Best Ping Pong Balls in the Market [With Alternatives]

Last Updated on May 23, 2023

Looking for ping pong balls? We have listed some of the best ping pong balls you could get, which are very reasonably priced on the market, and they have been following the ITTF standards.

Choosing a ping pong ball is not easy. Especially if you’re good at it, ping pong balls may look more or less the same, but in reality, they vary in quality and various features. 

• Check if the ball is not too heavy. The average weight of a ping pong ball is around 2.7 grams.

• Notice the size of the ping pong ball before purchasing. All ping pong balls are not the same size. It varies in the playing purposes, quality and design of the ball.

• For unofficial and casual playing, one-star plastic balls should be enough.

• Ping Pong balls vary for players of different levels: primary, intermediate and professional. Therefore you should purchase according to your playing level.

Top 5 Ping Pong Balls

Buying Tips: How To Choose The Best Table Tennis Ball For Your Next Match

Quality Disparity

Many manufacturers are responsible for their own star rating guidelines, which is the bitter truth. As a result, many 3-star ping pong balls are available in the market that do not match the quality they claim.

The quality variation is huge. Therefore, the critical way to purchase the highest quality balls is to look for standard brands with a good reputation and deliver quality products.

Therefore, abstain from buying random manufacturers or brands even if they show you a good star rating.

Tournament and Competition Balls

The table tennis balls designed for tournament and competition plays are different from regular balls. All table tennis balls made for a contest or competitive play are 40+ balls made with new plastics. To identify if it is a tournament ball, check if the ball has a 40+ sign printed.

Diameter and Width

Table tennis balls have attained a massive change over the years to come to their ideal form. Now, an official ping pong ball has-

• Diameter- 40mm
• Circumference- 126.6 mm
• Weight- 2.7g

If you purchase a 1-star or 2-star ball for practice, you might notice that the dimension and weight slightly vary. However, this does not happen in a tournament playball because the competitive balls are made to maintain the standard dimension.

Check if the Product Is Approved by Any Governing Bodies

Approval for such bodies is not usually necessary for 1-star or 2-star balls for recreational or practice purposes. However, if you want a table tennis ball for competitive or tournament play, check if the product meets the ITTF or USATT standards.

Note: When choosing the right table tennis ball, you should also consider the approval of government bodies and not just size and dimensions.

Materials and Durability

Celluloid Material

Traditionally celluloid was the primary material for manufacturing ping pong balls. This is because they can survive through wear and tear. Though we don’t recommend competitive play, these balls are suitable for practicing.

However, celluloid table tennis balls are currently less prevalent as they are expensive and flammable.

Plastic Material

The 40+ tournament balls refer to balls made from new polyplastic materials. Polyplastic balls have been famous for professional and competitive plays. Moreover, this material is also cost-effective to produce and consume.

Though they are better at dimensions and weight, the only disadvantage is that they have a lower lifespan than celluloid balls.

ABS

ABS ping pong balls are unique from other ping pong balls available in the market. ABS balls are expected to provide excellent roundness and hardness. Unlike plastic, ABS balls can survive hard hits and hard play, which lasts longer than plastic balls.

However, ABS balls are expensive.

Seamed and Seamless Design

There are two types of ping pong balls and they’re wholly different. The balls with a perfect sphere with no marks of joints are called seamless balls. Again, seamed table tennis balls are made with two halves joined together with a seam where the joint is slightly visible.

According to some people, seamless ping pong balls are more durable considering the absence of the seam lining. Is this fact actual?

The seamless balls are made evenly stressed even without any side seams. The advantage of a seamless ball is that it will bounce differently and speed than flickering.

Moreover, seamless balls are not easy to crack, so the above statement is correct that they are durable.

Check Out This YouTube Video:

Best Ping Pong Balls Reviews

1. Butterfly G40+ Table Tennis Balls

#1 Strength: Excellent spin.
#1 Weakness: Many buyers complain that the ball is prone to breaking after hard play.

PRODUCT SPECS:

• Color: White
  
• Material: Plastic
  
• Brand: Butterfly
  
• Diameter: 40 mm

PRODUCT FEATURES:

• Three-star rating and is suitable for tournament purposes.
  
• Comes in a pack of 3 and 12 pieces.
  
• Provides good bounce and is perfectly round.
  
