Table Tennis Racket Selection Guide

1 · Who is it for?

A starting point, not a rule: each choice sets the level and the flags that usually suit that player, never a budget, and you can change any of them afterwards. A racket whose maker states no level is left out of a choice that sets one.

2 · Narrow it down

Budget :

Choosing a ready-to-play table tennis racket? This guide places the 153 rackets and sets we carry, from Butterfly, Cornilleau, Donic-Schildkröt, Joola, Andro, Donic, Tibhar, Victas and Stiga, by the player each maker says it is for. Pick who it is for, narrow by brand, budget and what is in stock, then open the rackets that are left. Competition rackets assembled from a named blade and rubbers have their own section further down.

3 · The chart: player level, brand by brand

Shape:RacketSet of racketsOutdoor racket or setColour:ITTF-approved rubbersStated as not approvedApproval not stated

Butterfly Cyclone (3-ply Hard Rubber)Butterfly Vortex (Pips-out 1.5mm)Butterfly Blaze (Pips-in 1.5mm & Pips out)Butterfly Tsunami (Pips-in 1.5mm)Butterfly Lin Yun-Ju S-2Butterfly Lin Yun-Ju S-3Butterfly RDJ CS-1 PenholdButterfly Lin Yun-Ju S-1Butterfly RDJ S2Butterfly RDJ S6Butterfly BTY ASM-S8Butterfly RDJ S1Butterfly RDJ S3Butterfly Addoy 1000Butterfly RDJ S4Butterfly Harimoto 2000Butterfly Addoy 2000Butterfly Nitchugo I Penhold (JP)Butterfly Bty 201 FL SetButterfly Addoy 3000Butterfly Bty 303 CS SetButterfly Wakaba 3000Butterfly RDJ S5Butterfly Timo Boll 2000Butterfly Wakaba 2000Butterfly Bty 302 CS SetButterfly Bty 303 FL SetButterfly Wakaba 1000Butterfly Timo Boll 1000Butterfly Bty 302 FL SetButterfly Bty-CS 2000Butterfly Harimoto 1800 KidsButterfly Lin Yun-Ju CF-1Butterfly Lin Yun-Ju CF-2Butterfly Timo Boll 3000Butterfly RDJ 2-Player SetButterfly Bty 401 FL SetButterfly MLTT 401 FL SetButterfly Nakama P-7 Penhold (JP)Butterfly Timo Boll CF 1000Butterfly Timo Boll CF 2000Butterfly RDJ 4-Player SetButterfly Bty 501 FL SetButterfly Bty 603 FL SetButterfly Nakama P-6 Penhold (JP)Butterfly Bty 702 FL SetButterfly Bty 802 FL SetButterfly Nakama S-9Butterfly Nakama S-10Butterfly Nakama S-5Butterfly Nakama S-4Butterfly Nakama S-3Butterfly Nakama S-8Butterfly Nakama P-1 Penhold (JP)Butterfly Nakama P-3 Penhold (JP)Butterfly Nakama S-7Butterfly Nakama S-6Butterfly Nakama S-1Butterfly OutdoorButterfly59Cornilleau Sport 100 PaddleCornilleau Sport 200 PaddleCornilleau Softbat SchoolCornilleau SoftbatCornilleau Sport 300 PaddleCornilleau Softbat Duo Outdoor Ultra durable PaddlesCornilleau Sport Pack Solo SetCornilleau Sport Pack Quattro SetCornilleau Family Pack Indoor SetCornilleau 1000 Excell 6-Stars PaddleCornilleau Champion Sports Pro 14 7-ply Extra Light PaddleCornilleau Tacteo 30 SchoolCornilleau Tacteo 50Cornilleau Pack Duo 2-Star Paddles and 3 ballsCornilleau Sport 400 PaddleCornilleau NEXEO X70 Outdoor PaddleCornilleau Perform 500Cornilleau Tacteo Pack Duo Paddles and 3 ballsCornilleau