91ÊÓƵ

91ÊÓƵ knows that ball valves are practically ubiquitous in any number of applications, from municipal water treatment to breweries. And to help you find the right ball valve for your design, we’ve curated this list of the top 10 best ball valves from manufacturers such as Jomar, SVF, Bonomi, AVCO, DMIC, and JFlow. In this blog post, we’re going to talk about those top ten ball valves, including their key features and examples of where they are most effectively used. 

#1: 1-Piece Reduced Port Brass Ball Valve

The Jomar Valve T-84-M Series Mini Ball Valve is one of our best ball valves. The fact that it’s been cast to form a single piece of metal means that there are fewer potential leak paths. It’s also a reduced port ball valve with a ball opening that is smaller than the diameter of the pipe. Reduced-port valve designs work well for applications where there isn’t a need for precise flow-volume control. This type of ball valve is generally cheaper than full-bore ball valves, and is also lighter and more compact (usually about ¾ the full port ball valve size). Its chrome-plated brass design makes it highly resistant to corrosion.

The Jomar T-84 M mini ball valve series features a chrome-plated brass body, a nickel-plated brass ball, a blow-proof brass stem, and a PTFE seat. These high-quality mini ball valves are available in 1/8" to 1/2" sizes and have a 450 psi WOG pressure rating. 

The Jomar T-84 M series is a good choice for low-pressure, non-critical plumbing applications. You’ll see them used in diverse applications such as …

• Plumbing:  isolating a section of pipe for repairs (e.g., toilets, water heaters, under sinks)
• Irrigation systems: controlling flow to individual zones or drip lines
• Air compressor lines: shutting off the air supply to tools or equipment
• Water treatment systems: serving as inline control in softeners, filters, or RO systems

#2: 2-Piece Full Port Stainless Steel Ball Valve

The SVF Flow Control 20BZ Series, 2-Piece, Bronze Ball Valve, Full Port, RTFE Seat, Threaded, 600 WOG is a rugged 2-piece full port ball valve with a C83600 Bronze body and 304 Stainless steel ball and stem. The full port design supports maximum flow. In addition, the body is split into two connected sections. As full-port ball valves, they have a ball with a hole matching the inside diameter of the pipe. These matching dimensions support unrestricted flow and virtually no pressure drop. The SVF Flow Control 20BZ Series is rated for 600 WOG / 150 WSP and is available in ½” to 2” sizes.

Here are some typical uses:

• Commercial Plumbing: maintaining maximum water pressure across high-rise or large facility pipe networks
• Steam & Condensate Lines: isolating low-to-medium pressure steam lines
• Compressed Air Networks: controlling high-pressure air distribution to pneumatic tools
• HVAC Hydronic Loops: isolating pumps, chillers, and boilers without disrupting system balance.
• Marine & Wash-down Systems: managing seawater cooling, bilge pumping, and harsh wash-down lines

#3: 3-Piece Swing-Out Ball Valve

The SVF Flow Control 30SS Series consists of 3-piece swing-out ball valves. This type of ball valve comprises a central body housing the ball, and the two endcaps. By loosening the tie bolts, the center section can literally swing out of the pipeline without disconnecting the surrounding pipes (i.e., the end caps stay connected to the pipes). This is an ideal feature for reducing downtime in systems that require cleaning, frequent maintenance, and seat replacements. The body, end connectors, ball, and stem are manufactured from 316 Stainless Steel with RTFE seats and seals. The SVF Flow Control 30SS series is rated at 1000 WOG.

Here are some common applications of 3-piece swing-out ball valves like this:

• Chemical processing: handling acids, solvents, and corrosive fluids that would degrade brass
• Marine and saltwater environments: resisting corrosion and brackish water where brass would fail
• Industrial automation & fluid power: handling the flow in high-pressure pneumatic and hydraulic lines powering heavy machinery
• Fire suppression systems: supporting unrestricted flow

#4: 3-Way "T-Port" Multi-Port Ball Valve

The Bonomi 8P3TDAPVC Series are 3-way T-port ball valves with a double-acting pneumatic actuator. This type of ball valve is used for diverting flow. This T-port ball valve has a PVC body and ball with PTFE seats and comes with threaded socket and weld connections. It’s rated at 232 PSI at 73°F and requires an 80 psi air supply. The Bonomi 8P3TDAPVC is a transflow configuration valve, which means it allows continuous flow, mixing, and blending of fluids without completely shutting off the flow or causing a temporary pressure spike while switching paths, as shown below. Path A supports mixing and blending, while Path B is used to divert flow. 

