Bat Digest
Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors
fastpitch-bat-review
best-softball-bat
best-baseball-bat
baseball-bat-review

Disclaimer: This site uses affiliate links. Learn More.


<< All Bests

Best Drop 12 Bat | Baseball, Fastpitch, Youth & Big Barrel

Updated August 4, 2022

By Bat Digest

We spend hundreds of hours, every year, testing bats and, specifically, drop 12 bats. We categorize our top picks with our best drop 12 bat details below. In short, we like the Easton Maxum in a drop 12 the best. The bat has smooth light swing, huge barrel and does a good job of dampening sting despite being a one piece bat.

Updated August 4, 2022

1. 2022 Easton Maxum Ultra

Player Feedback
Performance
Relevance
Demand
Tech Specs
Specs

Certification: USSSA

Sizes: 25, 26, 27

Barrel Size: 2 3/4

Drop: 12

Swing Weight: Light

Serial Number: JBB22MX12

Original Price: $200

Release Month: October 2021

1. Best Drop 12 Bat

2022 Easton Maxum Ultra USSSA Drop 12
USSSA
2022 Easton Maxum Ultra

$200

Original Price

Amazon

Buy Used from SidelineSwap

Our favorite drop 12 bat is Easton’s 2022 Maxum in USSSA. It also comes in a USA version which we’d suggest if your required to swing USA bats. If not, stick with the USSSA version of the Maxum for your best bet on a high-performing drop 12 bat.

2. 2022 Louisville Slugger Meta One

Player Feedback
Performance
Relevance
Demand
Tech Specs
Specs

Certification: USSSA

Sizes: 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32

Barrel Size: 2 3/4

Drop: 12

Swing Weight: Light+

Serial Number: WBL2531010

Original Price: $250

Release Month: October 2021

2. Best Drop 12 USSSA Bat

2022 Louisville Slugger Meta One USSSA Drop 12
USSSA
2022 Louisville Slugger Meta One

$250

Original Price

Amazon

Buy Used from SidelineSwap

Huge fan of this bat, and, to be honest, we can’t aren’t sure (other than price) why it isn’t better than the Easton Maxum. The barrel is massive, the feedback is excellent, the bat feels good, and swings almost perfect for a drop 12 bat. The fact it is $50 more than the Maxum is a primary reason for raking it 2nd instead of first–we don’t think drop 12 bats deserve expensive price points, and anything over $200 is pushing it (because $200 alone is pushing in). In any case, the bat is great, and if money is no object or you can find it for a deal, then we like the Meta One in a drop 12.

3. 2022 Easton Typhoon

Player Feedback
Performance
Relevance
Demand
Tech Specs
Specs

Certification: USA

Sizes: 26, 27, 18, 19, 30, 31

Barrel Size: 2 1/4

Drop: 12

Swing Weight: Mid

Serial Number: YSB22TY12

Original Price: $70

Release Month: October 2021

3. Best (Value) Drop 12 Bat

2022 Easton Typhoon USA Drop 12
USA
2022 Easton Typhoon

$70

Original Price

Amazon

There is no reason to overthink this bat buy; the Easton Typhoon is a simple single-piece bat with a balanced swing. If you’re in the drop 12 space, we suggest you keep it simple—this is for younger kids who are just trying to find the ball. It’s a great value, and while no one is hitting home runs with this bat, it will get the job done.

4. 2020 Easton ADV1 360

Player Feedback
Performance
Relevance
Demand
Tech Specs
Specs

Certification: USA

Sizes: 27, 28, 29, 30, 31

Barrel Size: 2 5/8

Drop: 12

Swing Weight: Light

Serial Number: YBB20ADV12

Original Price: $250

Release Month: September 2019

4. Best USA Drop 12 Bat

2020 Easton ADV1 360 USA Drop 12
USA
2020 Easton ADV1 360

$250

Original Price

Amazon

Buy Used from SidelineSwap

If you want the best drop 12 USA bat then the ADV1 from Easton is your ticket. The bat is not cheap, and we hate that for a drop 12 bat that is made for new hitters, but it is the best bat. Granted, no one is hitting home runs with a drop 12 bat. But, if they wanted a great-sized barrel, a balanced swing, and the best feeling drop 12 bat around, the 2020 ADV1 from Easton will do the trick.

Recommended Video

Best Drop 12 Bat | Baseball, Fastpitch, Youth & Big Barrel

1

2022 Easton Maxum Ultra

1. Best Drop 12 Bat

Amazon

Buy Used from SidelineSwap

Maxum Ultra Ratings
swing weight meter
swing weight meter
swing weight meter
swing weight meter
swing weight meter
swing weight meter
swing weight meter
swing weight meter

Why We Love the 2022 Maxum Ultra

Our favorite drop 12 bat is Easton’s 2022 Maxum in USSSA. It also comes in a USA version which we’d suggest if your required to swing USA bats. If not, stick with the USSSA version of the Maxum for your best bet on a high-performing drop 12 bat.

