Best Ping Pong Paddles: Reviews and Buyer’s Guide

Last updated on October 21st, 2020 at 02:35 am

As a starter, not everyone needs to have the top paddles on Earth. There are so many different paddles available on the market that opting for the cheapest paddles can seem the easiest solution, but this isn’t always for the best.

By the end of this article that the team of ReviewerTouch wrote, you will be able to decide for yourself which is the best set of ping pong paddles in the market for your specific needs.

Our extensive list of cheap ping pong paddles of this 2024 can help you decide where to spend your money. So keep reading and find the best ones for you!

Best ping pong paddles comparison table

Top 10 ping pong paddles reviews of 2024

STIGA Evolution Table Tennis Racket

STIGA is a company with a solid track record. With seventy years behind it, it began its journey making ping pong tables.

It’s just the one paddle, and you’re not paying peanuts for it either.

STIGA Performance Rating

These performance ratings are individual to each company. If the company has a limited range of products, these stats are not worth much. With a more extended range, you can start to understand how this particular paddle might feel.

Blade, Rubber, Grip and Weight

This paddle’s got a flared handle, although STIGA describes it as concave. It may look flash, but it’s just normal painted wood. The rubber’s inverted and ITTF-approved, as you’d expect from a price like this. It’s sticky rubber, so good for spinning. The colors being red and black mean it’s approved for tournament play.

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It’s quite light in comparison to some others on this list—although STIGA has rated the speed as high, it’s not. Be ready to have some more tactical games with this one. The spin’s good and the control is great. The one strange thing about this paddle is the lightweight tube in the handle, making the handle lighter than the rest of the paddle—it’s quite top heavy and can take some getting used to.

Construction and Durability

The one quite notable thing about this paddle is the sheer smell of it when it comes out of the packaging—we don’t know of any other paddle we’ve tested that’s reeked quite so much. This is due to STIGA not allowing the rubber to settle, just shoving it in the packaging straight out of the factory. The smell does dissipate, but it is quite a shock.

It should be noted that the rubbers can be replaced, should you want to do that. There’s also no cover. We also noticed that the paddle seems a bit flimsy, probably due to some quite questionable construction.

Final words

This one is strange. We’d expect better from STIGA—this paddle is a bit lacklustre in most areas. The spin and control are adequate, but it lacks in speed, so would be better suited to a defensive player.

Concerning the price, it is certainly not the ping pong paddles in this range. There are better paddles out there for half of the price. It seems with this paddle that you’re paying for the brand.

STIGA Pure Color Advance Table Tennis Racket

the same company as above, STIGA is reputed and experienced in making products for the table tennis market. This paddle is a single pack but does come in a range of funky colors.You may read Best ping pong table reviews.

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STIGA Performance Rating

With a more extended range, you can start to understand how this particular paddle might feel.

Blade, Rubber, Grip and Weight

Once again we’ve got another flared handle, which STIGA would rather describe as concave. It feels very nice in your hand. Interestingly enough, STIGA doesn’t describe this paddle’s inverted rubber as ITTF-approved. It’s not that sticky, so there’s not so much control or spin to be had here.

There’s not much power either. Despite saying that, it offers more control than a cheaper bat, and a certain amount of spin and power, so if you’re used to cheaper products it’s still an upgrade. Concerning the weight, it’s bottom heavy, so will take some getting used to. The colors of the rubber make it unsuitable for tournament play.

Construction and Durability

The basic construction isn’t great, and the rubber is catching our eye a little. After daily use for a few weeks, the rubber is quite easy to scratch and it is peeling at the edges. We not quite sure this one is going to last.

Final words

This is more of a beginner’s paddle than anything else, and you’re buying the brand and the color more than anything.

It doesn’t seem like it’s going to last very long.