• This poly table tennis ball closely resembles the bounce of traditional celluloid balls.
  
• Official tournament balls. ITTF approved.

DETAILED REVIEW:

The Butterfly G40+ balls are suitable ball for table tennis tournament and competitive matches. These sets of ping pong balls are appropriate for professional players.

The Butterfly G40+ is made in Germany. This product comes in a pack of 3 or 12 pieces. It is approved by the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) for top-level tournament play.

This was the official ball sponsor of Butterfly Canada Cup 2015-2018 and Butterfly sponsored table tennis tournaments in North America. However, they’re costly compared to other ball brands like PRO-SPIN.

Butterfly G40+ replaced the traditional celluloid balls. They are completely seamless and provide excellent spin and bounce. However, these balls are not suitable for training purposes, unlike MAPOL 3-star balls.

This table tennis ball has the same thickness at all sides and they are perfectly round at all sides. So, this is the right choice for players expecting a good bounce.

Finally, if you have a decent budget or require a professional ping pong ball, the Butterfly G40+ would be one of the best table tennis balls for you.

But if you’re on a low budget but still not professional level balls, I’d recommend the KEVENZ 3-star table tennis balls.

Pros and Cons:

Pros:

• Consistent bounce.

• Highly glossy.

• Suitable for professional level and tournaments.

• Improved plastic material used for manufacturing.

• Precisely equal at all sides.

• Good hardness.

• Approved by ITFF and USATT.

Cons:

• Expensive.

• High-pitch sound.

• Not suitable for hard play.

Alternative products:

1. Butterfly R40+ Table Tennis Balls: Both table tennis balls are from the same brand but Butterfly R40+ is less costly, convenient for many players. ITTF also approves it.

2. Martin Kilpatrick 3 Star Table Tennis Balls: This table tennis ball comes in a six-pack and is 40mm in diameter and they are suitable for practice and competitive play.

2. KEVENZ 60-Pack 3 Star Ping Pong Balls

#1 Strength: Cost-effective.
#1 Weakness: Some buyers complain about the quality.

PRODUCT SPECS:

• Color: Orange

• Brand: KEVENZ

• Weight: 2.75g

• Version: Premium

• Diameter: 40mm

PRODUCT FEATURES:

• Pack of 60 (no paddles included).

• 3-star 40mm balls suitable for competitive play.

• Suitable for: practice, recreational, party decoration, entertainment, ping pong robot, pet toys, etc.

• They are durable, provide consistent bounce and have great spin.

• Good at controlling.

• Perfectly round at all sides and has smooth seams.

• It is perfectly balanced on all sides.

DETAILED REVIEW:

If you desire to buy table tennis balls as bulk for training, the two reliable brands are KEVENS and MAPOL. However, until now, KEVENZ 3-star balls are preferred by customers when buying in bulk.

It makes sense to choose KEVENZ over MAPOL because of their price and performance. In other words, they’re more cost-effective than other table tennis brands selling in bulk.

There is a slight exception about KEVENZ balls: they are 2.75 in weight, unlike other tournament balls. In diameter, they are 40 mm precisely. However, they can be suitable for both tournament and practice purposes.

This pack of 60 balls contains no paddles. They are not only suitable for ping pong matches but as you can buy them in bulk, you can also use them for various purposes, starting from party decorations to pet toys.

If I were to buy table tennis balls in bulk for practice purposes, I’d choose the KEVENZ 60-pack balls because of the product’s durability. This durability makes them last longer. Moreover, this can be a good choice for players wanting a better bounce and great spin.

Finally, this can be a suitable choice for beginners and professionals because of the construction and design. Therefore, KEVENZ or MAPOL balls should be considered when buying in bulk.

Pros and Cons:

Pros:

• Cost-effective.

• Suitable for all levels.

• Excellent balance and control.

• Long-lasting.

• Smooth seams.

• Good bounce.

• Consistent spin.

Cons:

• Soft construction.

• It seems tacky compared to other 3-star balls.

Alternative Products

1. MAPOL 60 Counts 3-Star: Like the KEVENZ 60 pack, these balls are also yellow and suitable for players of all levels. However, they are 40+ balls and weigh from 2.7-2.85g.

3. MAPOL 50- Pack Orange 3-Star

#1 Strength: Durable balls for everyday use.
#1 Weakness: Not perfectly round.

