Saluc, the Belgian company behind Aramith, began making high quality billiards balls using their own chemical plant to produce their own special resin in the 1950’s. Of course, for a company so well-established, they sell many different products and it is not always straightforward to choose which set is correct for you, so it is best to be familiar with their products and characteristics before your next investment.
What makes Aramith balls so special?
Aramith products drive a premium price for a reason. They are set apart because of the material they utilize – rather than cheaper balls made of polyester, Aramith uses Phenolic resin. This material makes sure that the ball’s density is spread consistently, and therefore the ball is balanced correctly which ensures for the truest, most accurate roll
Professional cue sports bodies also favour Aramith for their predictability. The production process ensures that every bounce and rebound is as predictable as possible, which allows for more control in positional play.
Moreover, they have durability in spades, with Aramith stating they last 5 times longer than other balls on the market due to the tough, rugged composition of their phenolic resin.
What Aramith Snooker Balls Should I Buy?
Aramith’s Snooker balls have been used both in a professional and amateur sense since the 1950’s, with their Tournament Champion 1g set being the ball set of choice for the World Snooker Tour. However that is not the only set that they provide:
· Premier – Made with their standard phenolic resin with a higher level of finish than standard balls. These balls do not undergo vitrification (a special heat curing process which creates an invisible, super tough and wear-resistant shell) however Aramith claims they still last 5 times longer than other brands. They weigh 127-130 grams and have a weight tolerance of 3 grams (The lightest and heaviest balls are no more than 3 grams apart).
· Tournament Champion – The keener player’s choice. These balls also have a 3-gram tolerance, however they weigh around 142g. This is because they use a higher grade of phenolic resin which is denser. They are also vitrified and therefore more durable - You will often see these balls used at local tournaments.
· Tournament Champion SuperPro 1g – The crème de la crème. These are manufactured with the highest quality resin and done so with the tightest tolerance of 1 gram. These are the balls of choice for professionals as they offer maximum playability and predictability.
What Aramith American Pool Balls Should I Buy?
Aramith also has a strong presence in American Pool. Their glossy spots and stripes have graced tables in American billiards halls and dive bars for over 70 years, and like their snooker balls, Aramith’s modern American pool balls have different tiers:
- Standard - Aramith's entry level set. They come in a white box, and are made of phenolic resin for increased durability. These balls are not finished as nicely as Premier, and may appear less glossy but offer good playability for the price.
- Premier – Similar to snooker premier, but in 2 1/4" sizing and spots and stripes. For American Pool, they weigh around 170g as the balls are bigger. Described as a perfect balance between quality and price.
- Premium – Like the Premier, but with a higher quality premium resin, and they are vitrified.
- Super Aramith Pro – Made with Professional grade resin, vitrified, and produced to have maximum consistency. This set comes with a dotted cue ball, and there is a “TV version” with a pink 4 and 12 ball rather than purple
- Aramith Tournament set with Duramith – Like the Super Aramith Pro, however these have a different, improved resin formulation. – allows for a lifetime that is supposedly 8x longer than the average polyester ball. It is also an excellent choice for home tables or clubs as it reduces wear on the cloth. There is also a “TV” version.
- Aramith Tournament BLACK – Aramith’s top quality set, designed with a black colourway in partnership with Matchroom Multisport to better discern the balls on TV and small screens. These are also vitrified and use Duramith resin.
English Pool and Other Disciplines
English Pool has strikingly less variance than other disciplines, only having a standard "white box" set, a Premier “casino” set and a Pro-Cup set, the latter of which is vitrified and uses the highest quality resin. The Pro-Cups are a very popular ballset, remaining the main ball of choice for the IPA, as well as being previously used by Ultimate Pool in their events. They offer these in a set of classic red and yellow balls, and a blue and yellow set.
Many niche cue sports disciplines are also covered by Aramith:
- English Billiards
- Carom billiards
- Russian Pyramid
- Bocetta
- Yotsudama
Which Set is Best For Me?
Best for Entry-Level – Premier (Snooker/American Pool/English Pool). We recommend these here as they offer the best value. They provide a good playing experience and will last a long time, but at a lower price point for a newer player.
Best for League Players – Tournament Champion (Snooker)/Super Aramith Pro (American Pool)/Super Aramith Pro-Cup (English Pool). We recommend these because they offer a higher degree of precision than premier and will play more predictably for an experienced player.
Best for Tournament play – SuperPro 1g (Snooker)/Aramith Tournament Duramith (American Pool)/Pro-Cup (English Pool). We recommend these as they are the best of the best in their respective disciplines, and they will last long enough to withstand serious tournament play.
Best for clubs – Premier (Snooker/American Pool/English Pool). We recommend these again due to their balance between cost and playability, meaning they are the best value choice. Standard "white box balls" are also a good option especially for pubs, as they are cheaper but offer better playability when compared to other cheap balls (often made of polyester).
Whether you are replacing a worn-out set of balls, or looking to make the next step up in your equipment, you can enjoy an excellent level of consistency and durability from Aramith’s range, and Cue+Case is readily equipped to help you make your next upgrade!
