If you thought that all ping pong balls were made equal, you thought wrong. For anyone seeking the best ping pong balls for their level of play, this realization might come as a surprise. But the market for table tennis balls can be so vast that the search for the right balls can become confusing and at times, even a challenge.
With so many different types of table tennis balls to choose from, it’s easy to get lost in the selection and fall into a purchase that doesn’t truly suit your playing style or level of expertise. Fortunately, you’ve found our definitive guide to finding the right ones for your needs.
Discover what you need to look for to guarantee a sound purchase, and learn more about some of our most recommended choices by reading through our complete buying guide.
The Different Types of Ping Pong Balls
There are lots of different types of table tennis balls, and these can be categorized based on their colors and star ratings. Depending on the type of play you’re hoping to engage in, it’s important to know what the colors and star ratings mean to find out whether you’re playing an ITTF compliant game.
Different Colors
During your hunt for the best table tennis balls, you’ll find that there are quite a few different colors available. For some manufacturers, the colors are for nothing more than appealing to different tastes and preferences. But for those who are more interested in professional play, there are certain guidelines to follow when it comes to the colors of balls.
According to the ITTF handbook, a ping pong ball should only be orange or white in color if it’s to be used in an official tournament. The purpose is to help make the ball more visible to spectators and umpires, especially because most games can be really fast paced.
While both colors are acceptable, most games played at the international level will use only white balls because they’re much easier to keep an eye on especially because some players and teams might sport orange as the official color for their uniforms.
Despite the strict ITTF regulations, there are quite a lot of ping pong ball colors on the market. These are sold mostly to recreational players and sometimes, players in training, as they might prefer colors that either suit their aesthetic better or colors that are simply easier to see.
Different Star Ratings
Another thing you’ll notice about ping pong balls is that they come with different star ratings. This tells you more about the quality of the ball, as well as its general hardness. The higher the star rating, the firmer and more durable a ball might be.
● One Star – Those rated with one star are typically for recreational players and young trainees. These balls break rather easily, and can dimple with enough force. They’re usually affordable and easily accessible, and are best used for informal play.
● Two Star – These balls are relatively more durable, but still aren’t impervious to damage, especially when they’re dealt a strong drive. These balls are typically used for table tennis robots or by individuals training to improve their play style.
● Three Star – Three star ping pong balls are the best of the best, and are often recognized by the ITTF. For official ITTF games, only three star rated balls will be admissible in play. These are exceptionally durable, but are still lightweight and responsive, made from premium celluloid or similar materials.
How to Choose the Right Ping Pong Balls
Not quite sure what ping pong balls best suit your playing needs? Take the time to ask yourself these questions to zero in on the right pick.
What's Your Type of Play?
Are you a recreational player, an intermediate player in training, or an advanced level professional? Understanding the level of your expertise will help you choose a ball that won’t disappoint when in play.
There are lots of novelty balls on the market that can be used for recreational play, or for little kids who are just starting out on ping pong. Both one and two star rated balls are viable choices for individuals in training, while tree star rated balls are most ideal for professional players.
What's Your Budget?
Over $30 USD for a bag of ping pong balls? You better believe it. As the star rating on a set of balls increases, so does its cost. So you shouldn’t be surprised to find packs of balls priced at close to $50 USD per set.
If you’re hoping to play like the pros, it would be in your best interest to shell out enough to cop some of the more expensive choices. But if you’re just playing recreationally or if you’re interested in training, then you might find just the right qualities in a one star or two star ball.
What's Your Color Choice?
There’s a lot more to choosing a color than just preference. If you’re training to be a professional player, or if you’re poised to join your first official match, you should know that the color of the ball you choose during training will help you fine tune your skills at the table.
For instance, players who find it easier to pick up on reddish tones can respond more readily to a pink, orange, or red ball headed their way. In the same light, you might want to consider the colors around your playing area as backgrounds and clothing can often interfere with your view of a colored ball.
The 5 Best Table Tennis Balls
1. Nittaku 3-Star Premium 40+ Table Tennis Balls
Before you find yourself gravitating towards 5 star ping pong balls, it’s important to consider the fact that 3 star balls are actually the highest rated. Generally, anything rated higher is probably just a marketing strategy used by certain manufacturers to mislead buyers into thinking their balls are better.
So even with all the 5 star rated balls on the market, we’ve come to decide that the Nittaku 3-Star Premium 40+ Table Tennis Balls are actually the best choice. These Nittaku ping pong balls are made from high-grade plastic which lends impressive durability for intense play.
Despite being pretty thick though, the balls are responsive to different types of strokes. They rebound well after being hit, and aren’t unpredictable, unlike cheaper balls that tend to fly all over the place.
2. KEVENZ (50-Pack) 3-Star White Table Tennis Balls
If you want high quality balls at an affordable price, the KEVENZ 3-Star Balls are for you. At just a little over $11 USD for a pack of 50 balls, this choice gives impressive value for money that you’re not likely to find with most other deals.
Despite being relatively cheap, the KEVENZ ping pong balls deliver professional performance. They spin well, bounce impressively, and work well to limit frantic movements that might confuse players and interfere with competitive play. On top of that, these tournament ready balls are compliant with all ITTF regulations, so they can be the perfect choice for players who want to experience tournament level conditions when they practice.
3. Xushaofa 40+ Seamless Poly Table Tennis Balls
These 3 star Xushaofa table tennis balls are made from premium plastic, so they bounce, spin, and perform professionally when in play. They’re particularly durable too, so they don’t give in to pressure or impact too quickly.
What we appreciate about these table tennis balls is that they’re easier to control than most balls. With that, intermediate players wanting to rise through the ranks can easily anticipate how the ball will respond to different strokes. This makes it easier to learn new skills without having to deal with an unpredictable ball.
4. STIGA 3 Star Table Tennis Balls
The fourth on our list is the STIGA 3 Star Table Tennis Ball. STIGA is one of the most prominent brands in the table tennis industry, so there’s no question how it managed to make our list of the best. Their balls are often used in competitions and tournaments, so you can be sure that they perform pretty impressively in game.
In terms of the cost, these balls tend to be slightly cheaper than other choices. Because they also don’t come in such large quantities per pack, most recreational players and those in training might not see them as such a practical choice.
5. Butterfly G40+ 3 Star Table Tennis Balls
These Butterfly ping pong balls make the last spot on our list, and boast outstanding performance deserving of an ITTF seal of approval – which it does have. Designed from premium celluloid, these balls offer superb performance that can really help bring out the best of your capabilities.
Why didn’t it rank any higher on our list? While they are pretty impressive in terms of performance, they’re also a little more expensive than most buyers are willing to spend. So unless you really want to experience professional play, you might want to spend for something a little less pricey.
In Summary
Even ping pong balls come with specific differences that could change the way you play your game. If you’re hoping to buy the best ping pong balls on the market, you should make sure to know the different factors that could affect your satisfaction. We highly recommend the Nittaku 3-Star Premium Table Tennis Balls if you want nothing short of the best available. Fast, durable, and easy to control, these table tennis balls are guaranteed to help bump up your performance and ease the process of learning new ping pong skills.