If there’s the best ping pong paddle for beginners, surely there’s also the best ping pong paddle for an intermediate player. In this article, we will go through the best table tennis paddles for those who love to play the sport.
The market for indoor gaming sets soared as consumers sought out gaming equipment that didn’t take up as much space as typical outside games, such as tennis, with the pandemic still in place. Ping pong, on the other hand, is often recognized as among the most prominent indoor activities. Table tennis, also called ping pong, needs only a ping pong board and, most crucially, paddles.
Because the paddles are used to ricochet the balls and contact the table’s surface, they are essential to playing the game. With so many options available, going over each ping pong paddle one by one might be tiresome if you don’t know where to begin. In this section, we’ll go over the key features that distinguish the best ping pong paddles for intermediate players from the others.
Table of Contents
Finding the Best Intermediate Ping Pong Paddle — A Buying Guide
Once you’re familiar with the game, paying attention to the design and material of your paddle will help you figure out which one to use. Depending on those characteristics, a paddle will provide you with more or less control over the ball. The more control you have, the less speed and spin you can generate.
As an intermediate player, you should aim for a medium speed rating and a personal preference for control before moving on to faster speeds and spin. We are confident that you will be pleased with the things we have selected for you now that we have covered the essential information about intermediate paddles.
Rubber
For your ping-pong paddle, there are several types of rubber to consider. An extra sponge base layer and a rubber top layer with pips make up a rubber sheet. The “top sheet” is the term for the top layer.
Pips in (inverted and antispin) and pips-out (short pips, long/medium pips) are the two sorts of rubber. Long/medium pips and antispin rubbers are notably unique, whilst inverted and short-pip rubbers are offensive.
The only rubber that can really make a swift loop has a smooth surface with a lot of friction, which results in a lot of spins. Short-pip rubber offers substantially more traction than inverted rubber. Short pips are great for blocking, striking, and receiving short serves.
Long or medium pips and antispin are two types of rubber sheets that experienced players can utilize to counteract their professional opponents’ speed and spin. The handling of these special-purpose rubber sheets is quite tough. If you’re an intermediate player, we strongly encourage you to consider buying these.
Likewise, most rubber sheeting is available in a range of thicknesses. The thinner the rubber, the better the control; on the other hand, thicker rubber provides more speed but less control. You, as an intermediate player, should consider purchasing a paddle with an average thickness of rubber.
The simple rule is that thicker rubber (2 mm or more) results in more aggressive play. Furthermore, all-around or high-control players prefer 1.9 mm to 1.5 mm rubbers, whilst shorter and longer-pipped rubbers demand thinner quantities.
Offensive vs Defense Playstyle
Paddles are ultimately a matter of personal preference. Every player has a unique style and swing, however, there are paddles designed to accommodate a wide range of playstyles. When competing against other table tennis players, you may be exposed to a range of styles. The way these players approach the game differs.
A style of play in table tennis is just a method of winning a point. It’s best to know what style you’re up against before combat in this aspect. However, unless you start playing, you won’t always be able to know. There are three categories of players: attacking, controlling, and defensive.
A table tennis player that attacks aggressively and frequently makes use of an offensive playstyle, and he/she plays with the table close to them. They will try to pick up the ball as soon as it lands, resulting in a faster-paced game. They’d want thicker rubber and an anatomical handle for their heavy paddle in this case.
A player with good control would not take any chances. Simply put, their primary responsibility is to keep the ball in play. This player hits by altering the accelerations, rotations, and placements of your shots. It is best to use a lightweight paddle with a straight handle and thinner rubber.
Finally, defensive players’ basic strategy is to outlast their opponents by simply returning the shot until a mistake is made. They also want to minimize their own mistakes, so the paddles they prescribe can be of any variety. Play your shots closer to the table to throw them off rhythm because they don’t usually stand close to the table.
Handle
Regarding the abundance of strain that ping-pong handles endure, choosing the right one is important. As a result, if the material is not firm and durable, it may come undone or collapse during a match. Unfortunately, most ping-pong players, particularly novices, even at the intermediate level, do not give much regard to the types of handles used in the production of their ping-pong paddles.
Table tennis paddle handles come in a variety of shapes and sizes, but the most common are flared, straight, and anatomic. The ping pong handle’s flared handle becomes slightly larger towards the ping pong handle’s tip. Forehand-dominant players frequently use this grip.
A flared part in the middle or at the end is not present on straight handles. This grip appears to be more suited to the transition from backhand to forehand. Anatomical handles also offer a wave-shaped grip. The central piece of the handle is slightly larger, while the lower section is flared. This is a strong grip for an offensive athlete.
