Many people who play table tennis frequently, whether for recreation or competition, are continually looking for ways to get better. The adage “the right tool for the job” has long been applicable, and sports like table tennis are no exception.
Many people buy the ping pong paddle without doing their due diligence, and end up buying a paddle that does not suit them. You need to know how this essential piece of equipment will improve or impair your ability to play table tennis.
If you’re unsure about which ping pong paddle is best for you, you may look at our suggestion right here.
There are reviews from other players as well as my friends who have used the paddle listed here.
- Stiga Pro Carbon
- Palio Legend 3.0
- Idoraz Ping Pong Paddle Professional Racket
- Killerspin Jet800 SPEED N2 Ping Pong Paddle
- Butterfly 401 Ping Pong Paddle
Stiga Pro Carbon
Ratings: Speed 9.9, Spin 10.0, Control 8.0
Blade: 7-ply: 5W 2 carbon
Rubbers: Stiga S5 2mm
Weight: 159 grams
ITTF Approved? Yes
With just a tiny flick of the wrist, the ball is propelled to the speed of light with this paddle, which is significantly heavier than anything I’ve ever used to play.
Additionally, I occasionally completely miss the ball while knowing that they were simple hits since I haven’t adjusted to the weight yet. I’ve never held a paddle that was as heavy as this one.
I’m a decent player, and I know I’ll get used to the weight eventually. Because some people claim it’s heavy and others claim it’s light, I thought I’d bring up the weight. Everything, I suppose, basically comes down to what you’re used to playing with.
This racket is fast, very fast. I expected more spin however, the spin level is just the same as my Killerspin 400 which is rated less for a spin. but this Stiga is lighter and definitely faster. I can’t say how long the spin or speed will hold up, I just got it 3 weeks ago, but it seems the speed is at least partially derived from the blade construction.
This racket moves quite fast. I anticipated more spin, but the level is exactly the same as my Killerspin 400, which is given a lower spin rating. However, this Stiga is lighter and unquestionably faster. Since I only bought it three weeks ago, I am unable to predict how long the spin or speed will last, but it appears that the speed is at least largely influenced by the design of the blade.
In addition to being brand new, I believe this racket’s strongest feature is its outstandingly comfortable feel in the hand. For the shake-hand grip, the designers did a fantastic job. If the spin had been as good as claimed, I would have given it five starts. If my game improves, I’d like to keep this blade and swap out the rubber. For newcomers and casual players who enjoy attacking and playing away from the table, I would recommend they get this paddle.
Pros
- Offer player with fast play and great spin
- Easy to serve
Cons
- Not suitable for beginners
- The grip doesn’t last too long
Review by: Jeremy Dehart
Palio Legend 3.0
Ratings: Speed 10.0, Spin 9.0, Control 7.0
Blade: 7-ply: All wood
Rubbers: Palio Hadou
Weight: 258 grams
ITTF Approved? Yes
This is one of the best ping pong paddles available. The forehand and backhand smash is unreturnable once you have it under control and are using the proper technique. Spin is also highly spectacular, especially on serves, which can easily net you free points.
It can be used to attack with the third ball or the serve; loops are passable, topspin is excellent, and banana flicks have a lot of spins. Overall, this racket is fantastic and keeps me impressed.
I’m still getting used to them, in fact. My opponent’s spin “jumps” off my paddle because of the stickiness of my paddle, therefore I tend to hit a lot of strokes from the opposite end of the table. I can compensate for this by altering my return angle and force, but it will take some time for me to break my habit of using the old ones because I’ve been using them for so long.
A forward or side spinner to my opponent’s backhand is also giving me trouble. The paddle forces the ball into my non-serving hand instead of where it should go due to how sticky it is. Once more, I’ll get used to it and am confident that someday I’ll have far more control than I did today.
This is exactly what I was looking for, therefore it’s definitely worth it. They arrived with cases, which I’m extremely thrilled about because I believe it will protect them and keep the surfaces sticky for a lot longer.
