best ping pong balls

Best Ping Pong Balls In The World Reviewed

Choosing the best ping pong balls can be a difficult decision.

The quality of the balls differs widely. If you aren’t careful, you can easily end buying some cheap and crappy balls which will affect your gameplay.

The good news is that we have recommended a list of the top eight best ping pong balls. We have also included all the information you need to make the right choice.

After taking more than 24 hours researching the best ping pong balls, here are our top 8 choices.

Best Ping Pong Balls Reviews

1. Table Tennis Competition Balls

1. Butterfly A40+ 3 Star Table Tennis Balls

When searching for the best ping pong balls, you will need to pick something that can withstand everyday smashes.

One of the options that can do that is the Butterfly A40+ 3 Star Table Tennis Balls. These balls are not only durable but they spin really well.

As proof of their superior quality, they have been approved by the USTTA and ITTF for use in the top tournaments.

In fact, they were the official balls during the 2018 and 2019 World Table Tennis Championships.

In comparison to the G40+, they produce a softer sound but a similar bounce. The table tennis balls are available in 3 packs, 6 packs and 12 packs.

Measuring 40 mm, the A40+ balls are sized as per the regulations. They have a consistent thickness on all sides.

The balls are made of plastic. One of the downsides of the plastic balls is that they can get dented affecting their bounce.

Overall, these are great table tennis balls.

Pros
  • Very durable
  • Great bounce
  • Spins perfectly
  • Good speed and balance
Cons
  • A bit lighter, making them a bit inconsistent

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2. NITTAKU Orange 3 Stars Table Tennis Ball

If you are searching for some ping pong balls with good spin control, you should consider the NITTAKU 3 Balls NEXCEL.

The ball offers a satisfying bounce.  They are also solid and lightweight.

The set of three balls are manufactured in Japan.

The balls have been approved by the ITTF.  They come with racket protection edge tape.

The ping pong balls are available in either red or blue color.

The NITTAKU 3 Balls NEXCEL is a set of good balls that can be fun to play with. The set is definitely worth the money.

Pros
  • Good bounce
  • Good spin control
  • Nice weight
Cons
  • Cases of the balls cracking have been reported

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3. Nittaku 3-Star Premium 40+ Table Tennis Balls

Some ping pong balls are made for fun while others are made for professional players.

If you are a serious player searching for serious ping pong balls, then you need to consider the Nittaku 3-star Premium 40+ table tennis balls.

The balls have been approved by the ITTF and can, therefore, be used in all competitions sanctioned by the ITTF.

These balls are sturdily-made and will hold up well even for players playing tons of games in the league.

The roundness and consistency of the balls are outstanding.

The balls were officially used during the Liebherr 2017 World Table Tennis Championship.

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The balls offer a great grip for both handling and spinning. Many players complain that the majority of balls made of poly aren’t hard enough.

However, these Japan-made balls are manufactured using a special poly material that is as hard as celluloid.

While the balls are a little bit slower than those made of celluloid, they deliver almost the same performance.

All in all, these are great balls that are worth the money.

Pros
  • ITTF approved
  • Great consistency
  • Durable
  • Preferred by many professional players
Cons
  • A bit costly

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2. Best Ping Pong Training Balls

1. JOOLA Magic Training Table Tennis Balls

If you are searching for tennis balls for training or recreational play, you should consider the JOOLA Magic 2-Star Training Table Tennis Balls.

The balls are solidly made and will last for weeks or even months without any of them showing signs of cracking.

While they aren’t approved by the ITTF, their weight and size meet the official parameters. The balls have a thickness of .86 mm, 400 mm width and a weight of 2.7 grams.

This ensures that they are durable and have a consistent bounce and consistency.

One of their downsides is that they leave a slight residue on the paddle and table after repeated use. This is mostly due to the color powder that comes off very easily.

This is not a major issue as it is easy to rub off the powder.

When you buy the ping pong balls, you will have an opportunity to choose between the orange or white-colored ping pong balls.

Overall, the balls are of good quality and will work with your preferred tennis robots.

Pros
  • Consistent bounce
  • Durable
  • Good control and spin
  • Lightweight
Cons
  • Leaves a residue after sometime
  • Balls are a bit light for practice

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2. Butterfly G40+ table tennis balls

The Butterfly G40+ table tennis balls are other balls that have been approved by the USATT and ITTF for playing in top-level tournaments.

They are available in the regulation size of 40 mm.

