Best Ping Pong Balls For Your Table Tennis Games

by Mike Jones

Okay, so you've got yourself a quality ping pong table and a set of paddles, but now you need some good ping pong balls so you can start playing. You might be tempted to go out and buy the cheapest table tennis balls that you can find. Well, you could do that, but we don't think that's a good idea. You see, they may all look the same, but ping pong balls can vary in quality and if you end up with a cheap, crappy ping pong ball, then your game play is affected. And you don't want that, right? Below we'll tell you what to look for in the best ping pong balls for the money, as well as give you some of our recommendations on the best buys right now.

Best Table Tennis Balls

Our Table Tennis Ball Reviews

Our Table Tennis Ball Reviews
Our Table Tennis Ball Reviews

To help you make a good decision on the best ball for your table tennis needs, our editors share their reviews on their favorite options on the market right now. Keep reading to learn why we like the five models listed up above.

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1. Nittaku 3-Star PREMIUM 40+ Table Tennis Ball

These high quality plastic poly balls get our top pick as the best ping pong ball for the money . They are made in Japan and surprisingly difficult to find outside of the country. We think that you can really tell a difference when you play with these compared to the other models we've selected. They have a good bounce and just might be the best ping pong ball for spin, if that is important to you. Overall, we think that you get more control over where the ball lands when you play with this Nittaku model.

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At the time of this publication going live, you can order these in a 3-pack, so you might want to get yourself more than one box to stock up.

The only real downside to these is that they do tend to be on the higher end of price spectrum, but we honestly feel that the quality you get is worth the cost. In fact, after playing with these, we think it's difficult to go back to cheaper options.

And if you're shopping for the best beer pong balls, then we highly recommend these since they have a great bounce to them.

2. Butterfly G40+ Table Tennis Balls

Next on our list of best ping pong balls is the Butterfly G40+ Table Tennis Balls. These are made in Germany and also made of a plastic poly as all ping pong balls have been since 2014. These Butterfly balls are approved by the ITTF and USTTA for top level tournament play.

These balls are very well-made and have a very uniform feel to them which allows for smooth gameplay and high bounces. Unlike other balls which may feel too light and airy during rallies, these Butterfly ping pong balls feel great and maintain speed throughout the carry over the net. The spin on these is incredible and feels similar to the old celluloid balls.

They are highly durable and the only possible complaint you could have is that the picture on the ball begins to fade rather quickly.

3. STIGA 3-Star Superior-Quality White Table Tennis Balls

The STIGA 3-Star Table Tennis Balls are the cheapest on the list coming in at under $2 per ball. Some reviews on Amazon that you may see suggest that they are made out of celluloid, but this is no longer the case. These are old reviews and the balls are now made out of the standard plastic poly. They are also USATT approved and the standard size and weight for ITTF play.

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The STIGA table tennis balls are not as durable as some of the other products on this list which could be the reason for the cheaper price. They seem to have more of a wobble and weight variance compared to other high quality balls.

These balls are great for beginner or intermediate play, but you should probably go with the Nittaku or Butterfly options above if you are more of an advanced player.

4. Xushaofa 40+ Seamless Poly 3-Star Table Tennis Balls

  • Xushaofa 40+ Seamless Poly Table Tennis Balls - 3 Star (6 Balls)

    Xushaofa 40+ Seamless Poly Table Tennis Balls - 3 Star (6 Balls)

    • Revolutionary technology offering the most advanced table tennis ball on the market
    • Poly plastic material - safer and more durable than traditional celluloid
    • Seamless construction for consistent and accurate bounce during play
    • ITTF and USATT approved for international and domestic competitions
    Rating:

These poly balls are made in China and honestly are the best made in China option that we've come across so far. They are seamless, which is definitely what we suggest that you look for when shopping. And they are probably our second choice after the Nittaku ball listed up above. So, if you're on a tight budget and need the best quality you can get for the money, but don't want to pay the premium price for the Nittaku, then we think that this is your best bet.

We think that the Xushaofa also offers a good bounce and spin, though not quite as good as the Nittaku! And the price is very affordable. At the time of publication of this article, you can order these in several different quantity options, from a 6-pack up to a 144-box.

