Seamed vs Seamless Table Tennis Balls – Which Should You Choose in 2025? 🏓
Updated: August 2025
Choosing between seamed and seamless table tennis balls can noticeably change how your game feels. Both are great — but they behave a little differently for spin, bounce, durability, and flight. Below, we break down the pros and cons of each, show you our top picks with links, and help you decide which type fits your play.
📘 Want full rankings for 3 star competition & training balls? Read our main guide: Best Table Tennis Balls.
What Are Seamed Table Tennis Balls?
Seamed balls are made from two molded halves fused together, leaving a faint seam around the middle. This is the traditional construction and is still used widely in ITTF-approved 3-star match balls.
Advantages
- Durable under hard hits and intensive match play
- Match realism: the construction type you’ll most often see in tournaments
- Excellent spin potential with a crisp, familiar feel
Disadvantages
- Lower-quality balls can show slight variation at the seam line
Top Seamed Picks
DHS RS40+ 3-Star WTT Table Tennis Balls (Official ITTF/WTT)
Official WTT match ball (2025–2028). Eco-friendly recycled plastic, elite roundness, and a perfectly balanced centre of gravity for true flight, predictable bounce, and clean spin response.
- 40+ mm | 2.7–2.8g | ITTF & WTT approved
- Exceptional roundness and stability
- Pack of 6 competition balls
DHS DJ40+ 3-Star Table Tennis Ball
A club and pro favourite known for a slightly “heavy & soft” contact feel that grips the rubber beautifully — brilliant for high-spin rallies and precise touch shots.
- ITTF-approved tournament ball
- Consistent bounce and spin readability
- Trusted in competitive play worldwide
What Are Seamless Table Tennis Balls?
Seamless balls are produced in a single mold with no seam line. That gives a smooth surface and typically ultra-uniform roundness and flight.
Advantages
- Ultra-consistent bounce across the whole surface
- Stable flight — great for precision-based drills
- Often a top choice for robot training
Disadvantages
- Feel can differ from popular seamed match balls (personal preference)
Top Seamless Pick
Friendship 729 WTT DJ40+ 3-Star Seamless Balls
Official 3-star seamless with a smooth contact feel and extremely uniform bounce. An excellent option for players who want pure, consistent flight in training and match scenarios.
- Seamless 40+ mm ABS construction
- ITTF-approved performance
- Great stability for fast exchanges
Seamless vs Seamed – Key Differences
| Feature | Seamless Balls | Seamed Balls |
|---|---|---|
| Durability | High overall; no seam weak point | Very good; seam can be the stress area |
| Bounce Consistency | Ultra-uniform; smooth contact | Excellent in high-quality balls |
| Spin Feel | Clean contact; slightly different “grab” | Often a touch “grippier” for heavy spin |
| Typical Use | Robot & precision training; some matches | Tournaments & match-prep training |
Our Top Picks for Each Type (2025)
Best Seamless Ball
Friendship 729 WTT DJ40+ 3-Star Seamless — Ultra-uniform bounce and smooth flight; ideal for advanced training and consistent match play.
Best Seamed Ball
DHS RS40+ 3-Star WTT — The official WTT ball through 2028; pro-level roundness, weight, and balance.
Which Should You Choose?
- Competing or training for tournaments? Choose seamed (e.g., DHS RS40+ or DHS DJ40+).
- Want ultra-consistent bounce for drills/robots? Choose seamless (e.g., Friendship 729 WTT DJ40+ Seamless).
For deeper picks across 3-star competition, training, and outdoor balls, read our main guide:
Best Table Tennis Balls 2025 – Ultimate Guide
FAQs – Seamless vs Seamed Table Tennis Balls
1) What’s the main difference between seamed and seamless?
Seamed balls are two halves fused together; seamless are one-piece molded. Seamless usually feel ultra-uniform in roundness and flight; high-quality seamed balls offer superb control and are widely used in competition.
2) Which type is used in official tournaments?
Most ITTF-approved 3-star balls you’ll see in tournaments are seamed (e.g., DHS RS40+, DHS DJ40+). There are seamless 3-star options too, but seamed remains the dominant competition style.
3) Which lasts longer?
It depends on the model, but many players find seamed balls slightly tougher. Quality seamless balls hold shape exceptionally well and feel incredibly consistent in flight.
4) Which is better for robot training?
Both can work. Many coaches prefer seamless balls for their uniform feed and bounce in robots, but robust seamed training balls also perform well if you match brand quality.
5) Do seamless balls spin more?
Spin mostly comes from your technique and rubber. The ultra-uniform surface of seamless balls can feel a touch “cleaner” on contact for some players, but great seamed balls generate superb spin too.
6) What does “40+” mean?
It’s the modern ITTF standard ball size (40+ mm) introduced with plastic balls. All current competition balls use this spec.
7) I’m a beginner — which should I choose?
Focus on a quality ball over seam type. If you aren’t competing yet, choose a well-reviewed 3-star or a high-quality training ball for consistency and value.
TTHUB's Recommended Products
We’ve hand-picked the best-performing balls for different needs. Whether you’re after elite match performance, consistent training quality, or robot-friendly reliability — these are our 2025 favourites: DHS RS40+ 3-Star WTT, DHS DJ40+ 3-Star, and Friendship 729 WTT DJ40+ Seamless. Explore even more here: Shop all table tennis balls →