You’ll need the best ping pong paddle for beginners that enables you to build spin skills and other crucial basic techniques. For new players, a table tennis racket that comes with a blade and rubber pre-attached is the right choice.
The good news is there is quite a great number of premade paddles that will meet all your needs and playing style. All you need to do is figure out your style and determine what feels good to you the most.
Contents
- In-depth Reviews Of Top 10 Best Ping Pong Paddle For Beginners
- #1 STIGA Pro Carbon Table Tennis Racket – Best Value
- #2 Butterfly 401 Table Tennis Racket Set – Best Overall
- #3 STIGA Titan Table Tennis Racket – Best Upgrade
- #4 Killerspin Ping Pong Paddle – Best Control
- #5 STIGA Evolution Table Tennis Paddle – Best For Advanced Beginners
- #6 Palio Expert 2 Table Tennis Bat – Superb Spin
- #7 STIGA Raptor Ping Pong Racket – Best For Craftsmanship
- #8 AirBlades Ping Pong Paddle – Best For Handle Design
- #9 Sportout Sriver-He Rubber Table Tennis Paddle – Best Budget
- #10 Palio Expert 3.0 Table Tennis Racket – Best For Defensive Style Of Play
- Buying Guide – How to choose for Best Ping Pong Paddle For Beginners
- Frequently Asked Questions
- What Is The Difference Between A Straight And A Flared Handle For A Table Tennis Paddle?
- Which Is A Good Rubber For Beginner Table Tennis Players?
- Why Are Ping Pong Paddles Black And Red?
- Which Table Tennis Blade Is The Best For Beginners?
- What Ping Pong Paddle Should I Get?
- What Type Of Table Tennis Paddle Grip Is Best For Beginners?
- Conclusion
In-depth Reviews Of Top 10 Best Ping Pong Paddle For Beginners
Related:
How To Clean A Ping Pong Paddle – Detailed Instruction
How To Clean A Ping Pong Table – A Foolproof Guide
Stiga Pro Carbon Review – The Max-speedy Paddle
We’ve handpicked some of the most dependable paddles that you can use to improve the basic techniques as a new player. Let’s dive right into it!
#1 STIGA Pro Carbon Table Tennis Racket – Best Value
STIGA is one of the leading manufacturers of commercial-grade table tennis equipment. The brand has made several quality tennis tables and paddles, and this STIGA Pro Carbon is a fine example.
This STIGA paddle offers a striking combination between high-grade materials and advanced technologies. The ProCarbon technology lets you handle the game with ultimate power and spin, coming close to a professional-level racket.
The rubbers are ITTF-certified, which can generate impressive speed (99), spin (100), and decent control (80). It allows you to learn the proper techniques and spin strokes.
Additionally, the 7-ply blade creates an extremely tough yet lightweight paddle. We would say that the weight of this paddle is ideal for those wishing to develop an offensive playing style.
Like many premade paddles, the rubber loses its tackiness after a decent amount of time. You can replace it and keep the blade, though. Apart from this drawback, this pick is still a great choice for its superior performance that lets you make great strides in the game.
Pros
- Ideal for tournaments and competitions
- Solid construction
- Provides great control
- Impressive power output
Con
- Rubber degrades over time
#2 Butterfly 401 Table Tennis Racket Set – Best Overall
Butterfly table tennis rackets are the go-to option for professional table tennis players across the globe. For beginners looking to enhance their spinning skills, this butterfly 401 comes through.
This paddle comes at the price point that most people are willing to pay, and we like the good craftsmanship. It also comes with a case to protect your paddle when not in use.
We like the fact that the manufacturer used red and black Yuki 2.2-mm rubber for the paddle. The material is tackier, providing users with better spin and user control. For this reason, the paddle well suits those with a defensive style of play.
This tennis racket comes with a rounded flared handle in terms of comfort, so you won’t easily lose your grip during the game. The shake hand will easily grab your attention as it is styled with grey, blue and red, adding a cool touch to the unit itself.
Speed is the only aspect that this paddle comes short of our expectations. For those looking for a decent amount of spin and control and who do not mind putting in some work to generate speed for their smashes, this paddle is a great choice.
Pros
- Fair price
- Tacky rubber
- A good amount of spin and user control
- Included zip-up case
Cons
- Lacks of speed
- The rubber quickly gathers dust
#3 STIGA Titan Table Tennis Racket – Best Upgrade
Looking for an upgrade from the basic paddle you start with? Then this STIGA ping pong paddle sounds like a good idea.
