Pool Cue Brands A–Z: The Complete Directory (Origin, Joint & Price)
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There are dozens of pool cue brands out there — American customs, Japanese and European premium makers, value brands built overseas, and legends that no longer exist. This directory puts them all in one place. For every brand you’ll find where it’s made, the joint pin it uses, and its rough price tier, plus deeper write-ups on the names players search for most.
Quick answer: The most popular production brands are McDermott, Predator, Cuetec, Viking, Lucasi, Players, Meucci, and Mezz. American-made cues from Wisconsin (McDermott, Schon, Pechauer, Jacoby) and Mississippi (Meucci) lead handcrafted quality; Mezz (Japan) and Longoni / Becue (Italy) lead premium imports; and Lucasi, Players, Action, and Valhalla lead value. The “best” brand depends on your budget and how often you play.
How to use this directory
The table below lists pool cue brands with three quick data points each. Price tiers are general guides — most brands sell across a range, and ownership or production can change over time, so treat this as an overview and confirm a specific model before buying.
- Budget — entry-level, roughly under $200.
- Mid — step-up production cues, roughly $200–$800.
- Premium — high-performance and flagship lines, roughly $800–$1,500+.
- Custom — handmade by individual cuemakers; price varies widely and runs high.
Want to match a brand to its joint for shafts and accessories? See What Pool Cue Joint Does My Brand Use?
Pool Cue Brands A–Z — Reference Table
| Brand | Origin | Joint | Tier / Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5280 | USA | 3/8x10, Speed Joint | Mid |
| Action | Imported | 5/16x18 | Budget |
| AE | Custom maker | 5/16x14 | Custom |
| ASKA | Canadian maple, made in China | 5/16x18, Quick Lock, Q5 | Budget / value |
| Balabushka | USA (legend; modern reissue) | 5/16x14 | Vintage / mid |
| Becue | Italy | Becue B-Loc | Premium (carbon) |
| Black Boar | USA custom | 5/16x14 | Premium custom |
| Black, Richard | USA custom | 3/8x10, 5/16x14 | Premium custom |
| Buss, Jim | USA custom | 5/16x14 | Custom |
| Capone | USA custom | Uni-Loc Radial | Custom |
| Cuetec | Imperial (USA brand), made overseas | 3/8x14 | Mid (carbon) |
| Dishaw | USA custom | Uni-Loc QR / Radial | Custom |
| DP | Custom maker | Uni-Loc QR / Radial | Custom |
| Drexler, Paul | USA custom | Uni-Loc QR / Radial | Premium custom |
| Dufferin | Canada (now China) | 5/16x18 | Value / heritage |
| Espiritu | USA custom | 5/16x14, Radial | Custom |
| Falcon | Canada | 3/8x10, 5/16x14, Uni-Loc QR | Mid value |
| Fury | Imported | Speed Joint | Budget / mid |
| Ginacue (Gina) | USA custom | 5/16x18 | Premium custom |
| Helmstetter | USA | 5/16x14, 5/16x18 | Mid / custom |
| Huebler | USA | 5/16x18 | Mid (classic) |
| Hunter | Custom maker | 3/8x10 | Custom |
| J&J | Imported | 5/16x18 | Budget |
| Jacoby | USA (Wisconsin) | 3/8x10, 5/16x14, Radial | Mid – premium |
| Josey | USA custom | Uni-Loc Radial | Custom |
| Joss | USA (Maryland) | 5/16x14 | Mid – premium |
| Joss West | USA custom | 3/8x10, 5/16x14, Uni-Loc QR / Radial | Premium custom |
| Judd | Custom maker | 3/8x10, 5/16x18 | Custom |
| Lambros | USA custom | 3/8x10 | Custom |
| Longoni | Italy | Longoni VP2 | Premium |
| Lucasi | Cue & Case (made in China) | Uni-Loc QR / Radial | Mid value |
| McDaniels | Custom maker | 3/8x11, 5/16x14 | Custom |
| McDermott | USA (Wisconsin) | 3/8x10, McDermott QR | Mid – premium |
| McWorter | USA custom | 3/8x10 | Custom |
| Meucci | USA (Mississippi) | 5/16x18 | Mid (legacy) |
