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Last updated: August 21, 2023
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Here’s an interesting fact you may not have known. Since 1998 ping pong has been an event in the Summer Olympics
Trusted SourceUnderstanding the importance of ping pong paddles in table tennis | The Sports DailyTable tennis is a sport that can be enjoyed with friends and family and is even played during the Olympics. It is a low-impact game that can be played by a person of any age.
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. Who would have ever thought that? Perhaps with the right paddle, you’ll be right up there with the best of the best.
See our top 3 favorites described in this short video if you have no time to read the full article:
We looked at multiple things during our review. The first thing was the three major components: rubber, blade, and handle. The rubber needs to last a while and won’t wear out in a few months. Most of the time, it should last at least a year. The next thing that we looked at was the blade. The shape, size, and weight all can determine how well you play the game so choose the one that best fits your needs. The final thing is the handgrip. You’ll need a grip that works with the way you hold the paddle. The majority of people hold the paddle in a way that’s called the handshake grip. However, some players prefer to use the penholder grip.
"We chose this as the best value because it’s economical plus is an excellent all around blade Its heavy enough to be powerful and yet has some give to it."
Yasaka Goiabao 5 was introduced in China in 2015. Now it is available in both the European and United States market. This great ping pong blade is specially crafted and best suited for fast attacks either close to the table or mid-distance. The word Goiabao means nice blade, and as you can see, it lives up to its name. It is made with a hard outer veneer and a reasonably thick banner in the middle. The outer layer is made fro Scandinavian pine. You’ll find this paddle similar to the YEO material-wise other than the outer layer is a bit thicker.
We were impressed at how solid the blade was. It’s something you’d expect from a 7-ply blade or a clipper but much easier to handle. It is the one we found to be the best defensive blade for table tennis. You use less strength to hit the ball with this model than previous ones, and it’s easier to control the plastic ball. It is stiffer than some models but not so stiff that it makes it difficult to use; in fact, we found it to be one of the easier ones.
Why are we impressed?
We liked the blocking and control of this blade, plus it has a much larger sweet spot than similar blades. It throws the ball at a medium to low angle and smashes well with a precise on/off speed. The backhand flips with this model were great for the thickness. The flat hit speed is excellent. This is an area many people struggle with, and we found it easier than with other blades.
What negatives must you be aware of?
It tends to be a bit more bouncy than we like. It may be too stiff for some places. The swing needs to be faster than with other blades with a bit more arc. Doing a slower swing doesn't land on the table as intended but tends to fall short on distance. There isn't much control on the high throws.
Interweaving carbon filters create ZL-Carbon with a high repulsive force. This is the first Butterfly tennis blade model made with Super ZL-Carbon. It has a high reaction speed, is lightweight, and has a better reaction time than other blades but also has expanded the reaction area. It features a blade thickness of 5.6, and the size of the blade is 157x152mm. It comes with two types of handles to choose from, so you can choose the grip that works best for you. This racket is preassembled, which some people like while others don’t.
We chose this ping pong blade model over the previous Butterfly Zhang Jike ZLC because it’s slightly heavier. You wouldn’t think that would make a difference, but it does when it comes to the amount of force you need in your swing. Another benefit is the larger head, and lastly, this one isn’t as thick as the ZL-Carbon model. While the previous model is impressive, the Butterfly Zhang Jike Super ZLC surpasses it in many areas.
Why is it special?
The ZL-Carbon material is impressive. The improvement in reaction speed makes a big difference. The Butterfly Zhang Super ZLC is consistent when it comes to the length and height of the bounce. The fault tolerance was greatly improved, and so was the defensive ability. The larger head helps improve the vicinity of commonly used hitting areas. The manufacturer is well known for its high-quality craftsmanship.
What are the flaws?
The hand area takes some getting used to. In the beginning, figuring out the best way to handle and control the tabletop tennis blade was difficult and took longer than expected. It wasn't easy to find the sweet spot. The short return serve was difficult and could be better. There's little to no flex in the handle, so if you like a more flexible one, this may not be the one for you.
Yasaka Sweeden Classic is one of the best defensive table tennis blades you can buy. The blade offers superb control, which makes it an excellent blade for players who like to mix up their styles near the table and topspin plays from short distances. These blades give you a feeling of control while ensuring that you can use both offensive and defensive tactics. This blade has been around for over 30 years and has earned an excellent reputation for being a great blade for any type of player, from beginner to highly experienced one.
We chose this ping pong blade because it works with all types of players. It can be used as an offensive blade with tense people but have a fine touch, although it is typically used as a defensive blade. It is excellent at blocking. It’s easy to hit combos, including back loopers. You have tremendous control over the paddle. It’s good at pushing and puts the ball where you want it. There are many blades in the Yasaka collection that are quite impressive.
