Last Updated on May 23, 2023
If you love playing ping pong, you know the importance of a good quality ping pong paddle.
As the most important piece of equipment in the game, a lot of thought should go into your selection process of a ping pong paddle.
In this analysis, we are going to look at some of the best penhold ping pong paddles on the market and what they each bring to the table in terms of benefits, specifications, and strengths.
By the end of this review, you should have all the information that you need to find and select your next penhold ping pong paddle and ensure that it plays well to your strengths.
Best Penhold Ping Pong Paddles Reviews
Butterfly 302 Chinese Penhold Table Tennis Racket Set
This racket set is made by Butterfly, one of the most reputable brands on the market.
It offers good spin, speed, and control that is suitable for even very competitive ping pong games.
If you are looking for a paddle that rises to the challenge when it comes to strike quality and strategic construction, this is a great option.
On the surface, you’ll find that this ITTF-approved racket has a sticky rubber on both sides that is 2.1 mm in thickness.
This material is designed to give your strikes extra spin to confuse and challenge your opponent.
The extra spin gives you a competitive edge when playing against a challenging opponent.
This racket is also suitable for a penhold grip. The handle of the paddle is short and designed for players to hold it using the superior penhold grip.
Also on the handle you’ll find stylings that make it an appealing paddle as well as a functional one.
While you might think that the high-quality materials that this paddle has to offer make it a risky one to use in tournament play, you’ll be happy to know that this paddle is 100% approved for competitive tournament play.
It will help you hit a powerful shot while staying compliant in any ITTF tournament or event. Finally, this paddle makes an excellent gift.
It features a gift box and case in the package that allows you to easily give it as a gift to anyone who loves table tennis and is looking for a valuable addition to their arsenal of paddles.
DHS 6006 New Series Superstar Table Tennis Racket Penhold
If you are looking for something lightweight that allows you to launch quick loop attacks on your opponent, this is a great racket for you.
It is constructed with high-quality imported wood that makes it more durable while the Chinese rubber gives you adequate, but not elite spin control that is serviceable in a competitive match.
This racket is a great option for those who are just starting out and learning how to properly strike a ball because it features a larger design that increases the size of the sweet spot.
The sweet spot is the ideal location to hit a ping pong ball on the paddle and it can be hard to locate for a beginner sometimes.
The handle is designed to be comfortable, but it can be used in a non penhold grip as well so it’s sized slightly larger.
This might need an adjustment from those who are used to playing with a very small penhold handle.
This paddle is approved for all tournament and competitive play, so there’s no need to worry about compliance.
One possible drawback to this paddle is that it’s a bit more expensive than other paddles. However, it does deliver a lot of value.
The high-quality materials dictate and justify the higher price of this paddle and you’ll be pleased knowing that you won’t have to replace it for a long time.
We would also like to see a higher-quality rubber on the paddle to give you extra spin control, but it’s a matter of preference.
DHS HURRICANE-I Tournament Penhold Racquet
If you’re looking for a truly premium option, this is the one. This paddle is made by DHS, which is the official supplier of the Chinese table tennis national team.
They are truly the world standard when it comes to table tennis equipment. They provide high-leverage equipment which is used in some of the largest stages in the world.
This high-quality blades made with 5 ply wood which are combined to make a strong and durable racket.
Though it is robust in the design and can take a lot of abuse, it is also lightweight and allows you to effortlessly cut through the air to make aggressive and quick shots.
Each side has a different kind of rubber, each optimized for a different type of stroke.
On the forehand you’ll find that the rubber will help you add spin and maintain control during aggressive onslaughts of your attacks.
On the backhand, the rubber is designed to help parry and defend.
This paddle is perfect for someone who wants to immediately compete and knows how to use a racket that is slightly more complex.
If you are looking for a premium option that is durable and gives you a lot of flexibility and versatility while you are playing, then this would be an excellent option for you.
NEW Butterfly ADDOY P40 Racket
This high-quality table tennis racket was truly made for those who use a penhold technique.
The fin that runs up the side of the handle makes it more comfortable and effective to use the penhold method to attack and defend a variety of different volleys.
This paddle features rubber on one side only, as that’s all you’ll need if you are exclusively using the penhold technique when you are playing.
The racket thickness is 9mm while the sponge thickness is 2mm, which is thicker than usual.
The racket itself is made from high-quality wood, increasing the quality and reducing the chance of you having to replace it any time soon.
One thing we love about this Butterfly racket is that the unique design and finned handle means that it’s easy to use for everyone, even beginners.
If you are just learning about the penhold technique and need something that is going to be easy on your hands and allow you to effectively use the penhold method, then this is a great racket for you.
Furthermore, this racket is certified with all relevant regulatory bodies for tournament and competitive play.
Buy this racket with peace of mind that you’ll be able to use it in any match.
There is another penhold paddle from Butterfly you may check, which is Butterfly BTY CS 1000.
This paddle has been designed for recreational players who prefer pen hold grip.