Despite not being as good as the Pro Carbon, it still makes a great paddle for the price. Also, players who want to make a great stride grab a better paddle, and they only come to realize that the jump in speed is hard to control.
The speed rating of this pick is only 80, so it’s not a large jump and will be easier to control, especially for those still learning the game.
The paddle is lightweight and feels comfortable in hand. The 5-ply concave Italian composite handle and the 2-mm sponge make a decent paddle.
However, the tacky rubber will require regular cleanup as it easily picks up dust after a few matches. Besides this quibble, the durability of this paddle is quite impressive. The paddle is consistent and provides the quality players need to grow as a starter and only lose some tackiness over a decent amount of time.
Pros
- Affordable
- Lightweight
- Decent speed for starters
- Impressive lifespan
Con
- Needs frequent cleaning
#4 Killerspin Ping Pong Paddle – Best Control
Control is one of the crucial skills to develop in ping pong in the early stage. This Killerspin helps new players do just that with a high level of control and lower speed.
The manufacturer keeps it simple by using a five-layer, wooden building for this paddle. Also, the padding comes with flexible PVC tape for better protection.
As this paddle focuses on control, not speed, the rubber also comes with a minimalist design. After all, the ultimate goal of the overall construction is to help novice and less-experienced tennis players learn the game and boost their confidence and enhanced control.
We love that this racket seems to have many sweet spots, which help players encounter any spin and deliver a safer return over the net.
Our first impression is that the paddle is slightly heavy, so it takes some time to get used to the weight. Additionally, this recreation-level construction is not ITTF approved. In fact, the speed and spin limit this pick for competitive players.
Pros
- Great control for adopting the basic techniques
- Flared handle for comfortable grip
- Durable
- Exceptional quality for its price
Cons
- Not ITTF certified
- Slightly heavy
#5 STIGA Evolution Table Tennis Paddle – Best For Advanced Beginners
With the higher ratings (speed 96, spin 94, and control 90), this STIGA ITTF-certified table tennis is made for more advanced starters. This rack comes along with an interesting technology called Shock Dispersion Tube (SDT) to our pleasant surprise.
It introduces a cutting-edge composite rod into the blade and handles, converting the vibration and impact with the ball into sound energy. The final result is the improved speed, control, and spin that fit for advanced games.
It comes with a six-ply wooden blade, which adds not much to the weight while still providing the power that advanced starters and intermediate users need.
Better still, the 2mm-thick sponge on either side gives players the right feel and lets the ball ping off the racket’s face within the player’s control. That’s why the control rating stands at 90.
The premium rubber, which is certified by the ITTF, is impressively soft compared to the STIGA Pro Carbon.
We love the fact that the manufacturer uses crystal technology to tighten the bonds between fibers. The improved fiber connection, in turn, offers players a greater deal of control over the ball.
Unfortunately, one minor quibble that we found is the handle’s edges are uncomfortable to hold for long sessions.
Pros
- High speed, control, and spin ratings
- Flared handle
- It can be used in tournaments and competitive matches
Con
- The handle should be sanded for improved comfort
#6 Palio Expert 2 Table Tennis Bat – Superb Spin
Palio Expert 2 is one of those great paddles for new and intermediate players alike. It provides good spin and control at lower speeds, making it a great tool for working on new strokes and techniques. You will be likely to notice improvements in switching to this paddle.
The CJ8000 rubbers are sufficiently quick and sticky to pull off the higher spin technique. With this paddle, you can perform spinny serves, backspin pushes, and some great topspin shots. Give it a few months of play, and you’ll see where you are at.
Palio Expert 2 is a collaboration between Expert Table Tennis and Palio, with the redesigned construction to boost the feel and quality.
Additionally, the flared handle gives you ultimate control and a comfortable grab, assisting you to improve the accuracy and control the balls.
We struggled to come up with any downside about this paddle. Suppose you’ve played with a dead paddle for a long time. You might take a little practice to adapt.
Pros
- Ideal for developing spin skills
- Exceptional control
- Comfortable grip
Con
- It might be slightly fast for new users
#7 STIGA Raptor Ping Pong Racket – Best For Craftsmanship
There are many things to fancy about table tennis. Perhaps the thing that grabs our attention is the workmanship and the look of this STIGA paddle. The sleek look makes it kind of the paddle you want to show off to your friends.
