If your dog loves to play, is hyperactive, or you simply don’t have the time to engage with them all day, or perhaps your dog seems quiet and a bit down, you may have already stumbled upon a simple solution: electronic balls that move autonomously when touched or interacted with by your dog. While these innovative devices go by various names, their core functionality remains the same. There’s a wide array of such products available in the market today, but for this comparison, we’ll focus on two popular choices: the BarxBuddy Busy Ball and the Wicked Ball.
We will delve into their distinctive features, identify the types of dogs they are best suited for, and also provide information about the duration their batteries can entertain your furry friend. For a quick and straightforward overview of what these two balls have to offer, please refer to the comprehensive comparison table below. Without further ado, let’s get started.
The Final Verdict
In your quest for a toy to keep your dog entertained and happy, it’s important to remember that a happy pet makes for a happy owner. If you’re seeking a concise answer, both the BarxBuddy Ball and the Wicked Ball are capable of providing the entertainment and joy you’re looking for, making them both solid choices. However, it’s crucial to consider your dog’s behavior, as these balls are not intended for extreme chewers.
While both options have their merits, there are some differences between them. Personally, my overall preference leans towards the BarxBuddy Ball. It boasts features such as being saliva-proof and tear-resistant, and it offers a longer battery life.
The Wicked Ball is a close contender, but it’s worth noting that the manufacturer emphasizes the need for supervision during playtime to ensure safety. Nevertheless, this should not deter you from considering it, as it remains a good-quality ball option.
BarxBuddy Busy Ball
Ultimately, your choice between the two will depend on your dog’s behavior and your specific preferences, but rest assured that both options are designed to bring joy and entertainment to your beloved pet.
BarxBuddy Ball vs Wicked Ball Comparison Table
| Product | Editor’s choice BarxBuddy Busy Ball | Wicked Ball |
|---|---|---|
| Where to buy | Official website | Official store |
| Suitable for | All dogs | Medium |
| Design and material | Durable non-toxic TPU plastic | Polycarbonate |
| Modes | Three (gentle, normal, active) | Three (gentle, normal, active) |
| Activation | Touch or bite | Touch or bite |
| Play duration | Up to 5 hours | 1.5 – 4 hours |
| Battery | Built-in rechargeable battery | Built-in rechargeable battery |
| Special features | Motion sensors, flashing lights | Dynamic randomized movement |
| Tear-resistant | Yes | Yes |
| Sliva proof | Yes | n/a |
About BarxBuddy Ball and Wicked Ball
Both brands, BarxBuddy Ball and Wicked Ball, are well-established and known for a range of products beyond their motion-activated dog balls. Wicked Ball is a product from the Cheerble brand, which specializes in offering various types of toys and supplies for your pets. On the other hand, BarxBuddy provides a grooming set for dogs, nail grinders, and a wide array of other pet-related products. In essence, both brands primarily focus on providing toys and supplies for pets, particularly dogs, and what’s crucial is that they have built solid reputations as legitimate companies.
However, it’s essential to be aware that due to the high popularity and demand for this type of dog toy, there’s a significant presence of counterfeit products for both brands. These counterfeit items raise concerns about their quality and safety for your dog. Therefore, it is strongly recommended to make your purchases from the official websites of these brands to ensure that you are getting genuine and safe products for your furry friend. Your pet’s safety and enjoyment should always be a top priority.
Design and Durability
In terms of design, both the BarxBuddy Ball and the Wicked Ball share some similarities, but there are distinct differences that set them apart. Cheerble, the brand behind Wicked Ball, even offers a variety of color options, whereas the two balls are nearly identical in their blue color variant.
Both balls consist of two pieces that can be separated by unscrewing them, with a white middle part connecting them. Inside this middle section, you’ll find the motor and the charging port. Both models are rechargeable and feature built-in batteries. Additionally, both balls emit light when your dog interacts with them, adding to the overall appeal for your pet.
In terms of design, the two balls are quite similar, with the primary distinction being the color options available for the Wicked Ball, including yellow, green, and blue.
When it comes to durability, there are some differences to consider. The BarxBuddy Ball is constructed from durable TPU food-grade plastic, ensuring it is safe for your dog and non-toxic. This material is safe and resistant to being shredded into small pieces if your dog decides to chew on it. However, it’s essential to note that neither of these balls is indestructible, particularly if your dog happens to be an extreme chewer, so exercise caution in such cases.
Regarding the Wicked Ball, it appears to be constructed from robust and durable polycarbonate, as indicated by my research. Furthermore, the website advises the importance of supervising playtime to ensure the safety of your pet and to prevent any potential damage or ingestion of the toy. This additional information emphasizes the need for responsible and attentive pet ownership while using the Wicked Ball.
Overall, both balls demonstrate decent durability, although this can significantly depend on your dog’s behavior and how aggressive of a chewer they are. If your dog happens to be an extreme chewer, neither of these balls, nor any other brand’s ball for that matter, is likely to withstand their powerful jaws.
Activation and Movements
Activating both the BarxBuddy Ball and the Wicked Ball is a straightforward process – you simply need to ensure they are fully charged. These balls are designed to work independently with your dog, which is particularly convenient for situations when you’re not present or at home.
The BarxBuddy Ball becomes active when your dog touches it with their nose, paw, or gives it a gentle bite. On the other hand, the Wicked Ball can be activated by tapping it or by gently shaking it, after which it will activate itself after a brief 5-second delay.