Killerspin Jet400 Table Tennis Paddle
If you prefer a basic option, then this paddle might fit your needs. This is the ideal paddle for intermediate players that are trying to practice enough to get into a higher tier of playing.
This racket is approved for all tournament play and features a high-tension rubber on both sides of the racket.
If you crave simplicity, this racket probably appeals to you since the design is very basic and the material is standard.
It’s also great for anyone looking for a budget option that doesn’t want to spend a lot on their paddle but still wants something dependable.
This paddle gets the job done, even if it’s not the most glamorous one on the market.
Bonus: XIOM HIBI O TOUR Blade Penhold Table Tennis
If you’re a penhold player who’s looking for a blade that will make a perfect paddle – and budget isn’t a problem, you’re looking at the best ideal choice.
Xiom Hibi introduced a Tour Blade which is a thick blade that really applies only for penhold style players.
The reason it applies only to penhold players is the shape of the handle this blade introduces.
It’s a thick end which allows players for a greater grip with a lot of control over the ball, and relatively easier backhand moves.
It’s a blade which is a bit on a pricier side, but it is totally worth every dollar it costs, even though it’s only a blade and not a full paddle yet (you need to purchase rubbers additionally).
Some of the best penhold players have relied on the Xiom Hibi blades and this is a revolutionary blade that will make a lot in the world of table tennis.
Choosing The Best Penhold Ping Pong Paddle
Before you have a look at some of the best ping pong paddles to use with the penhold technique, we’re going to go over the considerations that should be weighing on your mind as you make this decision.
There are several things to consider when you are selecting a ping pong paddle, and you shouldn’t take these decisions lightly.
It is going to have an affect on your game and how comfortable you feel, so be sure that each of these criteria are met to your satisfaction when you purchase your next penhold ping pong paddle.
What is a penhold grip?
If you are going to look for the best ping pong paddle for the penhold technique, you need to first have an understanding of what this grip is and why you might choose it.
The penhold grip gets its name from the way that you hold the paddle in your hand. It emulates the way that you would hold a pen if you were writing.
The benefit to this grip is that it provides you with more comfort than many other grips.
The ergonomic shape helps to prevent your hand from becoming tired during volleys and losing valuable points for no reason.
The benefits of the penhold grip are well-documented and typically compound as the match goes on.
Now, it is commonplace for most professionals to use a penhold grip or some variation of the penhold technique.
The downside to a penhold grip is that the quality of your backhand play can be severely reduced.
However, most players are able to overcome this temporary setback with a lot of practice to become more comfortable with the backhand strike.
Even after you become comfortable with it, it’s common for you to have less power with it simply because of how you have to hold the paddle.
Value
One of the main thing on almost anyone’s mind when they are shopping for new paddles is what the value is that they’re going to get out of it.
It’s important to note that there is a difference between this and cost. Yes, we all want to save money on our paddle.
However, the main goal is to get value. To achieve this, we want to get a penhold paddle that offers a proportional amount of functionality and benefits to the cost that we paid for it.
To get a paddle with good value, you should be on the lookout for sales or penhold paddles that are priced low, but offer a high-quality construction and lots of benefits.
Getting good value in your paddle is important for your budget and playing quality.
Quality
The next consideration on your mind should be the quality of the paddle that you get.
Mostly, this is going to have to do with the materials that it’s made of and how well it’s constructed.
It’s important to get a paddle that is made with high-quality materials because your paddle will be enduring a lot of use and abuse through intense play.
If you end up with a paddle that is made from lower quality materials, you are more likely to have it broken or damaged, which means that it’s going to take an extra investment from you to get another paddle.
If you don’t want to waste time, money, and frustration on having to constantly replace your paddles, make sure that the paddles you buy are made from high-quality materials and are built to last.
Conclusion
After looking at the options out there and comparing them to each other, we have come to the conclusion that the DHS Ping Pong Racket is the best penhold ping pong paddle.
The ergonomic handle and high-quality construction put it over the edge for us and made it clear that it was the superior option.
Though this is the best overall penhold ping pong racket in our eyes, it’s important to remember that it may not be the same for you.
It will always come down to personal preference so if you see something that you think might work better, you should definitely explore that option!
We have several rackets on our list, so you’re bound to find one that works well for you.
Hi Ashton, I would describe myself as a solid intermediate player. I’m 63yrs old and have been playing since I was a child and learned from my parents. I have always used a penhold grip and am comfortable with it. I played intramural in college and did fairly well winning occasionally. It was not until recently that I have picked the game back up with a group of friends. I don’t have the forehand slam accuracy as I did but still play with a lot of spin. We have only been playing weekly for for the past 5-6 months.
My desire is to have a paddle with two surfaces. One with spin capability and the other to negate the serving spin from an opponent. Curious if you have seen this done and what rubber/ pips you recommend.
Hey Andy. Well done on your playing history and it is sure a great way to stay fit! I have not seen a paddle that specifically meets what you’re after. The main thing to look for to meet what you desire is a thinner sponge as that provide more control. You might want to try the DHS 6006 listed in our article: https://www.pingpongexperts.com/best-penhold-ping-pong-paddles/