Best for beginners
EliteSRS Core Jump Rope (5 mm PVC)
5 mm PVC, the standard start.
About $22
Check priceBest Jump Ropes of 2026
The best jump ropes of 2026: a 5 mm PVC beginner rope, EliteSRS and REP speed ropes, and Crossrope's weighted set, with advice from r/jumprope.
Start with a 5 mm PVC rope like the EliteSRS Core (about $22). Move to a speed rope like the EliteSRS Spark for double-unders, or a Crossrope weighted set if you want harder, shorter workouts.
A jump rope is the cheapest cardio equipment there is, and r/jumprope has strong opinions on which to buy. Their advice: don’t overspend at first. As of October 2026, we’ve compared the ropes on the top-ranking lists with r/jumprope’s recommendations, and checked every price and spec on the brand’s own site.
Best speed rope
Ultra-light handles for double-unders.
About $23
Check price
Best budget speed
Smooth, adjustable, $18.
About $18
Check price
Best weighted
Interchangeable ¼ and ½ lb ropes.
About $129
Check price| Pick | Product | Type | Size | Warranty | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beginner | EliteSRS Core Jump Rope (5 mm PVC) Check price | 5 mm PVC beginner rope | Adjustable | 1 year | About $22 |
| Speed | EliteSRS Spark Speed Rope Check price | Speed cable rope | 10 ft cable, cut to fit | 1 year | About $23 |
| Budget speed | REP Speed Cable Jump Rope Check price | Speed cable rope | Adjustable | See REP | About $18 |
| Weighted | Crossrope Get Lean Set Check price | Weighted rope system | ¼ lb and ½ lb ropes | Lifetime (handles) | About $129 |
Prices checked October 2026 on each brand's site and change often. Tap a product to jump to its review.
Best Jump Rope for Beginners: EliteSRS Core Jump Rope (5 mm PVC)
Best for beginners learning rhythm and tricks
A 5 mm PVC rope with an inner core that won’t stretch in heat or snap in cold. It’s the standard beginner setup.
- Cord
- 5 mm PVC with inner string core
- Handles
- Unbreakable plastic
- Warranty
- 1 year
- Price
- About $22
A 5 mm PVC rope is what r/jumprope tells beginners to buy, and the Core has an inner string so the cord won’t stretch in heat or snap in cold. It’s heavy enough to feel and hold a nice arc at slow speeds, which makes timing easier. It costs about $22 and averages 4.8 out of 5 from 38 reviews.
What we like
- The recommended beginner spec
- Won’t stretch or snap
- 4.8 out of 5 from 38 reviews
What we don't
- Too slow for double-unders
What owners say
On r/jumprope, jumpers call a 5 mm PVC rope with 5″ handles “the standard starting point”.
Skip it if: You want double-unders. Get a speed rope.
Best Speed Rope: EliteSRS Spark Speed Rope
Best for double-unders and speed work
Ultra-light speed rope handles and a coated steel cable for double-unders.
- Cable
- 2.4 mm nylon-coated steel, 10 ft
- Handles
- 0.6 oz each, 5.35″
- Fits
- Up to 6′3″; adjustable screw collar
- Warranty
- 1 year
- Price
- About $23
For double-unders and speed work, the Spark has the lightest handles EliteSRS makes (0.6 oz each) and a 2.4 mm coated steel cable that you cut to length, fitting jumpers up to 6′3″. It costs about $23.
What we like
- Very light handles
- Adjustable cable
- About $23
What we don't
- Too fast for beginners
- Stings if it hits you
What owners say
EliteSRS’s reviews average 4.7 out of 5 from 16. On r/jumprope, owners say a mat makes any rope last much longer.
Skip it if: You’re a beginner. Start with PVC.
Best Budget Speed Rope: REP Speed Cable Jump Rope
Best for a cheap, smooth speed rope
An adjustable speed cable rope for about $18, rated 4.9 out of 5 from 54 reviews.
- Cable
- Thin coated cable, adjustable
- Warranty
- See REP
- Price
- About $18
REP’s speed cable rope is about $18, adjustable, and owners in REP’s reviews (4.9 out of 5 from 54) say it spins smoothly and the thin cable doesn’t tangle.
