Best Pool Cues In 2021

When we first saw the AB Earth Pool Cue, we weren’t sure what to make of it. The twisted handle design looks odd. When you see anything out of the ordinary, it’s easy to mistake it for a gimmick, but actually, this handle design is kind-of revolutionary. It’s made from Canadian hard maple and has been fashioned into a wavy shape. The benefit is obvious as soon as you pick the cue up. The grooves fit into your hand and give you amazing control – much more than you’d get from an ordinary pool cue. In terms of ergonomics, this pool cue is way ahead of the competition. 

So, we’ve established that this is one of the easiest-to-control cues on the market. Next, we want to talk about the way it’s balanced. Measuring 58-inches in length with a 13mm leather tip, you can tell it has been carefully designed. Place the middle of the cue on your forefinger, you should have no trouble balancing it. This might not seem hugely important but it makes all the difference when you’re attempting a precision shot. We also like the fact that it’s available in a bunch of different colors. 

Imperial is a company that lives and breathes billiards. Their main focus is on making high-quality pool tables, but they also make a whole range of accessories to go with them. They’re not well-known for their pool cues, but the Imperial Eliminator is definitely a diamond in the rough. When we were choosing our Best Value product this week, this was one of the strongest contenders. In fact, it was almost impossible to choose between this cue and the Viper Commercial. They’re both really good pool cues and both around the $30 mark.

This cue is made from kiln-dried hard rock maple, which is the standard material used by cue makers. Some of the more expensive cue makers infuse maple with other materials to give it even better durability, but essentially this cue is made from the same stuff. It’s 52-inches long, which makes it slightly shorter than standard pool cues. That makes it perfect for a shorter pool player or even a teenager who is just starting out. The other reason to buy a pool cue this length is if you have restricted access to your pool table. It’s a fantastic option to make a great shot without hitting the wall behind you. Oddly, they don’t publish the weight, but we think it’s between 18 and 20oz.

Now, back to something a bit more suited to those serious pool players among you. A good pool player could make any of the cues on this list play well, but a cue like the Players C-9921 will completely improve their game. This is the second Players cue that we’ve featured and it’s not dissimilar to the first. Players C-9921 Classic Smoke-Stained pool cue is slightly more expensive and it’s a bit of a step up, but the construction is basically the same.

Before we get into the features, it’s definitely worth talking about the beautiful design on this cue. They call it the ‘classic smoke-stained birds-eye maple’ and it gives the cue a really elegant and timeless look, that stands out from all of the other cues we’ve chosen. Wherever you play, you’re going to have one of the coolest cues in the room. That alone doesn’t warrant the price tag, but it certainly helps.

This next cue is an interesting one. It’s not the best pool stick on this list by any means, but we thought it deserved a place for a few reasons, which will get into later. First, though, it’s worth talking about the company that makes these products, GLD. They were initially a company selling darts supplies to the Milwaukee darts scene, in the early 1980s. Since then, they’ve grown into a leading supplier of all thing’s darts, billiards, and table games in general. They know how to make cheap pools cues that are really high-quality and that’s immediately obvious with the Viper Commercial.

Viper Commercial/House 1-Piece Canadian Maple Billiard/Pool Cue is a 57-inch cue that weighs 20 ounces. That puts it on the shorter side of standard-sized cues and slap-bang in the middle of the expected weight. It’s made from hard Canadian maple and then finished with nine layers of varnish for added protection. This makes it really durable, which is exactly what you want from cheap pool cues. You can tell that it’s designed to withstand years of regular use. It’s also worth mentioning that it’s a one-piece cue. That means you can’t screw it in half to fit it into a smaller case. That shouldn’t be a problem for anyone buying this cue for home use, but if you’re transporting it around regularly, you might want to look elsewhere.

Viking is one of those legends in the pool cue business that seems to have been around forever. Since the early 1960s, they’ve been making awesome custom pool cues and, in the last ten years, have developed a range of pool cues that are perfect for the intermediate pool player. This cue, the Viking Valhalla, sits in the middle of the price range at around $60. It’s not a huge expense, but you know you’re going to get a quality product.

