Ping Pong Ball Materials

Ping pong balls for many years were made from a transparent plastic known as celluloid. In 2014, the ITTF changed its rules to ensure that celluloid table tennis balls were no longer being produced, due to the manufacturing process being highly flammable and dangerous. Since this rule change, ping pong balls are now being made from plastics that contain no traces of celluloid and countries around the world are now following suit. However, there was still a crossover period where balls of both materials were being used in competitions, to deplete the remaining supply of celluloid ping pong balls.

This rule change has significantly changed the performance characteristics of ping pong balls and has forced some players to change their playing style. Plastic table tennis balls bounce much higher off the table and travel at a greater speed off the racket than the old celluloid balls, which suits players who play a fast attack game and are looking to play smashes to win points quickly. Plastic ping pong balls don’t spin as much off the racket and table either, which can make defending an attacking player with backspin shots to slow the rally down much more difficult. Some attacking players who use top spin to extract extra bounce off the table to beat their opponents also initially struggled to adapt to the new plastic balls.

Ping Pong Ball Colors

Rules from the ITTF state that all ping pong balls must be white or orange in colour with a matt finish. Orange balls tend to be used in more casual ping pong games between friends or work colleagues. Players of lower ability will tend to use orange balls as they are more visible than white balls. White balls are more for tournaments as venues have different coloured tables and floors, and the players will be wearing different colored apparel, making a white ball easier to pick up for players and judges.

Ping Pong Ball Star Ratings

All ping pong balls are rated from one star to three stars based on the quality of the ball. Balls with a one-star rating are entry-level balls that are ideal for beginners, whilst three-star balls are used in competitive tournaments and are the highest quality ping pong balls available.

Below we will outline the performance characteristics for each ball star rating. We will also suggest the skill level that each star rating is suited for, so you are able to choose a ping pong ball that is suited to your requirements.

1-Star Ping Pong balls

Most suited to beginners and recreational players, 1-star table tennis balls are the cheapest balls available which also typically means they are the lowest quality and least durable. That’s not to say that they aren’t good quality or durable though, as they are a great option for many. In terms of their performance, 1-star balls travel at a slower speed through the air and don’t bounce as high, giving less experienced players with slower reaction times a greater chance of being able to react and return the ball over the net. 1-star balls don’t spin as much as 2 and 3-star balls either, which makes them a good choice for beginners, kids and lower-level players.

2-Star Ping Pong Balls

Ideal for intermediate players playing recreational games, 2-star ping pong balls are a great gateway for players looking to further develop their game towards competition level. These balls are of better quality, offer a steeper bounce, and allow intermediate players to begin learning how to apply spin to their shots. Professional players will also sometimes buy these balls in bulk to use in fast paced, multi-ball training drills.

3-Star Ping Pong Balls

3-star ping pong balls are used in all top-level competitions around the world such as the Olympics. Approved by the ITTF, 3-star balls are most suited to advanced players who are training for competitions and looking to reach the highest level. The balls offer the highest, most consistent bounce and greatest ball speed through the air, encouraging fast paced matches and entertaining rallies. 3-star table tennis balls have greater levels of spin, so clever serves and defensive shots are slightly easier to execute. The plastic structure also gives these balls the greatest durability out of the different ping pong ball types, making it a reliable, long-lasting option for pro-level players and anyone else looking to use the best ping pong balls available.