Selecting the appropriate bearing type is one of the most important engineering decisions in machine design. The wrong choice leads to premature failure, excessive vibration and costly unplanned downtime. Here's a handy comparison of the three most common types.
Deep groove ball bearings (e.g. SKF 6200 series)
Ideal for: Multi-purpose applications with moderate radial and axial loads.
- Load capacity: Moderate radial, light to moderate axial (both directions)
- Speed: Highest of the three types — ideal for high-rpm applications
- Misalignment tolerance: Very low (0.1–0.3°)
- Noise/vibration: Lowest — excellent for precision applications
- Typical applications: Electric motors, pumps, conveyor rollers, fans, gearboxes
Deep groove bearings are an essential tool in the industrial world. When in doubt, they are usually the appropriate starting point.
Angular contact ball bearings (e.g. SKF 7200 series)
Ideal for: Applications with high combined radial and axial loads.
- Load capacity: Higher axial capacity than deep groove bearings (one direction only per bearing; use pairs for both directions)
- Speed: High, although slightly lower than deep groove bearings
- Misalignment tolerance: Very low
- Contact angle: 15°, 25° or 40° — higher angle = more axial capacity but lower speed
- Typical applications: Machine tool spindles, pumps with axial thrust, automotive wheel hubs
Angular contact bearings must be axially preloaded. They are almost always used in pairs (in back-to-back or face-to-face arrangements).
Cylindrical roller bearings (e.g. SKF NU/NJ series)
Ideal for: High radial loads with limited axial load requirements.
- Load capacity: Very high radial (50–100% more than equivalent ball bearings); zero or minimal axial capacity (depending on design)
- Speed:Moderate to high
- Misalignment tolerance: Very low
- Typical applications: Rolling mills, large electric motors, railway axles, crane wheels
Quick selection matrix
| Criterion | Deep Throat | Angular contact | Cylindrical rollers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Radial load | Moderate | Moderate | Very high |
| Axial load | Light | High (1 direction) | None/Slight |
| Maximum speed | Very high | High | Moderate-High |
| Misalignment | Low | Low | Low |
| Cost | Low | Medium | Medium-High |
Need help finding the right bearing? Check out our Electronic catalog with 500,000+ components from SKF, FAG, NSK, NTN, Timken and many others.
