Guide to the best table tennis balls
Buying table tennis balls should be a straightforward task, but unfortunately, it's not that simple. There is a wide variety of ball types available, including competition balls, training balls, and inexpensive balls for casual play. Some balls are made of celluloid, while others are made of non-flammable plastic.
Now, which balls should you buy? In this blog post, I'll provide my insights on various ball types and offer specific recommendations for the best competition and training balls. I'll also provide suggestions for balls suitable for casual play.
Changes to Table Tennis Balls:
Over the past 20 years, there have been two significant changes to table tennis balls. In 2000, the ball size was increased from 38mm to 40mm. This change aimed to make the game more appealing to spectators. The larger ball is slower and spins less, theoretically leading to longer rallies, although it's debatable whether this has been proven.
Then, in 2014/2015, the material used to manufacture table tennis balls shifted from celluloid to a non-flammable plastic. These new balls, often referred to as "plastic balls," "poly balls," or "40+ balls," are slightly larger than the 40mm celluloid balls, but the main difference lies in the material composition.
Initially, the quality of the new plastic balls was subpar, resulting in frustration and anger within the table tennis community. However, over the past five years, the quality of the plastic balls has significantly improved, especially with the introduction of the latest ABS material.
Many had concerns that the new plastic balls would dramatically impact the game. However, that hasn't been the case. Professional players continue to play in their attacking style, and at the amateur level, most players haven't noticed a substantial difference at all.
The Yinhe Y40+ is currently my favorite 3-star competition table tennis ball. I have been using it since May 2018. The Y40+ is made with ABS material, which enhances its roundness and durability. With this ball, you can generate loads of spin. While we have become accustomed to the new balls being slower and less spinny, the Y40+ stands out when it comes to topspin attacks. The ball truly kicks off the table, bringing spin back into the game. The Y40+ offers a combination of hardness, speed, spin, and durability, making it a top-quality ball.
Another high-quality table tennis ball is the DHS D40+. It was the official ball of the 2017-2020 World Championships. The bounce of this ball is consistent, and you can easily generate spin. Additionally, it is known for its durability, as it rarely breaks. If you are looking to buy competition-quality balls, I wholeheartedly recommend the DHS D40+.
Training Balls:
For serious improvement in your game, it is beneficial to have a large box of training balls. This allows for more efficient training sessions, as you spend less time picking up individual balls from the floor. With a big box of training balls, you can engage in multi-ball training and significantly improve your serves through solo service practice.
Ideally, you would train with the same quality balls you use in competitive matches. However, using a large box of competition-quality balls for training can be expensive, especially at the amateur level where it may not be necessary.
I have personally tried many balls from leading manufacturers, but I encountered various issues, such as balls not being perfectly round and being expensive. After a couple of years, I decided to produce the best ball I could for training purposes. These balls are perfect for training drills, robot practice, multi-ball training, and service practice. Over the past four years, I have used these balls in my coaching sessions and with my robot, and I have been extremely satisfied with their quality and durability. By the end of 2022, I had sold over 500,000 of these balls worldwide.
Training balls:
12 PCs
24 PCs
100 Pcs
