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Last updated: October 18, 2024
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While it might not seem like that big of a decision to find the best ping pong paddle case, that couldn’t be farther from the truth. If you go with the wrong option, you could end up damaging your paddle, which is, obviously, not going to help you win any matches!
So you might be thinking, what makes a good paddle cover? While we were putting together our list, we first looked to models that were made with the best materials. That way, you can rest assured that they will keep your paddles in tip-top shape, no matter how far you travel with them. We also looked to see the different storage options out there. Each player is different, after all, so you might need more or less storage space in your covers, depending on your needs. Something else that we looked at was to make sure that each cover was spacious enough to fit your paddle with ease, or even an 8-inch tablet as well.
This is a case made with padded polyester, which makes it water-resistant. It can carry two paddles and three balls in two different compartments. The case also comes with a carrying strap and is quite lightweight. The zippers allow for the case to be fully opened and are durable.
What do we love it for? There is a lot to like about this cover. First of all, it has a very high capacity. It can easily fit two paddles and three balls, making it perfect for amateurs as well as professionals. The case itself is made out of padded polyester, which will work quite effectively at keeping your paddles safe. The padding will protect them from any bumps in your travels, and the polyester is water-resistant, which will keep them safe from any splashes or spills.
This case is also quite lightweight, which makes lugging it around very easy. It is also quite well-made. The zippers are very large, which will help to keep them from coming apart or breaking down on you even after heavy use.
What were we disappointed with? The biggest problem that we found with this otherwise stupendous paddle cover is its carrying strap. While it is a nice addition, the strap is extremely flimsy. This is quite the surprise since everything else about this cover is made with high-quality materials with an eye for durability. The strap would probably work well for occasional use but should not be trusted or counted on for carrying all the time since it will probably rip under continued use.
This case is made with foam-padded nylon that is covered in a waterproof coating. It can carry one paddle and three balls. It features a carrying strap and large zippers. The case can be opened fully.
What are our favorite features? The best thing about this case, by far, is its price. It is an inexpensive yet high-quality case that will protect your equipment without breaking the bank. The foam padding on the interior is excellent for protecting your paddle from bumps, while the nylon exterior is waterproof for extra security. This case can also be used to carry three balls at a time, which makes it a great option for anyone that doesn’t want to have to chase after their balls after every volley.
This case is also quite lightweight and has a convenient carrying strap. The best thing about this strap is that it doesn’t feel like an afterthought like many others on the market. The strap is quite thick and durable, which makes it a great option for transporting your case in a hands-free manner.
What could be better? The biggest issue with this otherwise stellar case is its limited capacity. While it can easily fit three balls in its side pouch, the fact that you can only carry one paddle at a time is a bit limiting. No matter if you are a pro or someone that only plays as a hobby, you are usually going to need more than one paddle at a time when you are ready to play, which might limit the effectiveness of this case.
This case is made with reinforced padded polyester. It is water-resistant. It features two very spacious pockets that can easily fit two paddles and three balls. The zippers are large and durable, but only allow the case to be opened part of the way.
What makes it stand out? The thing that we liked the most about this cover is its overall capacity. While many cases can carry two paddles or three balls, this is the only one that can do both. Both of the pouches, in this case, are absolutely cavernous, which will give you more than enough room to fit all of your table tennis equipment. The elastic straps for the paddles are another nice touch, as they help to keep the paddles from sliding around in their spacious enclosure.
This is also a very durable case. It is water-resistant and padded, which makes for a very protective cover. The zippers are also quite large. Since the zippers are oversized, they are very easy to grab hold of when you are ready to open the pouches. They are also quite durable and should last for a good long time.
Which disadvantages must you keep in mind? While the carrying capacity of this case is outstandingly large, its effectiveness is limited somewhat by the fact that the case cannot be opened fully. The zippers only allow for the case to open halfway. This makes it more difficult to get the paddles in place and remove them when you are ready to play. This is especially true if you are carrying three balls and two paddles at a time since the extra fullness makes the opening seem even smaller.
This vinyl case is completely waterproof. It features large zippers that allow it to be opened fully. The case is strictly for carrying paddles but can be used to carry two at a time.
