Pool cues look alike until you read the numbers. This page compares eight cues on Amazon Australia using the listings themselves: length, weight, tip size, joint and what each is made of, with the rating and how many ratings sit behind it. Most are about 147 cm pool cues. The rest cover composite and carbon fibre shafts, breaking and jumping, a short cue for kids and two snooker cues.
One thing to know first: ratings on cue listings are shared across the weights and colours of the same model, so treat each score as a guide to the model, not to one weight.
Best pool cue overall: AKLOT Canadian maple pool cue
Best pool cue overall: the AKLOT Canadian maple pool cue, because the listing describes a set of four 147 cm maple cues with 13 mm tips and stainless steel joints, one in each common weight, with 4.7 stars from 922 ratings, the best score among the cues here with large counts.
The listing describes a pool cue stick set of four: each cue is about 147 cm long in Canadian maple with a 13 mm tip, and the set includes the four commonly used weights, about 510, 539, 567 and 595 g. It says the colours are dyed into the wood rather than printed as stickers, and names a stainless steel joint with a real Irish linen wrap. The listing says a two year warranty is offered. It holds 4.7 stars from 922 ratings.
It suits a home games room with more than one player, since the set covers the four common weights. The honest catch: the rating is shared across the listing's options, the details table gives the size as 4 PCS but the included component as a pool cue stick, so check exactly what your chosen option includes before you order, and no case is listed.
Best house or bar cue: GARSEN 6A maple pool cue
Best house or bar cue: the GARSEN 6A maple pool cue, because the listing positions it for home game rooms, bars and pool halls and it holds 4.6 stars from 1,547 ratings.
The listing describes Canadian Grade 6A maple, about 147 cm long, with four weight options from about 510 to 595 g. It says each cue is hand painted and uses 3D printing technology for the finish, and calls it professional grade equipment designed for both recreational and competitive play. It has 4.6 stars from 1,547 ratings, the second highest count of any pick here.
It suits a shared cue in a pub, club or family games room that plenty of people will pick up. The honest catch: it is the dearest of the plain maple cues here, the rating is shared across variants, and the listing gives no tip size or joint detail.
Best composite cue: GSE 2 piece composite pool cue
Best composite cue: the GSE 2 piece fibreglass graphite composite pool cue, because it is made from fibreglass and titanium composite and has the most ratings of any cue here, 2,877.
The listing describes a two piece cue in high strength fibreglass and titanium composite with a matte finish, about 147 cm long, in four colours and weights of about 510 to 595 g. It names a 12.7 mm glued on multi layer leather tip with a fibre ferrule about 2.5 cm long, a 3/8 by 10 stainless steel joint, a Veltex micro fibre non slip grip and a black rubber bumper. The listing says the fibreglass construction makes it warp resistant, and that one cue is included. It has 4.5 stars from 2,877 ratings.
It suits players who want a two piece cue with a composite shaft instead of wood. The honest catch: 4.5 stars sits a little below the maple picks, and the rating is shared across colours and weights.
Best carbon fibre cue: CRICAL carbon fibre pool cue
Best carbon fibre cue: the CRICAL carbon fibre pool cue, because the listing words it as low deflection, with a foam filled carbon fibre shaft and a 12.5 mm tip.
The listing describes a cue about 147 cm long with a 12.5 mm rainbow tip and an XTC white ferrule, and says the carbon fibre shaft is filled with foam for less deflection on shots with a lot of spin. It names a 3/8 by 8 stainless steel joint and a black 3K twill weave butt, and says it is designed for weight adjustment with compatible weight bolts. The listing says it is suitable for most professional players. It holds 4.6 stars from 505 ratings.
It suits a regular player who wants the carbon fibre shaft and is happy to adjust the cue. The honest catch: it is the most expensive cue on this page, and the listing says additional weight bolts are not included.
Best jump break cue: AKLOT Heavy Hitter jump break cue
Best jump break cue: the AKLOT Heavy Hitter jump break cue, because the listing gives a white ash cue with a stiff 14 mm shaft and a Bakelite tip that converts between breaking and jumping.
The listing describes a three piece cue in North American white ash with a 13.5 mm Bakelite tip, about 145 cm long overall, with quick assembly. It is listed at about 794 g on the linked option, and the title also names options of about 652 and 709 g, and the listing names it as made for explosive breaks and easy jumps. It has 4.6 stars from 190 ratings.
It suits a player who already has a playing cue and wants a dedicated cue for the break. The honest catch: it is a specialist cue, not a general playing cue, and it has 190 ratings, fewer than most picks here.
Best short cue: AB Earth short pool cue
Best short cue: the AB Earth short pool cue, because it comes in three short lengths in Canadian maple for kids and tight spaces and holds 4.8 stars.
The listing describes lengths of about 91, 107 and 122 cm at about 425, 482 and 510 g, with a 12.5 mm leather medium tip. The shaft is Canadian maple with a hardwood butt, a wrapless handle, a 5/16 by 18 joint and a conical taper. The listing says children just learning can use it, and that it suits shots in limited places. It holds 4.8 stars from 144 ratings.
It suits kids learning the game, or a games room where a full cue keeps hitting the wall. The honest catch: 144 ratings is a modest count, a short cue is priced close to a full size one, and the linked option shows the shortest length, so choose your length on the listing.
Best snooker cue: POWERGLIDE One snooker cue
Best snooker cue: the POWERGLIDE One 2 piece snooker cue, because it is a full size ash cue with a brass joint and a 10 mm tip made for snooker.
