Miscues due to bad balls are terrible situations that spoil the game of pool. It is important to have good balls to play smooth games. However, what are the best pool balls on the market? In this article, we will dissect some of the best on the market and help you arrive at an answer.
Top Products on the Market
Table of Contents
- 1 Top Products on the Market
- 1.1 1. Iszy Billiards Pool Table Billiard Ball Set (Art Number Style)
- 1.2 2. Global Sporting Equipment Pool Balls Set
- 1.3 3. Iszy Billiards Pool Table Billiard Ball Set (Marble/Swirl style)
- 1.4 4. GSE Games & Sports Pool Balls Set
- 1.5 5. Aramith Billiard/Pool Balls (Crown Standard)
- 1.6 6. JAPER BEES Professional Pool Table Billiard Balls
- 1.7 7. Aramith Billiard Ball Set (Premium)
- 2 Buying Guide
- 3 Frequently Asked Questions
- 4 Conclusion
After thorough research of the several pool balls on the market, we have been able to identify the top 7 options available which we will review below:
1. Iszy Billiards Pool Table Billiard Ball Set (Art Number Style)
This ball set – the art number style – contains 6-ounce balls that are built to help you win in the best of conditions. Just like many other quality balls, they’re made of polyester resin. Hence, you can expect optimum playability and durability from them.
Each ball measures 2¼” regulation size which gives the pleasure of a balanced and consistent game. Also, this product is lightweight and can give you the chance of an enjoyable playing experience without troubles.
Pros
- The coloring looks great on the pool table
- They don’t chip
- They are shiny and smooth
Cons
- Return window is quite short
2. Global Sporting Equipment Pool Balls Set
This ball set is another impressive option made with the player in mind. It is made of high-grade polyester resin. Therefore, it offers maximum playability during the game. To make the game more consistent, each ball is polished and calibrated for perfectionism. Hence, with these balls, you won’t have to worry about miscuing. Also, they are perfect for home use, delivering the fun you need to unwind.
These balls measure 2 ¼” regulation size to ensure balance. The ball set includes 15 numbered balls with 1 white ball. The set also comes boxed so you can rest assured of nice packaging.
Pros
- They handle quite well
- They have a great shape
- They are made with high-quality resin
Cons
- Their colors fade quickly
3. Iszy Billiards Pool Table Billiard Ball Set (Marble/Swirl style)
The balls in this set are a beauty to behold and look perfect on the pool table. With 2¼ inches regulation size and weight, you can be sure of getting the right balance and consistency from this ball. Hence, there won’t be any miscue due to irregular weight.
Also, these 6-ounce balls are made of polyester resin to ensure playability is great and balls last long. With grade A deluxe quality, these balls offer the right quality to maximize fun during the game. Furthermore, they come in a glossy condition, thus ensuring they hold up well during play.
Pros
- They have a beautiful design
- They hold up well
- They roll smoothly
Cons
- They may chip fast
4. GSE Games & Sports Pool Balls Set
Are you in need of a professional pool ball set? This set is a great option for you thanks to the unique design that accompanies all the balls. The balls are made from high-quality polyester resin. Therefore, they can provide you exceptional impact and scratch resistance. To minimize miscues, each of the balls is precision-engineered for perfect balance and roundness.
For regulation size and weight, each ball measures 2.25” in diameter and 5.9 ounces in weight. They are great for bars, leisure exercise, sports matches, and game rooms. Meanwhile, this set offers at least 4 styles.
Pros
- They offer great balance and roundness
- They are versatile
- They come with a color box for easy storage
Cons
- Their colors are pale
5. Aramith Billiard/Pool Balls (Crown Standard)
These balls also provide players with a great option for smooth shots. They are made from pure phenolic resin, which is proven to last up to five times longer than balls made from polyester. Hence, they provide excellent impact resistance.
They are o crafted with perfect balance and roundness, uniform and weight, friction-resistant roll, and brilliant colors. Furthermore, each of the balls is regulation size with a diameter of 2.25 inches. This set of 16 balls includes a cue ball, 7 stripes, and 8 solids.
Pros
- They are resistant to impact
- They have a perfect balance
- Players of all skill levels can use them
Cons
- It scratches
6. JAPER BEES Professional Pool Table Billiard Balls
These balls are made with the utmost concentration to details. Made of high-quality resin, they provide perfect balance and roundness to ensure true rolls. With a standard size of 2.25” in diameter and regulation weight of 6 ounces, these balls have excellent ball control. Also, thanks to their authentic bounce, they deliver complete true impacts.