What do we love it for?
In short distances, you can't beat this paddle. It's light, so you can move quickly without losing control. The size of the head makes blocking simple if you combine the size and the speed, it's almost impossible to miss the block. When comparing this model to similar models, we found that it had better speeds and more control. Another positive about this blade is the manufacture has been around for many years and has a good reputation.
What were we disappointed with?
Our biggest complaint is it seemed to splinter easily, so you probably want to add an extra layer of sealant. This blade is best for those who play closer to the table. If you get too far away, it loses speed and power. The FL needs to be a bit thicker, and the blade should be stronger because it feels a bit soft.
This blade is made of Arylate-Carbon (ALC) is used for some of the most popular Butterfly blades. These fibers help with spin-oriented touches with increased dwell time. It’s a softer type of material but more rigid. Timo Boll, the European Triple Champion, helped to design this new blade. Because it is so rigid, you won’t feel any resistance when you hit the ball, but your strokes will flow better. This blade is designed to be easy to control, especially near the table.
It was a tough choice between this blade than the earlier version. The Timo Boll offers more speed than the earlier one, yet he’s can still achieve those heavy topspin strokes he’s best known for. This is easily the best offensive tennis top blade we tested. This paddle has a large sweet spot and is a lot of fun to use. As a side note, this table blade is for advanced players because of how fast it is.
What are our favorite features?
It's easy to loop, solid, and at 86g, it's not too heavy. When you're near the table, it's easy to control for moves like blocking, chopping, and flicking. This is one of the best spinning rackets we've seen. The quality of the blade is impressive. The handles are comfortable.
What could be better?
it has a still blade and isn't as flexible as other blades. Because of this, you're to accelerate a bit faster instead of punching through. It has very little dwell time. There is no vibration feedback. You're going to want to have your technique.
This is the original Rossi Blade developed and used by the German National team Coach Jorge Rosskopf. It has carbon fiber veneers on top of the Ayous core, which enhances the sweet spot. The blade has a high trajectory rate, and the Hinoki outer veneers create more dwell. We believe that not only is this the best table blade for people on a budget, but it’s also one of the best table blades for beginners. Joola has always been for its high-quality professional blade lines.
JOOLA Rossi Emotion is our best all-around choice because of how it encompasses both speeds when you need it as well as excellent control. Blocking and ball placement is easy with this table blade. The handgrip is so comfortable it feels like an extension of your arm. It excels at spinner setups, and you have much more control over where your shots land than others in similar price ranges. This blade is excellent for both offensive and offensive style playing.
Why is it special?
We like the performance for how it blocks, hits and drives. The balance between driving and looping is excellent. It's very stable, and you consistently hit the ball where you aim it. It's exceptionally comfortable to play with a soft touch on thin contact shots. This blade works excellent for offensive style play when you need your topspin to be on the game, and if you prefer a more defensive approach, all you need to do is switch it up and bit, and you've got it. If you're a fan of looping, that's what this blade does best.
What are the flaws?
The weight can vary between 78-93g, so if you need something specific, you may want to let the company know before ordering it. While this table blade has reasonable control, it's not as good as some of the more expensive blades we tried. Sometimes it feels like it's going to slip out of your hand. If you come across this, you may want to wrap some tape around the handle. This blade gives very little vibration feedback.
Things to Consider
If you’re just someone that places ping pong occasionally in your basement, you’re probably not too concerned about the type of table blade you’re using. If you are more serious about your table tennis game, you probably want a good ping pong blade. Below you’ll find an outline of what you should look for when choosing the right blade for you.
Consider the type
There is one professional blade that is special for advanced players.
There are so many different types of ping pong blades on the market. You have ones such as
Performance
Precision
Premium
Professional
Progressive
And that’s just the start. Each of those categories has more types. So your first step is to decide which of the five you want above. Then continue narrowing it down from there. Once you read more of the review, you’ll understand how all of the components of the tabletop blade come together, and the choice will become much easier.
Consider its handle
Shakehand blades come in three basic shapes.
Anatomic has a shape like the flared one other than a bump in the center to fit the shape of your hand. If you have a bigger hand, this is the one for you.
Flared, this is the handle grip most people prefer. It’s thinner at the top, and it’s perfect for those who play with the forehand.
Straight this handle is best suitable for the backhand or defensive players who switch and flip paddles.
The shape of the handle is totally dependant on your preference. However, most people prefer the flared one.
Penhold blades only come with one type of handle, so you won’t need to worry about this if this is your grip type.
