Best Ping Pong Ball Reviews 2019 | Easy Buyer’s Guide and Brands

Look:

Many ping pong balls (or table tennis balls) look alike but what they look like is not a true representation of their quality. 

So How do you choose the best?

The best balls are durable so you can use them for multiple games and they will last for month’s not just week. 

Which brand should you choose? How much should you pay?

Let's help you with that with our list of some of, the best ping pong balls that you can find at the best price. Here are our top ten best cheap ping pong balls.

These balls are made by STIGA which is one of the leaders in the manufacture of ping pong balls. They are standard setters for both table tennis balls, tables, and accessories of the game. This company is known for working with professional tennis players to come up with the best innovations to make their products the best. STIGA are sponsors of the Chinese National team and also the Swedish National team to show you just how great the quality of these balls is.

This ball set includes 6 ping pong balls that are three-star balls so you know they are the best quality you can find. They are 40mm balls that meet all ITTF regulations for both weight and size. The USATT also approves them for table tennis use. They are made with top quality materials ensuring their durability. They will offer the right amount of control and spin of the ball and they will offer you with some superior amounts of bounce for a more enjoyable game.

JOOLA is a big name in the manufacture of ping pong balls, and they have been doing this for years. They note that orange balls can be preferred over white balls since they improve visibility. This is especially true if you are playing on a blue table than a green table. The balls are one-star balls so they will be an excellent choice for recreational play or one-on-one training. Made from the best quality celluloid material these balls are high quality.  The balls are 40mm in size meeting all requirements, and you can have the balls in both orange and white sets – the color is up to you.

You know you are purchasing a quality ball because JOOLA is a sponsor for the national team of the United States. These balls are seamless which ensures their durability and longevity so even though they are one-star balls you can expect them to do very well.

If you are looking for a large number of ping pong balls that are designed for advanced training but are still affordably priced then this set is a definite choice. They are the standard 40mm sized balls, and they are a yellow-orange. They are also three-star balls so you know they are the best quality. These balls are an ideal choice for multi-ball training for beginners and can be used in schools, tennis arenas and more.

These balls are made in China but undergo strict tests prior to being sold to ensure they are made to the advertised standard. Tests ran on these balls shows that they do not crack even after the impact of 1000 times.

This 50 pack of ping pong balls from MAPOL is a premium three-star ball set in orange; the pack is also available in white. These table tennis balls are made to provide top quality bounce, excellent spin, and more power. These are premium training balls that are ideal for use in your home, at school, or in a club or stadium; whether you are a beginner or already a die-hard table tennis player. They are durable and come with a 30 day 100% money back guarantee.

The balls are built to the requirements with the standard size of 40 mm and a 2.8g weight. This allows them to offer good bounce and spin so they can provide you with a great game. With a total of 50 balls in this pack, you are getting a very cheap ping pong balls, but they are also top quality.

Here we find another 50 pack set from brand Kevenz; these are however the white ping pong balls. These are an excellent choice for advanced tournament level table tennis play. These balls weigh approximately 2.60 to 2.8 grams and have a diameter of about 39.5 to 40.5 mm. These are long-lasting balls that have been through rigorous testing and can withstand over 1000 times and still not crack. The balls are made in China and are all tested before leaving the factory.

This pack of balls from KEVENZ can be used by schools, table tennis robots, beginners, table tennis arenas as well as they can be used for multi-ball training as well. These are standard three-star balls which are seamless and long-lasting offer exceptional spin, bounce and great control. They are high-quality balls that come at a very cheap price and in bulk. They are packaged in a box which allows for better handling especially in arenas and schools that need to always have balls on hand.

These are three-star quality balls from Xushaofa with a seamless design. These balls are some of the most advanced balls on the market made with advanced proprietary technology from Xushaofa. Made with the poly plastic material, these balls are more durable and a lot safer than your traditional celluloid balls. Due to their seamless construction, they offer the best bounce rate and are consistent throughout gameplay.

This set of Xushaofa balls are approved by the USATT as well as by the ITTF for both domestic and international competitions. They come at a nice price for six balls costing less than $15 this is great for these top quality balls. They are a nice and valuable set of balls though they will feel different to older players who are seasoned in using celluloid balls for gameplay. They will take some getting used to, but you can quickly appreciate the difference the balls make in the quality of your game.