Amazon

Buy Used from SidelineSwap

Specs

Certification: USSSA

Barrel Size: 2 3/4

Sizes: 25, 26, 27

Drop: 12

Serial Number: JBB22MX12

Release Month: October 2021

2

2022 Louisville Slugger Meta One

2. Best Drop 12 USSSA Bat

Amazon

Buy Used from SidelineSwap

Meta One Ratings
swing weight meter
swing weight meter
swing weight meter
swing weight meter
swing weight meter
swing weight meter
swing weight meter
swing weight meter

Why We Love the 2022 Meta One

Huge fan of this bat, and, to be honest, we can’t aren’t sure (other than price) why it isn’t better than the Easton Maxum. The barrel is massive, the feedback is excellent, the bat feels good, and swings almost perfect for a drop 12 bat. The fact it is $50 more than the Maxum is a primary reason for raking it 2nd instead of first–we don’t think drop 12 bats deserve expensive price points, and anything over $200 is pushing it (because $200 alone is pushing in). In any case, the bat is great, and if money is no object or you can find it for a deal, then we like the Meta One in a drop 12.

Amazon

Buy Used from SidelineSwap

Specs

Certification: USSSA

Barrel Size: 2 3/4

Sizes: 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32

Drop: 12

Serial Number: WBL2531010

Release Month: October 2021

Our Review:

Related: Best USSSA Bats

3

2022 Easton Typhoon

3. Best (Value) Drop 12 Bat

Amazon

Typhoon Ratings
swing weight meter
swing weight meter
swing weight meter
swing weight meter
swing weight meter
swing weight meter
swing weight meter
swing weight meter

Why We Love the 2022 Typhoon

There is no reason to overthink this bat buy; the Easton Typhoon is a simple single-piece bat with a balanced swing. If you’re in the drop 12 space, we suggest you keep it simple—this is for younger kids who are just trying to find the ball. It’s a great value, and while no one is hitting home runs with this bat, it will get the job done.

Amazon

Specs

Certification: USA

Barrel Size: 2 1/4

Sizes: 26, 27, 18, 19, 30, 31

Drop: 12

Serial Number: YSB22TY12

Release Month: October 2021

4

2020 Easton ADV1 360

4. Best USA Drop 12 Bat

Amazon

Buy Used from SidelineSwap

ADV1 360 Ratings
swing weight meter
swing weight meter
swing weight meter
swing weight meter
swing weight meter
swing weight meter
swing weight meter
swing weight meter

Why We Love the 2020 ADV1 360

If you want the best drop 12 USA bat then the ADV1 from Easton is your ticket. The bat is not cheap, and we hate that for a drop 12 bat that is made for new hitters, but it is the best bat. Granted, no one is hitting home runs with a drop 12 bat. But, if they wanted a great-sized barrel, a balanced swing, and the best feeling drop 12 bat around, the 2020 ADV1 from Easton will do the trick.

Amazon

Buy Used from SidelineSwap

Specs

Certification: USA

Barrel Size: 2 5/8

Sizes: 27, 28, 29, 30, 31

Drop: 12

Serial Number: YBB20ADV12

Release Month: September 2019

Our Review:

Related: Best USA Bats

The Research

Are These Drop 12’s Really the Best?

Despite the title of this article, we make no sweeping claims that we have somehow found the categorical best drop 12 bat. We submit, the following bats in the drop 12 space are legit and should be a very good fit for a number of hitters. But, by no means do we suggest that the best bat for many is therefore the best bat for all.

Who Needs a drop 12 Bat?

 

Our bat size chart is useful in terms of finding the right length bat. The max weight you can get in a drop 12 is a 32 inch bat. This would give it a scale weight of 20 ounces, roughly.

Using the chart, you’ll see that this type of bat is good for a 12 year old that weighs less than 80 pounds; a 10 year old under 50 inches tall; virtually any size player under the age of 9.

What is the Right Bat Size

The best bat is the right-sized bat. Of all the things we try and preach at BatDigest.com, you should always get the right-sized bat before getting any bat you think is hot or overpowered. You can see our bat size chart to reference where you should be. Generally, drop 12 bats are reserved for those under the age of 10 who want more length in their bat. But, be warned, you’ll get more hand stings when your bats’ weight-to-length ratio increases.

Bat Rumors

Download our data.