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Last updated: October 07, 2023
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We reviewed the best ping pong paddle for a spin to make sure that you get the right paddle for your unique playing needs. We narrowed down our favorites so that you can find out all of the most important information about these quality paddles and figure out which one is the best fit for your needs.
We considered spin ratings, speed, control, and size as part of our reviews. We know that not every player needs the same kind of paddle to create a wicked spin that will defeat their opponents with ease. You need the best ping pong paddle for a spin if you want to be competitive at today’s ping pong tables.
This is a professional-grade paddle, and it offers superior control and comfort. This paddle has been built for speed and offers great control for shots with extra pace.
This is a well-known brand that has created a truly professional model for the experienced player with the Infinity Overdrive. This is not a beginner’s paddle, but you would not want one if you are focusing on the best ping pong paddle for a spin.
Why is it special?
We like this paddle for the comfort of the handgrip and the speed and control that it offered us when we tested it. This is the best ping pong paddle for a spin on this list, and the 7-ply carbon Kevlar will hold up to forceful shots and deliver effortless speed. We liked this product for experienced players because it gives the right speed and controls balanced with accuracy and comfort.
What are the flaws?
This is not an ideal paddle for controlling offensive-type shots, and we felt that it was difficult to keep the ball from flying off the other side of the table without some practice. The paddle is a very high speed, so there are some maneuvers where you will struggle to deliver a softer shot if that is your intent. That being said, the learning curve was short, and we were comfortable with the adjustments that we had made almost right away.
This is another pro-quality paddle that offers up the construction and control to make this the best ping pong paddle for speed. This paddle is made by a very well-known and beloved brand of ping pong paddle maker, and the quality of this model is second-to-none. If you have used their beginner designs, you will be thrilled with this upgraded version of the traditional Butterfly.
What are our favorite features?
We loved the speed that this paddle imparted to each shot, and the accuracy is phenomenal. This is a lightweight paddle with a well-designed, comfortable handgrip that just feels completely natural when you pick it up. You will love the classic and elegant styling, and the strong wood construction shows how clearly you don't need to upgrade to newfangled materials if your design processes are flawless and well thought out.
What could be better?
This paddle does have a high learning curve for new users, and you will find that it is not the right paddle for beginners. The weight and the balance are delightful in the hands of experienced players, but if you are used to a synthetic paddle or one with a rubberized grip, you will find that this handgrip feels a bit odd to you at first. You will grow to love it if you give it time, but the first few rounds of play might feel a bit foreign to those used to less traditional styling.
This is a great paddle with a classic design that is made to help you with your speed rating while also generating the spin that you need.
This is a classic design with an improved rubber coating that will not peel or flake or cause bubbles that throw off your aim. This classic design was always great for creating awesome shots, but it had a limited shelf life.
What makes it special?
We loved the feel of the concave ergonomic handle, and the weight is perfect in your hand. This is the best paddle for returning high spin shots, and you will love the versatility of this paddle in every area of play. There is no better paddle to choose if your goal is all-around play with comfortable and speedy accuracy. This paddle is as good as really expensive designer brands without the sensitive play that can limit all-around play.
What cons did we find?
This is another paddle that is not made for beginner use, and the control part of the adjustment period will be hard for those who are not experienced players. This is a great paddle for those looking for a more all-around playstyle with added spin, so if you are looking for super fact returns of shots, you might not find the twitchy, light feeling that you were hoping for with this model of the paddle.
The Infinity Edge offers the usual JOOLA quality with a touch of an all-around play design that is not common for this company.
This is a great paddle for those looking for a professional-grade paddle at a great price that will not limit your ability to return the ball at high speeds.
Why are we impressed?
We loved the defensive capabilities of this racket, and the speed of our defensive strokes was amazing when we played with this paddle. This is a great intermediate to advanced paddle that can offer you the best of both worlds. You can make the transition with this paddle from a more basic play style to an advanced one without all of the struggles that are common with other rackets along the way.
What negatives must you be aware of?
This racket does not offer the same level of comfort in the hand as other models we reviewed, and the construction does not feel as sturdy. There was no sign that this paddle would suffer any damage or issues while we were playing with it, but it just felt flimsier to us compared to some of the higher-ranked models on the list. This is another paddle that will suit the needs of a more advanced player better than a beginner.
This is a quality shake-style handle design that feels comfortable for all-around play and offers quality spin without suffering from a twitchy or overly sensitive feel.
This is a great paddle for beginners who are just learning to put that spin into their shots. This paddle will handle as much or as little as you are capable of with your current level of play.
Why are we impressed?
We loved the basic yet quality feel of this product when we played with it. The classic styling still feels new and current, and the materials are top-notch. This is the perfect paddle for the advanced beginner who wants to learn to put that essential spin into every shot. This paddle also offers a surprising amount of control and dynamic speed for a basic design.
What negatives must you be aware of?
This paddle will be too slow for anyone, but beginner players and the styling are very basic for those who are looking for a truly ergonomic design that is made for long durations of play. The handle could also have been more comfortable in our hands, and we think that the manufacturer could have focused on some other ergonomic design notes to create a better paddle for long-term use.
This is a nice intermediate paddle that is the best ping pong paddle for a backspin.
This nicely-designed paddle feels great in your hand, and you will love the styling, which is unique and feels very current and trendy.
What makes it special?
We loved the flared handle of this model, and the overall heft and comfort of use of this paddle were superior to some of the slightly less advanced paddles that we have tried. The tacky surface of the paddle is black, and it is made with a durable and high-quality rubber that is installed with attention to detail. There are no peeling bits or sloppy edges when you are looking over this paddle.
What cons did we find?
