The Best Ping Pong Balls for Professional & Home Use (Top 8 Picks)

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The best ping pong balls are a hoot!

I used them in various activities with kids, pets, and friends countless times, and I am here to help you get the best one.

Depending on the use, whether it's professional or casual, you will find the top 8 brands of table tennis balls that promise to deliver the best performance.

Let's dive in and find you the absolute best table tennis ball!

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Top 3 Recommendation

The 8 Best Ping Pong Balls in 2021

PRO SPIN Ping Pong Balls - Best Pick For Tournament Play

One of the best quality professional table tennis balls comes from PRO Spin. These ping pong balls impressed me in every way possible.

Unlike some of the other pong balls, you won't see a dent or a crack in these soon. They are durable and can withstand even the most aggressive throws. For those of you who like to have a back-up set, these come in two variations.

You can either get the Pro Spin three-star ping pong balls in white or the Pro Spin 3 star premium 40+ ping pong balls in white. Either way, you go; they come in bright colors, which are easier to spot in a quick match.

One of the most outstanding features for every professional gameplay is the design of these ping pong balls. In manufacture, they use seamless construction, which allows them to be highly durable.

Whether you decide to serve or smash, the perfectly round table tennis balls' shape and form won't change! Any player can now achieve the most accurate throws and always rely on precision.

The Pro Spin balls are made out of poly plastic. What makes these poly balls unique is that they are twice as durable as some other market models.

All of you advanced players know the importance of having ITTF approved table tennis balls.

These have been carefully tested under the most rigorous practice to ensure you get the best product possible.

Pros
  • Highly durable
  • ITTF approved
  • ABS plastic balls
Cons
  • Pricy

KEVENZ 3 Star Ping Pong Balls - Runner Up

When you are buying in bulk, my best recommendation is to use a fantastic deal by Kevenz!

Designed in China, these ping pong celluloid balls go through strict tests to ensure 100% safe and optimal use. So, let's see if these are the right pick for you.

The Kevenz are 3-star balls, and they come in attractive colors such as orange and white, so it's easier to see them when you're playing.

Their rating is highly durable and can withstand up to 1000 impacts before you see them break! I was quite surprised when you consider the price and the amount of ping pong balls you get.

The durability comes from the standard wall thickens and weight, which has proved to offer impressive performance.

If I am looking for ping pong balls for recreational fun, I want to make sure they are lightweight. The Kevenz ones are slightly lighter than some of the other ping pong balls on our list, making them a perfect candidate for beer pong!

The ping pong balls for beer pong have to be on the lighter side, allowing them to reach the consistent bounce and spin.

Plus, the 40+ diameter helps with the added spin and makes it easier to catch if you miss the cup.

Overall, I found these 3 star balls quite helpful for casual players and more advanced ones looking for high-quality balls at an affordable price.

Pros
  • Great beer pong balls
  • Celluloid balls
  • Perfectly round
Cons
  • Dense design

Meizhouer 50Pcs/Pack Colored Ping Pong Balls - Best For Kids

When planning a party for your little rascals, you have to organize several activities that will keep them entertained. Buying a 50 pack of colored ping pong balls will be one of the most attractive games!

Firstly, the pack of 50 ping pong balls comes at a fantastic price! For this kind of budget-friendly deal, your kids will have a blast!

Plus, they will come in handy later.

You don't have to use them necessarily for party activities. One of my favorite uses is to incorporate them in interactive or for motor developing skills.

Moreover, the Meizhouer pack includes various colors such as pink, blue, green, red, yellow, orange, and purple. Due to their bright coloring, they are easier to spot if you lose track of them.

These table tennis balls are made out of environmental PP plastic while the ping pong balls diameter measures out 40mm, which is regulation size.

However, unlike some of the other table tennis balls, these ones are much lighter, weighing 2,4g. Meaning, they will serve you great for kids' play or train your pets but not for professional use.

