Ranking of the best table tennis balls for 2022

The game of table tennis has been around for a very long time. To this day, there are disputes about the place of its origin. Some historians claim that it originated in Japan or China, others - in France, and still others say that table tennis was revived in ancient Rome. But wherever the game started, it now has millions of fans around the world. This means that there is also a sphere that produces the necessary equipment, including table tennis balls.

The history of the development of table tennis

According to one version, the game originated in England. If you take the word tennis apart, then one of its parts means ten, which translates from English as the number 10. Presumably, the game took 5 pairs of players. Due to the constant rains, the game was moved to a house, where it was first played on the floor. Then they began to play on two tables located at a distance from each other. After the tables decided to move. And only after that it was decided that the tables would be separated by a grid. In a short time, the game became popular in the salons of England, and then spread to Europe, Asia and Africa. The female players were required to wear evening dresses, while the male players were required to wear tailcoats.

In 1891, Charles Bakster decided to patent the game and gave it the name "ping-pong". This name comes from the sound that the ball made during the impact and rebound from the table. At first they played with rubber or leather balls, but in 1894 James Gibbs suggested a light plastic toy ball for the game. So the first celluloid accessories entered the game. This innovation changed the shape and material of rackets. And E. Good randomly discovered a rubber mat for issuing change. He tried to glue it to the racket. After that, he won the tournament.

In 1900, ping-pong was recognized as an official sport, and at the end of the same year, the first championship was held in London. The first winner of the championship was Nando.

Since that time, the rules and technique of the game have been constantly changing, as well as the game inventory has been improved.

Rules of the game

The essence of the game is to throw the ball over the net stretched across the table. You need to throw the ball with the help of rackets.The game can be played by 2 or 4 players. The player who performs the first serve is determined by lot. The ball, when served, must touch the table, then fly over the net to the opponent's side. But it should not touch the nets.

Points are awarded if an opponent performs a mishandling, when the ball is hit twice, when the ball touches anything other than the net, when the free hand touches the table, when the ball is hit before it touches the table, and does not hit the opponent.

The game can consist of 5-7 games. The game ends when one of the players scores 11 points. But at the same time, his advantage should be more than two points.

How to choose the right table tennis ball

To improve the technique and skills, various types of training are carried out. Each type of training has its own characteristics, based on this, a certain type of equipment is selected.

There are no big requirements for sparring. Balls with 1 or 2 stars are suitable. They have a good rebound and can last a long game.

In training with various guns, it is necessary to use ideally shaped accessories that have sufficient rigidity so that there is a good bounce off the table. This type of training allows you to perform combinations of strikes with the maximum number of balls.

If the training equipment does not have special requirements, then for the competition it is necessary to purchase a quality product. The original packaging of the product must contain a special marking that confirms the suitability of this product for table tennis competitions. The ball must not have seams, as the seams can affect the rebound of the ball. Low stiffness will lead to deformation, which will affect the course of the game.The shape should be perfectly spherical, you can check this by unrolling the product on a flat surface. If at the same time, it will rotate smoothly and create vibration, then the product is suitable for the game. Also, the ball must have at least two stars, such equipment can create good conditions for the game.

Popular inventory manufacturers

Inventory from the Japanese company "Butterfly" is the most purchased in the world. Butterfly was founded in 1950, and every year it strives to improve the accessories it produces. The key to success was its own research center, where experiments were carried out with the involvement of professional players. Later, Butterfly opened a representative office in Germany, which led to the distribution of products in Europe. Now this department is engaged in the production of tennis tables, clothes and other equipment for the game.

The company "DHS" from China is also one of the popular companies engaged in the production of table tennis accessories. DHS was founded in 1959. Since 1960, the equipment manufactured by the company has received ITTF approval. Today, the manufactured products are used in competitions and the Olympic Games. Many Chinese National Team players use DHS equipment.

The Japanese company Nittaku was founded in 1920. In 1947, the company was registered and the trade name was taken. When releasing its products, the company uses the latest technology and high quality material. Thanks to its excellent characteristics, equipment from Nittaku fell in love not only with amateurs, but also with professional athletes.

The best table tennis balls

1* Tactical

These table tennis balls from Roxel have one star. This option is suitable for beginners. It can be used while exercising. Thanks to the constant rebound and balanced form, the player at the beginning of his sports career will easily learn to control the ball.

Available in two colors - white and orange. It is made of ABS plastic, which is characterized by impact resistance and elasticity. The diameter of one ball is 40 mm. The package comes with 6 balls.

The average cost is 150 rubles.

• Suitable for beginners;
• Ideal for training;
• Good rebound;
• Low cost.

• Not suitable for competition.

DHS CELL-FREE 40+ 1*

This inventory is from the Chinese manufacturer DHS. Although it has only one star, it is approved by the Chinese Table Tennis Federation and has a CTTA-Apporoved certificate. These accessories have become the official balls for the 2017-2020 tournaments.

CELL-FREE 40+ 1* is recommended for use by beginners and amateurs. Also, due to their characteristics, they are suitable for use in tennis schools and clubs.

It is made of plastic based on cellulose nitrate (celluloid). The diameter is 40 mm. The package includes 10 balls.

The average price is 350 rubles.

• CTTA certificate;
• Includes 10 pcs.;
• Suitable for table tennis lessons.

• The material from which it is made may give a green tint.