What are its best features? The best thing about this case is its overall lightweight design. Even with two paddles stored inside of it, it never feels cumbersome. This makes it a great grab-and-go type of case if you are in a hurry. You can also rest assured that this case will work for tournament play, as it is USATT approved. Thanks to its thinner than average profile, this cover will also fit into other bags with ease, which makes it a great traveling companion case.
As you would expect from a vinyl case such as this one, this model is completely waterproof. Even if you were to drop this case in a puddle of water, your paddles would be completely safe. The vinyl will also keep the case from accumulating any stains on your travels, which is another plus. The zippers are another highpoint, as they are oversized, which makes them extremely durable.
What could be improved? The biggest issue with this very straightforward case is its smaller than average capacity. While many cases can be used to carry multiple paddles and balls, this model can only fit two paddles at a time. While this is certainly not the biggest deal, it does make it less convenient since you will need to transport the ping pong balls in some other manner, which could lead to them being lost or forgotten altogether.
This case is made with faux leather that is completely waterproof. It is also a hard case, which offers extra protection. The case can fit two paddles and two balls. It also features a carrying loop.
What are its best features? First and foremost, the best thing that this cover has going for it is its durability. This is the only hard case on our list, which gives it a leg up on its competition when it comes to keeping your paddles and balls safe. No matter if you bump, drop, or bruise this case, your equipment will come out just fine on the other side. It is also completely waterproof, which only adds to its overall staying power.
This case also has a high carrying capacity. It can easily fit two paddles and two balls without any issue. This makes it an excellent choice for beginners and experts alike since it will allow you to always have all of the necessary gear for a game of table tennis. The interior elastic loop does a good job of keeping the paddles in place as well.
What could be improved? The only real downside to this otherwise wonderful case is its carrying strap. While it is a nice feature in theory, in practice, it leaves a bit to be desired. The strap is a bit too stretchy for its own good, which makes it feel flimsy and limits how much you can trust it. While the strap is ok to use on occasion, it might break down quickly, which could lead to you accidentally dropping your case.
This case is made with reinforced polyester, which makes it water-resistant. It has a large capacity that allows it to fit two paddles and two balls in its main chamber. This case also features a side pouch that is designed to fit a standard 8-inch tablet.
Why did it make our list? This case is a great all-around option. The manufacturer tried to fit as much quality into a slim and easy to transport package as they could. This cover has three different chambers that are all equipped with their own durable zippers. It can easily transport two paddles and two balls in the main chamber. It then has a secondary zippered pouch that can accommodate an 8-inch tablet with ease. This space could also be used to transport your phone, keys, wallet, or anything else that you want to bring along.
Something else that makes this a nice option is its top-notch construction. Even though this cover is made with polyester, it is fully reinforced and water-resistant. It should have no problem keeping everything inside of it nice and safe.
What is not ideal about it? While this case is quite slim despite its large capacity, the one thing that it is lacking is a good carrying strap. Even though it should easily fit in your hand without too much trouble, the fact that you need to hold it in your hand is a bit of a problem. A strap would allow you to carry the case on your wrist, which would free up your hands to carry other items.
Things to Consider
In this section, we will take you through everything that you need to know to find the best ping pong paddle cover for your needs. We have also taken the time to answer several frequently asked questions as well, so be sure to read through those as well if you need any more information.
Features to consider when choosing a ping pong paddle cover
There are a plethora of choices when it comes to finding the best table tennis paddle case for your needs. But don’t worry! We have taken the time to put together this comprehensive buying guide that will help to make you an expert in what you need to look for to find the best carrying case for your ping pong paddles.
Materials used
The very first thing that you need to consider when you are looking for a new paddle cover is what it should be made out of. You have several basic choices for the exterior, and you can also choose models that have padding on the inside as well for extra security. The different exterior options are the following:
Vinyl – Vinyl is one of the better materials, thanks to its excellent durability and waterproof exterior. Of course, vinyl also has a tendency to have a limited amount of rip resistance, which might limit its effectiveness in protecting your paddles.
Nylon – Nylon is lightweight and will not stretch over time. This keeps it from breaking down with heavy use, though it is not naturally waterproof or water-resistant.
Polyester – Polyester is a versatile material and is water-resistant naturally. It does tend to stretch, however, which could cause the case to fail through heavy use.
