Not quite a beginner but not exactly a pro? Being an intermediate player in any sport can be a challenge – especially when it comes to finding the right equipment for your level of expertise. In table tennis, the ideal paddle for an intermediate player should provide a bit more of a challenge in order to advance the user’s learning, but still shouldn’t be too difficult to use so as not to discourage a developing player.
If you’re thinking of stepping up from those tired cheap paddles you’ve been using all this time, or if you’re looking for a replacement for that professional racket that you purchased without knowing how hard it would be to use, we’ve got you covered.
Just follow this detailed and definitive guide on finding the best ping pong paddle for intermediate players, and discover some of our top picks along the way.
What Should You Look for in an Intermediate Paddle?
First things first – what makes a good paddle for intermediate players? What features should you look for, and how can you tell one of your potential choices really is a feasible pick for your level of expertise?
Offensive Design
Just for the record, there are a lot of Olympic gold medallists in the sport of table tennis that made their way to the top as defensive players. So there really is nothing wrong with honing your skills on the defense.
However, it’s also important to keep in mind that a lot of the strokes in table tennis have an offensive quality to them, which means a heavy, control-centric paddle might not be the best choice to help you learn.
An offensive paddle is generally lighter, more flexible, and more capable of generating spins and loops. As an intermediate player, you’ll want to use a paddle that can help you achieve these strokes so you can explore the different playing styles you can adapt and truly discover the kind of play you’re most comfortable with.
Replaceable Rubbers
Beginner paddles are often inexpensive and easy to find, because they don’t offer a lot of complex features and capabilities. So generally, buyers in search of beginner rackets don’t necessarily care about replaceable rubbers since the paddles themselves can be repurchased at cheap costs.
For intermediate paddles however, it can be a different story. There are lots of designs out there that offer users the capability to replace rubbers when they’re worn out and peeling, so it’s a lot cheaper to restore your racket to its original status rather than buying brand new. Another reason why you might want to consider a blade that allows rubber replacement is the fact that some rubbers can turn an intermediate paddle into a professional level racket. So you can transition from your skill level to the next with the same trusty paddle.
Cost
When you first purchased a ping pong paddle, you probably got it at less than $20 USD. After all, any beginner wouldn’t want to spend more than that for a game they might not really feel invested in. But if you’ve come to find that you do have a penchant for ping pong and you want to try your hand at more advanced play, those cheap paddles might no longer cut it.
As a general rule, an intermediate paddle shouldn’t cost you any less than $30 USD. This means anything that falls below this minimum price might not have the quality nor the features you’d expect in an intermediate level paddle. On the same note, an intermediate paddle shouldn’t cost you more than around $60 USD. Rackets that cost more than that are possibly intended for professional play.
Handle Design
Now that you’ve been playing ping pong for a while, you probably already have an idea as to the type of grip that makes you feel most comfortable. That said, you may want to consider looking into the different types of handles you can find on a table tennis racket to help guarantee comfortable and efficient use.
There are four main types of handles that you might encounter during your hunt. These include the straight, flared, anatomical, and penhold handles. Generally speaking, there’s isn’t a single correct handle, and all are viable choices even for professional players. It all really depends on how you’re most comfortable using your paddle.
Speed and Control Ratings
Still feeling a little confused as to which paddle will work best for your standards and preferences? Don’t sweat it – most manufacturers seek to make it easier for buyers to make a choice by providing information on the speed and control ratings of their paddles.
These can often be found on their official pages, or on the product listings themselves, and the ratings indicate the speed and control that the paddles offer to help you determine whether it’s right for you.
These ratings tend to be inversely proportional – that is, as one goes up, the other goes down. With higher speed ratings, you can expect a more responsive paddle that’s able to lend substantially more velocity to a moving ball. This is ideal for fast paced players who enjoy looping and spinning strokes.
More control on the other hand makes it easier to anticipate a ball’s trajectory, and lets you slow down the speed to match your tempo. These are ideal for defensive players who want to neutralize fancy shots and spinning balls to slow down the pace of a game.
The 4 Best Table Tennis Rackets for Intermediate Players
1. Palio Expert 2 Table Tennis Racket
Don’t let the name fool you – the Palio Expert 2 Table Tennis Racket makes a great paddle for intermediate players. The design comes with a speed rating of 6/10, a control rating of 10/10, and a spin rating of 9/10, so it does come with the capability to generate trick shots and spinning strokes. Despite that, the speed rating is relatively easy at just 6/10, so it won’t be too confusing to get accustomed to.
We think this design makes the perfect paddle for intermediate players because it can help you understand how each stroke works, and it allows users to experiment with different types of spins. So if you were hoping to improve your skills without feeling overwhelmed, the Palio Expert 2 makes a great pick.
2. Jebor Professional Table Tennis Paddle
It’s important to know that some brands tend to label their products for ‘professionals’, but actually cater more to intermediate players. Case in point: the Jebor Professional Table Tennis Paddle. This 7-ply wooden racket comes with a price of just a little less than $30 USD, so you can see it really isn’t a professional paddle.
With a long handle, it’s definitely a lot easier to grip compared to other designs. In terms of speed, it really isn’t too fast either so you can get to learn new tricks and strokes without being overwhelmed. Perhaps the only potential issue we found was durability. The Jebor Professional Table Tennis paddle definitely isn’t the most hardwearing racket out there, but it does do well in terms of teaching an intermediate player more advanced techniques.
3. Killerspin JET400 Table Tennis Paddle
The Killerspin JET400 Table Tennis Paddle is an ITTF approved design that boasts a 7 point speed rating, 9 point spin rating, and an 8 point control rating. This makes it an ideal choice for intermediate players hoping to learn new skills without feeling too challenged. The design is well-rounded, easy to use, and comfortable, allowing you to experiment with lots of different styles to discover what works best for your preferences and level of expertise.
In terms of transitioning to advanced from intermediate play, the paddle is a great choice. That’s because aside from catering to players with moderate skill, the racket also works well as a competitive paddle, being that it is ITTF approved. Simply changing the rubbers can step it up to become a full-fledged pro paddle, so it definitely is a sound investment.
4. STIGA Pro Carbon Table Tennis Racket
If you’re not new to intermediate play and you want something that’s a little more of a challenge to use without stepping into professional boundaries, the STIGA Pro Carbon Table Tennis Racket could be a good choice.
The paddle comes with a speed rating of 9.5, and a control rating of 8, so it’s a little more of a challenge to get accustomed to. Even then, it does allow aggressive, offensive play, which can open the door to a number of different playing styles and techniques that you might not have tried in the past.
Price-wise, the STIGA Pro Carbon Table Tennis Racket is also relatively affordable compared to the other rackets that STIGA offers. Despite that, it’s just as durable and efficient, allowing a smooth transition from intermediate to advanced and professional play with just one trusty paddle.
Bottom Line
If you want to learn new tricks and strategies for table tennis, we recommend you get the right paddle for the job. The best ping pong paddle for intermediate players can help you transition from beginner level to professional play, allowing you to learn valuable new techniques as you discover the ins and outs of playing ping pong.
We recommend that you check out the Palio Expert 2 Table Tennis Racket to start off your search for the right intermediate racket. With just the right ratings, this intuitively designed paddle sports just the right stuff to get you off on the right foot towards becoming a better and smarter table tennis player.