Angular contact ball bearings are particularly suitable for carrying combined (axial and radial) loads. Sometimes, they also can carry pure axial load and operate in higher speed. Under radial loads, axial component force will be produced which must be counteracted. So the bearings are normally adjusted against a second bearing.

Single row angular contact ball bearings can carry axial load acting in one direction only. In many applications, angular contact ball bearings in pairs or multi-arrangement should be used. The axial load carrying capacity of angular contact ball bearings increase with increase of contact angle.