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10 Outstanding Pool Cues – Stick It To the Competition In 2024

Actually in April 2024
24 Products Tested
1549 Reviews Scanned
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LAST UPDATE March 31, 2020
READING TIME loader Minutes
Sports & Outdoors
10 Outstanding Pool Cues – Stick It To the Competition In 2024

Bestazy has put together a list of the best pool cues, as well as a buyers guide to help you choose between them.

Best of the best Lucasi Custom Super Birds-Eye Maple Sneaky Pete Pool Cue with Upgraded Shaft Lucasi Custom
5/5
Show Me
PROS

Stylish

Portable

Top-tier quality

High-tech

CONS

Some features add a lot of expense for a small performance boost

Only one size--unavailable to anyone particularly short or tall

Most Buying Players Technology Series HXT15 Two-Piece Pool Cue Players Technology Series HXT15
4.5/5
Show Me
PROS

Excellent value

High tech

Low-deflection

Power without sacrificing accuracy

CONS

Tip replacement will be comparably expensive

Passable joint

Best for the money TaiBA 2-Piece Hardwood Canadian Maple Professional Billiard Pool Cue, 13mm Tip, 58″ TaiBA 2-Piece Hardwood Canadian Maple Professional Billiard Pool Cue, 13mm Tip, 58″
4.5/5
Show Me
PROS

Customizable

Case included

CONS

Outlays and decals

No warranty information

Avatar Writer Valeria
How We Decided
  • 30Products
    Tested
  • 45Hours
    Spent
  • 4Experts
    Interviewed
  • 13Consumers
    Consulted
RUNNERS UP Also good products

Valhalla by Viking 2 Piece Pool Cue Stick

4/5

This is a well made cue with an affordable price tag.

pros
  • Good power

  • Affordable

  • Portable

cons
  • May not be durable

  • Low control

  • No half ounce weights

Viper Underground 2-Piece The Raven Billiard/Pool Cue

4/5

The Viper Underground 2-piece cue is stylish and affordable.

pros
  • Customizable

  • Adjustable weight

  • Portable

cons
  • No inlays

  • Manufacturing concerns

Players Set of 1 Piece Pool Cue Sticks

3.5/5

This set of cues is an outstanding value. They are of very high quality, as well.

pros
  • Well made

  • Hard rock maple

  • Extremely good deal

cons
  • Less portable than two piece

  • Longer than standard may reduce accuracy

Valley House Bar Pool Cue Sticks

3.5/5

This is a great cue, but we do have some concerns.

pros
  • Durable

  • Multiple cues

  • Great value option

cons
  • Unidentified material

  • Unidentified tip

  • Short warranty period

Cuesoul Maple Pool Cue Stick Kit-Rockin Series

3.5/5

We love this cue, but the manufacturer's consistency could be better. It is slightly shorter than average.

pros
  • Many extras

  • Stylish

  • Shortened for greater accuracy

cons
  • Inconsistent manufacturing

  • No inlays

  • No Warranty

Lot of 4-58 2 Piece Hardwood Canadian Maple Pool Cue Billiard Table Stick

3/5

This is a great, affordable set of pool cues for home use

pros
  • Affordable

  • Comes in set

  • Portable

cons
  • Multiple accounts of poor manufacturing consistency

  • Poor english capability

  • Unidentified tip

Table of Contents

10 Outstanding Pool Cues [years]

  1. Lucasi Custom Super Birds-Eye Maple Sneaky Pete Pool Cue with Upgraded Shaft
  2. Players Technology Series HXT15 Two-Piece Pool Cue
  3. Players Classically Styled Crimson Maple Pool Cue
  4. TaiBA 2-Piece Hardwood Canadian Maple Professional Billiard Pool Cue, 13mm Tip, 58″
  5. Valhalla by Viking 2 Piece Pool Cue Stick
  6. Viper Underground 2-Piece The Raven Billiard/Pool Cue
  7. Players Set of 1 Piece Pool Cue Sticks
  8. Valley House Bar Pool Cue Sticks
  9. Cuesoul Maple Pool Cue Stick Kit-Rockin Series
  10. Lot of 4-58 2 Piece Hardwood Canadian Maple Pool Cue Billiard Table Stick
    Davi Martins Melo
    EXPERT CONSULTANT

    He is fond of football and other sports since 5 years. In college, he played for the local team.

