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Best Ping Pong Balls – 3 Star vs 1 Star Table Tennis Balls
Ping Pong is an incredibly fun game no matter what your skill level. Along with paddles and your table, ping pong balls are the most important piece of equipment to enhance your game. There are several factors to consider when buying the best ping pong balls.
These factors make a lot of difference when it comes to pricing and the intended use of the balls. Ping pong balls are usually grouped into two categories based on their intended use. These categories are competition balls and training balls.
In this post, we’ll go over the different types of ping pong balls out there then give our best ping pong balls picks and reviews!
JOOLA Magic Training Table Tennis Balls 144 Pack - 40mm Regulation Bulk Ping Pong Balls for Competition and Recreational Play - Fun as a Cat Toy - Indoor and Outdoor Compatible - Orange or White
Nowadays competition standard balls are 3-star 40+ balls. These balls have passed the requirements and standards set by the ITTF (International Table Tennis Federation – the official global governing body for table tennis). What are 40+ balls or 3-star balls? Well, before 40+ balls, competition balls were made from celluloid. However, since 2014, the standard material for ping pong balls are hard poly plastic.
These poly plastic balls are referred to as 40+ balls. They are used in ITTF events worldwide. In turn, competitive table tennis players use celluloid 40mm balls for robot training, and practicing serves. For all competition level games, the 40+ balls are used. They are usually 5 to 10 times more expensive than 40mm balls are. As such, 40mm balls are recommended for club games and casual games.
Another difference between 40+ and 40mm is size. 40+ balls are slightly bigger than the 40mm balls.
What do Ping Pong Ball Stars Mean?
Table tennis balls can be 1-star, 2-star or 3-star. 1-star balls are the softest while 3-star balls are the hardest and spin more than a softer ping pong ball. For ITTF events, 3-star balls are used. 2-star and 1-star balls are designed for casual play, practice and youth play.
Best Ping Pong Balls Reviews
Competition Balls:
Competition balls are used for professional tournaments and events and therefore need to meet all the ITTF standards. They are usually 40+ balls and are made of hard plastic.
Revolutionary technology offering the most advanced table tennis ball on the market
Poly plastic material - safer and more durable than traditional celluloid
Seamless construction for consistent and accurate bounce during play
ITTF and USATT approved for international and domestic competitions
The Xushaofa 40+ balls are a favorite among many tennis table enthusiasts. These poly plastic balls are more durable than celluloid balls are. The balls are hard and heavy.
They bounce very well; they have a superior spin; and they also offer a more predictable trajectory. What more can I say? Xushaofa 40+ are ping pong balls with great aerodynamics. In addition, they offer excellent value for money.
Size – 40+
Material – Hard plastic
Color – White
Other Features – USATT (USA Table Tennis) and ITTF approved
Number of Balls per Pack – 6 – 144 (comes in a variety of size packs – 6, 12, 24, 48, 72, 144)
Pros
Made of durable poly plastic.
USATT and ITTF approved.
Heavy and hard.
Offers superior spin, great bounce, and predictable trajectory.
DHS ABS D40 balls have been used in many ITTF professional competitions such as Challenge Croatia Open, Challenge Seamaster Brazil Open, Challenge Seamaster Chile Open, Challenge Slovenia Open, and the Seamaster World Tour Korea Open.
As you can see this ball brand is one of the best around. While the Double Happiness ABS D40+ balls may not be as popular as balls by brands such as Butterfly, Nittaku, and Stiga, they perform exceptionally well.
Size – 40+
Material – ABS Plastic (hard plastic)
Color – White
Other Features – ITTF approved, used in countless ITTF events
Number of Balls per Pack – 10, 20, 30, 40 (depends on pack size)
Pros
Used in many ITTF competitions.
ITTF approved.
Hard and durable.
Moves, bounces, and spins with accuracy. In addition, the consistency of ball movement is the best.
PROFESSIONAL 3 STAR TABLE TENNIS BALLS: Approved by ITTF and USTTA for top level tournament play
GREAT BOUNCE: The perfectly round A40+ table tennis balls are regulation size 40mm and are the same thickness on all sides creating a very consistent bounce
PLASTIC BALL: The poly 3 star ping pong balls closely resembles the bounce of traditional celluloid ping pong balls
OFFICIAL TOURNAMENT BALL: The ITTF approved Butterfly A40+ table tennis balls are the official sponsored balls of the 2018 World Table Tennis Championships in Halsted, Sweden
BUTTERFLY A40+: The Butterfly A40+ table tennis balls come in a 3 pack, 6 pack, or 12 pack Just choose the quantity option above
The Butterfly A40+ was the official ball for the World Table Tennis Championships in Halmstad, Sweden. That should tell all you need to know about the quality and movement uniformity of these balls. Made from ABS plastic, they are hard and durable. They offer good bounce and predictable movement. They are also easy to spin.
Size – 40+
Material – ABS Plastic (hard plastic)
Color – White
Other Features – ITTF approved, Official 2018 World Table Tennis Championships Ball
Number of Balls per Pack – 6/12
Pros
Official ball in the World Table Tennis Championships Ball.
ITTF approved.
Durable.
Spins, bounces, and moves with precision.
Cons
They are not as firm as other hard plastic balls. In all, that is down to preference.
PERFECTLY ROUND - These balls feature outstanding roundness and consistency
VERY DURABLE - These balls are safer and far more durable than their predecessors
ITTF APPROVED - Which means these balls can be used in all ITTF sanctioned tournaments
PROFESSIONAL'S CHOICE - Favored by many professional Table Tennis players
OFFICIAL BALL OF USATT - The ball used at the US Nationals and US Open tournaments
Higher specification and higher quality – these are the taglines of the Nittaku 3 Star Premium. Made in Japan, these balls are considered by many as simply the best. They are hard yet light – making them faster than other 40+ balls. It is easy to generate spin. Additionally, their movement and bounce are consistent.
