Table tennis balls are an absolute necessity in the sport. While a small plastic ball may seem very simple, there are still differences between different types of ball and what they may be used for. This guide will help you understand the differences of a product, which on its surface, looks the same. To progress, we will outline the environment you are looking to purchase table tennis balls for and present some options for you to consider.

What do the Star Ratings on the Ball Mean?

Table tennis balls are typically divided into 3 different star ratings (1-star, 2-star and 3-star). In simple terms, the 1-star balls are the most basic and are suited to social environments and casual play. 2-stars can be useful for practicing and learning, and the 3-star balls are the premium for competition. There are balls which are rated with these stars in both recreational and professional lines, so sometimes it can seem difficult to compare. See the different needs for table tennis balls below, and which type of ball may be best suited for you.

Casual Games and Kids at Home

If you are looking for table tennis balls for leisure and fun games at home or with the kids, you could probably consider some of the lower cost options. In environments like this, the ball material is a little softer and thinner – not needing to withstand the forces created by professionals. When playing with kids you will need something that is a good balance of durability and price. This means that balls are relatively inexpensive to replace if they are lost or accidentally broken.

Balls for Learning the Basics

For learning the basics of table tennis, you will want a ball which has a bit more hardness and has undergone more testing for consistency and roundness. You may also want to look at buying more bulk options. There are a series of 2 and 3-star recreational balls which are offered in higher quantities. They are great for learning the sport. You could also consider dual-colored balls which are half orange and half white, with a black dividing line. These balls are superb for learning about spin and being able to visually see how the ball rotates after it is served or hit.

Recreational Matches

When it comes to playing semi-competitive matches, you may want to consider a small pack of 3-star recreational competition balls. These balls are great for playing competitive matches at home in the garage or basement. These are the highest quality table tennis balls for recreational purposes. You can also get balls for playing outdoors. They have a 41% increased weight to account for any outdoor conditions like wind.

Professional Training

This category is for players who are actively training and developing their game. At this level, many players will be looking for a ball that emulates the high quality required for competition, but without the premium pricing of top competition balls. Usually, this level of training requires a bulk amount of table tennis balls. These balls are made of the harder ABS plastic. The balls then go through tests to assure quality of hardness, roundness and bounce, Top competing players would likely look for a 3-star training ball, while a bulk 3-star alternative is useful for multi-ball or robot practice.

Professional Competition

This is where players would look for the highest quality ball available. Players who are competing regularly in club, regional, national or international competitions, look for a ball which allows them to practice with the top ball quality. These balls should be ITTF-approved to ensure the quality of hardness, roundness and consistency of bounce. With an ITTF-approved 3-star ball, the main advantage is consistency. Each ball is required to meet standards suitable for professional level play. This means the standard deviation of measurement variances between each ball is less significant and you can expect all the balls to have a similar high standard of performance. These approved balls have been specifically submitted to ITTF to go through the approval process, so you can be assured that they are the highest quality ball for any given brand. Premium balls like this are used in major competitions, so it pays to have some on hand when preparing for those events and practicing matches.Hopefully by breaking down into these simple categories and providing examples, you will be able to find the ball best suited to your needs, making this whole process a bit easier. At JOOLA we have table tennis balls for players of all levels!