Buying table tennis balls should be an easy procedure. But regrettably not! There are dozens of different sorts of ball available — competition balls, training balls and cheap ‘just for fun’ balls. Some balls are constructed of celluloid. Other balls are constructed of non-flammable plastic.
So which are the greatest balls to buy? In this blog post, I’ll provide my thoughts of a variety of various balls and give specific recommendations on the best competition and training balls you can buy. I also give recommendations on which balls to buy for casual play.
Changes to table tennis balls
In the last two decades, table tennis balls have undergone two major transformations. Ball sizes were increased in 2000 from 38mm to 40mm. A larger footprint was implemented in order to better accommodate attendees. In principle, longer rallies may be achieved by using a larger ball because it is slower and spins less, but this has never been verified.
Then in 2014/2015, celluloid was replaced with a non-flammable plastic (commonly referred to as “plastic balls,” “poly balls,” or “40+ balls”) used to create table tennis balls. The biggest difference between these balls and the 40mm celluloid balls is the sort of material they are made of.
For a time, the new plastic balls were of low quality, causing much angst and dissatisfaction within the table tennis community. New ABS plastic balls, on the other hand, have seen a significant improvement in quality over the last five years. However, this hasn’t actually occurred. They are still attacking in the same way that professional players do. Most amateur players, I believe, haven’t noticed much of a change.
Competition balls
When it comes to table tennis, the new plastic balls are the best option for those who want to compete at a high level. You can tell if you’re using the new plastic balls by looking for the “40+” label on the balls. + denotes that this is a larger version of the item. It’s most likely a celluloid ball if the ball’s diameter is 40 or 40mm without the + symbol. As a result, be sure to purchase balls with the 40+ symbol.
So, what are the greatest balls to buy for competitions? I’ll begin with a cautionary tale. I haven’t experimented with all of the plastic balls available. That doesn’t imply a ball that doesn’t appear on my list below is necessarily a terrible ball. Perhaps I haven’t given it a chance yet? However, I’ve used all of the balls listed here, and they’re all excellent.
JOOLA Prime 40+
This is the table tennis ball I choose for 3-star competitions at the moment. After a trip to ASV Grünwettersbach of the German Bundesliga in May of this year, I began utilizing JOOLA Prime. ABS is the material of choice for JOOLA Prime because of its superior roundness and long-term durability. Creating a lot of buzz is possible. It is possible that we have grown accustomed to the new balls’ slower speeds and less spin, but when using JOOLA Prime in topspin attacks, the ball truly does fly off the table. Spin has returned to town! JOOLA Prime is tough, quick, spinny, and long-lasting. This is a good ball.
Nittaku Premium 40+
In addition, it’s a top-notch table tennis ball. At a tournament in 2016, I used this ball for the first time and fell in love with it right away. It brought back childhood memories of playing with celluloid balls. Nittaku Premium table tennis balls were used by all teams at my club (Cambridge-Parkside) in league games from 2016 to 2019. They bounce consistently, spin smoothly, and shatter only rarely. My top recommendation for competition-grade balls is Nittaku Premium.
Double Fish V40+
It’s widely regarded as the best ball for players over 40. The Champions Edition, which was formerly reserved for important Pro Tour events, is now available for League play as well. When looping, chopping, flicking, or serving, you can generate a lot of spin thanks to the Double Fish 3* balls’ gripping surface. Definitely worth it.
Training balls
A large box of training balls is an asset if you are dedicat to improve your game. You’ll be able to train more effectively as a result of this (less time picking just one ball off the floor). You can train with multiple balls. Solo service practice is a great way to hone your serves as well.
Training with the same quality balls that you use in competition is great. However, it is rather costly to train with a large box of competitive quality balls. And it’s not necessary if you’re a casual player.
There are a number of reasonably priced training balls that are suitable for training drills, multi-ball, and service practice, as well as being reasonably priced.
Table tennis training balls are available for purchase. Over the past year, I’ve used all of these balls in my coaching sessions and with my robot, and I’ve found them to be of excellent quality and durability.
Table tennis training balls
UK
- JOOLA Magic training balls
- Impact Premium Table Tennis Training Balls
- Cornilleau ABS Evolution Training Table Tennis Balls
USA
- JOOLA Magic training balls
- MAPOL 100 Pack Table Tennis Balls
- Sanwei ABS 1-Star ABS Training balls
Balls for casual play
Balls of the highest quality aren’t absolutely necessary if your goal is purely recreational. If the ball is made of celluloid or the new plastic substance; it doesn’t make a difference. My only piece of advice is to steer clear of the cheapest balls. These don’t bounce very well, and they’re prone to breaking.
A few of these balls will suffice if you’re looking for something that’s durable, consistent, and affordable.
Recommended balls (UK)
- IMPACT TOP Training Table Tennis Balls
- Donic-Schildkröt Jade Table Tennis Balls
- Pro Spin Table Tennis Balls
Recommended balls (USA / Rest of world)
- KEVENZ 3-Star table tennis balls
- JOOLA Training table tennis balls
- Pro Spin Table Tennis Balls
Where can you buy table tennis balls?
Table tennis balls can be purchased at any store that specializes in the game. I’ve compiled a list of local table tennis shops for your convenience…
The United Kingdom, the United States, Europe, Asia, and Australia are all represented.
On Amazon, you may be able to find some decent bargains on table tennis balls.