A good billiards requires a couple of things – a good company, a friendly atmosphere, and of course a set of good pool cues. Now, even though finding reliable friends may be tougher than finding a reliable pool stick, searching for the best pool cue is still a daunting task.
Given that budget pool cues are flimsy and tend to break after a couple of months while boutique models cost a couple of thousands of dollars, we’ve decided to take a gander at what the market has to offer in terms of the best pool cues under $100, so let’s take a look.
Contents
- 1 Best Pool Cues Under $100
- 1.1 Rage Heavy Hitter Jump Break Cue 3-Piece
- 1.2 McDermott Deluxe Pool Cue Kit
- 1.3 Viper Sinister 58-inch 2-Piece Billiard Cue
- 1.4 Sticks 19.5-oz 58-inch Bar Pool Cues
- 1.5 Viking Valhalla 2-Piece Pool Cue
- 1.6 McDermott L13 Lucky Hard Rock Maple Pool Cue
- 1.7 Ignat Games 2-Piece Pool Cue Stick
- 1.8 Python 2-Piece Pool Cue Canadian Maple Wood
- 1.9 Joshmar Professional Pool Stick
- 1.10 Viper Underground 2-Piece the Raven
- 2 Best Pool Cues Under 100 Buying Guide
- 3 Frequently Asked Questions
Best Pool Cues Under $100
Rage Heavy Hitter Jump Break Cue 3-Piece
Our opener pick is Rage’s Heavy Hitter Jump Break cue, which is easily one of the strongest-performing entry-level billiards stick on the market. It looks absolutely wonderful and is available in five different color style options, including black, blue, hot pink, red, and silver.
The highlight feature of the Heavy Hitter is the hard-rock Maple construction. Essentially, this is a firm, strong wood that is almost completely resistant to warping. On the downside, it’s fairly heavy and quite demanding in terms of maintenance.
Heavy Hitter is called that way for an obvious reason; this pool cue packs quite a punch, and it’s perfect for players who often rely on sheer, brute power to execute trick shots. Overall, Rage’s Heavy Hitter may be the most expensive model on our list, but it’s definitely one of the finest pool cues under $100 on it.
Pros:
- Looks simplistic, yet beautiful
- Available in five different color styles
- Made of ultra-robust hard-rock maple
- Warp-resistant
- Quick-release joints for easy assembly
Cons:
- Fairly heavy
- Requires frequent maintenance
McDermott Deluxe Pool Cue Kit
Our follow-up pick is McDermott’s Deluxe Pool Cue Kit. We warmly recommend it to beginner pool players, as it packs a variety of complementary accessories atop the high-quality billiards stick.
Speaking of which, the cue is made of strong, robust hardwood and 2-piece construction. It also comes supplied with quick-release joints, which allow for rapid assembly and disassembly. Even though it’s available in only one color, you can choose between 18-ounce and 19-ounce models.
The complementary features include two pieces of chalk, a chalk holder, a soft carry case, and the official pool rule book. Obviously, this billiard cue isn’t as versatile and great so as to cater to the needs of professionals, but it’s durable and light enough to accommodate intermediately skilled players.
Pros:
- Laden with a myriad of complementary accessories
- Durable construction
- Quick-release joints for easy assembly
- Gratis soft carry case
Cons:
- Not a perfect choice for professional players
- Relatively pricey
Viper Sinister 58-inch 2-Piece Billiard Cue
GLD Viper is among the biggest names in the pool gear industry, and here we have the 58-inch Sinister 2-piece billiard cue, which is a phenomenal representation of the firm’s quality.
Namely, the 2-piece construction offers substantially easier storage and optimal compactness while also drastically simplifying the assembling/disassembling process. Some of the highlight features of this pool cue are the LePro leather tip, the Irish wrap, and the sturdy ABS joints. The stick itself is made of durable Canadian Maple, which offers exceptional sturdiness and longevity.
You will be able to choose between four weight options (from 18 to 21 ounces), although the Black with Blue is the only color available. The only downside to Viper Sinister pool cue is that it’s just slightly more expensive than most budget-level billiard sticks, but it is still well worth the buck.
Pros:
- Exceptional durability and flexibility
- Easy maintenance and assembly
- Quick-release ABS joints, LePro leather tip, Irish wrap
- Selectable weight options
Cons:
- A bit pricier than most budget pool cues
Sticks 19.5-oz 58-inch Bar Pool Cues
Fadazai’s pool stick pack is the first billiard cue bundle on our list; if you’re looking for both quality and quantity look no further. Essentially, this package consists of four identically sized (58-inch) cues, which means that you will have three replacements basically for free.
However, you may not necessarily need a backup since all four cues perform wonderfully in terms of durability. Each stick sports stainless-steel joints, six layers of leather tips, and robust hardwood construction.
As you probably already know, the only reason why the price tag of Fadazai’s pool stick pack is a bit heftier than average is due to the fact that there are four sticks in the bundle. Other than that, this is a perfect beginner’s package under $100.
Pros:
- Perfect for families and beginner pool buddies
- Strong and durable hardware
- Grippy leather tips
- Easy to assemble and disassemble
Cons:
- You may not need the backups
- Just slightly more expensive than average
Viking Valhalla 2-Piece Pool Cue
Valhalla comes in all shapes and sizes, which makes it one of the most versatile pool cues in the budget section of the market. You are free to choose between four weight options (18, 19, 20, and 21 ounces), and nine colors (autumn orange, black, green, blue, mahogany, pink, purple, red, and white).
Basically, Viking’s Valhalla is a 2-piece 58-inch pool stick made of exceptionally strong and warp-resistant wood; it’s also equipped with Irish wrap and stainless-steel joints. The Valhalla stick is substantially more durable and powerful in comparison to its similarly-priced counterparts, which makes it an excellent choice for both beginners and intermediately skilled billiard players.
