Best Pool Table Felt for Home Table- 2024

  • By: Rob
  • Date: February 25, 2024
  • Time to read: 14 min.
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Playing on terrible felt can take the fun out of playing pool. Speeds can be inconsistent, it can pill easily and the color will fade quickly. 

Getting the best pool table felt will give you a brilliant playing experience and will make your table look great and play great!

What is the best pool table felt?  That depends on few factors that will be explained in-depth; but look out for

  • Worsted felt
  • Woolen felt
  • Speed
  • Nap
  • Color
  • Size
  • Cost
5 Very Best Pool Table Felts & Buyers Guide

It can be hard to know which to buy. This guide will make it as easy as possible by explaining those key features and showing you the 5 best pool table felts out there.

By the time you’ve got to the end, you’ll know exactly what you need. Let’s get started!

Jump straight to reviews HERE

In a hurry?

If you don’t have much time then use the links below to quickly find my best felts for your table, check out the price on Amazon. You can be assured we only choose the best products…

Review: Best pool table felt

The cloth you dress your table with is something you need to take seriously if you are serious about improving your game. Are you the sort of person who is happy walking around with cheaper clothes or do you want to look good and let everyone around you see how good you look?

Well, your table is similar, people will notice if you have a good quality table felt. Picking the right felt for you can be a little tricky, there is a lot to chose from and the price ranges significantly.  So, which is the best pool table cloth, which one do you pick? what’s the difference between CPBA cloth vs Simonis? both are after all a worsted pool table cloth… if you are feeling confused and lost in the world of pool table cloth shopping, fear not, i have loads of information to guiding you to pick the best cloth for on the market.

Check out a handy buyers guide to aid you in buying the best pool table felt and one that suits your playing style. 

Our top choices for the best pool table felt based on playability, quality and price are:

  • Simonis 860 felt – Best Overall Cue
  • Championship Saturn felt – Affordable choice
  • Iszy Billiards felt
  • CPBA Competition felt
  • Haxton felt

When you’ve finished reading the buyer’s guide you’ll be ready to pick the best felt for you. Check out my top choices below!

Best Professional Quality
Simonis Cloth 860 Pool Table Cloth - Standard Green - 7ft
Best Affordable
Championship Saturn II Billiards Cloth Pool Table Felt , Burgundy, 8-Feet
Best For Casual Play
21 Ounce Pool Table Felt - Billiard Cloth - Choose for 7, 8 or 9 Foot Table Standard Green (for 8 Foot Table, Standard Green)
Best Affordable Worsted Felt
CPBA Competition Worsted Professional Pool Table Cloth – Fast Speed High Accuracy Pre-Cut Bed and Rails ([Competition Grade] Tournament Blue, 7' Pool Table)
Best Beginner Felt
haxTON Billiard Cloth Pool Table Felt Replacement Kit Choose for 7', 8' or 9‘, Competition Worsted Professional Pool Table Cloth, Snooker Indoor Sports Game Table Cloth (Navy Blue, For 7' Table)
Title
Simonis Cloth 860
Championship Saturn II
Iszy Billiards Table Felt
CPBA Competition
haxTON Pool Table Felt
Size
7,8 & 9ft (Check review)
7,8 & 9 ft
7,8,8+ & 9 ft
7,8,8+ & 9 ft
7,8 & 9 ft
Type of Felt
Worsted Felt
Woolen Felt
Woolen Felt
Worsted Felt
Woolen
Speed
Fast
Medium
Slow
Fast
Medium
Blend
90% wool / 10% nylon
75% wool / 25% nylon
80% wool / 20% nylon
80% wool / 20% nylon.
80% wool / 20% nylon
Nap
Free
Yes
Yes
Free
Yes
Pilling
Won't
Might
Might
Might
Might
Color
Multiple
Multiple
Green
Multiple
Multiple
Price for size
$$$
$
$
$$
$
Best Professional Quality
Simonis Cloth 860 Pool Table Cloth - Standard Green - 7ft
Title
Simonis Cloth 860
Size
7,8 & 9ft (Check review)
Type of Felt
Worsted Felt
Speed
Fast
Blend
90% wool / 10% nylon
Nap
Free
Pilling
Won't
Color
Multiple
Price for size
$$$
Best Affordable
Championship Saturn II Billiards Cloth Pool Table Felt , Burgundy, 8-Feet
Title
Championship Saturn II
Size
7,8 & 9 ft
Type of Felt
Woolen Felt
Speed
Medium
Blend
75% wool / 25% nylon
Nap
Yes
Pilling
Might
Color
Multiple
Price for size
$
Best For Casual Play
21 Ounce Pool Table Felt - Billiard Cloth - Choose for 7, 8 or 9 Foot Table Standard Green (for 8 Foot Table, Standard Green)
Title
Iszy Billiards Table Felt
Size
7,8,8+ & 9 ft
Type of Felt
Woolen Felt
Speed
Slow
Blend
80% wool / 20% nylon
Nap
Yes
Pilling
Might
Color
Green
Price for size
$
Best Affordable Worsted Felt
CPBA Competition Worsted Professional Pool Table Cloth – Fast Speed High Accuracy Pre-Cut Bed and Rails ([Competition Grade] Tournament Blue, 7' Pool Table)
Title
CPBA Competition
Size
7,8,8+ & 9 ft
Type of Felt
Worsted Felt
Speed
Fast
Blend
80% wool / 20% nylon.
Nap
Free
Pilling
Might
Color
Multiple
Price for size
$$
Best Beginner Felt
haxTON Billiard Cloth Pool Table Felt Replacement Kit Choose for 7', 8' or 9‘, Competition Worsted Professional Pool Table Cloth, Snooker Indoor Sports Game Table Cloth (Navy Blue, For 7' Table)
Title
haxTON Pool Table Felt
Size
7,8 & 9 ft
Type of Felt
Woolen
Speed
Medium
Blend
80% wool / 20% nylon
Nap
Yes
Pilling
Might
Color
Multiple
Price for size
$

