Layered cue tips are available in a range of hardness or densities from super soft, soft, medium, and hard. Soft tips are usually easier to scuff and therefore retain chalk better than hard tips. But soft tips are more likely to flatten or mushroom, requiring more maintenance than hard tips. Hard tips also have great hit feel and tone compared to soft tips. Arguably, the softer cue tips can apply more english, but there is disagreement about whether soft tips or hard tips afford more control. While most professional players use hard tips, this does not necessarily mean that all amateurs should also use hard tips. The difference between pro and amateur playing environments results in different tip requirements.
Bars usually use low quality balls that are lighter in weight than tournament-spec balls. Bar balls are also often dirty and glazed. For play on bar tables, we recommend medium or soft cue tips to reduce the chances of miscues. A softer tip will compress into the cue ball and stay in contact a little longer than a harder tip. Most players find it easier to spin the cue ball with a softer tip. Hard tips are, in general, too hard for bar tables and miscue easily. On the other hand, if you play with high quality, tournament-spec balls that are cleaned and waxed regularly, hard tips are fine.
These are the premium tips normally in stock:
| Super Soft | Soft | Medium | Hard | |
| Hirano (1) (2) | ⚫ | ⚫ | ||
| Kamui Black (2) | ⚫ | ⚫ | ⚫ | |
| Moori III (3) | ⚫ | ⚫ | ⚫ | |
| Morakami (2) (4) | ⚫ | ⚫ | ⚫ | |
| Tad | ⚫ | ⚫ | ||
| Tiger Onyx | ⚫ | |||
| Tiger Sniper | ⚫ |
Notes:
1. Hirano tips tend to run harder than indicated.
2. Hirano, Kamui Black, and Morakami hard tips are available but we feel these are too hard for normal use and do not keep any in stock.
3. Moori's soft is called "slow" and hard is called "quick".
4. Morakami medium tends towards hard.