    Davi Martins Melo

    Ordering anything online can be a real trick shot. No one likes to be testing something for the first time after they’ve already bought it. And when it comes to sports equipment, like shopping for the best pool cues, that goes double.

    When you don’t get a chance to test a piece of sporting equipment, there’s always the risk it won’t be the right size or operate as you thought it would.

    Or worse—as advertised.

    You may have even ordered a pool cue in the past only to find out it was too short or not firm enough. Even the finest pool cue might simply be wrong for you as a player.

    This is a problem as old as online shopping. I mean, just imagine the adrenal levels of the first eBay bidder.

    So there must be a solution out there for such a primitive internet problem, right?

    Cue the cue queue crew!

    Bestazy is here with a list of outstanding pool cues to help you find the perfect fitting shooter for your size and style.

    And if you’re worried about that pesky tip hardness problem (see buyers guide), don’t worry--Bestazy has the information you need!

    Research You Can Trust

    As long as you stick to this buyers guide and product list, you'll know exactly what you’re

    purchasing.

    And if Bestazy recommends it, you can be sure that’s a quality product.

    Bestazy searched far and wide before we started narrowing down our products, so you can be sure we’re bringing you the best made cues on the market. In addition, we consulted a wide range of experts and ran some tests of our own before we made our selections.

    best pool cues

    The tests are in!

    We left no eight ball unturned in our hunt for the ultimate cues. To make sure we understood how these sticks will shoot upon arrival, Bestazy reviewed shooting test after shooting test.

    So whether you’re looking for a product for your gaming room or need to fill an entire hall, this list will have the right cue for you.

    And here are some other fun game room games and activities!

    10 Outstanding Pool Cues [years]

    Best of the best

    Lucasi Custom Super Birds-Eye Maple Sneaky Pete Pool Cue with Upgraded Shaft

    5/5

    The Lucasi Custom Super Birds-Eye Maple Sneaky Pete Pool Cue tested extremely well.

    It’s no wonder with all the craftsmanship, technology, and design that went into this outstanding pool cue.

    Where to begin…

    Let’s start with the basics. This two-piece cue is made entirely of very high quality birdseye maple selected from sugar maple trees.

    You typically only see birdseye used in the forearm since It's more costly without necessarily increasing shot quality all that much.

    So this was a pretty unique choice on the part of Lucasi.

    But we did find their selectivity in material added a bit of strength and a lot of style.

    The downside to this is that you should expect to pay significantly more for a relatively low boost in performance.

    The cue is 58 inches and can be purchased in any standard weight interval.

    It has a 12.75 mm tip, so you can expect to see a bit more english than your average 13 mm tip.

    There was talk of technology?

    Yes, there was!

    This cue incorporates some excellent new technologies to produce a uniquely well rounded shot.

    The cue does have a wood-to-wood pin, which can cause some issues in two-piece cues.

    However, the unilock pin technology sets this wood-to-wood pin apart as exceptionally well made. In this case, you can expect wood to outperform metal.

    The upgraded shaft in this cue also houses some really excellent technology. The solid core low deflection technology shaft produces a much more forgiving shot without sacrificing any control or responsiveness.

    The tip is also uniquely constructed to produce this type of well-rounded shot. The premium tip holds up like a hard tip, connects like a medium tip, and responds like a soft tip.

    The tip sits at a 75.7 on the hardness scale, which is in the top 30th percentile of softness. 70 percent of tips will be harder than this one. What than means to you as a player depends on personal preference.

    Lastly, a patented wood stabilizing finish is applied to the cue to prevent moisture intake and warping.

    All of these technologies come together to provide a level of control, power, forgiveness, and durability that were long considered exclusive of one another.

    There are a few other things you'll want to know.

    First, this is an absolutely gorgeous cue. The birds-eye maple and mother of pearl inlays are stunning.

    Second, this is a no-wrap cue, meaning there won't be a leather or faux leather handgrip.

    Regardless, the finish on the cue grips very well. This might be something to keep in mind, however, if you have particularly clammy hands.

    And third, you should know this cue comes with an excellent lifetime warranty.

    This even covers warpages due to poor storage or maintenance.

    There is also a 60-day guarantee during which you can return the cue if you decide you don’t like it.