Also, these would not suit you for, let's say, beer pong. Since they are on the lighter side and have a smoother finish, they tend to fly off the table and ruin the entire game.

Pros
  • Great for kids interactive play
  • Suitable for pet training
  • Made out of PP plastic
  • Lightweight
  • Variety of colors
Cons
  • Not for professional use or beer pong

Franklin Sports Table Tennis Balls - Best Seamless Construction

For all of your practice table tennis matches, Franklin ping pong balls will do the trick in getting you to a better level.

These may not be up the alley with some of the best table tennis balls, but they are among the best ones for casual players.

Franklin training balls are designed with the official regulation size and weight. They have a 40mm diameter and weight around 2.7 g, which is the desired ball weight if you want an optimal bounce and performance.

As you can notice, this table tennis ball has a 1-star rating while some of our reviews have at least a 3-star rating.

We will go in-depth about this section in the buying guide section, but for now, let's say this: they are not as quality as 3 star rated ones.

If you expect them to last you for more than a few matches or not to create any dents, I have to disappoint you. The quality of them is not admirable, at least not for pro players.

Again, I remind you they will get you through the beginner stage and serve great as training balls.

I found these ping pong balls to be a perfect solution for parents who want to get a practice set for their little ones.

If you don't want them to mess around with your three-star rated table tennis balls, getting them the Franklin ones will be the best choice!

Pros
  • Seamless round construction
  • Affordable
  • Great as training balls
Cons
  • Not durable
  • Low-quality

MAPOL 3-Star 40+ Premium Ping Pong Balls - Best For Training

Another favorable option for players who want to level up their gameplay is the Mapol 3-star premium 40+ ping pong balls.

Whether you are shopping on a budget or just looking to get a quality pack of beer pong balls, then stick around to hear the whole deal.

The Mapol 3-star ping pong balls are made out of high-quality material and are perfectly round. Due to the size and weight, they serve great as a tournament ball for players that need more table tennis practice.

The orange table tennis balls come in white or orange, and they weigh 2.7g with 40mm diameter.

Since there are 60 table tennis balls in the pack, the chances of losing at least half of them are high. However, due to the brightly orange design, they are easier to spot and track down.

Now, I have to touch upon the following issue. Some players were amazed by the consistent bounce and spin, saying no better pick for this kind of price.

However, some were not so impressed.

Since these Mapol table tennis balls are on the lighter side, they are not so durable. They will probably last you for a few practice sessions, but don't expect wonders after that.

Also, since this is a bulk pack, you can expect some oddballs that do not offer the best quality.

Nonetheless, you are less likely to spot a difference when you have around 50 more ping pong balls in spare.

Pros
  • Affordable
  • Great for multi-ball training
Cons
  • Not so durable

KEVENZ 60-Pack 3 Star Ping Pong Balls - Best For Solo Practice

Another Kevenz pick is the white variation of ping pong balls.

With an affordable price point and great value pack, this is going to be your best buy for the next friend gathering. Set the table, get your paddle, and let the game table tennis games begin.

Let's start by saying that the Kevenz 60-Pack ping pong ball is one of the best training balls.

They are perfectly lightweight to offer an optimal spin and bounce, while the white coloring makes them even more attractive.

Although I would personally not recommend them for professional use, the Kevenz 60-Pack 3 star table tennis balls can still serve you as a back-up option until you perfect your gameplay.

I found that these 3-star table tennis balls are great for school training and table tennis robot play if you like to go solo.

The ping pong ball size comes to the standard 40 mm, which will allow you to catch the ball quickly.

Not only that, but the weight of the table tennis ball is around 2.75 g, which is the perfect starting weight for a first-time player.

Like the previous Kevenz model, these ones are as durable as it gets. They can withstand up to 1000 blows until you notice a crack.

The perfectly round design makes these 3 star balls trustworthy when you need a good tournament play performance.

