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Last updated: August 03, 2023
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Fixing rubbers onto ping pong paddles is an essential maintenance hack that allows the device to impart the right speed and spin on table tennis balls during games. However, to get the correct output, you need to ensure you’re using the best table tennis glue for your budget.
Watch this video by our website expert Jim in which he mentions the top three glues he personally likes:
Our team tested different options and picked glues that are easy to apply, safe to use, ITTF approved, easy to remove, and keep the rubber in tip-top shape to feature on the list below. After all, these features keep you safe and dictate the condition of the paddles during games. This list could, therefore, be helpful if you’re looking to purchase ping pong glue.
Starting the list is Butterfly Free Chack Table Tennis Racket Glue which is available in three size configurations so you can work within your budget. This includes 37ml, 90ml, and 500ml options, which also means you can choose the size depending on how many rackets you have.
In addition to the three available sizes to match user needs and budgets, the Butterfly Free Chack Table Tennis Racket Glue also has other differentiators, such as the sponge and clip included for application.
Why did it make our list?
In our opinion, the glue is easy to use. It flows well onto the wooden part of the racket, and with the clip and sponge provided, it’s easy to spread. Additionally, the multiple size options cater to various budgets and can cater to whatever number of rackets you have.
What is not ideal about it?
First, we noticed it doesn’t dry quickly, meaning that a lot more time will be spent fastening the rubber surfaces on the paddles. Also, residual glue is tricky to remove and you, therefore, need more care in the application process.
The REvolution 3 Odorless Glue is an excellent pick for users who frequently change the rubber surfaces on their rackets due to the 500 ml volume of the pack. After all, you only need to use 10ml of the liquid to assemble each racket. Consequently, you can easily assemble 50 racks with this purchase.
This glue is for users who work with multiple racks, such as communal table tennis centers. Additionally, if you feel bothered by the smell of other glues, you’re going to appreciate the odorless-ness of this option.
What stands out?
We noticed no smell coming from the glue during the application, which is fairly unique and beneficial for those sensitive to odors. Additionally, there’s a sponge included with the purchase. Lastly, the pack size is enough for close to 50 rackets.
What cons did we manage to find?
While having enough glue for 50 rackets is beneficial, it won’t work for users who rarely use their racks or who don’t have many racks in their gaming setups. Also, with no clip for the sponge, the glue is bound to get on your hands during use.
JOOLA’s Table Tennis Rubber X-Glue is also one of the best ways to glue table tennis rubber to the racket. It caters to small and medium usage given the 37ml and 90ml bottle sizes. Also, the glue lives up to JOOLA’s stellar reputation.
The JOOLA Table Tennis Rubber X-Glue differentiates itself by being quick to dry, and if you don’t want to waste time fastening the rubber to the wooden paddles, this option is ideal. Also, it differentiates itself by living up to Joola’s reputation for quality.
Why did it make our list?
First, the two bottle sizes available give users more options to choose from depending on how they use the glue. Additionally, we noticed the glue dries reasonably fast, which is an asset if you’re in a rush to play a round or two.
What is not ideal about it?
First, there is no applicator included in the package, and you’ll therefore have to purchase a sponge or something similar, so you don’t have to use your fingers. Also, those who prefer larger glue bottles, such as the 500ml option, will have to look elsewhere.
As for the Butterfly Free Chack II Glue, it’s water-based and comes in 20ml or 100ml packages. Unlike the Butterfly Free Chack Table Tennis Racket Glue, there’s no sponge or clip included. That said, it is easy to apply once you buy these things separately.
The Butterfly Free Chack II, especially the 20ml option, is for users who want to save money on their purchase. It’s also great if it’s your first time using table tennis glue since you’ll likely have lots of excess adhesive to deal with.
What do we love it for?
In our opinion, a 20ml package is ideal for first-timers who want to try out the glue before buying a bigger pack. Of course, it’s priced affordably to match the bottle size as well. Additionally, it’s pretty easy to wipe off excess glue.
What were we disappointed with?
It might dry a little too fast, especially if you’re used to much slower drying brands of table tennis glue. As such, if you don’t spread it out on the racket fast enough, you’ll have to deal with the dry chunks before you can fasten the rubber.
