How do you hold a ping pong paddle?

While there are a few different ways to hold a ping pong paddle, the most universal grip is known as “the shakehand.” Hold the racket loosely, with the web between your thumb and your index finger, touching the blade’s curve. Your index finger should rest along the edge of the backhand side, with your thumb against the bottom edge of the forehand side. Keep your wrist straight with your forearm.

How do you clean a ping pong paddle?

Properly cleaning your ping pong paddle will prolong its lifespan, ultimately meaning you’ll need to replace it less often. It also ensures a better game, as grime and dirt will wear down the rubber. Gently rub the surface of your paddle with a sponge or cloth dipped in room temperature water to clean it. Check to make sure it has completely dried, likely about 30 to 60 minutes later, before putting away.

Why are ping pong paddles red and black?

Two colors, two sides to the paddle, two different competitive advantages. The red side and the black side of a ping pong paddle each have a different perk, allowing you to flip the paddle if you want to return the ball with a certain strategy. In most cases, the red side makes the ball go faster, while the black side is known to put a better spin on the ball. (Though, sometimes you can buy your own rubbers to put on your paddle, so you can choose which side is used for what.)

The 7 Best Ping Pong Paddles of 2021

Our editors independently research, test, and recommend the best products; you can learn more about our review process here. We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links.

Whether you casually play ping pong or are looking to seriously increase your skills, a quality paddle is key. The ping pong paddle you bring to battle can make or break your game.

There are hundreds of various similar but slightly different ping pong paddles on the market though—how do you know what's the best fit for you and your style of playing? It can be overwhelming. That's why we've researched the best ping pong paddles of different advantages and price points. The best of the best combine spin with speed, and all feature a combination of quality, affordability, and durability.

If you're ready to up your game, read on for the best ping pong paddles.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Killerspin JET200 Table Tennis Paddle at Amazon

Tops our list for its combination of quality, cost, and durability.

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Best Budget:

EastPoint Sports Table Tennis Paddle at Amazon

A dependable product with an affordable starting point.

Read Review

Best for Spin:

STIGA Pro Carbon Table Tennis Racket at Amazon

STIGA ranks the Pro Carbon as their best in spin.

Read Review

Best for Beginners:

STIGA Supreme Performance-Level Table Tennis Racket at Amazon

A lightweight paddle that gives you a clean, solid strike every time.

Read Review

Best Professional:

Killerspin Diamond TC RTG Premium Table Tennis Racket at Amazon

Its blade is constructed of titanium carbon fiber and seven layers of wood.

Read Review

Best Set:

JP WinLook Ping Pong Paddle Set at Amazon

Comes with four durable paddles, eight ping pong balls, and a case.

Read Review

Best Penhold Paddle:

DHS 6006 New Series Superstar Penhold at Amazon

Has a shorter handle for more comfort, control, and speed.

Read Review

In This Article

Our Picks
What to Look for When Buying Ping Pong Paddles
Why Trust The Spruce?

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Five layers of premium, lightweight wood. High-performance rubber. Three eye-catching colors—navy blue, mocha, and lime. And a bargain price. The Killerspin JET200 tops our list for its combination of quality, cost, and durability.

It’s a wonderful product for ping pong newcomers looking to improve their skills, families hunting for an affordable way to play a fun game and even experienced players who want a sleek, top-grade paddle.

The JET200 has a flared wooden handle for extra comfort, balanced weight distribution for a dependable shot every time and adherent rubber to provide extra power and spin.

This product is also packaged in a one-of-a-kind personalized memory book storage case. Inside the box is a marker and a section to write down scores of old games or personalized messages, making it a great gift for table tennis lovers.

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Buying a budget ping pong paddle can get dicey. You could easily walk into the nearest sporting goods store and find a few different paddles under $10, but, as with most things, paying less might come with drawbacks. Cheaper ping pong paddles are more likely to chip, warp, and have rubber that peels or bubbles. But EastPoints Sports 3.0 paddle is a dependable product, and its starting price is incredibly affordable.

This paddle features a high-tack rubber design for a combination of speed and spin, and the sponge backing beneath the rubber allows it to withstand harder strikes while also providing increased ball control.

While some customers did have issues with the rubber peeling, at such a low price this product can be replaced several times over the years and still be more affordable than other paddles of similar quality.

STIGA Pro Carbon Performance-Level Table Tennis Racket

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The STIGA Pro Carbon is a professional paddle with top-of-the-line features. In fact, it was in the running for our choice as the best professional paddle, but the Pro Carbon is so darn good at spin that it couldn’t go anywhere else but here.

Like many major table tennis retailers, STIGA rates their paddles in three categories: power, control, and spin. They rank the Pro Carbon as their best in spin, with a perfect 100 out of 100 rating.

This paddle has a 7-ply extra light wooden blade, coated in rubber and two millimeters of cushioning sponge. Two internal layers of carbon give it improved rigidity and response with every strike, and the unique shock dispersion tube absorbs vibration so that all energy is transferred through the handle instead of sending a shock to your hands.

STIGA Supreme Performance-Level Table Tennis Racket

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If you’re a ping pong newcomer hoping to increase your skills, the STIGA Supreme Performance will give you a professional paddle at an affordable price. This paddle features STIGA’s top-grade care, with a 6-ply extra lightweight blade, a two-millimeter sponge to absorb vibration and future inverted rubber for a clean, solid strike every time.

