8 Best Ping Pong Paddles for Beginners (2024 Update)

Table tennis, better known as “ping pong,” is an enjoyable sport where the player must adapt and adjust according to their opponent. As a player, you will also develop a style of your own. Most of the players, however, don’t realize how much of it depends on the paddle type that they use.

We have therefore brought you the best ping pong paddles for beginners that are designed to complement, evolve your style, and will have a positive effect on your overall performance.

As a beginner, you will have to go through a process of trial and error to adapt to the game. We would advise you to try and experiment with different paddles to help you choose the one that best suits your needs.

Do note that every model is designed, keeping in mind a specific playstyle and skill level. However, every paddle offers solid performance and customization.

Below is the list of some of the highly acclaimed ping pong paddles that are used by beginners to keep improving the skills already acquired and learn a new one. Just so you know. these paddles are compatible with most of the skill types.

No.	Products	Highlights	Ratings	Cost
1	Eastfield Allround Professional Tennis Racket	Editor’s Choice	9.8
2	Killerspin JET400 Smash N1 Ping Pong Racket	Best Premium	9.5
3	Palio Expert 3.0 Table Tennis Racket	All-Rounder	9.5
4	Slyspin Rapture Professional Ping Pong Paddle	Best Budget	9.2
5	Palio Expert 2.0 Table Tennis Racket	Best Control	9.3
6	STIGA Titan Table Tennis Racket	Most Power	9.5
7	Thunderline 6 Star Premium Ping Pong Paddle	Best Deal	9.3
8	Butterfly 401 Table Tennis Racket	Most Popular	9.5

The 8 Best Ping Pong Paddles for Beginners

1. Eastfield Allround Professional Tennis Racket – Editor’s Choice

• Eastfield A-Soft 2.1mm Rubber
• Eastfield 5-ply Allwood Blade
• 190 Grams
• ITTF Approved
• Manufactured in USA

The best thing about this racket is that it is very easy to play, and that is why it is extremely well suited to a beginner. You don’t need to have a technique to keep the ball in a flow. Unlike faster bats, this bat will give you a greater margin to lay with, so even if you are not that skilled, you can make some great shots with this one.

It is also great for playing direct push shots while keeping them very low with a high spin rate. For an incoming spin, you will find that the rubbers are not that sensitive, which means that the ball will not pop up and go straight. We also found that blocking is very easy with this paddle, especially for the spin shots.

With this racket, you can generate some decent spin, keep your serves low and get plenty of sidespins. For topspin attacks, the rubber tends to grip the ball very well. But for very high-speed spins, you may have to struggle a bit.

Bottom Line

East field Allround is an outstanding paddle for beginners as it provides a high level of control. The rubbers are very grippy and will allow excellent grip for a novice. Moreover, we’ve seen many professional players using this paddle at a daily basis to practice spins and recommend to newbies when they are just getting started.

2. Killerspin JET400 Smash N1 Ping Pong Racket – Best Premium

• Nitrix 4Z Rubber
• 5-ply Wood Blade
• 182 Grams
• 30-Day Warranty
• Manufactured in USA

The killer spin is best suitable for strokes; therefore, it is the best ping pong paddle for performing forehand loops and some backspin. If you are someone who is into smashing your way to the opponent, then you will be glad to know that it is not a light paddle. The added weight contributes to the additional hitting power.

It is also very useful for speed shots as it provides you precise control over your racket and will allow you to pin down more balls on the table at a very high speed to startle your opponent. Unlike most of the other manufacturers, Killerspin offers a 30-day warranty as well, so in case of an unlikely mishap, you can secure your purchase.

This ping pong paddle also features a five-layered wooden blade, which makes it extremely sturdy. With a flared handle, it fits in your hand very well. Being a five-ply blade, it is very solid and plays well in forehand drives or for pushing the ball. Nitrix rubber gives a premium-quality feel to the paddle. This rubber is known to have been used in many of the premium products.

Bottom Line

The thing we liked the most about this paddle is that it allows you to spin your ball like a pro but still gives you enough traction on the ball to make some power shots. That is precisely why it is easy for a beginner to spin with this paddle.

3. Palio Expert 3.0 Table Tennis Racket – All-Rounder

• Palio CJ8000 Rubber
• Redesigned 5-ply Wood Blade
• 258 Grams
• ITTF Approved
• Manufactured in USA

Palio Expert is a racket that is specially designed for beginner players. If you compare it with the previous-gen, then there are some major improvements. It gives a high grip that is most wanted by many who are just starting to explore this game.

It has a redesigned blade and has a broader edge that supports your shots and also protects the rubber. The blade helps you to control your ball and hit at the maximum pace.

