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Would you like to play a game of ping pong at the campsite? Or are you training fanatically for an official table tennis competition? Anyway, it is important that you are not alone using the correct bat but also the right ball, because there is MORE difference than you think.
My favorite are this Nittaku Premium 3 stars ping pong balls. Perhaps a little more expensive than other options, but high quality and the only balls that are not clones. I explain more about that here, and we also look at the other excellent options.
I have found out for you exactly what the differences are and which table tennis balls are the very best.
What we discuss in this comprehensive post:
How do you choose the best table tennis ball?
Well, who would have thought? That there are quite a few differences in quality can be found in those small balls for ping pong.
Don't worry, it's not rocket science, you just need to know what to look out for.
Plastic vs cellulite
Since 2016 celluliod balls are no longer used due to safety reasons in the production process.
The international table tennis association, the ITTF, decided at the time that the entire sport had to be switched to plastic balls.
That was quite a thing, because the quality of the game and the table tennis balls could of course not suffer.
All table tennis clubs in the Netherlands have now switched to plastic balls.
There are small differences between the brands in terms of playing characteristics, especially in terms of quality and durability. Plastic balls bounce better and are slightly slower.
This is quite useful because it means that the public can follow matches more easily. Unfortunately, they don't last as long.
But different manufacturers are working hard to improve quality and we see huge leaps since 2016.
We recommend not to buy balls from before that time.
The easiest way to tell if it is a new plastic ball is if it says "40+" on the ball.
The + symbol indicates that it is the new size. If it just says 40 or 40mm on the ball, without the + symbol, it's probably an old celluloid ball.
So make sure that the balls you buy have the 40+ symbol.
For this article, we will only look at plastic balls, and the answer to the question of what is the best plastic ball is ultimately still subjective.
number of stars
Are you looking for durability, speed, spin or a good rebound?
Much will depend on the number of stars the ball gets.
DHS and Double Fish were the first producers of plastic balls (with seam).
The first shipment from China in 2014 was not too good - many were not round, had variations in size and weight and did not last long.
The production process is now a lot better and is constantly being refined, which is why we see an enormous increase in the quality of plastic ping pong balls.
The material composition is also constantly being adjusted, so that they last longer and longer.
Table tennis balls are categorized by stars:
- unrated
- 1 star
- 2 stars
- 3 stars
Balls without or with 1 star are a good choice for the recreational player.
If you play with more regularity, it is better to opt for a ball with 2 stars.
Table tennis balls with 3 stars are used during competitive matches, and only the best balls receive this rating.
So which one you choose mainly depends on how often you play and at what level.
It is a shame to invest in expensive balls if you only play a game in the garden every now and then.
Do you want to develop your game further?
Then it is important to know that, for example, the bounce height of cheap balls is often not very good, and that has an effect on the gaming experience and your performance.
Also read: Table tennis rules | all the rules explained + a few strange rules
Table tennis ball top brands reviewed and differ
Although there are differences in quality, the difference between the balls is not too bad.
In reality, most balls are clones of each other, although each brand has its 'own' ball, they are often almost identical.
This is partly because many brands are produced in the same factories.
We have listed the best balls here, which also have unique features for you to choose from.
Nittaku Premium 3 Star
The Nittaku factory is in Japan and this makes these balls quite unique as most currently come from China.
And it is also the only ball that does not have all kinds of clones.
Nittaku Premium is described as the best on the market and in America they absolutely love this ball.
The balls are seamless and are of very high quality, play incredibly well and come closest to earlier celluloid balls.
The only disadvantage? They are not cheap. But they are definitely worth it, especially if you play at a higher level we recommend these.
Avento table tennis balls 60 pieces
This is a good example of recreational balls. Do you mainly play for fun, or on vacation?
Then this is a good choice! You get a whole lot of balls for a good price.
Handy if the kids are still learning and they lose the balls more than hit the target.
Certainly at a nice game around the table!
Donic-Schildkröt Jade table tennis ball
Looking for a hobby ball but of high quality? Then the Donic-Schildkröt Leisure is a good choice.
The price is slightly lower but they are still excellent ping pong balls for training or just for fun.
The bounce quality is a lot higher than unbranded balls and this way you get a better feeling of the game.
The reviews of these balls score very high both among table tennis players and… people who use them for beer pong. It must be your thing.
Schildkröt is a very trusted brand in the table tennis world, and that's not surprising. They have been producing table tennis balls since 1896.
What is exactly the difference between ping pong and table tennis? Is there even a difference?
Joola 3 star Tournament table tennis ball
These balls have a good price / quality ratio.
The 3-star quality means that you can play at a pro level, without it immediately costing you a rib.
They are suitable for all weather conditions and also promise to be durable. The great thing about these balls is that they can also be used by beginners.
Stiga 3 stars Outdoor table tennis ball
Do you prefer to play outdoors? Then you would do well to choose these balls. They are water and wind resistant and slightly heavier than the indoor version.
Fortunately, these balls are still durable and of good quality.
And quite a plus, some players report that they can also be used for indoor play. So double profit.
Also read: Best table tennis tables reviewed | good tables from €150 to €900
GEWO Table tennis balls Select PRO 3 stars
The Gewo table tennis balls offer everything you are looking for in a 3-star ball.
They are suitable for competitions, outdoor tournaments and table tennis training.
The uniform wall thickness and hardness of the plastic balls provide improved durability and optimized playing characteristics.
This way you can really start playing at a high level.
Difference indoor or outdoor table tennis balls
Actually, there is not much difference between an inner and outer ball. In any case, they are identical in shape.
The outer balls are slightly heavier so that they are more resistant to different weather conditions and so outdoor tournaments can also be played.
There are a number of brands that release special colors for outdoor balls.
Such as, for example these 3-star balls from Lynnz, which are glow in the dark, so that you can play a game yourself in the evening.
How light is a table tennis ball?
The official rules of the ITTF state that the ball must meet the following requirements:
- The ball must be spherical, with a diameter of 40 mm;
- Have a weight of about 2,7g: between 2,67g and 2,77g
- The color must be white or orange and matte (so not shiny)
Conclusion
As you have read, table tennis balls fall into different categories. It is not so much a question of good or bad, but rather what you as a player are looking for.
Time to upgrade your paddle?
In this article you can read all about how to choose the best bat and we have immediately reviewed a few toppers for you.
