Pool is one of the most-played games in the world and this can be done on a casual level at a bar or at your home, but many players do have aspirations of playing the bigger leagues.
If you do not own your own pool table, the next most important thing you will need to look for is the ideal pool cue. The best pool cue can make life a little easier for you when you start playing and it could also significantly improve your game.
We have set out to find the top pool cues and show you how to choose one and which ones will be the best for whatever level you are currently playing on.
Not all pool cues are the same and just because you are good against your friends in a bar, you might not be extremely good against a pro on his turf!
When playing against pro players, you will find that certain shots must be made and you also need to make every opportunity count. Many pros will be able to finish the game in only a few shots and spin and placement are skills that you need to master.
Having the right cue will go a long way in helping you master these skills.
But before we just dive into the top pool cues, there are a few things that you will need to know or consider before you buy a pool cue.
Choosing your pool cue will heavily depend on your budget and your playing style and these two things should certainly be taken into consideration when you are selecting a cue.
Key features
As we have already mentioned, pool cues will vary in price and this price will also determine the quality of the pool cue.
In our search for features, we tried to highlight some of the more affordable features that will help you as either a beginner or an intermediate player, get to that top level and become a master.
Here are the top features that we think you should consider before buying a pool cue:
Materials
All pool cues might look like they are simply made out of wood, but this is definitely not the case and there are so many varieties when it comes to the composition of pool cues that naming all of them will take forever.
It is; however, important for you to know that softer materials are for controlled players while harder materials are for stronger shots. Sometimes you might even have two pool cues; one for breaking and one for playing.
Weight
The weight of the pool cue will vary from person to person and a heavier pool cue will once again give you a more powerful shot, but if the pool cue is too heavy, you will not be comfortable when playing and your shots will be off.
We recommend getting comfortable with a weight in a bar and then making your decision based on that when buying your own pool cue.
The Joint
A professional pool cue is usually broken into two parts. These parts are named the butt and the shaft. The butt is usually the heavier backside of the cue and the shaft is lighter and it also has the tip attached.
Linking these two together is the joint and the materials of the joint may vary, with metal more commonly used. This will affect the “feel” of the shot and a low you make adjustments.
Inlays and finishes
Many standard pool cues are quite plain and they do not have many inlays and only basic finishes, but you will also see some of the more advanced and custom-designed pool cues with various types of wood inlays.
This not only makes the cue look more stylish, but it also enhances the quality and durability of the cue.
Tip Shape and Size
The tip is fundamentally important as this will be the part of the cue that connects with the ball. The tip can come in a flat shape or a more rounded shape with benefits to each.
A flat tip is great for straight shots and it is usually bigger, while the dome-shaped rounded tip is a little smaller most of the time and will be ideal for playing those fancy-looking spin shots. This decision will be based on your skill and your playing style.
Straightness
A pool cue should be very straight and when you roll the cue on a flat surface, there should not be any wobbles. A skewed or crooked cue can greatly impact your shots and your aim and this will lead to miss shots and bad timing and damage your pool table.
These are the 6 main features that we consider to be fundamentally important when you are purchasing a pool cue.
The better the cue, the faster you will learn how to play and execute top shots like a pro, thus also allowing you to eventually enter competitions and starting to play for money.
It is also worth noting that pool cues have significantly advanced in terms of quality and it is quite hard to buy a bad cue in the modern times.
The one-piece bar cue might not be ideal, but sometimes one-piece cues can be the perfect cue for a beginner getting into the sport.
Pool Cue Reviews
1. Players Pool Cue C-960 Classic Crimson Birds-Eye Maple
The Players Classically styled crimson maple pool cue is one of the top intermediate pool cues you will find on the market.
The pool cue is comprised of hard maple wood and this will make the cue perfect for playing harder shots and breaking, but the pool cue is also quite advanced in terms of offering players a perfect moisture-absorbing grip to ensure the cue does not slip.
The well-prepared tip will ensure that you do not have such a long break-in period and many players have reported that they are immediately off to a great start with this cue.
In terms of the joint, the cue features a metal joint to keep the stick together and the two-piece design will be great to store or carry around to wherever you plan on playing your next pool game.
One thing that definitely stood out to use was the perfectly designed style. The added Irish linen grip is only a bonus since it is most commonly only used on some of the premium professional pool cues on the market.