Pros:
- Excellent price to value ratio
- Numerous size and color style options
- Two-piece wood construction
- Leather tips and Irish wrap
- Built to last
Cons:
- Fuller wood makes it slightly bulkier than average
McDermott L13 Lucky Hard Rock Maple Pool Cue
Here we are looking at McDermott’s L13 Lucky billiards cue stick. We warmly recommend it to female players that have a keen eye for aesthetics, mainly because this is arguably one of the most fashionable pool cues in the budget price range.
It’s made of hard-rock maple and features overlay rings and super-strong and warp-resistant joints, but it’s also slightly less transportable due to its one-piece construction. Be it as it may, it’s very durable and just a tad lighter than most conventional beginner pool cues.
Pros:
- Light and surprisingly durable
- Made of hard-rock maple material
- Exceptionally reliable hardware
- Perfect for female pool players
Cons:
- One-piece construction makes it a bit less transportable
Ignat Games 2-Piece Pool Cue Stick
The Ignat Games 2-piece pool cue package is one of the most comprehensive billiards stick bundles out there. Aside from the top-shelf cue stick, this package also features a professional billiard glove, an easy-carry storage bag, a chalk holder, and two chalk cubes completely free of charge.
As far as weight options are concerned, you will be able to choose between 18-21 ounce cues, but note that different models come in different colors (for instance, the lightest one is red, the heaviest is blue, and so on).
This may be the perfect choice to gear up on convenient and highly useful accessories while buying a reliable, quality cue at a relatively affordable price.
Pros:
- A comprehensive beginner’s pool bundle
- Available in different sizes
- Very easy to carry and store
- Terrific value for the price
Cons:
- Different sizes come in different colors
- Mediocre durability
Python 2-Piece Pool Cue Canadian Maple Wood
Python Billiards offers a premium-quality 2-piece Maple-built cue stick with joint protectors and a sturdy carrying case at a remarkably approachable price. These are just some of the many reasons why we are recommending this model, especially if you’re on a cash-strapped budget.
This cue is also packed with exquisite and proprietary anti-vibration technology that dramatically reinforces the stability of the stick. Furthermore, Python’s billiard’s stick features brass joints and a leather tip that offer a smooth pool experience. Overall, the durability of this pool cue leaves some room for improvement, but it’s generally well worth the money.
Pros:
- Vibration reduction technology
- Brass joints and leather tip
- Textured grippy wrap
- Balanced weight system
- Complementary features
Cons:
- Slightly inferior durability
Joshmar Professional Pool Stick
Here we have Joshmar’s professional pool stick bundle comprised of a quality 2-piece cue and four complementary billiard accessories, including a professional pool glove, a chalk holder, a piece of cue chalk, and a gratis carry case.
The cue itself is 58 inches in length and weighs only 19 ounces. Even though there are no selectable size or color style options, this is a sturdy, highly reliable billiard cue stick that was handmade from some of the sturdiest Canadian hardwood materials.
Pros:
- Highly affordable
- Made of quality Canadian Hardwood
- A variety of gratis features
- Textured wrap
- Lightweight and compact
Cons:
- No selectable size or color options
Viper Underground 2-Piece the Raven
Our final pick of the day is Viper Underground’s Raven. Aside from the fact that this is the cheapest billiards cue on our list, this is also one of the finest beginner’s pool cues that money can buy.
It comes in four weight options (from 18 to 21 ounces), and it looks absolutely wonderful for a budget cue. The Raven is a 2-piece billiards stick that packs stainless-steel joints and lightweight construction that can handle months and years of use and abuse.
Pros:
- 2-piece Canadian maple construction
- Transportable and lightweight
- Decently durable for the price
- LePro leather tip and Faux leather wrap
Cons:
- No selectable color style options
Best Pool Cues Under 100 Buying Guide
Since we’re talking about billiard sticks under $100, the price factor is already out of the picture. The other elements you should consider include the size of the cue, its weight, aesthetics, and unique features.
The size of the cue affects its ‘innate’ power, but it also affects its compactness. Furthermore, heavier cues are a bit harder to control, but they also offer substantially more accuracy and are generally superior for trick shots.
The aesthetics are, obviously, a factor that doesn’t necessarily have anything to do with the cue’s performance, but since you’re paying for it, it might as well look great.
Most cues have at least one unique feature, whether it is a proprietary weight-balancing technology, a special wrap for a better grip, or a superiorly designed tip. Some cues are supplied with basic ‘factory’ features, but they’re often packed in bundles. These packages are usually supplied with a beginner’s cue and a variety of billiard accessories.
These accessories pump up the value for the buck in the sense that you’ll otherwise spend a bit more money buying them individually. Consider these beginner bundles if you’re just starting out and if you are equipped with nothing but sheer will. Last but not least, if you are in a position to invest a couple of extra dollars for a budget pool cue, we warmly recommend you do so since dirt-cheap models are usually the flimsiest ones.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the price of a decent quality pool cue?
Generally speaking, some of the most expensive billiard cues cost well above $1,000, but great models can be found in lower price ranges as well. While the price range of under $100 is considered ‘budget’, it still houses excellent cues. The average price of a decent quality pool cue is approximately $250-300.
Are cheap cues flimsier than professional models?
In essence, the durability of a cue doesn’t necessarily reflect its price. However, more expensive models are typically made of better materials, so in a way, boutique and mid-range cues are sturdier than budget models.
Is weight more important than cue’s size?
It all boils down to the balance of these two factors. Smaller cues can still weigh a ton and vice versa. Some people actually prefer heavier sticks while others rely on lighter cues for easier positioning and better transportability.
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