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Table tennis or ping pong is definitely a healthy sport. It helps to train the dexterity and reaction of the players, while being suitable not only for professionals, but also for beginners.
However, a large selection of this product on the market can be confusing for a beginner. Various materials, markings and everything else – how not to get confused in them and at the same time choose the most suitable inventory for yourself?
Of course, read our rating of the best rackets in 2022. And it helped us to figure out all the characteristics Artem Samsonov, sales assistant at a sporting goods store.
Editor’s Choice
Donic Waldner 700
This racket with a five-ply base is suitable for all lovers of fast play. The use of wood as a material, as well as two-millimeter overlays, allows the player to control the movement of the ball, while providing him with a good rebound speed.
Another advantage of this model can be considered the development of the ideas of the STIGA company – by supplementing the design of the hollow handle with a cell with a load, the company allows the player to adjust the balance of the racket himself. That is, you can easily customize this model to suit your playing style, just by changing the position of the weight inside the handle.
Advantages and disadvantages
Top 9 rating according to KP
1. TORRES Profi 5
This racquet is the best choice for the professional all-rounder. 7 layers of wood at the base, allowing the player to constantly change tactics from defense to attack.
The 2 mm thick sponge will also allow the owner of TORRES Profi 5 to effectively influence the degree of torsion of the ball upon impact and its speed.
Advantages and disadvantages
2. Atemi 300
The most unusual position in our ranking is the Atemi 300 racket. At a fairly low price, it will definitely not impress you with the materials used for production. Based on Scandinavian plywood, this extremely mid-range XNUMX-ply model will surprise you with the level of control it gives you when you play.
Atemi 300 is designed for those who are just getting into the world of table tennis, so you can buy it to learn the basics of the game or give it to a child who decides to learn how to play table tennis. If you are a beginner and are looking for the most economical option for training rackets, then Atemi is what you need.
Advantages and disadvantages
3. Champion Tournament
A good option for both amateurs and professionals in table tennis. A mixture of African acacia and graphite fibers create the necessary rigidity and the perfect balance that will allow you to play comfortably both in defense and in attack, which is further facilitated by the small weight of the racket – only 175 grams.
The addition of graphite also creates a high sensitivity of the ball, which allows you to increase its speed, and the spin-speed pads make it possible to change the tactics of the party, alternately choosing between speed and complex rotation of the ball.
Advantages and disadvantages
4. XIOM 5.5S ZETA
Another model for amateur players is the XIOM 5.5S Zeta. Certified by the International Table Tennis Federation, this racket has been recognized as a good choice for anyone just starting out in the world of ping pong. Like the previous two participants in our rating, a regular tree was chosen to create the base of the XIOM 5.5S ZETA, effectively complemented by the Xiom Hyspin overlay.
Due to the use of a 1,3 mm sponge in the design of the racket, each stroke of the racket gives the ball extra acceleration, which can make the game more difficult for your opponent. Despite the weight of 200 grams, the handle of this model has been specially designed to make it easier for its owner to play, while reducing the load on his joints.
Advantages and disadvantages
5. Hawk ST12602 «Giant Dragon»
Another budget option that has good features and has been certified by the International Table Tennis Federation. But in this case, the Giant Dragon racket is designed not only for the amateur level of play, but is even allowed to be used in tournaments.
The special symmetrical honeycomb rubber used in the construction of the racket helps to give the ball extra spin, and the model itself has an international 6-star marking.
Advantages and disadvantages
6. Tour tournament
This racket belongs to the middle price segment, which is in no way reflected in its impressive characteristics. The seven-ply blade is more suitable for an attacking style of play, and the relatively light weight (only 190 grams) of the Torneo Tour allows its owner to easily carry out even the most complex attacks. With proper use of this model during the game, you can easily impose on the opponent the fast pace of the game, which is due to the hard base of the racket.
Advantages and disadvantages
7. STIGA Force WRB
Racket from the leading Swiss brand. Unlike the first two positions, the basis of the STIGA Force WRB is a seven-layer balsa and abachi veneer. This combination allows the player to carry out strong attacks and win thanks to the pressure of even the most serious opponent. The top five-star model is designed for a massive and flawless attack, toppling even the most difficult opponent.
