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Last updated: July 25, 2023
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Playing ping pong requires you invest in the right ball much as you invest in a sturdy bat. Not all ping pong balls are created equal; therefore, you must take the time to find one that meets your needs. The right ball will not only improve your gameplay but also make the game more enjoyable.
When shopping for the best ping pong balls, make sure you consider the number in a pack. This will ensure you have enough to play with and don’t have to keep buying more. You should also think about the size and weight of the balls. The size should be regulation so that you can use them in official matches, but the weight is a personal preference. You may want to try out different weights to see which ones suit your playing style the best. After reviewing 42 different sets we came up with a list of top 8 picks, where the Killerspin 4-Star 40+ Ping Pong Balls is the ultimate choice.
For superior performance in table tennis, you will need the best ping pong balls in the market. With a 4-star rating and a design that enables maximum spin of the ball, this is a ball that will exceed your expectations in every way. These championship balls are packed in threes and have been made using ABS plastic for the best true bounce and durability. Because the best materials and the latest technology has been employed in making these Killerspin 4-star 40+ ping pong balls, cracks and breakages are significantly reduced making the game more enjoyable for all.
The Killerspin balls have been manufactured with the needs of the players and spectators in mind. They don’t go as fast hence allowing the players better play and the fans better views of the volleys. The balls are slightly bigger than the traditional balls (40 mm) and this is why they are referred to as 40+ balls. Weighing 0.7 oz and bearing sparkling white color with a Killerspin logo by the side, you will find these balls to be the right tools you need to win the game. Killerspin is made up of true enthusiasts and professionals whose endeavor is to make the game fun and professional each growing day.
Why is it special?
The Killerspin 40+ balls are made by an established company and they are some of the most beautiful in the world. Moreover, the balls are competitively priced.
What are the flaws?
Though the balls make the game viewer-friendly as was the intention of ITTF, some getting used to is necessary for the players.
The Champion Sports Tournament 3 Star Table Tennis Balls are simply best for tournaments. This is because they boast of a consistent long-lasting bounce and they are of uniform thickness of 40mm. This Champion Sports ball which is orange in color are reliable and will never disappoint especially if you are organizing a tournament. These 3-star balls are popular in ping pong balls reviews because they are sold in sets of 38. This makes them popular when there are multiple games going on at the same time.
Because of the high-quality design and the seamless outer layer of the balls, the balls are popular in learning institutions, sports academies and among friends who love the game. With a weight of 0.09 oz, this is one of the lightest ping pong balls in the market. They have been approved by the Chinese Table Tennis Association and the ITTA. With these balls, you are assured to get the best ping pong experience. Another thing worth mentioning about the balls is that they are softer than traditional balls and this makes them safer for kids. Besides the cool packaging of the balls, you will also love the option to go for white balls.
Why did it make our list?
The balls are many and are ITTA approved. They light and are competitively priced. The color is also great against any background.
What is not ideal about it?
Whereas the balls are very competitively priced, you will find that you can only buy the whole package which can be pricey and wasteful for some people.
Are you looking to master ping pong and impress your friends? The Franklin Sports Table Tennis Balls presents you with the best chance of achieving your sporting goals. The manufacturer has used the best materials and technology to ensure that the balls don’t crack or dent even from the toughest of volleys. Packed in a pack of 6, these balls will last for eternity. The superior quality of these 1-star balls guarantees consistent and reliable spin and bounce always. The use of the ITTA approved ABS plastic means that the balls are slightly slower than the traditional ones hence giving the viewers an easier time spectating.
The Franklin balls are white and are of even thickness of 40mm. Each ball weighs 0.09oz which makes it one of the lightest. Because there are no seams on the ball, precision and accuracy are achievable. Indeed, becoming a pro using these table tennis balls is easy. To cater for the needs of its different customers, Franklin company has designed to-glow in the dark balls as well as orange ones. The company has further packed the balls in packages that suit the needs of the different buyers. There is a pack of 6 balls and there is one of 144 balls and everything in between.
What do we love it for?
There are different coloured balls which are packed according to the needs of the different buyers. The price is right and quality is never disappointing.
Whether you are looking for competition or for the best ping pong balls for beer pong, then the PRO SPIN Ping Pong Balls will not let you down. These balls which are 3-star are professional grade and afford the layers a consistent bounce and spin. This allows you total control of your game. Because of the design and the high-quality materials used in making the balls, they can survive severe environment whether during play or storage. The thickness of the ball is standard 40mm and there is no seam hence ensuring accuracy in the volleys.
In the pack, you will find 12 orange balls that have whose branding make a smiley. Using ABS plastic helps the game to slow down thus allowing the spectators a chance to thoroughly enjoy the game. The used materials also make the balls safer and more durable. These 40+ balls weigh 0.09 oz and are backed by a one year warranty. The manufacturer has gone a step further and given a money-back guarantee on the balls. The color options available include orange and white.
