Best Pool/Billiard Ball Set (Reviews)

The pool balls you use make a hell lot of a difference. The ball roll, roundness, and consistency of cheaper balls are way off, which inhibits you from playing your natural game and progress as a player. That's why it is so important to play with the best billiard ball set you possibly can.

Whether you're just looking to upgrade your old set, or if it's time to replace those cracked and chipped billiard balls, you might find it a struggle to pick out that perfect set of 16. Most new pool tables come with their own set of balls - the problem is that these aren't usually suited for competitive play. They are often cheap or break easily, and even the semi-amateur players would outgrow them soon and switch these out as soon as possible.

It's not uncommon to lose the billiard balls, either - regardless of where you play! It might seem strange to think that a two and a quarter-inch ball can just… disappear, but it happens, especially when you have kids around!

"When it comes to billiard balls, Aramith is the goto brand you can bank on. They have been in the business of manufacturing billiard balls for over 70 years and know their stuff quite well. No wonder, all our recommendations are from the same Brand!"

To save you the hassle, we have reviewed five of the best pool ball sets available. Whether you're looking for a pro-quality set or an affordable replacement, you'll definitely find it here.

After interviewing a number of experts, researching 11 pool ball sets, and testing 5, we conclude that the Aramith Premium is the best for most because of its solid performance and affordable pricing. It's well-built, very durable, and suitable for both casual and serious players alike.

Our Top Picks for Best Pool Balls

1. Aramith Tournament Pool Ball Set -  For the Pro's (Best of the Best)
2. Aramith Premium Belgian Pool Ball Set - Editor's Pick [Best for Most]
3. Super Aramith Pro Pool - Runner Up (Pro Pick Category)
4. Aramith Stone Collection Pool Set - Best Style & Design
5. Aramith Continental Billiard Ball Set - Budget Pick

There's more to consider when purchasing pool balls than you might have initially thought. Visually all pool balls look pretty much the same. But the difference between a $40 set and a premium set of Aramith balls is like night and day. We don't advocate that you should pick the costliest set, either. It's essential to strike a balance between performance and pricing.

In this buyer's guide will outline everything you need to consider before you decide which set of billiard balls to buy.

Price (Cheap Vs. Expensive)

Quality of a Pool ball can be adjudged in terms of material, consistency, weight, roundness, elasticity, friction efficiency and surface polish, and color profile. 

Cheaper balls are usually made of acrylic or polyester material, while the more expensive ones are made of phenolic resin. Cheaper balls lack consistency, proper weight distribution, and elasticity, leading to poor performance and, more often than not, burn marks on the felt.

Phenolic resin is what you find in premium-grade sets. They're far more resistant to scratching or scuffing and offer top-of-the-line performance. They're more durable, create less friction (reducing burn marks) and are more elastic yet maintain their proper shape throughout. Jumping ball or clean breaks can easily be achieved with phenolic balls. 

Which one should You Choose?

If you're more of a weekend player, it's best to stick with a sub $100 set as that would at least give you the real feel of playing pool. The budget option would make an excellent choice for anyone looking to learn the game, casual practice, or teaching your young ones the game of pool. Avoid cheaper balls as they don't necessarily follow the proper trajectory, have poor rebounding properties, and may hamper your pool felt.

Most players will benefit from the mid-range options - If you're semi-beginner to an intermediate level player, the Aramith Premium may be an ideal middle-ground for you. It plays well, offers performance close to the top-grade sets, while sitting at a nice, mid-range price.

If you're serious about your game or are planning to turn pro someday, stick with Aramith Tournament set - without a doubt, it's the best out there. Yes, it comes with a steep price, but it outlasts cheaper substitutes five times over. It's the exact set used in pro-leagues and televised tournaments. Moreover, playing with a sub-standard ball set can also lead to untimely damage to your pool felt.

Make sure you account for your exact needs before you take the plunge. Sometimes people tend to pick the most expensive set only to realize it's not much use to them.

Usage

How often do you intend to play - daily, weekly, or once in a while? If you don't play that often, stick with a budget option. But if you're a regular player, choose a set which is durable, consistent, rolls true and straight.

For example - if you're new and looking to learn the rope of the game, the Aramith Tournament set might not be for you. Similarly, you may not want to purchase this $300 set, if you know that other people will use the balls. It's a lot of money to spend, and you'll want to ensure that they get looked after, so that you can make the most of them.

However, if you're starting out with the game or looking for a quick replacement, go for a mid-range option like Aramith Premium. It plays decent and offers a good price-to-performance ratio.

Size

Not all pool balls are the same, and neither they should be. But it's in your best interest to play and buy regulation size balls. The market is flooded with non-regulation balls, and it's difficult to spot a difference without actually playing with them. This is most commonly seen in cheaper sets. 

The regulation size of a billiard ball is two and a quarter inches in diameter, and each ball should weigh 5.5oz except the cue ball, which weighs 6oz. As the regulation table length is 8 foot, these are most commonly paired together.

It's more common to see 2-inch diameter balls on a 7-foot table, though it's important to note that these are still not the standard.

Cheaper sets don't have the stringent quality checks, and even if they claim they're regulation, but it's quite possible they aren't. It's best to stick with popular and well-known brands.

Materials

With pool balls, the higher price mostly translates to better quality. The expensive balls are made of synthetic resin or phenolic resin, which are resistant to heat, scratches, and chipping. For the more expensive option, Aramith has developed what they call 'Duramith' (durable Aramith), which utilizes cross-linking the resin bonds to provide the highest quality possible.

Cheaper balls are made of a low quality resin mix, and also sometimes incorporate polyester. They are more prone to chipping and don't last that long, neither they're that much fun to play with.