our top picks

The Best Petanque Sets, From Leisure Steel to Competition Grade

Petanque is the French steel-boules game that buyers overthink more than almost any backyard game, and it usually comes down to two questions: how heavy should the boules be, and do you need a competition set or a leisure one. The good news is that most people do not need certified competition boules to have a great time in the yard. Here are the petanque sets I would actually buy, with an honest read on weight, build, and how the game differs from bocce.

TOP 4 PICKS RANKED FOR REAL BACKYARDS 2 to 6 (1v1, 2v2, or 3v3) PLAYERS
New to the game? Read the rules

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The shortlist

Our top petanque picks at a glance

PickBest forScore
Steel Petanque Boules Set with Carry Case Best Overall 91 Check Price
Beginner Steel Petanque Boules Set Best for Beginners 87 Check Price
Competition Steel Petanque Boules Set Best for Competition Play 94 Check Price
Hey! Play! Bocce and Boules Style Steel Ball Set Best Budget 82 Check Price
91 Best Overall

Steel Petanque Boules Set with Carry Case

Pros
  • Solid chrome-plated steel boules that feel substantial in the hand
  • Comes with the cochonnet and a carry case to corral the heavy set
  • Mid-weight leisure feel that works for the whole family
Watch for
  • Leisure-grade steel, not certified competition boules for serious clubs
  • Six steel balls plus a case make for a genuinely heavy thing to carry
Who it's for

This is the set I draft for a family or casual crew that wants real steel boules and a case without paying for competition certification, and a licensed club player will want a tuned competition set instead.

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87 Best for Beginners

Beginner Steel Petanque Boules Set

Pros
  • Approachable weight and grip that new players can throw cleanly
  • Includes the target ball and a zippered carry bag
  • A friendly mid-weight set that is easy to learn the game on
Watch for
  • Geared to casual play rather than the precise weights a competition demands
  • Lighter feel topples a touch less predictably than heavier boules
Who it's for

Reach for this if your group is new to petanque and wants a friendly set to learn on, and dedicated players chasing a consistent point will eventually want heavier boules.

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MVP Pick
94 Best for Competition Play

Competition Steel Petanque Boules Set

Pros
  • Made by the most recognized name in petanque, built to certified standards
  • Available in different weights and hardnesses for pointing or shooting
  • Holds up to serious, repeated club-level play
Watch for
  • A premium price that casual backyard players will not need to spend
  • You often choose weight and bore yourself, which is more decision than a beginner wants
Who it's for

This is the pick for a real club or league player who wants certified boules tuned to their throw, and a once-a-summer backyard crew is paying for precision they will never feel.

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82 Best Budget

Hey! Play! Bocce and Boules Style Steel Ball Set

Pros
  • The cheapest honest way to try the game with real steel balls
  • Light enough for kids and easy on the wrist
  • Comes with a carry bag and the small target ball
Watch for
  • Thinner plating that can scuff and show wear faster than premium boules
  • Lighter, less precise balls that competitive players will quickly outgrow
Who it's for

Grab this to find out whether your group likes petanque before spending more, and regular players will want to step up to a heavier, better-built set before long.

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From the commissioner

How to choose a petanque set

  • Leisure vs competition is the first fork in the road. Leisure boules are a single all-purpose ball, often chrome-plated, sized somewhere in the middle so anyone in the family can throw them. Competition boules are made to certified diameters and weights and come in carbon, stainless, or other steels tuned for pointing or shooting. For the backyard, a quality leisure set is almost always the right call.
  • Boule weight matters more than people expect. Heavier boules (toward the upper end of the range) sit where they land and resist getting knocked away, which suits pointers. Lighter boules are easier on the wrist and better for kids and casual throwers. If your group is mixed ages, a mid-weight leisure set keeps everyone happy. Do not chase a competition weight you do not need.
  • Check the diameter for the hands using it. Smaller-diameter boules fit smaller hands and are easier for kids and many adults to grip and throw cleanly. A boule that is too big to palm comfortably will wobble out of your hand. Leisure sets usually pick a friendly middle diameter on purpose.
  • Look at the case and the cochonnet. A petanque set should include the little wooden target ball (the cochonnet) and a carry case or bag, because a 6-boule set is heavy and easy to scatter in a garage. A measuring string or tape for close calls is a nice bonus that better sets include.
  • Know how petanque differs from bocce before you buy. Petanque boules are small steel balls you throw through the air from a standing circle, while bocce uses big balls you roll along the ground. If you actually want the rolling lawn game, buy bocce instead. For the throw-from-a-circle steel game, petanque is what you want, and the two are not interchangeable.
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Buyer's desk

Petanque buying FAQ

What weight petanque boules should I get?

For casual backyard play, a mid-weight leisure boule suits most hands and mixed-age groups. Heavier boules resist getting knocked away and favor pointing, while lighter boules are easier for kids and lighter wrists. You only need to chase a specific competition weight if you are playing in a licensed club.

What is the difference between leisure and competition petanque boules?

Leisure boules are a single all-purpose ball, usually chrome-plated and sized for anyone to throw, and they are perfect for the backyard. Competition boules are made to certified diameters and weights in tuned steels for serious play. Most home players are happiest with a good leisure set.

Is petanque the same as bocce?

No. Petanque uses small steel balls you throw through the air from a fixed circle with your feet together, while bocce uses larger balls you roll along the ground and you can step. They are cousins, but the gear and the motion are different, so buy the one you actually want to play.

How many boules come in a petanque set?

Sets usually come with 6 or 8 boules plus the small wooden cochonnet target. A 6-boule set covers a 2v2 game (singles use 3 each), and larger sets let more people play. Most quality sets also include a carry case because steel boules are heavy.