NEXEO X90 CARBON Outdoor PaddleCornilleau Perform 600Cornilleau Tacteo Pack Duo SetCornilleau Perform 800Cornilleau Excell 2000 Carbon PaddleCornilleau Excell 3000 Carbon PaddleCornilleau NEXEO X200 Outdoor PaddleCornilleau Premium Pack Outdoor SetCornilleau26Donic-Schildkröt Donic-Schildkrot Legends 400 FSCDonic-Schildkröt Donic Waldner 300 Paddle 2 Player SetDonic-Schildkröt Donic Waldner 500 PaddleDonic-Schildkröt Donic-Schildkrot Legends 600 FSCDonic-Schildkröt Donic Waldner 600 PaddleDonic-Schildkröt Donic Waldner 700 PaddleDonic-Schildkröt Donic Waldner 800 FSC PaddleDonic-Schildkröt Donic Waldner 800 PaddleDonic-Schildkröt Donic Waldner 600 Paddle 1-player Gift SetDonic-Schildkröt Donic Schildkrot Carbotec 900 FL PaddleDonic-Schildkröt Donic Waldner 1000 PaddleDonic-Schildkröt Donic Schildkrot Classic Cover for ping-pong racquetDonic-Schildkröt Donic Waldner 100 Paddle 2 Player SetDonic-Schildkröt Donic paddle five-ply blade Appelgren 300Donic-Schildkröt Donic - Schildkrot Appelgren 400 PaddleDonic-Schildkröt Appelgren 500Donic-Schildkröt Donic Waldner 400 PaddleDonic-Schildkröt Donic Waldner 400 Paddle 2 Player SetDonic-Schildkröt Donic Waldner 900 PaddleDonic-Schildkröt Donic Schildkrot Carbotec 3000 FL PaddleDonic-Schildkröt Donic Waldner 3000 PaddleDonic-Schildkröt Donic Schildkrot Carbotec 7000 PaddleDonic-Schildkröt Donic Schildkrot Carbotec 7000 FL PaddleDonic-Schildkröt23Joola Match ProJoola Twilight 2-Player SetJoola Helio 4-Player SetJoola Hit & Balls SetJoola Carbon ControlJoola Vivid Outdoor SetJoola Carbon SpeedJoola Rosskopf ClassicJoola Hugo Calderano Carbon Speed SetJoola Carbon XJoola Red Carbon ProJoola Red Carbon XJoola Infinity GLJoola White Infinity GLJoola Infinity Z CarbonJoola White Infinity CarbonJoola16Andro FUN Ready-to-PlayAndro R2P EasyAndro Buzzer Up 400 SAndro I-200 FLAndro 100 B with Inzio Allround FL and Good 1.8 blue and blackAndro 100 G with Inzio Allround FL and Good 1.8 green and blackAndro I-100 FLAndro I-100 SFL (Small Flaired)Andro I-200 SFL (Small Flaired)Andro Andro I 200 P Inizio flair GTT 45 1.8mmAndro Ready 2 Play 300 BlueAndro Buzzer Up+ 400 RAndro Buzzer 500 RXAndro Buzzer Pro Carbon 500 RXAndro14Donic Zentra F1rst AllroundDonic Zentra N2xt CarbonDonic paddle Appelgren 300 2 paddles SetDonic3Tibhar xXx Powergrip RED EditionTibhar Master 7 Félix LebrunTibhar Pro 9 Purple EditionTibhar3Victas V-Bat Basic 1500 SVictas V-Bat Basic 1500 Plus BlackVictas2Stiga Set Pure Color Advace 2 PlayerStiga1Who the maker says it is forBeginnerIntermediateAdvancedCompetitionLevel not stated

Your shortlist

Pro setups: a named blade and rubbers, assembled (42)

Tournament equipment, sold ready to play: each of these is a Butterfly blade with Butterfly rubbers that are also sold separately. What matters is the parts, so each card names them. To compare the parts themselves, or to build your own, see the blade selection guide and the rubber selection guide.

