A table tennis racket doesn’t make the player, but it can help improve performance significantly. So if you were hoping to win a game with the guys at work, or if you’re aiming to bag your first tournament gold, you should consider investing in a better table tennis racket.
But because there are so many different table tennis blades available, the hunt for the best ping pong paddle can be harder than it seems. That’s because not all blades are created the same, but to an individual who doesn’t necessarily have an extensive knowledge on rackets, it would be near impossible to tell the difference.
If you don’t want to fall into a bad purchase, and you want to make sure you’re getting one of the best ping pong paddles, then we’ve lined up everything you need to know right here.
The Anatomy of a Ping Pong Paddle
Minute differences in the silhouette and size of a paddle can make big changes in the way it performs. So understanding the anatomy and the different types of ping pong paddles should help you pinpoint which designs will work best to your advantage, and which ones will be best for your chosen playing style.
Blade
The blade is made up of several plies of wood glued tightly together. When it comes to the blade, the main consideration is thickness. Generally, thicker blades are meant for greater control and blocking. This makes them better choices for defensive players who want to neutralize spin and high speed hits.
Thinner blades on the other hand tend to have slightly more give to them. So when a ball bounces off a thin blade, it tends to go faster. Thin blades are also capable of imparting greater spin, making them ideal for offensive players.
Rubber
Rubber is the part of the paddle that you can see covering either side of the blade. This determines how it acts on the ball to impart spin and speed. Certain rubbers are better at controlling a ball, making them more suitable to users who want to accurately execute specific landings.
Users who want to experiment with offensive play styles find more freedom with thinner rubbers. That’s because thinner rubbers don’t neutralize spin and speed, and instead focus force from the center of the paddle to the ball for greater power. Alternately, thicker ones help dampen speed and force, so a fast oncoming ball can be easily toned down by using the thicker rubber on your paddle.
Handle
There are four main types of handle silhouettes on commercially sold rackets. These are straight, anatomical, flared, and penhold. These grip designs help determine how easily you’ll be able to keep the paddle in hand in game, and will also tell you how comfortable you might feel using them.
In a general sense, the flared handles are most preferred because they’re simple and efficient. The subtle A-line fits most palms perfectly, and prevents the paddle from flying out of your hand upon swinging. Straight handles are a second favorite, and are typically cheaper because they don’t require a lot of skillfull craftsmanship.
Anatomical handles are a bit fancy, and are hard to find the perfect fit for because not all hands fit their curves. But if you do manage to find an anatomical handle that works well for you, it might feel much more comfortable than any other handle design you’ll find.
Finally, pen hold handles are shorter and are typically straight. They cater to the penhold grip which benefits from handles that have reduced lengths so as not to dig into the user’s palm during play.
Features That Make a Good Racket
Replaceable Rubbers
Paddles with replaceable rubbers are often a much better investment than other choices. Of course, as you keep using your paddle, it’s more likely to wear down and lose its rubber’s original texture and thickness. Once it’s worn down, it changes the paddle’s performance, leading to poor control and unpredictable spin.
Changing the rubber regularly will help maintain your paddle’s original performance. What’s more, if you want to switch to a different playing style, all you need to do is change the rubber and you’ll have the best table tennis paddle for what you’re trying to achieve.
ITTF Accreditation
If you want to join a tournament, or if you want a paddle that really performs well, choosing one that’s ITTF accredited might be better for your needs. The International Table Tennis Federation is pretty strict with paddle measurements, and these are followed in order to level the playing field for all participants.
In this light, paddles designed to meet specific ITTF guidelines can make for a much more accurate playing experience that mimics the actual game. They also make it easier to understand different ball behaviors, letting you experiment with spin and speed to sharpen your skills.
Brands
Not all rackets are made the same, but you can tell if a paddle is a good one if it comes from a reputable brand. Companies that specialize in the manufacture of ping pong paddles aim to provide users with a seamless experience on the playing surface, so they don’t joke around when it comes to their designs.
Buying the best table tennis racket from a reputable brand also helps guarantee that you’ll have access to sound after sales support and part replacements for your racket in the future.
Choosing the Right Paddle for You
1. Know Your Grip - Understanding your grip will help you get a better idea of what you actually need in a paddle. From your grip, you’ll be able to determine your play style and consequently, the kind of paddle that will best suit your specific skill set.