The cue is also available in various sizes and weight to allow you to get the ideal cue for your needs.
We highly recommend this cue to intermediate players, but beginners will also be reluctant to know that the cue will allow them to significantly improve their game.
The pool cue is also one of the most durable cues we have seen in a long time and the price of the cue is also actually quite affordable.
Pros:
- Stylish and durable design
- Hardwood composition
- Easy to store and travel with
- Reasonably priced
Cons:
- The rubber bumper at the back of the cue might occasionally slip out
2. Players Technology Series HXT30 Two-Piece Pool Cue
Next, on our list, we have another one from the Players series and the HXT15 Two-piece pool cue certainly jumps out as one of the more advanced pool cues you will find on the market.
The cue is comprised of durable hardwood in the form of maple wood and it has also been treated with Nelsonite. This patented stabilizer will ensure that the cue does not get damaged by atmospheric changes.
Another special epoxy finish has also been added to help ensure that the cue does not decay over time and to help protect the cue from moisture damage as well.
For the tip, the company has used 10 layers of pigskin and while many people might be satisfied with normal leather, the pigskin has been proven to be more durable and will also ensure that the shot is smoother than the leather tip.
The HXT low deflection ferrule will ensure that every shot you play has more power behind it and the reflection will be down from the normal you find on average cues.
The stainless steel joint will hold the cue together perfectly, but we do have fears of durability, but the Irish linen wrap will ensure that your hands never slip and you play without moisture irritation.
We highly recommend this cue to more advanced and professional players and we believe that you will be able to play very comfortably with this cue.
The cue is a little more expensive than some of the other in the series, but we also believe that it is probably the best in the series for you to choose from and it will also be a great lifelong investment in your pool future.
Pros:
- Durable hardwood composition
- Protected from atmospheric issues
- Perfect grip
- Reduced deflection and more precision
Cons:
- Quite expensive
3. AB Earth 2-Piece Pool Cue
The AB Earth two-piece hardwood maple cue is another top cue for players to start out with and the cue is also available in multiple sizes for you to choose from.
The cue does feature quite a large and average comprised tip, but in terms of getting started at playing pool, a cue like this will be ideal for you to get to the next level at an affordable price.
It’s made of exotic Canadian AAAA Maple which is naturally dried for 2 years.
The cue is also available in multiple different styles for you to choose from and this means that choosing the best pool cue should be as much of an issue.
The high-density ferrule is not the best on the market, but it certainly does allow beginners to get into the swing of things much faster and learn to play pool with a decent cue from the start.
The cue does; however have one element that you will find on the professional cues and this refers to the grip on the cue. This cue features an Irish linen grip and it has also been proven to be the best grip and the chosen favorite for professional pool players.
The designs are not the flashiest, but they do vary and you might end up having a unique pool cue.
We highly recommend this cue to pool bars and even to beginner players. This pool cue is one of the cheapest top-quality cues you will find and you will also be able to use this cue as an intermediate player.
The tip will also be strong enough to withstand players fooling around until you manage to improve your shots.
Pros:
- Durable maple wood design
- Available in multiple colors and sizes
- Really cheap
- Reasonably durable cue tip
Cons:
- Ferrule does not offer as much resistance to deflections
4. Trademark Global Billiard Cue
The Trademark Global Billiard cue is one of the more basic cues you will find on the market and it has also been designed for clubs to have and rent out, as well as the ideal type of cue for beginners to start with.
The cue is comprised of hardwood and it will be great for adding more power to your shots. You will also have a massive selection to choose from in terms of style and finish on the cue.
The cue is a two-piece and you will also receive your very own cue case when purchasing the cue.
This means that you will be able to ensure that your cue is always safe and protected when you are not playing and it will also keep the cue away from water, which might cause the cue to bend and have implications in terms of accuracy.
The cue is also available in multiple sizes for you to choose from and even though the tip is made of quality materials to keep you going, you will not be able to change the tip with some of the more advanced screws in tips.
Many people have also complained about the tip coming loose over time, but luckily, this can be glued back to the cue.
We highly recommend this cue to beginners. The cue is quite cheap and it comes with a protective case to make storage easier and to keep the cue away from any danger and harm.
