Many table tennis players, from amateurs to pros, are perfectly happy with using paddles that have the same rubber on both sides of the paddle. However, there are many players that like to switch things up and use different rubbers on each side of the paddle.
The rubber that we go over in this article is the backhand rubber, and when choosing the backhand rubbers there are a lot of things to take into consideration since the right backhand rubber for you will often depend upon your playing style.
In this article, we go over some topics to consider when thinking about backhand rubbers. Then we will launch into some of the best backhand rubbers on the market in 2022. By the end of this article, you will have all the information you need for making the best purchase for your playing style.
How Does Backhand Differ from Forehand?
The basic difference between backhand and forehand strokes is that with backhand strokes you strike from in front of your body and with forehand strokes you strike from the side of your body.
This difference means that your backhand strokes are generally weaker and more contained than forehand strokes. The backhand movement restricts the rotation of your waist that you have in forehand strokes which means that most of the power needs to come from your elbow and wrist.
Desirable Attributes of Backhand Rubbers
While what ultimately makes a backhand rubber the right one for you will depend on preference and playing style, there are still a few general rules that are relevant to most backhand rubber buyers. The first thing that most people will want to look for in their backhand rubbers is speed.
As previously explained, it is harder to generate power with your backhand stroke than it is with your front hand stroke. So, a backhand rubber with a good amount of speed can be highly beneficial. The next aspect that people will want to consider when choosing their backhand rubbers is the softness or hardness of the rubber.
In general, people will want their backhand rubbers to be a bit softer than their front hand rubbers since the softness will help to make up for the loss of versatility entailed by the backhand motion. The next aspect that people will want to consider is the throw angle of the rubber.
The throw angle refers to the angle that the ball flies off the paddle from your stroke. For example, if you were performing a topspin stroke, a high throw angle rubber will propel the ball higher and a low throw angle rubber will propel the ball lower.
In general, players prefer a medium throw angle on their backhand rubber since this allows them to play more directly with strokes like flicks. The last thing you will want to consider is what type of player you are. Some backhand rubbers are best for offensive players.
Some are best for all-around players, and some are best for defensive players. Our list of the best backhand rubbers of 2022 will take these differences into consideration by giving a list of the best backhand rubbers for offensive players, the best for all-around players, and the best for defensive players.
Best Backhand Rubbers for Offensive Players
1. Butterfly Tenergy 05
The Butterfly Tenergy 05 is one of the best rubbers around. This is a great rubber for a front hand rubber, but it is especially great as a backhand rubber. This is because this rubber enables the player to generate a high amount of force with their backhand strokes.
It is a medium-hard rubber and it has a high throw angle. Whether you think the high throw angle will work best for you is up for your preference. The high angle certainly does not diminish the explosive power of this rubber. Of course, it is medium-hard rather than soft, and this means that it has a little less versatility.
This might be more of a problem for a defensive player, but for an offensive player, this is an incredible choice. One drawback of this rubber is that it is rather expensive compared to some of the other rubbers we will be discussing in this article.
However, you can be sure that if you do decide to purchase this rubber, you will certainly be repaid in the quality of the rubber.
2. Andro Rasanter R42
The Andro Rasanter R42 is another great option for offensive players. It is an incredibly fast rubber, and on top of that, it is one of the rubbers with the most spin on the market and at any price range.
While the Butterfly Tenergy 05 might be best for power players, the Andro Rasanter R42 is definitely superior for spinny players who still want to get a good amount of power. It is medium to soft hardness and has a medium-high throw angle, making it ideal for putting the most spin on your shots and making it an incredibly versatile choice for backhand rubbers.
Like the Butterfly Tenergy 05, this rubber is also quite expensive. But again, you will be paying for quality. Moreover, the Andro Rasanter R42 is known for its durability, so you will likely be able to use this rubber for a long time before needing to replace it.
3. Rakza 7
The Rakza 7 has been on the market for a while, but it has surely stood the test of time, remaining one of the best backhand rubbers on the market in 2022. The Rakza 7 can be thought of as a middle ground between the previous two rubbers. It is fast, spinny, and allows for a good amount of control.
It is less hard than the Butterfly Tenergy 05 but harder than the Adro Rasanter R42, and its throw angle is considerably lower than the former, making it an ideal rubber for backhand flicks with a good amount of spin.
Best Backhand Table Tennis Rubbers for All-Around Players
1. Yasaka Mark V
The Yasaka Mark V is one of the most popular rubbers of all time and is a great choice for players of all levels except for absolute beginners. The sponge of the Yasaka Mark V is of medium hardness and has a medium throw angle.
Both of these factors mean that the Yasaka Mark V performs in a very predictable and straightforward way. The fact that it is predictable should absolutely not be thought of a downside or drawback of this rubber. The fact that the Yasaka Mark V is predictable means that you can play with comfort and mastery.