2. Playing Level - Beginner, intermediate, or professional? At the start, you’ll find it easiest to work with a paddle that’s slow and defensive, but as you move along, it will become a lot easier to adapt an offensive play style. Different paddles cater to different levels of expertise. By choosing what matches your capabilities, you’ll find it easier to achieve what you want when the ball is in your court.
3. Budget - Some ping pong paddles can be pretty expensive, but that’s only because they’re also impressive investments. Don’t feel pressured into buying something that’s beyond your budget though as there are some choices that are affordable yet efficient. Set your designated price range and decide from there. Typically, paddles for recreational players are cheapest, while professional ping pong paddles can cost upwards of a hundred bucks.
The 5 Best Ping Pong Paddles
1. Killerspin JET200 Table Tennis Paddle
A stand-out winner on our list of the best paddles for ping pong is the Killerspin JET200 Table Tennis Paddle. Designed for professional play, this premium quality racket offers unmatched intensity, which has easily won it a reputation as the best table tennis racket for spin and speed.
Designed to comply with ITTF standards, this premium paddle boasts a 5-ply blade that’s exceptionally responsive and ideal for offensive play. On top of that, it also comes with a memory book that helps make each game more memorable. All of that for less than $30 USD, and it’s easy to see why the JET200 is such a popular choice.
2. STIGA Evolution Performance Level Table Tennis Racket
Light, efficient, and powerful, the STIGA Evolution Performance Level Table Tennis Racket is a testament to the brand’s long standing reputation as one of the best ping pong paddle and equipment manufacturers in the business. Able to impart unbelievable speed and spin while maintaining clear cut control on the ball, this racket is best for high flying players who want to go all out at the table.
Personally, we found that this STIGA racket really was a cut above the rest. But because it is so expensive at double the price of the JET200, it might not be such a practical choice for buyers that need to stay within a smaller budget. If you do have the money to spare though, it’s nothing short of a proud investment.
3. Sport Game Pro JT-700 Ping Pong Paddle
As the best table tennis racket for intermediate players, the JT-700 boasts a lot of great features that can help you transition into slightly more advanced play after coming from a beginner’s stance. The paddle has quite some speed to it, and it definitely does well in terms of imparting spin. Given these, it does lose a little more control, so users need to exert a little more effort into trying to prevent a ball’s erratic behavior. But that’s all part of transitioning to advanced play.
Lots of buyers appreciate the JT-700 for its fun colors and great performance. Recreational players who choose to step up and improve their skill often choose this paddle because it works well for learning players who want to explore new techniques and strategies.
4. KEVENZ Long Hand Ping Pong Paddle
The best ping pong paddle for beginners that we’ve come across during our search is none other than the KEVENZ Long Hand Ping Pong Paddle. Efficient, easy to control, and simple, this design is straightforward, doing away with the fancy bells and whistles that make other paddles hard to use and confusing.
It’s affordable and practical, especially for backyard players in search of something better than old paddles that have no science to them whatsoever. Despite being simple though, these rackets are a definite step up from typical cheap paddles that many of us tend to start out with when we first learn the ropes of ping pong.
5. JEBOR Advanced Training Ping Pong Paddle
Looking for a good set of paddles to go with your table, but not willing to spend that much? Check out this pick from JEBOR. With four premium paddles made from high quality wood and rubber, the design boasts impressive durability, speed, spin, and control, just right for both intermediate players and slightly more skilled recreational users.
What we like about the JEBOR set is that it’s affordable despite offering pretty solid quality and performance. So it definitely gives you your money’s worth and perhaps even more.
In Summary
A good ping pong paddle might usher you from garage player to professional real quick - so be sure you’re using the right one. Our bet for maximum returns on what you spend? The Killerspin JET200 Table Tennis Paddle which combines, power, control, and an affordable cost that makes it practical for anyone and everyone’s budget.
If you’re wondering if the JET200 is the only viable pick, the quick answer is no. It’s just one of the best ping pong paddles out there. Keep in mind that players’ needs vary, and what might suit one player might not suit you. With that, we encourage you to look through our list of recommendations to find the perfect paddle to meet your unique standards and preferences.