Best Pool Table Felt

Over time, the felt on your pool table can fade and get worn down, especially if you play pool a lot. Luckily, the pool table felt isn’t hard to replace. But, you want to make sure to get a high-quality felt that is durable and will last a long time. So what is the best pool table felt?

The 10 best pool table felts are:

1. Simonis 760
2. Simonis 860
3. Empire USA
4. Proline Classic
5. Championship Saturn II
6. Championship Invitational
7. Proform High Speed Professional
8. Iszy Billiards Performance Grade
9. CBPA Competition Professional
10. Imperial Leisure

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at these pool table felts and why they are good choices. I’ll explain the key features of each, as well as the pros and cons. I’ll explain different aspects of choosing pool table felt and how to replace the old felt on your pool table with the new.

10 Best Pool Table Felts

Below are the best pool table felts based on quality, durability, and performance:

1. Simonis 760

Simonis is one of the most well-known and popular manufacturers of pool table felt. The Simonis 760 pool table felt is made with worsted wool and has a high thread count, making it durable and long-lasting. It also won’t nap, pull, or shed, ensuring that the playing surface remains even after many years of use.

This felt comes in two widths, 66 inches and 78 inches, so it will fit any size pool table. It also allows for high-speed play. It is also available in 15 different colors, so you can find one to fit any design scheme or color preference if you don’t want the standard green color. The downside of this pool table felt is that it is pricey. But it’s a good investment because you won’t have to replace it again for a long time.

Pros

• Extremely durable
• Available in lots of colors
• High-speed playing surface

Cons

• Pricey

2. Simonis 860

Here’s another high-quality pool table felt from Simonis. The Simonis 860 pool table felt was originally developed for a 9-ball pool. The only major difference between this felt and the 760 felt is that the 860 felt isn’t as fast. It’s not the best choice if you prefer high-speed games. But, it’s made of the same worsted wool material and high thread count. However, this felt is made with a higher wool content to reduce wear for longer.

Like the 760 cloth, this felt won’t nap, pill, or shed, ensuring an even playing surface for many years. It also comes in widths of 66 and 78 inches. It comes in even more colors than the 760 felt, 28 to be exact. However, not all colors are available in both widths. It’s also a bit pricey but well worth the money for the longevity and durability that you’ll get.

Pros

• Great for 9-ball
• High-quality and durable
• Lots of color options
• Higher wool content than other felts

Cons

• Pricey
• Not as high-speed

3. Empire USA

Empire USA is another well-known pool and billiards brand, even though they aren’t quite as popular as Simonis. The Empire USA Worsted Speedy Felt is a great choice if you need a more budget-friendly option while still being high-quality. It’s also a great option if you’re looking for a high-speed felt.

It comes in one color, red, and one width, 66 inches. It’s made from worsted wool fabric like other pool table felts. If you enjoy a recreational pool at home, then this fabric is one of the best choices and one of the most affordable, being about 30% cheaper than Simonis felt.

Pros

• Budget-friendly
• Great high-speed option
• Great for home use

Cons

• Only comes in one color and size

4. ProLine Classic 303

ProLine Classic Euro Blue Classic 303 billiard and pool table felt is another pricey but high-quality option. It’s made from 80% wool and 20% nylon and is considered a medium-speed pool table felt. While this particular felt is Euro Blue in color, it also comes in 29 other color options. It is 8 feet in length.

ProLine Classic 303 pool table felts are also coated with Teflon, making it durable but more resistant to spills and staining. It’s great for light household use or heavier use in pool halls. The only downside is the price, but again, you’re paying for durability, longevity, and easy cleaning.

Pros

• Lots of color options
• Teflon-coated for durability and stain resistance

Cons

• Pricey

5. Championship Saturn II

The Championship Saturn II billiards and pool table felt is one of the best if you want something easy to install due to it being pre-cut. Although it isn’t the cheapest felt on this list, it’s also one of the more affordable options. It’s great if you want a fast playing surface with a texture that has been consistent for many years.

Like other felts, this felt is made with wool and nylon, but this one is made with 75% wool and 25% nylon. It’s also coated in Teflon for added durability and easy spill and stain clean-up. It’s available in 5 colors: black, burgundy, camel, green, and red. It can also be purchased in 7-foot and 8-foot lengths. Burn marks from balls won’t show and the surface won’t pill or develop fuzz. Overall, this is a durable choice while still being more affordable than other options.

