Joseph works as an editor in one of the magazines dedicated to video games. Here, at RecRoomPick, he’s given the opportunity to enjoy the reverse of the medal – the no less engaging world of offline games.
Ryan knows everything when it comes to gaming, both online and offline. Since his early years he’s been in love with arcades, air hockey, and foosball. Finally, he’s given the opportunity to share his knowledge and opinion on the hobby of his life (and even get paid for it!).
Last updated: October 06, 2024
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Having a useful pool table means you have all the tools to go with it to actually play pool or billiards. This equipment is something that you want to keep tidy and out of the way when you aren’t playing. The key to successfully doing this means you are going to need a rack of some sort. Otherwise, get ready to be tripping over stuff and losing things. You may think that all you need is a corner to lean your sticks up against the wall in, or maybe even a closet. But, now, what do you do with balls and other accessories? If you have kids, especially younger kids, you don’t want to just leave them out. That is how they get thrown around, lost, or damaged.
To solve your pool cue and ball storage problems, we have gathered the information for the best pool cue racks around. Taking into account how many cues it will hold, how big the rack is and how much space it will take up, and how sturdy the materials it is made of is, we are going to help you find the right cue rack for you.
Being one of the most popular and well-known brands in the market, Iszy Billiards will make multiple appearances on our list. First up is there Cue Rack, with Only eight cue stand. This rack holds up to 8 cue sticks, a set of billiard balls, and a ball rack.
Along with four score counters, the top shelf of this floor stand has four rubber cup holders. Now you can play and have somewhere safe to place your beverages without worry of ruining the finish. The cue holders also have rubber rings to protect the finish of the rack from dings and scratches.
Being able to choose between mahogany, dark oak, or black finish makes this rack sharp and stylish, making it an eye-catcher instead of an eye-sore. Being one of the best racks around means you can keep your pool room clean and tidy, keep your equipment safe from damage, and you won’t have to worry about how it looks.
This is a smaller rack and goes well in rooms that may not have a lot of space. It is easy to move even though it is completely made of wood. This means there is no MDF or particleboard, making the rack sturdy and long-lasting.
What makes it special? Holds eight cues, a full ball set, and the ball rack—a good sturdy rack with a reasonable price range. The smaller stature allows it to fit in smaller places.
What cons did we find? The score counter does seem to be cheaply made. The stand does not come with levelers for uneven floors.
Another rack from Iszy Billiards to make a list is their Revolving floor stand. This rack holds up to 9 cues and turns for easy access to all of your sticks. The rack has a flat bottom for a base and stands at 32 ¾ inches from the base to the top of the dowels on the upper shelf.
The upper shelf also comes equipped with three rubber pads that act as cupholders and the rubber rings for the cue holes. To make sure you find a rack that works with your pool table and the rest of the room, the stand comes in finishes of mahogany, oak, or black.
The rack is made of 100% wood to ensure durability. This wood is thin but not flimsy, which makes it easy to move as you need.
A problem some might have with this rack is that it does not have room to hold any billiard balls or other accessories. Also, buyers should note that when assembling, the base needs to be disassembled before securing supports. Not doing this can cause the screws to tighten to the track and will prevent the rack from revolving.
Why are we impressed? The turning stand makes access to any of the nine sticks simple, while the flat bottom gives it a sturdy foundation.
What negatives must you be aware of? Design if the turning mechanism and room for storing extra accessories could be better.
Iszy Billiards’ third rack on the list is their ten cue floor stand. Also coming in mahogany, oak, or a black finish, this stand is also a great choice for any room. All ten cue holes come with a rubber ring to protect the cue from scratches, dings, or other damage.
The top shelf of the rack is equipped to hold one full set of billiard balls and a rubber pad to hold a beverage. The underside of this shelf has room for a hook to hold a ball rack or two. This stand is a little taller, and a lot wider than the eight cue floor stand and the revolving nine cue floor stand mentioned before.
This rack does have a few drawbacks. Users often found that the felt used for the ball holders and inside the cue holders could have been placed better and more efficiently. Also, unlike its counterparts found on this list, it is not made of 100 percent wood. It does have lesser materials, which do not hold up as well. Other than a few minor flaws, this cue stand will definitely help you keep your equipment tidy and organized.
Why is it special? Holds ten cues, a full set of billiard balls, and other accessories.
What are the flaws? Some finishing touches could have been more precise.
The Games & Sports Expert brand is another popular maker of pool and billiards tools. Their six-cue wall-mounted rack is a simple way to keep your sticks and accessories put up and out of the way when you aren’t using them.
This rack comes in three different colors, oak, mahogany, and black. It is made of a hard-oak wood for durability and sturdiness and finished off with furniture-grade paint in the color of your choice.
The design holds six cues, a complete billiard ball set, and a ball rack. Made to be mounted on the wall, the rack comes with two bronze buckles to ensure a strong mount.
