The kinetics and thermodynamics of the exchange of Na+ with Cd2+ in polycrystalline beta aluminas with different phases and chemical compositions are studied. The results obtained are compared with those for single crystals. The rate of the ion exchange increases with the rise of the β″-phase content in the ceramics. In contrast to the single crystals, a yellow-brown coloration is observed in polycrystalline materials. The NaAlO2 which is usually present in the ceramics also undergoes an ion exchange. The thermodynamic studies show that the β″-phase is a better host for the Cd2+ than β-Al2O3.