The assembled length of 58 inches is also great and recommended for beginners and casual players.
Pros:
- Reasonably durable
- Really cheap
- Stylish design
- Comes with a protective casing
Cons:
- Tip does come off over time and cannot be replaced with a professional screw tip
5. Imperial Premier Cyclone 2-Piece Hard Rock Maple Billiard/Pool House Cue
The Imperial Premier Cyclon 2-piece Hard rock maple billiard or house pool cue is one of the other cheaper, but still lucrative pool cues you will find on the market.
The cue is designed from durable hardwood in the form of maple and this will ensure that you do get stronger and more powerful shots off.
The cue is also available in multiple lengths for you to choose from, but the design will stay the same for all of these lengths or sizes.
When looking at the design, you will see that it is quite basic, but sometimes a basic design will save you money when you get quality and great durability at a lower price.
The 13mm tip is quite durable and will last extremely long. The cues are also available in some of the smaller sizes for children or for home use in smaller spaces where you are limited or unable to use some of the longer cues.
The cue does lack in shot deflection and this might make shots harder or even cost you the game as you start playing better opponents.
In terms of price, the cue is really affordable and not in the range of the high-end cues. The cue will be perfect for home use in smaller more limited areas and it will also be an ideal choice for children to start out with and even beginners.
This cue comes highly recommended for home and casual use.
Pros:
- Durable hardwood design
- Available in small sizes
- Reasonable quality tip
- Really affordable
Cons:
- Lacks in deflection resistance
6. Players C-960 Classic Crimson Cue
Once again, we have another pool cue from the Players brand and the C-960 Classic crimson birds-eye maple cue is one of the top intermediate cues you will find.
The cue has been comprised of durable maple hardwood and this will improve the durability of the cue as well as the shot power you have with each shot.
The 13mm tip has been made from hard oak leather and this has been rated as one of the top tips you will find at a bargained price.
The cue is also available in multiple sizes for you to choose from and the design features a stylish crimson color, with an epoxy finish that will ensure that you do have a good-looking cue, whenever you decided to head to a pool hall.
The cue also features a high-impact ferrule and this will help lower the reflection rate, whilst adding more power to help you make some of those breaks where you will be sinking a few of your balls.
Unfortunately, you might be a little limited in terms of applying spin to the ball, but spin is for some of the pro players and if you manage to find a smaller and softer tip, the cue will allow you to play some classy spin shots.
The cue fits right in the middle of the pack when we look at pricing and quality and that has made it more popular among intermediate players, but we also believe that professional players will be able to use this cue with the right tip and beginners will significantly improve their learning curve.
This is definitely the most affordable all-in-one cue you will find on the market.
Pros:
- Reasonably priced
- Extremely durable
- Features a classy and stylish finish
- Features a low-deflection ferrule
Cons:
- We could not find any cons related to this cue
7. Mizerak Hardwood Two-Piece 57″ Cue & Case Billiards Combo
Last but certainly not least, we have the Mizerak Recreation 2-piece hardwood cue. This cue is made from durable hardwood and it will definitely help you increase the power that you place behind every shot.
The cue is quite basic in terms of design and we did not find it to match to some of the top pool cues, but beginners will definitely have some fun and learn the game a little faster with this cue.
It includes a 57″ 2-piece hardwood cue, a hard cue case, cue tips and ferrules, tip scoffers, and billiard chalk
The 12mm ferrule and tip have been designed to allow you to play multiple games on end and the ferrule will help to improve your shots while also taking away some of the deflection from shots.
This should help you to be a little more accurate and also play a better game casually against your friends or at the bar.
For the price, we definitely recommend this cue to beginners and to casual players looking to fool around.
The durability is not the best, but it is decent enough to make the price really worthwhile and to allow you to slowly improve your game before investing in a better cue.
Pros:
- Really cheap
- Reasonably durable
- Offers low deflection
- Available in multiple weights.
Cons:
- Tip is not as durable as the stick
Final Thoughts & Conclusion
We would like to thank you for reading this article and we do hope that you now manage to find the ideal pool cue for your needs and your style.
We could not recommend one specific cue and we decided on the Players Company pool cues for the value and the amount of effort they out in to make their cues the very best.
We would also like you to let us know some of your thoughts on our selection and if you think we might have missed any of your favorites.