on October 20, 2017If you’re a beginner table tennis player, you might still want to upgrade your racket.
Cheap commercial rackets are usually made out of very low-quality materials, and in many cases, they’re not good enough even for beginner players.
Quality rackets won’t make you a better player, however, they can smoothen your learning curve and let you easily improve your skills.
I’m not telling you to go and spend a lot of money on the professional racket your favorite player uses (I know how badly you want to do this though).
Instead, you will be able to find paddles suitable for beginners or intermediate players at a very reasonable price.
What To Look Out For When Buying a New Racket
Looking for a new table tennis racket can be overwhelming, especially since there are so many brands and rackets available on the market. Also, online shopping doesn’t make things easier.
They all claim to be the best and that they can be used even at the professional level, but how to actually know which ones are good enough (or ideal) for you?
It’s important to pay attention to some factors, in order to know if the racket is worth it.
Factors you should pay attention to are:
- Brand
- Wood material
- Rubber sponge
- Rubbers
- Weight and Shape
- Price
Brand
A brand is something you should definitely look out for.
The most popular brands in the sport of table tennis are STIGA, Killerspin, Butterfly, Gambler, Palio, and many others.
Rackets from brands don’t have to be expensive at all. They have lineups of different rackets to suit different skill levels and playing styles. You can’t miss by going for one of these brands, yet it could definitely help you narrow your choices on such a large market.
Wood Material
The wood material is the second important thing to look out for.
The greatest paddles are made out of at least 85% wood, which makes the racket a little bit heavier, yet give it speed and control needed.
Go for at least a 5-ply wood blade, and if you aren’t on a tight budget, I highly recommend going for a 7-ply wood blade.
Nowadays, you could also find rackets with introduced carbon into its blade – which is something you shouldn’t be bothered about as a beginner.
Rubber Sponge
Rubber sponge is a sponge layer which goes in-between the wood and rubbers, and most beginners don’t even notice it at first.
The thicker the sponge is, the better it will absorb ball hits.
A thicker sponge might make the racket a little bit heavier, but it will give it more speed. On the other hand, a thin sponge will give the racket more sensitivity which will let you slow down the game a little bit and have better control.
It depends on your style whether you’d like to have a paddle that’s a bit more offensive or defensive. If you aren’t sure – there’s no pressure. I’d recommend you go for an all-around racket that fits both playing styles.
Rubbers
Rubbers can make or break the racket. They’re as important as wood material and the sponge though.
Rubber will define how the racket behaves, and which playing features it has. There are different rubber textures such as pimples, dimples, or waffling.
Rubbers with such textures will help the ball stick more briefly after the initial contact with a ball. If you are a player who uses spin a lot, “grippy” & sticky rubber will help you achieve better spin.
Killerspin is a great brand that produces fantastic spin rackets, as the name speaks for itself.
Weight and Shape
Weight and shape have an impact on the racket features and comfort. You don’t want too heavy or too light racket. But keep in mind that heavier rackets are good because they add more momentum to the ball which results in more speed.
Also, you want a racket with a good shape and handle for maximum control during the intense matches.
Price
The price will mostly be defined by your budget.
If you are on a tight budget, I’d recommend you save some more money if you can’t find the right racket for yourself.
Also, know your budget and don’t go overboard. The more you spend, the better the racket you will purchase – and that’s true.
Yet, keep in mind that there are some great rackets for an affordable and reasonable price as well. The last thing you want to do is burn out your pocket and leave no money for a new racket case.
Conclusion
Finding the right racket as a beginner might be a bit of a hassle, however, now you will know what exactly to look out for.
Take it slow, and if you still don’t know which racket is the right one for you – don’t panic.
There are a lot of different rackets and brands to choose from. Remember, brands have plenty of paddles in their lineup that are suitable for different skill levels and playing styles.
I hope you have found this post useful, and if you did – feel free to share it on social media.
What table tennis racket do you use?
Feel free to leave a comment and let’s discuss. Also, if you have any questions or need any kind of help, feel free to ask and I’ll be there to help you out!