They say a good workman is only as good as their tools and the same goes for ping pong players. If you are wanting to smash the ball past the other player, then you’ll need the right gear.
With ping pong balls it’s all about backspin and weight. Having a lightweight ball that is easy to smash to the other end of the table is very important. An average ping pong ball should weigh around 2.7 grams with a diameter of around 40 millimeters.
Ping pong balls should also be made from sturdy ABS plastic. This means that you’ll be able to use these balls repeatedly over a long period of time. If you buy a large pack of balls, then you won’t have to worry about going to the local store to pick up a new packet.
You can often be expected to lose ping pong balls, both because of the speed of the game and the force at which the ball is struck.
The shape and weight of ping pong balls were standardized over a certain period, so if you are playing ping pong in a competitive environment, then you’ll want to make sure that they conform to these regulations.
Most ping pong balls are given a rating, numbering from 1 to 3. If you have a ball that is numbered 3, then this means it is made from premium materials and will not break.
However, a number 1 ball is a lot shoddier than some of the other brands, so you’ll need to be careful when hitting them, otherwise, they’ll break.
So where can you find the best ping pong balls for your game? What features and materials do they need to be made from to conform to the industry standard? What is the perfect design and circumference for your ping pong ball?
How much will you have to pay for not just one but a whole packet of decent-sized ping pong balls?
Well, if you take your ping pong games seriously and you want to know the answers to all of these questions, then we would recommend that you keep reading.
We have tested and compiled a list of some of the best ping pong balls you can find on the market. We also have a buyer’s guide that will help you to identify the best balls for you.
Our first set of ping pong balls is industry standard, giving you everything that you need for a firm serve and excellent back and forth during play.
In this pack, you get around 40 ping pong balls, which is great if you are in training and expecting to lose your fair share of balls across the table - introducing Nittaku 3-Star Premium 40+ Table Tennis Balls.
These table tennis balls are very reliable, perfect for practicing or if you are a newbie ping pong player hitting the table for the very first time.
They have a solid bounce, which is very important if you are trying to get a rally going. These balls were very responsive when we tested them.
Pros
These balls are very durable and resilient, giving you everything that you need to get a solid run going easily.
Hitting ping pong balls can be very difficult if your ball is not weighted that well, however, these ping pong balls conform to the usual industry standards when it comes to weight and measurement.
You can get a pack of 40 balls for a pretty decent price. If you are anticipating losing plenty of balls in your match, then having more for less will certainly be appealing.
These are a great starting set of balls for your needs. If you are going to be losing balls during training, then having cheap standbys will be paramount.
Cons
Some users have complained that these balls have a raised edge, which will affect the direction at which you hit your ball.
Next up, we have some amazing balls made from celluloid that you can be sure will give you everything that you need for a decent serve and great backspin.
A lot of beginners have complimented this ball on how easy it bounces and how responsive it is - introducing the Butterfly G40+ Table Tennis Balls.
These balls are a little harder than some of the other balls that we have on this list. They are also much rounder, giving you everything that you need for a solid serve and effective backspin.
If you are looking for a ball that will deliver you a reliable rally back and forth with your opponent, then this is the ball for you.
Pros
This is one of the hardest balls on this list, giving you everything that you need for a decent serve.
If you are wanting a ball that will hit in the direction that you give it every time, then you can’t really go wrong with this one.
If you are looking for a decent hitter, then having this is one of the best that you can deliver. This is great for any intermediate player looking to graduate to pro levels.
These balls are some of the best when it comes to intense games, as they are naturally more resilient and will not split at the seams.
Cons
This is another set of balls with a slightly raised edge that might result in a few misdirected shots.
Next up, we have a ball that is extremely thick, which will certainly help you when it comes to hitting the target straight away.
If you are working on your backspin, then this is another great ball to have, having both the weight and the girth to be able to hit the target dead-on - introducing Joola Prime 3-Star ABS Table Tennis Balls.
This ball has been approved by the ITTF, so you can be sure that you’ll be getting exactly the ball that you want for your competitions.
