Best Snooker Cue

It’s not as easy as you might think trying to choose the best snooker cue. There are a number of different brands and even the professionals can’t come to an agreement on which snooker cue brand is the best.

Many believe that it depends on your playing style and we are in agreement with that. For this reason, we’ve created this buyers guide for the best snooker cues, so that no matter what your level, whether you are a beginner just starting out, or perhaps you’ve reached amateur level, even professional and you fancy a change in snooker cue, then you can follow this guide of the best snooker cues.

Best Snooker Cue Brands

Let’s begin by discussing the best snooker cue makers. This list is not necessarily the cue brands that have made the most snooker cues, but instead the snooker cues with the highest review ratings.

Peradon

Peradon is the oldest and one of the best snooker cue makers in the business. They were founded back in 1885. The brand originally operated in London, by the founder, Leopold George Peradon. Today, these snooker cues are manufactured in Liverpool.

Their cues are known for their high quality and craftsmanship. Peradon cues are made from the finest materials, including North American ash for the shaft and maple for the butt. They are also hand-spliced, which means that the two pieces of wood are joined together by hand using a special technique. This ensures that the cue is perfectly balanced and that the joints are strong and durable.

Peradon cues come in a variety of weights and lengths to suit all players. They also offer a wide range of features, such as different tip sizes and ferrules. This allows players to choose the cue that is perfect for their individual needs.

Peradon cues are used by some of the top snooker players in the world, including Ronnie O’Sullivan and Stephen Hendry. They are a popular choice for players of all levels, as they offer a combination of performance, quality, and value.

Best Peradon Snooker Cues

PowerGlide

PowerGlide is a snooker cue brand that has been around since 1972. With age comes experience and they certainly have that. They’ve built a highly authoritative brand.

PowerGlide cues are made from North American ash for the shaft and maple for the butt. Like most of the best cues. They are also hand-spliced and hand-finished, which ensures that the cues are perfectly balanced and that the joints are strong and durable.

PowerGlide  have a range of different cues with all lengths, so it doesn’t matter what size you are, you can purchase one.

PowerGlide cues are used by some of the top snooker players in the world, including Mark Selby and Judd Trump. They are a popular choice for players of all levels, as they offer a combination of performance, quality, and value.

Best PowerGlide Snooker Cues

Riley

Riley is a snooker cue brand that has been around since 1947. They have partnered up with BCE who were well known in the industry. This means that they can be more dominant and produce better equipment.

The cues are made from North American ash for the shaft and maple for the butt.

Riley cues come in a variety of weights and lengths to suit all players. They have a wide range of tip sizes. You might not know which tip size you need at this point and that’s absolutely fine.

Riley cues are used by some of the top snooker players in the world, including Ronnie O’Sullivan and Mark Williams.

Best Riley Snooker Cues

CUESOLE

CUESOUL is a snooker cue brand that has been around since 2006. This means that they are one of the less experienced brands on the market in comparison to their competitors. Nonetheless, they know how to produce quality.

CUESOUL cues are still made with the same material as the ones above, so don’t write them off just because you might not have heard of them.

CUESOUL cues are a popular choice for players of all levels, as they offer a combination of performance, quality, and value. They are also known for their affordable prices, making them a great option for budget-minded players.

Best CUESOLE Cues

Cuppa

Cuppa is a snooker cue brand that has been around since 2014. If you think about it, that really isn’t long at all! It’s definitely hard for a new brand to enter a market like this where there really are some established leaders.

They are also hand-spliced and hand-finished, which ensures that the cues are perfectly balanced and that the joints are strong and durable.

Due to them still building a reputation, you can find a lot of budget friendly cues to enjoy playing with. Cuppa have some really aesthetically pleasing cues that we recommend you check out.

Best Cuppa Snooker Cues

John Parris

John Parris is a snooker cue brand that has been around since 1984. They are known for their high-quality cues that are made from premium materials.

John Parris might not need an introduction to many as they are a very high profile brand of snooker equipment.

John Parris cues are used by some of the top snooker players in the world, including Ronnie O’Sullivan and John Higgins. They are a popular choice for players of all levels, as they offer a combination of performance, quality, and craftsmanship.

Best John Parris Cues

  • John Parris Classic Cue
  • John Parris Excalibur Cue
  • John Parris Merlin Cue

Where To Buy Snooker Cues

You can purchase the best snooker cue online, which is the most convenient way for most people. There are many sites that sell all kind of cues and you can even personalise your own cue.

On these websites, you can choose the cue length, the cue shaft, whether you want a one piece cue, a two piece cue or even a 3/4 joint cue. There are other snooker cue features to choose from as well.

Alternatively, you might consider purchasing snooker cues from a snooker shop or your local snooker club. More than likely they will have some, however they are typically priced higher than online and you don’t get a full range of cue brands.