    Features

    • Unilock wood-to-wood joint
    • Two-piece construction
    • Low deflection shaft
    • Lifetime warranty
    pros

      Stylish

      Portable

      Top-tier quality

      High-tech

    cons

      Some features add a lot of expense for a small performance boost

      Only one size--unavailable to anyone particularly short or tall

    Players Technology Series HXT15 Two-Piece Pool Cue

    4.5/5

    This is another extremely high quality cue that incorporates some unique construction techniques and technology.

    But before we break down what makes this cue special, let’s make sure it’ll fit you as a player.

    Players Technology Series HXT15 pool cue comes in 18 to 20.5 variations. So you shouldn’t have any issue finding your prefered weight.

    It’s 58 inches long from tip to butt.

    It comes with a glue on 12.75 mm shaft, which you can expect to result in a bit more english than your average pole.

    It comes with a kamui black soft tip, which has a hardness factor of 72.3--quite soft.

    The kamui black is an excellent professional-level tip which we were surprised to find included with a stock model. You’d usually need to buy a tip this quality and attach it yourself.

    You’ll end up needing to do that anyway, since tips require regular replacement. Find replacements and more firm alternatives here.

    Is the extra soft tip a problem?

    Maybe, but not necessarily. It depends on your preferences.

    Here’s what to expect from the tip:

    You’ll have more control than average, but less power. A soft tip also grips the cue ball well, so you can also expect some extra english there, as well.

    In testing we found between the thinner shaft and soft tip this pole did provide excellent english.

    What’s it made out of?

    This cue goes above and beyond where it matters.

    The materials of the shaft are hand selected from 100 percent top-quality North American hard rock maple. This proved to add a good amount of durability in tests.

    The forearm uses walnut stained birdseye maple, which adds an element of class to the style.

    It looks gorgeous in person, which other reviewers have noticed as well.

    The maple is treated with a nelsonite wood stabilizer to protect against environmental changes. And an epoxy finish protects the cue from any warping due to moisture.

    The joint is stainless steel. It was nothing special, but we didn’t find any issues with it.

    I know, I know, I said there’d be tech...

    The furrel in this cue is really outstanding and adds a lot of value without raising the price tag too much. This is due to the newly created HXT low-deflection technology inside the furrel.

    This furrel adds a really nice extra punch to the cue, while also increasing accuracy.

    That’s hard to do.

    It works by incorporating a patented deflection absorbing core, which is then wrapped in a second layer of low-deflection material.

    This technology really puts the Players Technology HXT in the same league of much more expensive cues. That being said, in testing, it didn’t reduce deflection quite as well as the full shaft technique of the Lucasi custom cue that took first on this list.

    Cue and case, the parent manufacturer, covers this cue with a lifetime warranty that covers warpages but not tips.

    Features

    • Hand selected maple shaft
    • Birdseye maple forearm
    • Wrapless construction
    • HXT low-deflection ferrule
    • High value tip
    pros

      Excellent value

      High tech

      Low-deflection

      Power without sacrificing accuracy

    cons

      Tip replacement will be comparably expensive

      Passable joint

    Players Classically Styled Crimson Maple Pool Cue

    4.5/5

    If you're looking for a well-made cue without all the frills, this is an excellent choice. Players (the manufacturer) took their time with its construction.

    This is a tough cue.

    The grade-A hand selected maple is first cut to shape. The maple then turn-dried seven times to ensure It's entirely moisture free without using damaging treatments.

    The cue is then coated in Players patented nelsonite wood stabilizer to protect it against atmospheric changes that might change the density of the cue.

    A high-gloss super UV finish is then applied to protect against warping, chipping, and fading.

    Lastly a special wax is applied to the shaft to ensure an excellent glide.

    Finally a twice pressed linen wrap is added to the grip.

    In addition to the durable construction, the special high-impact ferrule was a very welcome addition which comes with its own lifetime warranty against chipping and breakages.

    The combination of the high-impact ferrule and solid construction makes this our favorite cue with regard to durability.

    Here’s the spec.

    The cue comes in standard two-piece demnions, meaning It's 58 inches long and 13 mm in diameter. It comes in 18 to 21 ounces without half ounce options.

