Table Tennis Balls

Table Tennis Balls Buying Guide: How to choose the right balls for your favourite game at the table

Fast rallies in school sports, intense multiball training at the club or a fun round-the-table game during breaks – the right table tennis ball makes all the difference. With so much choice, questions quickly arise: Which material is standard? How many stars does a good ball need? And which colour is best for which setting? In this compact buying guide, we show you what to look out for so you can make exactly the right choice for your facility.

• 5 steps to the right table tennis ball

1. Purpose: Who will be playing with the ball?
2. Star rating: What do the stars on a TT ball mean?
3. Material: Is the table tennis ball plastic or celluloid?
4. Size: What does 40+ mean on a table tennis ball?
5. Colour: What colour should table tennis balls be?

• Which table tennis ball is the best?

 


5 steps to the right table tennis ball

1. Purpose: Who will be playing with the ball?

For schools, nurseries and youth centres, durability is key. You need a robust ball that can withstand heavy use.

For table tennis clubs, bounce, roundness and precision are what count. Training calls for high-quality balls, and tournaments require certified competition balls.

Indoor or outdoor: If you mainly play outside on a concrete table, we recommend special outdoor table tennis balls. These are slightly heavier and often have a slightly different surface texture. They are more stable in the wind, absorb less moisture and are more resistant to rough surfaces.

2. Star rating: What do the stars on a TT ball mean?

Table tennis balls are tested and classified by the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) to ensure they meet the requirements for official competitions and matches. The stars on table tennis balls indicate the precision and performance level of the ball.

Table tennis balls are traditionally divided into 3 quality levels:

★ Robust balls for leisure, schools and basic training.

★★ 2-star balls are high-quality balls for intensive club training.

★★★ 3-star balls are certified for tournaments and performance sport.

Which TT ball has the highest quality?

The highest quality comes from 3-star balls with ITTF certification (International Table Tennis Federation). They are subject to the strictest controls for perfect roundness, consistent weight and optimal bounce characteristics.

3. Material: Is the table tennis ball plastic or celluloid?

Since 2014, celluloid balls are no longer used at official tournaments because their high flammability poses a significant safety risk. Since 2017, production of celluloid balls has been discontinued worldwide. Today’s standard is the plastic ball (poly ball), often made from high-quality ABS plastic.

4. Size: What does 40+ mean on a table tennis ball?

The number 40 refers to the ball’s diameter in millimetres. The plus sign (+) is the international mark indicating that it is the new, safe plastic ball and no longer the old celluloid material.

How much does a TT ball weigh?

According to the regulations, an official table tennis ball weighs exactly 2.7 g.

5. Colour: What colour should table tennis balls be?

Table tennis balls are primarily available in white and orange. The choice is purely practical:

• White is the standard for competitions and is usually used on green or blue tables.
• Orange often offers better contrast, especially if the background is light or the lighting in the sports hall is not ideal. The flight path of orange balls is also easier to follow.

Which table tennis ball is the best?

There is no single “best” ball – it depends on where and how it’s used: For official tournaments and professional players, a 3-star ball is a must. For everyday school use, nurseries or leisure facilities, a robust yet affordable ball is the best and most economical choice. 


Whether indoor or outdoor balls, 3-star or 5-star, you can buy high-quality table tennis balls for schools, clubs and competitions quickly and easily online in the Sport-Thieme table tennis shop. And if you have any questions, just give us a call.