TB5 Alpha FL Pro-Line with Sriver ELOffensive styleBlade: TB5 Alpha Offensive · 5-plyForehand: Sriver EL Inverted · Medium soft · 2.1 mmBackhand: Sriver EL Inverted · Medium soft · 2.1 mm$184.67Not available
Petr Korbel FL Pro-Line with SriverOffensive styleBlade: Petr Korbel Offensive · 5-plyForehand: Sriver Inverted · Medium · 2.1 mmBackhand: Sriver Inverted · Medium · 2.1 mm$190.31In stock
SK7 Classic-CS Pro-LineOffensive styleBlade: SK7 Classic Offensive · 7-plyRubber (one side): Rozena Inverted · Medium soft · 2.1 mm$191.72Not available
TB5 Alpha Pro-Line with Rozena & CaseOffensive styleBlade: TB5 Alpha Offensive · 5-plyForehand: Rozena Inverted · Medium soft · 2.1 mmBackhand: Rozena Inverted · Medium soft · 2.1 mm$204.41In stock
Timo Boll TJ Pro-LineOffensive styleBlade: Timo Boll TJ Offensive · 3-ply + 2 T5000Forehand: Sriver Inverted · Medium · 2.1 mmBackhand: Sriver Inverted · Medium · 2.1 mm$241.07Not available
Petr Korbel Pro-Line + Tenergy 05 + Feint Long IIOffensive styleBlade: Petr Korbel Offensive · 5-plyForehand: Tenergy 05 Inverted · Medium · 2.1 mmBackhand: Feint Long II Long pips · Medium · 1.1 mm$253.76Not available
Petr Korbel Pro-LineOffensive styleBlade: Petr Korbel Offensive · 5-plyForehand: Tenergy 05 Inverted · Medium · 2.1 mmBackhand: Challenger Attack Short pips · Medium soft · 2.1 mm$263.63Not available
Outerforce CAF Pro-Line with RozenaOffensive styleBlade: Outerforce CAF Offensive · 5-ply + 2 CAFForehand: Rozena Inverted · Medium soft · 1.9 mmBackhand: Rozena Inverted · Medium soft · 1.9 mm$272.80Not available
Outerforce CAF + Glayzer + Glayzer Pro-LineOffensive styleBlade: Outerforce CAF Offensive · 5-ply + 2 CAFForehand: Glayzer Inverted · Medium · 1.9 mmBackhand: Glayzer Inverted · Medium · 1.9 mm$310.87Not available
Outerforce ALC Pro-Line with RozenaOffensive styleBlade: Outerforce ALC Offensive · 5-ply + 2 ALCForehand: Rozena Inverted · Medium soft · 1.9 mmBackhand: Rozena Inverted · Medium soft · 1.9 mm$310.87Not available
Outerforce CAF + Glayzer 09C + Glayzer 09C Pro-LineOffensive styleBlade: Outerforce CAF Offensive · 5-ply + 2 CAFForehand: Glayzer 09C Inverted · Medium hard · 1.9 mmBackhand: Glayzer 09C Inverted · Medium hard · 1.9 mm$310.87Not available
Balsa Carbo X5 (FL) + Tenergy 80 FX + Tenergy 80 FX Pro-LineOffensive styleBlade: BalsaCarbo X5 Offensive · 3-ply + 2 CarbonForehand: Tenergy 80 FX Inverted · Medium soft · 2.1 mmBackhand: Tenergy 80 FX Inverted · Medium soft · 2.1 mm$334.13Not available
Balsa Carbo X5 (AN) + Tenergy 80 FX + Tenergy 80 FX Pro-LineOffensive styleBlade: BalsaCarbo X5 Offensive · 3-ply + 2 CarbonForehand: Tenergy 80 FX Inverted · Medium soft · 2.1 mmBackhand: Tenergy 80 FX Inverted · Medium soft · 2.1 mm$334.13Not available
Balsa Carbo X5 (ST) + Tenergy 80 FX + Tenergy 80 FX Pro-LineOffensive styleBlade: BalsaCarbo X5 Offensive · 3-ply + 2 CarbonForehand: Tenergy 80 FX Inverted · Medium soft · 2.1 mmBackhand: Tenergy 80 FX Inverted · Medium soft · 2.1 mm$334.13Not available