The listing describes a two piece ash cue with a hardwood butt and a decal design, about 144 cm long, with a brass joint. The shaft is about 72.5 cm and the butt about 72 cm, and the listing shows it as ambidextrous in black, green, grey and brown. The tip is 10 mm. It has 3.9 stars from 33 ratings.
It suits someone who plays snooker rather than pool and wants a full size two piece cue. The honest catch: only 33 ratings at 3.9 stars is a thin and modest record, so read this listing carefully before you order.
Best cue with a case: BCE Accura snooker and pool cue
Best cue with a case: the BCE Accura 2 piece snooker and pool cue, because the listing says it is supplied with a protective soft case.
The listing describes a two piece cue about 145 cm long with a simulated graphite shaft it calls warp resistant, a 9.5 mm blue tip with a brass ferrule and a spiral brass joint. The half butt is burnt orange with simulated carbon fibre veneer graphics, and a black rubber bumper finishes the end. It has 5.0 stars from 9 ratings.
It suits a player who wants one cue for pool and snooker with a case included. The honest catch: only 9 ratings, so the 5.0 stars says almost nothing yet, and the listing's title and bullets say soft case while its details table says hard case, so check before you order.
How to choose a pool cue
Weight and length
Most cues here are about 147 cm long with weights from about 510 to 595 g, as options on the GARSEN and GSE and as a set of four on the AKLOT. The two snooker cues are about 144 and 145 cm, the jump break cue is about 794 g, and the short cue runs about 91 to 122 cm. Check which weight and length the option you click actually shows, because the rating covers every option.
Tip and joint
The tip is the part that touches the ball, so the listing's tip size says a lot. Pool cues here run 12.5 to 13 mm, the snooker cues 10 and 9.5 mm. The joint matters for two piece cues: the listings name stainless steel on the AKLOT, GSE and CRICAL and brass on the snooker cues.
Wood, composite or carbon fibre
Maple is the traditional choice, as on the AKLOT and GARSEN. The GSE uses fibreglass and titanium composite, and the CRICAL uses a carbon fibre shaft that its listing words as low deflection. The GSE and BCE listings both call their shafts warp resistant, while the maple cues give you a plain wood cue.
Pool, snooker or both
Check what the listing is written for. The POWERGLIDE One is made for snooker, the BCE Accura says snooker and pool, and the rest are pool cues. If you play more than one game, the BCE Accura is the pick whose listing names both.
Read the ratings with the count
Our two top cues have 922 and 1,547 ratings, and the GSE has 2,877. The snooker cue has 33 and the BCE Accura just 9, so their scores are early. A rating from hundreds of players is worth more than a perfect score from a handful.
Who plays, and where
For a family games room, a maple cue like the AKLOT is the easy start, and our table tennis table guide and dart board guide cover the rest of the room. For kids, the AB Earth short cue fits where a full cue will not. If guests will be waiting for a turn, see our bar stool guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best pool cue in Australia?
For most players the best pool cue here is the AKLOT Canadian maple cue set, with 13 mm tips, stainless steel joints and 4.7 stars from 922 ratings. If you want a single house or bar cue, the GARSEN 6A maple holds 4.6 stars from 1,547 ratings.
What is the best pool cue for professional players?
The CRICAL carbon fibre cue is the most advanced pick here: the listing describes a foam filled carbon fibre shaft for low deflection and calls it suitable for most professional players. The GARSEN 6A maple listing also says it is designed for both recreational and competitive play.
What weight pool cue should I buy?
The GARSEN and GSE listings offer four weights, about 510, 539, 567 and 595 g, so pick the weight before you order. The AKLOT listing describes a set with one cue in each of those weights. The AB Earth cue is about 425 to 510 g by length, and the AKLOT Heavy Hitter jump break cue is about 794 g.
What is the difference between a pool cue and a snooker cue?
The listings show it in the numbers. The POWERGLIDE One snooker cue is about 144 cm long with a 10 mm tip, and the BCE Accura has a 9.5 mm tip. The full length pool cues here are about 147 cm long with tips of 12.5 to 13 mm, such as the AKLOT maple cue at 13 mm.
Is a carbon fibre pool cue worth it?
It depends how much you play. The CRICAL listing describes low deflection on shots with a lot of spin and a 12.5 mm tip, but it is the dearest cue here. The GSE composite cue, with 4.5 stars from 2,877 ratings, is a cheaper step up from wood.
What is the best pool cue for a beginner or a child?
For a child the AB Earth short cue is the pick: it comes in lengths of about 91, 107 and 122 cm and the listing says children just learning can use it. For a teenager or adult beginner, the AKLOT maple cue is a simple full length start.
What size tip should a pool cue have?
The tips on these listings run from 12.5 to 13 mm for pool: AKLOT maple 13 mm, GSE 12.7 mm leather, CRICAL and AB Earth 12.5 mm. The jump break cue has a 13.5 mm Bakelite tip, and the two snooker cues are smaller at 10 and 9.5 mm.
What is a jump break cue and do I need one?
A jump break cue is a heavy specialist cue for breaking and jumping the cue ball. The AKLOT Heavy Hitter listing gives white ash, a stiff 14 mm shaft and a Bakelite tip, and says it converts between breaking and jumping. It is an extra, not your everyday cue.
Is there a pool cue that comes with a case?
The BCE Accura two piece cue is the pick here with a case: the listing says a protective soft case is supplied. It has only 9 ratings so far, so for a cue with a long track record choose the AKLOT maple cue or the GSE composite.