This ball comes with a decent girth, so you won’t have to worry about mishits or getting wide of your target. This is one of the best balls that you can get if you are mounting something for a competition.
Pros
A sturdy and thick ball that will give you that decisive hit when you are getting a rally going. We would certainly recommend having one of these balls for your competitive matches.
These balls come in generous packs, giving you plenty of opportunities to get your training down, no matter how many balls you lose.
These balls have a better girth than some of the others on this list, which means that you’ll be able to have a much better chance of getting the shots to go in the direction you want.
These balls are industry standard, so if you want to play the same game as the pros, then you can’t go far wrong with using these balls.
Cons
This ball is a little more expensive than some of the others that you can find on this list, so if you want to save some weight on your wallet, then we would suggest another model.
This next set of balls is ITTF standard, so you can be sure of enjoying the same game as some of the professionals on the table tennis scene.
If you like your ping pong with a little bit more lively speed and bounce, then we would definitely recommend that you have one of these balls - introducing the Butterfly R40+ Table Tennis Balls.
These are great for anyone who is a beginner who wants to upgrade their ping pong game from that of a beginner to that of an intermediate or professional player.
This comes with a great bounce, so you can be sure that you’ll have everything that you need for a much more professional and controlled game.
Pros
This is great for teenage players who are looking to improve their overall serve and how much force they drive the ball with.
If you are a beginner who is looking to improve, then we would certainly recommend that you have one of these balls to practice with.
These are very similar to old styles of balls that were made from celluloid. If you prefer an old-style flavor to your game, then this ball will help you get there.
This is seen as an upgrade from the standard balls, which can be seen as being way too light with very little in the way of backspin or drive.
Cons
These might be a little too hardcore for newbie players who are just hitting the tennis table for the first time.
Next up, we have a great training ball that is rated as a 1-star ball, but you will actually have plenty of play out of these balls.
It is important to have a training ball that is sturdy but cheap enough that you don’t mind losing them. These balls hit a great price point - introducing the Nittaku Nexcel 12 x 3-star 40+mm Orange Balls.
If visibility is what you are craving, then we would certainly suggest that you have a look at these balls.
They come in a bright orange design that you can be sure will allow you to keep track of the ball when the game gets faster and more heated. This is very important when you are looking to improve your reaction time.
Pros
These balls are rated 1-star, but you can be sure that they will actually last you a lot longer than your regular balls.
You can get plenty of these for an amazing price. If you are looking to tear through balls during practice, then these are exactly the brand that you’ll be looking for.
These balls really encourage visibility, coming in a bright color that you will definitely be able to keep track of.
This ball is very durable and has been rated highly by some of the pros. This ball will not suffer from seam tears or splitting.
Cons
This ball is rated with a 1-star, so you will certainly have to suffer seam splits and scuffs on the side.
Next up, we have another premium-rated ball that a lot of people have complimented for the superlative backspin and the great quality material with which it is made.
This is another orange ball that will enhance your concentration and improve the overall quality of your game - introducing Stiga 3-Star Superior-Quality Orange Table Tennis Balls.
This ball is a medium-quality training ball. It will last you a little bit longer than some of the other balls on this list, while also being cheap enough to tear through at a rate of knots.
These are some of the best balls on the market, especially when it comes to resilience and the ability to whack it across the table.
Pros
These balls are used for training and come in a wide range of sizes, so you can be sure that you’ll get exactly the right ball for your needs.
This ball will increase the number of hits that you can receive, which will improve your overall success rate and allow you to focus on your technique.
These are great balls for training, allowing you the chance to increase your confidence on the table, which will in turn make you a stronger player.
These balls do not have the same quality as some of the other brands of balls on this list, but they are reliable nonetheless.
Cons
This lies at the cheaper end of the ping pong ball spectrum, not only in terms of quality but also price. If you want a competition ball, we’d recommend another brand.
