Best Pool Cues for All Experience Levels
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Viking Valhalla 800 & 900 Series 2 Piece 58†Pool Cue -
McDermott Pool Cue -
OUTLAW Dark 9 Pool Cue -
Blaze Model VR-1DE Dark Blue Pool Cue -
Blaze Model SW-01 Pool Cue -
Buyer's Guide
Choosing the best pool cue depends on the characteristics of the player. Everyone has their own style and preferential attributes in their equipment, so there's never really one cue that is perfect for all. But there are some basic guidelines you can follow to find the one that's right for you.
Heaviercues are usually better for beginners, as it stays in line longer and may be easier for a novice to get some extra spin. Lighter cues make it easier to control the speed of the ball but they require more accuracy and skill. The tip size is usually a matter of preference, though beginners should get a cue with a larger tip. Using a soft tip allows for extra feel through the shot, but a hard tip is more durable and retains its shape longer.
Wraps are usually nylon or linen, though some come with leather or other exotic materials. If you are a beginner, it is best to test the different types since this is mostly a matter of personal preference. Best pool cues in 2022 can come in many different styles. Some players like cues that are more ornate and have many inlays or decorations; other players prefer a plain wood stick.
No matter what your experience, skill level, or preference, we have compiled the best pool cues for any type of player below, along with a buyer's guide to help you along the way. Read on!
Comparing the Best Pool Cues in 2022
Viking Valhalla 800 & 900 Series 2 Piece 58†Pool Cue - Best Pool Cue Overall
The V123K has been designed for simplicity in both form and function. Using the company's Vikore Hard Rock maple shaft, it offers low deflection performance for greater control and reduced miscues while still affording a stiff hit on your ball. Both halves are joined by a stainless steel joint and rely on wood to wood contact to keep the cue perfectly straight, so there's no warping at the center point. This results in an assembled cue that feels like it's naturally one piece. The cue uses birdseye maple and is outfitted with a laminated Everest tip, which hits hard but offers the kind of ball control you'd expect from a soft tip, with a durable resin ferrule that is crack and stain resistant for longer life. Ultra-violet Urethane 3 protective finish and Viking's trademark blue acrylic pearl inlays give the cue its classic look, with a 12-14" conical taper for smooth playability.
McDermott Pool Cue - Runner Up
The G411 brings power and consistency to your game with a triple-layer carbon fiber core located near the front of the shaft and extending up to the ferrule. This provides stability throughout the cue while adding additional strength to the ferrule assembly which cuts down on vibration while increasing the accuracy and impact of your shot. McDermott's carbon fiber enhanced core also keeps the cue predictable; ensuring that the product performs precisely in the same manner every time you play. The laminated Everest tip is the same as the one that Viking uses on their cue, which offers uniform hardness but maintains the control of a soft tip and consists of ten multiple layers with a red warning ring to let you know you need to replace it. The G411 is also a good-looking cue that uses light color rosewood with pewter and turquoise inlays for a handsome yet understated aesthetic.
OUTLAW Dark 9 Pool Cue - Honorable Mention
The name Outlaw conjures up visions of a bygone era, and this cue has been created with that profile in mind. Branded etchings along the brown maple forearm and sleeve are the first indicators this is not your typical cue. But it's not all style and no substance with the Outlaw, as this is a hard-hitting cue that might take a little getting used to for some players. It incorporates an Ivorene-3 fiber linen ferrule and a 13mm medium-hard Triangle tip with a stainless steel pin, collar, and plate which has been etched with the distinctive Outlaw logo. You can get this cue in four different weights: 19-22 oz. No matter which you choose, you'll find that, for the price, you're getting one heck of a cue for the money.
Blaze Model VR-1DE Dark Blue Pool Cue - Consider
OB has ensured the unfaltering stability and straightness of their cue with its Straight Line Core, building the two portions of their stick to make contact at the joint in a wood to wood configuration so it matches up with total equality and there's no irregularity in the profile of their product. That means your cue is perfectly aligned and collinear for peak performance and it will remain that way for years to come. The OB-130 also has a centralized balance system which uses strategically placed weights throughout the length of the cue to keep it well balanced, with succinct impulse reaction and sharp feedback without much vibration on your shot. The forearm and sleeve of the cue are both made of birdseye maple and contain black ebony diamond inlays to make it a true eight of diamonds. This cue also uses an Everest tip and comes in a number of weight options for every skill level of player.
Blaze Model SW-01 Pool Cue - Best Pool Cue
This one's really best for the newbies. The feel of using this cue is pretty stiff, and while it makes you feel like you're crushing the ball, it's not the most finessed stick out there. The shaft is white hard rock maple with a 13mm linen fiber ferrule; the wrap is black pressed Irish linen, and it comes with a Le Professional tip. These are all pretty standard, stock materials incorporated in low-cost cue options. Good quality, but yes, there are better, more expensive products out there. The color scheme offers a low-profile stick with black forearm, sleeve, and plate. White accents with blue diamond highlights complete the picture.
Buyer's Guide
Most pool players start casually with friends or family, but it becomes a competitive activity pretty soon, like everything else in life. If you can relate to this pressure of improving your game, you have to have a pool cue of your own that precisely addresses your needs. To select the best pool cue in 2022, you must understand what goes into this decision because the options are practically unlimited.
