Do you love playing ping pong?
If so, you know that the quality of the ping pong ball makes a big difference in your game. There are many different types of good ping pong balls on the market, and it can be tough to figure out which ping pong ball is best for you.
In this article, we will review some of the best ping pong balls available and help you choose the right one for your needs!
We want to help you play your best game possible and have compiled a list of the top 6 best ping pong balls on the market.
Whether you’re a beginner or an expert player, we have a ping pong ball that will improve your gameplay.
Is there a difference between ping pong balls and table tennis balls?
Ping pong balls and table tennis balls are the same. The name ping pong is used more freely to describe it as a recreational sport and table tennis is more widely used when referring to the competitive side of the sport.
How We Pick The Best Ping Pong Balls
Buying indoor and outdoor ping pong balls can be difficult because there are so many different brands and types available.
It can be hard to know which ping pong ball is the best for you, especially if you're a beginner. There are so many different brands and types of white ping pong balls available that it's easy to get overwhelmed.
We read and analyzed thousands of customer reviews to find you the best ping pong balls on the market today.
Read on to see our top ping pong ball picks for some extra assurance when buying table tennis balls!
The Best Ping Pong Balls
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If you're serious about your table tennis, you need Butterfly R40+ Table Tennis Balls.
These 3-star plastic balls are approved by the International Table Tennis Federation for tournament play, so you know these competition balls are good enough for the pros.
They're perfectly round and have a reliable and very consistent bounce, thanks to their evenly distributed weight.
That means the ping pong ball will perform consistently every time you use them. And they're built to last, so you can enjoy hours of ping pong fun.
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Butterfly is a world leader in table tennis equipment, so it's no surprise that their R40+ table tennis ball is one of the best on the market.
Made from polystyrene, these plastic balls closely resemble the consistent bounce of traditional celluloid balls, making this ping pong ball a great choice for serious players.
In addition, they're made in China under strict quality control, ensuring that they meet Butterfly's high standards for uniformity, rotation, speed, and balance.
So if you're looking for ping pong balls that offer an authentic playing experience, the Butterfly R40+ is a great option.
Next Best
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Nittaku's table tennis ball is manufactured in Japan from a special poly material, which makes this table tennis ball more resistant to wear and tear than traditional celluloid balls.
This also makes them much safer to use, so you can enjoy your game without worrying about accidents.
With their excellent roundness and consistency, Nittaku's table tennis balls are sure to give you the performance you need to dominate the competition.
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Nittaku Premium 40+ Table Tennis Balls are a great choice for those looking for quality plastic balls that match the hardness of celluloid balls.
These plastic balls are ITTF approved, meaning they can be used in all ITTF sanctioned tournaments.
In addition, Nittaku Premium 40+ Table Tennis Balls are the official ball of the Liebherr 2017 World Table Tennis Championship!
Many professional table tennis players favor these balls over other poly/plastic balls, making Nittaku Premium 40+ Plastic Table Tennis Balls a great choice for those in the table tennis community looking to improve their game.
Consumer Favorite
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The Champion Sports Tournament 3 Star Table Tennis Ball is approved by the Chinese Table Tennis Association and ITTA, so you know these training balls are up to par with professional standards.
These seamless ping pong balls design and regulation size (40mm) make them perfect for intense competition. Plus, the set of 38 competition balls is ideal for multiple games or quick replacement in tournament play.
When you're serious about table tennis, trust the Champion Sports Tournament 3 Star Table Tennis Ball to give you the best performance training balls out there.
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Champion Sports Tournament 3 Star Table Tennis Balls are designed to be vibrant and durable.
The high-visibility white color makes them easy to follow during fast-paced play, and the design of these seamless ping pong balls ensures hours of smooth table tennis.
The plastic balls have a uniform thickness of 40mm, resulting in a consistent, long-lasting consistent bounce. The flight is predictable and to regulation standards, making these best table tennis balls ideal for every game.
Best Bang For Your Buck
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The Franklin Sports Ping Pong Balls are designed to deliver top-notch performance, so you can keep the game going strong.
Whether you're playing a friendly game with family or trying to up your game in the office tournament, these budget friendly ping pong balls will give you the edge you need.
Durable and long-lasting, you'll be able to enjoy countless hours of fun with the Franklin Sports Ping Pong Balls.
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Franklin Sports Ping Pong Balls are official size (40mm diameter) and weight (2.6-2.9g). They offer increased control, long lasting, and consistent bounce for precision play.
Perfect for multiple uses including beer pong, ping pong, and table tennis training. Franklin Sports has been making quality sports equipment for over 50 years. ping pong balls are just one of the many products they offer.
Franklin Sports Ping Pong Balls come in a pack of 6 and are white. They are made from high quality materials and are designed to last.
If you are looking for a precision ping pong ball that is perfect for multiple uses, then Franklin Sports Ping Pong Balls are a great option.
The Minimalist
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The NIBIRU SPORT Premium Ping Pong Ball is durable and long lasting, so you can play to your heart's content without worrying about cracks or breaks.