This type of multi-port ball valve works well for fluid diversion, mixing applications, or complex piping systems where a single multi-port valve can replace multiple standard two-way valves.

Here are some specific examples of their real-world usage:

• Continuous industrial filtration: shifting fluid streams smoothly between parallel duplex strainers 
• Parallel pump switching: switching system intake/discharge from Pump A to Pump B
• Automated wastewater neutralization: real-time dosing by switching between acidic and basic neutralizing agents
• Corrosive fluid distribution: handles aggressive acids, bases, heavy brine solutions, and other corrosive fluids

#5: 3-Way "L-Port" Diverter Ball Valve

The AVCO 300 Series are 3-way diverter ball valve, and this specific model has an L-port design. This configuration is similar to the T-port design but has an L-shaped channel that does not allow the fluids to mix. Instead, it acts as a selector that redirects flow from one common inlet to one of two outlets. These L-port ball valves are manufactured from 316 stainless steel for the body, the ball, and stem with RTFE (glass-filled PTFE) seat materials. The AVCO 300 series L-port ball valves have a bottom entry stem to prevent blow-out, have ISP 5211 direct mount pads, and feature a locking handle. 

These ball valves work very well for safely diverting flow between alternative processing lines, tanks, or filtration systems. Here are some specific examples of how they’re used in industry: 

• Chemical processing: handling aggressive acids, solvents, and corrosive chemicals
• Steam & high-temperature lines: performing in extreme thermal cycling and high-temperature media 
• Sanitary & washdown processes: supporting aggressive chemical cleaning, high-pressure washdowns, and sanitary fluid transfer
• Dual-source supply switching: switching downstream process intake safely between two separate incoming supply tanks

#6: Flanged Stainless Steel Trunnion Ball Valve

The Bonomi 760005 series of stainless steel ball valves has a trunnion design. In a trunnion ball valve, the ball is mechanically anchored top and bottom by trunnion supports. This leads to a reduced operating torque and makes it an excellent option when larger pipe sizes and high pressures are involved. In addition, these trunnion ball valves have flanged ends for directly bolting to the pipeline. The Bonomi 760005 ball valve series is manufactured from stainless steel with PTFE seats. They are rated for 275 psi with a temperature range of -4°F to 366°F.

The Bonomi 760005 series valves work best for heavy-duty, high-pressure industrial applications like oil and gas pipelines. Here are some more specific examples:

• Oil & gas pipeline isolation: shuts off or isolates large-diameter crude oil, natural gas, or produced water lines
• Wastewater & effluent handling: controlling flow on large effluent, sludge, or treated discharge lines
• Power generation cooling systems: isolating cooling water, condensate return, or auxiliary feedwater lines
• Marine & offshore systems: resisting corrosion on cooling, cargo, or ballast lines
• Food & beverage large utility line: facilitating CIP supply, ingredient transfer, or large process lines 

#7: High-Pressure Carbon Steel Barstock Ball Valve (Up to 6,000 PSI)

The DMIC BVH Series of carbon steel high-pressure valves is available in sizes ¼"–¾" ND rated to 6,000 psi, while the 1" size is rated to 3,000 psi. These valves are carved out of heavy carbon steel barstock rather than being cast. It features incredibly thick walls to withstand extreme fluid pressures. These high-pressure ball valves have the Spindle-Glide design. It combines nylon thrust bearings with synthetic lube packing to reduce the actuation torque and help prevent issues with valve seizure even after long-term outdoor exposure. The DMIC BVH Series possesses an operating temperature range of -60°F to 400°F.

These valves perform well for a variety of hydraulic systems, oilfield installations, or high-pressure chemical injection lines where traditional cast valves would fail structurally. Here are some examples of how they are utilized:

• Hydraulic power units: performing in extreme HPU pressures 
• Hydraulic test benches: surviving thousands of daily cycles on test stands
• Fluid power panels: mounting into manifold assemblies on high-pressure circuits 
• Cold climate outdoor installations: functioning reliably down to -60°F 
• Chemical injection skids: controlling inhibitor and methanol injection into high-pressure lines

#8: Pneumatically Actuated (Air-To-Open / Air-To-Close) Ball Valve

The DM2533FTMTMF1-JFV-065s is part of the JFlow DM2500 Series. These are stainless steel flanged ball valves with spring-return pneumatic actuation. Engineers can choose between fail open or fail closed, and NEMA 4 - 120VAC - SV61/120VAC and NEMA 4 - 24VDC - SV61/24VDC as optional solenoid valves. These valves are manufactured using 316 SS with Teflon (TFM-1600) seat and stem packing with a Viton o-ring. These JFlow ball valves are sized for 80 PSI of available air pressure.  