Cost & Warranty
Ping pong paddles can cost anything from $15 to hundreds of dollars. We look at both low-cost and high-end paddles.
When it comes to paddles, you can get them for whatever price you choose. There are premium choices available at Killerspin, and even other well-known brands like as STIGA, Butterfly, and JOOLA may be quite pricey when it comes to high-end paddles.
Amazon has a variety of really low-cost choices. The majority of them will be perfect for recreational purposes and if you do not want to break the bank and are content with having a little fun while playing.
A warranty ensures that the product is of high quality. It reflects the company’s unwavering faith in its product. Certification Services will undertake repairs or even replace broken equipment, according to the contract. Consumers who have warranties can request that the manufacturer rectify any issues that arise as a result of the warranty’s terms and conditions.
Having a warranty is especially important when looking for ping pong paddles. Paddles degrade quickly when mistreated, thus it’s important to understand the procedures for such goods. Furthermore, if you have a warranty, you may have the right, depending on the terms and conditions you signed, to have any defective part repaired or replaced.
Size & Weight
Picking the optimal paddle could also help you improve your gaming skills, which can help you win. With the right ping-pong paddle, you can control the ball while also adding force and spin to your strikes. This is why determining the ideal weight for your paddle is crucial, since every paddle has approximately equal sizes and even shapes.
Many intermediate ping pong players are curious about how much weight they should put on their ping pong paddles. To make that statement, the weight of your paddle should be proportionate to your power and ping-pong technique.
Ping pong paddles without rubber typically weigh between 70 and 100 grams. Look for ping-pong paddles that weigh less than 77 grams if you want the most rapid paddle acceleration. Lightweight paddles allow for quick acceleration and excellent spins while swinging them.
Power and balance will be improved with paddles weighing between 77 and 89 grams. This paddle is suitable for power players because of its high ball speed and spin. For individuals looking for solidity and ball acceleration, heavy paddles weighing more than 90 grams are perfect. These paddles, however, are typically used by professional players who play further away from the table.
Medium-weight paddles are better for intermediate players since they are easier to manage and progress to a professional level. Having said that, selecting the appropriate paddle demands knowing what weight of the paddle is best suited to your strength and playing style.
The Best Ping Pong Paddles for Intermediate Players
Idoraz – Best Ping Pong Paddle For Intermediate Players
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Need to Know Information
What We Love About It: This paddle offers a comfortable handle as well as a high degree of ball twisting for high spins. Apart from that, the Idoraz Paddle is simple to use for intermediate and experienced gamers. If you can learn a few advanced talents, you won’t have to worry about upgrading or purchasing another one. |
The Idoraz Soft ping pong paddle is hard to beat if you’re seeking a table tennis paddle that can help you improve your game. This ping pong racket takes your game to the next level due to its sturdy design and thick, ITTF-approved rubber. The Idoraz ping pong racket has a spin rating of 93 and gives superb spin and balance when playing.
The rubber has ample traction to impart spin on the ball, and the table tennis bat’s smooth handle allows for effortless spin control. If you are an intermediate player or you’re searching for speed and balance, the Idoraz ping pong bat is definitely your best bet. It is undoubtedly the greatest table tennis racket for recreational players on the market, with a speed rating of 99 and a well-balanced frame.
Idoraz has plenty of control for those fast shots when it comes to power on this pro ping pong paddle. This quality table tennis paddle has a 90 control rating and a 2.00 mm rubber coating, making it an excellent ping pong racket to own and a wonderful present to receive.
Idoraz ping pong paddles are made with cutting-edge technology. The manufacturers are confident enough in their quality that we offer you a money-back guarantee. You either love your paddle or you return it within 30 days for a full refund. Now that is called customer satisfaction!
STIGA – Best For Control
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Need to Know Information
What We Love About It: The STIGA Tournament-Quality Tennis Racket is a popular table tennis racket with a 5-ply exceptionally light blade, 2 mm sponge, an Italian composite handle, and ITTF approved drive inverted rubber. Crystal Technology has been included in the paddle, making it extremely durable and comfortable to use. |
This is a low-cost, pre-made starter paddle with outstanding control. Its inverted 2 mm thick rubber provides good spin. Its small weight, on the other hand, can be an impediment to more forceful strokes. Because it is such a lightweight bat, it is ideal for intermediate players looking to speed up their game.
The blade’s crystal technology hardens the surface and offers a little extra speed. However, its spin is significant as well, being only slightly less than its speed. With that being said, this paddle offers the best control when playing a sport like a table tennis.
