I believe that some people here must have very very sensitive noses. From the odor I could not remember. I had him the first 3 days in the bathroom, on a floor heating system (what the smell through the heat actually promotes), and you could smell anything! Unless you stand directly over the ball. But even then I could not perceive as unpleasant smell. And otherwise I can only say: Super Ball! It is very stable, even my cats are already on rumgehüpft him (like a predator when inflated). For Size: I'm 164cm tall (small ... as you look at it) and for me is the size of the ball perfectly to sit on it and also for training.