Simonis Cloth 860 Pool Table Cloth

There aren’t a lot of buying options with this felt as it’s only available in set sizes and set colors. There is a 7ft in green, 8ft in green and 9ft blue. If it’s your color and it fits your table then you’ll be able to enjoy the incredible quality of the 90% worsted wool which is very durable and is highly resistant to ball burn.

With a higher thread count and 90% wool it’s made to last longer. Its 24 ounces of felt-tastic (sorry) brilliance. All these have been designed in such a manner to make the felt extremely durable and tough. It does play a little slower than the 760, but the 860 is still an extremely fast felt. 

There isn’t much excess fabric and with this coming at a premium price tag, it’s best to let a professional install it. When it’s installed you’ll find that it plays very quickly and keeps its look for a long time with very little pill. in my opinion, this really is the best felt for pool table you can buy

Pro Pick

Simonis cloth is the best pool table felt in terms of quality and playability. It’s no wonder it’s used in tournaments the world over. This worsted pool table cloth is expertly woven giving you the best possible surface to play on. 

PROS

  • Premium quality.
  • Impressive durability.
  • Doesn’t shed fabric.
  • Plays quickly.
  • Low ball burn.
  • 90% wool blend.

CONS

  • Not much excess fabric.
  • Premium price tag.

Championship Saturn II Billiards Table Felt

If you’re looking for a good-quality cloth that provides excellent value for money, this is probably the best option out there. It’s a little slower than professional tables but still quick enough to allow you to have an enjoyable experience and develop your game.

This is a proven manufacturer who really has delivered here!

The cloth is made for a 7-foot or 8-foot table bed and coated with Dupont Teflon to help protect your cloth against stains and also come with 6 rail cloths. The wool is tightly weaved allowing for fantastic stretch-ability.

It’s liberally cut to give you plenty of material to work with and it’s fairly easy to install. There are a few color options and you’ll get chalk included which matches the table color. The material is a little thin but will be durable enough for home use. Overall it’s a perfect choice for casual pool players. 

Budget Pick

PROS

  • Great value for money.
  • Easy to work with.
  • 75% Wool 25% Nylon blend.
  • Coated for stain resistance.
  • Matching chalk.

CONS

  • Not the quickest cloth.
  • Fairly thin.

Iszy Billiards Pool Table Felt

With 80% wool in the blend, you can instantly feel that this is a good felt. It has a good level of natural stretch which will allow it to be installed perfectly and leave you with a smooth playing surface.

It also gives you more than enough felt for an easy installation.

Felt weight is a good indicator of the quality, a higher weight generally means a higher weave. It’s said that felt that has a weight of 19oz or higher is considered better quality felt – This is 21 ounces so you can consider this a quality piece of felt and belonging to the higher weight category it makes it extremely durable too.

Like a lot of felts, it can pill over time and also the material can suffer from ball burn. These are common issues but only happen over time. It’s a felt that looks brilliant in whichever color that you choose. There are numerous size and color options available and therefore you’ll get the perfect solution for your needs.

PROS

  • 80% wool, 20% nylon blend.
  • Numerous buying options.
  • Excellent quality.
  • Easy to install.
  • Perfect stretch level.

