Without Quality Rubber you can’t dominate your opponent with maximum spin, control, and speeds. Hope you agree with me.
Table tennis rubbers are one of the most important factors when it comes to table tennis paddles, however, they have their lifespan. If you have a quality paddle with quality ping pong table, the most ideal thing you can do is strip off the used rubbers and replace them with the new ones. It’s something that requires a bit of precision, new rubbers, and special glue (which isn’t expensive at all), and we think that almost anyone can do it.
There’s not much that can go wrong, and if you have steady hands, you can do it. But sometimes, the hardest part is choosing your next rubbers you will put on your paddle. With this part, we are going to help you with the 7 best table tennis rubbers 2022.
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Here are the different rubbers that are currently available on the market for purchase:
Inverted Rubber
This ping pong paddle rubber is best suited for putting a spin on a ball due to its breadth of contact surface with a ping pong ball.
Short Pips-Out Rubber
This rubber is not easily affected by the opponent’s spin due to its narrowness of contact surface with a ball. It will knock a ball away.
Long Pimples Rubber (with Sponge)
This will serve a ball with unexpected spin due to the various movements of pimples in hitting a ball.
Long Pimples Rubber (without Sponge)
This is light and easy to handle. It doesn’t have much elasticity, so you can shut the power of explosive Top-spin balls down.
Anti-Spin Rubber
This is a kind of inverted rubber but has little friction. It is not easily affected by the opponent’s spin.
What Sponge Thickness Should I Choose?
Many rubbers offer multiple sponge thicknesses. The sponge layer, the area between the top-sheet and the wood, acts as a trampoline. A thinner sponge will be less “springy” and have a hard feel, as the ball will generally sink to the wood surface, producing less spin and speed.
A thicker sponge will have a soft feel and will be faster and provide more spin as the ball will sink deep into the sponge layer catapulting it outward with tremendous velocity and increased spin. If you are unsure about which thickness to choose, 1.9mm sponge is always a safe bet.
What Sponge hardness should I choose?
Some rubbers come with hard sponges, some with medium or soft sponges, and in some instances, you can even select the sponge hardness for a particular rubber. In general (and there are many exceptions), softer sponges tend to give you more feel of the ball, are more forgiving and make it easier to generate spin.
Harder sponges give you more offensive power and offer higher spin potential even for very hard shots. For beginners and developing players, neither a very soft nor very hard sponge is recommended.
A sponge too soft for this player is too forgiving and encourages lazy technique, and also makes it hard to power-loop since the rubber will ‘bottom out’ (‘bottoming out’ refers to the sponge compressing so much that it’s no longer got the spring to generate spin on release). A sponge too hard makes it harder to control and feel the ball, which is vital for developing players.
When should I change my rubber sheets?
A rubber’s performance will deteriorate as time and the elements take their toll. The rubber will produce less spin than it once did and will not feel as lively. The life expectancy of your rubber sheet will vary depending on how often you play.
Our Top 6 Ping Pong Rubber 2022 on current market
#1. DHS Hurricane 3 Neo – Best ping pong rubber
Features and Specifications
A unique combination of NEO sponge and Hurricane 3 rubber enables stable, high-speed attacks, maximizing the striking potential for the player. It is recommended for an attacking strategy with high speed and low fast loop with strong spin. The Rubber has a thickness of 2,15/2.20 millimeters and a Hardness of 39, 40 and 41.
Performance and Benefits
The rubbers are available in black or red and one package includes 1 fitted piece. Hitting the ball with this rubber creates a stable and high-speed arc. It greatly improves the scoring ability. Adding this rubber to the racket makes you a more offensive player and improves your game. It is, however, a very heavy rubber, so it may take you some time to adjust it to your playing style. When applying the rubber, which is indeed very easy, make sure to wait about 10 hours to let the rubber and glue dry.
- Great for attacking strategy players
- Improves the ability to score in matches and play more offensive
- Very high speed and fast loop when hitting the table tennis ball
- Stronger spin due to the thickness of the rubber
- Can be hard to adjust and take some time for amateur players to learn to play with this rubber
- Can be a bit heavy for some players
#2. Butterfly Tenergy 05 ping pong rubber
Features and Specifications
This is the first rubber to feature Butterfly’s new “Spring Sponge”. Spring Sponge feels hard yet its new technology allows it to hold the ball on the racket longer. Tenergy 05 combines this new explosive sponge with a new tensioned top-sheet with maximum surface grip. The result is a rubber that produces massive amounts of spin on serves and topspin drives. Butterfly Tenergy is also the fastest most explosive rubber in the product line all without the use of any speed-glues or tuning. Tenergy will keep its speed throughout the life of the rubber without the need for any special treatments.
