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Last updated: September 03, 2023

Stiga Raptor Review – a Detailed Look at the Pro Paddle

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By
Reviewed by
Reviewed by
Last updated: September 03, 2023
PingPongAcademy is reader-supported. We may earn a commission through products purchased using links on this page. Learn more about our process here
Ideal for:
  • Intermediate and advanced players
  • Players who want to increase their spin play
  • Players with good control in fast-paced play
Key features:
  • Unique blade built with carbon technology
  • Rubber provides elasticity and is ultra-lightweight
  • Concave and hollow handle with a firm grip
Editor's Rating
9.7
out of 10
  • Speed 9.8
  • Control 9.4
  • Spin 9.9
  • Durability 9.6
  • Overall 9.7
Users’ Rating
4.3
out of 5
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    4.3
    out of
    5
    114 Users’ Ratings
    • 5 stars
      43%
    • 4 stars
      42%
    • 3 stars
      13%
    • 2 stars
      2%
    • 1 stars
      0%
  • Add your rating:
PingPongAcademy is reader-supported. We may earn a commission through products purchased using links on this page. Learn more about our process here

Every experienced player knows that your skills and game depend on how good your paddle is. If you want to play better, then you would do well with the Stiga Raptor paddle. It’s a great option to up your win rate, and enjoys playing games better.

The world leader, Stiga, recently released the Stiga Raptor, and it’s already becoming increasingly popular among intermediate and advanced players. In this guide, we will be giving you the complete Stiga Raptor review. This review will explore the blade, handle, rubber, and other important features of the Raptor.

Specifications

Level
Performance
Playstyle
Offensive
ITTF Approved
Yes
Blade
7 Ply – 5 Real Wood, 2 Carbon
Rubber
STIGA’s S5
Handle
Concave Pro with WRB
Sponge
0.08 in. (2mm)
Grip Size
3.25 in.
Weight
7.58 oz.
Dimensions
10.43 x 6.1 x 1.57 in.

Stiga Raptor Review

Stiga is a reputable European brand that is known for its high-quality table tennis equipment. The brand has been around since 1944, with an impressive focus on its paddles. The Stiga Raptor is one of their best paddles and is approved by the ITTF Trusted Source Home of Table Tennis | International Table Tennis Federation Welcome to the home of the International Table Tennis Federation! The latest Table Tennis news and results can be found here on the official ITTF website. www.ittf.com for its great build.

The manufacturer gave the Raptor ratings of 99, 100, and 80 for speed, spin, and control. Thus, the paddles are made for speed and spin, all in a classy and attractive design. The paddle would feel great in the hands of a skilled and experienced player or an intermediate player. It’s also great for those who are good at playing tennis fast.

Now, we would look at the different aspects of the Stiga Raptor table tennis racket.

Construction

Stiga Raptor Review – a Detailed Look at the Pro Paddle

The Stiga Raptor paddle construction features an entirely new and improved blade and rubber combination designed to improve the playability and durability of the product.

There’s a lot to expect from the construction and build of the Stiga Raptor, with the overall weight of 7.8lbs while the blade weighs 1.2lbs, and dimensions of 10.43 x 6.1 x 1.57 in. The racket is made with two carbon layers which makes it feel light against your hold but also offers top speed and power.

There is a sponge layer-in between the rubbers and blade, which gives you more spin when you play. The construction makes it ideal for aggressive players. Since the ITTF has approved this paddle, it can also be used in official competitions and tournaments to increase your skills.

Blade

The Stiga Raptor features a 7-ply blade with five real balsa wood layers and two carbon layers. Balsa wood is popularly used in blade builds because they are known to be reliable. The blade also features carbon layers that cover the wood on each side.

The carbon layers on the blade reduce the vibration that is made when the racket comes in contact with the ball. It also expands the sweet spot of the Stiga Raptor, giving you consistency and precision when striking the ball.

With the carbon technology and unique build, the blade is ideal for offensive players and allows you to pace your shots properly. It’s not surprising that the Raptor is a high-class blade, as Stiga is well-known for its top quality.

Rubber

Stiga fitted the Raptor with the S5 rubber at both sides, which is made with ACS technology. The technology increases the elasticity while giving you an ultra-lightweight design, making it easy to play with speed without taking the control away from you. Overall, the S5 rubber makes it feel more professional and gives you an impressive spin.

