Choosing a Pool Cue Tip | Pool Cues and Billiards Supplies at PoolDawg.com (2024)

Choosing a Pool Cue Tip | Pool Cues and Billiards Supplies at PoolDawg.com (1)

It is widely known that most of the performance of a pool cue lies in the shaft and the first six inches are especially important. At the very end of this most important area is the pool cue tip. This is where “the rubber hits the road” so to speak. The pool cue tip is where the energy from your pool cue is transferred to the cue ball (with a little help from chalk) to create the desired results of accuracy, speed and spin. Because of how much effect a tip can have on your game, it is important to choose the right one.

At PoolDawg.com, we offer one of the widest selections of pool cue tips with over 25 different brands featuring multiple styles and hardness options. Feeling overwhelmed? Fear not, we are here to help!

Tip Density and Hardness

The main characteristics to look at when choosing a pool cue tip is density and hardness. Tips vary in hardness from “super soft” to being as hard as the cue ball itself (phenolic). The hardness of the pool cue tip that you choose will depend on your style of play and whether it is for a playing cue or a breaking pool cue. To see the full list of tips and their specific density check out our pool cue tip density chart.

Choosing a Pool Cue Tip | Pool Cues and Billiards Supplies at PoolDawg.com (2)

Soft tips will absorb more impact causing the tip to stay on the cue ball for a split second longer than harder tips. This will result in more cue ball spin, commonly referred to as “English”, when struck off the center of the cue ball. Softer tips tend to get misshaped faster and will require more maintenance to keep a nice rounded shape and to fix any mushrooming when the tip bulges out over the side of the ferrule. Because of the additional maintenance, softer tips end up needing to be replaced more frequently.

If you really like working the cue ball around the table and do not mind regularly shaping and trimming your tip, here are some popular soft tip choices:

Hard tips do not absorb or stay on the cue ball as much at impact as a softer tip would. Because of this, hard tips create less spin and are more liable to miscue when striking the cue ball farther off the center point. They will play more consistently, last longer and require less maintenance.

If you value the most consistency and do not want to mess around with making sure your tip is always well maintained, here are some great harder tips to try:

Water Buffalo

Tailsman Pro (Extra Hard)

Hirano (Hard)

Tiger Laminated (Hard)

G2 (Hard)

Medium tips are usually the way to go for most pool players because they offer a combination of cue ball control and consistency. Most medium tips will get you plenty of spin but do not get as misshaped or wear out as fast as the softer tips. The vast majority of pool cue manufacturers will install some form of a medium hardness tip on the cue as the standard tip. For example, Predator, Lucasi Custom, McDermott, 5280, Poison and Viking all come standard with medium layered leather tips that are essentially a Tiger Everest.

If you want an all around tip that keeps its shape and plays consistently with less maintenance try some of these medium tips

Tiger Sniper

Fuji Black (Medium)

Tiger Emerald

Navigator Alpha (Medium)

Tiger Everest

Zan Plus (Medium)

Phenolic Tips (or Carbon Fiber) are now standard issue on most breaking cues and they are REALLY hard tips. Break shots are usually struck close to the center of the cue ball so Phenolic tips, which are just as hard as the balls themselves, can still put a smooth, solid hit on the cue ball without miss-cueing. Phenolic tips are very popular because they transfer the most power and require almost no maintenance.

NOTE: Some Pool Halls, Leagues or Tournaments do not allow Non-Leather (phenolic) tips so make sure to check if you think it could be an issue.

Choosing a Pool Cue Tip | Pool Cues and Billiards Supplies at PoolDawg.com (21)

Here are some of the best tips for breaking cues:

Tiger Icebreaker

Elite Phenolic

Tiger Break Jump

Samsara Break Jump

White Diamond

G10 Break Jump

...and remember, folks, if you have any questions about these tips or anything we carry, please give us a call at 1-866-843-3294!

< Back to Buying GuideThe Ultimate Pool Cue Tip Guide >

Choosing a Pool Cue Tip | Pool Cues and Billiards Supplies at PoolDawg.com (2024)

FAQs

How to choose a pool cue tip? ›

In general, a smaller diameter cue tip provides players with a tighter hitting surface and allows for more spin on the ball. However, smaller pool cue tip sizes are also far more unforgiving of mish*ts, so if you're not too confident in your game, we suggest you stick with something a little wider.