CONS

  • Can pill.
  • Liable to ball burn.

CPBA Competition Worsted Professional Pool Table Cloth

If you’re looking for the highest level of quality then CPBA pool table cloth would be a perfect choice. It plays very quickly and is ideal for turning you into a top-class pool player. Despite that performance, it still comes at a highly affordable price tag.

CPBA cloth can hold its own against even Simonis, and with its high-speed play, using 80% pure Australian wool you can see why. Its high thread count makes it durable too and perfect for home or commercial use.

You don’t get much spare material and you may need expert installation. There can also be ball burn if you’re not careful. It great to play on and there are seven colors available to choose from. The worsted cloth is brilliant quality and helps to give you a professional-standard table.

PROS

  • Impressive performance.
  • Great value.
  • Pre-cut bed.
  • Professional quality.
  • Plays quite fast.

CONS

  • Can’t make installation mistakes.
  • Can get ball burn.

HaxTON Pool Table Felt Performance Grade

If you’re more of a casual user or own a bar then this would be the ideal choice. The 90% wool blend gives it impressive durability and long-term wear. It can pill and burn which ruin the look but it can still play well.

The cloth is thicker than most which makes it ideal for novice players.

There are plenty of colors to pick from and they come in the standard cut for 7,8 and 9-foot tables. The installation is simple and you’ll probably be able to install it yourself if you’re good at DIY.

PROS

  • Several color options.
  • Available in 7, 8 and 9 feet.
  • 80% wool blend.
  • Impressive durability.
  • Thick cloth.
  • Simple installation.

CONS

  • Liable to pilling over time.
  • Can have ball burn.

What felt do pro pool players play on

When it comes to professional pool, the type of felt on the table can make a big difference. According to the World Pool-Billiard Association (WPA), while playing in their competitions, pool table felt must be

According to WPA tournament cloth must be non-directional and nap-free. The cloth cant pill  or fluff, and be a blend of of between 80% and 85% combed worsted wool, and between 15% to 20% nylon. 100% combed worsted wool is preferred.

The WPA has a list of approved cloths for different types of competitions, but the type of felt used in most tournaments is called Simonis 860. This cloth is a blend of wool and nylon, which makes it durable and gives it a smooth playing surface.

As Simonis is played in a lot of tournament games, there is no surprise that it is the cloth of choice for most professional pool players.

What is the best weight for pool table felt

When it comes to choosing the right weight for your pool table felt, there are a few things to consider. The weight of the felt will affect how the cloth plays, so you’ll want to make sure you choose the right one for your needs.

There are a few different weights available for pool table felt, and the most common weight is 21 ounces. This weight is good for most tables, and it provides a good balance between speed and accuracy.

This weight of cloth will range from anything between 13 ounces to about 24 ounces.

What is the fastest pool table felt

There are a few different types of cloth that are available for pool tables. Simonis 760 Cloth is considered to be one of the fastest, which means that the balls will move more quickly across the surface. This can make it more difficult to control your shots, so you’ll need to practice a bit more if you want to be successful with this type of cloth. Other types of cloth include Simonis 860, which is slightly slower than the 760.

The fast style of play brought about from Simonis 760 is better suited for Straight pool (14.1), Bank Pool & One-pocket

Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide which type of cloth you prefer. Some people find that the faster cloth makes the game more exciting, while others think the 760 plays too fast.

How to choose the best pool table felt

This list of best pool table felts is by no means an exhaustive list, there are so many billiard cloths on the market to chose from it can be a daunting task unless you are familiar with the different brands and their performances.

Most players will state that the Simonis range of worsted pool table felt have the best types of pool table felt available. They do have a good claim for that top spot, if you want a more detailed look at the difference between the 860, 860HR, 760 worsted felts from Simons then I have a great resource that explains the difference between all of their brands and which type of player and game they are best suited for.

Aside from taking everyone’s word for it, how can you really compare, say the CPBA vs Simonis or Simonis vs Championship cloth. You really need to have a bit more information other than what everyone is reciting. 

So check the table below and get informed.

