Billiard enthusiasts know that choosing the right cue can significantly affect their game performance. With a plethora of brands available, it can be challenging to decipher which ones are truly the top contenders in the market. From seasoned professionals to recreational players, there's a cue out there to suit every playing style and budget. To help you make an informed decision, we've compiled a list of some of the best billiard cue brands known for their craftsmanship and reliability. Explore the details about each brand below to find the perfect cue for your needs.
Illustration of billiard cue
Best brands of billiard cue in 2025
Predator
Predator Cues is renowned as one of the best producers of billiard cues, known for their groundbreaking designs, high-quality materials, and cutting-edge technology. Since the launch of their first 314 shaft in 1994, Predator has maintained a reputation for excellence, incorporating innovative technologies such as aerospace-grade carbon fibers and advanced systems like iMatch, V-Tek, and ProV Taper. These cues are favored by professional players for their smoothness, precision, and minimal flexion. The brand is part of the Predator Group, an international leader in the billiard industry, and is headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida. With a strong focus on innovation and performance, Predator Cues offer a superior price-quality ratio, making them a top choice among billiard enthusiasts. For more information, visit their official website.
McDermott
McDermott Handcrafted Cues is renowned for producing some of the highest-quality, American-made pool cues, with a history spanning almost 40 years since its founding in 1968. The company offers a diverse range of cues, from the affordable Star and Lucky lines to high-end models featuring exotic materials like 24 karat gold, turquoise, and rare woods from around the world. McDermott cues are crafted with precision, involving over 150 separate procedures, and are known for their intricate inlays and durable construction. The company has seen double-digit sales increases over the past three years and exports its products to 65 countries, with about 20% of its sales coming from international markets. McDermott's strong online presence and commitment to quality have made it a leader in the global billiard market.
Meucci
Meucci Cues is renowned for producing high-quality and innovative pool cues, with a legacy spanning over 50 years since its establishment in 1975. Known for its intricate hand-craftsmanship and aesthetically pleasing designs, Meucci cues are manufactured in the United States, specifically in Byhalia, Mississippi. These cues are crafted from premium materials such as maple wood and exotic woods, and the company offers customization options including varying weights, shaft choices, and custom colors. Meucci Cues have dominated professional play, winning more prize money and tournaments than other brands in recent years. The brand is also celebrated for its commitment to making cues from raw lumber to finished product, setting it apart as a true custom cue maker.
Schon
Schon Custom Cues is renowned as one of the top producers of billiard cues, known for their precision, beauty, and accuracy. Established in 1981 by Terry Romine, Sr., Schon continues to handcraft cues using the finest materials, including exotic hardwoods like tulip wood, bloodwood, and ebony. With a focus on hit and feel, Schon cues are highly regarded for their performance, often featuring specialty inlays and silver rings. As one of the oldest custom cue makers, Schon maintains a small but skilled team of five full-time craftsmen, ensuring each cue is personally designed, finished, and tested. This dedication to quality places Schon among the leaders in the highly competitive pool cues market, alongside brands like Predator Cues and McDermott Cues. For more information, visit their official website.
Pechauer
Pechauer is a renowned brand in the billiards industry, celebrated for its high-quality, custom-made pool cues. With over 30 years of experience, Pechauer cues are crafted from select hard-rock curly/bird's eye maple and exotic woods, ensuring exceptional durability and performance. Each cue is meticulously handcrafted in the USA, featuring advanced components like stainless steel joint screws and special Juma ferrules. Pechauer's commitment to quality is evident in their lifetime warranty against warping and defects. The brand's cues are highly customizable, catering to various player preferences.
OB Cues
OB Cues, founded in the early 2000s by Don Owen and Royce Bunnell, has rapidly gained popularity in the pool community for its innovative and high-performance cues. The brand is known for its cutting-edge technology, particularly in low-deflection shafts, with many of its products being patent-protected. OB Cues focuses on delivering optimal feel, accuracy, consistency, and spin, making them a strong contender among the best pool cue brands. Their production team in Texas is committed to providing top-quality products at the best possible prices. This commitment has solidified OB Cues' reputation as a leader in the industry.
Balabushka
George Balabushka, often referred to as "the Stradivarius of cuemakers," is renowned for producing some of the finest billiard cues, with a career spanning 16 years from 1959 to his death in 1975. During this period, he handcrafted approximately 1,200 cues, which are highly valued by collectors and players alike. His cues are characterized by their use of Irish linen wraps, stainless steel joints, and distinctive "Bushka rings." Balabushka's cues gained widespread recognition after being featured in Martin Scorsese's 1986 film, The Color of Money. Original Balabushka cues can realize tens of thousands of dollars at auction. For more insights into his legendary creations, visit the Balabushka collection.
Jacoby
Jacoby Custom Cues, founded in 1982 by David and his son Brandon, is renowned for producing some of the finest handcrafted billiard cues in the USA. Located in Nekoosa, WI, Jacoby Cues are known for their exceptional quality and performance, with the capability to produce around 1,000 cues per year. The brand is particularly famous for its limited edition cues, such as the Pearson by Jacoby series, which are highly valued for their unique designs and materials, with only eight pieces made for each edition. Jacoby's commitment to quality over quantity has earned them a prestigious place in the billiard cues market. Their cues are often signed by Brandon Jacoby and sometimes by Dave Pearson, adding to their collectible value. Explore their extensive collection of Jacoby Cues for more details.
Viking
Viking Cues is one of the oldest and most respected manufacturers of pool cues in America, having been a leader in the industry for over 50 years. Known for their innovative designs and high-quality craftsmanship, Viking Cues use American ingenuity to surpass industry standards, featuring advanced technologies like the finger joint assembly and the Viking Super Ferrule. These cues undergo a meticulous 27-step finishing process, ensuring a "glass-like" appearance. Viking Cues are recognized for their performance and durability, with features such as the quick release joint and interchangeable weight system. The company's commitment to quality has made it a top choice among players, contributing to the significant growth in the global billiard market, which is expected to reach USD 866.67 million by 2031. Discover more about their cues on their official website.
Lucasi
Lucasi is renowned as one of the top producers of billiard cues, known for their superior workmanship and innovative products. Their cues feature advanced technologies such as low deflection shafts, Uni-Loc, Quick Release, and Radial Pin joints, along with Tiger Everest tips and XTC Ferrules. Lucasi cues are built with 100% hard rock maple shafts and come with a lifetime warranty against warping and manufacturing defects. The brand aims to provide high-quality cues that are affordable for non-professional players yet durable enough to last for generations. Lucasi's commitment to quality and performance has made them a favorite among billiards enthusiasts. For more details about their offerings, explore the range of Lucasi pool cues.
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