Buying guide for Best ping-pong paddles

Any ping-pong player knows that the game’s most important tool is the paddle. Ping-pong paddles come in a wide variety of styles to suit different types of players.

The paddle’s blade determines the power. The rubber determines the amount of spin the paddle can apply. The softness of the sponge depends on your playing style, whether aggressive or defensive.

There’s a lot to consider to find the right ping-pong paddle to up your game. 

Using the same ping-pong paddle for a long period of time can improve your control and power.

Key considerations

Ping-pong, or table tennis, has been a popular sport since the early 20th century and is played both casually and competitively. There are a variety of playing styles and grips, which determine the type of paddle you need.

USA Table Tennis has very loose requirements for paddles, which are also called rackets. As long as the paddle is of even thickness, the blade and handle can be any shape or size. Despite this lack of specificity, most blades and handles are of similar shape and size, balancing surface area with weight so players can move and react quickly.

Do you use penhold or shakehand grip? Are you a defensive or offensive player? How important are power and spin to your playing style? You should answer these questions before you purchase a ping-pong paddle.

Blade

The blade, which must be at least 85% natural wood, is made of several layers, usually three, five, or seven. The overall thickness of the blade typically ranges from 5 to 10 mm, and the weight generally ranges from 2.5 to 3 ounces.

Some defensive players prefer lighter blades, which move quickly to generate massive spin, while others prefer heavier blades that move slowly but absorb power. Defensive players almost always use softer woods like balsa.

Aggressive players sometimes prefer heavier blades that offer more power, but others like lighter blades that can move quickly. Harder wood lends a better sweet spot for aggressive shots, with a layer of carbon fiber being a popular choice for very aggressive players.

Handle

A ping-pong paddle’s handle should accommodate your preferred grip. Shakehand grip or Western handles are longer and rounded, allowing for the popular shakehand grip or the Seemiller grip. Penhold grip handles are shorter and thicker, allowing you to comfortably hold the paddle in the Eastern style.

Handles may also be straight, flared, or ergonomic. This has more to do with comfort than playing style.

Rubber

The rubber is the part of the paddle that makes contact with the ping-pong ball. While some paddles have no rubber, this is fairly uncommon in competitive play. The rubber should complement your playing style. Rubbers are measured by their tackiness and firmness. Some rubbers are pips out, with rubber stippling covering the surface, while most are pips in (also called inverted or reverse), resulting in a smooth and even surface.

Tackiness determines how easily spin can be applied to the ball. Defensive players prefer highly tacky rubbers, while offensive players may want a less tacky surface. Grip determines how much control you have, allowing for the pinpointing of aggressive shots. Many players prefer a balance of tackiness and grip, which lends to both their defensive and offensive games strength.

Sponge

The sponge is the soft layer of foam between the blade and the rubber. Sponges vary in thickness, softness, and springiness.

Thin sponges are usually around 1 mm thick and are best suited to defensive play. Sponges around 1.5 mm thick tend to be a good choice for players with an all-around style of play. Thick sponges of 2 to 2.5 mm thickness are springy, adding power and control.

Ping-pong paddles with pips-out rubber, particularly those with longer pips, may have no sponge.

In our research, we scrutinize ping-pong paddle blades for functionality and durability. We factor in the weight and think about the features different consumers want, depending on their playing style.

The thickness of a ping-pong paddle should be even for optimal performance. We take note of this characteristic when analyzing products for our shortlist.

While some ping-pong enthusiasts play for fun, others play competitively. We take this into account when recommending paddles to our readers to help them find the best model for their needs.

When playing ping-pong, a comfortable paddle handle that matches the player’s grip preference is essential. We think about this when examining handle features.

When we assess a ping-pong paddle, we check to see if it has a sponge — a layer of foam situated between the rubber and the blade. When this is featured, we note its thickness and how it affects paddle responsiveness.