Unlike many modern rubbers, the Yasaka Mark V does not have the springy catapult effect that you will often find. This means that you are sacrificing some speed and power for control. While advanced players might find that this rubber does not have enough versatility for them, it is still a great option for many players.
Moreover, this rubber is renowned for its durability and great price point. You will be spending a lot less on this rubber than any of the others that we have listed so far, and more than likely, the Yasaka Mark V would last longer than those other rubbers as well.
All of these factors make the Yasaka Mark V a great choice for table tennis backhand rubbers for all-around players with wide-ranging skill levels.
2. Butterfly Sriver
Much that was said about the Yasaka Mark V could also be said about the Butterfly Sriver, a longtime staple for fans of the Butterfly manufacturer. Like the Mark V, this rubber has medium hardness and a roughly medium throw angle.
It is a dependable rubber that can be used in a variety of different ways. Moreover, the price point and durability are in the same range as the Yasaka Mark V. So what would make someone buy one of the rubbers over the other.
Well, the difference is not great but the Butterfly Sriver is generally considered best for all-around players that lean to the defensive side while the Mark V is best for all-around players that lean to the offensive side and want a little bit more power in their rubber.
3. Donic Acuda S3
The Acuda S3 is an all-around rubber that is geared to offensive players. It is a great deal slower than the rubbers listed in the offensive section, such as the Butterfly Tenergy 05, but it still packs a lot of power, and it is a good deal faster than the Mark V and the Butterfly Sriver, while still affording a great deal of control.
The Acuda S3 is unique for its incredible softness that gives you a lot of dwell time. It’s a great rubber for spins, loops, and flicks, as well as defensive moves, making it an impressively versatile rubber that has many fans among all-around players.
As far as price goes, this rubber is a bit more on the expensive side. However, there really is no rubber like it. Its combination of softness, which manifests in both control and power, is unmatched among other rubbers.
Best Backhand Table Tennis Rubbers for Defensive Players
1. Xiom Vega Def
The Xiom Vega Def is for those players that love to chop at the strikes that their opponents send at them. It is one of the hardest rubbers on the market and is only available at max thickness. The Vega Def has a very grippy top sheet that is perfect for generating an incredible amount of backspin.
For a defensive rubber, it also has the ability to be quite fast. While it is generally slower than the rubbers we have gone over so far, you can certainly get some pretty great speed with a well-placed chop. This is for sure a rubber that opponents will be afraid not to attack with all of their skill as it is likely to return a ball with so much spin that they won’t be able to handle it.
2. TSP Curl P-1R
The TSP Curl P-1R is unique among the rubbers that we have gone over so far because it is a long pimple rubber that has been widely popular with many professional table tennis players. This rubber is great for creating spin, whether topspin or backspin, and it can also generate a good amount of speed despite being a great defensive rubber.
Moreover, this is quite a cheap rubber, so you don’t have to break the bank to get a top-quality backhand rubber.
Backhand Table Tennis Rubber FAQs
1. What makes a good backhand rubber?
- Makes the ball spin with low-impact shots.
- Provides extra power to compensate for the lower range of motion of backhand strokes.
- Gives the ability to perform a powerful flick.
2. How do I keep rubbers in good shape?
One of the main things you have to do to preserve your rubbers is to avoid getting them dirty. It is recommended that when you are not using your paddle you keep it in its case. Moreover, you should clean your rubbers after each session.
3. Should I use Chinese rubbers for my backhand rubber
In general, it is best that you avoid using Chinese rubbers as your backhand rubber. This is because Chinese rubbers require that you use a lot of power for them to function properly, and most players are simply not able to generate that much power with the backhand motion.
Of course, some of the best table tennis players do use Chinese rubbers, but if you are not a world-class table tennis player, it is best that you avoid these. Another option is to get a Chinese rubber to practice with and build up your skills while using other types of rubbers in important matches.
4. How does sponge thickness in a rubber affect its performance?
The sponge thickness will determine how much speed the rubber will have. If the sponge is thicker, then the rebound effect of your rubber will be greater.
5. How does sponge hardness in a rubber affect its performance?
In contrast, sponge hardness determines how the rubber feels, how it reacts to incoming balls and how easy it is to impart spin. The harder the rubber is, the more difficult it is to make high-quality shots with it, since the ball doesn’t get into the sponge that easily. But if you have sufficient power, these are the most stable rubbers and the ones that can produce the best top speed and spin.
Choosing the Right Backhand Rubber
If you have gotten this far in this article, you have probably realized that the best backhand rubber will depend a lot on the type of player you are or want to be and your general preferences. We have covered the best rubbers for all types of playing styles, and you cannot go wrong with any of the rubbers on the list.
