Regardless of how you want to call it – a racquet, bat, paddle or table tennis blade, having the best one makes a lot of difference between winning and losing. Table tennis is a highly competitive game that uses proper eye and hand coordination to win. As a beginner, you may be led to believe that the paddle is only a combination of wood and rubber. Believe us, there it is not.

There is a lot to factor in when buying the best table tennis paddle because you have to think about the shape, blade, rubber, grip and a lot more. Don’t worry, we are here to make things easy for you. Our article talks about some of the most important factors you need to have in mind when shopping for a paddle. Besides, we have also included some of the best models from top brands that work well for beginners like you.

Things you need to know as a beginner before choosing a table tennis paddle

As a beginner, you may be tempted to think that it doesn’t matter the paddle you have as long as you get your head in the game. There are a lot of things you need to have in mind. Before choosing a specific paddle, here are a few things you need to know.

Paddle structure The paddle is made from laminated hardwood with a textured rubber surface that helps apply precise movements when striking the ball. Many of these paddles have different textures to either side to help the players increase their capacity for ball return. One side of the paddle has a red rubberized covering while the other is covered in black. You’ll also notice that rubber composition of both sides is different so there may be an extra spin or less speed when you hit from either side. Hand Grip How you hold the paddle matters a lot when playing table tennis. A lot of players use the shakehand grip but there those who prefer the penhold grip. When shopping for a paddle, you want to select one with a handle that supports your preferred grip style. A short handle would be great if you prefer the penhold grip. It provides better flips and short games except the defense is a bit weaker. A long handle is great for the shakehand grip which provides more power and a variety of shot-making. Playstyle How do you play? As a beginner, it may be hard to understand your playstyle but after a few games, you’ll be able to tell whether you are an attacking player with powerful shots or a defensive player who uses placement and patience to beat opponents. If you are not sure, as a friend or your coach because understanding your playstyle equally helps you choose the right paddle suited for your game. All-around play involves a mix of both defensive and attacking style. You should, as a beginner, start with an all-around paddle to help you learn a variety of strokes in a controlled way. Blade This is the solid part of your paddle. It helps a lot in determining the power rating of the paddle. A lighter paddle is perfect for the attacking player while a heavier one with softer stuff works well for the defensive player. For those who prefer fast-paced games, then a blade with more than 5 layers of material works great. Rubber A softer rubber produces more spin so if you are playing a slow defensive game, then this will be great for you. If however, you play an attacking game, then you’ll have to settle with a firmer rubber. Sponge This is the layer between the blade and the rubber often rated as thin, medium and thin. A thick sponge results in a faster paddle but defensive players often prefer a paddle with a thinner sponge.

What to look for when buying the best table tennis paddle

When comparing paddles, you should pay close attention to the features we have covered above. Across the board though, here are a few things you need to have in mind:

Quality The most important aspect is quality. A good quality paddle assures you great improvements and good results. We advise you to avoid low-quality paddles as much as possible because you will need to replace them sooner than you imagine. Comfortable grip The correct design for your style definitely assures you a comfortable grip. It will not cause injuries to your hand so shop wisely. Price While we emphasize on quality, we still advise you to stick to your budget when shopping around. Of course, the expensive models pack some of the best features but as a beginner, we may not advise you to spend a lot of money on a table tennis paddle. On the other hand, though, remember that you get what you pay for so even when settling for a mid-range paddle, the best thing you can do is look at its quality. Recommendations If you are not sure about the paddle you want, we advise you to check and read online reviews to see what other people are saying about your preferred model. Ask your table tennis friends as well to see what works well for them.

