What Ping Pong Paddles Do Olympians Use? (The Best Ones)

You must know what achieving perfect hand-eye coordination, activating social interactions, and maintaining optimal health means when you play ping pong. It is for this reason that Chinese players dominate the world championships. Their first experience in the championships was about a century ago, and they have no intention of letting the sport down. So what ping pong paddle do the Olympians use?

The Olympians use the following ping pong paddles. STIGA Raptor Table Tennis Racket, Killerspin JET800 Speed N1, and Mapol 4 Star Pro. Other paddles include Butterfly 401 Table Tennis Racket Set and the Sport out Sriver-He Rubber Table Tennis Paddle.

When did you last watch ping pong games? A lot of things have changed about the game. So make sure you read ahead for more info about it.

What Is the Best Ping Pong Paddle?

The best ping pong paddle is Killerspin JET800 Speed N1. It is somewhat costly though its features are worth it. Other best paddles include the STIGA Pro Carbon Table Tennis Racket, and the Mapol 4 Star Pro.

Are you having thoughts of growing into one of the best ping pong players in the world? Besides the rules and norms of the games, you should also learn the technicality that other top players rely on. For instance, you must have seen a beginner walking into a tennis lounge with a brand new set of equipment. 

But after a few chats with experienced players, you will see the guy trying out specific equipment different from those he went in with.

Furthermore, you will need inspiration from those who have already reached success in the game, since they already know the difficulties and smoothens. Here, you can be sure to find out some of the best paddles used by ping pong players. These are:

Killerspin Jet800 Speed N1

You might fear this paddle because of its price. But it comes loaded with a package of features that make it just worth its immediate price.

It has premium carbon, covering up to 5 layers of wood. All these together minimize vibrations centralizing the force, thus giving you total control over the ball.

It also comes with an ITTF approved rubber that is a big plus on the ball’s spin. Moreover, with great skill, you can be sure of handling almost all kinds of strokes, from the topspin, backspin to the side spins.

The JET800 also boasts of an appealing handle construction that can withstand wear and abrasion, while standing out as one excellent choice for aesthetic view.

Stiga Pro Carbon Table Tennis Racket

It is one of the best paddles for STIGA pro because it is crafted from balsa wood, ITTF approved rubber, and carbon. The carbon layers are also uniquely placed to maximize your overall control over the ball.

It also makes it an excellent paddle for offensive plays with flat hits and generally great smashes without forgetting its topspin ability. However, the latter needs great tactics in knowing how to do it just right.

Generally, the STIGA Pro Carbon Table Tennis Racket is one of the best available and has been used by the likes of Ma Long and Fan Zhendong.

Mapol 4 Star Pro

Compared to the first two paddles, this one comes at a much more affordable rate, but with great specs that go far beyond its price. It’s very light and you can easily depend on it when switching between different techniques without making any mistakes.

The Mapol 4 Star Pro, is also durable and matches every ITTF paddle rule. Furthermore, it is the thick padding that makes it perfect for defensive shots in the game.

Does the Paddle Matter In Ping Pong?

The paddle does matter in ping pong. While different brands produce differing paddles, if you want guaranteed winnings and fair play, your paddle must meet the ITTF standards. These include the red-black color standards and the rubber covering.

If it’s your first time in ping pong, besides the inability to tell the best equipment, it might be somewhat challenging to decide if this is what you want. More so if you come across third-party friends who are not sure about the game except what they hear the commentators saying during a match.

As you may have noticed, some ping pong paddles have rubber on one side and sandpaper on the other. It could also make you wonder which side of the coin is more applicable to why, when, and when not.

Therefore, your paddle comes in red and black sides as explained in the next section as a requirement for all standard table tennis matches. The exact outcome of the surface layers on both sides of the paddle may differ due to varying brands. 

But basically:

The thicker the paddle the best it is for aggressive players. It is your best option for defensive and attack shots. So if you are an offensive player you should always look for paddles over 2.0mm thick. While if you are a defensive player, your best bet should be on a paddle whose thickness is under 2mm.

• Ping pong paddles have pimples on their rubber side surface. So when deciding on your paddle, remember the longer the pimples the better defensive play you have with the paddle. On the other hand the shorter the pimples, the better offensive play you have.
•  So you do not have to go around looking for an experienced player’s paddle to determine their criteria. You can find your paddle right here, so you can begin playing ping pong right away. 
• If, however, you still aren’t acquainted with defensive and offensive shots, you should stick to reversed rubber paddles. One thing you should not forget to check for is their approval with the ITTF. Using such a game paddle, you have up to 4 sides to choose from for your gameplays.

Read also: Are Expensive Ping Pong Paddles Worth It? (Truth About Cost)

Why Do Ping Pong Paddles Have Red and Black Sides?

Ping pong paddles have red and black sides to establish fair play. Your rival will need to evaluate the ball’s spin to help him prepare for what shot he wants to return. It is only possible for him to see what side impacted the ball thus understanding the form of spin the ball is in.

It is always a good idea to have the ability to maintain and keep your paddle in mind when choosing your best ping pong paddle option. Maintaining it means cleaning it off after every game with soap and water and a cleaning agent if it’s a reverse rubber paddle.

You will have a better chance of winning ping pong matches if you have your paddle with you. Therefore, when you buy the same, you should always check for the red and black sides. Besides their traditional meaning, you can come up with your definition of the two sides, as long as it makes sense to you and earns you points.

