Ping Pong Paddles: How To Choose A Paddle That Fits Your Game

     Ping Pong Paddles have evolved 

One of the most frequently asked questions we receive at eTableTennis.com is: How do I choose a ping pong paddle that fits your game? While it may seem like all table tennis paddles are the same, this couldn’t be further from the truth. When it comes to ping pong paddles, here are some questions you will want to ask yourself: 

• How often do I play Table Tennis?

• Do I play for fun and leisure, or do I play in tournaments or professionally?

• What kind of grip do I prefer?

• Do I want something very lightweight, or do I prefer something a bit heavier?

• Is ping pong paddle design important to me, or is it a non-factor?

These are all important questions when it comes to selecting a ping pong paddle so that you can perform your best. Now that you understand which questions are important to ask yourself, we will now cover the different options available when it comes to ping pong paddles. 

When it comes to ping pong paddles, there are essentially five (5) different types:

1. 100% plastic or wooden ping pong paddles with no surface rubber and no sponge underneath – These ping pong paddles give table tennis players the bare minimum in that they allow for the ping pong ball to be hit, but without much else. They come without a rubber surface and have no sponge underneath to help achieve spin on the ball, which is important because it helps control the ping pong ball and achieve a smoother stroke. These ping pong paddles also have no grip for those of you who prefer something sturdy to place your hand around while playing and tend to lack in durability. Not recommended for those who play regularly and wish to perform their best.
2. Pre-made pimple (rubber surface) ping pong paddles with no sponge underneath – These ping pong paddles generally come with a thin rubber surface, but have no sponge underneath to provide cushioning. As a result, players still achieve little to no spin on the ball since the ball is just bouncing off of the plastic or wood the ping pong paddle is made of. Slightly better than the table tennis racquets with no surface rubber, but still no ideal for those who play regularly and wish to perform at a high level.
3. Pre-made pimple (rubber surface) ping pong paddles with some sponge underneath – These are the ping pong paddles that even beginners should start with. These table tennis racquets provide players with some spin on the ping pong ball and are good for those just learning to play table tennis. However, these ping pong paddles tend to only last for a month or so of regular play before the surface of the rubber lessens and the ping pong ball begins to slide across the surface, lessening the spin on the ball. Not suitable for advanced players, but ideal for beginners and those who play table tennis for fun and leisure.
4. Pre-made pimple (rubber surface) ping pong paddles with a thicker sponge underneath – These ping pong paddles are ideal for intermediate level table tennis players. The higher quality rubber surface and thicker sponge underneath gives players great spin on the ball due to the improved grip and cushion on the ping pong paddle’s surface. There table tennis racquets tend to have great durability and generally last for a year or longer before needing to be replaced.
5. Custom-made ping pong paddles – These are the highest quality ping pong paddles available on the market. When it comes to these ping pong paddles the wood and rubber must be purchased separately, which is great because it allows table tennis players to tailor and customize their ping pong paddle to their liking. These table tennis racquets also provide top notch spin and great control of the ping pong ball. Ideal for more experienced table tennis players. 

Choosing a ping pong paddle can often be a difficult task, but recognizing where you are in terms of you skill will go a long way in selecting which table tennis paddle best suits your game. Also, we’d like to add that even after you have decided on a particular ping pong paddle, it is best to stick with the same table tennis racquet for a while (at least 6 months) so that become comfortable with one ping pong paddle and can focus on skill development. In addition to table tennis tables, we also carry a wide selection of ping pong paddles. Please view our collection: Ping Pong Paddles

If you have any question or simply feel the need to get in touch, feel free to contact the eTableTennis.com team via live chat or by phone.