    You may have a difficult time practicing your english with a 13 mm cue. However, if you can read this guide, you should already be pretty fluent. We aren’t sure how you’d use a cue for that, anyway.It has a stainless steel joint which should protect against moisture and rusting.

    The tip worries us. It comes with a Le Pro tips, which are known to vary in hardness a lot. It’s a relatively hard tip, with an average rating of 88.2, however the consistency of this hardness is less than ideal.

    Some Le Pro tips got into the mid 90s range--extremely hard.

    Regardless of your particular tip, you should expect this tip to connect with a lot of power and reduced control. Though inconsistent, it should also be quite durable.

    It comes with a lifetime warranty that includes warpages. No online documentation of this warranty was available.

    Features

    • Careful construction
    • High-impact furrel
    • Two-piece with stainless steel joint
    • Twice pressed linen grip
    pros

      Durable

      Good power

      Attractive finish

    cons

      Inconsistent tip

      Lower control

      Low english

      No half ounce weights

    Best for the money

    TaiBA 2-Piece Hardwood Canadian Maple Professional Billiard Pool Cue, 13mm Tip, 58″

    4.5/5

    This is a great pool cue for anyone who needs portability or customizability. It's a two-piece cue that comes with its own 1x1 case. There are nine available colors and four weights.

    There are some noteworthy extras included.

    The included case was a nice touch. It has a divider to seperate the two halves so that there aren’t any collisions during transportation. Additionally, the walls, top, and bottom are made of low-impact foam.

    The case is zip-up and has an adjustable shoulder strap. It also has an exterior pocket for chalk or other equipment. The exterior of the case comes in a nice looking style.

    We also liked that extra layers of varnish that are applied. Nine total layers protect this cue from moisture and damages. You can expect the wooden components of the cue will hold up quite well to any types of incidental maluse.

    However, you'll need to be more careful with the brass joint. Although a brass joint does often produce a better shot than steel, it's less durable.

    You’ll need to be careful since brass can bend with relative ease.

    What’s the rest made of, you ask?

    The shaft and forearm are made of hand selected, grade-A canadian hard maple. We were happy with the material used regarding structure.

    Stylistically, you may be a bit disappointed to find out that this cue uses overlays and decals rather than inlays like the other cues on this list so far. This means instead of decorations being set into fitted holes in the maple, they're essentially stickers coating the outside of the cue.

    It's much less appealing to the eyes.

    The wrap is made of painted leather, which does look nice. Although this leather wrap will likely be more durable than linen wraps, you may find your hand slips a little more.

    The leather wrap is also intended to help with deflection, however we would not call this a low-deflection cue.

    This is a standard 58-inch cue that comes in 19-21 ounces with a single 19.5 half ounce option. There is a weighted pole that can be removed or changed out to produce any weight you’d prefer. It's 13 mm in diameter.

    No warranty information was available for this product.

    Features

    • Comes in several colors
    • Leather wrap
    • Hand selected maple
    • Weighted bolt
    pros

      Customizable

      Case included

    cons

      Outlays and decals

      No warranty information

    Valhalla by Viking 2 Piece Pool Cue Stick

    With Irish Linen Wrap
    4/5

    If you're looking for a standard two-piece pool cue, this may be a great option for you.

    Here is why:

    It can be purchased in any standard weight excluding half ounces. It's 58 inches long. It has a standard 13 mm tip and a stainless steel joint.

    You may have a difficult time developing english with a 13 mm tip.

    The cue comes with a high impact ferrule which will increase the durability of the cue and improve shot quality.

    This cue can be purchased in seven colors.

    In testing his cue was found to have a high amount of power, but it could sometimes be lacking in accuracy.

    What don’t we like?

    There have been some reports of this cue falling apart after a short product life.

    If this turns out to be the case for you, fear not, though. This product comes with a lifetime warranty.

    Features

    • Irish linen wrap
    • Stainless steel joint
    • High impact furrel
    pros

      Good power

      Affordable

      Portable

    cons

      May not be durable

      Low control

      No half ounce weights

    Viper Underground 2-Piece The Raven Billiard/Pool Cue

    58-Inches
    4/5

    This is another great cue if you're looking for something pretty standard that won’t break the banks.

    We also loved the style and look of this cue.

    The faux leather wrap looks nice, and the raven graphic is also very sleek. We would have prefered to have seen inlays in the cue, however, in addition to the graphics.