Once activated, both balls will continue to function autonomously until their batteries are depleted. When it comes to their movement capabilities, both balls offer three operation modes that you can select based on your dog’s behavior and preferences.
For instance, the BarxBuddy Ball provides a gentle, slower mode suitable for older and less active pets. There’s also a normal mode, which is great for most pets, and a hyperactive mode designed for highly energetic pets. In hyperactive mode, the ball exhibits active jumping and rolls around unpredictably, which can be highly entertaining for dogs.
Similarly, the Wicked Ball offers different modes that you can switch by pressing the button on the motor. The gentle mode features slow rolling or gentle bouncing upon contact. The normal mode also includes slow rolling and bouncing, while the active mode boasts vigorous rolling and bouncing. Additionally, both balls feature active lights that illuminate during activity, ensuring the ball remains visible in low-light conditions or at night.
These versatile operation modes cater to various dog personalities and play styles, providing a customized and engaging experience for your furry friend.
Both balls offer similar operation modes, providing flexibility to cater to various dog personalities and preferences. These modes include options for gentle and slower movement, normal movement, and more active and unpredictable movement. This similarity in modes ensures that both the BarxBuddy Ball and the Wicked Ball can accommodate a wide range of dogs, from less active to highly energetic, offering an engaging play experience for all.
Before I forget, both ball have active lights on that light up during activity and make ball visible during night or places with less light.
Battery Life
When it comes to the battery life of these balls, there’s no need for major concerns, at least from what I’ve observed with the BarxBuddy Ball. Both balls are equipped with rechargeable batteries, which is a notable advantage.
The duration for which these batteries last depends on the mode you select and how actively your dog engages with the toy. The BarxBuddy Ball’s battery can power play for up to 5 hours. On the other hand, the Wicked Ball offers a playtime ranging from 1.5 to 4 hours, depending on the level of interaction your dog has with it.
Both balls come with dedicated charging cables that can be accessed by simply unscrewing the two outer shell parts, revealing the core of the ball or motor.
To keep you informed during the charging process, LED light indicators are included. For the BarxBuddy Ball, the light turns red when charging and blue when fully charged. In the case of the Wicked Ball, the indicator is yellow during charging and turns green once the ball is fully charged. These indicators help you ensure that the balls are adequately charged and ready for playtime with your furry companion.
Pet Engagement and Stimulation
It appears that both balls are highly effective in engaging dogs, which is not surprising considering their similar operating modes that cater to various play preferences. Customer feedback varies on different aspects of these balls, but there is unanimous agreement on one crucial point – their exceptional entertainment value for dogs.
Customers have consistently reported that their dogs love and thoroughly enjoy playing with both the BarxBuddy Ball and the Wicked Ball. These toys have proven to be a source of endless amusement, keeping furry friends entertained for extended periods.
While other factors such as battery life and product durability may vary based on your individual dog’s behavior and playstyle, it’s essential to maintain realistic expectations in these areas. Nonetheless, knowing that these balls consistently provide great entertainment for dogs is reassuring, and you can anticipate that your pet will have a blast playing with them.
Safety and Maintenance of The Balls
Before introducing any new product to your furry friend, it’s essential to ensure its safety. When examining the BarxBuddy Ball and the Wicked Ball, there are some noteworthy distinctions between them in terms of safety.
The BarxBuddy Ball is designed to be saliva-proof, water-resistant, tear-resistant, and nontoxic, offering a level of assurance regarding its safety for your dog.
On the other hand, when delving deeper into the Wicked Ball’s safety features, it appears to primarily emphasize its IP67 water resistance. However, there is limited information available beyond this specification. It is essential to note that the Wicked Ball is not suitable for heavy chewers, and the manufacturer emphasizes the need for supervision during playtime to ensure your pet’s safety and prevent any potential damage or ingestion of the toy.
Realistically, it’s a responsible practice to supervise your dog during playtime with any toy, as unforeseen accidents can occur.
Regarding maintenance, it is advisable to clean the balls after each use, as it is a simple and relatively undemanding process. Regular cleaning will help prevent unpleasant odors and the development of bacteria on the ball. After each use, disassemble the ball by unscrewing the outer shell and removing the core. Clean the shells with warm, soapy water, and rinse them thoroughly. This routine maintenance is straightforward and can prolong the life of the toy.
Additionally, it’s wise to keep both balls away from water sources. While they are water-resistant, prolonged exposure to water or submersion may compromise their seals, potentially allowing water to enter the ball, which can affect its functionality.
Price Comparison
When it comes to the price, both the BarxBuddy Busy Ball and the Wicked Ball are currently available at similar price points, and they are both being offered at discounted rates. To ensure the fairest and most accurate comparison, I have taken the prices from the official websites of these products, and I strongly recommend purchasing these balls exclusively through their official websites for the sake of authenticity and reliability.
As it stands, the BarxBuddy Busy Ball is currently discounted to $39.95, while the Wicked Ball is being offered at a discounted price of $31.99. It’s worth noting that BarxBuddy also provides additional deals if you choose to purchase more than one ball or explore other bundled options.
In summary, there is no significant price difference between these two options that should dictate your choice. Instead, I suggest making your decision based on the features and functionalities that best align with your dog’s needs and preferences.
Abdo is a Zoopy writer who loves spending his free time outdoors, camping, and enjoying the peace that nature brings. He also enjoys fixing things - he's particularly good with electronics. His favorite movie is I Am Legend, and he's fascinated by survival gear and safety.