| Mezz | Japan | Mezz United / Wavy | Premium |
| Mottey, Paul | USA custom | 5/16x14 | Premium custom |
| Nitti | USA custom | Uni-Loc QR / Radial | Custom |
| Nova | Custom maker | 5/16x14 | Custom |
| OB Cues | USA | 3/8x10, 5/16x14 | Mid (low-deflection) |
| Oliver | Custom maker | 3/8x10 | Custom |
| Orchid | Imported | 5/16x18 | Budget (graphic) |
| Palmer | USA (vintage custom) | 5/16x18 | Vintage custom |
| Pechauer | USA (Wisconsin) | 5/16x14, Speed Joint | Premium |
| PFD | Custom maker | Uni-Loc QR / Radial | Custom |
| Phillipi | USA custom | 5/16x14 | Custom |
| Players | Cue & Case (China) | 5/16x18, Turbo Lock | Budget |
| Poison | Predator value line (imported) | Uni-Loc Bullet / Radial / Ghost | Mid value |
| Prather | USA | 3/8x11, 5/16x14 | Custom / components |
| Predator | USA brand | Uni-Loc QR / Radial | Premium (tech) |
| Rage | Cue & Case (China) | 5/16x18 | Budget (break/jump) |
| Samsara | USA custom | Uni-Loc QR / Radial | Premium custom |
| Schon | USA (Wisconsin) | 5/16x14 | Premium |
| Scruggs | USA custom | 5/16x14 | Premium custom |
| Southwest | USA custom (Arizona) | 3/8x11 | Premium custom |
| Stealth | Imported | 5/16x18 | Budget / mid (graphic) |
| Sterling | Imported | 5/16x18 | Budget |
| Tad | USA / Japan custom | 5/16x18 | Legendary custom |
| Tiger | USA (Tiger Products) | Uni-Loc Radial, Tiger | Mid – premium |
| Varner | USA brand | 5/16x18 | Mid / budget |
| Viking | USA (Wisconsin) | Viking QR | Mid – premium |
| Viper | GLD Products (imported) | 5/16x18 | Budget (game-room) |
Origins, joints, and tiers are a general overview. Brands run multiple lines and can change ownership or production over the years — confirm a specific cue before buying accessories or shafts.
The big production brands
McDermott
One of the most recognized names in North America. Made in Wisconsin, USA since the 1970s, McDermott is known for handcrafted maple cues, deep customization, the G-Core and carbon Defy shafts, and a strong warranty. A go-to for players who want trusted value with room to grow. Tier: mid – premium.
Predator
The brand that popularized low-deflection shafts. Predator focuses heavily on technology (314, Revo carbon, P3, Blak5) and is favoured by many tournament players. Premium price, premium engineering — the path for performance-minded buyers. Joint: Uni-Loc Quick Release / Radial. Tier: premium.
Cuetec
A modern, widely available brand best known today for the Cynergy carbon fiber line. Cuetec is a strong value-to-performance pick and a common sight on the pro tour. Joint: 3/8x14. Tier: mid.
Viking
100% American-made in Wisconsin, Viking is known for a meticulous multi-step finish and the ViKORE performance shaft. Traditional construction with a loyal following among league and recreational players. Tier: mid – premium.
Meucci
An American brand (Mississippi) with deep legacy appeal — Meucci has been a player favourite for decades, known for its hit and its place in pool history. Joint: 5/16x18. Tier: mid.
Lucasi
A value-and-performance brand from Cue & Case (made in China) that brought low-deflection technology to friendlier prices. The Lucasi and Lucasi Hybrid lines (including Carbon InFUZED) are popular step-up cues with a lifetime warranty. Tier: mid value.
Players
One of the best-known beginner brands — also from Cue & Case. Durable maple cues with simple, attractive designs at entry prices. A common first “real” cue. Joint: 5/16x18 (and Turbo Lock). Tier: budget.
Action
An imported value brand offering a huge range of inexpensive house and starter cues, plus jump/break and specialty models. Great for filling a rack or a first cue on a budget. Tier: budget.