BalsaCarbo X7 + Tenergy 80 FX + Tenergy 80 FX Pro-LineOffensive styleBlade: BalsaCarbo X7 Offensive · 5-ply + 2 CarbonForehand: Tenergy 80 FX Inverted · Medium soft · 2.1 mmBackhand: Tenergy 80 FX Inverted · Medium soft · 2.1 mm$342.59Not available
BalsaCarbo X7 + Tenergy 05 Hard + Tenergy 05 Hard Pro-LineOffensive styleBlade: BalsaCarbo X7 Offensive · 5-ply + 2 CarbonForehand: Tenergy 05 Hard Inverted · Medium hard · 1.9 mmBackhand: Tenergy 05 Hard Inverted · Medium hard · 1.9 mm$342.59Not available
Outerforce ALC + Glayzer + GlayzerOffensive styleBlade: Outerforce ALC Offensive · 5-ply + 2 ALCForehand: Glayzer Inverted · Medium · 1.9 mmBackhand: Glayzer Inverted · Medium · 1.9 mm$348.94Not available
Outerforce ALC + Glayzer 09C + Glayzer 09COffensive styleBlade: Outerforce ALC Offensive · 5-ply + 2 ALCForehand: Glayzer 09C Inverted · Medium hard · 1.9 mmBackhand: Glayzer 09C Inverted · Medium hard · 1.9 mm$348.94Not available
Sardius Pro-LineOffensive styleBlade: Sardius Offensive · 3-ply + 2 T5000Forehand: Impartial XS Short pips · Soft · 2.1 mmBackhand: Impartial XB Short pips · Soft · 2.1 mm$362.33Not available
Primorac Carbon FL Pro-Line with Tenergy 05Offensive styleBlade: Primorac Carbon Offensive · 3-ply + 2 T5000Forehand: Tenergy 05 Inverted · Medium · 2.1 mmBackhand: Tenergy 05 Inverted · Medium · 2.1 mm$389.12Not available
Outerforce ZLC + Rozena + Rozena Pro-LineOffensive styleBlade: Outerforce ZLC Offensive · 5-ply + 2 ZLCForehand: Rozena Inverted · Medium soft · 1.9 mmBackhand: Rozena Inverted · Medium soft · 1.9 mm$412.39Not available
Innershield Layer ZLF Pro-LineBlade: Innershield Layer ZLF Defensive · 5-ply + 2 ZLFForehand: Tenergy 64 Inverted · Medium · 2.1 mmBackhand: Feint Long II Long pips · Medium · 1.3 mm$424.37Not available
Cypress V-Max Pro-LineBlade: Cypress V-Max Topspin-minded · 1-ply Kiso HinokiRubber (one side): Tenergy 05 Inverted · Medium · 2.1 mm$444.12Not available
Outerforce ZLC + Glayzer + GlayzerOffensive styleBlade: Outerforce ZLC Offensive · 5-ply + 2 ZLCForehand: Glayzer Inverted · Medium · 1.9 mmBackhand: Glayzer Inverted · Medium · 1.9 mm$450.46Not available
Outerforce ZLC Pro-Line + Glayzer 09C + Glayzer 09COffensive styleBlade: Outerforce ZLC Offensive · 5-ply + 2 ZLCForehand: Glayzer 09C Inverted · Medium hard · 1.9 mmBackhand: Glayzer 09C Inverted · Medium hard · 1.9 mm$450.46Not available
Viscaria FL Pro-Line with Tenergy 05Offensive styleBlade: Viscaria Offensive · 5-ply + 2 ALCForehand: Tenergy 05 Inverted · Medium · 2.1 mmBackhand: Tenergy 05 Inverted · Medium · 2.1 mm$486.41In stock
Timo Boll ALC AN Pro-Line with Tenergy 05Offensive styleBlade: Timo Boll ALC Offensive · 5-ply + 2 ALCForehand: Tenergy 05 Inverted · Medium · 2.1 mmBackhand: Tenergy 05 Inverted · Medium · 2.1 mm$486.41Not available
Timo Boll ALC FL Pro-Line with Tenergy 05Offensive styleBlade: Timo Boll ALC Offensive · 5-ply + 2 ALCForehand: Tenergy 05 Inverted · Medium · 2.1 mmBackhand: Tenergy 05 Inverted · Medium · 2.1 mm$486.41Not available