STIGA Winner ABS 2**

This game attribute, from the Chinese manufacturer STIGA, is suitable for beginners. Also, all its parameters correspond to training games.It has high strength and bounces off the table surface well. This model has two stars and belongs to the category of training balls. Available in two colors - orange and white. The STIGA Winner ABS 2** is made of durable plastic. The diameter of one ball is 40 mm. The package comes with 6 balls.

The average cost is 600 rubles.

• High strength;
• Good rebound;

• High price for the training category.

Double Fish 3

These Double Fish ping-pong accessories have three stars. They belong to the professional category. They also received approval from the Table Tennis Federation. They are allowed to play in many international competitions and table tennis tournaments. Also, this type of ball is the official inventory in the game for the NCTTA. This model was used in the 2018 ITTF World Cup competition in London.

The latest technologies are used in the manufacture, which do not harm the environment. Each ball is tested and selected by hand. It is made of ABS plastic, which guarantees the strength of the product, and also creates a good rebound. Diameter is 40 mm, available in white. There are 3 pieces in the package.

The average cost is 380 rubles.

• High quality;
• ITTF approved;
• Allowed to play in competitions and tournaments;
• The choice of many professional athletes.

• No.

Torres Profi 3*

Table tennis equipment from Torres has three stars. They are intended both for amateur game, and for professional competitions.They have a flat, smooth, durable and evenly dense surface, which allows them to meet all the standards of the ITTF Federation. The material of manufacture guarantees the accuracy of impacts and high strength, which will allow long-term use of this product.

This inventory is made of celluloid. Each product is sorted and checked manually. Diameter is 40+ mm, available in white. The package contains 6 balls.

The average cost is 170 rubles.

• Affordable price;
• High quality;
• Professional category;
• Certified.

• The material of manufacture may change color over time.

DOBEST BA-02

Tennis accessories DOBEST BA-02 have 2 stars. They will appeal to all fans of table tennis. They are not intended for competitions, although they have all the qualities required for tournament inventory. But perfect for constant training or amateur games.

DOBEST BA-02 has no seams. This accessory is made of polyvinyl chloride. The product has a diameter of 40 mm and is available in white. Pack of 6 balls.

The average cost is 150 rubles.

• Seamless;
• For constant training
• High strength.

• Polyvinyl chloride from prolonged exposure to sunlight may lose its strength.

Nuttaku 3*** Premium 40+

Nuttaku 3*** Premium 40+ is a Japanese-made ball with 3 stars. For their manufacture using a special Japanese plastic material. This model from Nuttaku was the official ball of the World Table Tennis Championship from 1971 to 2001, as well as at two Olympic Games.They are highly durable, provide consistent bounce, and have a precise spherical shape that makes this product uncompetitive. Due to its qualities, this game accessory has been approved by the Table Tennis Federation.

The package contains 3 white products, the diameter of which is 40 mm. The average cost is 800 rubles.

• Japanese quality;
• Constant rebound;
• Ideal shape;
• Suitable for competition;
• Made from special Japanese plastic.

• High price.

STIGA Training

The Training series from STIGA belongs to the group of training balls. They are available in white and orange. They have all the playing characteristics that include optimal weight and good rebound. They have an inconspicuous seam and a spherical shape, as well as medium softness. All these qualities together guarantee the stability of the rebound when playing.

This inventory is made of ABS plastic, which guarantees durable use, and is also suitable for active training and amateur games. They have a diameter of 40 mm. Sold in a set of 6 pcs.

The average cost is 510 rubles.

• Two color options;
• Good rebound;
• spherical shape;
• Swedish brand.

• High price.

Butterfly 3*** G40+

Model Butterfly 3*** G40+ appeared on the market in 2016. Such balls are produced in Germany, which distinguishes them with high quality. This sports equipment has three stars, therefore it is suitable for world-class competitions and tournaments. It has a perfectly round shape, the wall thickness is the same on all sides. Such features provide perfect rotation, good rebound.Smoothness, rigidity and durability will please not only amateurs, but also professional players. This model has been approved by the International Table Tennis Federation.

Butterfly 3*** G40+ are made of high quality plastic and do not contain celluloid. They have an invisible seam. Before sale, each product is manually checked for defects and compliance with all declared characteristics. Produced in white. The package contains 3 balls.

The average cost is 400 rubles.

• Full compliance with the declared characteristics;
• The same wall thickness;
• Ideal shape;
• Good rebound;
• Suitable for tournaments.

• Not available.

Butterfly 3*** S40+

The Butterfly 3*** S40+ model is a novelty for 2022 from a German company. The Butterfly 3*** S40+ is 3-star approved by the ITTF and therefore suitable for competitions and tournaments.

This table tennis accessory has a perfect spherical shape, and the walls have the same thickness. Butterfly 3*** S40+ has a rougher and rougher surface, this quality provides better ball grip on the surface. Also, thanks to this property, you can easily spin the ball and make a low rebound.

In the manufacture of this model, Butterfly paid attention to the requests and wishes of customers, and tried to embody them in the S40 + model.

This model is made of ABS plastic, which is an indicator of strength and durability. Produced in white. The package contains 3 balls.

The average cost is 500 rubles.

• Rough surface;
• Checking each ball for compliance with quality standards;
• Lots of positive feedback.

• High price.

It is difficult for a novice player to choose a certain model of gaming accessories. Do not start your gaming journey with the most budget options. This may adversely affect the continuation of your sports path. Many companies produce good inventory in the middle price category. It will not be suitable for competitions, but it will be just right for dating and sampling.