    The specs are normal.

    This is another 58-inch 2-piece pool cue. It has a stainless steel joint, rubber pumper, and 13 mm tip.

    It's made of hard Canadian maple and comes in standard weights. However, this cue also has an adjustable weight system which means you'll be able to get a more specific feel out of the pool cue.

    Customization is almost always a good thing, since it will allow you more control in how your cue shoots.

    We were not able to identify the tip that comes on this cue.

    There have been a couple instances of these cues arriving warped, which is, of course, a huge problem.

    But, there is good news.

    Viper cues have a lifetime warranty against manufacturer defects. So if you do chose this cue and it arrives damaged, you can get a new one without any issue.

    Features

    • Faux leather wrap
    • Stainless steel joint
    • Raven graphic decal
    pros

      Customizable

      Adjustable weight

      Portable

    cons

      No inlays

      Manufacturing concerns

    Players Set of 1 Piece Pool Cue Sticks

    3.5/5

    There are a lot of reasons to adore this set of cues. Between the quality and the quantity, you I'll have a hard time finding a better value than this set of four or eight cues.

    Let’s look at the quality, first.

    These cues are made from 100% North American hard rock maple. The construction from these materials also seems excellent.

    This cue comes with a premium Elk Master tip which has an extremely soft rating of 66.8. This is the second softest cue on the market. You can expect a high degree of control and english, but a low level of power.

    This cue is one inch longer than a standard one-piece, which puts it at the same length as a two-piece. If you're used to two pieces this could be a good thing. If you're not, you may notice reduced accuracy with a longer cue.

    A high gloss finish is applied to these cues to prevent warping or chipping.

    Quality with a low price tag.

    This is our favorite value option for pool cues. Each cue in this set is manufactured with the same level of care and quality as many others on this list.

    However, with this option, you'll be receiving 4 or 8 (depending on what you choose) for roughly the same price as one of the other cues on this list.

    Each set comes with an assortment of weights.

    This cue comes with a lifetime warranty. The ferrule is also covered by a separate lifetime warranty. No online warranty page is available.

    Features

    • Four or eight cues
    • Linen protective ring
    • Ferrule warranty
    pros

      Well made

      Hard rock maple

      Extremely good deal

    cons

      Less portable than two piece

      Longer than standard may reduce accuracy

    Valley House Bar Pool Cue Sticks

    3.5/5

    This is another great four or eight pack value option. These are relatively standard pool cues, with just a couple worrisome exceptions.

    Overall, these are great cues.

    You’ll find a very similar level of quality in the cues as in others on this list. However you'll be getting four or eight cues for roughly the same price as one.

    These cues come with a high impact polycarbonate ferrule which will keep your cues durable in any environment. We love these cues for a commercial setting since They're both affordable and durable.

    You receive a selection of four different weights when you buy this set of cues.

    Here’s the problem.

    Bestazy was not able to confirm some crucial aspects of these cues.

    If a pool cue is made of wood, it should really be made of hard maple from the North American continent. This type of wood has properties that lend itself to outstanding pool cues.

    We were not able to confirm this box was checked.

    There may be a blend of woods used in these cues which would yield a lower quality cue.

    We were also unable to identify the tip. However, we have confirmed it’s a fairly firm tip. The exact quality of this tip will likely remain unknown, however.

    Lastly, these cues only come with a one year limited warranty.

    Features

    • Four or eight cues
    • Firm tip
    • High impact ferrule
    pros

      Durable

      Multiple cues

      Great value option

    cons

      Unidentified material

      Unidentified tip

      Short warranty period

    Cuesoul Maple Pool Cue Stick Kit-Rockin Series

    19-21 Oz
    3.5/5

    This is an excellently priced cue that comes with several extras. It functions on par with some of the other cues from this list and looks great doing it!

    There were some manufacturing concerns among other reviewers.

    Let’s take a look at this cue.

    You may know this manufacturer from their dart boards, however they also produce excellent cues.

    It's a slightly shorter than average cue for a two-piece. In testing we found that we had a lot of control and accuracy with our shots.

    We still didn’t have much control over english, however due to this cues 13 mm tip. We were not able to identify this tip, however it was somewhat hard in testing.

    This cue can be purchased in 20 and 21 ounce variations.

    The joint is stainless steel and the cue is made from North Canadian hard maple.

