In this guide, we’re going to compare ball valves with other types of valves to help you figure out if they’re the right choice for your needs.
What for? Well, knowing the differences can save you from making mistakes that could cost you later on…Because you don’t want to find out too late that your valve choice wasn’t the right one for the job.
What are Ball Valves Used For?
Ball valves contain a bored ball with a hole diameter nearly matching the inlet and outlet. Rotating the ball 90 degrees toggles between open and closed positions.
When open, flow passes straight through unimpeded. When closed, the ball hole is perpendicular to the flow, providing positive shutoff.
The ball swiveling action allows for quick 1/4 turn on-off operation, making them ideal for both liquid and gas mediums.
Ball Valves vs. Gate Valves
Main difference: Operation and speed of shutoff
When it comes to ball valves vs gate valves, ball valves are preferable when it comes to quick shutoff applications – and that’s all thanks to their quarter-turn operation.
Simply rotating it by 90 degrees quickly opens or closes the valve in full, which is perfect for emergency shutoffs.
This is not to say gate valves are inferior. Because, although it may take multiple turns to fully open or close the sliding gate, this slower operation makes them suited where gradual flow control is needed.
In other words, they are better where sudden pressure changes could cause damage or turbulence, such as in long pipeline systems.
Below are other aspects where each valve type shines:
| When ball valves are better | When gate valves are better |
| Suited for frequent operation, as they can handle repeated on/off cycles better without excessive wear Suited for both high-pressure or high-temperature environments due to their excellent sealing capability | Suited for low-pressure applications in large-diameter pipelines as they are more economical |
Ball Valves vs. Globe Valves
Main difference: Flow control capability
Ball valves are built for simple on-and-off operation. They do a great job being pushed to one polar extreme or the other – but not in between. Try opening a ball valve partially, and the flow becomes unstable and turbulent.
This is where globe valves come in. Designed for precise flow regulation, they feature a disc or plug that moves perpendicular to the flow. This makes them ideal for steam, cooling, or chemical applications.
Below are ball valve advantages, as well as circumstances when globe valves are better suited.
| When ball valves are better | When globe valves are better |
| Durable, with fewer moving parts, and less prone to wear when fully open or closed. More suited for high-pressure applications, such as in oil & gas | Although more parts are exposed to wear (especially in high-pressure systems), they are easier to repair and replace More suited to lower-pressure applications where precision flow is a strict requirement |
Check out our guide on ball valve vs globe valve for a more in-depth comparison.
Ball Valves vs. Butterfly Valves
Main difference: Sealing capability and size efficiency
The ball valve design requires a certain amount of space to house the ball and its mechanism, making it relatively bulkier. However, it is for the same reason that makes it capable of providing a tight seal when fully closed, especially in high-pressure flows.
That said, the extra space it takes up in the pipeline can be worth it in cases where you need reliable sealing.
Butterfly valves, in comparison, have a slimmer design and are more compact, perfect for large pipelines with limited space. Where tight sealing is not of high importance, they are usually preferred since they are easier to install.
Below are their other differences:
| When ball valves are better | When butterfly valves are better |
| Provide full bore (straight-through) flow, minimizing pressure drop when fully open. Less frequent maintenance is required because of their durable design Superior in performance in high-pressure, high-temperature, and corrosive environments | More effective for throttling or partial flow control (to an extent) Compact and lightweight, even at large diametersGenerally more cost-effective, especially for large diameters |
Our article on Ball Valve vs Butterfly Valve should help you decide which type is better for your industrial application.
Ball Valves vs. Check Valves
Main difference: Control mechanism
Ball valves rely on external energy – manual, electric, pneumatic, or hydraulic – to start, stop, or regulate the flow of fluid. It is active in nature since human or mechanical input is needed to open or close it.
On the other hand, check valves are self-acting. When fluid flows in the intended direction (and with sufficient pressure), the fluid pushes against the internal components of the valve, forcing it open.