PRODUCT SPECS:

• Color: Orange

• Brand: MAPOL

• Weight: 2.7-2.85g

• Diameter: 40.1- 40.25mm

PRODUCT FEATURES:

• Comfortable for beginners.

• Pack of 50 balls.

• 3-star rating.

• Suitable for training and professional levels.

• Good choice for the stadium, club, office and home.

• You get a 30-days money-back guarantee.

PRODUCT DETAILS:

Players searching for a long-lasting, durable ball for training would find MAPOL 3-star an appropriate table tennis ball for their cause. This package contains 50 orange balls at a reasonable cost.

Though they are 3-star, they do not truly meet the ITTF standards. Therefore, we do not recommend these balls for competitive matches or tournaments but you can use MAPOL 3-star balls at the home, office and other places for training or recreational games.

As I have explained above- different balls are used for different purposes and the balls are made according to their purpose. Therefore, we should not underestimate MAPOL balls for being unfit for competitive matches.

Unlike competitive balls, they provide better durability and can survive hard play for several months. However, they are not seamless. If you want seamless balls, we recommend PRO-SPIN balls.

Although MAPOL balls are durable enough when buying bulk balls for competition, KEVENZ 3-star stands out as the appropriate choice. Compared to MAPOL, KEVENZ offers more facilities and excellent performance.

Finally, MAPOL balls can be an excellent option when buying in bulk for ping pong robots or practicing. People often underestimate the brand but their products have good durability.

Pros and Cons:

Pros:

• Budget-friendly.

• Good drive while flying.

• Good bounce.

• Comfortable and long-lasting.

• Suitable for improving gaming skills.

Cons:

• Lesser known brand.

• Not suitable for competitive play.

• The balls come in a non-reusable plastic bag.

• Not perfectly round.

Alternative Products:

1. Ping Pong Balls 60 Pieces 3-Star: These table tennis balls are very similar to MAPOL balls. However, unlike MAPOL balls, high-quality xylan material is used to make them durable enough.

2. GOODTRADE8 10PCS Colored Ping Pong Balls: Unlike MAPOL, these balls are colorful and other than ping pong, they are also used for decorations. In addition, they come in a pack of 10 and at a low price.

4. PRO-SPIN White 3-Star 40+ Table Tennis Balls

#1 Strength: Made with ABS material for ultimate durability.
#1 Weakness: Low bounce.

PRODUCT SPECS:

• Color: White

• Material: Plastic

• Diameter: 40mm

• Brand: PRO-SPIN

• Weight: 2.8g

PRODUCT FEATURES:

• Competition quality balls.

• Superior quality balls for long-lasting performance.

• 3-star rating, making it suitable for competitive play.

• Pack of 12 or 24 balls.

• Great for all ping pong robots.

• Manufactured seamless for an excellent bounce.

• Suitable for indoor and outdoor play.

• Less bounce and more spin.

• Provides a 1-year warranty.

PRODUCT DETAILS:

One unique thing about PRO-SPIN balls is that they are made with high-quality ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) material.

This material has newly arrived in the market but it has attained quite a fame within a short time for its performance and durability. They are seamless and the thickness is balanced at all sides.

Though they seem to be costly, every penny is worth the service in the case of PRO-SPIN balls.

They have enough durability to survive hard smash and straight matches. Compared to other balls like Butterfly or KEVENZ, they are heavy. You can take advantage of this weight to reduce bounce and increase spin ability.

Some beginners complain about the weight of this ball. PRO-SPIN balls are made for professional table tennis play. Therefore, they are not suitable for beginners. As a beginner, you can opt for MAPOL or KEVENZ balls.

The size and dimensions of PRO-SPIN ping pong balls meet the ITTF standards. In addition, these balls are available in two colors- white and orange. You won’t find any dent on the ball even after an aggressive match.

PRO-SPIN balls are long-lasting solutions that do not require frequent replacements. They are available in a pack of 12 or 24. However, if you want to make a bulk purchase, you can buy two packs of 24 balls.

Pros and Cons:

Pros:

• Can survive any serve or hard smash.

• Seamless construction.

• Money-back guarantee.

• Improved spin.

• Durable.

• Durable.

• ITTF standard dimension.

• Made with high-quality ABS.

Cons:

• Not suitable for beginners.

• Low quality packaging.

• Expensive.