What makes this product especially suited for beginners, whether they’re new to competitive ping pong or to the sport in general, is its well-rounded attributes. STIGA grades the Supreme Performance with a 90-speed rating, a 92 spin rating and an 89 control rating. Now, it may seem intuitive to want 100’s across the board, but having a paddle with that level of speed and spin could actually make play more difficult for someone just starting out. Imagine you were still learning to drive and someone put you behind the wheel of a Formula One car. Instead, you would want to start with a car that has excellent dependability and functionality, which sums up STIGA’s Supreme Performance.

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Killerspin Diamond TC RTG Premium Table Tennis Racket

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Killerspin returns to our list but with a big makeover. Their Diamond TC RTG Premium is the best of the best—exquisitely crafted for the most serious competitors.

The price tag for the Diamond TC RTG Premium may be steep, but compared to paddles in a similar price range, this one tops all for its combination of speed, spin, and control.

This paddle will raise your skills to the next level and provide a distinct advantage over the competition. Its blade is constructed of titanium carbon fiber and seven layers of composite wood, making your every backhand, forehand, and serve lightning quick and deadly accurate.

“I'd never experienced such response and speed when hitting a ping pong ball,” one customer wrote. “Once I adjusted my playing to fit this beauty, it's blown my mind and totally revolutionized my ping pong game.”

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The trickiest part of purchasing a ping pong paddle set is making sure it checks all the boxes. Some sets have quality paddles, but maybe it only comes with two paddles when you need four for family and friends to play. Other sets come with loads of products—four paddles, a dozen ping pong balls, a carrying case—but the quality may be lacking. Peeling paddles, balls that bounce as well as rocks.

Luckily, JP WinLook makes an all-around ping pong set. It comes with four durable paddles, each one constructed from five layers of wood and eco-friendly rubber; eight high-bounce, ITTF-approved ping pong balls; and a convenient zippered carrying case for easy transport.

As an added reason to love this set, JP WinLook offers a free 1-year replacement warranty, allowing you to buy with confidence. Customers praised the company’s customer service, saying that if they had any issues with the product JP WinLook promptly sent them replacement materials, hassle-free.

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DHS 6006 New Series SUPERSTAR Table Tennis Racket Penhold with a LANDSON Rubber Protector

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You may have seen clips of professional ping pongers using the funky penhold-grip. Especially common among Eastern players, this grips looks exactly like what the name suggests: as if you’re holding a pen. The paddle faces at a downward angle, contrasting with the more common shakehand grip.

The penhold style of play is ideal for competitors who stay close to the table during volleys and who don’t want to turn their wrists when going between backhand and forehand. To get the most out of this grip, you’ll want a paddle with a shorter handle, as it provides more comfort, control, and speed, and a small gap of wood between the handle and the rubber.

The DHS 6006 New Series Superstar Penhold is crafted to provide the utmost performance for penhold players, made of imported wood and Chinese rubber. It has a larger blade design, giving players a big sweet spot for their strikes. Keep in mind that this is a heavier paddle than most, clocking in at 9.6 ounces. Again, this is done with penhold players in mind, as the extra weight adds control and shot power without altering the short, quick movements that penhold players are best at.

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Blade

When it comes to the blade, the solid part of the paddle, the lighter, the better. For those who like a fast-paced game, a blade that incorporates carbon fiber or titanium carbon is ideal since they provide precision and speed. Defensive players may prefer an all-wood blade though; those absorb some of the ball's energy, slowing down the game. Wood blades also provide better spin and control.

Rubber

Rubbers are measured by two factors: firmness and tackiness. More tackiness equates to more spin, while a softer rubber generally produces more spin. If you're ferocious with fact-paced games, you'll want a more firm rubber. For slower, defensive games, opt for a soft, tacky rubber. In general, a thicker sponge provides more speed, and a thinner sponge allows for more control.

Handle

There are several types of ping pong handles, including straight, anatomic, flared, and penhold. Most likely you'll be shopping between straight and flared handles. The most common type is a flared handle, which you'll find on most low- to mid-priced paddles. These are suited to players who don't switch their grips often and predominantly use their fronthand. If you change your grip often, you might be better suited to a straight handle, which is what most professional players use.

FAQ

How do you hold a ping pong paddle?

While there are a few different ways to hold a ping pong paddle, the most universal grip is known as “the shakehand.” Hold the racket loosely, with the web between your thumb and your index finger, touching the blade’s curve. Your index finger should rest along the edge of the backhand side, with your thumb against the bottom edge of the forehand side. Keep your wrist straight with your forearm.
How do you clean a ping pong paddle?

Properly cleaning your ping pong paddle will prolong its lifespan, ultimately meaning you’ll need to replace it less often. It also ensures a better game, as grime and dirt will wear down the rubber. Gently rub the surface of your paddle with a sponge or cloth dipped in room temperature water to clean it. Check to make sure it has completely dried, likely about 30 to 60 minutes later, before putting away.
Why are ping pong paddles red and black?

Two colors, two sides to the paddle, two different competitive advantages. The red side and the black side of a ping pong paddle each have a different perk, allowing you to flip the paddle if you want to return the ball with a certain strategy. In most cases, the red side makes the ball go faster, while the black side is known to put a better spin on the ball. (Though, sometimes you can buy your own rubbers to put on your paddle, so you can choose which side is used for what.)

This article was written and researched by Derek Rose, Brooklyn, New York-based writer and teacher. His work has appeared in Atwood Magazine and the Albany Times Union. Additional research was done by Megan McCarty, a writer for The Spruce and MyDomaine with over 13 years of experience in both print and digital media. She regularly contributes to design-focused outlets such as Architectural Digest, Domino, House & Home, and Hunker.