Table tennis balls have changed
October 1, 2000
The first big change came in 2000 after the summer Olympic Games. The International Table Tennis Federation changed the size of the ball from 38 mm to 40 mm. They decided that the game had gotten too fast and they wanted to slow it down. The 40 mm ball is slower, spins less and most importantly made it easier to watch the game on television.
July 1, 2014
The second big change was the material used to make the balls. Effective July 1, 2014 only balls made from plastic were legal for ITTF tournament play. These are commonly referred to as “poly” balls. Celluloid, the material of choice for decades, is no longer legal at the highest levels of the game. Celluloid is flammable, and it is a very severe health hazard. It is banned in many countries. The ITTF felt that the supply of raw celluloid for table tennis balls could become a problem. Better to change the balls now than face shortages later.
Side Note: With the change to “poly” balls the ITTF slipped in a change in the size of the ball. The old specification was 39.5 mm to 40.5 mm in diameter. Typically celluloid balls came in at 39.6-39.7 mm. The new specification is 40.0 mm to 40.6 mm. They typically run about 40.2 mm. That will slow the balls down even more.
I suggest buying a “poly” ball, but which one? Balls are labeled one star, two star or three star with three being the highest quality. Even the most expensive ball is no more than the price of a golf ball and they are impossible to slice into the lake. So buy three star balls.
While there are many balls on the market there is only a small handful of manufacturers making balls under many different labels.
CHINESE BALLS (PLASTIC WITH SEAM) 1st Generation
There are only 2 manufacturers, DHS and Double Fish. These balls do not play very well and they break very easily. Everyone agrees these are terrible, don’t buy them.
CHINESE BALLS (PLASTIC WITH SEAM) 2nd Generation
After the disaster of the initial balls the two manufacturers made changes. In 2017 they switched the raw material to acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, known as ABS. They are much, much better.
CHINESE BALLS (PLASTIC SEAMLESS)
All seamless balls are manufactured by Shanghai Minkow in China. So far I have heard good things about them. The company sells them under the names.
GERMAN BALLS (PLASTIC WITH SEAM)
The following balls are produced in Germany by Weener Plastik GmbH. They were first released towards the end of 2015. Some good reviews, some bad reviews.
JAPANESE BALLS (PLASTIC WITH SEAM)
Just about everyone seems to agree that these are the best. And they should be, they are much more expensive than everything else out there.
The first big change came in 2000 after the summer Olympic Games. The International Table Tennis Federation changed the size of the ball from 38 mm to 40 mm. They decided that the game had gotten too fast and they wanted to slow it down. The 40 mm ball is slower, spins less and most importantly made it easier to watch the game on television.
July 1, 2014
The second big change was the material used to make the balls. Effective July 1, 2014 only balls made from plastic were legal for ITTF tournament play. These are commonly referred to as “poly” balls. Celluloid, the material of choice for decades, is no longer legal at the highest levels of the game. Celluloid is flammable, and it is a very severe health hazard. It is banned in many countries. The ITTF felt that the supply of raw celluloid for table tennis balls could become a problem. Better to change the balls now than face shortages later.
Side Note: With the change to “poly” balls the ITTF slipped in a change in the size of the ball. The old specification was 39.5 mm to 40.5 mm in diameter. Typically celluloid balls came in at 39.6-39.7 mm. The new specification is 40.0 mm to 40.6 mm. They typically run about 40.2 mm. That will slow the balls down even more.
I suggest buying a “poly” ball, but which one? Balls are labeled one star, two star or three star with three being the highest quality. Even the most expensive ball is no more than the price of a golf ball and they are impossible to slice into the lake. So buy three star balls.
While there are many balls on the market there is only a small handful of manufacturers making balls under many different labels.
CHINESE BALLS (PLASTIC WITH SEAM) 1st Generation
There are only 2 manufacturers, DHS and Double Fish. These balls do not play very well and they break very easily. Everyone agrees these are terrible, don’t buy them.
- DHS 40+ 3-Star
- Double Fish 40+ 3-Star
- 729 PS 40+ 3-Star
- Andro 40+ 3-Star
- Butterfly 40+ 3-Star
- ChenVul Maruara 40+ 3-Star
- Cornilleau P-Ball 40+ 3-Star
- Donic 40+ 3-Star
- Gewo Ultra P 40+ 3-Star
- Giant Dragon 40+ 3-Star
- Joola Super-P 40+ 3-Star
- Kinson 40+ 3-Star
- Komann 40+ 3-Star
- Nittaku SHA 40+ 3-Star
- Peace 40+ 3-Star
- Stiga Optimum 40+ 3-Star
- Sunflex 40+ 3-Star
- Tibhar SYNTT 40+ 3-Star
- TSP 40+ 3-Star
- Xiom Pro Select 40+ 3-Star
- Yasaka 40+ 3-Star
CHINESE BALLS (PLASTIC WITH SEAM) 2nd Generation
After the disaster of the initial balls the two manufacturers made changes. In 2017 they switched the raw material to acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, known as ABS. They are much, much better.
- DHS D40+ 3-Star If you want to try these I keep a few in my bag.
- Double Fish V40+ 3-Star
CHINESE BALLS (PLASTIC SEAMLESS)
All seamless balls are manufactured by Shanghai Minkow in China. So far I have heard good things about them. The company sells them under the names.
- Kingnik 40+ 3-Star
- Xushaofa 40+ 3-Star
- 729 40+ 3-Star
- Asian Pacific 40+ 3-Star
- Gambler 40+ 3-Star (USATT approved)
- GKI Premium 40+ 3-Star
- Hanno 40+ 3-Star
- iPong Sphere 40+ 3-Star
- Joola Flash 40+ 3-Star
- Nexy 40+ 3-Star
- Palio 40+ 3-Star
- Sanwei 40+ 3-Star
- Schildkröt Super 40+ 3-Star
- Stag Peter Karlsson 40+ 3-Star
- Tibhar SL 40+ 3-Star
- Xiom 40+ 3-Star
- Yinhe 40+ 3-Star
GERMAN BALLS (PLASTIC WITH SEAM)
The following balls are produced in Germany by Weener Plastik GmbH. They were first released towards the end of 2015. Some good reviews, some bad reviews.
- Butterfly G40+ 3-Star
- TriBax 40+ 3-Star
JAPANESE BALLS (PLASTIC WITH SEAM)
Just about everyone seems to agree that these are the best. And they should be, they are much more expensive than everything else out there.
- Nittaku 3-Star PREMIUM 40+ Balls
December 18, 2018
Both Nittaku and DHS announced the availability of 3 star poly balls in orange.
Both Nittaku and DHS announced the availability of 3 star poly balls in orange.
John Borjeson