Pros
  • Affordable
  • Great spin and bounce
  • Suitable for training and solo play
Cons
  • Some balls in the pack are faulty

Nittaku 3-Star Premium 40+ Ping Pong Balls - Best Competition Balls

If you already did your research, you would find that some of the most high-quality table tennis balls are manufactured in Japan or China. Even the world's most admired competitors choose to play with ping pong balls from this region.

If you want to be one step closer to the pros', I suggest you take a look at Nittaku 3-star premium ping pong balls. These ones have been carefully manufactured to give you the best performance possible.

Manufactured in Japan, the Nittaku 3 star premium table tennis balls offer one of the most impressive quality designs. What makes the point pong ball special is the robust plastic.

Some of the competitors on our list are made from lightweight plastic that is more suitable for home use. Not this one. The Nittaku 3-star ping pong balls, are made out of polystyrene, a material produced specially for Nittaku.

Plus, due to the heavy-weight material, the ball offers consistent bounce. If you wish to use these professional table tennis balls, you can do so in a tournament.

This official tournament ball has been ITTF approved and suitable for competition use.

It even surpasses some of the most advanced table tennis balls by its superb quality and design.

This surprised us since we know that Nittaku table tennis balls are the official ball for World Table Tennis Championships since 2017.

Pros
  • High-quality
  • 3-star balls
  • Official tournament ball
  • Consistent bounce
  • ITTF approved
  • Stiff as celluloid balls
Cons
  • Costly

Butterfly G40+ Table Tennis Balls - The Best Bounce

Ask any table tennis enthusiast, and they will tell you that Butterfly table tennis balls make their performance better.

These ones are one of our favorites when it comes to precision, durability, and professional use.

Let's start with the star rating.

The Butterfly is a 3-star ping pong ball that has been ITTF and USATT approved. They come in classic white color that is specific for tracking if you happen to misplace them or if you need to spot them during the match.

Like any other table tennis ball on our list, the Butterfly ping pong ball follows the regulation size and weight. They measure out 40 mm in diameter and incorporate the size thickness, which results in a consistent bounce.

What Butterfly wanted to achieve is be in the same range as good-old celluloid balls. As far as we're concerned, they fulfilled their promise and delivered one of the best competition balls the 2021 market has to offer.

Additionally, these ping pong balls have been manufactured in Germany, and they are the Official Ball Sponsor of the Butterfly Canada Cup from 2015 to 2018.

If you are looking for reliable ping pong balls to buy, you can't get any better than Butterfly. They are one of the most appreciated brands of ping pong balls adored by both professionals and casual players.

Pros
  • Reliable performance
  • 3 star balls
  • Quality resembles celluloid table tennis balls
  • Splendid bounce
  • Official competition table tennis balls
Cons
  • Pricy

Factors You Should Consider Before Buying a Ping Pong Ball

1. Know Your Ping Pong Ball Ratings

best ping pong ball for outside

If you are a beginner player or looking to get a bundle of table tennis balls for kids or pets, you might get confused over the star rating on the ping pong ball.

What does that even mean? 

Let's break it down.

Best table tennis balls have a star rating between 1 to 3.

The ones marked with a 3-star rating are the ones with the most quality and durability. The ones with lower ratings are reserved for casual players, and they tend to lose their shape and form quickly.

Ping pong balls that don't have any rating are suitable for kids, pets, or beer pong.

What's important to know is that the star rating balls are not standardized.

Each manufacturer can declare their rating and sometimes not correlate it with quality. For instance, there are some ping pong balls with a 5-star rating but a low rate.


2. ITTF Approval Standards

If you truly want to get the best table tennis equipment, look for the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) approval.

You will be sure that the ping pong ball of your choice underwent rigorous testing before you purchased it.

ITTF does not approve just any type of ping pong ball they come across. No way!