What is the best pool cue tip that pros use? ›

Elk master 13mm pool billiard cue tips are popular among professionals because they enable them to achieve more spin on the cue ball thanks to their excellent grip on the chalk. Mistakes are therefore uncommon while employing these techniques.

What is the best cue tip for beginners? ›

A medium tip hardness is designed to be the best of both worlds with plenty of grip and minimal maintenance. Some pool cue brands come with a tip constructed from a single thick layer of pressed leather that is formed to shape.

Which cue tip hardness is best? ›

Nonetheless, the majority of pool players tend to choose medium hardness tips as they combine the added control found in a softer tip with the increased consistency of a harder tip.

What cue tips do professionals use? ›

Elkmaster Cue Tips are the best selling snooker cue tip and the choice of most professional players.

What weight pool cue is best? ›

Most players find that a cue weight between 18-21 ounces is the sweet spot. This weight allows for enough control over the cue ball, while also providing a comfortable feel for the player. However, it's important to note that everyone's preferences are different, and the ideal weight for you may vary.

What is the best professional pool cue brand? ›

Predator pool sticks are designed to deliver the best performance and precision for your billiard game and are the best pool sticks available for sale.

What is the best cue tip for an 8 ball? ›

These tips are made for chinese 8 ball. simple to fit, easy to shape and they hold chalk like a traditional pressed tip. They will last for ages and grip the cue ball better.

How much should I spend on a pool cue? ›

A good pool cue for beginners will cost between $100 and $150. More advanced players, on the other hand, will have to spend more money to buy a nice cue that is appropriate for their ability level. A skilled player might expect to spend between $300 and $500.

Is a nickel or dime cue tip better? ›

Tips shaped to a dime have a smaller contact point with the cueball, so in theory they can create more spin, but the smaller “sweet spot” can be slightly less forgiving. I prefer a nickel shape, personally, because I find that a nickel is more forgiving and versatile.

Do expensive pool cues make a difference? ›

Whether you're a casual pool player or a serious competitor, owning a high-quality pool cue can make a big difference to your game. Not only can it help you make more accurate shots, but it can also improve your consistency and give you a more enjoyable playing experience.

What pool cue do most pros use? ›

PROFESSIONAL billiard players TRUST their game to Predator more than any other brand, including many WORLD CHAMPIONS ★ and top ranked players.

What should I look for in a pool cue tip? ›

Tip Hardness

The rule of thumb is that a harder tip transmits more force into the cue ball. This makes a harder tip better for breaking, jumping, or for those long power shots. The drawback is that a harder tip gives you less control over spin, and it can provoke more miscues.

What is the most popular pool cue tip size? ›

Generally speaking most pool players prefer and 8mm to 8.5mm tip for a 1 & 7/8 pool cue ball, and most snooker players prefer a 9.5mm to 10mm tip for a full size 2 1/16 snooker cue ball. American pool uses an even bigger cue ball so the tip sizes are normally between 12.5 mm and 13.5mm.

What is the best shape for a pool cue tip? ›

The two most common tip shapes are a nickel or dime radius.

This means the dome at the top of the tip is approximately the same as the radius of a dime or of a nickel.

Do pool cue tips make a difference? ›

It directly affects the amount of spin, control, and accuracy a player can achieve during shots. A larger tip provides a broader contact area, which allows for more control and stability, while a smaller tip offers increased precision and spin.

What is the perfect cue tip shape? ›

It's one of the ESSENTIAL parts of any snooker maintenance, as you will be able to play better spin shots with a better reaction on the cue ball if your tip is shaped like a dome, and not too FLAT.

Should a cue tip be rough or smooth? ›

A good leather cue tip should be somewhat rough. The roughness allows the tip to hold chalk, which in turn is what causes friction with the cue ball. In essence, the tip grabs the cue ball for an instant, allowing the desired spin to be transferred to the cue ball.

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