Best Professional Quality
Simonis Cloth 860 Pool Table Cloth - Standard Green - 7ft
Best Affordable
Championship Saturn II Billiards Cloth Pool Table Felt , Burgundy, 8-Feet
Best For Casual Play
21 Ounce Pool Table Felt - Billiard Cloth - Choose for 7, 8 or 9 Foot Table Standard Green (for 8 Foot Table, Standard Green)
Best Affordable Worsted Felt
CPBA Competition Worsted Professional Pool Table Cloth – Fast Speed High Accuracy Pre-Cut Bed and Rails ([Competition Grade] Tournament Blue, 7' Pool Table)
Best Beginner Felt
haxTON Billiard Cloth Pool Table Felt Replacement Kit Choose for 7', 8' or 9‘, Competition Worsted Professional Pool Table Cloth, Snooker Indoor Sports Game Table Cloth (Navy Blue, For 7' Table)
Title
Simonis Cloth 860
Championship Saturn II
Iszy Billiards Table Felt
CPBA Competition
haxTON Pool Table Felt
Size
7,8 & 9ft (Check review)
7,8 & 9 ft
7,8,8+ & 9 ft
7,8,8+ & 9 ft
7,8 & 9 ft
Type of Felt
Worsted Felt
Woolen Felt
Woolen Felt
Worsted Felt
Woolen
Speed
Fast
Medium
Slow
Fast
Medium
Blend
90% wool / 10% nylon
75% wool / 25% nylon
80% wool / 20% nylon
80% wool / 20% nylon.
80% wool / 20% nylon
Nap
Free
Yes
Yes
Free
Yes
Pilling
Won't
Might
Might
Might
Might
Color
Multiple
Multiple
Green
Multiple
Multiple
Price for size
$$$
$
$
$$
$
Best Professional Quality
Simonis Cloth 860 Pool Table Cloth - Standard Green - 7ft
Title
Simonis Cloth 860
Size
7,8 & 9ft (Check review)
Type of Felt
Worsted Felt
Speed
Fast
Blend
90% wool / 10% nylon
Nap
Free
Pilling
Won't
Color
Multiple
Price for size
$$$
Best Affordable
Championship Saturn II Billiards Cloth Pool Table Felt , Burgundy, 8-Feet
Title
Championship Saturn II
Size
7,8 & 9 ft
Type of Felt
Woolen Felt
Speed
Medium
Blend
75% wool / 25% nylon
Nap
Yes
Pilling
Might
Color
Multiple
Price for size
$
Best For Casual Play
21 Ounce Pool Table Felt - Billiard Cloth - Choose for 7, 8 or 9 Foot Table Standard Green (for 8 Foot Table, Standard Green)
Title
Iszy Billiards Table Felt
Size
7,8,8+ & 9 ft
Type of Felt
Woolen Felt
Speed
Slow
Blend
80% wool / 20% nylon
Nap
Yes
Pilling
Might
Color
Green
Price for size
$
Best Affordable Worsted Felt
CPBA Competition Worsted Professional Pool Table Cloth – Fast Speed High Accuracy Pre-Cut Bed and Rails ([Competition Grade] Tournament Blue, 7' Pool Table)
Title
CPBA Competition
Size
7,8,8+ & 9 ft
Type of Felt
Worsted Felt
Speed
Fast
Blend
80% wool / 20% nylon.
Nap
Free
Pilling
Might
Color
Multiple
Price for size
$$
Best Beginner Felt
haxTON Billiard Cloth Pool Table Felt Replacement Kit Choose for 7', 8' or 9‘, Competition Worsted Professional Pool Table Cloth, Snooker Indoor Sports Game Table Cloth (Navy Blue, For 7' Table)
Title
haxTON Pool Table Felt
Size
7,8 & 9 ft
Type of Felt
Woolen
Speed
Medium
Blend
80% wool / 20% nylon
Nap
Yes
Pilling
Might
Color
Multiple
Price for size
$

Woolen table felt vs Worsted table felt

Two terms you’ll read about when deciding which is the right pool table felt for you is woolen table felt and worsted pool table cloth. In a nutshell, worsted pool table felt is generally of higher quality and usually used on better tables and tournament tables.

Worsted pool felt weaving will be more intricate and will feel smoother. One benefit is that it won’t pill over time as woolen pool table felt will and therefore worsted felt will last longer and play faster.

How long will the felt last for

Other considerations while picking the best pool table felt is how long it will last, with any felt of any budget, you should manage to get a couple of years of solid play before it’s time to change. If you only play occasionally then you can expect your table cloth to last up to 5 to 7 years deepening how often you play.

The type of balls you use will also play into how long your table fabric will last. Using a premium set such as Aramith phenolic resin ball will produce less ball burn than a set of polyester balls, therefore increasing the lifespan of your felt.

Brushing your felt and cleaning it will also help prolong its life that little longer and adding a protective cover will do a great job to add some extra protection, especially from the sun and dust particles.

It’s all about cost

Of course, one of the biggest factors when choosing the best cloth for your table will be the price. These 5 table felts all come with their merits, some more than others and perhaps the one with the most merits is Simonis.