What we like
- About $18
- Smooth spin, doesn’t tangle
What we don't
- Not a beginner rope
What owners say
REP’s review summary says owners find it easy to adjust, smooth and light, with a thin cable that doesn’t tangle.
Skip it if: You’re learning. Start with PVC.
Best Weighted Jump Rope: Crossrope Get Lean Set
Best for weighted rope cardio and conditioning
An interchangeable weighted rope system with ¼ lb and ½ lb ropes that clip onto the same handles. No membership needed.
- Includes
- Slim handles, ¼ lb rope, ½ lb rope
- System
- Fast-clip interchangeable ropes
- Sizing
- XS–L by height; ropes aren’t adjustable
- Warranty
- Lifetime on handles
- Price
- About $129
Crossrope’s Get Lean set comes with slim handles and ¼ lb and ½ lb ropes that clip on and off, so you can switch from fast cardio to slower, harder conditioning. Weighted ropes are easier to time and work your shoulders more. No membership is needed, and the handles have a lifetime warranty. It costs about $129.
Ropes come in fixed lengths sized to your height, and some r/jumprope members suggest beginners skip Crossrope until they know they’ll stick with jumping.
What we like
- Weighted ropes are easier to learn and work the upper body
- Swap ropes in seconds
- Lifetime handle warranty
What we don't
- About $129
- Ropes are fixed-length, sized by height
What owners say
On r/jumprope, some jumpers advise beginners to skip Crossrope because of the price and fixed-length ropes, and to learn on a cheap PVC or beaded rope first.
Skip it if: You’re just learning. A $20 PVC rope is enough.
How to choose a jump rope
Rope type
PVC: the all-round starter. Beaded: chunky and great for learning footwork and tricks. Speed cable: fast and light for double-unders. Weighted: slower and harder on the upper body.
Handles
5″ handles are standard; longer handles help with crossing tricks.
Length
Adjustable ropes are easiest. For beginners, the handles should reach about your armpits when you stand on the middle.
Surface
A mat or rubber floor protects your rope and joints. One r/jumprope member says a mat dramatically increased their ropes’ lifespan. See our best gym flooring.
What jumpers on Reddit say
r/jumprope’s consensus is to start cheap: one popular reply even suggests $6 Amazon ropes bought in fours rather than influencer ropes from the same factories. Another warns beginners away from Crossrope until they know they’ll keep jumping. Most agree on a 5 mm PVC or a beaded rope first, then a speed or weighted rope once you’re hooked.
How we chose
We started with the ropes on the top-ranking lists for “best jump rope”, then weighed them against r/jumprope’s recommendations. We checked specs, sizing and prices on each brand’s own site in October 2026. We haven’t tested every rope hands-on. How we research.
For other cardio, see our best exercise bikes or the full home gym equipment guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best jump rope for beginners?
A 5 mm PVC rope with 5-inch handles. Jumpers on r/jumprope call it "the standard starting point" because it's heavy enough to feel the rope and hold its shape at slow speeds. The EliteSRS Core (about $22) is a good one. Some jumpers recommend a beaded rope for learning footwork.
What jump rope is best for double-unders?
A light speed rope with a thin coated steel cable, such as the EliteSRS Spark (about $23) or REP Speed Cable Rope (about $18). Learn basic jumping on a PVC rope first; speed ropes are unforgiving and sting when they hit.
Are weighted jump ropes worth it?
Weighted ropes like Crossrope are easier to time, work the shoulders and arms more and make short sessions harder. They're expensive, though: jumpers on r/jumprope suggest beginners skip Crossrope at first because of the price and its fixed-length ropes.
What length jump rope do I need?
Stand on the middle of the rope; the handles should reach about your armpits for beginners and a little lower as you get better. Adjustable ropes let you shorten them. If you're between sizes, longer is easier to learn on.
What surface should I jump rope on?
A rubber gym floor, a jump mat, wood or a sprung floor. Concrete and asphalt shred ropes quickly. Jumpers on r/jumprope say a mat dramatically increased their ropes' lifespan.