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Short answer: buy the BOB XL if you kick, throw a lot of body shots or are taller than average, because its longer torso puts more target below the ribs. Buy the original BOB if you mainly punch and strike to the head, train self-defense combinations, or want the lower-priced of the two. Everything else, from the height range in Century's specs to the roughly 250 lb water-filled base, is close to identical.
That's the whole decision in one paragraph. The rest of this comparison goes through the specs Century publishes for each bag, where the two really differ, and the situations where one is clearly the better buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Figures come from Century's product pages for each model (SKU 101693 for BOB, 101692 for BOB XL).
| Century BOB (original) | Century BOB XL | |
|---|---|---|
| Torso | Standard | Longer, "more striking surface for body shots and kicks" |
| Mannequin size | Not published by Century | 42.5" tall, 22" at the shoulders, 12" deep at the chest |
| Height range | 60" to 78", seven settings | 60" to 78" in specs (description says up to 82") |
| Weight | About 250 lb, water-filled base | About 250 lb, water-filled base |
| Base | Fills with water or sand | 24" diameter x 19.5" tall, water or sand, rounded to roll |
| Skin and fill | Vinyl "skin" over furniture-grade high-density foam | Listed as synthetic |
| Main use, per Century | Punching and strikes | Punches, strikes, body shots and kicks |
| Warranty | One year on BOB training mannequins | One-year limited warranty |
| Price tier | Premium | Premium, a step above the original |
| Amazon | Check price | Check price |
Neither bag has legs, arms or a swinging action. Both are free-standing, both need nothing more than floor space, and both accept the same BOB Jacket.
The Differences, One by One
1. Torso length: the only real design difference
Century describes the BOB XL as having "a longer torso than the original BOB, giving you more striking surface for body shots and kicks." That's the core of the comparison.
Think about what happens when you set both bags to the same chin height. The heads line up, but the XL's torso keeps going further down. That gives you:
- more room for hooks and uppercuts to the body without hitting the base or stem;
- a target for roundhouse and front kicks at a realistic midsection height;
- a closer match to a tall opponent, whose ribs and liver sit lower relative to the chin.
Century publishes the XL mannequin at 42.5 inches tall, 22 inches across the shoulders and 12 inches deep at the chest. It doesn't publish the original's mannequin dimensions, so we can't give you an exact inch difference. Some retailer listings quote figures for the original, but they don't come from Century, so we've left them out.
2. Height range: the same on paper
Century's original BOB page states seven height adjustments from 60 to 78 inches. The BOB XL's spec list gives the same 60 to 78 inches, but its description says "60 inches to 82 inches tall." Century hasn't resolved that on its own page, so we treat 78 inches as the safe maximum for both.
In practice, 60 to 78 inches covers a 5-foot teenager up to a tall adult. If you're over 6 feet and want the chin above your own, the possible extra inches on the XL might matter. Measure before ordering, because these are oversize freight items and Century passes return shipping costs to the buyer.
3. Base, fill and weight: identical in practice
Both bags sit on a round base that you fill with water or sand. Century lists both at approximately 250 lb with the base filled with water. For the XL it also gives the base size, 24 inches across and 19.5 inches tall, and says the base is rounded for easy relocation, so you can tip it and roll it.
Century's original BOB page describes the base as engineered to resist flexing, with a circular, grooved structure that's easy to move around. Century doesn't publish the original's base size, though a retailer listing gives it the same 24-inch diameter as the XL's.
Water or sand? Water is easier to fill and drain, and it's what Century's 250 lb figure assumes. Sand is denser, so the same base weighs more and rocks less, but it's slow to pour in and hard to get out if you move house. Whichever you use, check the cap for seepage after filling. Our BOB punching bag review covers setup in more detail.
4. Skin and feel
Century's page for the original BOB is the more detailed of the two. It describes a vinyl "skin" that mimics the elasticity of real skin and gives feedback with each hit, exaggerated features (jawline, nose, orbitals, ribs, gut and diaphragm) for target work, and a body filled with furniture-grade high-density foam. The XL's page simply lists its material as synthetic.
Both are firm compared with a foam-lined heavy bag. Owners on Century's own site mention a hard nose and chin that can bruise knuckles, which matches what you'd expect from a lifelike face. Century says BOB can be used with or without gloves, but we'd wear wraps and bag gloves for anything beyond light technique.
5. Kicking
This is where the choice usually gets made.
- Original BOB: Century positions it for punching and strikes. You can kick the torso, but the target is short, and low kicks land on the stem or base.
- BOB XL: Century specifically names kicks. The longer torso gives roundhouse and front kicks something realistic to land on.