Pros

• Pre-cut
• High-speed surface
• Teflon coated for durability

Cons

• Limited color options

6. Championship Invitational

Championship Invitational pool table felt is another option with 75% wool and 25% nylon. This is also another Teflon-coated option, which gives it added durability and stain resistance. It’s not the cheapest but is more affordable than other felts. This particular felt is a bit thicker than other options.

Championship Invitational felt is great for home use. This particular felt comes in only one color, burgundy, on Amazon. But other colors are available elsewhere if burgundy is not what you’re looking for. The downside to this felt is that it is not very high-speed, but that’s okay if you’re just looking for something for recreational use.

Pros

• Teflon-coated
• Thicker than other felts
• More affordable than other options

Cons

• Not a high-speed felt

7. ProForm High Speed Professional

ProForm High Speed Professional pool table felt is one of the most expensive options on this list. But remember that with a high price also comes good quality, and this is also one of the most durable felts on the list. It’s made of 70% wool and 30% nylon. The higher amount of nylon makes this felt more resistant to wrinkles with age or with heavier use.

This pool table felt fits 8-foot pool tables. It’s also pre-cut, making it easy to install, and this is a great option if you’re looking for a high-speed felt. It’s also a great professional felt for those who play pool for more than just casual recreation. It comes in the standard tournament green, but you can also find it in other colors on Amazon.

Pros

• Easy to install
• Higher nylon percentage
• High-speed playing surface
• Great for professional use

Cons

• Expensive

8. Iszy Accuplay Performance Grade

The Accuplay Billiards and Pool Table Felt is another affordable option if you want to stick to a budget without sacrificing quality. It’s made of 75% wool and 25% polyamide but isn’t coated. It’s also a high-speed felt, making it a great affordable option if that’s what you’re looking for.

This felt comes in three sizes to fit 7-foot, 8-foot, and 9-foot pool tables. It’s also pre-cut for easy installation. It comes in 10 different colors, and each color can be purchased in 7-foot, 8-foot, and 9-foot sizes.

Pros

• Affordable
• Comes in a variety of colors

Cons

• Not coated, so it may not last as long

10. Imperial Leisure

Last on our list is the Imperial Leisure Billiard Table Cloth. This is another pool table felt that’s on the budget-friendly side and is a great choice for recreational home use. It’s made of 80% wool and 20% nylon and is treated with a stain-resistant solution.

This felt is designed for 8-foot pool tables. It comes in 9 different colors, including two different shades of green. You can also purchase it in neutral colors such as black and brown. It may not be as durable as some other felts on this list, but it’s a great choice if you only play pool occasionally.

Pros

• Affordable
• Comes in a variety of colors

Cons

• Only available in 8 ft. size
• Not as durable as other options

What Type of Fabric Is Used for Pool Tables?

Pool table felt is usually made from a blend of wool and nylon fabric. The percentage of wool to nylon usually comes in one of three options:

• 70% wool, 30% nylon
• 75% wool, 25% nylon
• 80% wool, 20% nylon

When choosing pool table felt, you’ll also need to decide whether or not you want worsted or standard felt. Both types of felt are still made out of wool and nylon. But the difference is that worsted felt has a different texture.

Worsted vs. Standard Felt

Worsted pool table felt is manufactured differently, giving it a smoother texture. We know that wool has a distinct texture, but the thing about worsted pool table felt is that it doesn’t even feel like wool at all. But, the smoother texture makes the playing surface more high-speed because it cuts down on the amount of friction that causes the balls to slow down.

Because of the smoother texture, the worsted pool table felt has a more consistent texture. It doesn’t pill as easily and is generally more durable. Standard or non-worsted pool table felt has a typical wool-like texture. It’s not as high-speed and may not be as durable as worsted felt.

In other words, worsted felt may be the better option for those who play competition pool or billiards and need a playing surface that is higher speed. But, it’s also more expensive. If you mostly play pool recreationally, a standard pool table felt may better suit your needs and it will be more affordable as well.

What’s the Best Color for a Pool Table Felt?

There is not a single color that is the best for pool table felt. Green and blue are the standard colors, and you can buy pretty much any type of pool table felt in either of those colors. However, many types of pool table felts come in more colors, and it can be hard to decide which one to choose.

Personal/Design Preferences

The best color for your pool table is just a matter of personal preference. You may find that one color just strikes you more than others. Or, you may choose a color that fits in with the design and decor of your home. Many pool table felts even come in neutral colors.

Comfort/Vision

If you suffer from headaches or eye strain, you may want to consider choosing a more muted color. Some brighter colors can hurt your eyes if you look at them for too long, especially in dimly lit rooms. Keep this in mind when deciding on a color.