Reputable seller

While focusing on quality, we advise you to look out for reputable sellers on the market. These are brands with years of experience and a large customer base. Read their reviews and feedback, they must be doing something right. Don’t settle for a model if the product seems too cheap to be true. Some of the reputable sellers we know include:

Killerspin Killerspin has been in existence since 2001. The brand boasts years of experience with a wide customer base since early 2001. The brand is always dedicated to creating cutting edge table tennis equipment all the while trying to develop strong relationships with their customers. The best part about the brand is that they engage with players through organized events and training. Their products may not fit the bill for budget-conscious people, but they are worth every dollar spent. Killerspin brand uses the latest technology to give you the best top-quality products on the market. Most of their products, including paddles outrank other models on the market. Butterfly Butterfly is a Japanese brand with over 60 years of experience so expect that their table tennis equipment will be outstanding and top quality. The brand blends professionalism and quality materials to produce high-end equipment for professional players. Expect to spend a few more extra dollars when buying their products. On the bright side, their products boast some of the best features on the market and their paddles are no exception. Beginner or a pro, you can always expect something from Butterfly that meets your needs. STIGA Another top brand we cannot overlook is Swedish very own STIGA. The company has a long history dating back to the 90s. But with this comes years of experience and even with changes in technology, their products still stand out from the rest. The best part about STIGA is that their table tennis equipment is reasonably priced and they always have something or everyone, beginners and pros alike. STIGA paddles could not make it in the top products without excellent features. Well aside from these, they also produce products like basketballs and skateboards so their customer base is surprisingly large.

Although this tennis paddle has been designed with the serious player in mind, it is professionally designed to help a beginner nurturer the talent. It features a superior construction that entails five layers of premium wood. These layers are sandwiched between layers of carbon fiber.

In addition, the Nitrx-4Z rubbers offer a unique grip for ball strikes and for heavy spins on serves. The ratings of this paddle are; Control 8; Spin 9; Power 9.5. This ensures an enhanced accuracy for every shot you make. As a bonus, it comes with a personalized memory book for easy recording of scores, signatures as well as personalized messages.

If you’re a hardcore table tennis player, you’ll be probably looking for the number one choice for killer spin play. New on the market, the Ping Pong Paddle SPGM Pro tennis paddle is classically designed to take your game to the next level. It boasts rubber construction with 2mm coating for incredibly fast ball speed.

Also, the high quality 5 ply pure wood handle fits well in your hands to avoid discomforts during the game. The excellent technical features combine with colorful designs to make it one a kind table tennis paddle.

Have you been devising dubious ways of improving the performance in table tennis? You need to embrace the amazing design of the Sportout table tennis paddle to take your game higher. Its construction differs from the ordinary bats in that it features hybrid construction. It features 9 plywood and 8 ply carbon.

This unique combination of materials offers enough solidness and perfect bounce needed for high scoring performance. Also, it boasts a unique rubber coating with a highly elastic inverted sponge. Due to this uniqueness, it delivers aggressive drives and perfect spins needed for scoring. Moreover, the flared handle design gives you a comfortable feeling and more power.

These ping pong paddles boast an ergonomic design. It features a curved handle design that gives you a comfortable hand feeling when making aggressive drives and crazy spins. It also boasts premium construction entailing five layers of AYOUS wood and Limba wood. Thus, it is perfectly balanced and always to ready to battle and helps you to emerge as a winner. The balanced wood layers add great control and soft feel required in the modern topspin tale tennis play. Also, the construction features high-end inverted rubber and 2mm quality sponge. This gives you what you need to rip the ball with extreme spin. Furthermore, each racquet comes with a beautiful custom made case for perfect storage of your weapon.

Are you ready to sharpen your table tennis skills? The Killerspin JET200 Table Tennis Paddle is all that you need. It boasts a thoughtful design that can transform recreational players into professional players. Well, it boasts superior construction with five layers of wood and Killerspin’s Jet Basic rubbers covering.

Besides, it features a flexible PVC tape which surrounds the rackets perimeter to offer protection. What’s more, it has a flared wood handle to deliver maximum comfort and exceptional command of the ball. Additionally, it includes a personalized memory book for recording scores, messages and signatures.

This table tennis racket is designed for beginners, intermediate and professionals. These 6-star rackets feature 5 ply blades and are only 5.6mm thick. It provides you with the edge when you’re playing loop strokes. For incredible spin and control, it features spongy inverted rubber of 1.5mm surface. The handle features a unique design as it is narrower at the top and wider at the bottom. This allows you to enjoy super comfortable grip and flexibility.