They also offer one thing that a lot of pool cue manufacturers haven’t thought of: a color option. You can get your Viking Valhalla in nine different colors, ranging from beautifully stained mahogany to bright pink. This might not be important to everyone, but to some, it means you can really adapt your own style when you head down to the pool hall. You’ve just got to have the skills to back it up.

This next product is a little different from the other products we’ve featured. It’s not just a pool cue, it’s a pack of four pool cues, all of the different sizes. That makes it absolutely ideal for someone who has just bought a pool table, but it didn’t come with any cues. Or someone who just wants to upgrade their existing set of pool cues. GSE Games & Sports Expert 1-Piece Canadian Hardwood Maple Pool Cue is also pretty handy that they’re all different sizes. For starters, you’ve got a short cue if your pool table is too close to a wall. But also, if you’ve got kids who are learning to play, this is the perfect way for them to move through the different sizes until they’re ready to handle a full-sized cue.

The great thing about this pack of four cues is that they’re actually decent quality. They’re made from premium Canadian hardwood maple and have a 4-prong construction, like the more expensive cues. It is covered in multiple layers of varnish, to ensure that it doesn’t warp or fade. Plus, it’s got a multi-layered leather tip that’s glued on and a high-quality fiber ferrule. If those things all sound familiar, that’s because you’ll find them on cues that we’ve already covered.

For the last pool cue on our list, we had to choose something that was a little different. It’s still a pool cue, but Imperial Officially Licensed NHL 57-Inch Pool Cue is aimed specifically at fans of the NHL (National Hockey League). If you’ve never been to an NHL game, you won’t know how dedicated their fans are, but we’ll just say that it’s no surprise that they have their own team pool cues. There are seven different teams you can get one for: The Boston Bruins, the Detroit Red Wings, the Philadelphia Flyers, the Winnipeg Jets, the Chicago Blackhawks, the New York Rangers, & the Vancouver Chucks. So, if one of those is your team, you’re in luck.

What about the cue though? Well, as you might expect from Imperial, they are pretty high-quality. It’s a two-piece cue made from solid maple wood. On the official website, they claim that it’s the most warp-resistant and smoothest hitting cue in the world. We’re not exactly sure if that’s the truth, but they’re definitely good quality.  It’s got a standard leather tip, an ABS ferrule, and a Veltex grip to stop your hand from slipping.

When you walk into a pool hall, you want your cue to stand out. Sure, owning your own pool cue is mostly about performance but it’s also about style. You’re showing your opponent that you mean business (even if you don’t). The CUESOUL Kit-Rocking Maple Pool Cue gives you that style you’ve been looking for. The handle has a tattoo-style skull design with a decal that says “Rock The World”. These awesome details are set on the background of a beautiful maroon paint job. Add all of this together and you’ve got one of the best-looking pool cues on this list. 

So far, we’ve talked mainly about the way the CUESOUL Kit-Rocking Maple Pool Cue looks. But we guess you’re not going to put this pool cue in a glass cabinet to look at. Chances are, you’re going to be planning to use it to actually play pool. Fortunately, this cue is made for playing. It’s made from kiln-dried North American maple wood, has a stainless steel joint running through the middle, and features a carbon-fiber ferrule. All of this makes it lightweight (21 ounces) and beautifully balanced for a cue of this price. In short, it plays just as well as it looks. 

If you’ve been playing pool for a while now, you’re probably looking to invest in the perfect cue. This list has products that range from multi-packs of cues for starters to specialist cues for experts. The Tai Ba Cues 2-Piece Pool Cue Set is somewhere in between. The reason we think it makes the perfect pool cue kit for amateur players is that it comes with a bunch of extras that will come in really handy. The actual cue is made of high-quality Canadian maple wood, has brass joints and a sturdy fiber ferrule, and has an imitation leather wrap. It looks fantastic, plays well, and feels perfectly balanced in your hand. 

So, onto the extras. First off, you get a proper cue case made from faux leather. It’s reinforced to keep your cue safe and has a pocket on the front to carry everything else that you need. Then, you get a three fingers glove for extra grip, joint protectors to prevent damage to the cue, and a tip pick to hold the chalk better. With these accessories, you can head down to the pool hall fully armed with everything you need to win.