We conducted hours of research for this roundup, evaluating ping pong paddles on their construction, durability, competitive advantages, and cost. We also took into account skill level and what types of players each paddle is suited for, from beginners to professionals: offensive, defensive, and all around. Our top pick, the Killerspin JET200, is suitable for all recreational players, durably constructed, priced affordably, and features top-notch spin and speed. Ahead, find the best ping pong paddles to help elevate your game. Coming out on top, the Killerspin JET200 has superior construction that’s easy enough for beginners to handle and is designed to take recreational players to the next level. The paddle is best suited to players who are aggressive and keen on speed, while still offering a fair amount of control. Whether you play table tennis at home, or are hitting the tournaments, Killerspin models live up to their name. The JET200 has a flared wooden handle that’s lightweight and easy to grip, allowing you to take an aggressive approach and go on the attack. The 5-layer wood blade construction provides balanced weight distribution while the adherent rubber offers even more extra power and spin. Beginners and intermediate players report that this construction helps improve gameplay, facilitating a reliable shot with each stroke. Added spin also makes serves harder to return, giving an aggressive player an opportunity to go on the offense with opponents. We love that this paddle can help improve the skill level of basic players with these added design features. As an added bonus, this product is packaged in a one-of-a-kind personalized storage case with scorecard diary to keep track of games, goals, and your progress. This feature makes the JET200 a thoughtful gift for both the table tennis aficionado, or avid gamer in your life. Price at time of publish: $37 This paddle features a high-tack rubber design for a combination of speed and spin. Find a layer of sponge backing beneath the rubber that can help you withstand harder strikes. Users also reported that this feature provides increased ball control. Keep in mind that some customers noted rubber peeling; however, you can replace the rubber several times over the years and this paddle will still be more affordable than other paddles of similar quality. Price at time of publish: $86 Price at time of publish: $80 Blade Composition: Wood | Rubber: Future inverted rubber and sponge | Dimensions: 11.22 x 6.42 x 1.14 inches | Weight: 0.35 pounds | Handle Type: Composite Price at time of publish: $44 As an extra incentive, customers report excellent customer service and prompt delivery of replacement items when using the included one-year replacement warranty. This is a great feature when shopping for sets with multi-player items. Price at time of publish: $50 The shorter handle of this model provides increased comfort during this style of play. Players also report extra control and more power as a result, due to this paddle’s solid weight. Price at time of publish: $67
Blade Materials
When it comes to the blade, the solid part of the paddle, the lighter, the better. For those who like a fast-paced game, a blade that incorporates carbon fiber or titanium carbon is ideal since they provide precision and speed. Defensive players may prefer an all-wood blade though, as those absorb some of the ball’s energy, slowing down the game. Wood blades also provide better spin and control.
Firm or Tacky Rubber
Rubbers are measured by two factors: firmness and tackiness. More tackiness equates to more spin, while a softer rubber generally produces more spin. If you’re ferocious with fact-paced games, you’ll want a more firm rubber. For slower, defensive games, opt for a soft, tacky rubber. In general, a thicker sponge provides more speed, and a thinner sponge allows for more control.
Handle Type
There are several types of ping pong handles, including straight, anatomic, flared, and penhold. Most likely you’ll be shopping between straight and flared handles. The most common type is a flared handle, which you’ll find on most low- to mid-priced paddles. These are suited to players who don’t switch their grips often and predominantly use their fronthand. If you change your grip often, you might be better suited to a straight handle, which is what most professional players use. Zeller notes that comfort is key, and advises players to stick to what they’re used to.
Why Trust The Spruce?
This article was written and researched by Jill Di Donato, a lifestyle writer, editor, and copywriter with over 15 years of experience writing for publications like Byrdie, HuffPost, and the Los Angeles Times. For this roundup, Di Donato considered dozens of ping pong paddles, carefully evaluating each model’s basic features, extras, and customer reviews. Additional input was provided by Carlos Zeller, president of the Broward Table Tennis Club.