Size – 40+
Material – Poly plastic (hard plastic)
Color – White/Orange
Other Features – Meets ITTF requirements
Number of Balls per Pack – 3
Pros
Made in Japan.
USATT and ITTF approved.
Hard yet light.
Offers superior spin, great bounce, and predictable trajectory.
Cons
One of the priciest, if not the priciest, 40+ ball on the market.
YinHe 3 Star S40+ Table Tennis Balls 6-Pack
This is one of the best ping pong balls for the money you’ll spend. It is a competitive ball yet it’s very affordable. Don’t let the affordability fool you though; these balls are very durable. can serve you well for years. They are ITTF approved and seamless. The bounce and movement of this ball are consistent.
Size – 40+
Material – Poly plastic
Color – White
Other features: ITTF approved, Seamless
Number of Balls per Pack – 6
Pros
Long-lasting ping pong balls.
Hard and fast.
Offers consistent bounce and movement.
Cons
Not a well-known brand, if that matters to you.
Best Ping Pong Balls for Training
Training with competition balls can be expensive. One alternative option is to use training balls. They may not be as aerodynamic as competition balls but they are much more affordable. Additionally, training table tennis balls are great for robot training as well as practicing your serves. Also, when used for a club game, a school event or a casual game, training balls are more than satisfactory.
JOOLA - A PROFESSIONAL TABLE TENNIS BRAND TRUSTED FOR 60+ YEARS: Launched in the 1950s, JOOLA has been the proud sponsor of the biggest tournaments in the world, Including the Olympics, World Championships, and US Open. Equipment designed for all levels.
SUPERIOR QUALITY AND DURABILITY: Manufactured for advanced competition, these 40mm practice ping pong balls are ideal for serving your first ace or hitting the game winner past your opponent as a professional player or in the family game room.
ITTF REGULATION SIZE AND WEIGHT: Official thickness of .86mm and tournament weight of 2.7 grams and regulation width of 40 millimeter ensures consistent bounce, durability, more power, great spin and control. Table tennis equipment for kids and adults.
UNMATCHED PERFORMANCE: These table tennis practice balls are excellent to practice serves, hit against multi-ball training, for clubs, schools, recreation centers, resorts, and ping pong robot trainers or automatic server machines.
INCLUDES: 144 durable training ping-pong balls that are lightweight and perfectly round. Recommended to be played with ping pong paddles or rackets or have your pets use the balls as a cat toy. Choose between white or orange colored ping pong balls.
The JOOLA Magic 2 Star training balls come in two colors – orange and white. They are excellent for friendly games at home, practicing serves, or practicing with a robot. They are made from plastic and they follow ITTF regulations.
Size – 40mm
Material – Plastic
Color – White/Orange
Other Features – follows ITTF regulation size and shape
Number of Balls per Pack – 144
Pros
Affordable.
Performs well for casual games and practicing serves.
Easy Ball from Butterfly is great for multi-ball practice
Perfect for training with your new Amicus Series Robot
Longer lasting than most plastic balls in the market
A new production process easily creates a very round ball with an amazingly even bounce
120 pack - made in Germany
Butterfly brand is one of the most easily recognizable when it comes to table tennis balls. Their ping pong accessories are well-known for their quality and reliability. It, therefore, comes as no surprise that they manufacture a quality training ball.
These balls are hard and heavy. They are great for games with friends and family, club games, and training with a robot. They are also made in Germany. You will be hard-pressed to find better training balls.
Size – 40+
Material – Plastic
Color – White
Other Features – USATT approved
Number of Balls per Pack – 120
Pros
High quality (these balls are as dependable as most 3-star competition balls on the market.)
Best ball to practice with.
Durable.
Made in Germany.
Cons
One of the most expensive training balls.
Cornilleau Pro Table Tennis Balls
If you want an affordable ball for casual games, then the Cornilleau balls will serve you well. They bounce well, and last long. You can use them for robot training as well. they are perfect for beginners, casual games, and schools. However, for competitive training, these 1-star balls aren’t recommendable. Cornilleau pro table tennis balls serve their purpose very well.
These Stiga 3-Star Balls are some of the best on the market. They are USATT approved and conform to the ITTF size and weight regulation. This means you get the size and weight of an international tournament ball. They offer ‘superior bounce, spin, and control’. In all, these are the perfect balls to get started with. Since they are celluloid balls, they are not to be used for competitive games.
GOGO 3 Star 40 mm Seamless are solid all-round balls. They are excellent for competitive training, as well as robot training. They can be used for school sporting events, club sports, and casual games. These balls may not be competition level balls, but they are a step above most training balls. They are light, fast, and offer excellent bounce. Best of all, they are budget-priced.
Size – 40mm
Material – Celluloid
Color – White/Orange
Number of Balls per Pack – 144
Pros
Durable celluloid ball
Reasonably priced.
Great for robot training.
Cons
No complaints. While not as high grade or quality as competition balls, these are excellent training balls.
Wrap Up
When buying ping pong balls, the intended use is important. 40+ are for professional level games, while 40mm balls are for everything else. If you wish to be a professional player, then you need to train with 40+ balls. However, for robot training and practicing your serves, good quality 40mm balls will do. This is a great way to save money since 40+ balls are costly.
Since the best ping pong balls can be expensive, you need to take good care of them. Remember not to leave them in direct sunlight. Also, always store them in a cool dry place. You can also clean with a clean damp cloth from time to time to elongate their lifetime.
