What To Look For
Ping pong balls come in three basic levels of quality and three different sizes. Balls are rated by the number of stars. Look for balls with a three-star rating, as one star is the lowest quality ball and three stars are the best quality. Until 2003 the official ping ping ball size had a diameter of 38mm. As of 2010, 40mm balls are the official size, though 44 mm balls are also available. These larger balls have more air resistance, which slows down the speed of the game.
Common Pitfalls
Avoid balls that are marked with 4 or 5 stars. The standard ranking system is limited to three stars. Any additional stars are simply marketing ploys designed to make you believe the ball is of a higher quality. In fact, balls marked 4 or 5 stars can be some of the worst ping pong balls to buy, since they are solely a product of deceptive marketing.
Where To Buy
The best place to buy quality ping pong balls is online, unless there you have a local ping pong supply store nearby. Shopping online lets you compare several different brands of ping pong balls.
Cost
High quality ping pong balls range greatly in price, from $1 to $3 per ball depending on the brand and quantity. Buying in bulk will save you money in the long run. If you are a beginning player simply looking for a good quality ping pong ball, plan on spending about $1.50 per ball. If you are a professional looking for tournament quality balls, you will spend closer to $3.00 per ball.
Comparison Shopping
When comparing quality ping pong balls, only consider balls that are rated to three stars. In this category you will find a variety of brands that offer high quality balls. Color is merely personal preference and does not affect performance. Cornilleau, Nittaku and Butterfly are all excellent brands that offer high quality practice and tournament ping pong balls.
Accessories
The best quality ping pong balls will only reach their full potential when combined with the best quality paddles and tables. Ping pong paddles can be purchased online or at local specialty stores. You can even make your own custom paddle, selecting specific rubber surfaces and bat shapes that match your individual playing style. You should also invest in a quality table. Avoid lower quality tables that fold up or serve multiple purposes. High quality tables have fixed bases, thick tops and are used only for ping pong.
Insider Tips
The color of your ping pong ball will not affect performance, but it may affect playability. You should consider the environment where you will be playing before purchasing your quality ping pong balls. If you are playing in a room that has white walls, then choose orange balls so that they will contrast with the walls for better visibility.
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