Features to consider
Play Style
All-around play style
Look for a wood blade with 5 ply blades with medium thickness with speeds around 6-8 and weighs between 80-85g. If you’re looking for the best blade for those with an all-around playstyle, check out the Yasaka Goiabao 5 or the JOOLA Rossi Emotion
Attack
If you are a player who has an attack playing style, look for a blade with pl 7+ medium thickness and weights roughly 90-95g. The best blade for the player who likes to attack is the Butterfly Zhang Jike Super ZLC or the Butterfly Timo Boll ALC.
Defense
A defensive player should choose slower blades that are thin so you’ll have more control. They should weigh around 75-80g. The best blade for this defense is the Yasaka Sweden Classic
Speed
The speed of the paddle is dependent on the rubber. The thicker the rubber is, the more speed it has, while thinner rubber has less speed.
People who are more aggressive players tend to want faster table tennis blades, while the more defensive players use slower blades.
Spin
The spin is similar to speed the thickness of the rubber determines how many spins you’ll have on the ball. The thicker the rubber, the more spin you’ll get.
Control
The design of the paddle is what gives you more or less control over the ball.
Typically the more speed and spin you have, the less control you’ll have. The opposite is true, too. The slower your paddle is, the more control you have. If you are a beginner, you should concentrate on having control over speed and spin.
Ply
Ply is simply the number of layers that are between the wood. Typically you’ll hear about layers between 5-7. Some companies include carbon fiber as a layer because they say it helps strengthen the blade. Aralyet is also something some companies use as a ply. The analyte is supposed to increase the size of the sweet spot and give the handle a softer feel.
Vibration
Vibration is more than something that feels annoying each time you hit the ball. It’s actually something that teaches you to be a better player. The higher the vibration, the more difficult it is to control. The better you are, the fewer vibrations you’ll feel.
Weight
The weight of the ping pong paddle matters because typically, the lighter it is, the faster it is. At the same time, the heavier paddles take more force. But also remember the amount of force used will make the ball travel farther and faster. You’ll want to try out different weights to see what works best for you.
Warranty
Most tabletop tennis blades come with a warranty, but it depends on your product and who you buy it from.
The warranty does not cover damages through improper usage, negligence, abuse, transportation damage, acts of nature, or accidents (including failure to follow the instructions supplied with the product).
If you want to make your own paddle, you’re going to need to do some research. You need to know that the blade must be at least 85%natural wood, and your rubbers can be no more than 2mm thick,
Trusted SourceWhat Is the Standard Dimensions and Size of Ping Pong Paddle?There are certain ping pong paddle regulations in the standard handbook regarding their size & dimension.
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including sponge and adhesive. These rules are strictly enforced.
The Blade – The blades are made up of several layers, typically between five and seven. It’s unlikely you can make your plywood, so you’ll have to stick with what you have.
Thin plywood works best if you want to control the ball and make trick shots. They are flexible and have a lot of giving.
Thick blades work for power players. If you want the ball to fly past your opponent, then you want thick wood.
The Rubbers – The rubbers are two separate pieces that glue onto the blade. They are all about transmitting energy from the swing to the ball. Rubber is what keeps your paddle lasting. If the rubber is too thin, the paddle will break quickly. The rules specify you need two different colors of rubbers: one red and one black.
The Pips – The pips are what give the rubber its rough texture. The rubber has a smooth side and a dimpled side. If you want a defensive game, you’ll want the pips out. If you are more aggressive, you’ll want them in.
Once you have everything ordered and ready to go now, you have to put it together. Since the rubber is new, you’ll probably have to use two layers of glue to get it to stick.
Pro tip: Only glue one side of the paddle at a time; otherwise, you’ll end up with a mess.
This depends on what type of player you are. If you are an aggressive player, you’re going to want something that is fast and can maneuver some intense spins. If you’re defensive, you want something lightweight and can flip easily.
Our verdict
We hope that this review has given you some idea of what to look for when looking for the best tabletop blade. There are so many different kinds and so many styles that choosing just one can seem impossible. If you go in blind, it can become so frustrating you just want to throw your hands up and go home.
It’s hard for us to determine which is the best tabletop tennis blade you should buy since we don’t know what style you’re looking for or what type of player you are. If you are a defensive player, you want good spin, whereas aggressive players need power.
We loved each of the blades we reviewed, but our favorite has to be the Yasaka Goiabao 5. It has everything you need in a paddle, plus it can be used for any style. Our second pick, Butterfly Zhang Jike Super ZLC, is also an excellent all-around blade. Like the Goiabao 5, it is lightweight and easy to handle with just the right speed.
References
1.
Understanding the importance of ping pong paddles in table tennis | The Sports Daily
Table tennis is a sport that can be enjoyed with friends and family and is even played during the Olympics. It is a low-impact game that can be played by a person of any age.
