A standout selection to take your batting skills to the next level.

Choosing the best cricket bat can be tricky at times, especially since their prices often vary widely despite appearing relatively identical at first glance.

Rather than being different aesthetically, cricket bats are typically distinguished by the quality of the willow they're made from, as well as the reputation of the manufacturers behind them.

Fortunately, cricket bats are rated on their quality, which narrows things down a touch to help us put together a list of the best bats around based on their grade, price, and construction to help kick off your search.

While a top-tier bat may not instantly transform you into the next Virat Kohli, it can certainly help you perform shots to the best of your ability due to an optimal sweet spot and powerful blade.

Make sure you pair your bat with some of the best cricket shoes around though in order to give you a stable base from which to hit boundaries for fun.

With that in mind, if you're looking for something built for power, like this Kookaburra Kahuna, or something a little more well-rounded, like this Gunn & Moore Diamond Signature, then we've got you covered.

We've also answered a few commonly asked queries surrounding cricket bats to help you come to a decision about which bat is right for you and your play style. So, without further delay, here's our list of the best cricket bats available right now...

Gunn & Moore, also known as GM, is one of the leading manufacturers of cricket equipment around, with this Diamond Signature bat being a great example of its expertise.

This bat was tailored toward England cricket captain Ben Stokes' all-rounder playstyle, so should suit all types of batters, regardless of your experience level.

Moreover, it features a traditional full-blade profile, which, GM boasts, allows leeway for improved off-centre strikes.

With a mid-centre swell as well, this bat will likely lend itself to both front and back-foot play, making it a top pick if you like to spray shots all around the ground.

If you're new to cricket and need something relatively inexpensive to get you started, then this Newberry N-Series could be your answer.

It's designed to be easy to play big shots with at every opportunity thanks to its full spine and slight incurves for both power and manoeuvrability.

Although there's only one grade available, you do get a wide selection of colours to choose from including red, blue, and green, plus its low sweet spot should help you get a clean hit away each time if you're new to batting.

Ultimately, this N-Series bat looks as though it can deliver quality Newbery craftsmanship at a relatively inexpensive price.

When it comes to going big during every shot, we feel there's unlikely to be a better bat for the job than this Kookaburra Kahuna.

Originally designed for Ricky Ponting, the Kahuna has seen a few alterations from the input of its new professional partner Jos Butler, one of the biggest hitters in cricket right now.

As a result, the bat now features a slightly higher spine, bigger edges, and reduced scalloping to give an even fuller profile ready for you to slog.

On the whole, this bit of kit from Kookaburra looks to be tailor-made for powerful batsmen, evidenced by the impressive record of Jos Butler on the T20 circuit.

While it's important to go big during a T20 game, if you find yourself in cricket matches upwards of 50 overs, then you may find something built for control to be a little more beneficial.

This Newbery Axe Heritage, for example, features Newbery's unique Haft Tech Handle, which has been engineered to increase power with extra comfort, but also give you more control at the crease during longer innings.

Newbery also boasts a large middle sweet spot as well as anti-twist properties that should allow you to put more power into the ball whilst remaining in control.

All in all, the Newbery Axe Heritage looks to be an excellent bit of kit that should give you the best control possible at the crease.

We feel no list of the best cricket bats is truly complete without mentioning Gray-Nicolls, especially as the company produces what looks to be an outstanding bat in this Pro Performance bit of kit.

Its traditional shape is said to suit both front and back-foot play, and its mid-blade swell is engineered to give a sustained sweet spot for a cleaner hit on every ball.

You also get a semi-oval handle which should be incredibly comfortable to hold during longer innings, whilst also giving you the most control possible over the bat.

Overall, we feel this premium Gray-Nicolls Pro Performance bat is well worth considering if you're an experienced cricketer looking to take your game to the next level.

With a huge selection of bats available, you probably have a few questions about what makes each of them stand out. Don't worry though because we've answered some of the most common queries right here.

Both English willow and Kashmir willow bats are graded to make it easier to understand the quality each bat has to offer.

Grade 1 is the best grade a bat can achieve and is, therefore, most prominent in the professional game.

That's not to say everything below a Grade 1 bat is bad though as a Grade 3 bat, for instance, will likely only come with a few minor blemishes and less grain that shouldn't make a noticeable difference at an amateur level.

There's no right or wrong answer to this question as cricket bats vary massively in price to cater to all budgets and experience levels.

If you're new to the sport, we'd recommend sticking to something relatively inexpensive, to begin with, until you get a better feel for the sport and know what your strengths are.

If you're an experienced cricketer though, you may find opting for something a little more premium, perhaps with a higher Grade, in order to get the most out of your ability on the field.

Cricket bat sizes are relatively straightforward to follow. Sizes 0 through to 6 are primarily designed for juniors, with a size 6 bat said to be suitable for someone between 5ft 3-5".

Adult sizes then range from Harrow (5ft 5-7"), Small Mens (5ft 7-9"), Short Handle (5ft 9" - 6ft), and Long Handle (6ft+).

The short answer is yes, it is essential to break in a cricket bat before first use. However, in cricket, this is known as "knocking-in".

This is to ensure the fibres in the wood are compressed together to form a solid barrier in which to protect the bat against the impact from the ball.

To do this, you'll first need a mallet, like this Gunn & Moore bit of kit. use the mallet to gently hit the face of the bat, before working up over time to slightly harder hits.

You'll know you're done when the mallet is no longer leaving marks on the face of your bat.

Once the face is complete, move on to knocking in the edges. The best way to do this is through glancing blows rather than direct impact. Gray-Nicolls recommend hitting at a 45-degree angle.

After this, your bat should be knocked in. Make sure to never hit the back of your bat or the splice (i.e. roughly where the sticker is) though as this can cause permanent damage.

While there are rules on how big a cricket bat can be, there aren't necessarily the same restrictions on how much it can weigh.

According to Talent Cricket though, a light bat typically weighs between 2lb 6oz and 2lb 9oz, a medium bat between 2lb 9oz to 2lb 11oz, and a heavy bat between 2lb 11oz and 3lb.

You might notice a very slight increase in power from a heavier bat, but only if you're strong enough to be in complete control of its movement.

There's not really one definitive answer to this question because how long your cricket bat lasts depends on a myriad of factors.

For instance, how often you use your bat will affect how long it lasts. Training multiple times a week will no doubt cause more damage to your bat than only playing a T20 game once a week. Professional cricketers typically carry in excess of five bats and replace at least five or six of them a season.

The lifespan of your bat will also vary depending on the type of cricket balls you face. Low-quality hard cricket balls bowled fast will likely reduce your bat's lifespan compared to if you only face Incrediballs for example.

You'll also want to make sure you store and treat your bat carefully to extend its life. Continued exposure to heat or water damage can both lead to your bat breaking prematurely.

As a very rough estimate though, Blackcat Cricket believes a bat lasts about 1000 runs.

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