This is a good pair of practice balls if you are looking to play a match against yourself and the wall. In terms of material construction, these balls are extremely durable, giving you plenty of weight to get a decent rally going but not to an unmanageable level.
Instructors have recommended these balls for newbies - introducing Mapol 50 White 3-Star Table Tennis Balls.
These balls are some of the best when it comes to having the right price point as well as the right amount of heft when you whack it down the other side of the tennis table.
These are premium 3-star balls that you can use for training and competition matches. If you are looking for a decent all-around ball, this is the one for you.
Pros
These are durable balls that will prove you well during training and competitive matches. We would recommend these for all weathers.
These balls are rated 3-star, so you’ll know that they are competition ready. In terms of reliability and durability, these cannot be beaten.
When we tested these balls, we found that they were weighted at just the right amount, not driving too sluggishly.
These are great balls for newbies looking to improve their driving and serve. When you whack these balls, you’ll be rewarded with a satisfying click.
Cons
These balls might not have that punch that some of the professional players might be expecting. We would certainly recommend that you try a better brand if you consider yourself a good ping pong player.
Finally, we have a competition ball that you can be sure will deliver hitting abilities time and time again. If you are looking for the right level of weight and girth for your needs, then we would recommend you opt for one of these balls.
These are 3-star, giving you plenty of flexibility on the table - introducing Kevenz 60-Pack 3-Star Ping pong Balls.
This set of balls is some of the best when it comes to driving and serving power. You can be sure that you’ll be able to burn through these balls without paying through the nose for them.
This makes them a great set of balls that you can train with no matter what kind of game you’ll be enjoying.
Pros
These balls are very reliable and will give you everything that you need to keep your rally going, even if you are facing a harder opponent.
This comes with a regulation width and weight, meaning that you’ll be able to take it from the practice to the tournament without much trouble.
This will really help you to hone your serve, coming with enough weight behind it to deliver that explosive first serve.
If you are looking for the right ball that you can use when you are practicing with yourself, then you can beat the control and the speed this one will offer you.
Cons
These balls are a tad on the expensive side, so if you want to rattle through balls at practice, we would suggest some other brand.
Buyer’s Guide
There will be a number of things that you’ll be looking for with your ping pong ball, one of the main ones will be the fact that you’ll want it to travel in the trajectory that you want.
You’ll also want your balls to be hefty enough to strike the paddle decisively. Here are a few features you’ll be looking for:
Does It Veer?
This is when the ball will change direction to the one that you intended it to go on. You’ll want to reduce the amount that your ball will veer as much as possible.
How Much Does It Weigh?
There is a regulation weight of 2.7 grams with all ping pong balls, so your ball will at least conform to this if it is to be played in competitions.
You’ll need to make sure that your training ball is this heavy too, otherwise, you’ll develop an unnatural hitting style.
Do They Have A Uniform Hardness?
Ping pong balls have to be measured by a computer to make sure that they are hard all the way through.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Material Is Used For Ping Pong Balls?
Ping pong balls are usually made from a material called Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene, which replaced celluloid as the main material, as it was considered highly flammable.
However, there have been different plastic and polymers that have been used to make these ping pong balls.
Most ping pong balls have to conform to the industry standard, which weighs and measures them using computers. If a ball does not conform to the industry standard, then it is not permitted in competitions.
In What Country Are Ping Pong Balls Made?
These balls are usually manufactured in China, although you can get some that are made in China and parts of Asia.
There are some smaller companies around the world that make ping pong balls, although they still have to make sure that all the measurements are the same industry standard.
Our Final Say
We hope that our list of some of the best ping pong balls has helped you to determine which are going to be the best for your needs and, most importantly, which will help you improve your game.
Hi! My name is Dave White, and I have been playing ping pong semi-professionally for the last 5 years. It is a big passion of mine, and I want others to experience the joy that comes with this sport themselves.
Through Spin Galactic I will be providing readers with all the information they need to know. From the best paddles and accessories to buy, to the easiest techniques for beginners to use. This site is the ultimate guide to all things ping pong and table-top sport related.
