Single row deep groove ball bearings are the most widely used bearing type . They are available capped (with seals or shields) or open. Open bearings that are also available capped may have recesses in the ring side faces.

SKF inch bearings in the EE(B), RLS and RMS series are intended as aftermarket items and, therefore, SKF recommends not using these bearings for new bearing arrangement designs.

One of the most common types of rolling bearings, basic deep groove ball bearing design has not changed much over the years. Advances in materials, lubrication and other modifications have evolved creating greater efficiency and life, but the basic roller ball-in-grooved-raceway design remains fairly straightforward.

Deep groove ball bearings are used in a particularly wide variety of application. They are relatively simple in design, non-separable, capable of operating at high and even very high speeds. In operation, they require little attention or maintenance provided the appropriate bearing specifications are reviewed for the specific application. These characteristics, coupled with a price advantage, make deep groove ball bearings the most popular of all rolling bearings.