Once you’ve got it all figured out, where to buy that ping-pong table, how to set it up, and learn all the rules, it’s time to buy your first ping-pong paddles (sometimes called bats and in some cases, racquets). As you may already know, no two paddles are created equal; however, one bat may help you perform better than another. How to know will surely take time and commitment to the game. Here are some things to think about when buying ping-pong paddles, but first let’s start with some history.
The first ping pong paddles were actually the tops of cigar boxes, used to hit a cork ball back and forth over books dividing a dining room table (other materials used included sponge, sandpaper and wood). This equipment, of course, didn’t last long and racquets, like the ones in tennis but smaller, were used to get the ball over the “net.” With the snowballing popularity of the sport in the early quarter of the 1900s, the equipment for the game soon improved. Today, ping-pong paddles are made from a range of materials, wood, to aluminum to carbon and titanium. Usually, a ping-pong paddle has a glued rubber matting, dimpled to allow players to create unique spins against the ball.
Below are great buys on Ping Pong ball packs that we currently have in our shop and can be purchased right now. If your looking for an auction style setting, go to the listings towards the bottom of the page.
List Price:$64.99 Buy New: $46.00 You Save: $18.99 (29%) New (9) Used (1) from $41.40
Professional-quality table tennis racket, Inverted surface made of of Stiga's "Future" rubber, approved by the ITTF, 2-millimeter sponge; extra-light 6-ply blade; Tube and Crystal Tech technologies, Designed to offer maximum dexterity and comfort, Anatomic Italian composite handle (more)
List Price:$24.99 Buy New: $17.19 You Save: $7.80 (31%) New (3) from $17.19
Set of four hardbat-style table tennis rackets, Also includes three white, 40-millimeter, one-star table tennis balls, Ideal for recreational and family play, Pips-out surface for better ball contact, slower shots, and more strategic game, Straight handles; 5-ply blades (more)
List Price:$39.99 Buy New: $29.95 You Save: $10.04 (25%) New (7) Used (1) from $28.22
Made by Butterfly and extremely tacky rubber on both sides offers high spin, Soft 2.1 millimeter sponge layer provides springy feel and has inverted surface, Includes racket cover and comes with speed 8.0, spin 8.0, control 8.50 (more)
List Price:$49.99 Buy New: $36.59 You Save: $13.40 (27%) New (7) from $36.59
Professional-quality table tennis racket; designed for optimal speed and spin, 2-millimeter inverted rubber sponge; approved by the ITTF, 5-ply extra-light blade; concave Italian composite handle, Includes Stiga's unique Crystal Technology, which hardens the surface of the blade, Weighs 0.35 pounds (more)
The first thing you should figure out before investing in a ping-pong paddle is the type of blade you’ll need. The blades can be more oval, round, square or anything between. The blade shape you choose should fit your style and level of play. You don’t want a blade that is too fast or too slow for your playing class. Blades can cost anywhere from ten dollars to hundreds of dollars; if you’re a beginner, anything over $50 dollars may be too much. If you are truly a beginner, consider buying a blade that doesn’t come with the rubber glued already on. A great beginner paddles that is priced right is the Butterfly paddle.
Below are the current listings on eBay. If you see one that appeals to you bid on it or type what your looking for into the search bar and you will be shown those items that are available right now on eBay.
The next thing to consider when procuring your first ping-pong paddle is the grip. Ask yourself, “What grip will I be using?” There are a number of grip techniques and variations depending on your comfort and skill level. Some grips include the Shakehand Shallow Grip, the Shakehand Deep Grip, the Chinese Grip, Japanese and Korean Grip, and Seemiller Grip (where the thumb and index finger hold and control the bat held at 90 degrees). There are more styles than can be spoken of here, but it’s important to learn your personal style and use a grip that best suits you.
Ping-pong paddles have various dimensions and measurements. The ITTF, however, makes the rules and limits the size and thickness that can be used in competitions. For training, however, the proportions are up to you. The grip of the ping-pong paddle is generally 10.5 cm long, 2.5 cm high and 3 cm wide. The blade, itself, typically measures in at 15 x 15.5 cm. The blades, as suggested, can be even larger, with beginner blades usually larger than advance blades. The rubber, too, can be dimpled or smooth, with a majority of pros going with the smooth rubber. The smoothness gives more control over angle and spin of the ball. As a beginner, a rubber-less blade or dimpled blade can be used for practice and learning certain maneuvers. The paddle you choose now will later give you confidence during that big competition.