You should also purchase custom high-quality Stiga rubbers to boost the blade’s performance. However, keep the weight distribution of the bat in mind. Because the blade is so light, custom-made rubbers may cause the configuration to be overly top-heavy.
Overall, the Stiga Titan is a good option for recreational players who want to enhance their table tennis skills. The STIGA Titan is an excellent blend of splitting the technology and high-quality materials. When compared to other table tennis equipment, it is also quite inexpensive, so you receive good value for money when you buy it.
Killerspin Jet800 – Best for Speed
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Need to Know Information
What We Love About It: The Killerspin Jet800 features a 7-ply composite wood and carbon fiber blade for additional power, as well as professional-grade Nitrx-4Z rubbers for better accuracy. |
This Killerspin Jet800 SPEED N2 Ping Pong Paddle is currently one of the most popular ping pong paddles on the market. It is an ITTF-approved, professional-grade paddle developed with the serious player in mind, giving outstanding grip on attacks and smashes, as well as strong spins for serves. It weighs 266 grams and has a grip size of 3 14 inches.
One of the primary qualities that makes it a fan favorite is its exceptional craftsmanship. When playing, the Killerspin Jet800 SPEED N2’s professional quality Nitrx-4Z rubbers give incredible precision. Furthermore, the blade is carefully crafted of 7-ply composite wood and carbon fiber to ensure greater pop.
It also has the following ideal ratings: Control Ratings: 7.5, Spin Ratings: 9, and Power Ratings: 9, all of which are suitable for an offensive playing style. Aside from that, when you get this paddle from Amazon, you will also receive a personalized memory book that serves as a storage case for scores, signatures, and notes.
JOOLA Infinity Balance – Most Comfortable
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Need to Know Information
What We Love About It: The JOOLA Balance ping pong racket has a smooth inverted surface and a comfortable ergonomic flared grip handle for increased performance and spin. It is also a high-performance paddle that can assist anyone in improving their game. |
JOOLA is among the most well-known table tennis companies. They make everything including high-quality tables to high-quality paddles for ping pong, from recreational to severe competitive fixtures. The JOOLA Balance ping pong racket has a smooth inverted surface and a comfortable ergonomic flared grip handle for increased performance and spin.
With all of the qualities of a professional ping pong racquet, this paddle is great for pushing your game to the next level. The racket’s side is protected by flexible PVC edge tape. Only the finest materials, including Limba, Koto, Ayous, and Kiri wood, are used to create the optimal mix for better control and spin.
This paddle is particularly fit for intermediate players, but experienced players can also use it. The Infinity Balance would aid intermediate players who have managed to handle their attacking strokes, such as the forehand topspin stroke. The Infinity Balance has a lot of speed, so if you can keep playing more offensive strokes, you’ll benefit greatly from using it.
The JOOLA Infinity Balance Ping Pong Paddle is a high-performance paddle that could benefit anyone’s game. It is certainly one of our top options in its class, excelling in all facets of ping pong play.
AirBlades AB-5000 – Best Blade
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Need to Know Information
What We Love About It: The AirBlades AB-5000 paddle is comprised of materials like Koto (a heavy wood), which results in a faster and stiffer blade. Using Koto as an outside blade promotes precise, quick blocks and powerful hitting, resulting in sharper ball contact and faster rebound. |
The AirBlades AB-5000 five-star paddle is built of five layers of wood, with three layers of Ayous plywood in the center and two layers of Koto wood on the outside. For added control, 2 mm of outstanding sponge and 1.6 mm of high-end inverted rubber are wrapped around the 5 layers of high-quality wood blades.
The two outer layers are made of Koto wood, which is a high-quality hardwood that produces a more responsive racket that is ideal for looping, blocking, and counterattacking. It is intended for exceptional grip and extreme control, so you can knock the ball across any ping pong table like a pro. This table tennis paddle is appropriate for all skill levels, including beginners, especially intermediates, and advanced players, and can be used both indoors and outdoors.
A one-of-a-kind ergonomically built slope handle table tennis racket with a specially designed curving handle that precisely fits the form of your hand. This lightweight ping pong paddle’s smooth shape is exceptionally comfortable and will help you enhance your block, return, and serve, as well as blast forehand drives and smashes.
If you are still dissatisfied with this paddle, you may purchase a water-resistant hard travel case with it. It also includes a lifetime warranty on the workmanship of every AirBlade paddle purchased, as well as a 100% satisfaction guarantee that allows you to return your item within 30 days for a full refund.
FAQ When Searching for the Best Ping Pong Paddles for Intermediate Players
Does a Ping Pong Paddle Effect Spin?