The balls have the same thickness on different sides and therefore, provide a consistent bounce.

While they are made of poly, their bounce is almost similar to that of the celluloid ping pong balls.

They have a smooth texture, unlike some other 40+ balls that often come with a grainy feel.

This enables them to respond to looping and flicks perfectly well.

When you buy these Butterfly G40+ balls, your shots will start to hit with more precision and will maintain the same power you put on them.

The weight is exactly as described and the balls are quite durable.

Pros
  • Bounces high
  • Quite consistent
  • Great spin
  • Durable
  • Affordable
Cons
  • A bit light

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3. STIGA 3-Star Orange Table Tennis Balls

If you are searching for great ping pong balls at a great price, you should consider the Stiga 3-Star Superior-Quality Orange Table Tennis Balls.

The balls have just but the perfect weight and they are considerably durable.

When they hit the table, the balls produce a nice crisp sound. The balls have been approved by the USATT.

They have a size of 40 mm which is the size and weight recommended by the ITTF.

For their price, the Stiga 3-Star Superior-Quality Orange Table Tennis Balls are worth considering.

Pros
  • Consistent bounce
  • Great spin and control
  • Good quality
Cons
  • Too light
  • A bit slow
  • Made in China

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4. Newgy Robo-Balls - Gross (144) Orange Ping-Pong Balls

The Newgy Robo-Balls are not only of good quality but they feed well into the robot machine.

The robot balls are of high quality, durable and are a great choice for recreational playing.

You can use them in their table tennis robot.

With the Newgy Robo-Balls, you will have some good quality balls that are a great choice for recreational play.

Pros
  • Good quality
  • Durable
Cons
  • A bit costly

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5. Butterfly Training 40+ Table Tennis Balls

These balls are a great choice for a beginner as well as professional players.

The balls are very round creating a consistent bounce.

They are a great choice for practicing with the Amicus Series Robot.

The balls feel a bit firmer when hit than other brands. In fact, they feel almost like the balls used by professionals.

The balls are a great choice for beginners, training, and recreational play such as in the office.

They are generally very good balls as they last longer than many other ping pong balls in the market.

Pros
  • Great bounce
  • Great consistency
  • Strong
  • Durable
Cons
  • Have a wobble effect

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Types of Ping Pong Balls

Ping pong balls can be categorized into two categories. These are:

  • Competition

As their names suggest, these are balls used in tournaments and other competitions. They are usually more expensive than their counterparts.

However, they also provide better performance that matches international standards.

  • Training balls

These ping pong balls are available in large boxes and are often used for multi-ball training. While these are usually cheaper, their quality is also lower as compared to the competition balls.

The balls are usually made of a thinner material and their bounce is below-average.

In most cases, these are usually lighter with an average bounce.  While their bounce may not be perfect, training balls are a great choice for recreational or casual purposes.

What to Consider Before Buying Ping Pong Balls

There are several factors you need to consider when searching for the best ping pong balls. These include:

Material

In 2017, the majority of manufacturers started using a new kind of plastic-ABS- to make table tennis balls.

One of the advantages of this material is that it has improved roundness and durability over the poly balls. It is also environmentally friendly.

Some ping pong balls are made of poly while others are made of celluloid. According to the International Table Tennis Federation, all official tournaments should use high-quality polystyrene.

These balls are cheaper to transport, are more environmental-friendly and have lower chances of breaking.

Poly is therefore commonly used in competitions. However, Celluloid balls are more durable and are popular for beginners due to their lower prices.

Take note that celluloid balls have a diameter of 40 mm while the plastic poly balls are a bit larger.

In most cases, you will notice the plastic poly balls listed as 40+. When you come across a plastic poly ball and you don’t know the material it is made of, you can check the inscription.

The poly balls will either be labeled as 40+ while the celluloid ball will be labeled as 40 mm.

Preference

Choose a ping pong ball that meets your needs. You may find a ball with a 3-star rating but is still not suited for your needs.

Ensure that you are comfortable with the ball you choose.

Color

The legal requirements suggest that all ping pong balls should either be orange or white.  However, if you need a ball for recreational play, you can always choose your desired color.

While the color of a ping pong ball will not affect the practice and game a lot, choose a color that will be more visible.

Understanding Ping Pong Balls Star Rating

When buying ping pong balls, one of the things you will notice is that they come with some ratings. The majority of ball manufacturers use a star rating system.

These stars range from one star to three stars.