Flow DM2500 Series works well for automated industrial plant operations, assembly lines, and remote processing environments where manual operation is impossible or inefficient. Here are some more specific examples: 

• Chemical dosing & feed systems: automatically opening /closing on a PLC signal 
• Wastewater treatment automation: cycling open / closed on remotely controlled treatment dosing or effluent discharge lines
• Oil & gas process skids: serving as an automated isolation or shutdown valve on corrosive process lines 
• Offshore & marine automation: operating reliably in salt-spray and corrosive atmospheric environments 

#9: Electrically Actuated Ball Valve 

The Bonomi 8E065LF Series 355N LF ball valves are ideal for use with potable water, offering four-seat multi-port sealing that ensures a total, positive seal between all pressurized ports. This design also utilizes PTFE seats with elastomer o-ring backing to achieve a highly reliable seal under low pressure with a low break torque. The body is made from lead-free brass with a PTFE seat. Because this valve series is engineered for use with drinking water, it has a T.E.A. (Ternary Eco Alloy) coating to keep the brass from degrading or leaching minerals over time. The Bonimi 8E065LF Series valves are NEMA rated 4 or 4X, and have a pressure rating of 400 psi WOG.

These valves do their best work in facilities that lack a central compressed air system or applications requiring exact digital integration with programmable logic controllers (PLCs) or smart building management systems. Here are some specific examples:

• Commercial Potable Water: automating safe drinking water routing
• Commercial Laundry & Kitchens: switching rapidly between hot, cold, and chemical flush cycles during high-frequency cleaning
• Water Filtration & RO Systems: redirecting water flow for routine backwashing, rinsing, and system bypasses
• HVAC Hydronic Systems: blending/diverting hot and chilled water lines to regulate building temperatures 

#10: Sanitized / Hygienic Tri-Clamp Stainless Steel Ball Valve 

The AVCO 2100 Series are high-performance tri-clamp three-piece cast stainless steel sanitary ball valve. Manufactured from  316 low-carbon stainless steel with a TFM seat, these valves are engineered to ASME B16.34, ASME-BPE, CRN (All Provinces), and ISO 5211 standards. Their convenient 3-piece design allows the center section containing the ball and seals to be easily swung out or serviced without cutting into the pipeline. Further, this AVCO 2100 Series sanitary ball valve features highly polished internal surfaces to prevent bacterial growth and is paired with tri-clamp sanitary fittings that leave no crevices for fluid to pool.

These particular tri-clamp sanitary ball valves work extremely well for food and beverage manufacturing, dairy processing, breweries, and pharmaceutical production lines where contamination-free environments are legally mandated. Here are some places where you’ll find them in use:

• Biotech & Cell Culture: managing sterile growth media and biological harvests
• Craft Brewing & Distilling: routing hot wort, yeast, and finished alcohol through CIP pipelines
• Dairy & Milk Processing: handling raw milk and pasteurization lines
• Semiconductor Cleanrooms: regulating ultra-pure water (UPW) used to wash sensitive microchips and wafers.
• Food & Beverage Filling: feeding juices, sauces, or syrups directly into packaging and bottling equipment

Conclusion

Ball valves are critical to so many industries and applications, and these ten are just a sample of 91ÊÓƵ’s extensive inventory. And the valves discussed in this post are just a small sample of the options available to you through 91ÊÓƵ. If you’re in the market for a durable, high-quality ball valve that comes with fast shipping and excellent customer service, contact us today!

Gilbert Welsford, Jr

Valve industry Engineering Business operations and leadership Sales and customer service Product knowledge Sector-specific knowledge Project management Innovation and industry trends

Gilbert Welsford, a renowned valve industry expert and third-generation owner of FS Welsford Company, is the visionary behind 91ÊÓƵ, a leading platform for valve-related products. Gilbert's profound understanding of fluid dynamics and precision engineering plays a pivotal role in designing and applying various valve types. Known for his collaborative approach and outstanding communication skills, he builds strong relationships across multiple sectors and consistently ensures successful project outcomes. Committed to innovation and excellence, Gilbert remains at the forefront of industry advancements, consistently delivering solutions that exceed expectations.