The first thing to consider is how you will use your racket. There are a few questions you should ask yourself first:
- How often will you play?
- Will you learn the proper techniques?
- Are you playing to win?
A typical racket consists of a red
Many companies produce a line ofย pre-assembled rackets. These “ready-to-play” rackets are “you-can’t-go-wrong” combinations. They’re for players with an all-round style of play. They’re a good choice as a first racket before progressing to the custom-made models.
Table of Contents
How do I choose the best racket for me?
Where are you in these 3 types?
- REC:ย For the occasional recreational player.
- COMP:ย For the player who wants to improve and learn the proper techniques.
- PROF:ย For players who practice and actively participate in competitions.
Why do rackets differ in price?
Good rackets are composed of a better blade and rubbers. They produce more spin and speed. They are also more consistent.
Can you compare the classification system between companies? And what do the stars on the rackets mean?
Each company has its classification system. Therefore, you should not compare the number of stars between two different companies. As a general rule, the more stars, the better the racket.
| Company | Classification system |
| ย Stiga | ย 1* – 5* |
| ย Banda | ย 2* – 8* |
| ย Harvard | ย 1 – 10 |
| ย Sunflex | ย L – A – S |
| ย Donic | ย 1* – 5* |
Which handles is the best?
Choose the handle which feels the best. It’s your taste that counts. The flared handle is the most popular.
Penhold handle (PH)
This handle is for the penhold style. It is available only on specific blades. There is both a Chinese penhold (PHC) and a Japanese penhold (PHJ).
The Powergrip handle See Sunflex rackets.
The handles
How to Choose A Blade?
Blades are classified in (7) seven strategies. Analyze your style of play and determine your predominant strategy compared to others. Then, choose the blade that is ideal for you. See the Blades’ Table.
The strategies
DEF :ย For traditional backspin defense; defensive style – classical (to avoid your own mistakes) or modern (to provoke the opponent into making mistakes).
ALL-:ย For all-round players who emphasize control and consistency. Style centered on provoking errors with both attacks and blocks. Excellent ball control and placement.
ALL:ย For all-round players with both aggressive and defensive tendencies. Capable of producing most shots but emphasizes aggressive play when possible.
ALL+:ย For aggressive play with a minimum of risk-taking. Usually, the Allround + player takes the initiative in attack.
OFF-:ย Style centered on topspin with a spin variation. Precise and controlled offensive style, the key to winning for this player is in the spin and speed variations, not overpowering his opponent.
OFF:ย For the aggressive player who uses very powerful, quick, and spinny shots. Can win points both with spin and speed variations as well as with raw power.
OFF+:ย Style centered on winning the point as soon as possible with maximum speed, spin, and power. For the ultimate offensive player who is not afraid to take risks.
A few tips
- Choose the handle which feels the best. Only your taste counts: see handle types on the blades tips page.
- Keep in mind that your racket should suit your style, not the other way around! Choose equipment that will allow you to adapt your style depending on your opponent.
- Blades can last many years, but it’s a good idea to change as you improve.
- Weight is another factor to be considered. A lighter blade is usually preferred. However, lighter blades are usually more fragile. In any case, you must avoid hitting or dropping your racket.
Technical: The plies
Blades are composed of one or several plies. The number of plies does not determine the speed. It’s the composition, the placement of the plies, and how they are glued together which determine the blade’s characteristics.
Some Blade Recommendations
Killerspin Kido 7P Blade
This blade is built with 7-ply wood. It features a very large sweet spot with the use of premium wood. The design of the blade is set up to provide precision placement and feel. When you get into more competitive play, you want to feel the touch, and this blade certainly provides you with the feel and touch you need.
It comes with a straight wood with flared grip. You need to make sure that you are choosing the right one for you to play the game. This blade carries a weight of approximately 87g, and a thickness of 6.2mm. This blade is built for serious competitive play where speed is the primary concern for players. This blade definitely provides a great feel and touch overall. You are going to love this blade if you want great control and speed for your game.
Rating:
- Speed:90
- Control:84
- Play Style: ALL
- Weight:87g
- Wood Feel: Medium Hard
My View
I love the way it plays but mine cracked after one month of playing right where the handle meets the head.I did not bang against the table or drop the bat. Thus, I think this blade has bad quality control.
