Bottom Line: reflex bags or cobra bags are a convenient and effective way to train boxing at home, particularly moving and reacting to opponents. The best reflex bag we’ve found is the Ringside Fitness Reflex Bag, which features an adjustable height (up to 69″) and a sturdy, powerful base (can be up to 240 pounds when filled with sand).
Read on for more info on the best reflex bags on the market in 2022.
Boxing can be a competitive pursuit, or simply a fun and popular way to release stress and get a great workout. Whichever one applies to you, boxing is a great skill to learn, and makes for a fun and interactive way to stay fit.
If you don’t want to make the trek to the gym every day, there are many boxing items and materials you can use at home to improve your skills, get in shape, and have fun. A reflex bag is one of the best at-home boxing tools you can purchase because it is non-invasive and relatively inexpensive.
Before we jump into the best reflex bags on the market (click here to skip ahead), let’s learn a little more about them.
What Is A Reflex Bag?
A reflex bag is a free-standing punching bag consisting of a small bag and weighted base connected by a pole. Reflex bags are usually easy to assemble and don’t require the complicated installation necessary for larger punching bags. They can be set up in almost any type of space and are generally quieter than other types of punching bags, making them a great choice for small spaces and apartment living.
A reflex bag can also be called a “cobra bag”, due to the way it stands up and bounces bag and forth when hit. This provides some interesting uses, compared to a standard heavy bag, by mimicking the movement of a real opponent.
Reflex bags allow you to train specific skills, such as head movements, without taking up a massive amount of space. They aren’t common in gyms, so if you’re interested in practicing your boxing skills with a reflex bag, it’s a good idea to buy one for yourself.
What To Look For When Purchasing A Reflex Bag
There are a few key factors to watch out for when you’re shopping for a reflex bag. Paying attention to these items will help you find a high-quality reflex bag right for your skill level and purposes.
Base Stability
Probably the most critical consideration in a freestanding reflex bag is the stability of its base. The best reflex bag will stay in place while you’re punching it, rather than moving around the floor or, worse, toppling over.
Most reflex bags have bases that you can fill with water or sand to weigh them down properly. Sand is heavier than water, giving you more stability, but it can be a pain to use. Some models also come with additional weights to layer on the base for added support.
Adjustable Height
While it’s not absolutely necessary, it is beneficial for a reflex bag to be adjustable in height, and most models have at least some adjustment feature. Being able to select your preferred height is especially important if you’re considerably shorter or taller than the average person. Punching at the wrong height could cause muscle strain or other injuries.
Adjustable height will allow you to share the reflex bag with friends or family members or set it to match an upcoming opponent’s height.
Materials
As with any purchase, an item will be of higher quality and will last longer if made from good materials. The best punching bags are made of genuine leather or a very high-grade substitute. Synthetic leather is more common but isn’t as durable as the real thing. Reflex bag bases should be made of steel or another heavy-duty metal.
Reflex bags are usually either inflatable or filled with foam. If you purchase a foam bag, make sure you use gloves or wraps while punching it to avoid injuring your hands.
Spring Location
A reflex bag’s speed and tension will depend on where its spring is placed, so pay attention to where the manufacturers put it. Which location is ideal for you depends on your level. If you’re a beginner, we suggest looking for a reflex bag whose spring is closer to the pole’s bottom. This location slows down the bag’s bound, which gives you more time to react.
Alternatively, if you’re an experienced boxer, you’ll probably want a reflex bag whose spring is higher up on the pole so that you can practice faster punches.
Best Reflex Bags for 2022
We took a look at five of the best reflex bags available on the market today. Let’s explore how they compare to one another.
Ringside Fitness Reflex Bag
The Ringside Fitness Reflex Bag is an ideal reflex bag for novices and those looking to improve their punches’ accuracy and speed. It has broad adjustability and can be anywhere between 49 and 69 inches tall. A significant advantage is its large base, which can hold up to 125 pounds of water or 240 pounds of sand. With that much weight capacity, you can be reasonably sure this punching bag won’t be moving anywhere you don’t want it.