And because it's regulation size and weight, you'll enjoy superior bounce, spin, and control.
So whether you're playing with friends or trying to beat your own personal best, the NIBIRU SPORT Ping Pong Ball is sure to give you the competitive edge.
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NIBIRU SPORT Ping Pong Balls are the perfect table tennis balls for all types of players. They meet or exceed all ITTA standards and will provide hours of active play.
NIBIRU SPORT Ping Pong Balls are made to exacting standards that will keep your spins spinning and your serves sharp.
The perfect balance of NIBIRU SPORT Ping Pong Balls allows for precise control and consistent performance.
Best In Bulk
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Looking for high-quality ping pong balls in bulk that will last you for months? Look no further than the KEVENZ 3 Star Ping Pong Balls!
These 60 orange balls are made of durable material with a consistent bounce, great spin, and good control.
They're perfect for practicing your table tennis skills, entertaining guests, or decorating for parties.
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KEVENZ 3 Star Ping Pong Balls are tested rigorously to ensure the hardness.
Hit these orange balls with all power and they simply don't break. The quality and durability is simply amazing!
The thickness of the left and right hemisphere of each ball is the same, consistent ball thickness ensures better performance.
KEVENZ table tennis balls have been designed for a consistent bounce and top-level playability.
Best Ping Pong Balls For You
We know that choosing the best table tennis balls for your game can be daunting with all of the options out there.
But we hope this article has helped clear some things up for you. Now it’s time to make a decision and get playing!
Click the to check the prices on the table tennis balls we think will fit your needs perfectly.
Top Shelf Recap
- TOP SHELF - Butterfly R40+ Table Tennis Balls
- Next Best - Nittaku 3-stars Premium 40+ Official Table Tennis Ball
- Consumer Favorite - Champion Sports Tournament 3 Star Table Tennis Balls
- Best Bang For Your Buck - Franklin Sports Official Ping Pong Ball - 3 Star Official Size + Weight
- The Minimalist - NIBIRU SPORT Ping Pong Balls -Premium 3 Star Table Tennis Balls - Practice Balls for Training
- Best In Bulk - KEVENZ 60-Pack 3 Star Best Ping Pong Balls
The Best Ping Pong Balls FAQs
Here are the most frequently asked questions about ping pong balls:
What does 40+ mean on ping pong balls?
The 40+ on ping pong balls indicates that the ball is regulation size and has been approved for use in competitive play by the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF).
The minimum weight for a ping pong ball is 2.7 grams, and the maximum diameter is 40mm. Balls that are labeled "40+" will weigh at least 3.0 grams and have a diameter of at least 40.5mm.
What is the difference between 1 and 3 star ping pong balls?
These new plastic balls are made of a cheaper, less dense material which makes them fly faster and bounce higher. However, they also wear down more quickly.
These ping pong table practice balls are made of a denser material which slows down the speed and reduces the bounce height, but they last much longer.
Are all 3 star ping pong balls the same?
No, all 3 star ping pong balls are not the same. The different ratings (1-star, 2-star, and 3-star) refer to the quality of the ball.
The higher the rating, the better the quality of the ball. Most ping pong balls are 1-star white balls are typically made from low-quality materials for recreational ping pong games, while 3-star quality white balls are made from high-quality materials for a competition table tennis game.
This means that a 3-star plastic ball will fly more accurately and last longer than a 1-star plastic ball.
Do ping pong balls expire?
Ping pong balls can last indefinitely as long as they are not exposed to extreme conditions.
Ping pong balls are made from a type of plastic that does not break down or expire over time.
However, if ping pong balls are left in direct sunlight or in a very warm environment, they may start to melt.
Ping pong balls will also lose their bounce over time if they are stored in a humid area.
Do ping pong balls lose their bounce?
Ping pong balls are designed to lose their bounce over time. This is done in order to comply with tournament regulations, as a ball that maintains its bounce for too long would give players an unfair advantage.
The rate at which ping pong balls lose their bounce varies depending on the quality of the ball, but most will lose their bounce within a few months.
There are some high-quality balls that can retain their bounce for up to a year, but they are rare and tend to be more expensive.
What is the official size of a ping pong ball?
Ping pong balls come in three sizes: 40 mm, 38 mm, and 36 mm. The official size of a ping pong ball is 40 mm.
Why are some table tennis balls orange?
Orange balls can be seen better against a green background, which is the color of the table tennis table.
The orange color also provides high contrast against a white ball. This makes it easier for players to see the ball during play and to judge its trajectory.
In some competitions, like the Olympic Games, there are stipulations on what color ping pong balls can be used so that they provide maximum visibility for all players.
What are ping pong balls made of?
The ping pong ball was originally made of a type of plastic called celluloid.
It was the first synthetic plastic, and it was invented in 1869 by John Wesley Hyatt. Celluloid balls are made from cellulose, which is a type of plant fiber.
The official ping pong ball material was changed from celluloid balls to plastic balls in 2014.
