Sure, only a bad workman blames his tools - but having the right equipment certainly makes the game a lot more enjoyable, as well as will guide you with a helping hand to make your shot and win the game.
Having the right cue can make a big difference to not only how well you play pool but also how much you enjoy it. And so you'll want to keep in mind a range of features when choosing your next pool cue, including its weight, length, balance, tip size, shaft material and joint type.
The weight of the cue
The weight of a pool cue can range from around 425-600g and it affects how much power and control you have over the cue ball. A heavier cue will give you more power, but less accuracy and finesse. A lighter cue will give you more control and precision, but less force and spin.
The length of the cue
The length of a pool cue can vary from around 48-58 inches. A longer cue will give you more leverage and reach, but it may be harder to handle and manoeuvre. A shorter cue will give you more agility and stability, but it may limit your range of motion and angles.
The shaft material of the cue
The shaft material makes up most of the length of the cue and can affect its flexibility. The most common shaft materials for pool cues are wood, carbon fibre, fibreglass or composite materials. A stiffer shaft will give you more power and speed on the cue ball, but it may also transmit more vibration and feedback to your hand. A more flexible shaft will give you more spin and touch on the cue ball, but it may also absorb more energy and reduce your power.
The tip size of the cue
The tip size of a pool cue is measured by the diameter of the tip at its widest point and it affects how much contact and friction you have with the cue ball. A larger tip size will give you more surface area and grip on the cue ball, but it may also reduce your accuracy and consistency. A smaller tip size will give you more precision and control on the cue ball, but it may also increase your chances of miscuing or skidding. The standard tip size for British pool cues is eight or nine millimetres, but some players prefer smaller or larger tips depending on their skill level and preference.
We've rounded up all of the best pool cues below
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Peradon Joe Davis 600 One Piece Snooker Cue
The Peradon Joe Davis 600 One Piece Cue is a classic cue of yesteryear and is made from the highest quality kiln-dried North American ash. Reintroduced to the Peradon range with the added benefit of modern-day touches like the butt end joint, it’s spliced to the cue by hand and shaped to produce the distinctive four-round point pattern.
Buy now £335.00, Premium Cues
Cannon Relay Two Piece Snooker Cue
The Cannon Relay Two Piece Snooker Cue is manufactured from sports grade ash to offer excellent value for money - proving that you don’t have to spend a fortune to get a great piece of equipment.
With a simulated hand-spliced ebony butt decorated with a decal of snakewood and a white veneer, it’s sleek and stylish without waving goodbye to great design. The butt comes finished with a brass Cannon disc and a protective leather butt pad as well as a solid brass ferrule and 9.5 to 10mm nominal blue chrome leather tip.
Buy now £87.55, Amazon
Pathline Pool Cue Stick
Looking to add a vibrant touch to your game? This Pathline Pool Cue Stick is made from hand-selected quality Canadian maple wood and overlaid with an eye-catching graphic. It is then coated with multi-layers of varnish that protects the cue from moisture and warping.
Its 13mm professional laminated cue tip is shaped and pre-scuffed, which means you can use it as soon as you get it. Better yet, its soft tips are made with two different types of treated pig skins, allowing for better consistency and more control on the cue ball.
Buy now £39.95, Amazon
AONETIGER 3/4 Jointed Snooker Billiard Pool Cue
This great value, modern-looking cue features a smooth ash shaft and is ideal for both snooker and pool. Combining North American matching ash grain shaft with an all-black ebonised butt, it has a precision machined brass joint that’s ideal for helping you to play at your best. With a great feel and an easy weight for even the longest games, this AONETIGER 3/4 Jointed Snooker Billiard Pool Cue ticks all the boxes for your next game.
Buy now £85.99, Amazon
Regent 36-inch One Piece Pool Cue
A great pool cue doesn’t have to set you back a fortune and this Regent 36-inch One Piece Pool Cue is a budget-friendly option that doesn’t wave goodbye to quality. Fitted with an 11mm brass screw-on tip, the Regent 36-inch is suitable for both British and American pool. Its screw-on tip is easily replaced and great for communal use, providing an all-round performance for beginners.
Buy now £23.99, Liberty Games
Cue Craft Phoenix Professional Snooker Cue
Cue Craft’s cues are bespoke products, which means you’ll struggle to find another cue that’s quite as specifically designed for your skills and expertise. This Phoenix Professional Snooker Cue is individually hand-spliced and hand-finished, with a butt made of ebony, which gives it a naturally balanced weight. Then it’s finished with exotic timber inlays, a brass mini butt joint and the best quality straight-grained American ash wood shaft.
Buy now £289.99, Cue Power
Peradon Zenith One Piece English Pool Cue
The Peradon Zenith One Piece English Pool Cue is another newer addition to the brand’s lineup and comes with all of the features the brand is best loved for. The 57” cue is made from kiln-dried North American ash with a hand-spliced exotic ebony butt and decorated with a cocobolo front splice sycamore, plum and sycamore veneer.
The Zenith can then optionally be fitted with an engraved disc or plate with your name. Each cue also undergoes numerous finishing processes to achieve a unique ‘silk smooth’ cue shaft.
Buy now £285.00, Decathlon
Kudos 1pc Diamond Grip cue
Prepping for your new pool set-up? You’ll likely need more than one pool cue and this Kudos 1pc Diamond Grip cue is a great way to start growing your collection without spending a fortune.
These cues have 11mm screw tips designed to be easily changed as required and feature a slip-on rubber butt protector to protect the base of the cue from cracking if dropped. The diamond pattern design allows for extra grip when taking your shot.
Buy now £29.95, eBay
Arlington 2 piece machine spliced snooker cue
The Arlington pool cue is a genuine machine. It is a spliced cue with a selected ash shaft fitted with an 8.5mm tip. The piece has been created especially for English 8-ball pool. It has a brass mid-joint with matching grain and a cue length of 57 inches. The cue comes with an optional mini-butt to finish it off.
Buy now £59.50, Blue Moon Leisure
lotmusic Pool Stick with Telescopic Carbon Fiber Extension Cue
This Lotmusic Pool Stick is made from solid maple wood, ensuring a slick performance for beginners and experts alike. Its extension is made entirely from carbon fibre, making it ideal for all kinds of games and players of all sizes. Better yet, its low deflection shaft drastically reduces cue ball deflection, ensuring smooth shots no matter your expertise.
Buy now £99.99, Amazon
Verdict
There's a reason why the Peradon name is so famous in the pool industry: these cues really are the best of the best. The Peradon Joe Davis 600 One Piece Snooker Cue takes our top spot as the best pool cue.