STIGA Performance 4-Player Table Tennis Racket Set

We’re sticking with STIGA and its Swedish National Team quality equipment. We were somewhat disappointed by the last two paddles, so fingers crossed for this one, but it seems unlikely. It is a plethora of equipment, with four paddles and six balls for a very low price, so as more of a “family pack,” we’ve got to lower our expectations somewhat.

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STIGA Performance Rating

These performance ratings are individual to each company. If the company has a limited range of products, these stats are not worth much. With a more extended range, you can start to understand how this particular paddle might feel.

Blade, Rubber, Grip and Weight

These paddles boast flared (or concave, if you’re STIGA) handles that are a little short, and cut into your palm.

The inverted rubber isn’t ITTF-approved, and it’s not very thick, meaning there’s not a lot of power in these paddles, but the spin and control are fairly decent due to some stickiness in the rubber. These paddles also seem well-padded, strangely.

They’re light and manageable. The colors of the rubber mean it’s approved for tournament play.

Construction and Durability

These aren’t particularly strong, and breaking is inevitable when you’re looking at paddles for this price.

For this price, we don’t expect covers, and frankly, you probably don’t need one. But if you want to keep this paddles for a bit longer, by all means, get them.

Final words

We weren’t expecting very much from this product. With such a low price for four paddles and balls, we always had an inkling they weren’t exactly top quality, and they weren’t.

They’re a slight step up from the usual “family packs” of paddles so certainly worth a look at if you intend to make this kind of purchase, but otherwise, they’re probably not for you.

PASOL 7 Star Premium Ping Pong Paddle Professional Match Table Tennis Racket

You won’t find much about the company PASOL, who makes these paddles. With only two products listed on Amazon and no Wikipedia or company website, in fact, any source of information, it’s a difficult company to define. This product comes in a pack of two at a pretty reasonable price.

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PASOL Performance Rating

These performance ratings are individual to each company. If the company has a limited range of products, these stats are not worth much. With a more extended range, you can start to understand how this particular paddle might feel.

Blade, Rubber, Grip and Weight

The handle on this one is flared. The blade offers a great spin on the ball and good control while in play. It’s a flat rubber, so it makes for a great all-rounder paddle. However, the rubber is an unknown entity and not advertised as being ITTF-approved, so therein lies a question mark, and to be considered if that’s important to you.

Keep in mind, though, as it’s so sticky, it also acts as a dust magnet, so always put in it a case—even if you’re returning in a few minutes—else you’ll constantly be cleaning it. It’s a heavy paddle, so perfect if you’re a particularly aggressive player looking for faster shots. The color of the rubbers means it’s approved for any tournament play.

Construction and Durability

It seems well-made and fairly solid, and we reckon it’s going to last quite a while to come. The quality is fine, and as a bonus, it’s easy to clean, too.

Final words

This is a great all-rounder paddle for any level of player, and wouldn’t be out of place in an advanced player’s arsenal.

If you’re just looking for something to use casually, this paddle is a good bet. With its high spin, excellent control and good speed, the price tag is great for an all-rounder paddle that’ll do the job well, and last for a while to come.

Slyspin Rapture Table Tennis Racket Ping Pong Paddle

Slyspin is a company lacking in any entity. Its website’s very minimal—clearly put together in five minutes and left to rot. Slyspin only has one product on Amazon; this one. One paddle, but you’re paying double the price of the PASOL in the ping pong paddle reviews above.

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Slyspin Performance Rating

These performance ratings are individual to each company. If the company has a limited range of products, these stats are not worth much. With a more extended range, you can start to understand how this particular paddle might feel.

Blade, Rubber, Grip and Weight

The grip is flared, and the handle, despite looking like something more complex, is just painted smooth wood.

Slyspin makes no claims of ITTF-approved rubber, so we’re left shrugging our shoulders on that one, here. Slyspin describes it as “premium rubber,” but your guess is as good as ours as to what exactly constitutes “premium rubber.”

However, the inverted rubbers are of the right colors for tournament play, so you can take it into a professional tournament if you like, but somehow we imagine you wouldn’t be carrying this paddle if you were entering tournaments.