The 3 star balls are usually the best. A 3-star rated ball is usually of the highest quality. It is commonly used for a heavy table tennis game.

The one or two-star rated ping pong balls are commonly used for practice sessions.

You can buy them in packs of three, six or 12. While the good quality balls last longer when treated well, the one-star and two-star balls are usually less durable and less round.

Some practice balls have no ratings. To help you understand the ratings, here are a few things to consider:

  • 3 star rated balls. These are usually of high quality and are very firm. They are mostly ITTF approved and are commonly used in a table tennis tournament.
  • The 2-star balls are usually firmer than the one-star ball and they are of medium quality. These balls are commonly sued for practice as well as for training robots
  • The 1 star rated ping pong balls are usually very soft. They are a good choice for beginner players and kids.
  • Practice balls. These have no ratings. They are often lightweight and aren’t durable. They easily break when hit hard
  • Novelty balls are usually rated between soft and very hard. These come in a mix pack and shouldn’t be used in tournaments.

Best Beer Pong Balls That We Recommend

When choosing the best beer ping pong balls, you will need to ensure that it has the right amount of bounce.

This can be the difference between having a good night and a bad one.

Choose a beer ping pong ball that offers the right light to enable it to spring well into the red solo cup.

One of the options that we can recommend for a beer ping pong ball is Newgy Robo-Balls.

This ping pong ball offers just but the right amount of bounce.

FAQs About Best Ping Pong Balls

How Many Ping Pong Balls You Get in A Set?

The majority of ping pong balls sets have 3, 6, 9 or 12 balls.

How To Check The Quality Of A Ping Pong Ball

A good ping pong ball should have a diameter of between 39.5 and 40.5 mm. The ball should be round and shouldn’t veer easily.

To test the veers roll the ball down a slightly inclined space.

The ping pong balls should also have a consistent bounce. To check the consistency of the bounce, drop the ball from a height of at least 305 millimeters.

To measure their hardness, balls are placed on a computerized gadget where a pin is pressed on them with a certain amount of force. Their indentation is measured.

Harder balls often have a better bounce than softballs. You can learn more about how to check the quality of a ping pong ball in this video:

How Table Tennis Balls Are Made

The majority of table tennis balls are nowadays made of plastic. Some of the commonly used plastics are cellulose diacetate and cellulose acetate.

However, the majority of manufacturers don’t reveal the material they use

The non-celluloid balls are commonly referred to as plastic or poly ball. Celluloid balls are also available. You can see how table tennis balls are made here:

How to Care for Table Tennis Balls

When caring for your table tennis balls, regular cleaning is necessary.

If you have a large number of balls that need to be cleaned, you can place them in a washing machine with cold water and set it on a no-spin setting. You can see how to do it here:

To enable your tennis ball to last longer, keep it away from direct sunlight, excess moisture, and excess heat.

When the ball falls to the ground, remember to pick it. This will ensure that you and other people don’t step on it.

Choose the right ball for the job. A 3-star ball is a good choice for practice games and rally drills. If you need multiple-rally drills like smashes and serves, go for a good quality practice ball.

What Ping Pong Balls Do Pros Use?

The ping pong balls that are made of polystyrene are officially used across the different parts of the world for tournaments.

On the other hand, celluloid balls are usually cheaper and a better choice for amateurs. These are usually made of a cheaper material.

Therefore, if you are looking for a professional ping pong ball for professional games and training, polystyrene is a great choice.

How Long Do Ping Pong Balls Last?

When you buy a pack of 12 balls, it will last for between 3 and 6 months depending on how you use them.

How Fast Do Ping Pong Balls Go?

The record for the fastest smash in the world is at 70 mph. This means that the average speed of a ball hit by an average player is around 25 mph.

Since the table tennis table isn’t so long, a speed of 50 mph is still considered fast and this is why players often stand at a distance.

What Is the Difference Between Orange and White Ping Pong Balls?

Orange balls are usually recommended by the ITTF. However, your choice of ball color will depend on the court floor and its surroundings.

If the court is white in color, it is advisable to choose an orange ball. This will be a better choice as it will be more visible in such a surrounding.

Final Thoughts

It is never easy to choose the best ping pong balls especially if you aren’t a professional in the game.

While ping pong balls may have a similar appearance, the truth of the matter is that their quality different.

The design of the ball will also greatly affect your game.

Whether you are searching for a recreational ping pong ball or you need a ball to use in the competition, you can always find one in this list.

Choose wisely and you will enjoy your ping pong game.