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Reviews of the Best Ping Pong Paddles
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If you’re looking for the best ping pong paddles, you’ve come to the right place. On this page you’ll find our rankings and recommendations, along with a review for each. We’ve got suggestions for every budget. You’ll even find 2-packs and 4-packs that are great if you just bought a table and need to equip your gameroom. And by the way, if you’re still looking for the right table, be sure to see our ratings of the best ping pong tables, best outdoor ping pong tables, best mini ping pong tables, best ping pong balls, best ping pong nets, and best ping pong robots.
Ping pong is probably my favorite game in the gameroom. As a kid I loved playing with my dad when we visited my grandparents who had a table in their basement. Now, I’m the father and I love playing with my own family and friends.
Before we get started with the rankings, I also want to mention that you will see some list as ping pong paddles and some listed as table tennis rackets. These are just two different names for the same thing. There is no difference, except that “ping pong” is often used as a recreational term, while “table tennis” is usually the name of choice for tournaments and more serious players. You may even see them referred to as a “bat” at times.
Reviews of the Best Ping Pong Paddles / Table Tennis Rackets
9. Abco Sport Table Tennis Set (4 paddles/rackets and 6 balls)
[Budget-friendly] If you’ve just purchased a ping pong table for your gameroom, you’ll also need some paddles and balls. Our first recommendation is a budget-friendly choice that is a good option for light home use. For a very low price you can get 4 paddles so you can play doubles. You’ll also get six balls with the pack.
The paddles are made with 5-ply blades with 5.6 mm thickness. The paddles are covered with soft and spongy rubber. The handle is flared style (wider at the bottom and narrower at the top), which is preferred by most players. The paddles are red and black, and the balls are orange and white.
These paddles are decent quality, but certainly not equal to the paddles rated high on our list. But for home use this is a great choice. You’ll probably want to have at least 4 paddles for your table, but unless you’re a serious player you probably don’t want to buy 4 expensive paddles. This pack is a great choice because of the price, and because it’s good quality considering the low price.
Pros:
- Great price.
- Includes 4 paddles and 6 balls.
- Decent quality for a budget option.
Cons:
- Not as high-quality as higher-priced options.
8. Duplex 6 Star Ping Pong Paddle
[Budget-friendly] This Duplex paddle is a great choice if you just need one paddle, and it is also budget friendly. This is a quality paddle / racket that is affordable even for those who aren’t working with a large budget.
The paddle features a weight-balanced design to give it better weight at the point of contact with the ball. It is also made with 7-ply wood blend and high-performance rubber that is up to ITTF standards.
Pros:
- Good price for a decent quality paddle.
- Weight-balanced design.
- 7-ply wood blade.
- High-performance rubber.
Cons:
- Only one paddle as compared to the 4-pack from Abco Sport.
- Decent quality, but not exceptional.
7. Killerspin JETSET 2
Killerspin is one of the most respected names in ping pong / table tennis. You’ll see a few of their higher-priced items ranked higher on this list, but this set of 2 paddles is a great choice that won’t break the budget. You’ll get 2 quality paddles and 3 balls for a very good price.
These paddles are made with a 1.5 inch inverted rubber surface that is great for having control over the ball, and also for spin. They are made with 5-ply wood and a blade thickness of 5.6 mm. The handles are flared for comfort and control.
Pros:
- Includes 2 paddles and 3 balls.
- Great price for Killerspin paddles / rackets.
- Good quality from a respected brand.
Cons:
- Not as high-quality as the higher-priced models.
6. Killerspin JETSET 4
Need 4 paddles instead of 2? The JETSET 4 is the same as the JETSET 2, but you’ll get 4 paddles and 6 balls. It’s similar to what you will get with in the Abco Sport set, except a little better quality and a higher price.
Pros:
- Includes 4 paddles and 6 balls.
- Great price for Killerspin paddles / rackets.
- Good quality from a respected brand.
Cons:
- Not as high-quality as the higher-priced models.
5. Killerspin JET200 Table Tennis Paddle
The JET200 from Killerspin is a good quality paddle at an affordable price, and it comes in a few different colors. It is made with Jet Basic rubber and flexible PVC tape to protect the side of the paddle / racket. The blade is made from 5-ply wood, and the handle uses a flared design.
It comes with a memory book that can be used to protect the paddle when it’s not being used. The memory book is also great for recording scores, collecting signatures, and writing down your memories.
Pros:
- Comes in different colors.
- Good quality, but still affordable.