Performance and Benefits
The rubber works great for players who loop a lot and want power and spin. However, the butterfly energy 05 rubber is very bouncy and that makes it difficult to keep the ball on the table for players who are not used to the bounciness. In Summary, this is a perfect fit for world-class table tennis players who can handle speed, power, and bounciness. For amateur players, this is not the best option because it is very hard to handle
- Very professional Rubber for world-class players
- Very high power and speed
- High quality and long-lasting rubber
- The rubber is a bit too bouncy for some players
- Very pricey compared to similar handling rubbers
#3. DONIC Baracuda high-quality ping pong Rubber
Features and Specifications
The new Formula Donic Baracuda rubber with built-in speed glue effect produces fantastic spin. It is one of the best backhand rubbers. The ball leaves the blade in a noticeably higher arc, giving considerably more spin. The increased rotation of the ball stabilizes the shot and increases speed. Shot accuracy is visibly improved even for top players. Barracuda offers that extra margin of safety and touches even in the tightest situation. In addition, Baracuda’s top rubber surface has been newly constructed to be more durable than similar rubbers, resulting in more playing hours with a surface that is less prone to damage.
Performance and Benefits
This smooth, inverted Table Tennis rubber is a great choice for all types of players. It is very responsive and sends the ball where you want it to go. It is a lot thinner compared to other competitors and also has a lower price tag. The rubber has a very high spin rating compared to other rubbers and really lives up to that rating.
- Great Speed and Control
- Very high and professional spin rating
- Available in red and black
- Shipping can be very slow for this product
- Extremely high flight curve when playing topspin
#4. Muzitao UltraBite Table tennis Rubber
Features and Specifications
Turn any old crappy bat or paddle into a spin devastation machine with this excellent value rubber replacement set from Muzitao. UltraBite is a good first choice for new players looking to move on from introduction bats and rubbers. This set won’t cost you an arm and a leg and you’ll get a professional playing Table Tennis Rubber set which will move your game to the next level. The set includes 2 x Rubbers: One Red + One Black. No need to buy separate rubbers. It also comes with or without sponge backing.
Performance and Benefits
This rubber is extremely tacky. We recommend keeping it away from dust or anything that might stick to it. A cover or dust jacket is recommended. Some sort of rubber cleaner is a must for any serious player to keep their weapon of choice in top condition. UltraBite is super-tacky for maximum spin and fizz on your topspin and insane chop on your slices. The Muziato UltraBite Rubber is also ITF approved and legal to use in all tournaments. It does however not offer as much control as other rubbers and smells very chemical.
- ITTF Approved for all sorts of tournaments and gameplay
- Amazing value for your money
- Includes Red and Black rubber
- Maximum Spin and fizz while playing
- The rubber smells very chemical
- Not as much control as some other premium rubbers
#5. Killerspin Nitrx-4z Rubber
Features and Specifications
The Nitrix 4z table tennis rubber is ITTF approved. The tacky but thin top sheet on Nitrx 4z table tennis rubber gives you the advantage of heavy spin on serves while being more forgiving when receiving spinny shots. High control is offered for blocks and counters. Nitrx 4z table tennis rubber is suited for a power driving offense and works well in a third-ball attack game. Rubber is made in China.
Performance and Benefits
The Killerspin Rubber has the following ratings: Speed 8.7, Spin 9.0, Control 8.8. Killerspin was created to serve the table tennis player while providing U.S. homes and offices aesthetically pleasing table tennis gear for head-turning style and competition-level play. The rubber offers amazing spin and control. However, the rubber cracks very easily when left in the sun for too long.
- Very high quality for an affordable price tag
- Gives you the advantage of heavy spins on serves
- Very high control for blocks and counters
- ITTF approved
- Rubber cracks easily and dries out when left in the sun
- The material in this rubber set is only enough for ½ of a paddle
#6. DHS PF4 Table Tennis Rubber Sheet Ping Pong Rubber
Features and Specifications
The new PF4, probably the best Chinese table tennis rubber, keeps the unique feature of PF4 while increasing the speed. It uses the rubber produced in new sulfurization technology, adopting the dense hard sponge and a new cement is added between sponge and rubber. The rubber comes in a thickness of 1.6, 1.8 or 2.0 mm, and is Suitable for quick-attack with loop. It is available in Black or Red colors.
Performance and Benefits
PF4 Table tennis rubber was used by dozens of Chinese players to win the world champion in the age of 38mm. It was designed for Olympic Athletes but is now being used by amateurs around the world. The rubber is ideal for loop drives with fast attacks. One drawback to this rubber is the time it takes to adjust to it. Some players need more than average training in order to adjust to the spin and bounce of the rubber.
- A very tacky and aggressive pop for attack and loop style play
- Very easy to replace old rubber with the DHS PF4
- Used by world-class table tennis players around the world
- Created for Olympic athletes
- Comes with a one-year warranty
- Shipping may take a while
- Takes some time to adjust playing style to the rubber
Some Important Frequency Ask a question (FAQ) for table tennis rubber
How do you take care of and clean table tennis rubber?
Use a standard kitchen sponge and warm water. Dampen the sponge and gently wipe the surface of the rubber until you notice that the dirt and other particles are coming loose. Avoid vigorous scrubbing. If there is a build-up of oils and dirt, let the moisture from the sponge gently soak it off, then wipe away. new to learn more about how to clean your ping pong rubber read here.
What types of table tennis rubber are there?