Leather/Leatherette – Leather, or imitation leatherette, is a great material for cases thanks to its excellent durability. Of course, leather cases are generally hard, which might make it less comfortable to carry about.
Waterproof or Water-Resistant
As we mentioned above, some of the materials that you can choose from are either waterproof or water-resistant. Waterproof materials will completely protect your paddles form any water damage since they are completely impermeable to water. Water-resistant cases, on the other hand, can only keep a small amount of water out before your paddles are damaged.
A key component for any good table tennis paddle cover is how durable it is. You want to make sure that not only are the materials well-made but also that the zippers or snaps are good enough to withstand tons of use. You should always look for models that have larger than average zippers/snaps. This extra size will help to protect them from breaking down too quickly, which should help to ensure that you get a ton of use out of whichever cover you choose.
If you want to get a case with very durable closures, then the Killerspin Optima Ping Pong Paddle Carry Case is a great option. It has larger than average zippers, which will enable them to work correctly for a good long time. You could also go for a hardstyle case, like the Tibhar Table Tennis Racket Hard Case, if durability is one of your biggest priorities.
Pockets and compartments
Something else to keep in mind when you are looking for a new cover is whether you want any pockets or compartments. These extra pouches will help to keep all of your ping pong equipment in place, as it will allow you to easily carry extra balls and your paddles with ease. Of course, these compartments can also be used for other items as well, such as phones, tablets, or your wallet or keys, making them an ideal feature to look for before you make your final purchase.
If you want to make sure that you can fit as much as possible in your paddle cover, then the Killerspin Optima Ping Pong Paddle Carry Case is the way to go. It can fit two paddles, two balls, and also has a side zipper that can fit a tablet up to 8-inches in size. If you are strictly looking to fit as much table tennis equipment as possible, then the Killerspin Barracuda Ping Pong Paddle Carry Case is an awesome option. It can fit two paddles and three balls with ease.
Color, shape, and design
Table tennis provides its players with great opportunities to express their individual personalities. From shoes to paddle rubbers, to playing styles, and even paddle covers, there is a litany of ways to show who you are both on and off the court. As such, it is no surprise that there are so many different style paddle covers to chose from. You can get them in pretty much any shape or color that you desire, with each design offering complete protection of your equipment.
Of course, there are two basic designs that you can choose from. You can either get a cover that is shaped to your paddles, or one that is more rectangular. Both offer exceptional protection and are very easy to carry, so you just need to decide upon which one fits your personality and needs best.
For the most part, it would not be best practice to put these cases in the washing machine. This could damage the fabric, especially if you get a vinyl model. Over time, if you wash them too often, they could also lose their waterproofing or water-resistance, which would make them less ideal for keeping your paddles safe from the weather or spills.
If, however, you absolutely need to wash them in the washing machine because they are absolutely filthy, you need to make sure that you only do so on a gentle cycle, without fabric softener, and with cold water. This will keep them from being damaged by heat and should also reduce the chance that they are bounced around too much in the wash. Afterwards, you cannot put them in the dryer, and instead, need to let them air dry completely before you try to use them again.
For the most part, it is best to just spot clean your paddle case if something gets on it. A mixture of hand soap and warm water will probably do the job on fresh stains. If there is something more established and stubborn, however, you can use a mixture of dishwashing soap and warm water. Make sure to use a soft cloth and a gentle scrubbing motion so that you don’t do any damage to the cover, and most stains should come off easily.
Our Verdict
Of all the different covers that we looked into, we found that the JOOLA Disk Racket Case was the best overall. This case is slim, has a high capacity, and is also quite durable. Plain and simple, we highly recommend that you check this model out first. You won’t be disappointed!
If you are looking for a good value ping pong paddle cover, then the Duplex Ping Pong Paddle Case might be for you. This padded case is completely waterproof, which gives added protection for your equipment. The carrying strap is made really well, too, which makes transporting the case a whole lot easier.
If you are someone that thinks the best ping pong paddle cover should have a lot of storage space, then the Killerspin Barracuda Ping Pong Paddle Carry Case is an awesome option. This case can easily fit two paddles and three balls. It is also remarkably thin and durable, making it an excellent option.
