Table tennis is the unlikely professional game that has made waves in both the sporting and political world since its inception in the late 19th century.
Harking back to our school days, many of us remember learning about the Cold War during History lessons. Yet there’s one particularly well-known anecdotal piece of evidence of the oscillating, back-and-forth relationship between the East and the West known as ‘Ping-Pong Diplomacy’ which was always a hit in the classroom.
In 1971, The World Table Tennis Championships were held in Nagoya, Japan. Though this was to be the 31st annual world championship seen in the sport, it was a seminal event for relations between China and the US – all thanks to 19-year-old Glenn Cowan and Zhuang Zedong.
Despite tensions between the Soviet-backed Republic and the USA, Cowan slid onto a shuttle bus carrying the Chinese team during the tournament. Striking up a friendship with Zedong, the two exchanged gifts later in the championship: Cowan received a silk-screen landscape picture, Zedong a t-shirt adorned with the iconic Beatles lyrics ‘Let it Be’ and a peace sign. Nixon was to lead a historical visit to Shanghai the following year.
Over a decade later, table tennis became an official Olympic sport during the 1988 Seoul Games. Athletes from the People’s Republic of China indeed continue to dominate the sport, with South Korea and Japan following closely behind.
Likewise, manufacturers of the best table tennis equipment across the globe are more often than not associated with the Chinese national and Olympic teams. For instance, the world-leading Swedish brand STIGA is currently the official blade provider for the Chinese National Team.
A sport which has since come to epitomise friendly competition and diplomacy, as well as immense skill, technique and speed – table tennis continues to be a popular pastime in both professional and amateur capacities. The accoutrements are simple once you’ve located a table: a bat and a ball.
If you’re looking to get into table tennis but aren’t quite sure where to start when it comes to choosing a bat, we’re here to break it down for you.
What should I look for in a table tennis bat?
When it comes to choosing a table tennis bat, think about what kind of player you are, and where you play. Are you an amateur hobbyist or an aspiring pro? Do you play in your local community centre, or on an outdoor table in the park? Though a top-notch bat cannot replace a practised and solid technique, there are a variety of factors to consider when purchasing a brand-new blade or bat.
Is there a difference between pro and amateur table tennis bats?
Those who play table tennis as a hobby need not think too hard about what kind of bat they should be using. A ready-made, non-customised midweight bat with inverted rubber is absolutely fit for amateur purposes. More advanced bats can be customised depending on a player’s needs, and are often designed to help control speed and spin.
Without further ado, keep scrolling for a round-up of the best table tennis bats for experts and novices alike.
Best table tennis bats at a glance:
Best table tennis bats for beginners
Palio Expert 3.0 Table Tennis Bat & Case - ITTF Approved, Beginner Ping Pong Racket
Best for: an all-rounder beginner’s bat
Don’t be fooled by the name of this table tennis bat, for it is a top choice for beginners. Though renowned for its ability to produce a high amount of spin, its basic inverted rubber surface and mid-weight nature allow learners to master the most basic moves and strokes.
The flared handle makes this bat a great choice for those looking to hone their grip techniques, while the ITTF-approved Palio CJ8000 rubbers allow for a greater feeling of control over the ball. Wide-edged tape keeps the rubbers secure and in place - plus, it comes with a handy carry case. Match point.
Buy now £47.63, Amazon
Butterfly Starter Table tennis bat
Best for: high-quality basics for young beginners
This junior-sized bat comes highly recommended and is officially endorsed by the English TTA and English School TTA as the leading bat for young beginners and hobbyists. The 5-ply bat provides a heavier and slower feel, which allows learners to prioritise perfecting technique over speed and spin. With inverted rubber and a slightly flared handle, Butterfly sets the standard for beginners’ bats with this model.
Buy now £24.00, Amazon
PRO-SPIN Table Tennis Bat With Pro Carbon Fibre Technology for Increased Control, Spin & Power
Best for: amateurs on a mission for success
With 7-ply and a 2mm sponge, this expertly crafted bat is perfectly suitable for beginners – but would serve wonderfully in professional hands. The custom-designed lightweight carbon fibre handle will have beginners practicing for hours on end with zero discomfort, while the slightly heavier blade surface allows players to master their sense of control over the ball.
Buy now £23.99, Amazon
Best table tennis bats for improvers
STIGA Royal 3-Star Table Tennis Ping Pong Bat, Black/Red
Best for: mighty improvers
The first of many STIGA options to come in our round-up, this three-star bat is a top pick for players looking to advance their game and take their technique to the next level. STIGA uses one-to-five-star ratings for their bats in order to help guide enthusiasts and professionals on their kit-buying journeys. You can read their dedicated star guide here for some additional detail, but the general gist of the system is that the higher the star rating, the more advanced the bat.
Sitting pretty in the middle of the range when it comes to STIGA bats, this three-star model is perfect for improvers. It will allow you to create more speed without losing control, master your spin and perfect your grip technique.
The carefully constructed 5-ply blade is cushioned with a 2.0mm sponge – not too heavy, and not too light. The Royal WRB 3-star table tennis bat was designed in collaboration with the Chinese table tennis team, and suits players with a tendency to play on the offensive.
Buy now £45.00, Amazon
Butterfly Tiago Apolonoa TAX3 Table Tennis Bat - ITTF Approved 1.5mm Pan Asia Rubber
Best for: champion-approved
One of the world’s leading brands when it comes to table tennis equipment and the makers of the expert-approved beginners’ bat, it should come as no surprise that Butterfly has produced a top-notch bat for advanced improvers. It comes with all the specs that you’d expect from an advanced bat: a 5-ply blade, 1.5mm sponge and protective edging tape.
However, what sets this bat apart for us is the unique and comfortable ergonomic grip handle and finish. It’s also endorsed by Portuguese champ Tiago Apolonoa, which certainly helps.
Buy now £38.82, OnBuy
Best table tennis bats for professionals
STIGA Pro Carbon+ Table Tennis Bat for Advanced Players
Best for: competition-ready technology
Part of STIGA’s five-star range, this Pro Carbon bat will allow you to float like a feather and sting like a bee (yes, we know that’s boxing). The Touch Carbon technology provides a larger ‘sweet spot’ for players, meaning that during game-time less mental energy is spent on ensuring the ball hits the centre of the paddle, and players are able to focus more on their grip, speed and playing on the offensive.
The blade consists of five layers of wood and two layers of carbon fibre, while the flared handle provides a comfortable, yet solid grip. This bat will have you hitting the cleanest of shots, with the utmost control.
Buy now £122.60, Amazon
STIGA Pro Carbon Plus Cybershape - 5-Star
Best for: the ultimate hi-tech table tennis bat
The same, and yet entirely different. Though made from the exact same wood composition and carbon fibre technology as the above bat, this star-shaped bat provides a very different feel and performance for professional players.
The brand-new, patent-pending design has already been seen in the hands of professional players across the globe, and has been created in order to ensure maximum hitting surface. The angular shape allows players to take greater control of the angle at which the ball is being hit, which results in unbeatable spin.
Buy now £149.90, STIGA
STIGA Prestige 5-star
Best for: professional simplicity
If it’s made by STIGA, world champs are using it. That’s why our third and final top pick for professional table tennis bats is yet another option from the famous Swedish manufacturer. Made from ITTF-approved 5-star rubber with a 2.0 mm sponge and designed to employ WRB technology for increased speed as soon as the bat comes into contact with the ball, this model is the perfect base with which a professional can truly let their skills and training do the talking.
Buy now £85.92, Amazon