If the fluid attempts to flow in the opposite direction, the reverse pressure pushes the internal component back into its seat, sealing the surface and preventing backflow.
This mechanism makes check valves a really good passive safety device in piping systems, especially where pumps, compressors, and other sensitive systems are involved.
However, since controls are automatic, you won’t be able to regulate flow with them. Whereas in ball valves, you can shut off the supply line on demand.
Other aspects where ball valves vs check valves differ:
| When ball valves are better | When check valves are better |
| Allows bi-directional flow control Creates relatively minimal pressure drops when fully open Easier to install and maintain | More cost-effective due to the simplicity of its design Efficiently prevents backflows |
Ball Valves vs. Plug Valves
Main difference: Internal mechanism
Ball valves and plug valves are almost identical in the sense that both have rotating components with a hole in the center to allow or restrict flow. So, how do they differ?
The main difference between ball valves vs plug valves lies in the component’s shape: Ball valves use a spherical ball, while plug valves feature a cylindrical or tapered plug.
In terms of handling flow, ball valves allow for a much smoother, faster, and unobstructed flow path. The hole through the ball is usually the same size as the pipe (or slightly larger in the case of full-port ball valves), meaning the fluid moves freely with little resistance.
In contrast, the plug’s shape can cause slight turbulence or resistance to the flow, and induce a greater deal of drop in pressure.
Here’s more of what sets them apart:
| When ball valves are better | When butterfly valves are better |
| Requires relatively low torque to operate, making it more effortless to turn Provides a tighter seal compared to plug valves More resistant against wear and tear | More cost-effective especially considering low-cost or budget-sensitive projects Suited for slurries, thick oils, and other high-viscosity fluid applications (e.g. mining, wastewater treatment) More flexible in terms of multi-port configurations |
Full port vs Standard Port Ball Valve
Main difference: Ball size and internal flow path
The ball inside a full port ball valve is the same size as the pipe it’s attached to. In other words, the internal bore (opening) of the valve matches the diameter of the pipe.
What does that mean? When the valve is fully open, the flow through the valve is essentially unimpeded and maintains the same flow rate as the pipe itself.
In contrast, a standard port ball valve has a smaller ball and a reduced bore, meaning the internal opening of the valve is smaller than the pipe diameter. As a result, there’s a slight restriction to the flow, which reduces flow capacity.
Other areas where one outshines the other include:
| When ball valves are better | When butterfly valves are better |
| More suited for heavy-duty pipelines or high-pressure industrial applications Has a higher flow capacity More resistant against wear and tear | Smaller and generally more cost-effective Lighter and more compact, perfect where space is limited |
Read our guide on Full Port vs Standard Port Ball Valve to know more about the key areas that sets them apart from each other.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Between Valve Types
It’s not always about choosing the “superior” valve. Rather, you must consider these key selection criteria to choose the best valve type for your project:
- Flow Control Requirements: How precise does the flow control need to be? Do you need a valve with adjustable throttling capabilities, or is a straightforward on/off control enough?
- Pressure and Temperature Conditions: What are the pressure and temperature ranges in your system? Some valves handle high-pressure or high-temperature environments better than others.
- Flow Rate and Valve Size: Are you dealing with high-flow or low-flow systems? The size of the valve and the flow rate it can handle will influence performance and efficiency.
- Space and Installation Constraints: How much room is available for valve installation? Some valves, like ball valves, require more space, while others, like plug valves, are more compact.
- Type of Media: What type of fluid or gas will pass through the valve? Is it corrosive, viscous, or abrasive?
- Cost and Budget: What is your budget for this project? Some valves can be more cost-effective upfront but may have higher maintenance costs later.
Conclusion
Ball valves excel in areas like quick shutoff, high flow capacity, and ease of operation. However, they do have their weaknesses, such as limited flow control precision, potential for higher cost, and larger space requirements.
Whether ball valves are the right fit or not boils down to your project requirements and preferences. Make sure to carefully sort through and evaluate based on our key selection criteria earlier.