    The cue does look nice, however we would have prefered to see inlays rather than decals. The grip is genuine irish linen.

    You can select from five different colors.

    What about the extras?

    This cue comes with several extras that make it a worthwhile purchase. It includes a carrying case, joint protectors, and a cleaning towel.

    But, buy with caution.

    There have been several reports of poorly manufactured units. Some of these cues may ship a better quality than others.

    Further, Cuesoul doesn't provide warranties for their cues. If you do end up with a poorly constructed cue, you won’t have many protections.

    Features

    • Towel
    • Case
    • Joint protectors
    • Skull decals
    pros

      Many extras

      Stylish

      Shortened for greater accuracy

    cons

      Inconsistent manufacturing

      No inlays

      No Warranty

    Lot of 4-58 2 Piece Hardwood Canadian Maple Pool Cue Billiard Table Stick

    18-21 Oz With Steel Joint
    3/5

    If you need a set of cues without breaking the bank, you'll be able to find these for an absurdly good deal.

    They are of sufficient quality that only top level players would notice a difference, as well.

    Let’s take a look.

    These cues come in a set of four. In this set you'll receive one 18, 19, 20, and 21 ounce cue. You can choose between seven color schemes.

    They are two-piece and 58 inches with a steel joint.

    The tip is 13 mm, so you don’t want to try to practice english with these cues. The tip was of medium hardness, however we could not identify the specific tip.

    We liked that these reasonably priced cues where still made of Canadian maple.

    The cues look nice and have an irish linen wrap.

    But be aware.

    Some cues have shipped with poor manufacturing standards. These cues are also not covered by warranty.

    Features

    1. Two-piece construction
    2. Steel joint
    3. Irish linen wrap
    pros

      Affordable

      Comes in set

      Portable

    cons

      Multiple accounts of poor manufacturing consistency

      Poor english capability

      Unidentified tip

    Buyer's Guide

    The 30-Second Review

    If you’re in a hurry, here’s the low-down on buying a cue.

    The most important thing to remember when buying a cue is there’s no best cue.

    Sure, Bestazy has our a favorites. But this might be different than what’s best for you as a player.

    Remember the shortest cue you’re comfortable with is usually best.

    Why is shorter better?

    Shorter cues are more accurate because there’s less length to maneuver and manage as you take shots.

    A heavier cue will give you more control of the object balls while a lighter cue will give you more control of the cue ball.

    But that’s not all.

    Also pay close attention to the tip.

    A hard tip will be more durable and powerful, but a soft tip will provide more english (curve or spin) and control.

    Joints are also extremely important if you’re buying a two-piece. Make sure any wood-to-wood joints are extremely well made. Wood-to-wood tips can be both the best and worst joints.

    Steel joints are standard these days, but there’s a big difference in feel from a one-piece cue and a two-piece steel joint cue.

    Brass joints will be less durable but have a better feel on impact.

    THE WINNERS

    Know Your Cue: Finding a Great Pool Cue For You

    There are a few things you’ll need to know about pool cues and yourself before you get started.

    First, let’s take a look at the parts of a pool cue.

    Parts Of a Cue

    Cues might look like long sticks, but there’s actually a lot going on with a sneaky pete. So before we break down how specifications will affect your shooting, let’s look at what those dimensions actually refer to.

    You may be shocked to learn the end of a pool cue is called the tip. This is the part of the cue that touches the ball and needs to be chalked.

    The white space holding the tip to the rest of the cue is the ferrule. The tip and ferrule will need to be replaced with wear.

    The top half of the cue is the shaft. If a cue comes in two pieces, they’ll be split at the bottom of the shaft. The shaft will be tapered, which produces an easier glide across fingers and less reverbartations.

    Aaaaaaand that’s what she said.

    ???

    More on shafts and butts:

    The shaft will connect to the butt by the collar, which is basically a joint for connecting the two pieces. You’ll want to pay close attention to the quality of the joint, as this will be crucial for maintaining a one-piece feel.

    The butt half is split into two main parts: the forearm and wrap.

    The forearm takes up another fourth of the cue and is usually a noticeably different color or shade than the first half or shaft.

    The last fourth is the wrap, which often begins at a color change as well–just for ease and convenience when lining up your grip.