Besides boasting of an ergonomic design, they offer excellent glossiness and color saturation for maximum visual comfort during games. These balls are great for family parties, training, recreation, and even professional competition.
Pros
- Ergonomic design
- They are great for players of all skill levels
- They offer authentic bounce
Cons
- It chips and scratches
7. Aramith Billiard Ball Set (Premium)
This is the last product on our list. These balls in this set are also made from high-quality phenolic resin. Hence, they provide exceptional impact and scratch resistance. To ensure the ultimate playing experience, these balls utilize Vitrotech technology which helps to stabilize material tensions by a heat-curing process.
Meanwhile, each ball is regulation size with a measurement of 2.25 inches in diameter. These balls boast of the classic ‘numbers in the stripe’ design to add more fun to games. This set of 16 balls includes a cue ball, 7 stripes, and 8 solids.
Pros
- They offer exceptional impact resistance
- They roll and rebound well
- They don’t lose their shine over time
Cons
- Their chip
Buying Guide
Pool balls have several features that determine their suitability to the game. However, there are a few important factors that influence their effectiveness most. Below, we will discuss those factors you should consider before investing in pool balls:
Material
First of all, the material pool balls are made from is a huge part of them. It determines how well they perform and how long they last. The best pool balls on the market are made from phenolic resin. While the polyester resin is also great, phenolic resin performs far better and promises better performance and durability. Balls made from this resin possess a standard density that ensures you are able to hit smooth and steady shots. Also, they provide just the right elasticity to deliver stop shots.
Type of ball
While there are standard balls, there are also Aramith balls. Standard balls are made of hardened plastic outer shell and great for beginners. They are cheap and tend to create more friction on the table’s felt, leading to faster wear. On the other hand, Aramith balls are of professional quality and extra tough. Made of high-quality resin, they ensure friction is reduced on the pool table. Hence, it is important to determine the purpose for which you’re buying balls to ensure you buy the right fit for the price.
Size and weight
The size and weight of a ball also influence the way it rolls. Hence, it is important to play with balls that have the right size and weight to deliver consistent shots. The standard regulation size for pool balls is 2¼ or 2.25 inches in diameter. On the other hand, the regulation weight is 5-6 ounces but it shouldn’t vary between balls of the same set. A consistent weight ensures both players are able to start the game on even grounds.
Elasticity
In the world of a pool ball, elasticity is another important feature. It deals with how well a ball’s energy gets transferred to the object ball. Inelastic balls only transfer part of the ball’s speed to the object ball, thus pushing the ball to keep going a little after the collision. By being elastic, balls will not stick after impact and ensure you’re able to hit more than one ball. Hence, it is important that you get elastic balls for better trajectory movement on the pool table.
Roundness
The roundness of pool balls is central to their roll. Without perfect roundness, rolls are affected and miscues occur. Hence, it’s important to go for high-quality balls to ensure you get perfect and free rolls from your shots.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How many pool balls are there in a set?
A: A typical set of pool balls contains 15 object balls and 1 cue ball. Hence, there’s a total of 16 pool balls in a set.
Q: How to clean pool table balls?
A: It is important to always keep pool balls clean because dust, chalk, and residue from handling can turn your shiny balls into off-color eyesores. To clean, fill a sink or bucket with warm water. Add detergent to it and soak balls for at least 5 minutes. Then scrub each ball with a microfiber cloth or a clean rag. After this, proceed to dry each ball with a dry cloth.
Q: How much are pool balls?
A: Their prices range from around $35 to $200 depending on the quality. It’s important to note that pool balls under 100 may not provide the best quality needed, especially in a professional game.
Q: How to polish pool balls?
A: To give your pool balls that extra shine, ensure you go about it the right way so you don’t ruin your balls. You should use only quality balls cleaner to polish them so they don’t mess your balls up. Balls cleaner has the ability to make your balls shine.
Conclusion
Balls are a crucial part of the pool game because without them, there’s no game. It is important that they’re well made to deliver the best shots to players. A ball that doesn’t roll well will definitely undermine the player’s efforts, thus making it important to acquire the perfect ball set. With the best pool ball set, there’ll be regulation size & weight while the elasticity and roundness won’t be in question.