Why should I buy a pool cue?
There are just too many features of a pool cue that can affect your performance. The heuristics that you should develop will come easier when you are using the same stick every time. In addition, the overall feel of the movement of the cue will become an extension of you with time. By buying your own pool cue, you have a cue that suits your needs and is comfortable and familiar to play with each and every time.
Beaking down the individual parts of a pool cue
We know that new players can get a bit dazzled by all the jargon involved, so here is brief anatomy of a pool cue:
Pool cue tip
It is the end of the stick that hits the cue ball. It ranges from 11.75mm to 14mm in diameter. Most tips are made of compressed films of leather held together using glue and are usually called soft or medium tips. Hard tips are made of a single layer of thick leather pressed hard.
Soft tips can give you a few more microseconds with the cue ball at the time of hit so that you can add more spin to your shot. However, it can lose its shape quicker than the hard tip and will require replacement more often.
Hard tips transfer energy to the cue ball instantly, so it is almost impossible to add a fair spin to your shot using these cue tips. However, older players still prefer this tip. These have a longer life and do not require as much maintenance.
The ferrule
Ferrules protect the wooden part of the cue from wear and tear because frequent changing of the tip would damage the end of the wooden shaft. It contributes towards the sound of the shot and impact transfer to the rest of the pool cue. Most commonly made of plastic, it is also available in various metals such as aluminum, carbon fiber, or ivory.
The shaft
The best pool cues are made of hard rock maple wood that is straightened to perfection and polished impeccably. The reason for maple wood monopoly on the pool cue shaft is its resistance to temperature fluctuations. Pool cue shafts can bend over time mainly due to temperature changes over the years, but the good quality shafts stay straight as an arrow year after year. Carbon fiber stick with three layers is being put nowadays in the best pool cue shafts in the front.
The ring, joint, collar
These are present in the two-piece pool cues. The ring strengthens the joint of the two parts of the pool cue (shaft and butt). The collar placed in the shaft transfers the impact from shaft to butt evenly.
The butt
Right after the joint to midway of the butt area is called the forearm or forewrap, while the rest of the butt is called wrap or grip. At the end of the butt, you can find a sleeve (an inch or two), butt cap, and bumper. Manufacturers use this butt-end area for styling and artistic expressions.
What factors must you consider while searching for the best pool cue?
Type
First of all, you should decide on a single-piece or two-piece type of pool cue. There are not many high-end options in single-piece, so most people buy two-piece pool cues unless they are buying a spare.
Budget
A brand new beginner-level pool cue will cost you around $60 but can go as high as $200. Professional cues are priced north of $400 at least. If you are searching for an in-between option that can even support you through a league competition, you can expect to pay between $180 and $350. The fancier the choice, the higher the price will go. Luxury options will always cost more than $1000.
Skill level
Beginner pool cues are made of maple wood, an advanced taper, and compressed layered leather tip. All these things are essentially everything that a novice player needs to improve their game.
Intermediate player pool cues have everything that their predecessor in evolution has and add on a low deflection technology that is used up to the professional level.
Professionals need all the performance enhancements they can get their hands on, especially the shaft. Shaft will still be hard rock maple wood but with improved technology. The only material beating maple shaft is carbon fiber. Oak leather tips are also a standard for professional-level pool cues.
Weight and balance
Most pool cues weigh around 20 ounces, with most of it held up in the butt of the pool cue. The right weight for you depends on your height. If you are shorter than the average pool shooter, then the balance of your pool cue should be away from the butt cap. This will help you grip the pool cue in the right place, and your pool cue tip will be stable throughout the shot.
How to keep your pool cue in perfect condition
- Lay your pool cue in its case and rest it on the ground. Do not lean your pool cue against walls or other surfaces. They will bend over time from their own weight.
- Do not clean with any hard materials ever because the lost material will imbalance the shaft.
- Protect your pool cue like you would protect your medicine: away from sunlight, heat, and damp conditions.
Best pool cue buying tips
- Figure out your playing style, aesthetic preferences, and professional level well beforehand to avoid sinking into the sea of options available.
- Whatever pool cue you choose, you should try it in the shooting posture a few times. If that pool cue is made for you, it will communicate with you by giving you supportive feedback.
Best Pool Cue FAQ
Q: How can I find the best pool cue for a spin?
A: You should choose soft tips on your pool cue if you want to spin in your shots. Tips made of compressed filaments of leather are set up on the best pool cue. Any other part of the pool cue does not matter for the purpose of spin.
Q: How can I find the best pool cue for advanced or professional players?
A: Carbon fiber ferrule, low-deflection shaft, luxury leather wrap, and premium looks are the salient features of a professional level pool cue. The preferences of the pool player matter a lot when buying a pool cue for them because of the sensitivity they have developed over the years toward different materials of various parts of the cue.
Q: Which size of a pool cue is the best??
A: Standard pool cue sizes for people having average height are 57-inch (one-piece pool cue) and 58 inches (two-piece pool cue). 61-inch pool cue is a standard size for players taller than 6 feet 5 inches. For women and children, an extendable 48-inch pool cue is the most popular option.
