The paddles we use for ping pong come in various names, such as paddle, racket, bat, or racquet, which can be confusing. ITTF (International Table Tennis Federation) regulates table tennis games. According to the ITTF handbook, it is called a table tennis racket. There are a lot of terms in this guide, so it’s easy to get confused, but don’t worry!
Let us show you how to select the best ping pong paddle based on your playing style in this guide. Skip the science and jump right to the article by checking the table below.
Contents
Parts of a Ping Pong Paddle
The first step in choosing a ping pong paddle is to understand what one is and what components make it up.
The best ping pong racquet depends on your skill level and playing style, so you should learn the different parts that make up a racquet.
Blade
Paddles are primarily made up of blades. A small percentage of carbon fiber or compressed paper can also be added under ITTF regulations. Usually made of wood, it contains a small percentage of other fibrous materials. Table tennis blades manufactured to competition standards must consist of at least 85% wood, with additional materials not exceeding 7.5%.
As long as the blade is flat and rigid, ping pong paddles come in virtually any size and shape.
In most cases, blades are composed of five or more thin layers of wood or another substance. These paddles have mixed blades made of soft and hardwoods with composite materials, and they are most commonly found with 5-and 7-ply blades.
Carbon vs. Wood
Carbon and wood are different in that they are predictable. Natural materials, such as wood, are non-uniform. The quirks of a wood blade will take some time and practice to get used to, but over time you will become accustomed to them. Carbon fiber adds some predictability to the paddle, even though all blades must be at least 85% wood. When choosing a ping pong paddle, choose one with a blade made of carbon fiber. Carbon fiber provides
- Precision
- Uniform Bounce
- Stability
- Speed.
There are seven plies in the blade of the STIGA Carbon racket, five wood plies, and two carbon plies, increasing the rigidity of the bat and making it more powerful and faster.
However, a 100% wood blade offers the following benefits:
- Better Spin
- Better Control
The STIGA Evolution paddle has a 100% wood blade that is 6-ply thick, making it extremely lightweight at about 170 grams.
Handle
Ping pong paddle handles come in four main types, but we are discussing only three here. On a table tennis bat, a blade and handle are attached. There are no restrictions – it can be straight, anatomic, flared or penhold, covered or uncovered, short or long. In paddles, FL is pronounced “flared,” ST is pronounced “straight,” and AN is pronounced “anatomic.”. Which handle is right for you? Ping-pong players can learn a lot from other players’ experiences, but no right answer will work for everyone.
When to choose a Flared Handle
Generally, flared handles are longer than penhold handles and are more suitable for beginners. It keeps firmly in your hand because of the flared ends (compared to a straight handle). Low- and mid-priced paddles most commonly have this type of handle. A flared handle is also ideal for players who don’t often change grips and front-hand players.
When choosing a Straight Handle
Forehand shots are best taken with flared handles, but players with different grips should use straight handles. Do straight handles have a downside? You might have a harder time controlling it because it slips in your hand more easily. Most professional players use straight handles.
Table tennis paddles with straight handles are less common. Intermediate bats have straight or flared handles, like the Killerspin Kido 7P. In addition, customizing your own paddle gives you more options.
When to choose an Anatomic Handle
Have I just said it was difficult to find straight handles? Anatomic handles are much better than that! The purpose of anatomical handles is simple – they feel better in your hands. A player with a uniform grip benefits from anatomic handles, just as they would benefit from flared handles. Flared handles are far more common than straight ones, but there are a few differences between them.
Rubber
Blades must be evenly covered in rubber on the side that contacts the ball. There are two permitted types:
Ordinary pimpled rubber
A single layer of rubber that is neither cellular nor crystalline and has evenly distributed pimples (or pipets) of varying sizes and densities. There are two ways to face the pimples: toward the ball (so the pimples face the ball) or towards the sponge (see Sandwich rubber below). In addition to pip rubber, this term is also used.
Sandwich rubber
It consists of a thick outer layer of rubber cellular (sometimes called a sponge) covering an inner layer of ordinary pimpled rubber. For the ball to travel quickly, it has to have a sponge layer of rubber that is dense and thick.
Thicker sponge = A faster ball bounces off the bat (because it bounces off the bat faster).
Thinner sponge = A slower ball bounce gives you more time to react, giving you more control.
Faced Rubber
A table tennis blade can be coated with two different rubbers on either side or can keep its rubber coating the same on both sides. The ITTF logo should be visible on the rubber of any bat other than a budget bat. Due to the rubber’s compliance with ITTF competition standards, thickness won’t be a problem.
A final note: the rubber must have black and red sides. There’s more to this than just looking cool. To make it easier for your opponents to predict speed and spin, the ITTF added the color rule. Neither red nor a black has a clearly defined reason for their selection. Neither red nor a black has a clearly defined reason for their selection. Playing with black or red and green paddles is possible, but they will not be eligible for official competition.
Ping Pong Paddles: What to Look for?
Ping pong paddles can be selected by following the following tips:
Choosing the blade
Natural wood must make up at least 85% of the blade. A composite material like carbon fiber or glass can make up the rest of the blade. The sweet spot is more prominent with carbon blades, and the blade is more durable.
