By South Summit Team. Updated September 12, 2026. Every pick was in stock at the listed price when this was updated.
Nunchucks come in four materials that map to four uses: foam for learning, wood and rattan for practice, rubber for a middle ground, and finished or spiked wood for display. Thirteen pairs are in stock. This ranks them by orders and says which to start with. Browse the nunchucks collection; the wider category is on martial arts weapons.
Quick comparison
| # | Pick | Price | Mechanism / material | Blade / weight | Overall | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | FlowLock Precision Spin Nunchucks - Natural Wood | $10.99 | a first purchase or a spare | |||
| 2 | Cane-Flow Dojo-Grade Nunchucks - Natural Rattan | $15.99 | a first purchase or a spare | |||
| 3 | Inferno Flow Beginner-Safe Training Nunchucks - Red Foam | $7.99 | a first purchase or a spare | |||
| 4 | Grooved Flow Control Nunchucks - Midnight Black | $10.99 | a first purchase or a spare | |||
| 5 | Spike-Lock Midnight Control Nunchucks - Black Gloss | $11.99 | a first purchase or a spare | |||
| 6 | Dragon Spirit Flow-State Training Nunchucks - Black Foam | $7.99 | a first purchase or a spare | |||
| 7 | Dragon Flow Safe-Train Nunchucks - Blue Foam | $7.99 | a first purchase or a spare | |||
| 8 | Dragon Pulse Flow Training Nunchucks - Black Rubber | $16.99 | a first purchase or a spare |
How we ranked these
Every product on southsummit.com carries a 30-day order score recalculated daily from real orders across our store network. The picks below are the in-stock items with the highest score on the day of the last update, in that order, and each one is checked against its listed specifications. This is not a hands-on torture test and nothing here is sponsored; it is what buyers chose with their own money, explained.
The best nunchucks
1. FlowLock Precision Spin Nunchucks - Natural Wood
The best-selling pair: natural wood with a corded link, about $11. The standard practice nunchaku.
| Price | about $10.99 |
|---|
Best for: a first purchase or a spare.
2. Cane-Flow Dojo-Grade Nunchucks - Natural Rattan
Rattan, the traditional dojo material: lighter and springier than hardwood, about $16.
| Price | about $15.99 |
|---|
Best for: a first purchase or a spare.
3. Inferno Flow Beginner-Safe Training Nunchucks - Red Foam
Red foam training nunchucks, about $8. Where beginners should start.
| Price | about $7.99 |
|---|
Best for: a first purchase or a spare.
4. Grooved Flow Control Nunchucks - Midnight Black
Grooved black wood for grip, about $11.
| Price | about $10.99 |
|---|
Best for: a first purchase or a spare.
5. Spike-Lock Midnight Control Nunchucks - Black Gloss
Gloss black wood with spike detailing, about $12. A display pair.
| Price | about $11.99 |
|---|
Best for: a first purchase or a spare.
6. Dragon Spirit Flow-State Training Nunchucks - Black Foam
Black foam trainers with a dragon graphic, about $8.
| Price | about $7.99 |
|---|
Best for: a first purchase or a spare.
7. Dragon Flow Safe-Train Nunchucks - Blue Foam
Blue foam trainers, about $8.
| Price | about $7.99 |
|---|
Best for: a first purchase or a spare.
8. Dragon Pulse Flow Training Nunchucks - Black Rubber
Black rubber nunchucks, about $17. Heavier than foam, softer than wood.
| Price | about $16.99 |
|---|
Best for: a first purchase or a spare.
Start with foam
Everyone hits themselves learning nunchaku. Foam pairs weigh a few ounces, cost about $8 and let you learn the basic swings, catches and passes without bruises. Move to rubber, then wood or rattan, once the catches are automatic. Chain versus cord: chain links spin faster and last longer; corded links (most of these) are quieter and gentler on the hands.
Wood or rattan
Hardwood (FlowLock, Grooved Flow) is heavier and builds wrist strength; rattan (Cane-Flow) is the traditional Okinawan material, lighter and more forgiving. Grooved and spiked pairs are for grip and display; the spikes add nothing to training.
Before you order
Nunchucks are restricted by name in several states and cities, including some that treat foam trainers the same as wood. Check your local rules; this page is not legal advice.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best nunchucks?
For learning, foam: the Inferno Flow or Dragon Spirit at about $8. For practice once you stop hitting yourself, the FlowLock natural wood pair or the Cane-Flow rattan. The ranking above is by orders, so the number-one pair is the one most buyers chose.
What are the best nunchucks for beginners?
Foam: the Inferno Flow or Dragon Spirit at about $8. Then the FlowLock wood pair.
Wood or rattan nunchucks?
Rattan is traditional and lighter; hardwood is heavier and more common. Either is fine after foam.
Are foam nunchucks legal?
In some places trainers are treated like the real thing. Check your state and city.
Prices are South Summit prices at the time of writing and change with stock. Rules for carrying and owning these items differ by state and city; check your local rules before ordering.