The rubber used on the surface is ITTF approved and is of high quality. Furthermore, you can also replace it whenever you wish. With this racket, you can have some high spin, and we felt that at this price, it is exceptional. A beginner who wants to learn to spin the ball will find this an ideal choice as he does not need much force to spin the ball.

Bottom Line

It is challenging for the new players to make various strokes as they are not only hard to do but are difficult to understand. This racket can help in that regard. With this racket, making strokes is relatively easy. Therefore, we think that this paddle is an ideal choice for beginners.

4. Slyspin Rapture Professional Ping Pong Paddle – Best Budget

• Premium Quality Sponge Rubber
• 7 Layer Blade
• 249 Grams
• Free Carrying Case
• Manufactured in China

We particularly liked the high-quality rubber used in Slyspin Rapture Professional that offers it great spin and control. Furthermore, the 2mm sponge has a high bounce rate that allows new players to have a great defense and attack with high precision. That is precisely the reason why this is an exceptional bat for beginners.

It has a flared handle, which provides a superior grip to the players. It is also moisture absorbing; therefore, it offers high comfort as well. This is a multipurpose racket with a dual-sided outer surface that is fit for both attack and defense.

The red color denotes the attack, and black denotes the defense. The color coding is handy for a beginner as he won’t have to remember from which side he is playing and can switch easily.

Bottom Line

It has a total of 7 layers with two layers built from carbon fiber that gives the blade extra stiffness, control, and speed. It also offers a high spin rate. Furthermore, the carbon fiber reduces the overall weight, which is an indicator of a high-quality paddle.

5. Palio Expert 2.0 Table Tennis Racket – Best Control

• Palio CJ8000 Rubber
• All Wood Blade
• 272 Grams
• ITTF Approved
• Manufactured in USA

Palio Expert 2.0 is a perfect choice as the design allows you to control the ball very easily. The ball placing is great with this racket as it will slow down the ball, which will make it easier for a beginner to control.

This also allows you to focus more on your intermediate skills before you go on further. This racket has a high-quality rubber that can generate high-speed spins and an excellent balance between spin and speed.

The tacky rubber grips the ball nicely, but surprisingly, it spins the ball. The rubber also allows for making power shots as well. If you’re one of those who prefer control over spin, then this paddle should be your next purchase.

Bottom Line

This racket is not a fast one and may prove to be too slow if you are a highly skilled player. Hence, it is only recommended for those who are beginning to set their foot in the game. Being a beginner, you need a paddle that feels comfortable in your hand and helps you to control the ball. Palio Expert 2.0 is the paddle that can fulfill both of your needs to master the game in no time.

6. STIGA Titan Table Tennis Racket – Most Power

• Triumph Inverted Tournament Rubber
• 5-ply Balsa Tech Blade
• 204 Grams
• ITTF Approved
• Manufactured in Sweden

Stiga has been manufacturing high-quality table tennis rackets for years. This model comes with a triumph inverted tournament-grade rubber, a high-quality rubber that is best for playing professional matches. But don’t mistake this one as an exclusive for the professionals as it will be of more advantage to a beginner owing to its concave Italian composite handle with SRB system.

The sponge provides a good bounce to the ball, which allows you to make some high-speed shots. Couple that with the five plies extra light blade, and you get a premium, high functioning racket that has just the right amount of weight to it and just the right amount of stiffness to make some great shots and play match-winning spins.

It may not offer that much precision, though, which is crucial for professionals, but the blade doesn’t provide that much speed, which is great for the learning curve.

Bottom Line

The price is where this racket is perfect for a beginner. Understandably, a beginner does not want to spend so much on their training racket, and that is where this racket comes in. It is an inexpensive racket that allows for some good spins and just enough power to keep you going.

7. Thunderline 6 Star Premium Ping Pong Paddle – Best Deal

• 2.0 mm High Quality Rubber
• 7-ply Wood Blade
• 185 Grams
• ITTF Approved
• Manufactured in China

This is a high-end paddle that is made for people looking to up their game. It is one of those premium models that are priced lower than most of its counterparts. Therefore, it is one of the best choices a beginner can make as it will not only be a training racket but will also be usable in tournaments.

The rubber is fully approved by ITTF, and it is a highly stable racket as the blade is made of high quality seven plywood, which contributes to the performance of this racket as it allows for the right balance between control, speed, and spin.

The best thing is that it comes with a carrying case that you can use for storing it safely while you travel. With this racket, it’s possible to give some very clean returning shots to your opponents with a good spin.

Bottom Line

It is a premium ping pong paddle that is created while keeping beginner and professional players in focus. This is, therefore, a multipurpose racket for a beginner, which will help in training as well as using it in professional tournaments. Users have reviewed this highly for its speed, spin, and control.