I play with the Tenergy 05
I also have a Donic Epox Offensive blade. Nonetheless, I have to say that I much prefer Kido 7P. It feels more solid and faster with a better feel of the ball. I feel that I control both equally well, but the KS is just a bit faster. Other than the quality of the blade, as for me, it’s the best blade that I have used so far.
The flared handle and the way this blade loop is impressive. All I can say next is WOW!
Adidas Hypertouch Blade
Adidas develop the Hypertouch blade to create a fast offensive carbon blade with a soft touch.
Getting the soft touch in the carbon blade is the difficult part because carbon makes the blade different. It is the reason Adidas developed RX carbon. It is the first Adidas blade that uses carbon RX, which is a mixture of black and red fibers. The red fiber provides a soft touch, while the black fiber provides more speed.
We found RX carbon more energy-efficient with a measurement device and provides more speed than usual fiber. If you get this Hypertouch, you will have more power in offensive release, and you will feel the difference and the soft touch for service and return.
It is a fast blade that offers a player more power for their playing stroke. At the same time, you can get the extra touch in the short game and your service. Thus, you are going to feel like you can take over in the shot.
Rating:
- Speed:97
- Control:93
- Play Style: OFF
- Weight:88g
- Wood Feel: Medium Hard
My View
This Adidas Hypertouch is an excellent looping blade with a soft touch. You can get great control and long dwell time. The blade is not so popular and a bit expensive, but it’s worth it. Sorry that Adidas is leaving the game.
The feeling is truly remarkable. In short play, it can give you a very natural, woody feel. The whole thing feels very stable and solid for a thin(ish) blade, and driving is robust. Looping is excellent, though – medium-high arc, brilliant feel, very controlled during aggressive play.
It has a touch of low-speed catapult/bounciness and a slight bit of flex. It’s still quite linear overall, and the characteristics suit the latest tensors well. If you use overly bouncy rubbers, it becomes a bit of a rocket ship. Calibra Sound, for example, would be a tricky setup on this.
Care is needed with blocking. It handles low-speed play well, but for more challenging, high-spin loops, the extra pace results in a more bouncy reaction. Active blocking helps to keep the ball down, but passive blocking can be difficult to judge the necessary bat angle. Not the best for a passive, pick-hit game at all.
The handle is chunky, and the quality is high, with no defects visible.
A perfect looping blade, with no significant compromises in other areas.
Cornilleau Hinotec Off Carbon Blade
HINOTEC OFF 3 words suffice to describe Hinotec OFF: power, sensation, and precision. Resolutely offensive, this blade is easy to control under all circumstances. Experienced players will appreciate the ability to choose from a range of rhythms. The most polyvalent player can boost their game as long as they are reasonable when choosing coverings.
The Hinotec Off Carbon racket is considered an extremely fast blade. It is ideal for you to attach soft high control rubbers (like Andro Hexer Power sponge) on it, and you get yourself an incredible racket to play the game of ping pong.
The racket acts very fast, especially when you are performing a smash. Players who play many loops and spins, putting soft
If you get this blade, you need to bear in mind that the soft part is only found on the surface layer while the blade is still carrying a stiff hardness. Thus, it is not recommended for you to attach a hard
Rating:
- Speed:88
- Control:75
- Play Style: OFF+
- Weight:85g
- Wood Feel: Medium Hard
Brief Review
I use this Cornilleau Hinotec off blade because I appreciate the lightweight feature this blade gives me. I use heavy rubbers, Tenergy 05 red for my forehand and Tenergy 64 black for my backhand.
Another reason that I bought this blade is because of its low price combined with good quality. When I was at my club and had to choose between this blade and Donic Ovtcharov off, I would think the Cornilleau Hinotec Off is more suitable for my playing style.
ย It is a very flexible blade that offers me decent control. The handle is excellent (I used the straight handle) to fill your grip, even for big palms like mine. The sweet spot is relatively smaller compared to other carbon boaters. It could be compensated by using the Butterfly Tenergy
Warren Davies