Premium imports: Japan & Europe
Mezz
Made in Japan by Miki Co. (founded 1960 — one of the oldest cue makers in the world). Mezz is a premium brand prized for precision and its signature United and Wavy joints. A favourite of many touring pros. Tier: premium.
Longoni
An Italian brand from near Milan, renowned across pool, carom, and five-pin. Longoni’s universal VP2 metal joint and refined balance make it a premium European staple. Tier: premium.
Becue
A newer Italian maker (founded 2016) built around carbon fiber and composite technology, with the proprietary B-Loc joint. Modern, high-performance, premium. Tier: premium.
American handcraft & custom legends
The U.S. is the heartland of handmade cues. Wisconsin alone is home to McDermott, Schon, Pechauer, and Jacoby; Joss (Maryland) has built traditional cues since the 1960s.
Pechauer
Family-run in Wisconsin since the early 1980s, Pechauer is a craftsmanship favourite with its patented quick-release Speed Joint and low-deflection shafts. Tier: premium.
Jacoby
Founded in Wisconsin in 1982, Jacoby is an enthusiast favourite — handcrafted cues and well-regarded carbon shafts. Tier: mid – premium.
Schon
A Wisconsin-built premium brand with a reputation for clean, classic, high-quality cues. Tier: premium.
Custom legends
Beyond the production names sit the revered custom makers — Tad, Southwest, Black Boar, Gina (Ginacue), Joss West, Samsara, Paul Mottey, Scruggs, and others. These are handmade in small numbers, often with long waitlists, and prized by collectors. Prices run from high to very high.
Canadian brands
Dufferin
The storied Canadian brand — founded in Toronto in 1967, once Canada’s largest cue and table maker, and home of the famous one-piece Hi-Run house cue before closing in 2004 (the name now lives on overseas). Pre-2005 Canadian-made Dufferins are collector favourites. Read the full Dufferin Games history.
ASKA
ASKA builds value cues using Canadian hard rock maple shafts, with the cues produced in China to keep prices low. The lineup spans classic maple cues plus poker-themed and fireball graphic designs — dependable, straight, and affordable, aimed at recreational and beginner players who want honest quality without the premium price.
Falcon
Falcon is another Canadian-rooted brand, known for solid, traditional mid-value cues with maple shafts — a dependable everyday step up for players who want a step beyond an entry cue.
Pool cue brands by category
Made in the USA: McDermott, Viking, Pechauer, Jacoby, Schon, Joss, Meucci, OB Cues, Tiger — plus the custom makers.
Premium imports: Mezz (Japan), Longoni (Italy), Becue (Italy).
Best value / beginner: Players, Action, Valhalla, Lucasi, ASKA, Viper, Rage, J&J.
Performance / low-deflection: Predator, Cuetec, Lucasi, OB Cues, Poison.
Canadian: ASKA, Falcon, Dufferin (heritage).
Frequently asked questions
What is the best pool cue brand?
There’s no single “best” — it depends on budget and how often you play. For trusted value, McDermott and Viking; for technology, Predator and Cuetec; for premium craft, Mezz, Pechauer, Schon, and Jacoby; for beginners, Players, Lucasi, and ASKA.
What pool cue brands do pros use?
The most common brands on the professional tour include Cuetec, Predator, Pechauer, Mezz, and Jacoby.
Which pool cues are made in the USA?
McDermott, Viking, Pechauer, Jacoby, Schon, Joss, and Meucci are American-made, along with most boutique custom makers.
What is a good budget pool cue brand?
Players, Action, Valhalla, Lucasi, and ASKA all offer dependable cues under or around $200.
Are joints interchangeable between brands?
No — the pin type and thread must match for shafts, joint protectors, or extensions to fit. Check our joint-by-brand guide to match yours.
Looking for a dependable, great-value cue? Browse the Aska Billiards cue collection — Canadian hard rock maple cues for players of every level.
Related Billiards Guides
- What Pool Cue Joint Does My Brand Use?
- Maple vs Carbon Fiber Pool Cue Shafts: Which Is Worth It?
- Dufferin Games: The Rise and Fall of Canada’s Billiards Giant
- How to Choose Your First Pool Cue
Brand origins, joints, and price tiers compiled from manufacturer and industry references. Treat as a general overview — lines, ownership, and production can change.