The paddle comes with a seven-ply ultra-light blade, five balsa wood layers, and two carbon layers. The carbon material helps keep the paddle’s weight in check while still allowing players to generate a decent amount of power and speed.
Like with the Pro Carbon, the manufacturer uses the premium STIGA S5 rubbers on both sides of the paddle. Owing to the STIGA’s Nano Composite, the fibers bond strongly with small air pockets to offer players more control.
The 2mm-thick sponge is sandwiched between the rubbers, meaning that the ball will ping off the paddle’s surface and let you make more spin.
However, this paddle will better suit those with an aggressive style of play because of the great amount of spin, particularly for more advanced beginners to intermediate players.
Pros
- Impressive workmanship
- ITTF approved
- Provides great control and spin
- Lightweight
Cons
- Not for a complete beginner
- The logo might pop out
#8 AirBlades Ping Pong Paddle – Best For Handle Design
Looking for a great paddle to take your game to the next level? Consider this AirBlades. One thing that strikes our attention is the ergonomic flared handle design, which provides players a greater power and more secure feelings.
The manufacturer even went the extra mile and incorporated sweat-absorbing carbon material to prevent the handle from slipping from your hands during the game.
The padding is another selling point. It helps players deliver faster shots and better spin and make the return shots with more accuracy.
Regarding the construction, the paddle features two outer Limba layers, three inner Ayous layers, and a 2mm-thick high-grade sponge on the rubber.
As far as durability is concerned, rest assured the rubber will stick to the blade for a long period. The wood blade is of higher quality and more resistant to elements and impact.
On the downside, this blade is on the heavy side. Unless you’ve got strong wrists, perhaps you won’t enjoy the full potential of this paddle.
Pros
- Budget-friendly
- Ergonomic handle
- Long lifespan
- A great amount of spin with higher accuracy
Cons
- Not ITTF certified
- Slightly heavy
#9 Sportout Sriver-He Rubber Table Tennis Paddle – Best Budget
If you want a decent ping pong paddle without breaking your bank, this ITTF certified paddle from Sportout is a great pick. Despite the affordable price, it will not deprive you of any nice features that other more expensive paddles have to offer.
Construction-wise, this Sportout paddle features a 9-ply wood and 8-ply carbon blade, meaning that you will get a nicer bounce and sufficient sturdiness to beat your opponent.
We were impressed by the flared handle design as it offers us comfy feelings and greater power. This is a ping pong paddle that better suits intermediate players owing to the fast speed, great control, and spin.
However, if you’re a beginner who has some prior knowledge about the game, you can also harness all of the potentials.
However, it’s worth noting that this nominee is on the heavier side, requiring new players some adaptation. For those in the transition from beginner to intermediate level, this is a perfect fit, though.
Pros
- Looks professional
- Securely attached rubbers
- Comfortable grip
Con
- Slightly heavy
#10 Palio Expert 3.0 Table Tennis Racket – Best For Defensive Style Of Play
Compared with the Palio Expert 2.0, this version has a wider edge, a redesigned handle, and a better case. It uses the same Palio CJ8000 premium rubber, so you should expect to generate a great amount like you would with its brother.
The rubber on either side is fairly sticky, so you can kick out a great rotation in addition to the speed of the ball.
Meanwhile, the racket also gives you a decent control level, making it perfectly suit new players. One can even do all the strokes against the strong topspin. Performing defensive strokes such as push or block seems like a piece of cake with this paddle.
While many other paddles struggle in durability, this is not likely the case for this ping pong racket. This durable paddle boasts a better handle. The upgraded version of the blade is broader, further keeping the rubber secure.
However, compared to other beginner paddles, this pick is slightly slow. The reason behind it is it aims to assist players in learning ball-control and make accurate ball return. It’s surprisingly great table tennis for its price and performance, though.
Pros
- Ideal for spinning
- Premium rubber
- Wider edge
- Highly durable
Con
- Slightly slow
Buying Guide – How to choose for Best Ping Pong Paddle For Beginners
Below is our guide on how to choose a quality ping pong racket that best suits your needs and playing style.
Material for Best Ping Pong Paddle For Beginners
A ping pong paddle consists of two main components: a wood blade and rubbers adhered to either side of the blade. All the sides often come in distinctive colors (red or black).