Every model is tested to make sure they follow these standards for a tournament play:

The best ping pong ball MUST:

  • Be 40 mm in diameter.
  • Weigh 2.7 g
  • Perfectly round
  • Not Veer (a measure of roundness and thickness; tested whether the ball rolls to a straight line or has an incline)
  • Have uniform hardness

Surface of the best ping pong ball MUST:

  • Have a white or orange color with a matte finish
  • Star Rating
  • ITTF stamp
  • Packaging (ping pong ball is marked with a 40 mm for celluloid or 40+ for non-celluloid balls)

3. Best Material For Ping Pong Balls

best ping pong balls 2020

When purchasing a table tennis ball for professional use, it's essential to pay attention to the materials used.

One of the traditional materials is celluloid.

This is a transparent flammable plastic made from nitrocellulose and camphor. However, back in 2014, ITTF gave manufacturers the freedom to expand their deals and acclaimed a few more acceptable materials.

Even though celluloid ping pong balls are prevalent even today, it's popularity is expected to decline due to the high flammability.

On the other side, we have plastic poly balls that seem to have taken the world by storm in tournament play sports.

Understandingly, these are far safer than celluloid, but they also have their flaws.

A plastic table tennis ball is significantly lighter, therefore, offers less bounce and spin.


4. Seamless Vs. Seamed Table Tennis Ball

The newly developed table tennis balls can come with seems, while traditional celluloid balls always have a seam.

The ones without a seam tend to be more durable since they can't develop a weak point.

Although they can be tricky to find, some advanced players commented that they offer the same experience as some of the high-quality cellulose balls.

FAQs

What are the best ping pong balls?

The best ping pong balls for professional use are the PRO SPIN Ping Pong Balls. They offer consistent bounce and spin, while the bright white color on abs plastic is easy to track during the gameplay. The only remark is that they are a bit pricey.

If you are looking for the best ping pong balls for casual use, then KEVENZ 3 Star Ping Pong Balls are our best pick.


What ping pong balls do professionals use?

Professionals use a 3-star rated ping pong celluloid ball with 40 mm in diameter and 2.7g in weight.

The best ping pong ball needs to have a consistent bounce, uniform harness, and perfectly round shape, among other properties.


How much do ping pong balls weigh?

best budget ping pong balls

The ping pong ball's weight depends on the manufacturer and the type of material used in production.

Most of the ping pong balls weigh between 2.5g to 2.7g, which is the optimal weight—the lighter the balls, the minimal the bounce and spin.


How are ping pong balls made?

Before sculpted in a round shape, the materials are first carefully weighted and evenly distributed.

Later on, ping pong balls are cut into shape by a machine with hot water drips that prevent cracks.

Afterward, they are hand-glued individually along with the evenly spread solvent.

If you are interested in an in-depth process, check out this video


Where to buy ping pong balls?

You can find a variety of ping pong balls on Amazon. We have selected the top 8 models suitable for casual, everyday use, and some reserved for professionals.

Final Words

We have reached the end of our article, and I would once again like to remind you of our best pick when it comes to the best ping pong balls.

The PRO SPIN Ping Pong Balls take the ultimate win as far as durability and design are in question.

They serve best for professional use in table tennis sports and as a practice set for those just starting.

Sale
PRO SPIN Ping Pong Balls - White 3-Star 40+ Table Tennis Balls (Pack of 12) | High-Performance ABS...*
  • SUPERIOR QUALITY PING PONG BALLS - Elevate your game with our premium ping pong balls, meticulously designed for both intense competitions and delightful family fun. Crafted to endure the fiercest serves and smashes, these table tennis balls boast exceptional durability and resilience, ensuring our table tennis equipment won't let you down during crucial moments.
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  • PERFECT FOR ALL TABLES - No matter the type of ping pong table you play on, our ping pong balls come in bulk and provide exceptional performance. Carefully calibrated for size and weight, meeting professional standards, our 3-star ping pong balls seamlessly integrate into your game, offering a perfect fit for your playing style.
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