At the same time, the weight of the racket itself is maximally reduced due to the hollow handle, which creates the perfect balance. It is also worth noting that this model was developed jointly with the Chinese table tennis team, so that even the smallest aspects of this game are taken into account in its design. The most profitable to reveal the potential of the racket will be a confident player with the makings of an attacker.
Advantages and disadvantages
8. Dobest BR01/2
A good model for the amateur level of play, but it is also quite suitable for table tennis professionals. The wooden base provides the necessary characteristics for normal play, while the presence of 2 mm thick rubbers ensures optimal spin of the ball, as well as the ability to perform various tricks during the game.
Advantages and disadvantages
9. Butterfly Viscaria FL + Tenergy 05
Butterfly Viscaria FL is the best choice for professional table tennis players. The small size of the handle – only 100x25x34 mm ensures its convenient location in the hand. And the combination of arylate and carbon composite materials in the racket, along with wood, endows it with such characteristics as the absence of vibration, high power and elasticity.
As a result, Butterly Viscaria FL with a blade size of 157×150 mm and a weight of only 90 grams is ideal for performing a variety of attacks, where the main emphasis is on rotation.
But it’s the Tenergy 05 rubbers that deliver the ultimate ball feel thanks to their High Tension technology and grippy surface. And it is the combination of Butterfly Viscaria FL and Tenergy 05 that allows you to most effectively give the ball a spin, using the whole variety of topsins (strokes from the bottom up) within the game.
Advantages and disadvantages
How to choose a table tennis racket
Table tennis rackets have a large number of characteristics, each of which determines the required level of player skill, possible game tactics and techniques, as well as many other equally significant points. Let us dwell on one of the most important of them – the classification of rackets according to the level of possession of the player and the materials used.
Proficiency levels
The skill level required by the player varies depending on the number of stars assigned to a particular missile. So five and four stars will be marked rackets for professionals, and one for beginners.
The best choice for someone who already knows how to play at a non-professional level within this classification is two or three stars. This marking means that non-professional players will be able to freely use any tactic or technique within the game. If you have been playing table tennis for at least one year, then this option is just right for you.
Base
Particular attention when choosing a racket should be given to the base, since it makes up 85% of the design of the racket.
The most common material for this part is wood, however, to increase the stiffness and elasticity, some manufacturers use other materials, including polymers or even pressed paper. The ratio of these materials affects how you feel during the game and how much you can influence the movement of the ball.
However, the number of layers in the base is much more important for the player’s tactics. So, if you are an experienced table tennis player and want to play defense, it is better to take a racket with 3-4 layers at the base, and if you are attacking, then a model with 3-5 layers will suit you.
The best option for beginners and those who like to constantly change tactics will be rackets from 5 layers at the base. And for the convenience of choice, each model has markings for tactics: defense (DEF), attack (OFF) and universal tactics (ALL).
A pen
The most convenient for use is an anatomical handle, adjusted to the characteristics of the hand. However, such rackets are more expensive than analogues, so here you should focus on the ratio of all characteristics.
A straight handle is more suitable for an advanced amateur – with it you can quickly change the working side, which will allow you to work equally effectively on both sides of the racket.
A concave handle is considered much more professional, designed for good racket control. However, with such a handle, as well as with a flared handle, it is extremely difficult to change grip and make quick turns during the game.
A rather rare option for sale, a compromise with respect to other types of handles, can be a conical shape of the handle.
Lining
An important enough thing for the course of the game is the presence of overlays. However, here it is worth focusing on the intended tactics of playing the game and focusing on the previously mentioned DEF, OFF and ALL labels.
Care
Each individual racket model requires specific personal care, which depends on its initial configuration. Here we will mention the basic rules on how to keep your instrument in good condition for a long time.
- Be sure to store your racket in a case because this will minimize any unintentional damage while carrying it. It is best to also use a protective film to cover the lining
- To avoid damage to the rubber surface of the base – try to avoid direct sunlight and, in general, any heat exposure on your racket.
- Gently wipe down the pad after each game. This rule does not apply only to the Antispin rubber brand.
- To maintain the integrity of the base, purchase an end tape that will help avoid the destruction of the racket blade and keep it in its original form for as long as possible.
- Regularly take care of your inventory, because the pleasure you get from a good game depends on it.