According to the ITTF regulations, a ping pong paddle qualified for competition must be at least 85% from natural wood. The aggregate amount of other materials, such as glass fiber or carbon fiber, should account for 7.5% of the blade’s thickness.
Size And Shape
Although the official table tennis rules stipulate that a paddle can come in any shape and size, most paddles are almost identical.
The average length of a blade is 6.7 inches, and the width is 5.9 inches. A paddle can weigh anywhere between 2.47-3.53 ounces with an overall length between 9.45-10.25 inches.
Rubber Type
If you’re playing tennis seriously and won’t stop at the recreational level, consider buying a paddle with ITTF-certified rubbers.
You should know that only ITTF-proven paddles are allowed in major tennis competitions and tournaments. It is easy to know whether the paddle is ITTF approved or not by checking the presence of the ITTF logo on it.
There are two prominent types of rubber, including pimples-out and pimples-in. Depending on your play style, you can pick the best type that suits your needs.
In the category of pimples-out rubbers, there are short pimples and long pimples. While the former gives you the upper hand over your opponents if you play a counter-hitting match, the latter is a favorite choice of defense-oriented players.
On the other hand, pimples-in rubber is hugely popular among those who just start the game. It facilitates a wider range of strokes. Plus, pimples-in rubber provides players excellent control, so they can hone their strokes better.
It is important to choose the rubber type that suits your style of play. However, we highly recommend the pimples-in rubber for beginners and inexperienced players.
Note
Your rubber will degrade over a certain amount of time, so it’s advisable to replace it now and then based on how frequently you use it. We highly advise you to change your rubber once a year to keep it in tiptop condition so you can enjoy the game better.
Grip and Blade
Penhold Style Blade
This blade type often features a thicker and shorter handle. Players use their thumb and forefinger to hold the paddle handle, just like the way you hold a pen while writing. However, this is a higher-level grip technique that might not fit a novice.
Western Style Blade
The western-style blade is a solid choice for those using a western grip. The racket handle will situate in the palm, identical to a hand-shaking gesture. This blade type is most suitable for new tennis players.
While choosing the blade, it is advisable to consider your grip style for ultimate comfort and performance.
Style Of Handle
The last consideration while choosing a ping pong paddle is the handle type. You’re likely to come across rackets with straight, anatomic, or flared handles.
It comes down to personal preferences when it comes to picking the right handle. Therefore, think of your play style and choose a handle you’re most comfortable playing with for the best performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
We also provide answers to some of the most common questions that you’re likely to encounter while picking your ping pong racket.
What Is The Difference Between A Straight And A Flared Handle For A Table Tennis Paddle?
Straight and flared handles are for different playing techniques. Forehand players often go for the flared option as it gives them a secure grip on the blade and enough flexibility and dynamic to handle the game.
On the contrary, Backhand or Defensive table tennis players prefer the straight handle to make flipping the bat an easier job.
Which Is A Good Rubber For Beginner Table Tennis Players?
For anyone starting playing, pimples-in rubber is a perfect fit as there is a more flexible range of strokes that can be executed. This rubber type also provides you with an abundance of control so you can hone the strokes better.
Why Are Ping Pong Paddles Black And Red?
According to ITTF rules and regulations, two sides of a ping pong paddle should come in distinct colors. One side should have a dull hue while the other a brighter color.
The color difference indicates different rubber types, so the opponents can recognize and adjust their playing technique to suit the rubber used in the matches.
Which Table Tennis Blade Is The Best For Beginners?
We recommend an all-around 5-ply wood blade for those who just start playing table tennis.
What Ping Pong Paddle Should I Get?
Any in our top 9 best ping pong for beginners are reliable ping pong rackets for beginners. While each pick has its own benefits and drawbacks, carefully consider your style of play and need to pick out the right tool for your game.
What Type Of Table Tennis Paddle Grip Is Best For Beginners?
We don’t have any hard and fast rules for paddle grip for either beginners or professional players. It is important to determine your grip style, and from there, pick up the appropriate grip technique for it.
Conclusion
We hope you know what to consider while shopping for the best ping pong paddle for beginners. You’d better have an idea of your play style to choose the right fit.
A defensive-oriented player will focus on generating spin while an aggressive type favors the power. Only the right tool would allow you to work on the essential techniques to become a skilled player.
Further reading:
