8 Best Pool Cues in 2025

Players Classically Styled Crimson Maple: Best Pool Cue For The Money

One of the best pool cues in the world, the Players Classically styled crimson maple cue is meant for both professionals as well as budding pool players. There are a lot of things going for this pool cue, which we’ll discuss below.

First things first, we really liked the slender and sleek two-piece design of this pool cue. It comes with an Irish grip that feels very comfy and compact at the same time. Also, the body is made of hard maple wood which sits well for breaking and playing hard shots. Not to mention, the grip which is very hands-on and offers perfect moisture to players.

Coming onto the tip, we could tell it is quite hard and it will definitely ensure that players won’t have a long break-in period and start-off the game right away. All in all, Players’ Crimson Maple Pool Cue will be a good addition to your pool gaming kit due to its durable nature which allows it to be carried to pool halls and snug into to your travel gear for tournaments, especially if you are a professional.

However, we were not really satisfied with the rubber bumper or wrap material at the back of the cue. It tends to slip out quite often thus affecting accuracy of shots. We definitely feel Players’ could have worked a little more on improving the quality of the wrap material.

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Pros

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• Affordable
• Composed of Hardwood
• Lightweight and Portable
• Great Design
• Great for both pro’s and beginners

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Cons

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• The wrap material tends to slip out

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Trademark Global Billiard Cue: Best Cue For Beginners

In spite of being a relatively basic cue, the Trademark Global billiard cue is apt for use in both pool halls as well as home. Due to its very basic nature, we reckon this pool cue is most suitable for beginners.

The built of the cue is composed of solid hardwood which is a plus for adding more strength to your shots. The best part, for us, has to be the various styles and finishes that Trademark’s Global Billiard pool cue comes in. Also, this cue measures around 58 inches making it very apt for beginners and intermediate players alike.

Another aspect that we really liked is that this cue comes packed in a solid case making it ideal for being lugged to tournaments. This also ensures that it doesn’t get any unwanted scratches and dings from the wear and tear of play. Further, the case ensures that the pool will not come into contact with water which can slightly bend the cue and throw off accuracy.

One downside with this otherwise great cue, however, is that its tip is non-replaceable. It means that as soon as it winds up, users will have to purchase another one. Also, the tip comes loose over time, but it can be glued back into place.

But, the bright side is: the Trademark Global Billiard Cues are the best pool cues for beginners and for those users won’t have to worry too much about replacing it with a new one.

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Pros

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• Very Durable
• Affordable
• Comes with a case
• Good design
• Great for both Pro’s and Beginners

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Cons

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• Tip is a quite weak
• Tip is non-replaceable

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Players Technology Series HXT15: Decent Choice For Professionals

Another Players’ pool cue under $200 on our list, the Technology Series HXT15 pool cue is built and designed keeping in mind the needs of professional and intermediate players.

The best part about this cue is probably that its composition is a mixture of hardwood maple and Nelsonite which ensures it doesn’t get affected by atmospheric changes. Also, the grip is very secure and is made of Irish linen wrap ensuring that a player’s hands will never slip or get moisture and they certainly won’t have to deal with irritating “wayward shots”.

The pigskin tip on this cue feels like the best we have tested on our list. It’s not made of leather skin, but it ensures that the shot is smoother and more accurate.

But, the best addition to Players’ Technology Series XT15 cue has to be its special glossy finish which ensures that it does not decay over time. Moreover, this two-piece pool cue comes with a stainless steel joint that holds it together quite nicely.

We reckon this pool cue is meant for an advanced level or professional grade players who will be able to execute their shots with ease. On the downside, rookie players or amateurs will likely struggle with this cue.

One more thing that goes against this otherwise remarkable pool cue is its expensive price tag which makes it only a good once-in-a-lifetime investment.

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Pros

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• Great grip
• Provides more accuracy
• Very durable composition
• Powerful tip

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Cons

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• Very Expensive
• Only suitable for professionals

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Imperial Premier Cyclone Hard Rock Maple: Best Affordable Pool Cue

Imperial has introduced the Premier Cyclone hard rock maple pool cue as a very cheap, affordable and dynamic cue that is suitable for both beginners as well as professional players.

The highlight of this pool cue has to be its 13mm tip which is pretty strong and durable. It is composed of very sturdy hardwood maple and ensures players will be able to strike the ball hard, thus reducing chances of a long break-in period.

Moreover, what we really liked about this pool cue was that it is available in multiple sizes even though the design part remains the same. It also comes in mini sizes that are apt for children, and it is certainly a benefit that’s not offered by other good pool cues on our list.

But, the cue does have its fair share of shortcomings. Firstly, it lacks in hitting accurate shots as it suffers from shot deflection problems.

So, the Imperial Cyclone 2 will be initially a bit hard for both beginners and experienced players to get used to. For the same reasons, players should forget about using this pool cue at tournaments or local championships.

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Pros

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• Quality tip
• Durable design
• Available in various sizes
• Pocket-friendly

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Cons

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• Lacks accuracy
• Suitable for home use only

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Beautiful Men’s Women’s 2-Piece Maple Pool Cue with the Best Grip

Beautiful has introduced the Men’s Women’s cue as another two-piece pool cue delight that’s made up of hardwood maple. It comes with a relatively cheaper price tag and can be used both at homes as well as pool halls for tournaments, etc.

For us, the best aspect about this cue has to be its fine grip which is made of Irish linen that is mostly preferred by professional players. It is very compact and provides very little room for moisture to take over and ruin a player’s shot.

To our mind, due to this reason, this pool cue will be loved by both experienced and beginner players since it gives them a sense of command over the game with its strong and handy grip.

One more good plus point about this pool cue is that it’s available in a variety of sizes for players who have different grip preferences. So, choosing Beautiful’s Men/Women pool cue over other best pool cues under 100 may be a simpler task if it fits the player’s style and needs. Moreover, players can even opt for their favorite colors before buying this pool cue.

But, Beautiful’s Men/Women’s pool cue does have a limitation though in terms of the tip and ferrule which is not the best in the market. We figured the ferrule does not offer much resistance to deflections and could make your shot go wayward.

The reason here could be the high density of the tip and ferrule. This will, in turn, also affect your accuracy at times. Those people who are learning the tricks of the game might find it a bit hard to adapt to, initially.

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Pros

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• Quite Cheap
• Available in various sizes
• Relatively durable
• Strong maplewood built

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Cons

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• Not comparatively accurate
• Tip deflects shots sometimes

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Players C-960: Perfect Match For Intermediate Players

The C-960 classic crimson Birds-eye maple triple silver rings are the third pool cue by Players on our list, and it stands true to its name. This pool cue aims to be a reliable asset for players of all kinds with its comfortable grip and solid shot efficiency.

It is composed of durable and sturdy maple wood which gives a boost to a player’s shot power and also increases the durability of this cue. Also, we were very much impressed by its low deflection rate which lends a lot of accuracy to the shots.

You would be glad to know that this cue is available in multiple sizes and stylish designs with an epoxy finish, so users won’t face a hard time getting their hands on the aptest cue which compliments their preferences.

But, the only thing that’s missing on point with this cue is the tip. We figured even though the ferrule tends to reduce deflection and what not, still, this pool cue lacks in accuracy due to the lack of spin.

Since the 13 mm tip is made of hard oak leather, getting some spin from it will indeed be a tough task for most beginner players. Remember, softer tips are better for adding spin to a shot. Which is why we think the Players C-960 Classic Crimson pool cue will be cherished mostly by intermediate and professional grade players.

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Pros

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• Durable
• Great design
• Reasonable price

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Cons

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• Not for beginners
• Tip lacks spin

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Mizerak Recreation Hardwood Cue For Accurate Shots

Although Mizerak is not as popular as some of the other pool cue makers, it has a very decent cue up its sleeve with the Recreation 2-piece hardwood pool cue. Lining up shots with this cue won’t be a problem for even novices.

At first glance, we could tell this pool stick is made from very sturdy hardwood which will be beneficial for players to strengthen their shot power.

Secondly, even though Mizerak’s Recreation 2 has a very basic cue design which is certainly not at par with some really brilliantly designed cues on our list, it gets the job done especially for beginner players considering it has a very tight and compact grip that ensures you will pocket the balls in a jiffy.

Coming onto the tip and ferrule, the Mizerak Recreation 2 is not very wide at 12mm, but it offers some benefits in terms of less deflection and more accurate and precise shots. But, the downside is that the tip’s build is quite fragile so it has the possibility of snapping after some time. Also, this pool cue is relatively less durable compared with other cheap alternatives such as the Imperial Premier Cyclone 2.

Overall, it would a nice purchase for those who are looking for best in budget pool cues and/or are just beginning to learn the tricks of playing pool- whether it be at home or in the pool hall with their friends.