Ideally, the rubber of a paddle should be durable, and its firmness and tackiness should match a player’s style. We factor this into our evaluations and also look at the pips to determine whether they are out or in.

Whether a player is defensive or offensive determines the type of paddle best for their playing style. We think about playing style when shortlisting the best ping-pong paddles.

The spin a ping-pong paddle delivers is key to a good performance. We think about this when scrutinizing paddles, noting how certain characteristics affect spin.

We count the layers when looking at a paddle blade. Consumers are advised that most blades consist of three, five, or seven layers.

Proper paddle care is essential to its performance and longevity. In addition to seeking the best ping-pong paddles, we research the best practices for cleaning and storing ping-pong paddles.

Caring for your ping-pong paddle

Storing your paddle

Unfortunately, rubber does degrade over time and can lose its springiness and grip. A paddle left out can collect dust and dirt, shortening its lifespan.

Leaving your paddle on your ping-pong table is a great way to collect dust, which will lead to an uneven surface lacking grip. Ping-pong paddle bags and cases keep your paddle protected from dust and dirt and can prevent bumps and scratches. These bags can also hold ping-pong balls and your cleaning tools.

Rubber can also oxidize, but this can be prevented by covering the rubber with a plastic sheet designed for protecting paddles. You can also use kitchen plastic wrap.

Cleaning your paddle

The safest and most reliable way to clean your ping-pong paddle is with water and a sponge. There are special sponges made specifically for the job, but most sponges will work fine. Some players find that regular sponges can leave behind some small particles, however.

Rubber cleaners are available, but when using a cleaning product, you should always check that it does not contain any chemicals that may damage the rubber. Different table tennis organizations may also have restrictions on what cleaners, if any, can be used on paddles.

You should also wipe down your handle after playing to reduce grease and dirt buildup.

Price

Entry-level ping-pong paddles from $15 to $20 are often made from less expensive woods like balsa and have basic rubbers for an all-around style of play. Paddles in this range may work well for beginners, but more experienced players may feel limited by their capabilities. Paddles in this range often have three to five layers of wood.

Paddles from $20 to $40 are likely to be specialized for certain playing styles and have five to seven layers of wood. Rubber surfaces may be extra tacky or grippy. Competitive players can often find paddles in this range.

For $40 to $80, you can get a professional paddle designed for competitive play. These paddles usually have seven layers of wood and may have layers of carbon fiber. They may also come with a carrying bag or other accessories.

Tips

• Properly angling your ping-pong paddle can help to counter spin.
• Backspin backhand serves can throw off your opponent, especially if you typically do forehand serves.
• When receiving a serve, keep your eye on the opponent’s paddle to anticipate spin.
• Your follow-through swing can be used to disguise the type of spin you have applied to the ball.
• If you can anticipate your opponent’s position and force him to run to reach the ball, you can reduce his chances of an offensive stroke.
• A backhand short-push return, which puts backspin on the ball, causes the ball to bounce twice on your opponent’s side of the table, making an offensive stroke difficult to pull off.
• Applying spin is as much about where on the ball you make contact as it is your wrist movement.

Having multiple ping-pong paddles allows you to switch playing styles between matches or even mid-match.

FAQ

Q. Can the two sides of rubber on a ping-pong paddle be made of different materials?

A. While most table tennis organizations allow this, they also stipulate that one side must be red and the other black so your opponent can easily tell when you have switched sides. Beginners may find paddles with two different rubbers difficult to learn with.

Q. How much do speed, spin, and control ratings matter?

A. Because testing methods vary from one brand to the next, it’s difficult to compare ping-pong paddle ratings with much accuracy. You can use ratings to compare paddles by the same brand, but otherwise, your best bet is to look at the materials used and read customer reviews.

Q. Can the rubber of a ping-pong paddle be replaced?

A. Yes. After several years, the rubber may show signs of cracking and drying out. There are special glues designed for adhering foam and rubber to a ping-pong paddle’s blade, and rubber can be sized to fit any paddle.