The DHS AG01 No.15 Ping Pong Glue comes in a 50ml tube with a sponge brush included as well. The product is hazard-free, and you’ll note improved elasticity in your rackets with each consequent application. It’s also approved for use by the International Table Tennis Federation.
If you want to use table tennis glue that’s approved by the International Table Tennis Federation, DHS AG01 No.15 Ping Pong Glue is an excellent pick. Another key selling point is that it’s hazard-free.
What stands out?
Despite the small size of the package, the manufacturer still manages to include an applicator sponge in the package. We also liked that the glue is VOC-free, so you don’t need to worry about toxins and the resulting health defects during use.
What cons did we manage to find?
In our opinion, a larger variety regarding the pack size would cater better to different consumers. Also, for those who prefer American products, the fact that this glue is made by a Chinese DHS Technology Center & T.T Team may not sit well with them.
Apart from the editor’s choice, Andro Turbo Fix Glue is the only other purchase to include a clip tool for glue application. It’s a water-based glue and even incorporates multiple sponges in the purchase to allow for singular use where you don’t have to clean them afterward.
The inclusion of 10 sponges is one of the key differentiators for this glue purchase. Additionally, if you prefer not to touch the glue, the clip tool will make it possible, even if you don’t use gloves.
What do we love it for?
First, this glue, just like the REvolution 3 Odorless Glue, is VOC-free, so it should be harmless. We also liked the accessories included, especially regarding the multiple sponges. They allow for singular use and can be dumped immediately after since there are others in the package.
What were we disappointed with?
The fact that you can buy the Andro Turbo Fix Glue only in 50 ml packages is quite limiting for buyers. Also, while the extra sponges are an asset during use, they can present a problem during disposal as they leave a much larger carbon footprint than washable alternatives.
Things to Consider
Buying the wrong glue for attaching rubber to your table tennis racket blades can adversely affect your gameplay and even prevent you from using the rackets permanently. Some splinter the wood, while others are even harmful to your health.
Consequently, you need to approach the purchase armed with information to know which glues to avoid and which ones to pick. Fortunately, everything you need to know about table tennis glue is included below.
Types of Glue for Ping Pong Paddles
Notably, not every brand of table tennis glue you find in the market is supposed to be there. Some have already been banned by the International Table Tennis Federation due to their harmful effects on the user, even though they might be beneficial to your gameplay. Others are ITTF approved and completely safe, and we look into all these options below.
VOC Glue
The Minnesota Department of Health
Trusted SourceVolatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in Your Home - EH: Minnesota Department of HealthVolatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are a large group of chemicals that are found in many products we use to build and maintain our homes.
www.health.state.mn.us
describes VOCs or Volatile Organic Compounds as chemicals that release gases into the air, and in some cases, they increase the risk of health problems. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency,
Trusted SourceVolatile Organic Compounds' Impact on Indoor Air Quality | US EPAVolatile organic compounds (VOCs) are emitted as gases from certain solids or liquids. VOCs include a variety of chemicals, some of which may have short- and long-term adverse health effects.
www.epa.gov
VOCs can damage your liver and kidneys and even cause headaches and nausea.
Before 2007, some of these VOC glues were used to enhance the rackets’ performance. They were typically used to fix rubber surfaces onto table tennis paddles and would improve both speed and spin.
The ITTF banned the use of VOC glues in 2007, although the ban would only be enforced after September 1st, 2008. Consequently, players opted for other VOC-free enhancers as alternatives, some of which were later banned.
Speed Glue
Speed Glue was the first VOC-based glue to be banned in 2007 by the ITTF. As mentioned above, it enhanced speed and spin while playing but was considered toxic and therefore needed to be banned.
Booster Glue
As mentioned above, after VOC glues like speed glue were banned by the ITTF, players opted for alternatives such as booster glue. It doesn’t contain VOCs, but it has a similar effect of improving spin and speed. That said, it doesn’t perform as well as speed glue.
Nevertheless, the ITTF clarified that the ban on speed glue and other VOC-based glues would include even booster glue a few days before the ban came into effect.
Water-Based Glue
Notably, water-based glues like the Andro Turbo Fix Glue are the only options allowed by the ITTF. They are harmless to use and easy to deal with, but they come with some significant downsides. Notably, most wooden blades will easily absorb the moisture from the water-based glues, leading to expansion and contraction.
