When we talk about budget basketball shoes or cheap basketball shoes, a common misconception is that they are worse on-court performers than their signature or flagship counterparts. But even though brands need to reduce costs to make their basketball shoes cheaper, therefore packing less valuable tech and materials into these types of shoes, there are still excellent performance basketball shoes among them.
Admittedly, when we are talking about cheap hoop shoes, things get a little more hit or miss, but there are still plenty of great basketball shoes out there in this category. In fact, we see budget basketball shoes make our overall best basketball shoes list all the time, you just have to do a little more digging. Fortunately, here at Weartesters we test hundreds of basketball shoes every year on court, so all the hard work is already done and all is left is to find the best cheap basketball shoe for you.
To that end, we have made several lists to help you find the best affordable basketball shoes out there that fit your playing style. Here you will find the best budget basketball shoes currently on the market, but we also have lists of the best value basketball shoes and the best basketball shoe deals. Here we will be looking at shoes that were released as budget basketball shoes, in our value list you may find more expensive models that offer a ton of bang for your buck, and on our deals page, you can find great shoes that are now on sale. you can also check out Weartesters en Español Top Picks here.
Last updated 02.26.2024
Best Budget Basketball ShoesShow
Best Budget Basketball Shoes 2024 Overall
Nike Air Max Impact 4
The Nike Air Max Impact 4 is absolutely the best budget basketball shoes on the market today. The cushion provides the biggest bang for your buck. They’re incredibly soft and comfortable for what is most likely Phylon. Add that to a soft upper that needs no break-in time and you have a great-feeling shoe. Support is terrific with two outriggers and the fit is wide-foot friendly. There’s really no other shoe under $100 that performs this well, this consistently. If you enjoyed the Nike Air Max Impact 3, you will love this model. The best cheap basketball shoe hands down. Read the full review. Price: $90
9.2/10
Total Score
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Nike GT Cut Academy
TheNike GT Cut Academy is a very solid budget option from Nike. It’s nothing like the flagship model it emulates, the Nike GT Cut 3, but it’s a very decent basketball shoe nonetheless.If you consider its price it might even be a better performance model than the GT Cut 3. What you are going to get with the GT Cut Academy is a guard-style shoe with great grippy traction, a very well-balanced cushioning system, and a basic but effective all-around build. Read the full review.Price: $95
8/10
Total Score
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Nike LeBron Witness 8
heNike LeBron Witness 8 is a big improvement on the Witness 7. It’s a much more low-to-the-ground, responsive, and secure feeling shoe on court thanks to the improved containment and the switch in the cushioning system. As far as budget shoes go it’s one of the more solid options, but also one of the more expensive ones. Read full review. Price $110.
7.5/10
Total Score
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Nike Giannis Immortality 3
In a world where signature basketball shoes will run you no less than $160, and can’t even be used outdoors, it’s refreshing to see a shoe like the Immortality 3.This is a very solid performance basketball shoe, that will hold up well outdoors for just $90. Now, there is nothing I would call elite on the Giannis Immortality 3 but it is a very versatile and well-rounded basketball shoe indeed. Read full review. Price $90.
8.2/10
Total Score
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Nike Precision 6
The Nike Precision 6 is another budget model that isn’t too popular but performs pretty well for its price point. The Phylon used here is decent. It isn’t anything crazy, but it should get the job done, especially outdoors. The real highlight of the shoe is the traction. The bite was really good and Nike did a great job of not messing up the herringbone and used the right rubber compound. The Precision 6 for sure isn’t going to blow you away, but it’s a decent option. Read the full review. Price: $75
8.2/10
Total Score
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Nike KD Trey 5 X
The Nike KD Trey 5 X is Kevin Durant’s latest budget signature model that takes cues from his flagship, in this case the Nike KD 14. The biggest and most welcome surprise is the cushion. The foam midsole is Renew, and a rectangular forefoot Zoom Air unit is in the forefoot, similar to the Nike Kyrie Low 5. It provides impact protection without making you sink into the midsole. This department didn’t feel budget at all. Read the full review. Price: $100
8/10
Total Score
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Nike Giannis Immortality 2
The Nike Giannis Immortality 2, are Giannis Antetokounmpo’s budget basketball shoes, and they are very similar to the first edition. Which is good news.