Also, keep in mind how the balls will look on the table, especially if you have vision problems. Colors that are too close to the colors of the ball may make it hard to see certain balls. For example, choosing black felt may make it hard to see the 8 ball.

Cleanliness

You’ll also want to consider how easy certain colors are to show dirt and stains. If you choose a coated felt, you don’t have to worry as much about keeping it clean. But, light colors may show stains more than darker colors. However, darker colors are more likely to show dust if the table doesn’t get used frequently. Remember how often you’re planning on cleaning and dusting your pool table when deciding on a color.

What Is the Fastest Pool Table Cloth?

The fastest pool table cloth is going to be any cloth that is made from worsted fabric. Remember that this is due to the surface being smoother and less friction. From the list above, the fastest pool table cloths are:

• Simonis 760
• Empire USA
• Championship Saturn II
• ProForm High Speed Professional
• CPBA Competition Professional

Can You Change the Pool Table Fabric?

If the fabric on your pool table looks worn out in any way, the good news is that you can change it yourself. It does involve a little bit of work and elbow grease. But, the good news is that most replacement pool table felt can be purchased pre-cut to size. That means that all you have to do is remove the old fabric and replace it with the new fabric.

How to Felt a Pool Table

Felting (or re-felting) a pool table is not that difficult. If this is something that you want to take on, you may wish to measure your pool table first to figure out how much felt you need and what size. Remember that many pool table felts come in a few pre-cut sizes, so knowing what size you need to purchase before starting the project can make the process much easier and faster.

Once you’ve purchased your new felt, follow the instructions below.

Remove the Old Felt

The first thing you’ll want to do is remove the old felt from the table. You’ll likely have to disassemble the table some before you can remove the felt. This may include removing the pocket liners and railings before removing the felted surface.

Then, remove the old felt from the surface. You may have to remove staples if the felt is stapled down. If it is glued down, you can cut or rip away the old fabric. Just be careful doing so, especially if there is felt in the pockets that you don’t want to replace.

Clean the Area

Next, clean the area where the old felt was. This may involve scraping away glue or pieces of old felt. You may also need to wipe the area down to remove dust and dirt. Sometimes, you may even have to sand the area to make the surface smoother before installing new felt.

Attach the New Felt

Using Staples

After cleaning the area, it’s time to attach the new felt to the table. If the playing surface is wooden, you may find it easier to staple the fabric. This will also make it easier to remove it should you need to replace it again in the future. Cut the fabric to size if it isn’t pre-cut, or follow the instructions included with the felt.

Staple the fabric along the edge of one side of the pool table. Then, stretch it across the table, making sure that it is smooth and wrinkle-free. Then, staple it on the other end followed by stapling it the rest of the way around the table, including in the pockets if applicable.

Using Glue

If the surface isn’t made from wood, you’ll likely have to glue the fabric down. Gluing the fabric down requires a bit more patience and care. It’s easiest to use a spray adhesive. Start by spraying the adhesive along one of the shorter edges of the table and on the corresponding edge of the felt. Then, repeat with the other short edge of the table and felt.

Lay the first edge of the felt down and apply pressure to attach it. Then pull the felt taut and stretch it across the table. Attach only one corner. Then, pull the other corner so that it is taut and attach it as well. Repeat the process with the long edges of the table and felt. Cut out or attach the fabric to the pocket cutouts.

This process can be complicated, so watch this video for a visual how-to:

Can You Iron a Pool Table Felt?

Sometimes the felt on pool tables can get wrinkled, either during installation or over time. Wrinkles can interfere with the balls’ movement. The good news is that you can iron pool table felt if it becomes wrinkled. They make pool table irons just for this purpose. But if you don’t have a pool table iron, you can use a normal clothing iron.

When using a normal iron, you’ll want to be careful not to damage the felt. To properly iron a pool table with an iron, you’ll first want to make sure that both the surface of the iron and the felt itself are clean. Vacuum or sweep dust off of the table first, then brush the table if it has a nap on it.

Set your iron temperature to no higher than 300℉. Test the iron on a paper surface first to make sure that it doesn’t burn. If the iron burns the paper, it will burn the pool table. Iron the wrinkles sideways, and don’t iron over a wrinkle more than twice. Do not use a steam setting. If the wrinkles aren’t removed, you may have to try a special pool table iron instead.

Conclusion

If you need to replace the felt on a pool table, plenty of great felt options exist. I’ve included 10 of the best ones in this article. When choosing felt, you’ll need to decide whether you want a worsted or standard fabric and what color you want. Measure your pool table to determine what size you need as well. If you found this article helpful, share it with others and leave a comment. Thanks for reading!