It is now easier than ever to master the spin. Featuring a spin rating of 93, the Idoraz PING PONG RACKET offers an impressive balance and spin while playing. The rubber coating on the paddle offers a good grip to put an amazing spin on the ball. In addition, to balance, this paddle is also great if you’re looking for speed.

It boasts a perfectly balanced frame and together with a speed rating of 99, it is no doubt a splendid choice for a recreational and professional player. It boasts a 2mm rubber coating and control rating of 90. This is a perfect solution for anyone who wants to shift to the next performance level.

This tennis racquet has so many differences from the ordinary paddles. It features a Hybrid Wood 5-ply Ayous wood construction. This gives it amazing robustness and bounces ensuring that you enjoy a powerful attacking and defending. It also features an elastic rubber consisting of highly elastic inverted sponge. This unique feature is responsible for terrific bounce, drive, and spin.

The handle features a sweat absorbing and flared design that provides a powerful and super-comfortable grip. In addition to the high-quality plywood, it uses sticky glues which ensure the rubber won’t detach from the wood. The glue used in this case in sticky nano-carbon. It is also elegantly designed to ensure you shine while making amazing scores.

Are you looking for the best tennis paddles? Butterfly 401 Table Tennis Racket Set is a perfect holiday gift for you. It is innovatively designed to give you perfect spin, speed, and control for the most competitive ping pong tournaments. Equipped with red and black Yuki 2.1 mm rubbers, it provides tackiness and speeds you would need to beat your opponent and become a winner.

It boasts a unique rounded flared design for a superior comfort and grip power. The handle is also elegantly colored to make it extremely stylish. In addition, it includes a carrying case for easy portability and storage of your racquet set.

This tennis paddle is designed to offer total intimidation to your opponents. Well, it looks agile and is solidly designed to ensure it withstands the toughest competitions or exercises. The blade features 5 wood layers encased in Killer spin’s Nitrx-4Z rubber. Also, there is a PVC tape which surrounds the paddle to protect its perimeter.

Also, it features a wooden handle which is flared to ensure superior grip and extreme comfort. In addition, the rubber coverings allow powerful spin shots. So, this is a great choice for anyone looking for speed and control.

The STIGA tennis racquet introduces the shock dispersion tube technology. It is a unique technology that applies a hi-tech composite rod that is integrated to handle and blade. This allows vibration energy created by the ball to be transferred through the tube and out handle in form of sound. This unique technology together with the special design gives an improved sped, control and speed. The STIGA Evolution tale tennis paddle boasts speed rating of 96, spin 94 and control rating of 90. It also features ITTF approved rubber making it ideal for tournament play.

At number two of this review, the Butterfly 603 Ping Pong Paddle adds something unique on top of the ordinary tennis paddle design. It is forged with the Wakaba 2.1mm rubber. So, it is an approved racquet for international tournaments. The rubber and spongy layers enhance a spongy feeling and are extra tacky for prolific speed and spin.

The flared design of the handle also plays a great role in enhancing control and balance. It also enhances a comfortable grip to give you hand the best feeling ever. Also included in the package is the Butterfly Logo Full Case which protects the racquet from harmful elements.

The STIGA Pro table tennis paddle is one of the best performance-level tennis racquets. It features a professional design and is ITTF Approved. So, it is a great choice for a tournament play. It features a premium plywood construction with special rubber coating. This helps you make powerful and accurate spins. In addition, it boasts carbon technology which delivers amazing power and speed.

As a round-up, it features 7-ply lightweight blade, 2mm sponge and S5 Rubber. The performance ratings also confirm that this is indeed one of the best tennis paddles for beginners. Well, the speed rating is 99, spin is 100 and control rating is 80. The construction also features a unique binding around the perimeter of the blade to ensure durability.

Final thoughts

It is easy to feel overwhelmed by all the options available on the market. On the bright side though, as a beginner, you only need to buy a basic paddle that offers good all-round control. You don’t want to go for a paddle that is neither too slow nor too fast. The best part about our article is that aside from letting you in on what to expect as a beginner, we have also listed some of the top products on the market so hopefully, it is easier to make a decision now.