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The 7 Best Table Tennis Balls in India in 2024

Table tennis balls are very small and lightweight. If there is a slight deviation from industry standards, you will find different behavioral characteristics against air. The consistency of bounce, feeling, and playability wouldn’t be a pleasant experience. That’s why, it’s important to choose wisely among the wide variety of options available in the market. So, to give you some relief from the hectic selection process, I have critically examined the top 7 best table tennis balls in India and reviewed each of them highlighting their positive and negative aspects to help you make an informed decision.

Best Table Tennis Balls in India: Top Picks

Best for Competitions
NITTAKU Premium 3 Star 40+ Plastic Table Tennis Ball, (White)
Best Value for Money
STAG Supreme Plastic Table Tennis Balls, Size Standard, (White)
Best for Training
Donic P40+ 3 Plastic Table Tennis Ball (White) Standard Size
Best for Recreation
GKI Euro Plastic 40+ Table Tennis Balls, Multicolour (Pack of 6) Standard Size
NITTAKU Premium 3 Star 40+ Plastic Table Tennis Ball, (White)
STAG Supreme Plastic Table Tennis Balls, Size Standard, (White)
Donic P40+ 3 Plastic Table Tennis Ball (White) Standard Size
GKI Euro Plastic 40+ Table Tennis Balls, Multicolour (Pack of 6) Standard Size
Material
Plastic
Plastic
Plastic
Plastic
Type
Seam
Seam
Seam
Seamless
Star Rating
3-star
3-star
3-star
2-star
Approved by
ITTF
ITTF
ITTF
TTFI
Price
-
-
₹ 244
-
Best for Competitions
NITTAKU Premium 3 Star 40+ Plastic Table Tennis Ball, (White)
NITTAKU Premium 3 Star 40+ Plastic Table Tennis Ball, (White)
Material
Plastic
Type
Seam
Star Rating
3-star
Approved by
ITTF
Price
-
Best Value for Money
STAG Supreme Plastic Table Tennis Balls, Size Standard, (White)
STAG Supreme Plastic Table Tennis Balls, Size Standard, (White)
Material
Plastic
Type
Seam
Star Rating
3-star
Approved by
ITTF
Price
-
Best for Training
Donic P40+ 3 Plastic Table Tennis Ball (White) Standard Size
Donic P40+ 3 Plastic Table Tennis Ball (White) Standard Size
Material
Plastic
Type
Seam
Star Rating
3-star
Approved by
ITTF
Price
₹ 244
Best for Recreation
GKI Euro Plastic 40+ Table Tennis Balls, Multicolour (Pack of 6) Standard Size
GKI Euro Plastic 40+ Table Tennis Balls, Multicolour (Pack of 6) Standard Size
Material
Plastic
Type
Seamless
Star Rating
2-star
Approved by
TTFI
Price
-

What are the Properties of a Table Tennis Ball?

According to rule 2.3 of ITTF, the governing body of table tennis

  • The shape of a ball shall be spherical, with a diameter of 40 mm.
  • The weight of the ball should be 2.7 grams.
  • Only plastic can be used as material for a table tennis ball.
  • The color of the ball must be white or orange.
  • The ball should have a matt finish for better utilization of spin creation.

You must tally all the requirements mentioned above, printed in the box to confirm the quality of a ball.

How to Identify a Top-Quality Table Tennis Ball?

1. Star Rating

Fortunately, there is a star rating system for the segmentation of different quality ping pong balls.

1-star ball: It represents the lowest quality. These balls are suitable only for new entry players.

2-star: Suitable for practice and club-level recreational play but not for competitions.

3-star: It denotes the highest quality and is recommended for tournaments.

2. Seam Vs Seamless

You should also check whether the ball has a seam construction along the middle of its circumference or if it is seamless/ jointless.

Seamless balls have certain advantages over seamed balls.

  1. Seamless balls tend to be more durable
  2. The feeling is better for seamless balls
  3. Roundness is also marginally superior

3. ITTF Approval

You must check the presence of the ITTF logo on the ball to confirm whether it meets the standard for competition.