This can soften the surfaces, which will likely impact performance negatively, especially if you make frequent rubber changes to your paddles. Also, there’s a tendency for these glues to bond firmly with some wood varieties, which will ultimately make it near impossible to remove the rubbers.
Some of the glue may even remain on the blade after you’ve removed the rubber, which further complicates matters. Consequently, users typically spend a lot more time getting rid of the leftover glue before they can add new rubbers.
Users get around this by using water-resistant wooden blades or applying products that protect the wood before adding the adhesives.
Self-Adhesive Sheets
Another one of the best ways to glue table tennis rubber is to use self-adhesive sheets. As implied by the name, they’re like double-sided transparent tape where one side is attached to the blade while the other is attached to the rubber.
They’re safe to handle. However, once one part of the sheet touches another, it’s challenging to pry them apart.
How to Choose the Best Table Tennis Glue
Here’s how to choose the best table tennis glue.
Type
As shown above, there are five different types of table tennis glue, and often you can only pick one. VOC glues are still available in the market and can improve your game output almost immediately. However, they could be toxic, especially if you use them consistently. As such, it’s best to avoid them. Instead, you can use self-adhesive sheets or water-based glues without having to worry about your health.
Adhesion Quality and Viscosity
How well the glue adheres to the blade and the rubber is another quality to look into. If the adhesion quality is sufficient, you won’t have to worry about the rubber peeling off the blade mid-game. Another component of the adhesion quality is how easy it is to remove excess glue, as that can also cause problems during rubber replacement.
Next, check on the viscosity as it’s bound to affect the applicability of the glue. If the adhesive is too viscous, applying it to the blade becomes more challenging, and you’re likely to leave chunks of the glue on the wood. This will, in turn, negatively affect the rubber’s positioning, and you want to avoid that as well.
Size and Net Weight
Also, the size and net weight of the package should match your intended usage. For instance, if you’re buying for a community gym or game room where the paddles get consistent use, a larger pack is necessary for frequent rubber replacements. As such, the 500ml Butterfly Free Chack Table Tennis Racket Glue should be ideal. However, if you only use your paddles occasionally, a 20ml pack like the Butterfly Free Chack II Table Tennis Racket Glue is sufficient.
Price
Check the price as well as some table tennis glue brands can be quite expensive. You want to ensure you can afford the price tag before buying the glue.
How to Change Table Tennis Rubbers
Changing table tennis rubbers is a fairly simple process. You start by peeling off the existing rubbers before putting the new ones in place. Start with the rubber on the edges before proceeding to the rubber on both sides of the blade.
After that, ensure the blade surface is clean, and sometimes this may involve getting rid of some of the old glue. Use a clip and sponge to apply the glue to the blade’s surface, then leave it to dry. Do the same on the new rubber.
Once dry, put the rubber on the blade and get rid of the air pockets underneath the rubber surface. You can use a rolling pin covered in cling film or a similar tool to ensure the rubber is securely attached to the blade. After that, cut the rubber that extends past the blade. This should be repeated for the second side of the blade.
Also, the best table tennis glue for edges is the same as the glue you use for the blade surfaces. You can easily replace the rubber on the edges if you want to using the same process.
For the blade, you should only add one layer of glue. This is different for the rubber, depending on glue thickness. If the adhesive is thin, two layers may be necessary to secure the bond.
Next is the REvolution 3, which is odorless, toxin-free, and comes in a large pack. The JOOLA Table Tennis Rubber X-Glue is one of the best table tennis glues, especially due to the short drying time. That said, the other four glue alternatives listed are top-tier as well.
References
1.
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in Your Home - EH: Minnesota Department of Health
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are a large group of chemicals that are found in many products we use to build and maintain our homes.
Volatile Organic Compounds' Impact on Indoor Air Quality | US EPA
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are emitted as gases from certain solids or liquids. VOCs include a variety of chemicals, some of which may have short- and long-term adverse health effects.
How well the glue adheres to the blade and the rubber is another quality to look into. If the adhesion quality is sufficient, you won’t have to worry about the rubber peeling off the blade mid-game. Another component of the adhesion quality is how easy it is to remove excess glue, as that can also cause problems during rubber replacement.