These Nittaku balls are premium ping pong balls that are made from plastic and are celluloid free. These are three-star balls, and your purchase of this set will include three white balls packaged in a box. These balls measure 40+ mm in diameter and are made in Japan. They are premium quality balls that have been approved by the ITTF for international competitions. These can be compared closely to the Xushaofa 40+ balls in quality but these are lighter than the Xushaofa and they are less expensive.

Their seamless non-celluloid design allows these balls to offer top quality bounce and they can handle hard batters with ease. The material used to make the balls ensure that you have ultimate control over the ball and where it will land giving you the opportunity to hone your skills and play more like a pro with these balls from Nittaku.

If you are looking for recreational ping pong balls to use for table tennis games on the weekends with your friends and family members, then these are a great pick. They are also ideal for training beginners in table tennis gameplay as well. With your purchase of this set from Halex you get 24 orange balls that have a 1 star rating. As these are 1-star balls, they do not offer the best in quality but are great for games especially when playing with amateurs or when kids are involved. Though the balls are one star rated they are the standard 40mm size. The balls come in a tub that can be used for storage making the packaging very convenient. They also come with a one year warranty which is not a feature you find with a lot of ping pong balls.

Butterfly is a well-known brand in the field of table tennis or ping pong. They were the sponsors and suppliers of 2013 as well as the 2015 World Table Tennis Championships and that is a big deal. As you can imagine purchasing their balls is a good investment as they have been approved by the ITTF – the International Table Tennis Federation. With your purchase of this item, you get 72 balls in a vinyl bucket with a top closure zipper. The bucket is a very convenient way to store and transport these balls thanks to the carry handle as well as the adjustable shoulder strap on the bucket.

This set is an excellent choice for training centers and clubs that offer table tennis. They are great since there are so many balls you can practice more and spend less time picking up balls during game time. Just carry your bucket with you and have it at hand so you can grab a new ball every time one strays too far away from your table. This saves time and ensures a more enjoyable gameplay.

Price

Ping pong balls are pretty cheap, even the professional ones. You can get a large number of balls for training and amateur gameplay for less than $15. Professional balls will be a bit pricier but still not expensive. For pro balls, you can look at a price of around $2 per ball which is not bad given the quality you receive and the longevity of the balls.

Type

There are many types of ping pong balls made by a variety of brands. The more popular brands or the more trusted brands are those mentioned above in the review section of this article. Brands that make balls that meet the ITTF and USATT standards for ping pong balls. There are also types of balls based on what you will be using them for. So you can find training and recreational balls different from professional type balls.

Level

The level of quality of ping pong balls in referred to by a star rating that you will find on each ball. You can find ping pong balls rated between one star and three-star. One star balls are the lowest quality balls and are the balls that are more suitable for recreational play and kid’s games. Two star balls can be used in training or for multi-ball games when balls are likely to get lost pretty easily. Then there are the three-star balls which are the highest level of balls that are more suited for the experience tennis table player or for tournament games.

Firmness

The firmness of a ping pong ball is very important as this will affect gameplay. The firmness of the ball is dependent on the type of material that is used to make the ball. Celluloid balls tend to more firm. The firmness of the ball will affect the balls bounce, its spin and the amount of control you can exercise over it when you hit it.

These are typically used for beer pong or arts and crafts and less for actual ping pong games. They can be used for ping pong games for toddlers if you wish since they are less likely to be standard and will not cause any harm if they hit a child during gameplay.

These are said to be the best quality ping pong balls. They are top of the line when it comes to quality of the ball including roundness and its ability to be controlled by the player. These are professional tournament balls and offer the highest quality according to the ITTF.

4-star ping pong balls

Though the ITTF doesn’t recognize ping pong balls above a rating of 3-star some manufacturers create 4-star ping pong balls. These are good for recreational use but will not be allowed into a competition.

5-star ping pong balls  

The above point also applies to balls which manufacturers have created with a 5-star rating.

These types of ping pong balls will be three star balls that are made with a seamless design and made to standard size and weight as recommended by USATT and ITTF.

These balls are one-star balls. They are designed specifically for practice. While they will most often be the standard regulated size and weight, they are not as durable as professional ping pong balls. They are usually very cheap and come in large pack sizes such as 50-pack and more.

These types of balls are not being used a lot as newer balls are made from poly plastic. Celluloid balls offered a lot more speed and spin compared to newer plastic balls but celluloid balls were also flammable, and there was the safety issue of importing and exporting these. And since some of the best quality balls are made in Japan and China the plastic and poly balls are taking over the market.