One downfall to Simonis felts is their price, although you can’t question their obvious quality and commitment to producing high-grade worsted felts it will set you back a few hundred dollars compared to, say, Championship Saturn II which will cost around 100 dollars.

Both are fantastic felts and although Simonis’ edges out slightly on the quality and speed of play, Championships Saturn has to be considered giving its affordable price and top-end billiard cloth.

Buyers guide for table felt

Types of Table Felt

The first thing that you need to consider with a pool table felt is which type you want to have. You have the option of either woolen or worsted wood felt and each of them has their advantages.

Woolen fel

This is the cheaper and more commonly found felt material. It’s highly affordable but can pill over time and it also plays quite slowly. It is quite durable, which makes it a great option for bars that don’t specialize in playing pool.

Worsted Wool Felt

 If you go to a pool club then they should at least have a few tables that have worsted wool felt. It’s the more professional cloth as the balls will travel over it a lot quicker. It’s smooth and consistent but generally comes at a higher price and could be too quick for some.

Can you use any felt for a pool table

Yes, you can use any felt for any pool table as long as it’s the correct size. As mentioned, there are many different types of pool table felt and all play slightly differently. Some of the best felts available are worsted table felt and if you so choose, you can install it on a cheaper pool table as long as its size is a match.

Best glue for pool table felt

Although there are many different pool table adhesives on the market, the one that is generally considered the best glue for your pool table felt is 3M super 77 glue (amazon link)  

This adhesive spray is fast drying and will securely and permanently attach your table cloth to the table bed.

Is it hard to replace pool table felt

It’s certainly no walk in the park to replace, but its very possible to do it yourself with the correct guidance, I have a step-by-step guide that will help you walk through the procedure.

If you are not feeling confident then I would recommend consulting a professional as any slip up could ruin your felt.

Best pool table felt Color

The pool felts that we have looked at here come in a wide range of colors and you can be caught in two minds about which one to get. This will mostly just come down to your personal preference but there are a few things to consider.

If you’re a bit of a traditionalist then green would probably be the best option but also blue is a common color. It could be, however, that you want something a little bolder and there are some flashy options out there to choose from.

What you don’t want is for your cloth to match the color of your balls. This is less of an issue if you’re using numbered balls. A white, black or grey pool felt could clash with the white or black balls which is something to consider.

Know your pool table size

It’s an obvious point but getting the right table size is crucial. An American Pool table is 9 feet, and an English one is 7 feet but other sizes are also used. You shouldn’t guess at your pool table size and it’s very easy to measure as the size simply refers to the length.

If your pool table is a custom size then you’ll need a custom felt size, but this is rare. If this is the case then you would likely have to contact a manufacturer directly in order to get your exact measurements.

Taking care of your pool table cloth

There are two things you want to avoid as much as possible with the pool table felt and they are sunlight and moisture. Sunlight will quickly fade away any color and too much moisture will lift the material from the table and make it impossible to play.

The felt is going to take a lot of punishment over time and you want to take steps to extend its life. This involves brushing away the chalk after a day of play and also using a cover to protect it from light and water when using it.

You may want to consider investing in a table cover as this will not only protect the felt but also the table too.

Consider for Installation of cloth

You’re only going to get a limited amount of felt and you don’t want to make any mistakes. The safe option would be to get a professional to install it for you. This will give you the peace of mind that it’ll be a great fit.

If you do it yourself then you’ll need to cut it to size, remove the rails, remove the old felt and put the new one securely in place. Some companies give you a little extra material to work with and this can make it a little easier as it gives you more flexibility for a mistake.

Ball and felt speed and control

It’s a fair assumption to make that you’d want your pool table to be as fast as possible as this indicates a top-quality felt and is the type the professionals would play with. If you’re going to play casually with friends then it may be the best idea to get a felt that’s a little slower.

The reason for that is because slower tables are easier to play on, therefore it can be more enjoyable for those who aren’t serious pool players. They are also the best option for bars and clubs as they are generally cheaper and more durable. If you want to become a top-quality pool player then you’ll want to have a premium quality felt that plays quickly.

Conclusion

When deciding to buy the best felt for pool table, the speed of play is probably the biggest consideration. 

If you are only playing casually then there is little point in getting a premium model. If you want to become a great pool player then it will be worth spending that little bit extra.

The rest of the key features will mostly come down to personal preference and the type of table that you already have. It’s a great idea to think about exactly what you want from your pool felt whether that is durability, speed, style or something else. Once you do that you’ll be able to get the best pool table felt for you.

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Rob is an avid player and fan of all cue sports, particularly 8-ball, and snooker. He has competed in a few local 8-ball tournaments and although he is not a professional, he can compete with the best of them.

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