During installation, users should remember a few key things. Be sure to measure the height of the rack itself and how far apart the two buckles are before drilling. You will also need to make sure to have enough room above the rack to avoid contact between it and the cue sticks.
By hanging on the wall, your cues and other accessories will further away from dirt stirred up by walking, from little hands that can damage or lose things, and keep them tidy and organized.
Why did it make our list? The simplicity of this design allows for a quality rack at a reasonable price.
What is not ideal about it? Not a whole lot of room for extra stuff and is not completely made of wood, affecting its durability.
GSE’s six cue metal rack is another top option. It is designed with heavy-duty metal construction and comes in 4 different finish options, brushed nickel, matte black, matte black & brushed nickel, or oil rubbed bronze.
This rack is heavy enough to hold your cues without tipping over but not too heavy that you can’t move it when needed. The flat-bottomed base of this rack also helps keep it sturdy and upright. It will hold up to 6 cues, so you won’t have to store them under the table or lean them against a wall.
GSE designed a rack that is perfect for smaller areas. You can tuck this floor stand right in the corner out of the way. Plus, the style of it won’t stick out to guests as a cue stand. It is modern enough to fit in any room without being an awkward eyesore.
One little thing about the rack, they may be a deal-breaker is that when placing a cue in the rack, you have to be careful; otherwise, the metal can scratch and damage the cue.
Why did it make our list? The metal construction makes this stand very durable and long-lasting. Plus, it can fit in smaller rooms where space may be limited.
What is not ideal about it? There could be some padding placed somewhere to prevent the damaging metal cues.
GSE also makes a list with its 8-cue corner-style stand. This rack is made from solid wood, so it is sturdy and durable. It is small for tighter spaces, allowing for more play area. The wood comes in an oak, black, or mahogany finish to keep it stylish in any room.
The upper shelf contains the cue holes that are rubber rings to protect the cues from being damaged or scratched. It also comes equipped with four rubber pads for beverages and fourscore counters. The lower shelf is where you can store a complete billiard ball set.
The design of this stand makes it small so that you can have the most playing area without having to worry about bumping into or tripping over the stand itself. It is also a good weight in case you have to move it for any reason.
GSE made sure you would love this rack. Not only is it reliable and stylish, but it is also very easy to assemble and/or disassemble, as well as easy to use once it is assembled.
What are our favorite features? Small size for space-saving, and completely made of wood for durability.
What could be better? Could be a little taller to use in larger rooms.
Another wall-mounted rack comes from the brand Flintar. This 6-cue hanging rack makes storing your pool or billiards equipment a breeze. A hanging rack means you won’t have to worry about them tripping you up by leaning them against the wall.
Coming in three available color options, oak, mahogany, or black, it is made of very durable hardwood. The design holds six cues, a complete billiard ball set, and a ball rack. Made to be mounted on the wall, the rack comes with improved, direct wall mounting hardware and L brackets.
During installation, make sure to measure the height of the rack itself and make sure there is enough room above the rack to avoid cue sticks and the ceiling colliding. You will need to be able to find studs inside your wall. This rack is built to fit between two 16-inch wall studs.
This hanging cue rack is a very simple way of storing your equipment and keeping it safe from being damaged or lost. By taking up less space than larger floor stands, you now have more room for playing your game.
What are its best features? This rack takes up less space and keeps everything together and clutter-free.
What could be improved? Could use some more space for cues, and you will need a little bit of know-how for mounting it properly.
Though it may not be as fancy as many of the other racks on the list, Fat Cat’s two-piece hanging rack is a great option. It is the cheapest option, and you can choose to mount it how you want, for the most part.
Not only is it low in price, but it also takes up the least amount of space possible. The problem with this is that it will only hold pool sticks and nothing else. You will have to store your billiard balls and other accessories somewhere else.
This rack comes with a plain yet classic finish to allow for versatility in styling your game room. Though it may be simple and classic, it is a well-made rack that is durable and should last a very long time. It has a width of about 18 inches; the bottom has a block for mounting on the wall, where the top is mounted flush to the wall.
This Fat Cat hanging rack is just right for people with limited options. Whether it be limited budgets, limited space for a rack, or both. The simplicity is what makes this hanging rack worth taking a look at. It may not be fancy, but it gets the job done.
What are its best features? The simplicity of this rack and its economical price point.
What could be improved? Could use more storage and extra features.
Things to Consider
When it comes to buying a cue rack for your game room, there are a lot of options out there and all with different features and price tags. So, to help narrow down your options, here are a few things to think about before you go shopping.
Why do you need a pool cue holder?
At first thought, you may not think you need a cue holder at all. You can use just your pool stick up against a wall or lay them on the floor underneath your table. Guess what, you may come to regret this choice later.
A couple of problems with leaning them against a wall are that for a stick to really work, you tend to chalk up the end of it with that famous blue chalk. Well, you went and leaned your stick up against your wall and now have blue chalk all over it. Plus, they can fall and break or fall and hit something else on the way down and break that.