Pros
- More power and more spin than Palio Legend 2.0
- Can perform superior topspin
- Great value for money
Cons
- Edging tape needs improvement
- Reviewed by Brent Raiford
Review by: Joel Chaney
Idoraz Ping Pong Paddle Professional Racket
Ratings: Speed 9.9, Spin 9.3, Control 9.0
Blade: All wood
Rubbers: 2mm thick
Weight: 182 grams
ITTF Approved? Yes
Before I bought this paddle, I thought of myself as a ping pong novice. Thanks to this paddle, I now feel like I’m approaching the intermediate level. My serves are now much more under control, and I’ve started spinning the ball in ways I never thought were possible. I now get what more experienced players mean when they claim that you need to feel the ball grab the rubber.
The paddle is significantly heavier than my old Stiga paddle, however, this appears to make shots pop faster and makes my backhand challenging to defend in some way or another.
Even though the rubbers appear to be low-quality Chinese rubbers, I believe they are still significantly superior to the rubbers I previously used on my Stiga paddle.
Anyone who is playing at an intermediate level should consider purchasing this paddle. Compared to the less expensive 4-pack paddles, you can instantly tell the difference. The rubber will last you for a very long time if you clean it frequently and use the pouch that it comes with as protection.
Pros
- Nice grip.
- Ideal paddle for beginners and intermediate players.
- Durable.
Cons
- Lack of power.
- Rubber look cheap and tacky.
Review by: Dave Richards
Killerspin Jet800 SPEED N2 Ping Pong Paddle
Ratings: Speed 9.5, Spin 9.0, Control 8.0
Blade: 7-Ply Composite Wood And Carbon Fiber
Rubbers: Nitrx-4Z
Weight: 266 grams
ITTF Approved? Yes
If you want to improve your techniques to an intermediate or advanced level but don’t want to build your own racket, are unsure about the combination of existing rubber/blade to put together, or obviously don’t want to spend a lot of money building your own racket and hoping for the best. I would advise you to go with Jet800.
Because the weight is more heavily concentrated on the blade perimeter rather than the handle, the JET800 felt much slower in the hand.
I’ve previously played with paddles that were more subdued, so it took some getting used to this one. On the majority of shots, you must respond with your own spin. No matter how much spin the ball has—your own or that of your opponents—the rubber will grab onto it.
Even though it took me a little while to get used to, the Killerspin Jet800 is a fantastic racket. But when you do, you’ll be a BEAST. Due to the amount of spin expertise required and the sensitivity of the racket, I wouldn’t suggest it to a novice. 5stars. of mine. This is after using it virtually daily for 4 months.
Pros
- Offer player with great spin, power & speed
- Balance in weight distribution
- built with high-quality material
Cons
- It doesn’t come with a protective case
- May cause wrist pain if gripped for long hours
Review by: Clarence Cook
Butterfly Nakama S-1 Table Tennis Racket
Ratings: Speed 9.5, Spin 9.0, Control 8.0
Blade: Composite Wood And Carbon Fiber
Rubbers: Sriver 1.9mm
Weight: 240 grams
ITTF Approved? Yes
I only recently began using the racket, which I only just purchased last month. I found the racket to be quite good for me to use, despite the fact that it took me some time to get used to it. The money I spent on it was well spent.
As I play more and more games with it, I grow to adore this paddle. It contains a lot of rubber, which allows the ball to simply shoot off of it with little to no effort on your part during a swing. Although it might be a little challenging for absolute beginners to use, I believe that this is the ideal paddle for intermediate players.
Because the rubber is so sticky, you can give the ball a lot of spins. If the rubber gets dirty, you can gently wash it to restore its stickiness. Neither the paddle nor the rubber is disintegrating.
You are prepared to use this paddle because it comes in a full set. It is not just a regular paddle; rather, it is a paddle that would be used in a competition.
Pros
- Lightweight.
- Offer you great spin and is super fast.
Cons
- Price can be expensive.
Review by: Angela Flaherty
You may also read: Guide for Choosing The Best Ping Pong Paddle