However, you won’t be breaking speed limits anytime soon—the speed is a little weak.

Construction and Durability

The construction of this paddle seems fairly solid. However, a quick examination was all it took us to determine the adhesive on the rubber around the edge of the paddle isn’t enough—with some use, or perhaps an overenthusiastic child, the rubber is probably going to peel off.

Final words

You’ll be upgrading your game with this paddle. A step up from the realm of the cheap and just one step down from the more expensive paddles,

It is a little heavy, and that heaviness doesn’t reasonably equate into power, but it’s a good all-rounder. However, it may not last if not looked after properly. It’s certainly not the top-rated ping pong paddle available for this price, however.

Palio Legend 2 Table Tennis Racket & Case

Again, there’s not much to be said concerning the credibility of Palio as a brand. Without much presence on the internet, this is another foray into the mostly unknown. The Palio Legend 2 Table Tennis Racket is the most expensive paddle so far.

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Palio Performance Rating

These performance ratings are individual to each company. If the company has a limited range of products, these stats are not worth much. With a more extended range, you can start to understand how this particular paddle might feel.

Blade, Rubber, Grip and Weight

This paddle has a flared grip. The inverted rubber is ITTF-approved, and Palio claims this rubber is hard, making it share “characteristics” of Chinese rubber. And let’s be honest, who wouldn’t want to play like the Chinese?

It’s fast, it’s got crazy spin from particularly sticky rubber, and it’s very fun to play with. It’s little heavy, but this is all transmuted into power. The colors of the rubbers mean it’s approved for use in tournament play, should you wish to take it with you (not that you would take this one).

Construction and Durability

The construction is fairly solid, however, after a while it’s starting to come apart a little. We fear for its future sustainability.

Final words

This paddle isn’t bad, but very unmanageable if you’re not used to advanced play.

However, a superglue investment might not go amiss if you want to keep this paddle for some time.

Killerspin JET600 Table Tennis Paddle

Killerspin is quite curious, seemingly posing itself as a lifestyle rather than a brand. It’s committed to “bringing people together” through table tennis, boasting one of its tables as the “most beautiful table tennis table ever made” and claim the personification of its brand would be Bruce Lee. It’s hosted the biggest ever table tennis events across the USA from beginner to Olympic level, some of these events becoming standard championships for professional players.

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Killerspin Performance Rating

These performance ratings are individual to each company. If the company has a limited range of products, these stats are not worth much. With a more extended range, you can start to understand how this particular paddle might feel.

Blade, Rubber, Grip and Weight

The grip is a flared handle. The rubber is ITTF-approved, and its stickiness is great for spin. If you’re used to lower-level products, this may take a bit of getting used to—but the result of a bit of practice is to your benefit. Once you’ve got it under control, this paddle is powerful. It’s got great speed, too.

If you’re used to the usual high-end paddles, this paddle isn’t particularly novel, but if you are just stepping up your game, then this paddle is going to seriously enhance your play. The colors of the rubber mean it’s approved for tournament play.

Construction and Durability

This is a very well-made product with a good build. We’re yet to cause it any severe abuse, but it’s going to last, we’re sure. There’s no cover, so get it separately.

Final words

This is a paddle that would suit the professional’s knockabout, and after a bit of practice to get used to it, it will give an amateur a huge step up.

If you’re a professional, it’s a nice casual paddle, but if you’re an amateur, this is a long term investment. It’s solid and durable and a pretty safe bet.

Killerspin JET200 Table Tennis Paddle

Sticking with Killerspin and its Bruce Lee-style company, bringing you a paddle that’s available in not one, but three colors.

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Killerspin Performance Rating

These performance ratings are individual to each company. If the company has a limited range of products, these stats are not worth much. With a more extended range, you can start to understand how this particular paddle might feel.

