Best Pool Cue Tips (Review)

Has your old cue tip mushroomed up and isn't repairable anymore? Or maybe you're looking to replace the existing tip that came with your cue stick. Or perhaps you're looking to up your game and try out the very best pool cue tips which pro players use. Whatever be the case, I can help!

Pool is a game of grit, accuracy, and mind. While nothing beats grueling practice sessions and training, but the Pool is also a game where your choice of equipment can make all the difference. The most crucial of it is the Pool cue tip - it's the part which actually transfers the energy to the cue ball, imparting desired spin, speed, and accuracy on the ball. No matter how good or expensive your pool cue is, as long as you're not able to make the right contact, it won't matter - Right?

The size, hardness, and material of the cue tip is what makes a difference between a good hit and miscue. So, choosing the right pool cue tip which goes with your skillset is very crucial.

"I've been playing Pool for as far as I can remember - Pretty sure its 20 yrs+. Over the years, I've tried numerous of cue tips from elk master, milk duds to Kamui, and everything in between. So I know a thing or two about cue tips, and I'm sure you can benefit from my experience."

To save you the hassle, I have narrowed the list to five of my favorite pool cue tips, which I've personally tried and tested.

The 5 Best Pool Cue Tips

The pool cue tip you choose is more of a personal preference, and a lot of it depends on your playing style. Some like it hard, while some like it super soft, and then there is a majority which likes medium-hard. Without actually trying the tip personally, it can be a bit of a gamble, whether you like it or not. You may have to try out a couple of cue tips before you finally settle for one or maybe two - that's natural, and every serious player goes through this routine.

Selecting a billiard cue tip isn't that hard as long as you know the basics. This buyer's guide will introduce you to everything you need to know about cue tips and hopefully answer all your queries.

The main characteristics to look for when choosing cue tips are size, shape, hardness, and material.

Size

You must choose a cue tip that exactly or approximately matches the diameter of the ferrule. Typically, ferrules are 13mm in diameter, but some cues may come with thinner or thicker ferrules. It's a good idea to measure the diameter using vernier calipers or checking the cue specs. You can trim down a larger tip to match the ferrule size, but you can't put a smaller tip on a larger ferrule - something to keep in mind.

Most cue tips come in 11mm to 13mm diameter barring few exceptions. Smaller tips are suitable to put more spin, and some players like the feel of the thinner shaft, but that's strictly personal preference. On the downside, smaller tips are more unforgiving, unlike larger tips.

To summarize: The cue tip must be of the same size or larger than the diameter cue shaft.

Hardness

Simply put, softer tips help you put more English on the ball. They remain in contact with the ball for an extra split second, giving you better control and accuracy. On the downside, softer tips mushroom easily and require regular maintenance.

In contrast, harder tips are almost maintenance-free and are ideal for jumping or breaking. They transfer maximum energy on the ball but are difficult to control and less forgiving. 

Soft Tip:

Soft tip compresses during the impact with the cue ball, letting it stay on the ball for an extra bit of time. This helps in putting more spin on the ball. They offer better control over the ball and result in improved accuracy. As pointed out already, softer tips require a fair bit of maintenance as they mushroom more often. 

Soft tips are more suited for the experienced players as the increase in control comes with a trade-off. You would need to hit the ball with more force to compensate for the cushioning effect.

Hard Tip:

Hard tip is more suitable for specialized purposes like jumping or breaking as it transfers maximum force on to the ball. The tip remains on the ball for a lesser time, which results in lesser control, reduced accuracy, and increased chances of miscues. Many professional players play with hard tips, but that comes with years of practice. Beginners or anyone starting out with Pool should avoid hard tips.

Medium-hard Tip:

The medium-hard tip is what the majority of pool players play with and is a good compromise between soft and hard cues. Also, most factory-made cue sticks are fitted with medium-hard tips (for good reason). These tips offer a fine balance between controllability, consistency, and speed, letting you experience the best of both worlds. They provide decent control on the ball while allowing you to hit solid and clean shots. It's also relatively maintenance-free and doesn't mushroom easily. The majority of jump break cues come with medium-hard tips.

If you ask me, the medium-hard tip is what you should start with, and as your game develops, choose the one (soft or hard) as per your liking. 

Material

Leather has been the preferred material for pool cues for ages. In the last couple of years, non-organic hard plastic tips like phenolic or G10 cue tips are catching up. They are as hard as the cue ball itself and popular material for choice for anyone looking for a super hard cue tip.

There are two types of leather tips: Solid and Layered.

Solid Leather: As the name suggests, it consists of a single piece of leather piece (cow, pig, or elm). They're inexpensive and relatively harder but require more maintenance. Over time they generally misshape or mushroom and require constant shaping and grooming. 

Layered or laminated leather: They're made out of multiple players of leather sandwiched together. It's also the most common and popular cue material. It gives a more consistent gameplay experience, holds the chalk very well, and is medium-hard. Due to layering, the cue maintains its shape quite well and requires little to no maintenance. 

Hard Tips: These are specialty tips explicitly made for breaking or jumping. Material like bakelite, phenol, or carbon fiber is used to make such tips. They are super dense and transfer maximum energy onto the ball. But, some of the tournaments restrict usage of phenolic cues. Always check with the organizer, just to be sure.

Price

Price should be the last thing on your mind while choosing a cue tip. You don't replace them quite often; a typical tip can last you for a couple of months. Secondly, they are mostly inexpensive except if you opt for something super premium like Kamui. Typically, the cue tips cost less than a dollar.

So you see, the price is not much of a concern unless you run a large pool club or bar where you need to replace tips every now and then. In such a case, you can buy this ultra-cheap 50-pack of Elm cue tips for under $20.

How to Install a Cue tip

Replacing your existing cue tip with a new one is a pretty straightforward task. With the right tools, you can wrap up the whole installation in under 10 mins or less.

Step 1: Use a sharp razor to cut the exiting tip. Try to cut as close to the ferrule as possible. Just be careful not to cut your fingers in the process.
Step 2: Using a sanding paper (like this), file the remaining bits and pieces of the tip from the ferrule. Don't scuff or scratch the ferrule in the process.
Step 3: Next, using the same sanding paper, gently sand the bottom of the new cue which you're going to put.
Step 5: This is an optional step but suggested for first-timers. Cover the ferrule with masking tape to prevent the glue from leaking out while fixing.
Step 6: Use a super glue like Loc Tite. Apply the glue on the ferrule and bottom of the cue tip.
Step 7: Place the cue tip at the center of the ferrule and press tightly for a couple of minutes for the glue to dry. You can also use a tip clamp for this.
Step 8: Remove the masking tape and wipe off excess glue.
Step 9: Using the same razor blade, hold the cue stick tip down and shave the excess tip protruding out.
Step 10: Using high grit sandpaper, finish off the sides, and give the required shape to the dome. Alternatively, you can use a tip shaper, which will make your work easier.