The 10 Best Boomerangs
Updated by · How we research
Soft foam suits kids, while plastic and wood suit adults. We compared 10 returning boomerangs by range and hand, and the Colorado Boomerangs Glacier leads. When users buy our independently chosen editorial choices, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
Left-handers need a mirror-image boomerang or one that works for either hand, since several wooden and plastic models here are made for the right hand. A returning boomerang curves through the air and comes back when thrown upright into a light breeze. Families and sport throwers alike fly them in big parks and on beaches.
At a Glance
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1
Colorado Boomerangs Glacier
$29
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2
Refresh Sports EVA Foam
$14
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3
Aerobie Orbiter
$13
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4
Duncan Outdoor Booma
$14
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5
Colorado Boomerangs Black Mamba
$19
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6
Colorado Boomerangs Blue Bumblebee
$14
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7
Colorado Boomerangs Eagle
$24
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8
Colorado Boomerangs Glow Lightning
$22
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9
Colorado Boomerangs Aussie Fever
$39
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10
MB Wooden Boomerangs 18-Inch
$69
Editor's Notes
October 17, 2026, by Ezvid Wiki Admin:
The Colorado Boomerangs Glacier, a real wooden returning boomerang at a fair price and meant for beginners, stays on top. Four of the 2021 picks have since disappeared from sale: the Bungle Bungle Soft Outdoor, the Channel Craft Spirit of Wind, the Polypropylene Pro Sports and the High Quality Yanaki. We also let the Hummingbird Jarrah go. It's still sold, but the Colorado Boomerangs Aussie Fever fills the same spot as a handmade Australian boomerang, and the Hummingbird's listed weight didn't add up.
The Aerobie Orbiter, Colorado Boomerangs Black Mamba, Colorado Boomerangs Eagle and Colorado Boomerangs Glow Lightning stay too.
New are two soft boomerangs for kids, the Refresh Sports EVA Foam and the Duncan Outdoor Booma, plus the Colorado Boomerangs Blue Bumblebee, the Aussie Fever and the MB Wooden Boomerangs 18-Inch, which works for either hand. Lefties ask about that a lot.
We wanted to include the soft ArcFire from Colorado Boomerangs, but its product photos show another product's packaging, so we couldn't be sure which boomerang would arrive. The maker sells it directly.
One honest caveat: we found no independent tests of boomerangs. Throwing guides and makers' specs give the ranges, weights and hand, and owner feedback speaks to how reliably they return. We also checked recalls, and each entry flags claims that come from the seller alone.
February 25, 2021:
With all of our existing options for this list continuing to be smart choices for the category, it was a pretty forgiving round of updates for us, one that finished with the same selection of boomerangs as it started with. As our assessment indicated that the last editor for this page put together a nice mix of options – including a couple choices like the Aerobie Orbiter that are better suited for young children – we saw no need to go mucking about and swapping things out. The only real noteworthy change we made to the list was relocating the Hummingbird Jarrah a bit further down, since it seemed likely that its notably heavy unit weight of nine ounces was likely to be a hindrance for some throwers.
Once you’ve gone ahead and selected your boomerang of choice, if you’re interested in finding other ways to inject a little bit of Australian culture into your life, then you might be interested in investigating our list of didgeridoos.
February 26, 2019:
We examined all of the top offerings from popular maker Colorado Boomerangs as well as top choices from other manufacturers. After some thought, we decided to leave the Black Mamba from Colorado Boomerangs despite some issues with its coloring: for one thing, the red stripes seem to chip off a little too easily, and for another, it's dark, which means it frustratingly may blend in with the ground. But it's well-made, so for some, it may work. Also requiring some thought was the choice to add the Aerobie Orbiter. Its triangle shape allows for various grips and throws, but don't be surprised if you need some practice to get the hang of it. And you can't select a color, which is upsetting to some users. On the other hand, it's not all that expensive and could be a fun choice if you enjoy a bit of a challenge.
Special Honors
Colorado Boomerangs Colorado Boomerangs makes a wide range of returning boomerangs and sells them through its own store, including left-handed versions of many models, soft foam boomerangs for young children such as the ArcFire, and plastic and wooden sport models. It's also the place to find the company's free guides on choosing and throwing a boomerang. boomerangs.com
How A Boomerang Comes Back, And How To Throw It
A returning boomerang is a set of small wings joined at the middle.
