Put all that together and you get a great paddle that packs a punch but with enough control for a novice. It’s made up of a 6 ply blade that packs a punch (but isn’t too overwhelming) with great ITTF-approved STIGA rubbers and a nice a 2mm sponge. This table tennis racket is lightweight, and it suits players who enjoy playing close to the table, where it’s useful in improving stroke technique. It also delivers plenty of power, thanks to STIGA’s various manufacturing technologies, and with a bigger sweet spot than other rackets, the Evolution can help increase your accuracy. If you want to send the ball more deliberately, control is critical, and the Evolution can help improve play in this aspect. It’s one of the best-priced paddles on our list and is an excellent choice for any beginner who’s ready to take their game to the next level, thanks to its fantastic control to speed ratio.
But if you’re leveling up your game and want a reasonably priced paddle, then we’d definitely recommend checking out the STIGA Raptor.Īnother great affordable ping pong paddle is the STIGA Evolution. That being said, it’s probably not the best paddle for beginners due to the ratings. They work particularly well with the 2mm thick sponge layer that really helps the ball ping off the paddle, giving more speed and a hefty amount of spin. This provides more control over the ball thanks to its ACS technology.
When it comes to the rubbers, the STIGA Raptor has the same STIGA S5s as the Pro Carbon. This means you get all the power and speed of a thick 7-ply blade without the heavy feel.
It’s very similar to the Carbon Pro weighing in at 1.2lbs and having the same 7 layers blade, 5 of which are made with balsa wood coupled with 2 layers of lightweight carbon. In at number three we have the relatively new STIGA Raptor.
It’s one of a series of preassembled rackets range from the JET 100 all the way up to 800. In at number one we have the Killerspin Jet 800 paddle from the Killerspin Jet series. The following paddles are some of the best on the market, and we provide a list of pros and cons to go with each. Now let’s move onto what you’re really here for. The thickness between 5.7-6.5 is commonly used in offensive play combined with arc play. It is sought after by players who like to play sidespin.įor a blade built with a high density of wood, deformation is small. The thinner blade can generate great spin. The thicker blade is fast and suitable to play a fast stroke. Hard and thick blades (more than 6.5) are mostly built for offensive play. Soft and thin blades (5.3-5.6) are mostly in arc-shaped. This should be combined with the thickness. In addition to the material, the degreasing process will also affect the weight. The heavier the blade, the greater the density the blade has. The thicker the blade, the more rigid it is, the thinner the blade, the more thorough the feels. The table below offers a summarized take on how it impacts performance. Thickness, weight and material also play a big part in determining your performance. But in fact, these indicators have no industry-unified values, but they are the terms that major racket manufacturers use so that buyers have reference points when choosing their rackets. Table tennis paddles and sponges are often benchmarked by speed, spin, control, bounce, and softness or hardness. The combination of these parts determines the quality of a racket. The table tennis racket has 4 parts: handle, blade, rubber, and sponge. Players will find that certain grips may suit them better, so it’s worth knowing about this a little more.
How to Choose a Ping Pong Paddle: Buyer’s Guideīefore we get into the actual list of options, let’s see how a ping pong paddle is actually designed.