This paddle will not offer the speed that an advanced player will be seeking and the lower control rating actually limited this paddle far more than we expected that it would. We loved the styling and the comfortable handle, as well as the attention to quality and design, but the overall play offered by this paddle was a bit lacking.
This model of paddle offers the perfect blend of all-around play combined with speed and accuracy.
This is a great paddle that offers just the right amount of control and speed and spins for those who are securely in the intermediate category of play.
What stands out?
This was a really enjoyable paddle that we were surprised to admit we enjoyed playing with. It lacks some power compared with some of the other paddles on this list, but the slow speed of the blade does not affect the accuracy of your shots. This is the perfect mix of slower playstyle that is great for newer players and laser-like accuracy for enjoyable play as you advance your skill.
What cons did we manage to find?
This is largely a defensive paddle, but it can still generate impressive spin when used correctly. There will be players who will not enjoy the slower speed that is offered by this intermediate paddle, and the power ratio may actually be a bit high for picky players who are looking for a lighter and more sensitive hand feel to complement this style of play.
Things to Consider
Buying the right paddle is about more than just selecting a durable model that fits neatly in your hand. You will need to consider your play style, your needs for speed and accuracy, as well as your desire for power with each attack. You cannot find the right paddle for your needs when you only look at durability or costs as the sole factors in your selection process.
Why is spin important when you choose a paddle?
Spin is the difference between playing table tennis and winning at table tennis. Without the paddle control and shot control that is offered by injecting spin into the mix of your play style, you will not have the speed or the accuracy on tap to be able to confuse or overextend your opponent.
Features to consider before you buy a ping pong paddle for spin
Ping Pong paddles are rated based on their speed, accuracy, and the control that they offer. These items are all factors in play, and your ability to utilize these factors in your play style can determine your ability to win matches.
We looked at the spin rating, speed rating, control, and size when we reviewed these paddles. We feel that this is the right blend of features to give you a good overall feel for the paddles that we looked at so that you can have an accurate idea of the capabilities of each of them when you are shopping for the perfect paddle for your needs.
Spin rating
The spin rating refers to the ability of the paddle to generate more or less spin when these shots are needed. The JOOLA Infinity offers a superior amount of spin per shot, and the sensitivity of the playstyle it offers is superior to the other advanced paddles on this list.
Speed rating
Speed is an important part of advanced play, and you cannot hope to win your matches without speed on your side. The Butterfly Boll Control FL Proline offers an excellent speed rating that is balanced with a great all-around playstyle. These kinds of features do not often co-exist in a paddle.
Control rating
Control is a prerequisite for all-around play as well as trick shots and spin shots, and we made sure to review paddles that offered the perfect amount of control for the level of play they were made for. This is where the Spindragon Apex Carbon Professional Ping Pong Paddle really stood out from the pack.
Being able to offer advanced play with great control is a necessary feature for any experienced player’s paddle.
Size
The size of the paddle has a lot to do with its forgivingness for beginner players as well as having a direct effect on speed. Beginner paddles will often be bigger to help offer margin for error, but they are therefore also going to be slower. The STIGA Evolution offers a larger surface area that does not impinge on speed which makes this a great paddle to use to transition from intermediate to advanced play.
Handle type
Handle style can affect your comfort, and you will want to make sure that you are using a paddle with an ergonomic grip that will be comfortable for hours of play.
There are many styles of grip and handle designs out there, and you will need to consider your hand size as well as the amount of time that you will spend playing.
Material
Construction can affect speed, precision, and durability, as well as comfort. This list has quality paddles on it that will hold up to extended play. Every model from the Killerspin Impact D5 to the JOOLA Infinity Edge will allow you to enjoy hours of play without peeling or bubbling rubber surfaces or frayed edges.
Weight
The weight of the paddle affects the speed of your shots as well as the power that you can put behind each attack. You may not want a heavier paddle if you are focused on spin and other trick shots, but for an all-around paddle, weight can deliver power and accuracy with each stroke.
Skill level
This is a bigger factor in your selection process than many people realize. You cannot hope to enjoy playing if you are not paired up with the right paddle for your skill level. Playing with an advanced paddle when you are a beginner will only result in frustration.
Choosing a paddle for a child has a lot to do with the size of their hands and their experience. Make sure to pick a good beginner paddle with the right size handle so that they can learn control. Also, make sure that you are not holding back a more advanced child with a heavy or less accurate paddle when they are ready to move on to a more advanced tool. Children can use the same paddles as adults, but you will have to be sure that you are not over-facing a small child with a paddle that will be too sensitive and have too much power for them to learn control and skill.
Tournament play is often best focused on all-around styles of play. However, you might find that your tournaments are so full of highly skilled players that you need to get yourself a truly advanced paddle that will allow you to focus on trick shots and spin for each attack. All-around paddles will often serve you best for any kind of tournament-style play because you will need to be able to continue to play for hours and offer up a variety of attack styles. You can balance this need for power as well as a defense by picking a paddle that will also generate superior spin.
Wrapping It Up
We liked things about all of the paddles on this list. It was hard to categorize just three that got our key ratings. Our Editor’s Choice was the JOOLA Infinity Overdrive because this is a greatly advanced paddle that delivers an amazing spin. Our Premium Pick was the Butterfly Boll Control FL Profile because this is a maker that always delivers the best of all-around play benefits combined with superior manufacturing and spin. Our Best Value rating went to the Spindragon Apex Carbon Professional Ping Pong Paddle for having the best all-around play benefits and bridging the gap between intermediate and advanced with ease.
We rated the seven paddles on this list with various levels of players and various playstyles in mind. We know that you will find the best ping pong paddle for a spin on this list because we could easily assign this label to any of the great paddles we have included on this list. If you are ready for your next quality ping pong paddle for a spin, you will find the right paddle for you on this list!