Best Table Tennis Balls in India: Reviews

NameStar RatingApprovalBest forEditor’s Rating
Nittaku Premium3-starITTFCompetitions9.9/10
Stag Supreme3-starITTFCompetitions9.8/10
Stiga Perform3-starITTFCompetitions9.4/10
Donic P40+3-starITTFTraining9.2/10
GKI Superb3-starTTFIPractice9.1/10
GKI Euro2-starTTFIRecreational9.0/10
GKI G-star2-starTTFIBeginners9.0/10

NITTAKU Premium Table Tennis Ball

Type: Competition

Specification

  • Material: Plastic
  • Color: White
  • Type: Seam
  • Star Rating: 3 star
  • Approval: ITTF
  • Price: ₹699 (3-pack box)

Nittaku Premium is probably the most popular table tennis ball in the professional international table tennis circuit. This Japan-based brand uses a special poly plastic material for the production of these high-quality balls. These premium quality balls give you the ultimate bounce while playing. 

When you hit the ball, you will get a nice feeling for a pleasurable experience. The sphericity and roundness of these international-level competition balls are maintained with extreme precision. That’s why the Nittaku Premium was the official ball of the Liebherr 2017 World Table Tennis Championships.

Nittaku premium ball that got damaged during play

Though these balls are of high durability, one of my Nittaku Premium balls has been separated into two halves within 7 days while playing. This may be an exception for such a high-quality ball.

Due to its exceptional playability, Nittaku Premium ranks 1st for the best table tennis balls in India for competitions.

Pros

  • Exceptional feeling
  • Ultimate bounce
  • Extensively tested at the highest level
  • Great brand value

Cons

  • Little more pricey

STAG Supreme Table Tennis Ball

Type: Competition

Specifications

  • Material: Plastic
  • Color: White
  • Type: Seam
  • Star Rating: 3 star
  • Approval: ITTF
  • Price: ₹450 (3-pack box)
Stag supreme table tennis ball

STAG Supreme, a 40+ table tennis ball, has a wonderful rounded construction for a consistent bounce. The matt finish surface provides excellent spin and control. In addition to the excellent playability, one other thing that I have experienced is extreme durability. On average, one Supreme ball lasts for 20-30 days (Avg. practice 1 hour/ day). Also, the brighter whitish balls are easier to follow during play.

It is the most popular ball in the Indian table tennis circuit. This ball has been used most in the National Table Tennis Tournaments. This single fact tells the credibility of the STAG Supreme balls. The high demand makes the scarcity of these high-standard balls.

STAG Supreme with a great overall performance rating, is the best table tennis ball in India for serious play that gives value for money.

Pros

  • Excellent playability
  • Consistent bounce
  • High longevity 
  • Value for money

Cons

  • Issue of non-availability

Stiga Perform Table Tennis Ball

Type: Competition

Sale

Specifications

  • Material: Plastic
  • Color: White
  • Type: Seamless
  • Star Rating: 3 star
  • Approval: ITTF
  • Price: ₹448 (3-pack box)
Stiga perform ping pong ball

The Stiga Perform balls are very similar to the above-mentioned Supreme balls in terms of bounce, accuracy, and feeling. Another nice thing is that the Perform balls have a seamless construction which is good for durability. But unfortunately what I have experienced tells the reverse. Most of the Stiga Perform balls that I have used, got damaged within a week. They are vulnerable to hard smashes. Otherwise, they are as good as standard competition-level table tennis balls.

STIGA Perform was the official ball in the National Ranking table tennis tournaments, played in Vadodara, and Surat in 2022. 

Pros

  • Excellent bounce
  • Seamless construction
  • Good visibility

Cons

  • Not so durable

Type: Training/ Competitions

Sale
  • Material: Plastic
  • Color: White
  • Type: Seam
  • Star Rating: 3 star
  • Approval: ITTF
  • Price: ₹257 (3-pack box)

Donic P40+ is slightly behind the STIGA Perform for professional practice. The bounce is great and spins like the old celluloid balls. The average durability is 1 to 1.5 months for daily practice which is great. The best thing is that it costs significantly less than the other premium 3-star table tennis balls in India.

