Aramith 1G vs Dynaspheres Snooker Balls: Which Set Should You Play With?

If you're choosing a new set of snooker balls, two names come up a lot: Aramith 1G and Dynaspheres. Both are Belgian brands and both make phenolic resin balls. They're aimed at different priorities, though, so here's how they compare.

Aramith 1G: The Tournament Standard

Aramith has supplied Tournament Champion balls to the professional game for over 40 years. The 1G set looks like a standard Tournament Champion set, but it's built to a tighter spec. A standard Tournament Champion set allows a 3 gram weight difference between balls, while the 1G set allows only 1 gram. The tighter tolerance means more consistent behaviour from ball to ball.

The 1G is also the set that pros and top amateurs play with. It's used in all WSA and IBSF snooker tournaments, and it usually comes in a metal case carrying both organisations' logos. At the 2010 IBSF World Cup, Rodney Goggins made a 147 with this set.

Best for: players who want to practise on the same balls used in professional and international amateur competition, and clubs that want the tournament standard.

Dynaspheres: The Modern Challenger

Dynaspheres is a newer brand. It was founded in 2010 and is owned by GDM Sports, a Belgian company. It describes its balls as "Next Gen Phenolic Resin", and it makes pool, carom, English pool and pyramid balls as well as snooker.

Its snooker range is split into Pro Series and Challenger lines. The Pro Series includes Phantom, Gold and Silver sets. The Gold 524 is listed at 52.4 mm, 141 grams (±1.0 g), roundness of 0.03 mm or better, and hardness of 59 Rockwell or above. The brand also says its balls have a very smooth surface, so chalk and other contaminants wipe off easily without leaving shadowing.

Dynaspheres also puts weight matching at the centre of its pitch. The brand says other makers charge extra for closely matched sets, whereas it treats that as standard, with a maximum deviation of 1.5 grams per ball across its whole range.

Best for: players who want a quality set with tight tolerances, particularly if you like the sound of the easy-clean finish or want a choice of Pro Series and Challenger levels.

The Key Differences

	Aramith 1G	Dynaspheres (Pro Series)
Material	Phenolic resin	Phenolic resin
Made in	Belgium	Belgian brand, Belgian design and quality control
Weight tolerance	1 g maximum difference in a set	Up to 1.5 g per ball across the range (Gold 524 quoted at ±1.0 g)
Tournament use	Used in all WSA and IBSF tournaments	Check current tournament approvals directly with the brand
Track record	40+ years supplying pro snooker	Founded 2010
Range	Focused on the 1G set for tournament play	Pro Series and Challenger lines

Aramith 1G vs Dynaspheres: Which Should You Buy?

• Choose Aramith 1G if you want the balls the professionals use, or you're preparing for competitions played with them.

• Choose Dynaspheres if you want a well-specified modern set and like having several tiers to choose from.

Weight matching is the one thing that really separates them on paper. Also check the specs and current pricing for the exact set you're considering, since each brand offers several lines.

Whichever you choose, keep them clean. Wipe them down with a soft damp cloth after each session and store them in a case away from heat. Our guide to Aramith snooker balls covers care and maintenance in more detail.