When purchasing online, some sites will do deals where they throw in a cue case. It’s best to keep your cue protected at all costs, which is why we recommend going for a quality aluminium cue case. Check out the latest cue kits, where you will find other accessories like a cue towel, joint protector and more.

How Much Do They Cost?

It’s really hard to say how much a cue will cost you because it depends on which one you purchase. For example, you could go for beginner cues which are cheaper, usually around £50. Or you could go all our and pay hundreds of pounds for a handmade cue.

It depends on how often you want to play snooker, as well as whether you want more control, accurate shots, fine details, all of that. Just because a cue is more expensive, doesn’t mean that you’ll play better, although it usually is the case. You must consider external factors such as practice, knowledge, balls, balance, etc.

How Snooker Cues Are Made

Snooker cues are made from a variety of materials, but the most common is ash. Ash is a strong and durable wood that is well-suited for making cues. The shaft of the cue is made from a single piece of ash, while the butt is made from two pieces of ash that are spliced together. The joint between the shaft and butt is a critical part of the cue, and it is important that it is made well.

Once the shaft and butt are made, the cue is then finished. This involves sanding the cue to a smooth finish and applying a protective coating. The tip of the cue is also made from a separate piece of wood, and it is then glued to the end of the shaft.

Snooker cues can be made by hand or by machine. Hand-made cues are typically made by skilled craftsmen who use traditional methods. Machine-made cues are typically made using CNC machines, which can produce cues that are very consistent in terms of their weight and balance.

Here are the steps on how snooker cues are made:

  1. Selecting the wood. The most common wood used for snooker cues is ash, but other woods such as maple and yew can also be used. The wood must be straight-grained and free of defects.
  2. Making the shaft. The shaft is the main part of the cue and it is made from a single piece of wood. The shaft is typically about 57 inches long and it has a diameter of about 12 millimeters.
  3. Making the butt. The butt is the end of the cue that is held in the hand. It is made from two pieces of wood that are spliced together. The butt is typically about 12 inches long and it has a diameter of about 18 millimeters.
  4. Making the joint. The joint is the part of the cue that connects the shaft to the butt. It is a critical part of the cue and it must be made well. The joint is typically made from a piece of metal or plastic.
  5. Finishing the cue. The cue is then finished by sanding it to a smooth finish and applying a protective coating. The tip of the cue is also made from a separate piece of wood, and it is then glued to the end of the shaft.

The process of making a snooker cue can take several weeks or even months. The quality of the cue depends on the skill of the craftsman and the quality of the materials used.

Ash or Maple Cues?

Ash and maple are the two most common woods used for making snooker cues. Both woods have their own advantages and disadvantages, so the best choice for you will depend on your individual preferences and playing style.

Ultimately, the best way to decide which wood is right for you is to try out both ash and maple cues and see which one feels better in your hand and allows you to hit the shots you want.

Tip Size

The best tip size in snooker depends on your individual preferences and playing style. However, there are some general guidelines that can help you choose the right tip size for you.

  • Smaller tips: Smaller tips are typically used by players who want more control. They allow for more precise cueing and can help you to hit more delicate shots. However, smaller tips can also be more difficult to control, especially when hitting powerful shots.
  • Larger tips: Larger tips are typically used by players who want more power. They allow you to hit the ball with more force, which can be helpful when playing long pots or when trying to generate power from difficult positions. However, larger tips can also make it more difficult to hit delicate shots.

In snooker, the most common tip sizes range from 9.5mm to 10.5mm. Smaller tips are typically used by beginners and intermediate players, while larger tips are typically used by more experienced players.

If you are unsure about which tip size is right for you, it is a good idea to try out different sizes and see which one feels better in your hand and allows you to hit the shots you want.

Snooker Cue Conclusion

To conclude, it doesn’t matter massively which best snooker cue you go for. Your local club will have a range of excellent cues, just like the internet does. This is why we have produced this ultimate buyers guide on snooker cues so that you can read about each one and take your pick.

Most players get used to the cue that they start playing with and then once that’s the case, they rarely change. We recommend going for 2 piece cues or 3/4 jointed cues. Unless you are a pro, we wouldn’t recommend one piece cues. That is our personal choice.

Snooker Cues FAQs

What snooker cue should I buy?

It doesn’t really matter as there are many quality cues. Take a look at our list and choose your favourite based on your budget and preferences. Reviews are an important factor when decided.

Where is the best place to buy snooker cues?

You should buy online, that way you get the best deals and also read reviews on the products.

Who makes the best snooker cues in the world?

The brands listed above are considered to be the best ones. Whether you want a pool cue or snooker cue, maple veneers, tip walnut butts or dried north American ash, they have it all.