New Balance DC Cricket Bats: Every Model and Price

The New Balance DC is New Balance's low swell bat for the front-foot driver, and the range Steve Smith used for his 36th Test century. We stock four senior DC models, from £179.99 for the 2024 DC 580 to £419.99 for the 2025 DC 1000 Max, and two juniors from £119.99. This guide covers the DC profile, how the grades and model numbers line up, what independent testers said, and every DC we stock with our prices on 22 October 2026.

The DC Profile

New Balance's UK website does not currently publish its cricket bat range, so these details come from the specification on each of our listings, which describe every senior DC the same way:

• Swell: a low swell, aimed at front-foot play.
• Edges: large edges on every model.
• Handle: a 6-piece Singapore cane handle with a semi-oval shape.

The testers back up the low middle. Wisden's 2025 bat test logged the top DC 1200 Pro's middle position as low, with large edges, an expanded sweet spot and a flat face, and one of The Cricketer's DC500 Max testers noted a central middle and a curved toe. That makes the DC the lower-middled choice in New Balance's range; the TC has a mid swell for all-round play. Our guide to New Balance cricket bats covers who makes them and compares the DC with the Heritage, Burn and TC.

What the DC Grades Mean

New Balance numbers run forwards: a higher number is a better grade. In their specification the DC 1000 Max is Grade 1 English willow, the DC 800 Grade 2 and the DC 500 Max Grade 3.

The one exception is the DC 580, a 2024 bat in Grade 5 English willow. It has a higher number than the DC 500 Max but a lower grade, so read the grade, not the number, when you compare across model years. Both junior DCs are Grade 3 English willow.

Every DC We Stock

Senior short handle bats in stock on 22 October 2026. The DC 580 is the cheapest senior New Balance bat we carry, and the DC 1000 Max shares the £419.99 price of the Heritage and TC 1000 Max. Every bat here is in our New Balance cricket bats collection.

Junior DC Bats

Both are English willow with the same low swell, so they suit a junior already on a hard ball. Wisden's test notes that DC juniors start in English willow; for a younger child on a softer ball, the TC 300 in Kashmir willow is the cheaper New Balance bat. Use our cricket bat size guide to choose the size and our guide to the best junior cricket bats to compare brands.

What Independent Testers Said

The Cricketer scored the 2025 DC500 Max 7.2 overall in its DC500 Max review, at an RRP of £250 with 34mm edges. Nick Friend called it the "best bat" of the day and praised the pick-up and round handle. Opinion on weight was split: some testers found it "quite heavy", while one called it "nice and light". We sell that bat at £214.99.

In the Wisden Cricket Monthly bat test 2025, the DC 1200 Pro, a Grade 1 bat at 2lb 10oz with 3.8cm edges and nine grains, drew 9.5 out of 10 for performance from Yas Rana, who said: "I loved how the DC pinged." We do not stock the DC 1200 Pro.

Who Uses the DC

The Cricketer reports that Steve Smith used a DC500 Max when he brought up his 36th Test century, against Sri Lanka. Wisden calls Smith and Joe Root New Balance's loyal ambassadors. Our guide to what cricket bats the pros use covers other players' bats.

Which DC to Buy

1. Adult starting out: the DC 580 at £179.99, in Grade 5 willow and 2lb 9oz.
2. Regular club player: the DC 500 Max at £214.99, the Grade 3 bat The Cricketer tested, in 2lb 9oz or 2lb 10oz.
3. Better willow: the DC 800 at £304.99 in Grade 2.
4. Top grade we stock: the DC 1000 Max at £419.99 in Grade 1, in 2lb 10oz only.
5. Junior on a hard ball: the DC 500 Max Junior at £119.99 in size 6, or the DC 880 Junior from £139.99.

If you play all round the wicket rather than mainly off the front foot, look at the mid swell TC instead. Every DC is English willow and needs preparing before a match; our guide to knocking in a new cricket bat covers it.

FAQs: New Balance DC

Is the New Balance DC a good bat?
The Cricketer scored the 2025 DC500 Max 7.2 overall, and a Wisden tester gave the DC 1200 Pro 9.5 out of 10 for performance. It suits a batter who drives off the front foot.

What is the difference between the DC and the TC?
The swell. In their specification the DC has a low swell for front-foot play and the TC a mid swell for all-round play.

Which DC did Steve Smith use?
The Cricketer reports he reached his 36th Test century with a DC500 Max.

Is a DC 580 better than a DC 500 Max?
No. The 2024 DC 580 is Grade 5 willow and the 2025 DC 500 Max Grade 3, which is why the DC 580 costs less.

What does the DC cost?
With us, from £179.99 for the DC 580 to £419.99 for the DC 1000 Max. Juniors start at £119.99.