThrow](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/SlowThrow)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2026, 5:01pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/where-to-start-spin-tops-whats-good-to-buy/450260/14 "2026-08-03T17:01:09Z")
That’s the spirit! ---
**Author:** ![Bznalcapone](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/bznalcapone/32/691806_2.png) [@Bznalcapone](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Bznalcapone)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2026, 5:12pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/where-to-start-spin-tops-whats-good-to-buy/450260/15 "2026-08-03T17:12:08Z")
That’s good advice. I will try both when they come and see. I didn’t want to pass up the alice because it is delrin and it was kind of cheap so why not have something on hand that will come down the road since it is smaller I’m sure it’s harder to use ---
**Author:** ![kevinm](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/kevinm/32/697_2.png) [@kevinm](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/kevinm)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2026, 6:53pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/where-to-start-spin-tops-whats-good-to-buy/450260/16 "2026-08-03T18:53:30Z")
I think the reason people find bearing tips better to start with is because when they land, the tip is stationary, so it has a greater slop factor. If you throw a fixed tip tilted, the tip grinds on the floor or your hand and the top takes off. The advantage is over once you learn how to do a decent boomerang, and bearing tops are basically just gyroscopes. There are some cool bearing tricks, but most of them you can do with a fixed tip except for tricks where the tip is trapped and you are doing stationary things like gyroscopic flop. On the other hand, there is a world of fixed tip tricks that you cannot do with a bearing top. Just my 5 cents worth. ---
**Author:** ![Bznalcapone](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/bznalcapone/32/691806_2.png) [@Bznalcapone](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Bznalcapone)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2026, 6:57pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/where-to-start-spin-tops-whats-good-to-buy/450260/17 "2026-08-03T18:57:44Z")
This is why I bought both styles so I can practice both ways. I only paid 20 bucks but i did buy the Alice just to have I paid far more for one yoyo then I did for these 3 spin tops. ---
**Author:** ![kevinm](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/kevinm/32/697_2.png) [@kevinm](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/kevinm)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2026, 7:01pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/where-to-start-spin-tops-whats-good-to-buy/450260/18 "2026-08-03T19:01:37Z")
It’s hard to spend as much money on tops as yo-yos, especially now that Strummol8 is gone​🤣. But don’t worry, if a you get hooked we’ll get your money. ---
**Author:** ![tonyevo52](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/tonyevo52/32/666576_2.png) [@tonyevo52](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/tonyevo52)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2026, 7:11pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/where-to-start-spin-tops-whats-good-to-buy/450260/19 "2026-08-03T19:11:46Z")
Haaa, that’s no joke! Definitely harder to find S8’s in the States. Few places overseas have them, but shipping and all the other fees are painful!