What makes it stand out?
Pro Spin is an established maker of ping pong balls and you can’t go wrong with their products. The 100% money-back guarantee and the one-year warranty is a great buying incentive for many ping pong enthusiasts.
Which disadvantages must you keep in mind?
Even though the balls tend to get scratches and cracks after heavy usage, they offer great value for your money. They are also not ITTA approved.
STIGA Twelve 3-Star Table Tennis Balls are 3-star rated and they offer you a chance to master ping pong. These balls which have been manufactured using ABS plastic are orange in color. The manufacturer has maintained an even thickness around the 40 mm balls. By using the ABS plastic, the manufacturer has simply ensured that you achieve precision and expertise when playing the ball. Though not ITTF approved, these STIGA balls have met the ITTF standards for tournament play. Another thing you should note about this ball is that its bounce, spin and control is superior because of the design and the materials used in making it.
The STIGA table tennis balls weigh 0.4 oz which is the standard weight of the tournament table tennis ball. Earlier, the manufacturer used to pack 12 balls in one package but they not sell two packs of 6 balls each. As a 3-star ping pong ball, it is very good for practice and recreational activities. However, you will not be disappointed when you chose to use the ball in a tournament.
What do we love it for?
There is little doubt as to the good quality of the balls. Most of the ping pong reviews applaud the balls’ durability and playability. The other big plus that with the balls is the very fair price given the value they afford the buyer.
What were we disappointed with?
While the balls are great in the design and the satisfaction they give the buyers, the brand doesn’t seem to be popular and there are not enough reviews to tell whether the balls are worth the manufacturer’s word.
For practise and fun, the JOOLA Training Table Tennis Balls happen to be among the best to go for. These ping pong balls which are of superior quality have been designed using the latest technology by a trusted company with over 60 years of experience. Joola company has been the sponsor of some major world tournaments including the Olympics and the US Open. The Joola balls have a standard width of 40 mm and this helps at making the ball’s bounce and spin consistent. The ball has ITTF standard thickness of 0.86 mm and a total weight of 2.7 grams. This makes the ball easy to handle and play both for kids and adults.
These 3-star balls which are sold in a pack of 12 are very popular in clubs, schools and recreational centers where there are armature players. You can opt for the orange of the white balls which can also serve as great pet toys. These balls are not celluloid but plastic. However, they are a bit slower than the traditional balls and this makes them ideal for training.
What are its best features?
The balls are great for training and this is not because they are cheap but because they give value for money. They spin and bounce right and this allows you to train well. They are also loved by cats so they can double as toys.
What could be improved?
It seems the quality of the balls is lower than some 3-star balls.
When shopping for the best ping pong balls that will help you learn and master the game, maybe the Recreational 1-Star Ping-Pong Balls should be your choice. These balls, which have been designed and made with the needs of a beginner in mind, are pretty popular. They are used in clubs, schools and recreational centres. For a novice who doesn’t mind the quality of the ball save for the standard features, the Recreational 1-Star Ping-Pong Balls are the answer. These 1-star balls are sold in a pack of 6 and are white. They bear a conspicuous red star which makes them distinct and very easy to track.
Finding a ball that will give you value for your money can be hard, especially if you are a learner. But with the Recreational ping pong ball, which weighs a mere 0.6 oz and has a diameter of 40 mm, you will get real value for your money. The standard size and weight of the ball make it ideal for play by both kids and adults. It further means that the ball can withstand severe volleys.
What makes it stand out?
This is one of the best brands of ping pong balls not only because it withstands strong hits but also because it meets the ITTF standards. The price is very low, making the balls the best investment a ping pong novice can make.
Which disadvantages must you keep in mind?
There is nothing much to complain about this ball except that it is not ideal for use in a tournament
If looking for the best ping pong balls for group fun games and some exciting recreational activities, then the Kevenz 60-Pack Ping Pong Balls might be what you are looking for. These 1-star balls which are sold in a pack of 60 are not only many but offer as many colors as those of the rainbow. These 1-star balls have a diameter of 40 mm and weigh 0.09 oz (2.7g), meaning they have met the ITTF standards. These balls have a uniform thickness making them bounce and spin in uniformity. Because of the sheer number, they are the best for beer pong.
The manufacturer has used quality materials that are harmless to the environment. The balls don’t have any funny smell. By using PP plastic in the making of the balls denies the spectators a chance to observe at a slower speed. However, the low price of the balls is what makes them very popular. The environmentally friendliness of the balls makes them suitable for play by children, pets and beer pong.
Why did it make our list?
The one thing that makes these balls unique are the 7 different colors they bear. Such diversity makes the balls popular for kids, adults and pets. The other good them about these balls is their number making them the best ping pong balls for beer pong.
What is not ideal about it?
The downside to owning these balls is that you can’t use them to play ping pong. They are not well balanced and bouncing is not as even as that of standard ping pong balls.
