Table tennis, as the name suggests, is a game similar to tennis only played over a table. Table tennis players use "paddles" to hit a lightweight plastic ball back and forth over a net. Table tennis paddles consist of a blade and a handle, and are typically made of several layers of wood, with rubber glued to the rounded blade part to help you hit the ball accurately. There are a few aspects of your game you must figure out to choose the best table tennis paddle for you.
Step 1
Choose between a pre-made or custom-made paddle. Pre-made paddles are better for beginners, as you haven't discovered your own style yet. They also come fully assembled, with the rubber glued on. Custom paddles offer more choice and versatility, and are good if you've been playing for some time and know what you like.
Step 2
Choose which style of blade you want for your table tennis paddle. There are basically two styles: penhold style and western style. Penhold blades are used by players who favor a penhold grip, holding the paddle between the thumb and index finger. This grip is favored by Asian players, according to AllAboutTableTennis.com. A western grip is also known as a handshake grip, where you grasp the handle as if shaking hands, and place the top part of the handle in the "V" made by your thumb and forefinger. Penhold and western blades are virtually the same size, but differ slightly in shape. Western blades are more oval and penhold blades are more squared.
Step 3
Determine the weight of blade you want. Table tennis blades come in different weights, which you should choose based on the type of player you are. A more defensive player will select a lighter blade, an all around kind of player a medium weight blade, and an offensive player a heavier blade. The best idea is to experiment with different weights until you find one that gives you the kind of ball control and consistency you want.
Step 4
Try out the types of handle that are available for your paddle. There are straight handles, flared handles and anatomic handles. The choice you make is all a matter of personal comfort. What feels the best in your hand?
Step 5
Decide what kind of rubber to have on your paddle. There are a few basic differences between the types of table tennis rubber, which include the thickness of the sponge underneath the rubber and whether the "pimples" on the rubber face in or out. More sponge equals faster rebound off the paddle, and the direction of the pimples will affect how well you can control your shots. Pimples facing out will generally give you a little more control.
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