Choosing the Right Diabolo: An Expert Guide

Choosing the Right Diabolo: Expert Advice

NetJuggler equips circus schools and professional jugglers. For individuals, we guarantee the same high standards of quality. Here's how to guide your technical choice:

Listen to the audio guide - 5 min 09

1. Choosing the Size (Inertia)

Medium-sized diabolo

Recommended for beginners and young jugglers (under 8 years old). More compact and lighter, they are less tiring for the arms during learning.

Large Diabolos

The standard for juggling. Their large size provides better inertia (they spin longer) and greater stability. Recommended for teens and adults.

2. The choice of the axis (mechanics)

Fixed Axis (Academic Standard)

Essential for learning technical precision. This is the model required by most circus schools to begin with.

Bearing Axle (Performance)

Maintains speed 20x longer. Makes learning easier and allows for tricks impossible on a fixed axis. Ideal for leisure and progression.

Important note: As with all professional equipment, our diabolos are sold without sticks. Remember to choose your sticks (carbon, aluminum, fiberglass, or wood) separately.
Complete diabolo kits - beginners
Complete diabolo kits - beginners
The turnkey solution for getting started without any mistakes. These complete kits include the diabolo, a pair of suitable sticks , and the string. Ideal as a gift or for taking your first steps in juggling without worrying about equipment compatibility.
Medium-sized diabolos
Medium-sized diabolos
More compact and lightweight, these models are specially designed for children (under 10 years old). Their smaller size reduces strain on the arms and wrists, making it easier to learn basic movements effortlessly.
Bearings diabolos
Bearings diabolos
Equipped with a ball bearing system, these diabolos spin up to 6 times longer than a classic model. They greatly facilitate learning and are essential for practicing Vertax (vertical juggling).
Large diabolos - Fixed axis
Large diabolos - Fixed axis
The standard in circus schools . These large diabolos offer maximum inertia and great stability. The fixed axle is recommended by instructors for developing rigorous technique and mastering acceleration.
Diabolo handsticks
Diabolo handsticks
The essential accessory! Your choice of drumsticks influences your playing: Aluminum (rigid for grinds), Carbon (ultra-light and responsive), or Fiberglass (robust and flexible). Find the perfect pair for your style here.
Diabolo string
Diabolo string
The engine of your diabolo. A good string must resist abrasion and offer a perfect glide. Find our Henrys string reels and our professional technical threads sold in reels or bags to replace your worn string.
Henrys diabolo kits
Henrys diabolo kits
Spare parts and tuning for the famous German brand. Transform your Henrys diabolo (Circus, Vision) with wide Allround axles , light kits, or simply find a replacement dome to repair it.
Mister Babache sets
Mister Babache sets
The complete range of accessories for Mister Babache Swiss diabolos. Discover the famous Evolution kits (wide axles, additional weights) to modify your Finesse or Tornado and adapt it to your skill level.
DVDs and Books
DVDs and Books
Learn at your own pace. Our instructional books and DVDs break down the movements step by step. From the first acceleration to complex multi-diabolo tricks, they're the perfect complement for progressing at home.
Glowing diabolos & sets
Glowing diabolos & sets
Light up your juggling! Discover our diabolo sets equipped with LEDs or our light kits to add to your existing equipment. Perfect for nighttime shows, the stage, or simply for the visual pleasure of juggling in the dark.

Diabolo: Which model for which use?
Family / Type Ideal Audience Technical Advantages Limitation / Drawback Recommended Use
Criterion 1: Size
Diabolos Mediums
(100mm - 115mm)
Children (under 10 years old) Lightweight . Less tiring for small arms. Less inertia (stops faster). Introduction, Discovery.
Large Diabolos
(> 120mm)
Teens / Adults / Professionals High inertia . Very stable and visual. Heavier for very young children. Universal standard (Leisure & Stage).
Criterion 2: Mechanics (The Axis)
Fixed Axis
(Standard)
Circus Schools / Purists Learning technical rigor and acceleration. The diabolo brakes if you don't activate it. Learn the basics, practice technique with several diabolos at the same time.
1 Ball Bearing
(Simple)
Leisure / Smart Beginner Rotates much longer ( x2 to x3 ) than a fixed axis. Immediate ease of use. Less stable than a triple bearing. Immediate pleasure, Long figures.
Triple Bearings
(High-end)
Experts / Enthusiasts Rotation up to 6x longer .
Increased durability: the load is distributed over 3 bearings, which relieves stress on the axle and internal system.
Higher budget. Intense gameplay, Vertax, perfect fluidity.

Diabolo videos:

Here is a diabolo video of Etienne Chauzy, one of the most talented diabolo players , during his first open stage at the Carvin juggling convention in 2010. Etienne was 15 years old at the time.

Video youtube

A big thank you to Donald for the video and thank you Etienne for lending us these impressive images!

Diabolo Frequently Asked Questions

What length of string should I choose?
The golden rule for adjusting your string: place a stick on the ground. The string should go from the ground to your shoulder .
• Too short: the diabolo will touch the ground or your body.
• Too long: you will not be able to lift the diabolo high enough and your arms will be too far apart.
Fixed axle or bearings for beginners?
Both are possible!
The Fixed Axis is the "academic" choice. It requires constantly accelerating the diabolo, which teaches the correct techniques.
The ball bearing diabolo is more "rewarding". The diabolo spins on its own for a very long time, which gives you more time to perfect your tricks. It's often more fun for recreational use.
Which chopsticks to choose: Wood, Aluminum or Carbon?
Wood: Economical, but less comfortable. Our wooden chopsticks are sturdy, but sometimes the wood used by our colleagues can be fragile.
Aluminium: Rigid, thin and very strong. Perfect for "Grinds" (sliding the diabolo on the stick).
Carbon: The best. Ultra-light, responsive, absorbs shocks. The choice of pros.
Fiberglass: Excellent value for money, very robust and slightly flexible. Because the sticks are very light, you really feel the diabolo, you feel close to it.

Best selling of the moment

Superglass handsticks
970
790

Superglass handsticks

Fiberglass handstick with foam grip handle. Ideal for grind tricks.

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