Beginners and recreational players can now choose blades and materials based on their speed rating. The faster the blade, the more control you have, and the slower the blade, the better offensive shots you’ll make.
Over 70: Despite its speed, it offers less control, so it is best suited for offensive players.
50–70: Suitable for beginners and recreational players, this range is an all-around option.
Defensive plays are best completed with slower blades since they provide more control.
Choosing the Sponge
1.2 mm to 2.5 mm is sandwiched between the blade and rubber.
In contrast, thick sponges produce more speed and less control, while thin sponges produce better control.
Ping pong paddles can still be purchased premade for recreational users since high-quality materials are being used to manufacture these. In the long run, a custom-made racket will be more cost-effective for improving your game since rubbers can be easily replaced as your skills pick up.
Selecting Rubber
Rubbers can be smooth, inverted, or sticky and cover both sides of the paddle surface or blade. A high speed, powerful stroke, and forceful spin make these rubbers the most preferred for offensive plays.
The pimples on the rubber surface allow players to shoot faster and more directly while reversing the opponent’s spin, making defensive play easier. An anti-spin rubber is ideal for reversing an opponent’s spins when playing defensively. In competitive play, long pips and anti-spin are combined to improve game control.
Grip Tape
The grip on the racket’s handle is also beneficial to players who wish to have better control over their racket. The handle grip is typically added to the paddle rather than included with the racket. In table tennis, it’s called grip tape.
Glue
is used to attach the rubber to the blade in table tennis. An ITTF ban in 2009 prohibited the use of speed glue by professionals before matches to increase the elasticity of their rackets (not just super glue or craft glue). Only certain types of glue are used in ping pong (not just super glue or craft glue).
Side Tape
The final part of a ping pong paddle is the side tape, or edge tape, that seals the edges of the rubber and covers the edge of the blade. A blade’s thickness will be determined by how thick the rubber is and how thick the blade is. The weight of the bat can be increased by using power tape.
Customizing your paddle
The exact specifications of your game can be customized for ping pong rackets. Ultimately, you’ll gain something unique to your playing style, but it will cost more money and take more time.
Blades, rubber (2-faced if you like), handles, grips, glue, and side tape will need to be sourced separately. A racket can be customized to your specifications and take your play to new heights. Those who are at the competition level should consider custom paddles.
The Paddle Palace offers more choices than Amazon, where you can buy individual paddle components. If you’re brand new to table tennis, a beginner’s paddle might be better than a custom paddle.
Things to Check While Buying the Best Ping Pong Paddles
Which Grip Do You Use?
Most table tennis paddles were designed to accommodate the ping pong grip or shake hand grip because it is the most popular grip today. The penhold grip, however, is commonly used by far eastern players. In the game, the paddle handle is gripped like a pen, as suggested by its name. Because penhold players tend to be fast and avoid hitting backhands, it is not uncommon for one side of the paddle to be covered with rubber.
The best ping pong paddles for you are those that accommodate shakehand grips unless you have studied under an Eastern coach who uses the penhold grip.
What is your level of Play?
Those who are just getting started or are hobbyists should choose less expensive ping pong paddles. You can find high-quality products for less than $50 if you deal with a reputable company. Pre Assembled paddles will be provided.
A paddle designed for professionals or tournament players will naturally require more. Assembling the paddle involves buying the blade and rubber separately and assembling them.
Are You Planning To Play In Tournaments?
You should learn the ping pong paddle rules when playing in a tournament. General size and weight restrictions do not apply. Shakehand paddles typically have a rough surface on the inside and a smooth surface on the outside and are covered with rubber. This is merely a preference, not a rule.
There must be a red and black side to a tournament paddle. As well, nothing but wood can be touched by rubber. Carbon or arylate layers in blades should be thin and omit contact with the rubber, especially if they are in the middle. Disqualification from the tournament may result.
A table tennis dealer’s website is the best place to purchase ping pong paddles for tournament play. All bets are off if you haven’t played in a tournament with your racket, so you can get whatever paddle you like.
Choosing the best ping pong paddle may be challenging if you’re quite new to the sport. A good paddle should cost no more than $50 for an amateur; that way, they can enjoy hours of fun for a reasonable price. For example, ping pong paddles cost several hundred dollars for a professional player with the best equipment.
Final Verdict
To ensure your game has the right support, you should use the right ping pong paddles. You can learn more about ping pong supplies and rackets by contacting us below. My team can guide properly. Thank You!
Frequently Asked Questions
The side with the different colors on a ping pong paddle generally has a competitive advantage over the side with less color. Spin will likely be more possible on the black than on the red side. Players can flip their paddles if they wish to return the ball in a specific way.
Hard paddles are faster and more powerful than soft paddles and can provide a better feel for controlling the ball. The rubber and blade play a role in terms of overall hardness. Hard rubber offers more spin capabilities but is easier to use than soft rubber. Performance is better with hard blades, but the feel is poorer.
It is important to distinguish between different rubber opponents use with the help of some regulations. A player can see what side of the paddle is hitting the ball during play if one side is red, blue, violet, pink, or green, while the other is black.