What are the differences between roller bearings and ball bearings?

Shape differences of the rolling elements

The most obvious difference between roller bearings and ball bearings lies in the shape of their rolling elements. Roller bearings use cylindrical, conical or drum-shaped rolling elements, which are called rollers. In contrast, ball bearings use spherical rolling elements, namely steel balls. This shape difference directly affects their performance and application in mechanical equipment.

Differences in load-bearing capacity

Because the contact area between the rolling elements and the raceways of roller bearings is relatively large, they can usually withstand higher loads, especially in terms of radial loads. Ball bearings, due to their smaller contact area, have a relatively lower load-carrying capacity. However, they perform more evenly when subjected to combined loads, including radial and axial loads.