Neither has legs, so if low kicks and knees to the thigh are your priority, a long Muay Thai bag or a Wavemaster column is the better tool. See our Wavemaster review for kick-friendly free-standing bags.
6. Price
Both sit in the premium tier for a free-standing bag, and the XL costs a little more than the original on Century's own store. Check both listings at the time you buy, since the gap moves with sales.
If cost is the deciding factor and you don't kick, the original is the better value. If you'd otherwise buy a separate kicking bag later, the XL's premium is small by comparison.
7. Accessories and spares
Century sells the same add-ons for both:
- BOB Jacket: attaches to the original BOB and the BOB XL with three rear buckles and four hook-and-loop tabs, adding simulated arms and a vinyl and high-density foam body layer. It lets you work around a guard.
- Replacement top: Century lists a separate BOB XL Top, so a worn mannequin can be replaced without buying a new base.
- Combos: Century bundles both versions with a Wavemaster, which is worth checking if you want a bag for power and kicks as well.
Choose the Original BOB If...
- you mainly punch: jabs, crosses, hooks and uppercuts to the head;
- you train self-defense or krav maga strikes like palm heels, elbows and hammer fists to the face and neck;
- you're of average height or shorter, or you share the bag with teens;
- you want the lower-priced of the two and don't plan to kick much.
Choose the BOB XL If...
- you kick, whether in taekwondo, karate, kickboxing or MMA;
- you work a lot of body shots and want the liver and ribs at a realistic level;
- you're tall and find body targets on the original sit too high when the chin is at your height;
- you'd rather have one bag that does more than buy a second kicking bag.
What About Bobby Bully and the Other BOBs?
- Kids: Century's youth version, Bobby Bully, adjusts from 50 to 55 inches and weighs about 170 lb with water. If the bag is mainly for a child, it's a better fit than either adult BOB. Our punching bag for kids guide covers it.
- Arms and a tripod: the Versys VS.BOB adds simulated arms on a tripod base. It's covered in our dummy punching bag roundup.
- Not sure a BOB is right at all? Our punching bag vs BOB comparison weighs a body opponent bag against a classic heavy bag, and our Century punching bag guide shows where both BOBs sit in Century's lineup.
Common Mistakes When Choosing
- Buying the XL for height alone. Century's specs give both the same range. Buy the XL for torso length, not for a taller maximum.
- Expecting a power bag. Both BOBs are firm, precise targets. For long, hard rounds, a hanging heavy bag protects your hands better.
- Skipping the mat. A 250 lb base still creeps on smooth floors under hard combinations. A grippy rubber mat helps.
- Forgetting return freight. Measure your ceiling, your height and your space first.
FAQ
What is the difference between BOB and BOB XL?
The BOB XL has a longer torso than the original BOB, which Century says gives more striking surface for body shots and kicks. Both use a base that fills with water or sand and weigh about 250 lb with water, and Century's specs list the same 60 to 78 inch height range for both.
How tall is the BOB XL?
Century's spec list gives an adjustable height of 60 to 78 inches, while the same page's description says 60 to 82 inches. Plan around 78 inches as the conservative figure. The mannequin itself is 42.5 inches tall, 22 inches across the shoulders and 12 inches deep at the chest.
How much does a BOB XL weigh?
Century lists the BOB XL at approximately 250 lb with the base filled with water, the same figure it gives for the original BOB. Sand is denser than water, so a sand-filled base weighs more, but Century doesn't publish a sand figure.
Is the BOB XL worth the extra money?
Yes if you kick, train body shots a lot or are on the taller side, because the longer torso gives you more target below the ribs. If you mainly punch, practice self-defense strikes to the head or share the bag with smaller users, the original BOB does the job for less.
Does the BOB Jacket fit the BOB XL?
Yes. Century says the BOB Jacket attaches to both the original BOB and the BOB XL with three rear buckles and four hook-and-loop tabs, adding simulated arms and a padded body layer.
How We Compared Them
We compared the two bags from research rather than hands-on testing. Every spec comes from Century's product pages for the original BOB, the BOB XL, the BOB Jacket and Bobby Bully, checked in November 2026. Where Century's own pages disagree, as with the XL's top height, we report the conservative figure and say so. We also looked at recurring themes in owner reviews on Century's site, such as firm faces, assembly fit and base movement.
Verdict
The BOB XL is the better buy for anyone who kicks or wants realistic body targets, and its longer torso is the only meaningful upgrade over the original. If you mostly punch and strike to the head, the original BOB gives you the same base, the same height range in Century's specs and the same lifelike face for a little less money.