    The last few inches of the cue is the afterwrap and bumper, which just allow you to set the cue down without damaging the important parts.

    Cue Length And You

    The very first thing you’ll want to look at when buying a pool cue is the length. You don’t want to be shooting with a cue that doesn’t fit you.

    Luckily, cue lengths are pretty standardized and there is an easy system to reference based on height.

    A standard cue is going to be about 57 inches for one pieces and 58 for two pieces. This is known as a full size pool cue. If you’re an average height person, this is the size you’ll want to use.

    Anyone over six feet and four inches tall might want to consider a 61-inch elongated pool cue.

    Anyone who generally considers themself short should start to consider a medium sized 52-inch pool cue.

    Children are probably going to want a junior sized 48-incher. Very petite adults may also consider a junior size.

    Actually cue lengths may vary a couple inches from these standard sizes.

    But remember this:

    Most players will shoot better with a shorter stick.

    If you’re on the fence about a longer vs shorter one based on your height or the product, you should probably go for the shorter option. A shorter cue leaves less room for angular errors and thus improves accuracy.

    Cue Weight

    Cue weight is going to come down to several factors. At the end of the day, your comfort is the most important thing.

    So if you’ve shot a few cues in your day, you probably know if you like a cue a bit heavier or lighter.

    Otherwise, there are some things you should consider.

    The standardized weight scale runs from 18 to 21 ounces in half ounce intervals. So you should be able to find cues sized 18, 18.5, 19, 19.5, etc.

    A lighter cue will cause the cue ball to go faster. A lighter cue has more “snap” on impact, which causes this power behind the cue ball. The object balls (the numbered ones) will move more slowly, however, with a lighter cue.

    If you find yourself with little control of the cue ball, you may want to go for a heavier cue.

    A heavier cue will cause the cue ball to move more slowly but more responsively to english and deflection. Additionally, the object balls will move much faster and with more power.

    One last note on weight.

    Many pool cues will actually be weight changeable. Cues often have a metal weighted bolt. This bolt can be changed out to produce a heavier or lighter overall cue.

    Joint

    If you chose to go with a two piece, it’s absolutely essential you get a good joint.

    Many professionals refuse to use anything but a one piece, but others say a high quality joint removes any difference.

    Joints come in several materials. The most common modern material is stainless steel.

    There are other types, as well.

    You may also come across a wood-to-wood joint, as well. A wood-to-wood joint would need to be made exceptionally well to prevent unwanted reverberations. Any spaces in the construction would be detrimental. However, if the wood-to-wood joint is extremely tight, it can be identical in performance to a one-piece.

    There are brass joints, too. These have largely fallen out of use because of their reduced durability compared to steel. However, many people agree that brass produces a more one-piece feel than steel.

    Ivory joints are in existence and usually play extremely well. They’re highly prone to breakages, however. They should not be used to break the initial rack, for this reason.

    However, if you do end up with one, remember you don’t want to break the rack with your ivory jointed cue.

    Here’s A ? Tip On Tips For You

    You’ll want to pay close attention to the pool cue tip.

    Most tips are made of leather and are 13 mm in diameter. Some specialized cues are as low as 11 mm, however, and others can get up to 14 mm.

    Does size really matter?

    Actually, yes…

    A smaller tip allows for more english. A larger one allows greater straight shooting accuracy.

    Tips also vary in hardness, which is a crucial aspect of the cue as a whole.

    A softer tip will produce more control, where as a harder tip will give the shooter more power.

    We know, you hate picking out tips online.

    You may have a difficult time sussing out tip hardness over the internet, since this information–though important–is rarely listed.

    Most people prefer to touch a tip before they buy it.

    There’s a joke somewhere in there about touching tips and hardness, but I doubt my editors would let me make it.

    And when hardness information is listed, you can end up with comparisons like this:

    • Cue tip 1: 90.6 hardness.
    • Cue tip 2: 82.3 hardness.
    • Cue tip 3: Buffalo.

    But if you stick to this list, Bestazy tracked down manufacturer hardness information for each of these cue’s tips. We’ll also put the often confusing scale in perspective for you.

    And don’t forget this:

    Cue tips are replaced frequently, anyways. If you end up with a tip you don’t like, replacement shouldn’t be too difficult. You can find some outstanding tips of varying hardnesses here.