Laying them on the floor is a problem because if you don’t get it in there just right, you will find yourself tripping over them. You could also end up finding any pets or small children you may have destroyed them. Pool cue holders are definitely worth investing in.
Features to consider before you buy a pool cue holder
Now that you know why you need to look into getting a rack or stand for your pool cues, we have a few things for you to think about. Remember, not all racks and stands are built the same.
Type
First, you need to think about what type of cue holder you want, have the space for, and can afford. For instance, if you need something small and somewhat out of the way that you don’t have to drill into the wall for, then the corner style holders might be something worth looking into. If those are still too much, then there are the ones like GSE’s metal cue holder.
If you would rather have a hanging one, then you need to know how big it can be and how easy it is to mount. Also, is your ceiling high enough to fit a hanging rack without the cues hitting it.
Number of cues
Now that you know if you need a floor stand or hanging rack, think about how many cues you have. Some of the ones on the list hold 6, 8, or 9 cues. However, there are racks and stands available that hold more, like ten cues.
Material
Another important thing to think about is the material the rack is made of. The ones made of wood do have a nice, classy look about them and are usually very sturdy and tend to come with rubber or felt to protect your cues. Then there are some made of metal, like GSE’s that are very chic; however, the metal can damage your cues if not equipped with some sort of padding. Then, on the cheaper side, some are often made with particle boards and other more flimsy materials.
How often you are placing and removing your cues can determine what kind of material you need along with your budget. The sturdier they are, the more expensive they tend to be.
Dimensions
One of the biggest things you have to worry about is how much room you have. The smaller corner style racks, the metal racks, and the one revolving rack are not going to take up as much space as others.
However, the ones where all the cues and balls are aligned in a straight line across these are going to take up much more room. Plus, they can’t be placed in a corner very conspicuously. You will need to make sure you have enough room for it without it causing the room to feel cluttered. You don’t want to sacrifice too much gaming room just for your cue storage.
Weight
How strong are you? Make sure you don’t get a rack that is too heavy. You don’t want to find yourself alone and needing to move it or even to assemble it because it is too heavy. Remember, you will probably have to move it occasionally just to clean around it.
If you are choosing a hanging rack, make sure your walls are good and sturdy. Your walls, rack, and cues are in the safety of how well you can mount the cue rack.
Extra features
This is the section that has everything to do with your personal preferences. Some people may want something just for their cues specifically. Some of these people choose the keep their billiard balls and racks set up on the table. That way, it is ready to go when they are. So, it is up to you to determine if you want just a cue rack like Fat Cat’s two-piece hanging rack or do you want a little extra like the corner styles that have four rubber cup holders. There are some racks on the market that come with clocks, drawers, and a whole lot of other stuff to really fancy up the cue rack. However, for the most part, the more features a rack has, the more the price tends to go up.
When it comes to assembling a pool cue holder, each one will be different. Whenever you buy a cue rack, the directions or instructions should come with it. Each brand should specify what you will need as far as tools go if you need them at all. Most will also come with screws and other stuff you may need. This includes hanging racks that are all one piece. For 2-piece racks, like the Fat Cat one listed above, there will be more actual work. You will need to find studs in the wall and mark them. Then you will have to screw in the bottom rack to the wall while making sure it isn’t too high. That is how you get blue marks on your ceiling. Next, you will screw in the top piece. You will want to measure the length of the cue and subtract 8 inches to find how much higher it needs to be than the bottom.
When it comes to keeping your wooden cue rack in good shape, there are a few things you can do to keep it lasting. First, you want to make sure you avoid high heats and water. So, don’t put a working curling iron on it, and be sure to use a coaster for any drinks that get set on it. Heat can actually cause it to fade faster over time. Remember to dust your cue rack too. Leaving dirt and dust can leave a layer of film on your wooden rack. As things get moved around, this can cause scratches on the finish. Cleaning in general also helps keep away dust. But do not use any kind of all-purpose cleaner but rather a mild detergent and a soft cloth. Of course, after this, using a polish will help protect it. Though you don’t want your wooden rack to get wet and absorb moisture, you will need to oil it sometimes. Dry wood needs a good oil every now and then to keep it from overly drying out.
Wrapping It Up
With all the choices of pool cue racks and stands, it can be easy to get overwhelmed and confused about which one you should get. That is why we looked at all the different types of cue holders to help narrow down your choices. Which one is right for you is all your own choice? However, we feel that the corner-style floor stands make the best pool cue holders, like the Editor’s Pick Cue Rack Only by Iszy Billiards Store. These are smaller racks that can be placed in a corner or other discreet spot when you aren’t playing around. They also come with features so you can store your other playing equipment and rubber cup holders. Then you have the other ones like the wall-mounted with ball racks or the smaller racks like the revolving one from Iszy, which is our Premium Pick, and the Best Value 2-piece wall-mounted one from Fat Cat that only holds cues.