8. Butterfly 401 Table Tennis Racket – Most Popular

• Butterfly Yuki Rubber
• 5-ply Wood Blade
• 164 Grams
• 30-Day Warranty
• Manufactured in USA

While it may not look something very special from its looks, it is a high-quality premium racket that features a 5-plywood blade that gives a good amount of power. This partially comes owing to its lightweight, and therefore, it is rated high for its speed. Consequently, it is the right choice for beginner players to have an upgrade to their paddle.

Rubber is where this racket shines. With its yucki rubbers, it comes out as a very tacky racket that grips the ball very nicely. However, if you are a beginner, it might take some time to get used to the paddle.

Both the rubbers are pimpled texture, which means that both sides are suitable for the same speed shots. With a shake hand style paddle, it may not be ideal for everyone. However, the rounded flared handle provides a good grip.

Bottom Line

It is a high-quality racket with some excellent features that make it fit for a beginner. While it may not have the typical holding style and a large handle, it is best for people who want to learn speed shots with a fair amount of spin in their game.

Things to Consider When Buying a Ping Pong Paddle for Beginners

Beginners seeking to get into the ping pong game are often puzzled by the wide variety of paddles available in the market. Just for the sake of clarification, paddles are the same as table tennis bats or rackets, as they are otherwise known. While beginners don’t require a high-end model, they do need a decent paddle to start.

The first thing to ascertain is the type of player a person is, either defensive or aggressive, before proceeding. If you are unsure, play for a while, understand your playing style, or ask the other player for guidance. Ideally, your paddle should have a personalized handling and decent shot power. Here we have listed the major factors you should consider-

1. Handle Type

The handle type must be concurrent with your style. Players can choose between the conventional shake hand grip or pen hold grip. Here, your personal preference matters the most; you should hold the paddle in your hand and judge if the grip suits you or not.

The shake hand grip is available in straight and flared styles. The former is ideal for those who like to hold the paddle firmly, while the latter is for those who want to keep a loose grip. Some paddles will also have a rounded bottom of the handle, suited for those who like to flip their paddle often.

2. Blade Type

The blade of a paddle is the flattened region that hits the ball. The material of this part determines the force and the predictability of your shot. Conventional paddles come with a wooden blade, which is heavier and not very fast-paced.

Lighter paddles have elevated power ratings but should be approached with caution unless you like to (and can) play aggressively. Beginners should avoid the latter because it will make the game much faster-paced. Instead, opt for heavier blades to understand the physics of shots better.

3. Rubber Padding

The rubber padding of a paddle may offer more tackiness or a soft touch. The former is ideal for generating more spin and hence playing aggressively. But if you are a defensive player, a soft rubber padding will allow you to tackle your opponent’s shots with ease.

Your paddle should not be overpowered so that you can focus on your shots in detail and learn to land the perfect hits.

4. Sponge Layer

Situated between the blade and the rubber padding, lies the sponge, which may be thick, medium, or thin. This layer affects the momentum of the shots played, and hence must be chosen accordingly. Aggressive players should take on paddles with thicker sponges to land faster shots and vice versa.

5. Paddle Material

Wood and carbon are the two competing materials used in making paddles. While the former has been around for a while, the latter is catching up fast in popularity. The difference between the two is predictability and power rating. Wooden paddles tend to have some unevenness in them, as they have been made from a natural material, but this will allow you to learn the game better.

After a while, you will be able to figure out your paddle and play accordingly. A carbon-added paddle is lighter, more powerful, and has an improved spin, but that does not make it better. If you are a beginner, you should avoid such models, and instead learn the quirks of the game via a wooden paddle.

Final Thoughts

As you will get more and more skilled, you will learn how to spin and make speedy shots. You will also increase your level with your play style. We would, however, recommend that at the start – just stick to the basics. That is why we have put together those paddles, ensuring a high degree of control, which is always a good thing for a novice player.

But if you have been playing for a very long time and feel that your paddle has maxed out on its potential, you can go for those models that offer more spin and power and sacrifice some control.

While all the products on this list are high performing, we felt that the Killerspin Jet 400 is the best choice for a beginner. It is a professional quality blade at an excellent price. Owing to the sheer convenience that it offers to novice players in terms of control, flexibility, and speed for burst shots, we think that it is worth it to check it out.

When you find yourself not being able to hit the ball as hard as you want, no matter how much you swing, then it is time to switch. I bet you are excited. Go on and invest in high-quality equipment that best suits your needs.

For Further Reading:

• The 8 Best Table Tennis Rubbers (Updated)
• How to Clean Ping Pong Paddle: A Step-by-Step Guide
• The 3 Different Types of Ping Pong Paddles