- Respected brand.
- PVC tape to protect the sides.
- Comes with memory book / case.
Cons:
- Not as cheap as the budget options.
- Not as high-quality as the higher-rated tournament options.
4. Killerspin JetBlack Combo
The Killerspin JetBlack Combo is our preferred choice for intermediate play. If you’re serious enough about your game that you are willing to spend a little bit more on a paddle, but you don’t want to spring for one of the highest-rated options, this is an excellent choice.
The blade is ultralight and made from 5-ply wood, and black nitrx 4Z rubbers. You’ll have great precision and control, and you’ll appreciate the flared handle.
It also comes with a nice sleeve case that can hold 2 paddles and 4 balls.
Pros:
- Made with high-quality nitrx 4Z rubber.
- Excellent quality, but still affordable.
- Comes with a protective case.
Cons:
- Not a budget price.
- Not quite as high-quality as the higher-rated paddles.
3. STIGA Pro Carbon Table Tennis Racket
The STIGA Pro Carbon Table Tennis Racket can be purchased as a single paddle, or in a two-pack. Like the previous model from Killerspin, this is a quality paddle that is still within a reasonable budget, although it is getting more pricey.
It features a 7-Ply extra light blade, S5 rubber, and 2mm sponge. The rubber is ITTF approved, and tournament quality. The paddle is very well made and will allow you to have plenty of control, and it’s great for spin.
Pros:
- Available in a single pack or a pack of 2.
- Excellent quality, but still affordable.
- 7-ply extra light blade.
- ITTF-approved rubber.
Cons:
- Not a budget price.
- Not quite as high-quality as the higher-rated paddles.
2. Killerspin JET800 SPEED N1 Table Tennis Paddle
Now we’re taking a step up in price. Our 2 top-rated paddles are probably only going to interest the most serious and competitive players. If that is not you, go with one of the cheaper options as they will meet your needs and not break the bank.
The JET800 is a great paddle, as you would expect from a higher-priced model from Killerspin. It features a 7-ply wood blade and 2 carbon layers for the ultimate in performance. You’ll have plenty of control and power, and you can add spin easily. The nitrx 2.0 mm rubber is ITTF approved. Wooden side tape is also used to absorb energy and increase power.
This one also comes with the memory book from Killerspin.
Pros:
- 7-ply wood blade with 2 carbon layers.
- Nitrx 2.0mm rubber (ITTF approved).
- Wooden side tape.
- Comes with memory book / case.
- Tournament quality.
Cons:
- Price.
1. Butterfly Balsa Carbo X5-FL
Our top-rated ping pong paddle is the Butterfly Balsa Carbo X5-FL. It is made from carbon fiber reinforced plies that are better for speed and spin, as compared to wood. The carbon fiber also has a larger sweet spot than wood. It also features Tenergy 80 FX 2.1mm red and black rubber.
If you’re serious about table tennis and you don’t mind spending the money, you’ll love this racket / paddle.
Pros:
- Carbon fiber plies for better speed.
- Tenergy 80 FX 2.1mm rubber.
- Tournament quality.
Cons:
- Price.
- Does not come with a case.
How to Choose the Right Ping Pong Paddle for You
With a lot of options out there it can be confusing to know which one, or which pack, to buy. There are two major factors to consider:
What is Your Budget?
How much money are you willing to spend on a paddle / racket? This will probably correspond with how serious you are about the game. If it is just for recreational use in your home gameroom, we recommend going with one of the options we have rated 6-9. They’re affordable and will allow you to have plenty of fun playing with friends and family.
On the other hand, if you’re a serious player and you’re more flexible with your budget, one of the options rated 1-5 would be a good choice.
How Many Paddles Do You Need?
We’ve listed options that include a single paddle, 2 paddles, or 4 paddles. If you just bought a new ping pong table for your home or office, we recommend buying 4 paddles. With 4 paddles you’ll have enough to play doubles. Doubles is a great option for families or for entertaining at parties. If you only have two paddles you’ll probably wish you had 4, so we recommend getting a 4-pack, if possible. The Abco Sports and Killerspin 4-packs are great choices.
If you’re only looking for a single paddle for yourself for tournament play, of course, you can go with one of the options for an individual paddle. And if you already have a set and you’re just looking to replace one or two, that is all you would need to buy.
About the Author Alberto Restrepo
I live in Pennsylvania with my wife and four children. Time with family is very important to me, so I started Gameroom Vault to help others find fun ways to spend time with their families at home.