Spin is an important part of table tennis because it adds a layer of strategy and flair to the game. Spin can force the ball to travel in unexpected directions, which can both delight spectators and frustrate opponents. Topspin can cause a ball to appear pulled to the table. If not countered, sidespin can cause the ball to depart an opponent’s paddle. Backspin can cause the ball to glide easily across the table.
If you wish to play a fast-paced game, it is best to obtain a blade with 5 or more layers of material. In this scenario, the principle of ‘the lighter the better’ becomes essential; hence, blades composed of titanium carbon and other comparable materials are suitable for your style of play. An all-wood blade, on the other hand, is ideal for defensive players since it absorbs some of the ball’s energy and helps slow the game down to your preference.
Tackiness and rigidity are two important factors for evaluating rubbers. The more spin it has, the tackier it is. A softer rubber generates greater spin. As a result, a soft, sticky rubber is your best pick if you want to play a slow, defensive game. If you wish to play more aggressive games, though, you should choose firmer rubber.
Moreover, the blade is the most substantial component of your paddle, determining the power rating of your attacks and driving the gameplay. Attacking paddles are constructed of lighter, more rigid materials, whilst defensive paddles are built of softer materials.
What Ping Pong Paddle GIves The Best Control?
Out of our list, the Stiga Titan is a good option for recreational players who want to enhance their table tennis skills, particularly in control. The crystal technology in the blade hardens the surface and adds a little extra speed. Its spin, on the other hand, is significant, being only slightly less than its speed. That being said, when playing a sport like table tennis, this paddle provides the best control.
What Blade Size is Best for Intermediate Players?
Normally, ping pong paddles have almost comparable blade sizes since the most essential aspect of the blade is the weight, which defines whether the paddle is penhold, shakehand, offensive, defensive, or all-rounder.
What type of ping pong paddle do pros use?
Professional ping pong paddles vary in length depending on their style and ability level, but they are normally between two and four inches long when measured from the handle to the end of the blade. This excludes any inch added by a rubber. Professional ping pong paddles are normally cushioned with rubber, and the blade section of the paddle is often composed of metal on one or both sides.
Professionals utilize a variety of table tennis paddles based on their strength and skill level. Professional ping pong players typically favor heavier paddles than amateur players, as they require a bit extra strength to get past an opponent’s volley.
Some professionals will have more questions than others, and some will be concerned with what feels good in our hands, while others will be concerned with which one weights less in order to boost the speed of play.
How Often Should I Replace my Ping Pong Paddle?
Ping pong paddles are rated differently based on spin, speed, and control, and once you choose a paddle for yourself and start playing with it, you acquire a kind of affinity and comfort with it. Another difficult step is throwing it away and gaining a correct grip on a fresh paddle.
As a result, it is preferable to change a paddle’s rubbers when they get worn or damaged after extended use. Professionals understand how to care for a paddle and understand that the cheaper the paddle, the sooner they need to repurchase a second paddle.
So when should you replace your ping pong paddle or rubbers? It is pretty basic knowledge that when equipment is damaged or worn out, it should be replaced or repaired.
When the handle or blade is damaged to an irreparable point, you should consider buying a new one. However, if it is only the rubber that is damaged or degraded, you have the option to replace the rubber and not the paddle itself, although it may require a bit of skill.
Best Ping Pong Paddle For Intermediate Players Conclusion
It is critical to invest in a high-quality ping-pong paddle that is tailored to your specific demands and playing style. Given the various alternatives available, deciding which paddle is ideal for you will help you save money in the long run.
Table tennis has grown in popularity as an indoor game, especially since the pandemic forced everyone to hide in their homes and isolate themselves from other people. This is because the sport provides a fun component of entertainment in which people of all ages can engage.
When choosing a paddle, keep in mind that even following other purchasing advice can leave you feeling a little overwhelmed. Fortunately, this article has concentrated on discovering a few paddles that are perfect for intermediate players interested in learning more about the game and looking for the right paddle. Essentially, you’ll want to seek durable, pre-assembled paddles that are designed for different styles of play.
Each style of play includes two variants, with the more expensive version constructed from higher-quality materials to provide some added difficulty for both advanced and expert players. Control, weight, handle, rubber type, pricing, warranty, and layer thickness are all factors to consider when shopping for the best intermediate paddles, as discussed in this article.
Customer satisfaction surveys and internet feedback were used to choose the top ping pong paddles shown above. So, if you’re getting a hang of the game, start with the efficient options. So, if you’re seeking to buy a ping-pong paddle, check out the list we’ve compiled for you!