Pool can be a fantastic hobby, a fun way to hang out with friends, a new skill to practice, or a professional career. Depending on how and why you play the game will certainly affect the amount of money and time you spend on it and the equipment. So let’s talk about how much you should spend on a good pool cue.
If you are an amateur player just having fun, you can find a good entry-level pool cue for around $150, whereas as an intermediate player who wants to improve, you can expect to pay between $200 and $400, and for professional players, a great cue can cost anywhere from $400 to $1000.
In this article, we are going to discuss the various price tag options for pool cues and what they each offer so that you can understand how much you should spend on a good pool cue that serves your game and your skill set.
What Makes a Pool Cue Good?
Before we dig into what you should be spending on a good pool cue, it’s first important to understand what a good pool cue actually is!
While the fit and feel of a pool cue is certainly the most important part of what makes them good for the individual player, there are a few aspects that should not be ignored:
- Glue tips. All good pool cues have glue tips, not screw tips. Screw tips are the cheapest of the cheap and are no good if you want to play a good game of pool.
- Wood, fiberglass, or composite materials. While wood has been a long-time favorite, many players now love their composite or fiberglass cues. All three of these options can be great pool cues; however, you should certainly skip the plastic and aluminum cues.
- Good fit. If you opt for a two-piece pool cue, make sure it is made well and fits together like a puzzle. On the other hand, it should also fit you: style, size, and shape matter; however, what’s right will vary from player to player.
Now, understanding what makes a pool cue good is essential, but you may still be wondering: do expensive pool cues actually make a difference?
Do Expensive Pool Cues Make a Difference?
The short answer is yes, expensive pool cues do make a difference. However, only if they are actually the right cue for you. Buying the priciest cue you can find will not make you a pool shark if you don’t have the skills and if the cue isn’t a good fit for you.
Typically, more expensive pool cues are made from higher-quality materials, which does mean they are better products. But price shouldn’t be the only factor you’re considering.
Here are a few things that make an expensive pool cue worth it:
- If it fits your current skill set or one level up. Beginners and professionals need different types of cues to play well, so it’s essential that you shop not just based on price but on what level of player the cue was made for.
- If you like the material. As you now know, wood, fiberglass, and composite are all good choices, but it really depends on what feels good in your hands and what you shoot better with! You should try a few different cues before you commit to buying an expensive one.
- It has what you need to play well. Again, most amateurs don’t need a lot of specialty when it comes to cues; however, for example, if you know you play with a lot of English, you should look out for a cue that serves your game. In general, you should understand what kind of game the cue is best for before purchasing.
Alright, now that you completely understand what good pool cues are, why more expensive isn’t necessarily better for you, and what to look out for when you’re making your purchase, let’s compare the prices of popular cues and what they offer.
What Are the Best Pool Cues at Every Price?
Here are some of our favorite cues at a variety of prices so you can decide how much you want to spend on your next cue.
- Viper Desperado 58-Inch Freedom Billiard Cue $145-$155
- Players Classic Birds-Eye Maple with Triple Silver Rings Cue $176-$255
- PureX HXTE5 Exotic Maple Cocobola and Bocote with Windowpane Points Technology Pool Cue $300
- Lucasi Custom Birds-Eye Maple Sneaky Pete Pool Cue Stick $415
- Predator BK-Rush with Sport WRAP $839
Each of these cues is certainly worth the money, it just depends on how much you should spend on a pool cue due to your specific needs and skill set.
The Bottom Line
So, how much should you spend on a good pool cue? Well, it really depends.
A good beginner cue can cost around $150, but if you are an intermediate player, you can expect to spend between $200 and $400; as a professional, a good cue can cost anywhere from $400 to $1000.