Blade, Rubber, Grip and Weight

With another flared handle that’s been painted to look flash, the Killerspin JET200’s inverted rubber claim to be “premium rubber,” so, therefore, it’s not ITTF-approved. You can buy this in tournament colors if you’d like to. The rubber’s very sticky, so seriously good for people wishing to work on their spin and control.

It’s also pretty hefty. Typically this would mean better power and speed, but the heaviness makes it quite a workout just to get the paddle up high for a slam. If you work with this paddle for a while, we imagine you’re probably going to have some serious muscle on one arm only.

Construction and Durability

A huge letdown, this paddle broke pretty quickly. The handle isn’t fixed properly, and the rubber isn’t glued down very well. You’ll probably find yourself investing in superglue to keep it going.

The paddle comes in a rather lovely box, but no cover. You’ll have to find that separately.

Final words

This paddle’s okay, but you’re liable to ‘grow out of it’ quite quickly if you’re a regular player. We’d also expect a lot more for quality from a brand such as Killerspin. This paddle is very much entry-level, so would suits beginners looking to have a taste of intermediate play.

It’ll give an amateur a taste of control and spin at least. Word of warning, don’t be lured by the idea of you holding a Killerspin paddle. This isn’t the cheap ping pong paddles in this price range on this list. The build quality leaves a lot to be desired.

Killerspin JET800 SPEED N1 Table Tennis Paddle

Sticking with the producers of the “most beautiful table tennis paddle ever made,” this paddle, just by its name, just sounds better than the previous two, doesn’t it? However, it’s quite pricey. Is it worth the price tag?

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Killerspin Performance Rating

These performance ratings are individual to each company. If the company has a limited range of products, these stats are not worth much. With a more extended range, you can start to understand how this particular paddle might feel.

Blade, Rubber, Grip and Weight

Another flared handle, and this time the inverted rubber is ITTF-approved, as well as the colors being approved for competition use. The rubber is very fast. If you put too much swing in your arm, you might find your shots flying off across the room.

It’s a good all-rounder. It’s quite heavy compared to some others on this list, and in play can be a bit tiring, but it’s otherwise well-balanced in weight. As the control, you may take some time to get used to the weight, too.

Construction and Durability

The general construction is excellent. However, the rubber isn’t taped properly around the edges and can start to peel after a couple of months of use, so if you’re looking at using this paddle for a while then make sure you get some to keep the rubber down.

The rubber’s also not up for much abuse, so you shouldn’t be throwing it around in anger. There’s no cover with this one, so make sure you invest.

Final words

This paddle is not designed for beginners; it’s more suited to higher levels of play.

Shots fly off of it, and you can create spin with ease, but as mentioned above, you may have to go a little further with some home repairs and enhancements with superglue and tape to make sure you’re still holding this paddle in a year’s time.

Killerspin JET500 Table Tennis Paddle

And finally, we’re staying with the ambitious Killerspin brand. So far it’s produced an amateur to intermediate transitional paddle and one for slightly more advanced players. This one is in the advanced range and is a single paddle.

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Killerspin Performance Rating

These performance ratings are individual to each company. If the company has a limited range of products, these stats are not worth much. With a more extended range, you can start to understand how this particular paddle might feel.

Blade, Rubber, Grip and Weight

Another flared handle (we’ve had nothing else). The inverted rubber on this one is ITTF-approved, as well as the colors, meaning you can take it into any tournament.

Additionally, the rubbers on each side have a varied thickness, with red having 2mm and the black having 1.8mm sponges respectively so that you will find a difference depending on the side you use (red would be more aggressive).

The blade is very thick, making the paddle top heavy and suitable for aggressive play, but that being said, it’s more of an all-rounder.

For anyone not used to this level of power in their paddle, control may take a little time, because even a light tap sends the ball into your neighbouring city. Be prepared to spend some time nurturing this ping pong equivalent of a caged lion.

Construction and Durability

The build quality is excellent, and its most definitely going to last as it feels very solid and dependable.

