Once you’re hooked on the game of pool, you’ll never want to be without a cue that suits your style and game. That’s why it’s important to understand what makes one cue better than another.

Although there are no perfect pool cues, having your own pool cue that is tailored to match your playing style and personal preference is a must.

It can also make you play pool more consistently.

Whether it’s added weight, a unique handle, or feel, each pool cue has an optimal setup that gives it a competitive advantage over other cues.

In this article, we will be taking a close look at these top-rated pool cues, while also diving deeper into the specifications and features of each product that we have hand-picked here just for you!

• Lucasi Custom Birds-Eye Maple Pool Cue – Best Overall
• Purex Players Technology Series HXT15 Pool Cue – Best Value for Money
• Lucasi Hybrid L-H10 Cue – Best Splurge
• Konllen Carbon Fiber Pool Cue – Affordable Carbon Fiber Pool Cue
• Viking Valhalla 2 Piece Pool Cue – Best for Beginners
• Meucci SB1-S Handcrafted Pool Cue – Has an Elegant Design
• Cuesoul 58 Inch Maple Billiard Pool Cue – Best Basic Pool Cue

Here are the 7 best pool cues that you can play today:

1. Lucasi LZ2000SP Custom Birds-Eye Maple Sneaky Pete Pool Cue

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The best pool cue is one that plays great, has good looks, and gives you the most bang for your buck.

And while there are a lot of options out there, I think the Lucasi LZ2000SP Custom Birds-Eye Maple Sneaky Pete Cue is the best choice when it comes to finding a pool cue that ticks all of these boxes—and more.

Classic look but with a strong performance

Made by Lucasi, one of the most popular pool cue brands, this cue has been designed with an eye toward both comfort and performance.

It’s made from solid birds-eye maple and features an eye-catching pattern that gives it a sleek look and feel.

It looks like an ordinary house pool cue at a glance, yet it plays like a high-end pool cue.

Not only does it look stealthy, but it feels good in my hands as well.

It’s smooth and elegant looking; definitely something I want to show off at any pool hall and showcase on my pool table. I like to bring mine all the time and people often asked questions about what and how much is it.

Now, let’s talk about its shaft, it has a low-deflection shaft that is made of Bird’s Eye maple, which is known for its durability and strength, so you can trust this cue will stand up to the wear and tear of frequent use.

The low-deflection shaft was designed specifically for players like me who like to play with lots of English or follow through on their shots.

Shoots straight and tight

And because of its high-performing shaft, tip, and ferrule, I always get a tighter hit without worrying about the cue coming apart on you. In addition, Lucasi Custom’s wood-to-wood joint offers smooth action without sacrificing durability.

Right out of the box, I noticed that the Lucasi Custom Birds-Eye Maple Pool Cue is straight as an arrow. It makes it easy to hit the mark, and the balance makes it feel like I’m swinging through the air rather than through water.

I also love the fact that it is really smooth and comfortable to handle. It really feels like I’m holding a top-grade stick.

Lifetime warranty

Another great thing about this pool stick is it comes with a lifetime warranty against warping and cracking that covers any manufacturing defects.

Conclusion

Of course, there are no perfect pool cues. But it’s really hard to find any faults with this Lucasi Custom Sneaky Pete cue.

I can say that its price point is the only disadvantage, especially for beginners.

But being one of the high-end pool cues, the upfront cost may be high but you will get what you pay for.

To sum it up, The Lucasi Custom Birds-Eye Maple Pool Cue is a pool cue designed for players of all skill levels. It features an elegant, classic design that makes it easy to handle and control.

I love using mine and It is definitely one of the best pool cues today.

2. Players Technology Series HXT15 Pool Cue

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The Players Technology Series HXT15 Two-Piece Pool Cue is the perfect choice for players who are looking for an affordable pool cue that has a great performance.

This pool cue features a high-quality, hard rock maple shaft, which provides great durability against warpage.