Things to Consider
If you don’t know what to look for in a ping pong ball, you might end up buying poor quality balls or, in some cases, balls that will make your game poor. It is, therefore, necessary that you find the right ping pong balls to help you achieve your dream. Below, we will explore key ping pong features and answer a few FAQs that will help you invest in the right balls.
Why ping pong balls matter in game
There is no ping pong without ping pong balls. The quality of ping pong is determined to a great extent by the quality of the balls used. Unfortunately, there are all manner of balls out there, some of which are of inferior quality. The right ball should have a standard diameter, weight and texture. In 2017, the ITTF decided only to be using ‘poly’ balls in all its events. These balls, which are well rounded, are environmentally safer and travel at a slightly slower speed. This allows spectators to follow the ball better. This is why a ping pong ball matters in a game.
How to pick the best ping pong balls
When picking the right ping pong ball, there are several features and factors to consider. By identifying these factors, you stand a very good chance of buying superior quality balls that will be best suited to your needs. Before parting with your hard-earned money, consider the following key factors.
Brand
The brand of the ping pong ball you are buying matters because of the trust you have placed on the brand. There are very many brands of table tennis balls that you can go for. The leading brands and which we have featured in our review include Killerspin, JOOLA and STIGA.
Number in a pack
The number of balls you find in the pack matters because you don’t want to keep on returning to the shop every time you lose a single ball. It is rare to find a pack with less than three balls. A well-stocked pack like the JOOLA Training Table Tennis Balls pack, which comes with between 12 and 120 balls, ensures that you never run out of balls. Such a pack can come in handy when you are training or in a tournament. You will also find where the balls are several, the price tends to be fairer. You will find Recreational, STIGA and Franklin pack 6 balls per pack.
Ball weight and diameter
The ping pong ball you are playing must be of the right weight and dimensions for effective play. The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) has set some standards to determine the ball’s weight and diameter. The width of the ball cannot be lesser than 40 mm. Some balls have slightly bigger widths. This enhances the ball’s responsiveness, especially in competitive tournaments and games. They are usually referred to as 40+. An example of such a ball included the Killerspin 4-Star 40+ Ping Pong Balls and the PRO SPIN Ping Pong Balls. The weight of such a ball should be 2.7 grams or around 0.09ounces.
Stars
Like is the case in hotels and other industries, ping pong balls are rated according to their value and prestige. The rating starts from 1 all the way to 4. If a ball gets a rating of 1 or 2, it means they are less durable and are not the roundest in the market. Such balls are used for training and are packed many in a package. The 3-star balls are more durable and well-rounded such as the Killerspin 4-Star 40+ Ping Pong Balls and the STIGA Twelve 3-Star Table Tennis Balls. They are used for rallying and competitive matches and are usually packed in 3s, 6s, or 12s.
Materials
Most of the balls in the market today are made using Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS). The material is used to avoid the flammability of celluloid. But there are no restrictions from ITTF on the type of materials to be used. However, the body requires all ping pong balls to be standardized for weight, size, hardness, color, and packaging.
Bounciness
The bounciness of the ping pong balls must be consistent. ITTF requires that a ball dropped from a height of 305 millimeters should bounce back to a height of between 260 and 240 millimeters.
Stars found on table tennis balls start from 1 and normally go up to 3. The lower the rating (1 or 2), the less durable and the lower quality such a ball is. Low rated balls are mainly used for training. The higher rated balls, such as JOOLA Training Table Tennis Balls, are used for competitive tournaments and matches.
Yes. For better visibility, ping pong balls are required to be either white or orange. The finish on such a ball must be matt and with no shine.
Our Verdict
Our editor’s choice is the Killerspin 4-Star 40+ Ping Pong Balls. This ball is 4-star and is 40+ in width. It affords you a great field experience with the 0.7-ounce weight, its well-balanced ABS plastic and durability. It is a ball that is worth the price listed on the tag.
The second place goes to the Champion Sports Tournament 3 Star Table Tennis Ball. The ball is 3–star and comes in a pack of 38. Having approved by the CTTF and ITTF, it is one of the best ping pong balls in the market. The ball has a standard diameter of 40mm.
The Franklin Sports Table Tennis Balls take the best value place. The balls, though 1-star, afford the user color variations. The reflecting feature appeals to many ping pong enthusiasts and pet owners. ABS plastic has been used to make the balls. It is also great for value because the price is pocket friendly for many.
References
1.
The transition from celluloid to plastic balls - International Table Tennis Federation
Always aiming to take the sport of table tennis in a bright and innovative direction, the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) agreed upon a bold decision in 2014 to move away from the long-established celluloid ball in favour of a new approach based around a new compound.
Ping pong balls are small, lightweight, usually celluloid balls used in playing ping pong or table tennis. Ping pong balls come in various sizes, densities and colors. Regulation sized balls come with a one, two or three star quality ratings, exact diameter, weight and specific flight and bounce characteristics.
