The Complete Guide to Snooker and Pool Balls

A good set of balls changes how the game feels. They roll truer, react more predictably off the cushion and hold their finish for years rather than months. A cheap set does the opposite, and you feel it on every shot. This guide explains what separates a budget set from a tournament-grade one, what size you need for your table and game, and how the two names that matter, Aramith and DynaSpheres, compare. By the end you will know exactly which set to choose.

Snooker balls vs pool balls: what is the difference

It sounds obvious, but the first decision is which game you are buying for, because the balls are not interchangeable.

A snooker set has 15 reds, six colours (yellow, green, brown, blue, pink and black) and a cue ball. Pool sets vary by code. English or blackball pool uses reds and yellows (or spots and stripes), a black and a cue ball. American pool uses the familiar solids and stripes numbered 1 to 15 plus the cue ball.

The games are different, the tables are different sizes, and so the balls are different sizes too. Get the size right first, then worry about quality and brand.

What are snooker and pool balls made of

This is the single biggest factor in how a set plays and how long it lasts.

The best cue sports balls are made from phenolic resin, a hard, dense material that has been the benchmark for quality balls for decades. Phenolic resin is prized because it is extremely hard wearing. It resists the chipping, scuffing and yellowing that ruin cheaper balls, and it keeps its perfect round shape and balance far longer. Manufacturers say a quality phenolic set will outlast a budget set many times over, and anyone who has played on both will tell you the difference is real.

Cheaper balls are usually made from polyester or other polymers. They look fine in the box and play acceptably at first, but they soften, scuff and lose their balance much sooner. For occasional knockabout play they do a job. For a club, a serious home table or anyone who cares how the game feels, phenolic resin is worth it.

"You can tell within a few frames whether a set is any good," says professional snooker player Chris Totten. "A proper phenolic set rolls true and reacts the same way every time, so you can trust your safety play and your positional shots. Once you have played on quality balls, you do not go back."

Ball sizes explained

Match the ball size to your table and game. These are the standard sizes you will come across.

• Snooker: 52.5mm. The standard across full-size and most home snooker tables.

• English or blackball pool: the object balls are 2 inch, which is 50.8mm, traditionally played with a slightly smaller 1 and 7/8 inch (47.6mm) cue ball. This is the standard UK pub and club pool setup. DynaSpheres "508" sets are made this way, with 50.8mm object balls and a 47.6mm cue ball.

• American pool and nineball: 57.2mm, which is 2 and a quarter inches. The larger ball used in American pool and on the international nineball circuit. DynaSpheres "572" sets are made to this size.

If you are unsure what your table takes, check the pocket and cushion size or ask us before you order. Putting the wrong size ball on a table is the most common and most avoidable mistake.

Weight and tolerance: what tournament grade really means

You will see quality sets described as matched, tournament grade or "1g" sets. Here is what that actually means, without the marketing.

On a top set, the balls are manufactured and then matched so they all weigh and behave almost identically. That consistency is the whole point. If one ball is heavier or slightly out of round, it rolls and reacts differently, and your game suffers.

The official rules of snooker require the balls in a set to match each other in weight to within 3 grams. Quality sets do far better than that. DynaSpheres, for example, grades its snooker sets by how tightly the balls are matched: the Silver set is held to within 1.5 grams, the Gold to within 1 gram, and the top Phantom set to within just 0.5 grams. Even the entry-level set comfortably beats the rulebook, and the Phantom is matched six times tighter than the minimum. That tolerance, the gap between the lightest and heaviest ball in the set, is the real measure of quality, and it is what you are paying for.

The takeaway is simple: a quality phenolic set with a tight, stated tolerance from a name like Aramith or DynaSpheres will roll true and play consistently for years.

How to choose the right set for you

Work through it in this order.

1. Game and table size. Snooker, English pool or American pool, and the size your table takes. This narrows the field immediately.

2. How you play. For casual home use, a mid-range phenolic set is plenty. For a club, a serious practice table or anyone playing to a standard, go for a tournament-grade set. If your table is on show or used for matches, the top sets look and play the part.

3. Brand. Two names lead the market.

• Aramith is the long-established leader, made by Saluc in Belgium and used by a large majority of players around the world. It is the safe, proven choice and the benchmark everyone else is measured against.

• DynaSpheres is the newer challenger, designed in Belgium and now the official ball of the Ultimate Pool Tour and official ball sponsor of the Matchroom World Nineball Tour. It has earned serious credibility fast.

Both are excellent. We break the comparison down in full in our DynaSpheres balls explained guide.

4. Cue ball and accessories. Match your cue ball to the set, and consider a ball cleaner and restorer to keep everything rolling true.

Looking after your balls

Even the best balls pick up chalk, dust and skin oils that affect how they roll. A quick wipe after play and an occasional proper clean make a noticeable difference and protect your investment. For sets that have lost their shine, a restorer brings the finish back. You will find ball cleaners and restorers alongside the sets in our snooker balls and pool balls collections.

Frequently asked questions

What are snooker balls made of? The best ones are made from phenolic resin, a hard, dense material that resists chipping and yellowing and keeps its shape and balance for years. Cheaper balls are made from polyester or other polymers and wear out far sooner.

What size are snooker and pool balls? Snooker balls are 52.5mm. English or blackball pool object balls are 2 inch (50.8mm), traditionally played with a smaller 47.6mm cue ball. American pool and nineball balls are 57.2mm (2 and a quarter inches).

Are Aramith and DynaSpheres balls worth it? Yes, if you care how the game plays and want a set that lasts. Both are phenolic resin sets used at the top of the game. Aramith is the proven market leader; DynaSpheres is the fast-rising challenger with major tournament backing.

What is the difference between phenolic resin and polyester balls? Phenolic resin is harder, more impact resistant and far more durable. It holds its round shape and finish, so the set stays consistent. Polyester balls are cheaper but soften, scuff and lose balance much sooner.

How do I clean snooker or pool balls? Wipe them after play to remove chalk and oils, and use a dedicated ball cleaner for a deeper clean. A restorer can bring back the finish on older sets.

Choosing your set

Get the size right for your game and table, choose phenolic resin if you want a set that plays well and lasts, and pick between Aramith and DynaSpheres on preference and budget. Both will serve you for years.

Browse the full range in our snooker balls, pool balls, Aramith snooker balls and DynaSpheres collections, or get in touch and we will help you choose.