There are four main types of rubber sheets: Smooth, Short Pips, Long Pips, and Anti-Topspin.
Smooth: Most players in the modern game of table tennis use smooth rubber, also called “inverted” rubber. The surface of the rubber is smooth with a layer of sponge underneath. Smooth rubber provides the most spin and is used by over 85% of tournament players. Hitters, loopers, all-around players and defensive players all use smooth inverted rubber.
Short Pips: Short pips rubber, also called “pimpled” rubber, has a bumpy surface and usually has a layer of sponge underneath. It is used by players who do not execute a great deal of spin in their game. Some close-to-the-table hitters, all-around players, and defensive players use short pips. Short pips often provide more control for players who have difficulty playing against spin. “Hard rubber” is the term for short pips rubber with no sponge, and it is used primarily for the old-fashioned “Classic” or “Hardbat” play.
Long Pips: Long pips rubber has extra-long pips that reverse the spin of the opponent. The unpredictability of the spin from the long pips can give the long pips player an advantage over the opponent who has not learned to read the spin. It is difficult to play offensively with long pips, so most players who use long pips only use it on one side.
Anti-Topspin: Anti-‘Topspin rubber has a smooth surface but does not generate much spin and it is slow in speed. Anti rubber neutralizes the spin of the opponent. Most players who use anti rubber block with it on one side and use a different rubber on the other.
How can you remove table tennis rubber from the racket?
If you want to remove the old rubber from your table tennis bat, there are three steps you have to complete in order to get your bat ready for the new rubber. This will take you no more than 10 minutes per bat.
Step 1: Remove the edge protector from the bat.
Step 2: Peel off the rubber. At this point, the rubber may break and you will have to peel it off in pieces. This is not a problem; it just takes a bit longer.
Step 3: Remove the glue residues which are still on the bat from the old rubber sticking to it. For the removal of the glue, we recommend using a rubber chip.
How is Table Tennis Rubber made?
Table tennis rubber is made by professional table tennis equipment manufacturers. Here is a good video to show how it is made: https://youtu.be/vdhGxd-oxas
Rubber Buying Guide
The rubber on your table tennis blade influences the way you play table tennis. It can dictate your overall technique, strategy, and style of play. Choosing the best ping pong rubber for your racket can be overwhelming, which is why we have created this Table Tennis Rubber Guide. We want to help players at every level select the correct ping pong paddle rubber that fits their needs. View our simple guide to learn how to choose between different table tennis rubber types. Find the right rubber to start improving your gameplay today.
How are table tennis rubbers rated?
Rubber is usually rated according to Speed, Spin and Control, and can sometimes be chosen in a few options of Sponge Thickness and Sponge Hardness.
Speed:
The speed of a rubber generally refers to the speed that the ball comes off, for a loop or loop-drive type stroke. The actual speed that the ball comes off also depends on many other factors, including the blade, the stroke played, the sponge thickness and the speed of the incoming ball, but the speed rating is useful for comparing between one rubber and another. For anti-spin or long pimple rubber, where a ‘loop-type’ strokes are generally not played, the speed refers to that of a block or push. Rubber speed is actually quite complex, and cannot really be defined by a single number, but this is all we have, so we can use it as a general guide.
Spin:
As with the speed rating, the spin of a rubber generally refers to the spin on the ball from a loop or loop-drive type stroke. Spin is even more dependent on other factors besides the rubber spin rating and is particularly sensitive to the stroke played and the speed and spin of the incoming ball, but again the rating gives some reference for comparing between one rubber and another.
Control:
This rating is clearly the most controversial and misunderstood rating, and should not be given too much consideration. Manufacturers like to give high control ratings to all of their rubbers, even to their fastest and spinniest one, but in reality, you cannot have a rubber that is both fast, spinny and with high control. No rubber has it all, so you always need to compromise between speed, spin, and control. The faster rubbers do generally have a lower control rating, but it’s quite possible to have a rubber with both high spin and high control.
Do notice, however, that most manufacturers chose different rating scales for their rating of speed, spin, and control. So there really is no universal rating.
We chose the 7 best ping pong rubbers that are currently for sale on the market and tested and reviewed them for you! Here are your table tennis rubber reviews:
Final Verdict
Choosing the perfect table tennis rubber for your playing style is not an easy task. Before you advance to choose your rubber. Make sure to check which requirements you have. Do you need thick or a thin rubber? Are you looking for Speed, spin and/or control? All these factors have to be considered when purchasing. However, once you set your new table tennis bat up with the best rubber on it, it will just take some training and getting used to it until you will become a better player. Choosing a cheap table tennis rubber may not always give you the best result. Sometimes it’s worth it to spend a bit more money to find the best table tennis rubber for control and spin!
Out of the 6 table tennis rubbers we reviewed there are two rubbers that we recommend as the best rubber for amateur table tennis players and for professional table tennis players.
The best ping pong rubber for amateur players is 3. DONIC Baracuda Rubber which provides world-class control for your table tennis game!
The best table tennis rubber for professional players in the 2. Butterfly Tenergy 05 rubber which offers extremely high power and spin. It is also the best table tennis rubber for backhand.
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