However, there’s no cover, so remember to pick one up to keep this paddle is pristine condition.

Final words

You’re going to have a lot of fun with this paddle. It’s not for beginners, as it’s the top ping pong paddle on this list for sheer power—it takes a bit of experience and skill to wrestle it under control. The build quality is excellent and is going to last for a long while. It’s not the perfect ping pong paddle, but it’s pretty close.

How to select the best table tennis rackets

Certainly, this ping pong paddle reviews is helping you to select best one, isn’t it?

Nothing is worse than investing in something simply to discover that it doesn’t match your need. You will certainly understand that the differences in resources and construction in paddles, could also make a difference in your game.

The types of ping pong paddles

When looking for a paddle, it’s important to remember that they have different names. They can also be known as rackets or bats. There are no official regulations on the size of the paddle either, only that the blade (the big, flat surface) must be rigid, flat and made with a minimum of 85 % natural wood.

You can buy them either pre-assembled or in parts, but if you’re just starting out as a player or are playing casually, a pre-assembled paddle will be your best and cheapest option. Every paddle also comes with a standardized rating system for speed, spin, and control, rated by the company against their other products.

What is your playing style?

When considering your purchase, you should also think about your playing style. Do you use the “pen hold” grip (holding the paddle as if it’s a pen) or an “open” grip (as if shaking hands with someone)? Knowing this will help you to decide which type of blade you should be using.

There is also the style of the handle — usually anatomic, flared or straight. Which handle you use is purely down to personal preference. The weight of the paddle is also a factor, and that ranges from 75-95 grams. If you’re a defensive player, you might prefer a lightweight paddle, an all-rounder might suit a mid-weight better, and an offensive player might like a heavier paddle more.

Color and Rubber type

Have you ever wondered why a paddle is a different color on each side? Simply put, you can have different types of rubber on each side of your paddle, and for a fair game, the colors indicate to your opponent which style of rubber you are using when you hit the ball—these are ITTF (International Table Tennis Federation) rules.

The ITTF also have a list of authorized rubbers to use. However, variations in types of rubbers normally only concern professional players.

Surface Type

An inverted surface is a great all-rounder and sufficient for a beginner, whereas pimpled surfaces are useful for refining your game. Short pimples are great for counter-hitting, while long pimples are more defensive. If you’re not planning on becoming a professional, an inverted surface will be fine for your needs.

There you have it, a list that contains the best table tennis paddles of the 2024, together with the top and cheap ping pong paddle reviews and buying guide. Are you an aggressive player? In that case, you might like the Killerspin JET 500, or the cheaper PASOL 7 Star Premium Ping Pong Paddle. Are you more of a defensive one? Then maybe you should be looking at the STIGA Evolution. Need to practice spins? Most of these paddles are going to upgrade your play in that respect if you’re used to cheaper paddles.

Just want speed? A lot of these will do that for you, as well. Are you a casual Sunday afternoon player? You’ll be wanting a durable paddle for a good price. Are you a reigning office champion? You’ll want performance and something to impress your co-workers that don’t blow the bank. Are you buying this for yourself? You’re probably looking at the performance stats. Are you buying for a family game? The STIGA Performance paddles would be right up your alley. Or maybe you’re buying specifically for a child you want to help get better? They might like the colors of the STIGA Pure Color Advance, which offers a chance for them to improve at the same time.

These are all questions you should be asking when you look at these paddles, and not aching over the price or the brand at first. If you’re a beginner, most of these paddles will up your game to notable degrees. Some work as a full-time paddle, and others as transitional. The rubber, the blade, the weight and the grip are as important as the durability, the brand, and the price, so look at every option available to you.

Sometimes, the durability won’t even be an issue for you if you only want a transitional paddle to more advanced play. Only you know what is going to be the perfect ping pong paddle for you, and making a saving on any future purchases, you need to research all your options and make the right decision that’s going to benefit you.

How did you find the information in this ping pong paddles review? Let us know in the comment section below!