A returning boomerang is a set of small wings joined at the middle. When you throw it spinning, the wing moving forward at the top of the spin creates more lift than the one moving back, and that uneven push makes the boomerang lean and turn in a circle back toward you (Wikipedia). That only works when it's thrown nearly upright. Wooden Boomerangs, a European maker, tells right-handers to tilt it just slightly off vertical, aim at a point on the horizon at about eye level, throw about 45 degrees to the right of the wind and snap the wrist for spin (Wooden Boomerangs). Left-handers mirror all of that, aiming to the left of the wind, with a left-handed boomerang.
Never throw a boomerang flat like a flying disc. Thrown that way, it climbs steeply and can dive back fast and hard. To catch it, wait until it slows and drops below shoulder height, then clap it between flat palms. If it's coming in fast or high, step aside and let it land.
Most early misses come from a flat throw, too much wind or too little spin. Foam and multi-blade boomerangs fly shorter, slower circles, which gives a beginner more time to learn the motion.
Foam, Plastic Or Wood, And Which Hand
Material sets who a boomerang suits. Soft foam boomerangs are the safe choice for children, and Colorado Boomerangs, a large U.S. maker, recommends foam models for kids about 5 to 10 (Colorado Boomerangs). The same guide warns that a boomerang needs real airfoil wings to return; a cheap V-shaped cutout won't come back, however well you throw it. It also notes that boomerangs with more wings tend to return more readily.
Plastic boomerangs (polypropylene or composite) survive hard landings and are a good next step for teens and adults. Wooden boomerangs, usually birch plywood, are the traditional choice and fly beautifully, but they can chip or crack if they land on stones or pavement (Wikipedia). Most hard boomerangs are labeled for ages 13 or 14 and up, and makers treat them as sports equipment, not toys.
Handedness matters more than most buyers expect. A right-handed boomerang curves counterclockwise, and a left-handed one is a mirror image that curves clockwise, so a lefty throwing a right-handed model will struggle. Several makers sell left-handed versions, and a few two-wing designs are made to work with either hand.
Don't confuse a returning boomerang with a hunting stick, sometimes called a kylie. Those are heavier and fly straight for long distances without coming back.
Space, Wind And Safety
A boomerang needs more room than people think. Plan on an open field of grass or sand, ideally 50 to 100 meters across with clear space in every direction. A backyard usually only suits foam. Keep people, pets, cars and windows well outside the flight circle (Wooden Boomerangs).
Wind is the other big factor. Wooden Boomerangs calls a light breeze of 1 to 3 meters per second ideal and advises against throwing in stronger wind, while World's Great Boomerangs sets its limit at about 5 mph (World's Great Boomerangs). Light foam boomerangs are the most affected by gusts.
World's Great Boomerangs also recommends eye protection for sport throwing and warns against trying to catch a boomerang at face height. Supervise children with any hard boomerang, and check local rules before you throw: some parks ban it. Retailer guides such as FlyingToyz suggest starting with foam and a short throw before moving up (FlyingToyz).
We checked every brand on this list in the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's database and found no boomerang recalls (CPSC).
How we researched this
We screened more than 20 boomerangs, compared listing details for 19 of them and narrowed those to 10. We read makers' product pages, throwing and safety guides where they exist, retailer spec pages and patterns in owner feedback, and we checked every brand for recalls with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. We found no independent lab tests of boomerangs.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best boomerang?
For most teens and adults, the Colorado Boomerangs Glacier: a birch plywood two-wing boomerang with real airfoils, made in the U.S. and rated for beginners. For young children, choose a soft foam boomerang such as the Refresh Sports EVA Foam.
What is the best boomerang for beginners?
Children should start with soft foam. Teens and adults can start with a wooden two-wing model like the Glacier or a multi-blade plastic boomerang, which flies a shorter, slower circle. Learn in calm weather on a large field.
Why won't my boomerang come back?
The usual causes are throwing it flat instead of nearly upright, throwing straight into or with the wind instead of about 45 degrees to one side, too little spin, wind that's too strong, or a model made for the other hand.
Do left-handed people need a left-handed boomerang?
Usually, yes. Most boomerangs are made for one hand, and a left-handed version curves the opposite way. Some two-wing designs, such as the MB Wooden Boomerangs 18-Inch, are made to work with either hand.
How many types of boomerangs are there?
There are two broad kinds: returning boomerangs, used for sport and play, and non-returning hunting sticks. Returning boomerangs come in two-wing, three-blade and four-blade shapes, ring designs, and specialist competition types built for fast catches, long distance or time aloft.
