Things that function effectively last a lot longer. It’s a fact we all know but we don’t always pay attention to it. By ensuring we have the best ball valve from the start we can limit our problems down the line and save ourselves a lot of time and a lot of money.

Unless we’re a specialist we might not always know the parts we need, especially if we’re attempting a DIY job. Thankfully in the modern digital world we can quickly go online, find what we need and browse around to find it. That’s the case with ball valves.

What is a Ball Valve?

For anyone who isn’t a plumbing or machinery specialist you might not have heard of a ball valve. A ball valve is the most common type of shut off valve and it’s used in any machinery where liquid or gas might flow. It’s a necessity for a lot of machinery and equipment and something you can’t do without.  If you are looking for a manifold for your plumbing needs then visitor our pex manifold reviews guide.

Why is a Ball Valve Important?

Ball valves are used to control the flow of liquids of gases through them. Without this they can travel freely which can cause ultimately cause safety issues. In industrial work places ball valves are used in all kinds of machinery and if they aren’t, or aren’t fitted right you’d see disastrous consequences.

Beyond safety they’re also used to maintain the equipment. Without it the machinery can be worn down a lot more quickly and become less useful. Let’s just say ball valves are incredibly important.

But let’s face it, if you’re looking for ball valves you probably already have at least some understanding of what they do.

Where Can I Find Ball Valves?

There are a number of places you can get ball valves from but the most convenient is definitely online. Amazon offer a range of ball valves at competitive pricing. With fast delivery it’s the practical and cost saving alternative to visiting a hardware store.

What is the Best Ball Valve & Reviews!

We’ve had a look around and have sourced some of the best ball valves around so you don’t have to do the leg work. We’ve found three quality ball valves with different features so if you’re in need of a ball valve then look for further.

Sharkbite are a well known brand who have designed and developed parts that are now used globally. They’ve developed a reputation for creating parts that simply work which is ultimately what you need from a product like this. Durable and reliable it’s exactly what you’d expect.

• Easy Installation

This fitting is designed so it can be installed even in tight spaces. It can be installed without any tools, solder or glue and will tighten by hand to the point where you can still put your faith in it.

• Compatible

The Sharkbite ball valve can be used with a number of different types of pipe. It’s compatible with Copper, PEX, CPVC & PE-RT pipes or any combination of the above. This makes the Sharkbite a great choice for any project as it works will all types of pipe.

• Durable

A shut off valve needs to be durable and Sharkbite didn’t disappoint. Their product has been tested for up to 200 degrees and 200 PSI so even tough conditions won’t cause an issue.

Whether you’re a work man using this industrially or in a residence you’ll find that this is a well made and reliable product. The feedback is universally positive and as ball valves go it’s one you can put your faith in. If you need a reliable shut off valve then SharkBite have you covered.

This Sharkbite valve has all the quality of the rest of the product range and has been designed with specific uses in mind. It’s a 1 inch by 1 inch female application which is suitable for commercial or residential plumbing.

This is exactly what you need for any potable water or hydronic heating system. Its simple to install and to replace a different product as it can just be clicked into place. It’s push to connect on one end with an NPT at the other.

This product has all the same advantages of the other Sharkbite ball valve and can be used on a variety of materials and pipes. It can be installed even more simply that the other with a push on end. Made from brass it’s durable and reliable.

Customer feedback about the Sharkbite 2218-0000LF Ball Valve has been fairly positive across the board. People are pleased with both the simplicity and effectiveness of the product:

“Really made the job easy. Will buy in the future. I did not have a main shut off and need to go from galvanized to my new pex. This made the transition a piece of cake.”

Criticisms of the product are that the item pictured on Amazon is not the same thing that arrived. Some people didn’t realise that the plastic sleeve must be removed for it to work properly and found the picture confusing.

Nevertheless this Sharkbite ball valve is just as useful as it’s brother and will be useful as a shut off valve.

Mueller are another well known brand for their quality of product. Professionals in the industry will be familiar with the different products available but each of them has been designed with a specific purpose in mind. The Mueller Ball Valve is made from solid brass and designed to be installed easily with no fuss at all.

• Extreme Conditions

Tested up to 600 PSI and able to withstand 194 degree heat the Mueller ball valve isn’t taking any prisoners. It’s robust and reliable.

• Rust Resistant

The valve is built to be rust resistant and has a vinyl handle so it’s easy to turn. The whole valve will stand up well to the test of time with no issues.

• Complete control

The Mueller Ball Valve allows you to take full control of the flow and you can shut off and restart with ease. Be sure to look for any noticeable wear on the handle and replace immediately.

The Mueller Ball is made to be resilient and does the job of a shut off valve extremely well. It’s received a lot of praise from users as one of the best products plus it’s very affordable. If you’re in need of a ball valve professionally or residentially then Mueller might be the way to go.

Ball Valves are a very important bit of kit and shut off valves are needed in various equipment. All of these products are incredibly simply to install and use and have been tested under a lot of pressure. This makes them suitable for most uses and you can’t really go wrong with any of them.  Overall picking the best ball valve is extremely important and will help to make sure that you have no future problems involved with your plumbing!