    If you prefer or need screw on, several of different hardnesses and widths can be found here.

    Shaft and Materials

    The shaft and the materials used in it are also going to be important. However, these days materials don’t directly correlated with quality.

    Traditionally, cue shafts are made out of maple wood. You’ll also see shafts made of fiberglass and graphite.

    Maple are the most popular and well tested, so Bestazy chose to stick with all maple construction for each of the selected pool cues on this list.

    However, there are several different types of maple that may be used which achieve different quality cues. You can find more information about which cues use the best maple in our reviews below.

    Reviews for the Best Pool Cues

    Warranties

    We wanted to spend a little bit of time talking about warranties.

    The industry standard for pool cue warranty is actually quite high. We found, in our research, most cues come with a lifetime warranty, and some even cover warpages that are known to effect improperly stored cues.

    This is because pool cues are actually quite sturdy. Manufactures can afford to honor these really outstanding warranties because they know their poles will hold up in the long run. When it comes down to it, they won’t end up needing to replace all that many.

    Now, this should also tell you something about cues that don’t have warranties.

    Their manufacturers might not be expecting them to be as durable as other cues might be.

    While this is far from a certainty and doesn’t need to be a deal breaker, you should start to ask some questions when you don’t see a solid warranty in this industry.

    Other Tips

    There are a few other things you might want to know about pool cues.

    Storage is very important.

    It’s best not to store a cue in any case they send you.

    Use cases for transportation, not storage.

    Storing a cue in a case can lock in moisture which will eventually sink into the cue and cause warping and damage.

    Make sure to store your cue in a cool, dry place. Moisture will ruin your cue. Heat will cause your cue to expand, causing chips and breakages.

    Tip shaping is a thing.

    Some higher end cues come with tips that aren’t ready to be played with. Manufacturers assume people purchasing these cues will want to do this themselves.

    You’ll need to scuff, shape, and even cut your cue so that it plays the way you want if you buy one of these cues.

    Pocketing the Eight Ball: In Conclusion

    So you’re probably ready to buy a pool cue now. After all, you’ve seen some of the best pool cues on the market in 2018.

    You’ve read up on all the great information in this buyers guide.

    You know that a shorter cue is better if it fits you.

    You understand how weight affects a shot.

    You also know whether you’re someone who wants a soft or hard tip.

    And, most importantly, you know that no cue is going to be the best fit for everyone.

    Also remember that you need to store you cue in a cool, dry place so that it doesn’t warp, chip, or break.

    Lucasi Custom Super Birds-Eye Maple Sneaky Pete Pool Cue with Upgraded Shaft
    Best of the best

    Lucasi Custom

    Bestazy has put together a list of the best pool cues, as well as a buyers guide to help you choose between them.

    Players Technology Series HXT15 Two-Piece Pool Cue
    Most Buying

    Players Technology Series HXT15

    Bestazy has put together a list of the best pool cues, as well as a buyers guide to help you choose between them.

    TaiBA 2-Piece Hardwood Canadian Maple Professional Billiard Pool Cue, 13mm Tip, 58″
    Best for the money

    TaiBA 2-Piece Hardwood Canadian Maple Professional Billiard Pool Cue, 13mm Tip, 58″

    Bestazy has put together a list of the best pool cues, as well as a buyers guide to help you choose between them.

    FAQ

    Frequently asked questions

    What does cue chalk do? Do I need it?

    Yes, you need it. All cue tips perform better with the increased grip that chalk provides. Cues are made with the assumption that you'll use chalk.

    Are pool and snooker cues different?

    Yes, pool and snooker cues are different. Snooker cues are shorter, softer, and generally less expensive.

    What kind of cue does *insert player here* use?

    It shouldn't matter. Even if a player is exactly the same dimensions as you, they will play differently than you and probably prefer very different things to you in terms of feel. Prefered cue feel is like a finger print: no two are the same.

    Can I upgrade my cue?

    Yes! You can purchase improved shafts, tips, and other parts!

    THE TEAM

    We made this review
    Davi Martins Melo

    He is fond of football and other sports since 5 years. In college, he played for the local team

    Soccer Player Davi Martins Melo
    Spencer Lowe Writer Spencer Lowe
    Valeria Garcia Graphic Editor Valeria Garcia
    Comment section
    Let us know your opinion