The punching bag itself is made of synthetic leather, making it easy to clean if necessary. Its flexible spring is set near the bottom of the pole, giving it a long rebound time. This quality makes it an excellent choice for beginning boxers, but those looking for a challenge might want to go elsewhere.
Benefits
- Long rebound time making it great for beginners
- Made from durable materials for a longer-lasting product
- Heavy base to withstand harder punches without toppling over
MaxxMMA Advanced Cobra Reflex Bag Kit 2.0
The MaxxMMA Advanced Cobra Reflex Bag is mainly notable because it is the only reflex bag available that features adjustable speed. It has four different settings that affect the bag’s reflex speed and range, meaning you can use it as a beginner and improve with it over time or customize your workouts depending on how much of a challenge you need on a particular day.
In addition to this impressive quality, the Cobra model has a few more features that make it stand out amongst its competitors. Its punching bag is made from exceptionally high-grade polyurethane, so it is very durable even though it’s not genuine leather. This kit comes with two different sized bags, as well as a pair of boxing gloves.
The Cobra’s base tank is smaller than the Ringside model’s, only holding 30 pounds of water or 55 pounds of sand. However, the kit includes a core weight bag that you can place on the base for added security or use separately in its own workout.
Benefits
- Adjustable speed to help build your skill level
- Provides more of a challenge for experienced boxers
- Kit includes two punching bags, a pair of gloves, and a core weight bag
Everlast Reflex Bag
Everlast is a well-established brand that you’ll find in many gyms and boxing clubs across the country, so their reflex bag already has that advantage. This model is extremely affordable and is an ideal choice for beginners or casual boxers. The reflex bag is meant for lighter cardio workouts rather than extremely heavy-duty punching, so if you’re looking for a bag that can take extended beatings, this might not be the model for you.
The Everlast reflex bag is perfect for boxers practicing movement since it has a small base that won’t get in the way. Like the other models on this list, you can fill the base with sand or water.
This reflex bag has a straightforward assembly, with just four parts to put together, and includes a 120-day warranty.
Benefits
- Great for lighter cardio to practice skills between heavier workouts
- The small base makes it ideal for practicing movement and agility
- 120-day warranty in case you decide this isn’t the right bag for you
Tech Tools Punching Bag With Stand for Kids & Adults
If you’re looking for a reflex bag that the whole family can enjoy, the Tech Tools Punching Bag is a great choice. The stand’s height is adjustable from 49 to 63 inches, making it a perfect size for teens and adults alike. There is also a separate smaller model available for kids and even a fun desktop version if you need to take some energy out at work.
This model is best for beginners and casual boxers—more advanced or serious athletes might find it flimsy. Its plastic base can hold up to 66 pounds of water or 100 pounds of sand.
Benefits
- Different models for kids, teens, and adults
- Large adjustable height range to add variation to your training methods
- Affordable beginner model to help build confidence and agility to move to the next level
Protocol Punching Bag With Stand
Out of all the items we’ve reviewed in this article, the Protocol Punching Bag might have the best value. It is extremely affordable and includes the bag itself and a pair of gloves, a jump rope, an inflation pump for the bag, and an online exercise guide. We’d say that’s not too bad for under $100.
Like the other bags we’ve reviewed, the Protocol model has an adjustable height and can be between 48 and 58 inches tall. This makes it shorter than some of the other options on this list, but is still tall enough for many adults as well as kids.
Benefits
- Very affordable to help start-up your at-home gym
- Great value since it includes gloves, a jump rope, an inflation pump, and an online workout guide
- Easy assembly to get you up and training in no time
Related: check out our picks for the best MMA gloves to use when training with a reflex bag.
Best Reflex Bags & Cobra Bags – In Summary
Reflex bags are an affordable and easy way to get in a great boxing workout at home. We would recommend any of the best reflex bags listed above, especially if you’re a novice boxer looking to improve your speed and accuracy before moving on to the next level.
