AIM: To compare the intraoperative performance and postoperative outcome after microcoaxial torsional phacoemulsification using either a Kelman or balanced phaco tip. METHODS: Cataracts were treated using 2.2 mm microcoaxial torsional phacoemulsification using either a 45-degree mini-flared Kelman® or a 45-degree Intrepid® Balanced phaco tip. Intraoperative measurements included total ultrasound (US) time, cumulative dissipated energy (CDE), torsional US time, and balanced salt solution (BSS) use. The central endothelial cell density (ECD) and central corneal thickness (CCT) were evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively 1, 7, and 30d after surgery using noncontact specular microscopy. RESULTS: The 116 enrolled eyes (116 patients) were divided equally between the Kelman and balanced tip groups. Intraoperative measurements showed significantly less total US time, torsional US time, CDE, and BSS use in the balanced group than in Kelman group (P<0.05). The total US time, torsional US time, CDE, and BSS use were 17.45±14.53s, 16.63±13.97s, 6.38±5.26, and 48.21±17.21 mL in the Kelman group and 11.39 ± 9.60s, 10.90 ± 9.25s, 4.04 ± 3.42, and 41.36 ± 12.70 mL in the balanced group, respectively. CONCLUSION: Torsional phacoemulsification performed with a balanced tip provided more effective lens removal with less total US time, torsional time, CDE, and BSS use, as well as similar changes in ECD with a Kelman tip in all cataract grades. This special designed phaco tip for torsional phacoemulsification provides an alternative phaco tip for many surgeons' preference with straight phaco tip.