If you've ever played with the Butterfly 40+ balls, then you'll notice that the Xushaofa ball doesn't make that annoying plastic sound when they bounce or are hit. Sure, that's a minor annoying of the Butterfly, but if you play a lot, then you'll definitely appreciate it!

What To Consider Before Buying

Before you try to navigate all the various options of table tennis balls on the market, let us give you some tips on what you should be looking for in table tennis balls. We don't want you to end up with low quality ping pong balls, so we've created this guide to help you get informed on what you're buying.

What Is It Made Of?

You'll notice that some balls are made of celluloid while others are made of plastic polystyrene (poly). We suggest that you choose poly balls, which the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) made the standard choice for all official events. While both types play similarly during a game, the poly ping pong balls are more environmentally friendly and easier to transport safely. However, the celluloid balls are typically cheaper in price and a bit more durable. That being said, we recommend you stick the ITTF standard of the plastic poly option.

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One other thing to note is that the celluloid balls are 40mm and the plastic poly balls can be slightly larger, so you sometimes see the poly balls listed as 40+ for the size. If you see a table tennis ball and aren't sure what it is made of, you can just look at the inscription on it. The poly balls will have "40+" printed on it while the celluloid will have "40mm" or just "'40" printed on it, which is the ping pong ball diameter.

Plastic and Celluoid Table Tennis Balls Compared

The Preston Table Tennis Association made this helpful video that really dives in and breaks down the differences between these two types of table tennis balls. Give it a watch below if you want to know more about the differences between the two. The biggest difference is that celluloid balls allow for more spin while the poly plastic balls are meant more for speed.

Best Ping Pong Balls - 3 Star Ping Pong Balls

As you compare the different ping pong ball options on the market, you'll notice that they all have a star rating, which ranges from one to three stars. Under this rating system, a three star means the highest quality and a one star is the lowest quality. This means you should look for three star table tennis balls most of the time. The training balls and the 1-star and 2-star balls are less durable and will actually break quicker than the 3-star ping pong balls. Some balls are listed at four or five stars but those are the same as 3 star ones.

  • One-star balls are soft and ideal for youth play
  • Two-star balls are medium quality and a bit firmer than a one-star ball. These are ideal for multi-ball practice, improving your game, or for use in a training robot.
  • 3 star ping pong balls are the highest quality and firmness. This is what you should use for game play and this rating level is the only one approved for tournament play.

If you're just practicing some multiple-ball drills, like smashes and serves, then you can use good training balls or a bulk 3-star pack just for this purpose.

Practice or training balls do not have a star rating. This type of table tennis ball is good for children or beginners who are just practicing the game. They are not that durable and can break when hit too hard. You should never play an actual game with a practice or training table tennis ball.

Novelty balls also tend to not have a star rating. Instead, they are rated from very soft to very hard, and sometimes you get a mixed variety in the pack. While you can use these for game play, keep in mind that they are just for fun and should never be used as your primary game ball.

Colored Ping Pong Balls?

For legal tournament play, the only acceptable colors are white or orange. However, if you are just playing some games for fun, then you can choose any color that you want to use. Just be sure to pick a color that is easy for you to see during the game play.

What's The Difference Between Beer Pong Balls and Ping Pong Balls?

If you're in the market for some new beer pong balls and wondering if you can get just a regular ole pack of ping pong balls, then the answer is Yes! The truth is that there is no difference between the two.

You play beer pong with ping pong balls, so even though some are sold as 'beer pong ball' the truth is that they are a normal set of table tennis balls. So in the debate of beer pong balls vs ping pong balls, there's no difference because beer pong balls are the same as ping pong balls.

How Table Tennis Balls Are Made

Curious how a ping pong ball is made? The staff at Pingsider have shared this informational video that gives you the basics on what it takes to make one of these. Check it out in the video below.

How To Care For Table Tennis Balls

If you don't want to be buying these regularly, then it's a good idea to learn the proper care for ping pong balls. To extend the life span of a ping pong ball:

  • Never leave it in direct sunlight
  • Never leave it where there is excessive moisture (like in the bathroom)
  • Never leave it where there is excessive heat (like in the car)

When a ball falls to the floor, be sure to pick it up immediately. This reduces the chances that someone will step on it and damage it. You can clean the ball with a damp, clean cloth. Remember to dry it off instead of letting it air dry.

