The 10 Best Pool Ball Sets
Updated by · How we research
Phenolic or polyester? We compared 10 pool ball sets, from Belgian tournament balls to budget and marble sets; the Aramith Premium leads for home tables. When users buy our independently chosen editorial recommendations, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
Tournament rules call for balls cast from phenolic resin, while most cheap sets are polyester, which is lighter, sounds duller and wears out sooner. Every regulation set holds 16 balls of the same size, so the real choice is material and look. This guide is for anyone replacing chipped bar-style balls, outfitting a new home table or buying a gift.
Editor's Notes
October 23, 2026, by Ezvid Wiki Admin:
The Aramith Premium now leads this list. It's genuine Belgian phenolic, the material tournament rules call for, at about half the cost of the Aramith Tournament, which stays on for players who want the longest-lasting set. The Super Aramith Pro-Cup TV stays too, for leagues and anyone filming matches.
Several old picks are gone. The Diamond Billiards Cyclop, Iszy Billiards Modern and Felson 002 are no longer available, the Japer Bees Pearl gave way to the brand's current set, and the Collapsar Deluxe is now a marble set that costs more than the VSSAL Marble Swirl. The Aramith Pro-Cup 2 Ball overlapped the Super Aramith Pro. We couldn't find a current listing for the Brunswick Centennial, so it's now a special honor with a link to Brunswick. New picks cover what readers ask about: the Aramith Crown Standard for phenolic on a budget, cheap replacements like the Japer Bees and GoSports Regulation Pool Balls, and two decorative sets.
No lab has run head-to-head tests on pool balls, so we leaned on the World Pool-Billiard Association's equipment rules, Aramith's material claims, long-running player threads on AZBilliards and owner feedback on budget polyester sets.
October 30, 2020:
Since the last update, the GSE Games & Sports Expert and the Iszy Billiards E41210 have become currently unavailable. We replaced the former with the Collapsar Deluxe as it sported a similar marbling effect and came in at almost the same price. The latter was replaced with the Iszy Billiards Modern as it's produced by the same manufacturer and neatly fulfills the criteria of a good-looking ball, made to reasonably high specifications, and given an affordable price tag.
We got rid of the Epco Rocco Clear, for even though it was quite a nice concept to have transparent balls, they were made from a resin that was too light for regulation weight and far too overpriced for what they offered. Instead, we used the free spot to offer the Aramith Pro-Cup 2 Ball, as some of the players viewing this list will play their pool on the slightly smaller English table that's typically found in pubs and billiard halls around the UK.
The Viper Billiard Master was also removed as it didn't really offer anything different from the other budget sets in this list like the Iszy Billiards Modern and the Felson 002. Instead, we added the Aramith Super Pro-Cup TV for players that want to recreate the feeling of competing in a televised tournament. This is the only item where for purposes of TV, the standard maroon of the 7 and 15 has been swapped for a light brown, and the deep purple of the 4 and 12 is changed to pink. This new combination of colors mixed with the famous cooper black style font also gives a great retro look to this set.
November 21, 2019:
Any serious billiards player can tell you that the equipment you use seriously affects how well you perform. Though even the best pool ball sets can't make up for a lack of skill, a poor-quality one can hamper your efforts at improving your game because you may not get consistent action from every ball in the set. Even a single ball may roll differently every time it is hit if it isn't perfectly round or evenly weighted.
For those serious about their game, we have included a few tournament-quality options that are regulation size and weight, built to exacting tolerances, and offer a true roll. Though you'll pay a pretty penny for the Aramith Tournament, Diamond Billiards Cyclop Hyperion Television, and Cue & Case Sales Brunswick Centennial, they are the best choice for someone who has hopes on competing one day.
If you play often enough that you consider yourself an avid billiards enthusiast and have spent the money to buy your own pool cue so you have something decent to play with on your home table or at the local pool hall, but don't have dreams of going pro one day, then you will probably be satisfied with the Aramith Premium, which has many of the same features of this well-respected company's tournament sets, just at a slightly lower price point.
For the casual players, we have included two kinds of sets: ones that offer a striking visual appeal, like the GSE Games & Sports Expert; Japer Bees Pearl; and Epco Rocco Clear, as well basic, bargain-priced sets like the Viper Billiard Master and Felson Billiard Supplies SFELS-002. The latter variety of these are perfectly suited to family game rooms in homes where there aren't any serious players and there may be teens or young kids who will be overly rough on the balls, and the former are great for those who want to impress their friends and guests with something that looks beautiful, even if they don't handle like regulation size and weight balls.