As for the sponge thickness of the Raptor, it is set at 2mm, giving you even better speed. It enhances the spring and gives you the chance to make fast-paced shots, but it would make it a bit difficult to control. This is why the Raptor is better used by experienced players than beginners who usually lack control.

Handle

Stiga Raptor Review – a Detailed Look at the Pro Paddle

The Raptor handle is designed to provide the ultimate feel, grip, and control during play.

The handle is also an important feature to look at in this Stiga Raptor table tennis review, and you can expect a good balance between the lightweight and the handling. It features a concave or flared handle, which is quite hollow and gives a comfortable feel.

Because of the handle’s shape, the Raptor feels powerful each time you strike because most of the weight is focused on the face of the paddle. It also uses WRB technology, which stands for Weight Balance, Rate of Recovery, and Ball Sensitivity.

As an impressive handle, it offers comfort and balance, so you can enjoy increased precision and a good pace each time you strike the ball.

Materials & Design

The Stiga Raptor is made with different materials based on the part. The blade is made with balsa wood and carbon layers, offering you high quality, consistency, and reliability. As for the rubber, it is made with S5 rubber from Stiga, which provides speed and elasticity. The concave tennis handle adds to the design and gives you a decent grip as you hold it.

The overall design of the Raptor is unique and impressive, as all parts are combined to give you smooth, fast-paced play and are durable.

Price Tag

Since the Stiga Raptor table tennis racket is designed for professional use and has a good design, it’s not surprising that the paddle is quite expensive. But it offers more value for its price, which is an advantage. The price range is between $80 and $100, depending on where you purchase it.

Other Features

Stiga Raptor Review – a Detailed Look at the Pro Paddle

The Stiga Raptor tennis paddle features a carbon fiber shaft and a durable, high-quality graphite head.

The Stiga Raptor has an eye-catching design, which many customers have praised. There are a lot of positive reviews surrounding the paddle because of its sleek design and overall quality. It also gives you a good spin and high speed.

On the downside, the racket is a bit expensive and not convenient for beginners and basic-paddle users. It would require a lot of practice to use it properly, but you can benefit from Stiga’s focus on quality control.

Pros and Cons

Although the Stiga Raptor offers overall quality with different benefits, there are a few downsides that you might come across while you use it. Here is a comparison of the pros and cons.

Pros Cons
Paddle provides more spin and speed to knowledgeable players It isn’t ideal for beginners
The blade is made with carbon technology for a light feel It is a bit expensive
Balsa wood construction makes it durable and reliable It has a heavyweight
The S5 rubbers give the paddle a good grip and spin
Hollow, concave handle for a good balance
Sponge thickness in the rubber offers topspin play

Why Buy Stiga Raptor?

If you’re wondering whether you should buy the Stiga Raptor, you should first evaluate your current tennis-playing skills.

If you are very good at playing or have been playing for a long time, you can try out the Raptor and start practicing with it. It will also help if you check if it fits your practice and your playing style.

You should buy the Stiga Raptor if you want to up your skills Trusted Source The basic rules of tennis | Fitness | The Guardian What the lines on the court mean, how the scoring works, why McEnroe-style tantrums are a bad idea … Eleanor Preston introduces the basics of tennis. www.theguardian.com , spin, and speed as you play. Finally, you can increase your win rate with the new Raptor.

Conclusion

Based on our Stiga Raptor review, there’s no doubt that this is a top choice for advanced and experienced players. The paddle generates a lot of power, with a good combination of speed and spin. So, you can up your game with the Stiga Raptor.

From the carbon technology and balsa wood in the blade for durability to the unique handle for consistency and the rubber, which gives you a good spring each time you strike the ball, the Stiga Raptor has a lot to offer.

References

1.
Home of Table Tennis | International Table Tennis Federation
Welcome to the home of the International Table Tennis Federation! The latest Table Tennis news and results can be found here on the official ITTF website.
2.
The basic rules of tennis | Fitness | The Guardian
What the lines on the court mean, how the scoring works, why McEnroe-style tantrums are a bad idea … Eleanor Preston introduces the basics of tennis.
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