The red side is for attacking, so you need to have better wrist strength. This strength should also apply when returning a ball with force or when serving. Defensive shots are also traditionally made with the black side. When your rival hits a serve, you should probably have your black side of the paddle ready to return the ball.

Although there are no paddle color rules for you to stick to, it’s up to you to experiment to find what works best for you. If you decide to rearrange them in your way, just make sure you can tell which side is stronger without confusing your shots.

So when you decide to realign or design the paddle for your work, you need to consider the following tips:

According to the creation and design of the rubbers, it is always best to use your attack hand with the black side. It is because the side lacks some dye normally present in the red side thus making the black side much more effective for fastballs.

In that case, it means you should consider configuring your red side for spinning. But the design and configuration are all up to your decision. 

Read also: Why Are Table Tennis Paddles Red & Black? (Fast Answer)

Learn more: Difference Between Red and Black Table Tennis Rubbers?

Which Is the Best Ping Pong Paddle for Spin?

The best ping pong paddle for a spin is the Butterfly Pro-Line Hand Assembled. It comes with the best balance of high spin and speed matching just what you need. Other spin paddles include the JOOLA Infinity Overdrive, and the Killerspin JET 600.

You can learn a lot about ping pong if you devote more time to practicing it; It all comes from experience. For instance, it is only after several poor returns that you will learn how the ball’s spin affects what it does once it touches the table.

So with a powered spin, the ball can either bounce back to your advantage or straight upwards. While with a less powered spin, there will be a high probability for a no-spin ball. So it will be up to you to practice the execution of different spins.

Therefore, the best ping pong paddles for spin are:

Butterfly Pro-line Hand Assembled

Do you think you have sharpened your offensive skills? The Butterfly Pro-line is your best paddle for spinning and dominating your opponent. It is light in weight but with a timely balance of great speed and heavy spin for attacking. It also has an ITTF rubber sponge that gives you more control of the ball.

JOOLA Infinity Overdrive

The paddle has received outstanding ratings during its 60+ years as a leader in the industry. With its smooth inverted surface, it provides absolute speed and spin. The 5-ply real wood guarantees you the utmost durability of the Joola Infinity Overdrive with reduced vibrations and stronger attacks.

Killerspin Jet600

It has a solid wood shaft with an enhanced balance of thick sponges with powerful spin control. The paddle has excellent protection when not in use, thus, guaranteeing you a durable paddle. The Killerspin JET600 also boasts of an ITTF Nitrx 4Z rubber that will give you the tops in your competition.

Is Penhold Better Than Shakehand?

Penhold is not better than shakehand. The Penhold grip drains a player’s stamina because of the unique turn required to maintain consistent topspins. This forces you to move closer to the table for blocking with a backhand and attacking with a top hand.

Are you aware that how you handle your paddle in table tennis or ping pong matters? One of the most vital skills that you will learn from your trainer on your first day will be how to do this. There is no need for you to worry if you didn’t get an opportunity to do that. 

Learn more: Shakehand Vs Penhold Grip (Full Table Tennis Grip Guide)

Here’s how you do it:

Shakehand grip

Your index fingers should be on the side facing your body when you hold the paddle. Make sure your thumb rests on top of the blade handle, just like you would on a bicycle handlebar. So the paddle blade rests on the v-shaped between your thumb and index finger. It looks like you are about to shake someone’s hand if you have never ridden a bicycle before.

So there are two types of Shakehand grip, the shallow and the deep Shakehand grips. 

• Shallow Shakehand grip:- The thumb rests on the blade.
• Deep Shakehand grip:- the thumb rests on the rubber.

A shallow Shakehand grip is better than a deep Shakehand grip because you can quickly adjust the paddle angle as the paddle is held loosely.

A deep Shakehand grip ensures a firm grip by limiting paddle movement.

Shakehand grips have the disadvantage of always having a crossover point where your opponent can attack. If you place the paddle at the front of your chest, then you can move it right or left without difficulty. But, the opponent has the option of going under your elbow to make their score.

Players who prefer to loop, topspin, and loop the ball commonly use shallow Shakehand grips. Furthermore, it is the best grip for players who hit the ball with a medium to fast speed (smashing).

Deep Shakehand is for people who prefer backspin attacks and defensive strokes.

Penhold grip

With the Penhold grip, you hold the paddle as you would hold a pen ready to write. The thumb and index finger are always on the front of the handle, while the other fingers are curved at the back of the handle for added support.

The main disadvantage with this grip is that the player will find it difficult to maintain consistent topspins because he will need to curve his arm to an unnatural degree. So if you will opt to use this technique, it will be better to move closer to the table where you can block the balls with a backhand and attack with a top hand. There could also be a risk of touching the table thus causing a fault.

The player will have to use fast footwork to match the pace of the ball, draining their stamina.

Are Sand Paper Table Tennis Paddles Legal?

Sandpaper table tennis paddles are not legal because sandpaper does not meet the ITTF regulations for table tennis paddles. However, it depends on the immediate rules of the competition you are part of. Also, sandpaper paddles are legal in the sport of ping pong.

The ITTF categorically states the covering materials for the paddles to be ITTF approved materials. These include pimpled rubber and wooden blade. There are, however, events that use sandpaper paddles and different rules from those of the ITTF.