Timo Boll ALC ST Pro-Line with Tenergy 05Offensive styleBlade: Timo Boll ALC Offensive · 5-ply + 2 ALCForehand: Tenergy 05 Inverted · Medium · 2.1 mmBackhand: Tenergy 05 Inverted · Medium · 2.1 mm$486.41Not available
Ovtcharov Innerforce ALC FL + Dignics 09C + Dignics 05Offensive styleBlade: Ovtcharov Innerforce ALC Offensive · 5-ply + 2 ALCForehand: Dignics 09C Inverted · Medium hard · 2.1 mmBackhand: Dignics 05 Inverted · Medium hard · 2.1 mm$525.89Not available
Viscaria FL Pro-Line + Dignics 05 + Dignics 05Offensive styleBlade: Viscaria Offensive · 5-ply + 2 ALCForehand: Dignics 05 Inverted · Medium hard · 2.1 mmBackhand: Dignics 05 Inverted · Medium hard · 2.1 mm$525.89Not available
Timo Boll ALC FL Pro-Line + Dignics 09C + Dignics 09COffensive styleBlade: Timo Boll ALC Offensive · 5-ply + 2 ALCForehand: Dignics 09C Inverted · Medium hard · 2.1 mmBackhand: Dignics 09C Inverted · Medium hard · 2.1 mm$525.89Not available
Fan Zhendong ALC Pro-Line + Dignics 09C + Zyre 03Blade: Fan Zhendong ALC Offensive · 5-ply + 2 ALCForehand: Dignics 09C Inverted · Medium hard · 2.1 mmBackhand: Zyre 03 Inverted · Medium hard · 2.7 mm$562.55Not available
Timo Boll ALC Pro-Line + Zyre 03 + Zyre 03Offensive styleBlade: Timo Boll ALC Offensive · 5-ply + 2 ALCForehand: Zyre 03 Inverted · Medium hard · 2.7 mmBackhand: Zyre 03 Inverted · Medium hard · 2.7 mm$599.21Not available
Cypress G-Max Pro-LineBlade: Cypress G-Max Topspin-minded · 1-ply Kiso HinokiRubber (one side): Dignics 05 Inverted · Medium hard · 2.1 mm$640.11Not available
Jun Mizutani ZLC + Dignics 80 + Dignics 80Offensive styleBlade: Mizutani Jun ZLC Offensive · 5-ply + 2 ZLCForehand: Dignics 80 Inverted · Medium hard · 2.1 mmBackhand: Dignics 80 Inverted · Medium hard · 2.1 mm$645.74Not available
Viscaria Super ALC + Dignics 05 + Dignics 05Offensive styleBlade: Viscaria Super ALC Offensive · 5-ply + 2 Super ALCForehand: Dignics 05 Inverted · Medium hard · 2.1 mmBackhand: Dignics 05 Inverted · Medium hard · 2.1 mm$645.74Not available
Apolonia ZLC Pro-Line + Zyre 03 + Dignics 09COffensive styleBlade: Apolonia ZLC Offensive · 5-ply + 2 Super ALCForehand: Zyre 03 Inverted · Medium hard · 2.7 mmBackhand: Dignics 09C Inverted · Medium hard · 2.1 mm$682.40Not available
Viscaria Super ALC Pro-Line + Zyre 03 + Dignics 05Blade: Viscaria Super ALC Offensive · 5-ply + 2 Super ALCForehand: Zyre 03 Inverted · Medium hard · 2.7 mmBackhand: Dignics 05 Inverted · Medium hard · 2.1 mm$682.40Not available
Harimoto Innerforce Super ALC Pro-Line + Zyre 03 + Zyre 03Control styleBlade: Harimoto Innerforce Super ALC Offensive · 5-ply + 2 Super ALCForehand: Zyre 03 Inverted · Medium hard · 2.7 mmBackhand: Zyre 03 Inverted · Medium hard · 2.7 mm$690.86Not available
Harimoto Innerforce Super ZLC CS Pro-LineBlade: Harimoto Innerforce Super ZLC CS Quick attack · 5-ply + 2 Super ZLCRubber (one side): Dignics 05 Inverted · Medium hard · 2.1 mm$704.96Not available
Revoldia CNF + Impartial XS + Dignics 09COffensive styleBlade: Revoldia CNF Offensive · 5-ply + 2 CNFForehand: Impartial XS Short pips · Soft · 2.1 mmBackhand: Dignics 09C Inverted · Medium hard · 2.1 mm$731.75Not available