Shaft

I’ve always been a fan of shafts that offer a low deflection. A low-deflection shaft means that it’s easy to hit the ball where I want it to go and get a lot of control over my shots.

Like the Lucasi Custom, the HXT15 has a low-deflection shaft as well. The flexible shaft alongside its ferrule allows you to control the cue ball precisely with every hit.

I really appreciate the HXT15’s shaft which works to reduce the vibrational impact on the pool cue in general.

Its walnut-stained Birds-eye Maple design is classic and stylish at the same time.

The grain and colors of the wood are beautiful, giving it a rich appearance and making it perfect for my collection of pool cues.

Also, because of the cue’s overall construction, it reduces the amount of energy transferred from the cue to my hand and arm. This is important because it helps reduce the stress on my joints, making me more comfortable when playing for extended periods of time.

The other feature that I love about this cue is its 12.75mm Kamui Black Tip which allows me to get precise and constant english on every shot.

This feature also gives the pool cue a softer “feel”. Now, there are some differences between a soft tip and a hard tip.

First, soft tips have a different sound than hard tips. Some players prefer the “feel” or the sounds more than the other features.

Also, note that soft tips can become harder with use. So you should keep that in mind.

Great feel

I really liked the feel of this stick—it was very smooth to hit, and I had no problem getting a good amount of power behind my shots.

Moreover, its stainless steel joint collar ensures that your pool cue will last for years to come.

It’s also easy to assemble, so you won’t have to worry about spending a lot of minutes trying to put it together.

While the butt is wrapped in Irish linen and provides a comfortable, secure hold on the cue. And to think that this classy pool stick comes with a double-pressed Irish wrap is a bonus!

Conclusion

The HXT15 is one of the best on the market if you consider its budget-friendliness combined with its versatile features. Now, in order to make this pool cue affordable, Players need to sacrifice some of its qualities.

The one thing that I quickly noticed upon using the Players HXT15 is, that it doesn’t feel as solid as the Lucasi Custom Pool Cue. So, you have to be careful not to drop it off the floor. In addition, while its soft tip is great, it is not as durable as a hard tip.

And to become one of the top pool cue brands, Players need to offer an affordable cue that has a great performance. Fortunately for them, the HXT15 became an instant hit because of its value for money.

Overall, The Players Technology Series HXT15 Pool Cue is ideal for players who want a reliable cue that lets them play their best without breaking the bank.

3. Lucasi Hybrid L-H10 Cue 

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The Lucasi Hybrid L-H10 Pool Cue stick is a high-performance cue that’s designed to help you play better. This great pool cue has some of the most advanced technologies today.

And is aimed toward intermediate and advanced pool players. It has a metallic silver shade, with neon blue accents on the body. These features made the L-H10 look modern and aggressive.

The cue features a Hardrock Maple shaft which provides stability and durability, while also providing incredible responsiveness and feedback.

High-performing stick

The Lucasi Hybrid L-H10 pool cue is a high-performing, professional-grade cue that’s the perfect choice for any pool player looking to improve their game.

I’ve been playing pool on and off for years, but recently decided it was time to get serious about it. I wanted to start competing in tournaments and winning some money, so I decided to buy a new cue.

I did my research and bought the Lucasi Hybrid L-H10 from Amazon. It’s a high-performing pool cue that’s built for competition and it comes with a lifetime guarantee against manufacturer defects. Plus, it looks really cool!

Sure, this one is more expensive than my Lucasi Custom Sneaky Pete cue since it has different and more fancy inlays. But they have typically had the same performance when I tried both of them side by side.

Its low-deflection shaft is flexible and more stable than most pool sticks found on the market today.

Moreover, this modern pool stick features a Total Sweet Spot Construction, which means it has an extra-large sweet spot for more consistent shots and better accuracy according to Lucasi. And I totally agree with them, miscues are rare and my shots are actually true and straight.