Do you have a lot of ping pong balls to clean, such as if you've been using them with a robot? You can put them in your washing machine on a no-spin cycle with cold water only to get them clean. Or, you can fill a bathtub or sink with cool water and mild dishwashing liquid, where you can let them soak before cleaning them.

Buy on Walmart

50Pcs/Pack Colored Ping Pong Balls 40mm 2.4g Entertainment Table Tennis Balls Mixed - Walmart Link

KEVENZ 60-Pack 3 Star Ping Pong Balls,Advanced Table Tennis Ball,Bulk Outdoor Ping Pong - Walmart Link

Champion Sports Tournament 3 Star Table Tennis Balls - Multiple Colors - Walmart Link

Champion Sports 1 Star Table Tennis Ball Pack - Solid Multicolor Ping Pong Balls, Set of - Walmart Link

PMLAND 144 Washable Plastic Pong Game Balls Bulk for Table Tennis Carnival Pool Games - Walmart Link

MAPOL 50 White 3-Star Table Tennis Balls Premium Training Ping Pong Balls - Walmart Link

Nittaku 3-Star PREMIUM 40+ Table Tennis Ball - Walmart Link

Butterfly G40+ 3-Star Ball (12 Pack) - Walmart Link

STIGA 3-Star 40mm Table Tennis Balls, (6-Pack) - Walmart Link

JOOLA 40mm Table Tennis Training Ball 12 Count Set - Walmart Link

Xushaofa 40+ Seamless Poly Table Tennis Balls - 3 Star - Walmart Link

NITTAKU 3-Star Premium 40+ Table Tennis Balls (3 Balls) - Walmart Link

Butterfly G40+ Table Tennis Balls - 40mm White Ping Pong Ball - ITTF Certified Professional Table Tennis Ball- Poly Table Tennis Ball - 3 Pack or 12 Pack - Walmart Link

Xushaofa 40+ Seamless Poly Table Tennis Balls - 3 Star (6 Balls) - Walmart Link

Buy on eBay

50Pcs/Pack Colored Ping Pong Balls 40mm 2.4g Entertainment Table Tennis Balls Mixed - eBay Link

KEVENZ 60-Pack 3 Star Ping Pong Balls,Advanced Table Tennis Ball,Bulk Outdoor Ping Pong - eBay Link

Champion Sports Tournament 3 Star Table Tennis Balls - Multiple Colors - eBay Link

Champion Sports 1 Star Table Tennis Ball Pack - Solid Multicolor Ping Pong Balls, Set of - eBay Link

PMLAND 144 Washable Plastic Pong Game Balls Bulk for Table Tennis Carnival Pool Games - eBay Link

MAPOL 50 White 3-Star Table Tennis Balls Premium Training Ping Pong Balls - eBay Link

Nittaku 3-Star PREMIUM 40+ Table Tennis Ball - eBay Link

Butterfly G40+ 3-Star Ball (12 Pack) - eBay Link

STIGA 3-Star 40mm Table Tennis Balls, (6-Pack) - eBay Link

JOOLA 40mm Table Tennis Training Ball 12 Count Set - eBay Link

Xushaofa 40+ Seamless Poly Table Tennis Balls - 3 Star - eBay Link

NITTAKU 3-Star Premium 40+ Table Tennis Balls (3 Balls) - eBay Link

Butterfly G40+ Table Tennis Balls - 40mm White Ping Pong Ball - ITTF Certified Professional Table Tennis Ball- Poly Table Tennis Ball - 3 Pack or 12 Pack - eBay Link

Xushaofa 40+ Seamless Poly Table Tennis Balls - 3 Star (6 Balls) - eBay Link

About Mike Jones

As a child of the 80's, my fondest gaming memories are playing Pitfall, Frogger, Kaboom! and Chopper Command on our old Atari 8600. These days I've been rocking the Nintendo Classic and learning some new card and board games with the family."

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