One of the most iconic aspects of the Pokémon franchise, other than the various catchable monsters, is the Poké Ball, the device used to capture these creatures. With so many different Pokémon to collect, it only makes sense for there to be numerous types of Poké Balls, each fulfilling the same purpose, though in slightly different ways. This difference is made known through the unique designs that each one has, making each one very identifiable.

Currently, there are 27 different types of Poké Balls across all nine generations of video games, with each of them having their own unique design and mechanic. Some of them are only useful in specific environments, while others need to be used in specific instances during a battle. Although all of these Poké Balls have fantastic designs, there are certain ones that clearly stand out from all the rest.

10 Premier Ball

A Unique Twist On The Typical Design

The Premier Ball is a very popular type of Poké Ball that has been around since the Generation 3 games. This ball could be acquired by the player for free if they bought ten regular Poké Balls at once at the pokémart. Although the Premier Ball's catch rate is exactly the same as that of a regular Poké Ball, players are particularly fond of them due to their design rather than their usability.

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What makes the Premier Ball's design so good is that it proves that a rather simple design can still be quite effective. Its design serves as a twist on the regular Poké Ball's design, with a completely white surface that looks very sleek, only broken up by the bright red center line. Many feel that this design improves the standard Poké Balls, proving that it is very memorable and a clear standout in the franchise.

9 Dive Ball

A Poké Ball That Resembles Rippling Water

First introduced in Generation 3, the Dive Ball does live up to its name in of its design and functionality. As its name implies, this unique Poké Ball has an increased catch rate, making it over three times as effective underwater.

The design of the Dive Ball is particularly appealing due to the multiple shades of blue used. The wavy pattern seen throughout helps to resemble ocean waves, while the small blue dot at the top almost makes it seem like something has splashed into the water to make it ripple. This design makes it the perfect Poké Ball against any Water-type Pokémon, providing a stylish alternative to the typical capture capsule.

8 Timer Ball

A Poke Ball That Cleverly Resembles A Clock

The Timer Ball is a very interesting type of Poké Ball because it functions during battle. While most trainers would want to use their Poké Balls to catch a wild Pokémon as soon as possible, the timer ball encourages players to wait. This is because its catch rate improves as more turns during the battle.

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The design of this particular Poké Ball is notable because it provides a subtle hint at its unique mechanic. The multiple red streaks on the top and sides of the ball stand out against the primary white and dark gray colors and imitate specific number placements on a clock. This helps make the Timer Ball very recognizable while also hinting to players exactly how it works in-game.

7 Ultra Ball

A Simple & Sleek Design That Exudes Power

Out of the multiple Poké Balls that have been available since the very first generation of Pokémon, it is quite clear how fantastic the ultra ball is. Its catch rate is twice as good as a regular Poké Ball, allowing trainers to easily capture most of the monsters they come across.

The Ultra Ball's design is largely due to its simplicity. It isn't overly complicated, with simple streaks of black and gold throughout that help give it a sleek appearance. This Poké Ball truly gives off a vibe of efficiency and power, hinting at the trailer's skill level and the potential strength of the Pokémon waiting inside.

6 Safari Ball

When the Safari Ball was first introduced, it was originally a unique type of Poké Ball that could only be used inside the Safari Zone in Generation 1, and later the Great Marsh in BDSP. Since Pokémon Sword & Shield, however, players can find and use them anywhere they travel, allowing these capture devices to be utilized in all wild encounters regardless of location.

The camouflage colors on the top of this Poké Ball immediately make it stand out, giving it a unique green color that is very fitting for the safari zone. Since the player can't battle inside the Safari Zone, they must throw bait or rocks before using their capsules. The Safari Ball's design gives off the impression that the player must sneak around the environment to capture rare Pokémon, thereby adding to its appeal.

5 Moon Ball

A Beautiful Ball With A Moon Theme

The Moon Ball is a unique Poké Ball that can only work in very specific instances. As indicated by the name, it is far more likely to succeed against any Pokémon that can evolve using a Moon Stone. This ultimately means that players are likely to limit themselves to using this ball on Pokémon like Clefairy, Munna, and Skitty, all of whom can only evolve with this mechanic.

The design on the top of the Moon Ball immediately stands out with the bright crescent moon that's visible in the middle, an obvious reference to the device's name. Furthermore, while the turquoise and black colors that split the top in half might initially seem like an unusual design choice that clashes, it is actually a clever reference to how the sky changes as day turns into night. It is ultimately a very effective design that makes it clear just what kind of Poké Ball it is after only a single glance.

4 Dusk Ball

The Perfect Poke Ball For Dark Locations

First introduced in Generation 4, the Dusk Ball is a special type of Poké Ball that is most effective when used at night or in a cave. This makes it a great Poké Ball to use against Dark-types and Ghost-types, who can often be found during those instances. It is also the particular Poké Ball utilized by Marnie in Pokémon Sword & Shield due to her owning both a Morpeko and Grimmsnarl, among various other Dark-types.

Part of the Dusk Ball's design is its unique color scheme, which differs from the usual red-and-white scheme. The orange center line immediately stands out against the deep green outer casing, which is covered by a black pattern almost resembling a net or a trap. At first glance, the ball clearly gives off a mysterious and dark vibe, alluding to its best use in dark places.

3 Luxury Ball

A Poké Ball Design That Exudes Opulence

As its name implies, the Luxury Ball is one of the most expensive Poké Balls that players can buy in the games, but the price is absolutely worth it. This specific Poké Ball can help Pokémon gain friendship more quickly, which can be especially useful for any Pokémon that requires a high amount of friendship to evolve.

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The Luxury Ball immediately stands out due to the multitude of colors it has. Its primary black color makes it very different from most of the other Poké Balls on the market, plus its various gold and white trimmings give it an aesthetically pleasing appearance. It is a Poké Ball that simply exudes an air of lavishness, and one cannot help but be curious about what it must be like for a Pokémon to reside in one.

2 Quick Ball

A Design That Perfectly Reflects Its Mechanic

For any trainer looking to snag a wild encounter for themselves as soon as possible, the Quick Ball is absolutely the best choice. This unique Poké Ball clearly lives up to its name, as it is far more effective during the first few turns of a battle.

The Quick Ball's design is excellent, clearly living up to the device's name. The yellow streaks jutting out from the center almost give off the appearance of lightning bolts, implying how fast it can capture any wild Pokémon for an eager trainer. This bright yellow also pairs well with the pale blue surrounding it, offering trainers a type of Poké Ball that is incredibly appealing to look at while also being very effective when capturing monsters.

1 Beast Ball

An Epic & Appealing Sci-Fi Design

Out of the many different types of Poké Balls that exist throughout the games, the Beast Ball immediately stands out due to the fact that it looks like a device that comes straight out of a strange sci-fi story. As the primary device used to capture the mysterious creatures known as Ultra Beasts, its design is undoubtedly fantastic thanks to its numerous shades of bright blue, almost resembling a net. With how different it appears compared to the numerous other Poké Balls in the Pokémon franchise, it is clear that the Beast Ball's design is clearly the best in the series so far.

Pokemon Franchise Image
Created by
Satoshi Taijiri, Ken Sugimori, Junichi Masuda
Video Game(s)
Pokémon GO