Simonis Cloth vs Budget Pool Table Felt (2026)
Worsted cloth like Simonis is faster, does not pill, and lasts several times longer than the fuzzy woven felt most tables ship with, and it costs about three times as much. Because most of the expense of recovering a table is the labour, doing it once with good cloth is usually cheaper over a decade than doing it twice with cheap cloth. The exception is a table that gets played twice a year.
At a glance
| Simonis 860 Pool Table Cloth, 8 ft | Accuplay 20 oz Pre-Cut Pool Table Felt, 8 ft | |
|---|---|---|
| Weave | Worsted, tightly spun | Woven with a nap |
| Ball speed | Faster | Slower |
| Pilling and fuzz | Minimal | Yes, over time |
| Typical lifespan in a home | Many years | Fewer years |
| Chalk marks | Brush off | Work into the nap |
| Cost | High | Low |
Choose the Simonis 860 Pool Table Cloth, 8 ft if…
You play regularly, or you are paying someone to recover the table. Worsted cloth has no nap, so the ball rolls the same in every direction, it plays noticeably faster, and it stays clean because chalk sits on the surface rather than working into fibres. It also resists the pilling that makes budget cloth look tired within a year.
The economics usually favour it. Recovering a table is mostly labour, and if good cloth lasts three times as long, the cheaper cloth is only cheaper if you never pay anyone to fit it. If you are already committing to the job, the cloth itself is a small part of the total.
Check Simonis 860 Pool Table Cloth, 8 ft on Amazon
Choose the Accuplay 20 oz Pre-Cut Pool Table Felt, 8 ft if…
The table gets occasional use, you are fitting the cloth yourself, or you are refreshing a table you may not keep. Budget felt plays perfectly well for casual games and costs a third as much, and pre-cut sets take much of the difficulty out of a home installation.
Expect it to age. The nap holds chalk, balls slow down as the surface wears, and pilling appears where the break happens. Brushing along the nap direction after every session slows that down considerably, and it is a habit worth having whatever cloth you own.
Check Accuplay 20 oz Pre-Cut Pool Table Felt, 8 ft on Amazon
Related
Comparison based on published manufacturer specifications and the general consensus of owner reports. We have not tested these products side by side. Confirm current specifications and prices before buying. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.
Deciding on a specific model? We review the Simonis 860 pool table cloth review in full.
Frequently asked questions
What does the ounce weight of cloth mean?
It is the weight per unit area, roughly indicating thickness and density. Heavier cloth is generally more durable, but the weave type matters more than the weight: a lighter worsted cloth typically outlasts and outplays a heavier napped one. Compare weave first, weight second.
Can I recover a table myself?
You can, and pre-cut kits are made for it, but it is a job with a real learning curve. Stretching cloth evenly, especially around pockets and rails, is what separates a table that plays true from one with wrinkles and slow spots. On a slate table, doing it badly wastes the cloth. Many people fit the bed themselves and pay for the rails.
How do I make cloth last?
Brush it regularly in the nap direction, keep drinks off the table, use a cover when it is not in use, and keep the room humidity reasonably stable. Chalk dust and spilled liquid do most of the damage. Also stop people sitting on the rails, which stretches cloth and knocks the table out of level.
Does faster cloth make me a better player?
It makes the table more consistent, which makes practice more meaningful, and it changes how much speed you need on a shot. It will not fix your stroke. If the table is not level, no cloth will help, and levelling is free compared with recovering.
Measuring your own room before anything is delivered? The Game Room Layout Planner is the paid version of these pages: 8 printable worksheets you fill in with your own numbers, plus the full PDF, $29.
How we work: we compare published manufacturer dimensions, the governing playing standards for each game, and reviews from owners who live with the equipment. We do not test games in person, and we say so on every page. Clearance figures here are researched guidance for planning a room, not professional advice: measure your own space, and have a slate table delivered, assembled and levelled by an installer rather than moving it yourself.