You can find this pool cue at weights of 18 to 21 ounces at most. It also comes with an adjustable weight system that lets you customize the weight of your cue.

On top of that, the Kamui soft pool cue tip is great for players who like less impact on their grip hands. Unfortunately, soft tips are not ideal for breaking.

Well, you can also use them if you really like to but they can’t break as clean as harder tips.

Stainless steel joint

But what really made me fall for this cue is its Uni-Loc™ quick-release joint. It’s great because you can take it apart without tools and then put it back together again easily, which makes it really convenient if you’re traveling or if you want to switch between different shafts (like when you’re playing different games). And since it’s so easy to take apart, repairs are simple too!

Conclusion

To sum it up, the Lucasi Hybrid L-H10 is one of the best high-end pool cues that is built for performance.

It obviously lacking in some departments like breaking but you can change its tip right away.

And being one of the best pool cue brands out there, Lucasi created a real winner here. So if you’re looking for something that will help you get better at pool and you have the budget, this may be the perfect choice for you.

4. Carbon Fiber: KONLLEN Carbon Fiber Pool Cue

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Our next top pick for this article is this incredible pool cue by the brand KONLLEN. This high-quality product comes with a carbon fiber shaft, including a pretty handle that looks chic and classy as heck!

A shaft that is made of carbon fiber

The KONLLEN Carbon Fiber Pool Cue Stick is a solid stick with a carbon fiber shaft that is pretty tough and requires little to no maintenance at all.

I’ve used this pool cue for a few months, and it’s held up wonderfully. It has a nice weight to it—not too heavy, but not so light that it feels cheap. It’s easy to grip and hold onto.

The only maintenance I do is clean the chalk off of it after each game or practice session, but even then it doesn’t get dirty very easily.

Although I can say that its carbon fiber construction is not as solid as the one you get from a high-end cue like the Cuetec Cynergy,  it still feels sturdy enough. While I cannot vouch for its long-time durability, I can say that the cue looks and feels like it will last a long time.

Well for starters, a carbon fiber pool cue feels different than a wooden cue.

The cue is lighter, for one thing, as well as stronger and more durable. It won’t crack or warp as a wooden cue can.

But it has a softer or muted feel to it, and this is something you may or may not like. Some people prefer a wooden cue that gives them more feedback during a hit, while others like the feel of a softer one.

I would say that the difference between these two kinds of cues is comparable to the difference between riding a bike on pavement versus dirt.

Butt

Obviously, the butt is made of hard maple, and it has a nice feel to it. It’s not as soft or muted as the rest of the cue, but this doesn’t detract from its performance in any way. In fact, the wood used for this part of the cue is one reason why it feels so good in my hand.

I noticed that this stick has a nice weight and balance to it.

Conclusion

In the end, I would say that the KONLLEN Carbon Fiber pool cue is a great stick. It’s well-made and has a nice feel to it, which is important when you want to play pool.

If you’re looking for an affordable carbon fiber cue, then this one is also worth looking into. It’s the lowest-priced carbon fiber cue on the market and it performs well enough that you don’t have to feel like you’re sacrificing quality for the price.

5. Viking Valhalla 100 2 Piece Pool Cue

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Constructed with high-quality hard rock maple wood for the shaft, this stick named Viking Valhalla has great value for money. It is the one you should invest in if you want class and affordability in one place!

A reliable pool cue

This affordable stick is a great option for beginners and intermediate players. It is actually one of my favorite affordable cue sticks because of its performance. I usually bring this one along when I’m not into a competitive match.

Trust me, your friends will be burning with envy when seeing you playing with something so beautiful!

The combination of the shaft, medium tip, and high-impact resin ferrule allow me to hit the ball consistently and truly. Long shots are not a problem with the Viking Valhalla 100.

I also found out that I can get a decent spin when hitting with this cue.

If you’re an absolute beginner, you want a cue that will last. You don’t want to spend a lot of money and then have to buy another one in a year or two.

The Viking Valhalla 100 pool cue is an inexpensive, durable option for beginner players who are serious about improving their game.

I can also say that this stick is way better than a basic house cue in most pool halls. It’s solid, has good weight distribution, and shoots very well.

Tons of designs to choose from

Newbies to the sport will definitely have a fun time choosing a design that fits their personality. The Viking Valhalla 100 offers a wide variety of designs to fit any player’s style.

Players also have the option to choose a wrap or none at all. I personally choose the white one, since it matches the theme of my game room.

Conclusion

The Viking Valhalla 100 pool cue is a high-quality, affordable cue that can be used by players at any skill level.

The Viking Valhalla 100 comes with a one-year manufacturer’s warranty and features Viking’s lifetime guarantee against warping or cracking. It also has an adjustable weight bolt to adjust the balance of the cue to suit your preference.

6. Meucci SB1-S Handcrafted Pool Cue

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Further down the list, we have this Meucci bad boy.

This elegant pool cue sports a beautiful white and grey color for the body, complete with the brand logo on the butt of the product on the bottom of the handle. 

Timeless design

Right from the get-go, we can see that the smoked grey stain of the Meucci SB1-S is designed in order to make the product seem fancier than it already is. It really looks fantastic!

I keep on staring at the cue and trying to find some flaws in its design, but I can’t. This is definitely one of the best-looking pool cues on the market today.

The Meucci SB1-S has a great amount of detail put into it, including the white linen wrap, which really makes the cue look more elegant. The wrap is also very durable and will not come off easily.

On top of that, the lacquer-coated product is strong, durable, and very hard. You can expect this product to not even budge when using it for serious shots.

Both beginner-level and professional-level players will enjoy playing with such an incredible pool cue for their matches. 

Tournament-ready

Luckily, the Meucci SB1-S is not just all looks and no substance. This cue is also a very good shooter. Like the Lucasi Custom Sneaky Pete and Hybrid L-H10, the Meucci SB1-S is a fantastic weapon of choice during tournaments.

I very rarely found myself looking for more power behind my shots. The Meucci SB1-S has a very straight and predictable hit which makes it easy to play with.

During one of my matches, I also noticed that it has a solid hit and a reasonable amount of power and spin. It’s actually very easy to control. And I also feel like the balance is well distributed throughout.

Conclusion

Overall, I am very impressed with this cue and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for an elegant yet functional pool cue. It’s also cheaper than the Lucasi Custom pool cue.

7. Cuesoul 58 Inch Maple Billiard Pool Cue 

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The last pool cue that we have on this list is this awesome Cuesoul pool cue that’s perfect for absolute beginners.

Affordable pool cue for newbies

It is very sleek, and comes at a standard length of 58 inches! The Cuesoul pool cue is one of the best affordable options that you can find on the market today.

Also, do note that this pool cue comes in a set with other additional goodies as well, so it might bit different from the rest of the products reviewed in this article. 

Constructed with hard maple wood for the shaft and butt, this amazing pool cue can be in different colors as well as sizes as well, therefore allowing everyone to invest in a model that caters to their preferences the most. 

Decent shooter

Now, this is a pretty basic pool cue, with a small amount of flair. I wouldn’t recommend it for a serious pool player, but if you’re just looking for something to play around with on the weekends, this will do the trick.

The cue is straight as an arrow and I really like its cool-looking appearance. It does shoot well and the balance is just about right. The feel is not as solid as the other pool cues on this list, but  it’s still pretty good. The cue feels shallow as well but to my surprise, it actually shoots nicely and tightly.

Conclusion

Beginners to intermediate players that are looking for an affordable cue may find this cue enough for their needs. It’s a great option if you’re just playing casually and this cue can definitely teach you the basics of playing pool or billiards.

How To Pick The Right Cue For You

When buying a pool cue, the first thing you should consider is your own personal playing style.

Are you looking to compete in tournaments? Or are you more interested in having fun with friends who aren’t as serious about the game?

First things first: let’s talk about skill levels and what those mean for selecting a pool cue.

Skill Level

Put yourself into one of these three categories.

Beginners: I am new or inexperienced with playing pool. You can choose the Best Pool Cues for Beginners.

Intermediates: I have some experience, regular at their local bars or billiards halls, and want to keep improving. Please read: Best Pool Cues for Intermediates

Advanced: I compete regularly on amateur circuits across the country. I can control shots with placement, and use sidespin. Please read: Best Pool Cues for Advanced Players

Goals

Before you shop, it’s important to consider some things. First and foremost: what are your goals?

Do you want to improve your game? Compete in tournaments? Enter into a league?

Or do you simply have fun with friends at the local bar after work?

If you are serious about playing pool, then you’ll want to invest in some decent equipment, including a high-quality pool cue.

You may even consider buying additional pool sticks, a jump cue, and a break cue. Most intermediate and advanced players carry at least two pool cues with them.

If you just want a reliable pool cue to play recreationally a few times per week or month, then you’ll probably only need one cue and can choose something a bit cheaper.

Read: Best Pool Cues for the Money

FAQ

Are heavier pool cues better?

Not necessarily! The weight of your pool cue is often determined by preference and personal style.

There are many different types of pool sticks available, so if you’re new to the game or have never played with a heavy stick before, it’s best to start off with something lighter until you get used to it.

Some players noticed that using a heavier pool cue helped them to achieve more speed control and action on the cue ball. If you have a game room and mostly shoot on 7′ tables, you might consider a lighter cue to help keep your speed down.

What is considered a good pool stick?

A good pool cue should be balanced, sturdy, and of course, accurate. The weight should be evenly distributed along its length so that the pool stick feels comfortable in your hand. This will help you avoid fatigue during play and improve your performance overall.

You should also consider the materials used to make the stick; some are more durable than others so they’ll last longer under regular use conditions like dropping or banging against walls while playing games with friends at home!

A good pool stick should be durable enough to withstand frequent use without breaking or warping over time.

It should also be made from quality materials such as wood or carbon fiber instead of plastic which may chip or warp under pressure over time.

In addition, look for one that has a good weight distribution and balance.

This will help you control your shot, especially if your hand strength is not as great as it used to be.

If you are in doubt about the quality of a particular cue, ask yourself if it feels comfortable in your hand and if you can control it easily.

All the pool cues that you can find in this guide are high-quality and can improve your game.

Read: Best Pool Cues under $200

What is the best pool cue shaft?

When it comes to pool cues, the shaft is one of the most important parts.

The shaft is what connects your cue with the ball and allows you to make shots. If you are looking for a new pool cue, then you will want to know what makes a good pool cue shaft.

In my opinion, a low-deflection shaft is better than the standard one. Because it is easier to generate sidespin using an LD shaft.

What’s the most expensive pool cue?

The most expensive pool cue is a custom-made pool cue with a lot of fancy inlays.

This type of pool cue isn’t mass-produced and it is literally made according to your custom specs. It can cost up to $10,000 for the famous ones.

Read: Best Pool Cues under $50

What pool cue weight do pros use?

Pros typically use pool cues that weigh between 17 and 21 ounces.

Some players like SVB and Earl Strickland use heavier cues because of how they feel and can provide more power than lighter ones.

However, it’s important to note that this isn’t an exact science—some players prefer lighter cues for balance reasons or because they require more finesse than power when playing their shots.

What pool cue do professionals use?

Pro’s use a variety of different cues depending on their style of play and personal preference but many prefer a heavier cue because it gives them an advantage over their opponents.

They also use low-deflection shafts which allows them to generate more spin on the ball which in turn helps them hit harder shots into difficult pockets.

In our opinion, the best pool cue tip is a phenolic tip. Phenolic tips are made from a composite of resin and plastic fibers. They’re durable, grippy, and last longer than most other materials.