The downside is that you don’t get the feel after a decent practice of 10-15 days.

  • Very good bounce quality
  • Durable
  • Economical
  • Not so good when the ball gets old

GKI Superb 3-Star Table Tennis Ball

Type: Recreation/ Practice

Sale

Specifications

  • Material: Plastic
  • Color: White
  • Type: Seam
  • Star Rating: 3 star
  • Approval: ITTF
  • Price: ₹2699 (48-pack box)

The GKI Superb balls are made with ABS (Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene), a common thermoplastic polymer that is highly durable with high impact resistance. That is the positive side of using ABS. But in terms of feel and bounce, these 3 star balls are as good as the above-mentioned competition balls. Also, the dull white appearance is a negative aspect because of clear visibility.

Gki superb table tennis ball

I used the GKI Superb balls for a couple of days. Though I was not impressed with the playability, I was surprised to see the high longevity of these balls.

GKI Superb balls are durable and approved by the ITTF (Indian Table Tennis Federation). If you want a lot of balls for a long practice season or feeding by a robot, the GKI Superb is the best option to fulfill your needs.

Pros

  • Highly durable
  • Standard bounce
  • Great for recreational play

Cons

  • Not approved by ITTF

GKI Euro Table Tennis Ball

Type: Recreation/ Beginners

Specifications

  • Material: Plastic
  • Color: White
  • Type: Seam
  • Star Rating: 2 star
  • Approval: ITTF
  • Price: ₹285

Like the GKI Superb, the Euro balls are also made with ABS material. These are 2-Star category balls, approved by the Indian Table Tennis Federation. The bounce and quality of the GKI Euro balls fit well for recreational play. Considering the price of ₹50, the noticeable thing is that the Euro balls are seamless which is always good for extra longevity.

With an excellent price-performance ratio, the GKI Euro tops the list for the best table tennis balls in India for recreational play.

Pros

  • Decent bounce 
  • Good spin
  • Durable
  • Value for money

Cons

  • Not for competitive play

GKI G-Star Table Tennis Ball

Type: Recreation/ Beginners

Sale

Specifications

  • Material: Plastic
  • Color: White
  • Type: Seam
  • Star Rating: 2 star
  • Approval: ITTF
  • Price: ₹285 (6-pack box)

The GKI G-Star balls are slightly lagging behind the above-mentioned Superb balls but in terms of durability, they maintain the same standard. These lightweight 2-Star balls are made with ABS and have a seam construction around the periphery. 

The G-Star balls are available at a price of ₹50 per piece on Amazon India. For beginners in India, it is a good buy.

Pros

  • Durable
  • Good for beginners
  • Value for money

Cons

  • Not for serious practice

Maintaining Your Table Tennis Balls

It’s a good habit to take good care of table tennis balls to prolong their lifespan and performance. Here are some tips to keep your balls in good condition.

  • Store balls in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
  • Avoid exposing them to extreme temperatures or humidity.
  • Make a regular habit of cleaning balls regularly with a damp, clean cloth 
  • Check for any damage or cracks before each use.

Some Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why is either the term 40 or 40+ printed on the ball?

The term 40 tells that the ball has a diameter of 40 mm whereas 40+ denotes the marginally increased tolerance over 40 mm.

2. What are table tennis balls made of?

The material used for balls is either celluloid or plastic. The change from celluloid to plastic came in 2014 and since then the production of celluloid balls has been wiped out.

3. How to distinguish between a celluloid ball and a plastic ball.

The stamping of “40” or “40+” tells whether the material is celluloid or plastic. Celluloid balls carry the stamping of “40” and it is “40+” for plastic balls. Nowadays, it is mandatory to use 40+ plastic balls for all state-level, national, and international tournaments.

4. What does the star rating mean?

The star rating on a table tennis ball indicates its quality. A 3-star ball denotes the highest quality while 2-star or 1-star balls are used for practice or recreational play.

5. What’s the difference between white and orange balls?

The only difference between white and orange balls is their visibility against different backgrounds. White balls are easier to spot on dark backgrounds, while the use of orange balls is more suitable for light backgrounds.

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Last update on 2024-11-01 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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