• Low bounce.

ALTERNATIVE PRODUCTS:

1. PRO-SPIN Ping Pong Balls- Orange 3-Star: These table tennis balls are almost similar to PRO-SPIN white balls. However, this item is orange colored.

5. Franklin Sports Table Tennis Balls- 1-Star

#1 Strength: Cost-effective.
#1 Weakness: They do not glow in the dark.

PRODUCT SPECS:

• Color: White, orange

• Material: Plastic

• Brand: Franklin Sports

• Diameter: 40mm

• Weight: 2.7g

PRODUCT FEATURES:

• Official 40mm size and 2.7g weight, made for competitive play.

• Durable enough to survive a long match without a dent on the ball.

• Superior quality balls for long-lasting performance.

• Provides consistent bounce and spin for optimum gameplay.

• Suitable for both training and competitive matches.

• Because of their bright colors, they are highly visible.

PRODUCT DETAILS:

Franklin balls are well known for their bright colors and visibility. Though buyers complain they do not glow in the dark, the bright colors are visible enough during gameplay.

They are made from high-quality materials to provide durability. Moreover, Franklin balls are suitable for both practice and competitive matches. There wouldn’t be a dent on the ball even after a hard play.

These table tennis balls are cost-effective for the amount and affordable enough. Compared to MAPOL balls, Franklin balls offer better durability at the same price. Moreover, unlike MAPOL, they are not limited to practice matches only. They are also suitable for tournament play.

Franklin balls are available in a pack of 6, 12, 18, 36 and 144. These balls are available in orange, white, orange-white mixed and glow in the dark. We don’t recommend glow-in-the-dark balls as they barely glow. However, the other options are much more reliable.

When buying for competitive matches, Franklin balls are far better than Butterfly G40+. Firstly, they are more cost convenient than the Butterfly G40+ and secondly, they are more long-lasting and durable. These balls can survive many matches at a stretch without any dent.

Pros and Cons:

Pros:

• Good bounce and spin.

• Good control.

• Highly durable.

• Long-lasting.

• Seamless construction that ensures consistent play.

• Highly visible.

Cons:

• Might be out of range for a local player since it is used for international games.

• Does not glow in the dark.

ALTERNATIVE PRODUCTS:

1. Rivon Ping Pong Balls- 40+, 3-Star: These colorful balls are made out of ABS material and are a good choice for bulk purchase.

FAQ

What Does a 40+ Ping Pong Ball Mean?

40+ ping pong ball means they are legal for competition and their diameter is 40 mm and more. Moreover, a celluloid ball tends to be around 39.6 mm in diameter, but the new plastic balls would measure approximately 40.2 mm.

Does Color Matter in Choosing Ping Pong Balls?

This factor wholly depends on you. For me, color is not a significant factor. Therefore it is optional for you to choose among colors.

According to some players, white ping pong balls are more visible than orange ping pong balls. Also, they are different from the color of your clothing and used by non-professional players.

How Much Does a Ping Pong Ball Weigh?

As mentioned above, an ideal ping pong ball approved by ITTF is 2.7 grams.

However, other low star balls may weigh 2.67-2.77 grams for practice or casual games.

What Is the Diameter of a Ping Pong Ball?

Unlike weight, the diameter is not fixed. The diameter of a ping pong ball varies based on playing level, quality star, and the seamed or seamless design.

It is usually 38-40.6 mm in diameter.

How Long Do Ping Pong Balls Last?

The lifespan of ping pong balls depends on certain factors like material, quality, durability, playing frequency, etc.

To illustrate: 3-star balls last longer than 1-star balls in similar conditions. The average lifespan is about six months.

Are All Ping Pong Balls Identical in Size?

No, the size of the ball varies for playing purposes. Not all the balls are the same in size.

What Ping Pong Balls Are Used in the Olympics?

Only the balls approved by ITTF can be used in the Olympics. To meet the ITTF standards, a ball needs to have-

• Three stars in terms of quality

• 40mm wide

• 2.7 gm in weight

• Orange or white-colored

Conclusion

The best ping pong balls from the list above are Butterfly G40+ 3-star table tennis ball since they come from a very well-known brand in the world of table tennis.

They have a great stability thanks to the balance of weight and size, and they’ve been also approved by ITTF which means that they can be used on any competition, no matter the skill level.