Special Honors
Brunswick Centennial Ball Set Brunswick's top ball set is cast phenolic resin, sold mainly through Brunswick and its dealers. Players on billiards forums widely believe it comes from the same Belgian factory as Aramith's pro sets, with Brunswick's own numerals. Brunswick also sells single replacement balls, handy when one goes missing. brunswickbilliards.com
Phenolic Or Polyester: What You Pay For
No independent lab has published wear tests, so treat them as relative, not exact.
The World Pool-Billiard Association's equipment specifications say pool balls should be cast phenolic resin, 2-1/4 inches across and 5.5 to 6 ounces each. Phenolic is very hard, so it keeps its roundness and gloss for years and is gentler on the cloth. Nearly every phenolic set sold in the U.S. comes from Saluc in Belgium, under its Aramith brand or for other labels.
Budget sets are almost always polyester or a polyester blend, even when the seller just says "resin." Players on the AZBilliards forum describe polyester balls as lighter, duller-sounding and less lively off the cue ball than even entry-level phenolic. For a family table that sees a few games a week, that may not matter much. If you play often, or want your practice to carry over to league play, an entry phenolic set is the smart floor.
Aramith's own durability figures, from five times the life of polyester up to 40 years of home use, are maker claims. No independent lab has published wear tests, so treat them as relative, not exact.
Colors, Numbers And Cue Balls
The WPA specifications set the standard colors: 1 yellow, 2 blue, 3 red, 4 purple, 5 orange, 6 green, 7 maroon and 8 black, with stripes 9 to 15 in white with a matching band. Numbers sit in white circles, and the 6 and 9 are underlined so they can't be confused.
TV sets change two colors, pink for purple and brown for maroon, because those pairs look alike on camera, and they use a dotted cue ball that shows spin. They're made for streamed matches and leagues; at home they mostly add confusion.
If your table takes coins and returns the cue ball, check before you buy. Those tables often need a magnetic or oversize cue ball, and a standard one can get swallowed. Brunswick's high-end Centennial set is a common alternative to Aramith's pro sets; players on AZBilliards generally believe both come from the same Belgian factory, with different numerals and pricing.
Keeping A Set Clean And Complete
The WPA says to clean balls with a dry or slightly damp cloth, or mild soap and water, and to skip polish and wax, which change how balls grip each other. If a set has been waxed, a cloth dampened with diluted alcohol removes it. Avoid harsh cleaners and heat, and dry the balls fully before racking them.
Chalk and dirt raise friction, which can make balls cling and throw shots off line, so a quick wipe after a session pays off. A ball cleaning machine is a pool-hall tool; a microfiber cloth does the job at home.
Lost a ball? You don't need a new set. Brunswick sells single balls from its Heritage and Centennial sets, and single numbered balls and cue balls from budget brands are easy to find. Match the material and style of the rest of the set, or the odd ball will roll and sound different.
How we researched this
We compared 20 pool ball sets, checked the finalists' materials and maker claims against the World Pool-Billiard Association's equipment specifications, read long-running player discussions on the AZBilliards forum, looked at owner feedback patterns on budget sets, and checked every brand for recalls with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. We found no independent lab test of pool balls, and no recalls for any set on this list.
Sources (6)
- World Pool-Billiard Association: Recommended Equipment Specifications
- Aramith (Saluc): official site
- Brunswick Billiards: billiard balls
- AZBilliards forum: Aramith Tournament Pro-Cup or Brunswick Centennial
- AZBilliards forum: polyester vs phenolic opinions
- U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission: SaferProducts.gov
Frequently asked questions
How many balls are in a pool ball set?
Sixteen: 15 numbered object balls (solids 1 to 7, the black 8 and stripes 9 to 15) plus a white cue ball.
What size are regulation pool balls?
The World Pool-Billiard Association specifies 2-1/4 inches across and 5.5 to 6 ounces per ball. English pub pool uses smaller balls, so check your table before buying.
Are phenolic pool balls worth the money?
If you play often or in a league, yes: they stay round and glossy for years and are kinder to the cloth. For a few casual games a month, a good polyester set plays acceptably.
Aramith or Brunswick Centennial: which is better?
Players widely believe both are made by Saluc in Belgium from the same phenolic resin. The differences are the numerals, the look and the price, so pick the style you like.
Can I buy a single replacement pool ball?
Yes. Brunswick sells single balls for its sets, and single numbered balls and cue balls are widely sold. Match the material of your set so the new ball rolls the same.
Does a coin-operated table need a special cue ball?
Often, yes. Many coin tables use a magnetic or slightly larger cue ball so the ball return can separate it. Check with the table's maker before buying.