Speed and control, on each brand’s own scale

Each manufacturer rates its rackets its own way, so an 8 from one brand is not an 8 from another and no two brands share a chart. Speed against control is the trade-off a ready-made racket is sold on.

Cornilleau: speed and control (18 rackets)

Cornilleau’s own scale. Not comparable with another brand’s numbers.

4.555.566.577.588.599.51010.5234567891011CONTROLSPEEDCornilleau Sport 300 PaddleCornilleau Sport 200 PaddleCornilleau SoftbatCornilleau Softbat Duo Outdoor Ultra durable PaddlesCornilleau Pack Duo 2-Star Paddles and 3 ballsCornilleau 1000 Excell 6-Stars PaddleCornilleau Excell 3000 Carbon PaddleCornilleau NEXEO X90 CARBON Outdoor PaddleCornilleau NEXEO X70 Outdoor PaddleCornilleau NEXEO X200 Outdoor PaddleCornilleau Excell 2000 Carbon PaddleCornilleau Sport 400 PaddleCornilleau Perform 500Cornilleau Sport 100 PaddleCornilleau Perform 600Cornilleau Perform 800Cornilleau Tacteo 30 SchoolCornilleau Tacteo 50Sport 300 PaddleSport 200 PaddleSoftbat +1Pack Duo 2-Star Paddles and 3 balls1000 Excell 6-Stars PaddleExcell 3000 Carbon PaddleNEXEO X90 CARBON Outdoor PaddleNEXEO X70 Outdoor PaddleNEXEO X200 Outdoor PaddleExcell 2000 Carbon PaddleSport 400 Paddle +1Sport 100 PaddlePerform 600Perform 800Tacteo 30 School +1

Donic-Schildkröt: speed and control (14 rackets)

Donic-Schildkröt’s own scale. Not comparable with another brand’s numbers.

5860626466687072747678808230405060708090100110120CONTROLSPEEDDonic-Schildkröt Donic Schildkrot Carbotec 3000 FL PaddleDonic-Schildkröt Donic Schildkrot Carbotec 900 FL PaddleDonic-Schildkröt Donic Waldner 800 PaddleDonic-Schildkröt Donic Waldner 700 PaddleDonic-Schildkröt Donic Waldner 800 FSC PaddleDonic-Schildkröt Donic Waldner 600 PaddleDonic-Schildkröt Donic Waldner 500 PaddleDonic-Schildkröt Donic - Schildkrot Appelgren 400 PaddleDonic-Schildkröt Donic-Schildkrot Legends 400 FSCDonic-Schildkröt Donic Waldner 400 Paddle 2 Player SetDonic-Schildkröt Donic-Schildkrot Legends 600 FSCDonic-Schildkröt Donic Waldner 600 Paddle 1-player Gift SetDonic-Schildkröt Donic Waldner 1000 PaddleDonic-Schildkröt Appelgren 500Donic Schildkrot Carbotec 3000 FL PaddleDonic Schildkrot Carbotec 900 FL PaddleDonic Waldner 800 PaddleDonic Waldner 700 Paddle +1Donic Waldner 600 PaddleDonic Waldner 500 PaddleDonic - Schildkrot Appelgren 400 Paddle +2Donic-Schildkrot Legends 600 FSC +1Donic Waldner 1000 PaddleAppelgren 500

How to choose a table tennis racket

Start with who is playing. For a family table, a basement or a park, a beginner racket is the right racket: it is slower, it forgives a mistimed stroke and it costs less. A set gives the same racket to two or four players, usually with balls.

Learning properly? Choose a beginner racket with ITTF-approved rubbers. A slower bat with a thinner sponge keeps the ball on the table while a stroke forms; a fast bat teaches bad habits. Approval only matters once you play in a league.

Stars and numbers are each brand’s own ladder. A five-star racket from one maker is not comparable with a three-star racket from another, and the same goes for speed, spin and control figures. Compare them inside one brand only.

When a ready-made racket stops being enough. Competition players choose a blade and two rubbers separately. A pro setup is that choice already made; the blade guide and rubber guide are for making it yourself. This is coaching advice mapped onto what each maker states, not a manufacturer’s claim about a racket.

Every racket and set, by level

Beginner (69)
Intermediate (6)
Advanced (14)
Competition (8)
Level not stated (50)