The shoe features a Phylon midsole, the same grippy and durable traction pattern as in the Immortality 1 and functional but cheap materials. If you are looking for a cheap basketball shoe with a reactive cushioning set up and great traction, check these out. Read the full review. Price: $85
8/10
Total Score
Nike Renew Elevate 3
The Nike Renew Elevate 3 made some aesthetic improvements from the previous model. The cushion is Nike’s takedown version of React called Renew. The implementation is different here because the main Renew foam is only 3/4 length, thickest in the heel, and the rest of the midsole is regular EVA. As far as fit is concerned, we advise that you try this in-store in both your true size and half a size down. Fit is critical in getting the proper support. Price: $80
7/10
Total Score
adidas Dame Certified
The adidas Dame Certified is Damian Lillard’s budget model for the year, a very solid performance basketball shoe overall. The Dame Certified features full-length Bounce cushioning which is on the reactive side, great durable traction, and a highly functional upper built with nice cheap layered materials. All of this for just $100, making this a great budget basketball shoe from adidas.Read the full review.Price: $95
8.5/10
Total Score
adidas Harden Stepback 3
The adidas Harden Stepback 3 is a fantastic budget basketball shoe option. The best part is the traction. It grips every surface, outdoor and indoor. However, we would not recommend them as long-term outdoor basketball shoes. The Bounce foam midsole feels like the one we fell in love with a few years ago. The materials are basic yet comfortable. The fit is accommodating, and wide-footers will especially enjoy it. Read the full review. Price: $80
8/10
Total Score
Adidas Son of Chi 2
The adidas Son of Chi 2 may end up as the best adidas basketball shoe of 2022. The traction is a big highlight of its performance. Even with translucent rubber, the shoe gripped all floors well, regardless of court conditions. It’s also durable and will last longer than most rubber outsoles today. The full-length Bounce midsole provides impact protection even with 0mm of drop. Even though it doesn’t look like much, it is top in its class as far as budget basketball shoes go. Read the full review. Price: TBA
9/10
Total Score
Under Armour Spawn 4
The Under Armour Spawn 4 is a great under-the-radar offering from Under Armour. The shoe features full-length MicroG which is excellent and very grippy traction. Materials are nothing to write home about, but they are lightweight, breathable, and functional. Read the full review. Price: $110
7.5/10
Total Score
Puma Court Rider 2
The Puma Court Rider 2 is the follow-up to the Puma Court Rider 1, a budget offering from Puma that was a go-to of LaMelo Ball’s. With the court rider 2, you get a full-length slab of rider foam for cushioning (which is on the responsive side), awesome traction, and a wonderfully constructed upper. Read the full review. Price: $100
8.5/10
Total Score
Curry 3Z6
The Curry 3Z6 is solid, though some aspects need improvement. Our favorite feature is the traction. It’s thick and grips well on all courts, including concrete and blacktop outdoor courts. If you can deal with the minimal MicroG midsole, you’ll enjoy a stable ride. These shoes will be a great option, especially for shooters. And at $80, this is right in the cheap basketball shoe sweet spot. One of the best budget basketball shoes out there. See the full review. Price: $80
7/10
Total Score
Best Budget Basketball Shoes 2024 for Outdoors
Nike Air Max Impact 4
The Nike Air Max Impact 4 is again our top pick, even for playing outdoors. The cushion setup is the main reason. The cushy set-up will keep you playing pain-free outdoors for hours.
The upper is soft but resilient, and the shoe’s outsoles grip well and will withstand the rigors of outdoor play. On top of that, the support is great so it is a no-brainer pick for the top budget outdoor shoe available. Read the full review. Price: $90
9.2/10
Total Score
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Nike Giannis Immortality 3
The Immortality 3 makes another appearance on our list. As we mentioned it it a solid performance model that will hold up well to the rigors of outdoor play. Read full review. Price $90.
8.2/10
Total Score
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Thinking of a shoe we should add to the best budget basketball shoes list? Comment below or message us onInstagramorTwitter.