Pick Your Pool Ball: Aramith vs. Dynasphere
Do you have a completely worn out set of pool balls? Just aren’t sure how, or what pool ball to upgrade to?
This article will aim to make the search for new, better looking, better performing billiard balls a little easier for anyone wanting more consistency, and ultimately, better pool playing, as a result of the upgrade.
Two brands that are sure to provide a premium billiard ball option are Aramith and Dynasphere.
Why Should You Replace Old Pool Balls?
Unfortunately, billiard balls don’t last forever, mostly due to constant wear and tear. The two biggest factors that affect pool ball aging are the friction they are subject to when sliding and rolling across the cloth, and contact with other balls.
Old pool balls need replaced because friction can cause pool balls to slowly become smaller and unbalanced over time. Continuous ball contact over many years weakens the pool ball materials, resulting in a ball that doesn’t react off other balls and rails like it’s expected to.
Regulation Pool Ball Size
The World Pool-Billiard Association (WPA) states that a regulation pool ball should be 2 ¼-inches (plus another 0.005-inches) in diameter and weigh 5.5 to 6 ounces.
If you start to notice your pool balls are looking or feeling smaller, it’s time to measure them. If this results in finding out your pool balls have in fact gotten smaller, it’s time for a new set.
Cue Ball Wear and Tear
Although you will receive a great cue ball with your Aramith or Dynasphere pool ball set, it’s highly recommended to replace your cue ball much more often than your stripes and solids.
Over time, the cue ball makes contact with other balls (and the cue) on many more occasions due to being struck on every shot. So naturally, this ball will not last as long.
If you need an Aramith cue ball replacement, look HERE. Unfortunately, you can’t find a brand new Dynasphere stand alone cue ball online at the time of this article.
Aramith & Dynasphere Pool Ball Construction
Both Aramith and Dynasphere balls are made from phenolic resin, which have been tested to last up to 5 times as long as other pool balls that are made from polyester.
A phenolic surface helps reduce burn spots on the balls and cloth so that balls don’t have to be polished or replaced nearly as often.
The Insane Strength of Phenolic Resin
The phenolic resin process creates a ball with a solid core all throughout, so “number cores” that you would find on lower quality pool balls don’t exist.
Phenolic resin ensures a homogenous structure, which essentially means, every part of the ball is exactly like the rest of the ball. Nothing changes within the structure. This eliminates the chance of any specific part of the ball splitting off from the rest of the ball.
If a ball breaks, it will break completely at random (a good thing). But, it’s not going to break, because these phenolic resin balls can withstand a whopping 5 tons – that’s 10,000 pounds!
Aramith Pool Ball Models
- Aramith Premier Pool Ball Set – $152.77
- Aramith Premium Pool Ball Set – $167.30
- Aramith Super Pro Pool Ball Set – $274.94
- Aramith Tournament Pool Ball Set w/ Duramith Technology – $356.26
*this list contains Amazon affiliate links
You’re getting a premium pool ball option with any of the above. One thing to point out about the Aramith Tournament set is the new Duramith technology. This set contains a newly updated resin formulation that includes hi-tech reticulation, crosslinking and curing technology.
The Aramith Premium pool balls and Aramith Super Pro balls in the list above will have you paying a little more than the Premier set simply for the more creative marketing and some insignificant differences in resin technology.
If the Super Pro is too far out of your price range, feel free to check out our recent comparison of the Premium and Premier sets!
Dynasphere Pool Ball Models
- Dynasphere Bronze – $115
- Pool Silver 572 – $169.99
- Pool Gold 572 – $311.83
- Pool Platinum 572 – $339.67
*this list contains Amazon affiliate links
While there are other very reputable and trusted billiard dealers out there, such as Seybert’s, Pool Dawg and Ozone Billiards, among others, you’re never going to get a better price than you will at Amazon. You may get lucky by searching eBay for recent listings as well.
Based on my research, there is less technology difference within Dynasphere’s offering. All are made of the high quality phenolic resin.
For the Platinum pool balls, you’re paying extra for a “rotor” design that may help visually with ball feedback. You are also getting two cue balls with the Platinum set. This will help with the longevity of the set.
All Dynasphere ball offerings include flat pool racks as well.
Dynasphere Ball Colors
One very unique aspect to the Dynasphere brand is the variety in their ball colors. The colors differ between the sets unlike any other brand. If being a little different is something that suits you, Dynasphere is definitely a ball you should consider.
In the Dynasphere Platinum set, the 6 and 14 ball are gray, the 7 and 15 ball are a baby blue color, and the 4 and 12 ball are a lavender color.
In the Dynasphere Gold set, the 6 and 14 are a similar gray to the Platinums, but the 7 and 15 are a light shade of brown.
In the Dynasphere Silver set, the 6 and 14 ball are gray while the 4 and 12 are a pink color.
The Bronze set is the only Dynasphere offering fully standard ball colors.
While Dynasphere offers some great color options, they also make it difficult on the customer to decide on a particular set if they have just one specific color preference. Only one of the four mentioned pool ball sets have all the traditional colors we are used to.
You may want the premium Dynasphere Platinum set for the performance, but if you really don’t like the gray/blue/lavender colors, you’re likely not going to want to spend over $300.
Which Ball is Better – Aramith or Dynasphere?
In conclusion, each brand’s pool balls are being produced by reputable companies that really care about the balls they are creating.
Overall, Aramith is known far and wide to be the most popular premium billiard ball in the world. But for a good value, you can buy either the Bronze or Silver model of Dynasphere without losing any performance vs the cheaper models of Aramith.
If price and saving money is what you are concerned with most, the Dynasphere Bronze or Silver will do the trick. If ultimate technology and maximized performance is more your style, the Aramith Super Pro set or Aramith Tournament set should be your best bet.