Quality ping pong balls will elevate your game and treat you and your playing partners to a better all-around experience. In the guide below, we’ve featured some of the best ping pong balls to improve your understanding and help you make the best possible decision.
MAPOL 3-Star
Very affordable option for people that are looking for great quality at an excellent price.
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Our Top Picks for the Best Ping Pong Balls
How to Choose the Right Ping Pong Balls
Before we get to the reviews, here are a few buying considerations that should help make your decision easier.
Color
Regulation ping pong balls are all either white or orange. Granted, you can find options available in almost any other color as well, but if you want to stay within the purview of the rules these are the colors you’ll have to choose from.
While the lack of options might make the choice seem inconsequential there is still value to giving some weight to the decision. Pick the ball that provides the best visibility and you will perform better. While there is a level of subjectivity to this decision, do note that orange balls tend to do better in rooms with lower lights.
Celluloid vs. Non Celluloid Balls
Historically, celluloid has been the main material used for ping pong balls. However, this material has proven problematic over time, both for producers who have difficulty processing it and in actual implementation where it tends to be highly flammable.
Consequently, plastic has largely taken its place, and celluloid balls are slowly moving out of fashion. Good celluloid balls are still being produced but the majority of newer equipment is manufactured in plastic.
Seamed or Seamless
The majority of ping pong balls are all made with a built in seam. Though seemed balls tend to perform just fine, they are less durable than the seamless alternative. The seam serves as a point of vulnerability and is where many ping pong balls begin to deteriorate as they approach the end of their life expectancy.
Seamless balls are a little harder to come by and are often slightly more expensive but may compensate for the added expense by lasting longer.
Best Ping Pong Ball Reviews
And now, we dive into the product reviews. Read on to find the best ping pong balls for your situation!
- Highly durable exterior designed to last long time
- Equal weight on all sides for precision
- Regulation size and design makes ball approved for tournament play
Fans of professional ping pong will recognize the Butterfly G40 ball as the official sponsor of the Butterfly Canadian Cup. Indeed, this company is widely considered to be one of the best brands on the market, and here we see why. These perfectly round 40mm balls are designed to bounce consistently for optimal performance and last a long time.
While this 3 star product is among the best competition/tournament/training ping pong balls on the market, it can also easily be used for home use, or even for beer pong.
- 3 star rating assures quality
- Affordable price makes it a great budget option
- 100% money-back guarantee if you aren’t satisfied
Buyers that want to save a little bit of money are sure to appreciate our best budget/value ping pong balls pick, the Mapol 3-star. The balls have been designed to produce a consistent, high-quality bounce, and are available at an affordable price most can afford.
The company also provides a money-back guarantee, so even if you aren’t satisfied there won’t be any problems.
- Moderate price tag
- Durable build that should last for a long time
- Certified by USTA for tournament play
The Nittaku Premium is a highly durable, tournament certified ball that is available at a moderate price. The Japanese made ball is available in white, and boasts a consistent bounce that has led to the implementation of its use in a wide variety of professional tournaments.
- Conforms to ISTA tournament standards
- 3-star rated balls
- Moderate price tag
The Stiga 3-star balls are available in a bright, highly visible orange and white variants. They are tournament-approved and provide a high-quality, consistent bounce that will elevate your game. Though prone to dents, they will nevertheless satisfy the needs of buyers that want something for an affordable price.
- Extremely affordable
- Highly visible orange balls
- Available in large quantities
Though not durable or reliable to the same extent as the other balls on our list, the Kevenz 3-star nevertheless does have its own charms. In addition to being affordable, these highly visible orange balls can be purchased in large quantities. It’s a great product for people who are trying to keep their game room well-stocked!
Summary & Recommendations
Though the best product on our list in terms of performance undoubtedly remains the Butterfly G40+, each one of the options benefit different users and players of all levels. There are products available for budget buyers like the MAPOL 3-Star, and big spender options like the Nittaku 3-Star Premium. But, in any case, all of the balls are tournament-approved and ready for competitive play. Choose the ball that most speaks to you and there is no going wrong!
Post last updated on January 13, 2023