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Pros

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• Very cheap
• Quite accurate
• Good for beginners

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Cons

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• Quite a weak tip
• Relatively less durable

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Champion Sport Wide Spider: Pool Cue (Best For Lining Up Shots)

With the Sport Wide spider maple pool cue, Champion hopes to build a dependable pool stick that is central to every player’s demands, and as the name suggests, it’s a pool stick meant for some good sporting action. Further, this two-piece pool cue is quite pocket-friendly and quite durable due to its maple hardwood built.

Starting off with the tip, its 12.5 mm size is good enough for executing trick shots, but it only offers a little bit on the table to prevent deflection. Still, it’s better than some cues with more or less the same tip size.

Plus, this pool stick is a lot easier for lining up shots unlike most of the cues on our list. Due to this reason, we feel it can be used in both households and pool halls.

We also liked the casing that comes free with the Champion Sport Wide Spider pool cue. The case is available in black and white colors which match the accents on the pool stick as well.

Plus, you will also get a billiards glove which looks decent enough. Also, the wrap of this cue is of superior quality and made from some quality material which will help it last longer.

One of the downsides, however, has to be the small size of the tip. Even though it is wide, it still lacks in giving accurate shot results and lacks spin at times, thus professionals will not really like it.

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Pros

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• Quite pocket-Friendly
• Durable tip
• Comes with a Case

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Cons

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• Doesn’t do much to prevent deflection
• Small size of tip

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Buying Guide: How To Buy The Perfect Pool Cue

There are many factors that decide the utility of a good pool cue. And, buying a quality pool cue is not easy and simple as it seems. There are several considerations pool players have to weigh in. Here are a few pointers you must keep in mind before you go out looking for the best pool cue for yourself.

Type of Tip

A standard-sized pool cue comes with a tip with the universal size of 11 to 14 mm. But, the weight of a pool tip is an equally important consideration when it comes to segregating the best pool cues from obsolete ones. A light cue tip lets players feel the cue as they hit the ball. Whereas, some people choose cues with hard tips since they last longer and are stronger.

Weight Of The Cue

The weight of the cue is a very useful consideration for anyone who wants to play pool. Remember, heavier cues are best suited for a rookie or inexperienced players because these cues weigh around half a kilogram, plus have more power and can spin the ball more. However, for professionals or sports, players with intermediate skills, the pool cues can weigh lighter (around 400 grams or even less).

Wood Type

Another important factor, wood type guarantees the durability of two things: pool tip as well as the body of the cue. For players who don’t want to spend big and yet want best pool cues, maple cues are the best bet. On the other hand, if you prefer inlays on your pool cue and want them to be lightweight, you will have to spend some more money and get cues made from ash wood.

One-Piece or Two-Piece Cue?

If you are a person who usually plays pool at home, getting a one-piece cue will sound like a more logical option, the reason being it cannot endure rough usage. Whereas, if you are a professional or a budding intermediate player who travels around to a lot of competitions or goes to pool halls with friends, you should definitely get a two-piece cue. The reason here is that a two-piece cue can endure rough usage and often comes with a storage case.

Straight Design

Most people when buying pool cues make the mistake of looking for cues with rounded edges. The truth is, the best cues are actually straight! Cues with a straight design keep them from rolling down when they lay flat on the pool table. To check the straight design of the cue, you can hold the pool cue in your hands with one end facing your face, and stare down the length of the shaft to make sure if it is completely straight or not.

Wrap Material

Wrap material is a sort of a tape made from a special material that is wrapped around the edge of the stick for creating a grip that lets players hold onto the cue. Mostly, for beginner players, Nylon and/or linen are the most preferred choice, while for pro’s and intermediate players, a leather wrap often works best.

Balance Point

A well-balanced pool cue will help you in aiming for shots and give off most accurate results. As is the case, the balance point is usually located near the center of the cue and a couple of inches away from the tip of the wrapping material. Before the purchase, you can always try out various cues to choose the one with a balance point that you are most comfortable with.

Color

If you are fond of certain colors no matter if you play at home or in a pool hall by adding color to your preferences list when picking up a new cue. While brighter colors and flashy designs on a cue can easily stand out, there are traditional cues that use neutral colors.

Case

Last, but not the leas,t if you are a professional who spends a good amount of time playing pool in different venues outside your home, buying best pool cues that come packed in a special case will make a lot more sense. Cases with padded areas inside are needed to prevent cuts from getting unwanted dings and scratches.