Plastic ping pong balls 

Plastic balls are the new go-to balls for ping pong. They are said to have a higher rebound rate than the celluloid balls and are also safer. They are however slower than the older celluloid balls.

Ping pong balls without a seam tend to be more durable than seamed balls and will last longer.

Tournament ping pong balls

These are the best quality balls out there which will always be three star balls that are recommended by the ITTF and USATT.

Best Ping Pong Ball Brands

STIGA 

STIGA balls are made according to specifications for the use in USA table tennis. Their balls are always top quality balls, and they have been approved for use in tournaments and various competitions. STIGA balls offer longer volleys, excellent spin and a consistent bounce and are a good fit for both advanced players and beginners alike.

Nittaku

Authentic Nittaku balls are always made in Japan. They are premium balls that are renowned for their quality. They offer a range of top quality balls that are durable and they continue to be one of the most innovative ball manufacturers in the world of ping pong or table tennis while still keeping their costs low.

Butterfly 

These balls tend to be more expensive than other brands of balls. They are a high-quality ball manufacturer though, and that is undeniable at least. They create balls that are durable and almost flawless with consistent amounts of speed and bounce. They are easy to control and are designed to give you an edge in the game of ping pong.

Xushaofa

XuShaofa offers balls with latest in seamless ball technology for table tennis. Their balls offer excellent bounce and allow you to have a high level of control over the game. Their balls are made with a proprietary poly plastic material and are harder and just overall better quality than the older celluloid balls. They are durable and bring a lot to the table during gameplay.

DHS

DHS is known to make fantastic balls with appropriate weight and size to be used in your competitive matches. Genuine DHS balls are ITTF approved, so you know you are playing with some of the best balls out there when you choose to purchase DHS balls.

Halex

This is another great brand to choose when looking for the best ping pong balls. You will find that Halex offers a number of options for tournament quality ping pong balls. Their balls are approved by the NHSCA as well as the USATT and are the regulation 40 mm diameter size.

Eastpoint

If you want cheap balls that are of high quality then Eastpoint is a name you can trust. They offer some different types of ping pong balls that are regulation size and weight so they offer great gameplay. They are made with the right weight, rebound, and roundness and are great for both casual as well as for competitive play as well.

Double Fish

Double Fish ping pong balls are a popular choice. These balls are made in China, and they are good quality balls. They are ideal for competitive matches, professional training and casual games between friends and coworkers as well.

Ping Pong Ball Q&A

1.What is the diameter of a standard ping pong ball?

The standard ping pong ball is 40 mm or 1.57 inches in diameter.

2.What are ping pong balls made of?

Older ping pong balls are made of celluloid which is a mix of camphor and nitrocellulose. You will also find newer ping pong balls made with plastic and poly blends.

3.Where can I buy ping pong balls in bulk?

You can purchase ping pong balls in bulk from online retailers such as Amazon and EBay. You should be able to find them at your local sporting goods store or local mass retail stores as well.

4.How much does a ping pong ball weigh?

A regulation ping pong ball will weigh on average 2.78 grams give or take.

5.What is the official color of a tennis ball?

The ITTF stipulates that the legal colors for tennis balls are orange and white. Some events will stipulate a particular color ball be used and the choice is usually dependent on the color of the floors and walls at the venue. The ITTF is the one who will usually decide what color should be used at competitions and tournaments and the organizations involved have to comply.

6.What do the stars on ping pong balls mean?

One-star balls are typically used for practice games.

Two-star balls are used for training games.

Three-star balls are used for professional tournament gameplay.

You will find some manufacturers with 4 and 5 star balls but according to the ITTF the highest recognized rating for ball quality and recommended use is the three-star ball.

7.How many ping pong balls for beer pong?

For a game of beer pong you will need at least two ping pong balls. Beer pong balls are quite cheap so you can get a multi-pack (50 counts) for less than $10 online.

References:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5304273/

http://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/search/object/nmah_1121041

https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/constellation/orion/orionfta-pingpong.html

https://van.physics.illinois.edu/qa/listing.php?id=90

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/252591178_Experimental_Study_on_StaticDynamic_Local_Buckling_of_Ping_Pong_Balls_Compressed_onto_a_Rigid_Plate

https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Table-Tennis