Best Backhand Rubbers for Table Tennis 2024

Originally, the Yasaka Mark V was a go-to rubber for professional players in an era when speed glue was permitted, enhancing its speed and spin capabilities for high-level competition. However, in the modern game, where speed glue is no longer allowed, the characteristics of the Mark V have positioned it as an excellent choice for table tennis beginners, even in 2024. Its sponge hardness is set at around 45 degrees, offering a solid foundation for both attacking and defensive strokes without being overly reactive. The topsheet of the Mark V is designed for durability and consistent performance, providing less spin and grip compared to some of the tackier, more aggressive modern rubbers. This feature is actually advantageous for beginners, as it offers enough spin to learn and execute basic techniques effectively without the excessive spin that can complicate ball control. The speed of the rubber is moderate, prioritizing control and allowing new players to develop their skills at a manageable pace.

Control is one of the Mark V's standout qualities, partly due to its lack of a catapult or tensor effect. This means the rubber plays more predictably, without the sudden acceleration that can make some modern rubbers challenging to manage. The absence of these effects makes the Mark V particularly well-suited for the backhand side, where precision and stability are often more crucial than outright power.

In summary, the transition of Yasaka Mark V from a professional's choice in the speed glue era to a beginner-friendly option in today's game underscores its versatility and enduring quality. Its moderate speed, sufficient spin without excessive grip, and exceptional control make it an ideal backhand rubber for beginners seeking to learn and improve their table tennis skills.

Butterfly Sriver, a classic rubber akin to the Yasaka Mark V, stands out for its slightly softer composition, with a sponge hardness around 38 degrees. This softer sponge contributes to its topsheet characteristics, designed for a balanced interaction with the ball, providing a smooth playing experience. The speed of Sriver is moderate, making it approachable for beginners who are still mastering the fundamentals of stroke mechanics.

Compared to modern rubbers, Sriver offers less spin and grip, yet it provides ample spin for newcomers to effectively learn and apply basic table tennis techniques. The softer nature of Sriver, relative to Mark V, lends itself to a bit more spin and control, aiding beginners in their development of precise and spin-oriented backhand shots.

Control is a hallmark of the Sriver rubber, due in part to its lack of a catapult or tensor effect. This characteristic ensures more predictable ball trajectory and speed, allowing players to focus on accuracy and consistency. The absence of these effects, combined with its moderate speed and enhanced control from its softer sponge, renders Butterfly Sriver an excellent choice for the backhand side. Its classic status, manageable speed, and superior control make Sriver ideal for beginners seeking a rubber that supports learning and improvement with a focus on control and spin.

The Andro Upgrade stands out as an excellent choice for beginner table tennis players, particularly for its backhand application. Priced at only $10 per sheet and coming precut for convenience, it represents exceptional value. As a more modern rubber compared to classics like Mark V and Sriver, it incorporates newer technologies that benefit learning players. The sponge hardness is around 40 degrees, offering a balance of speed and control that's well-suited to developing players.

The topsheet of the Andro Upgrade is designed for enhanced durability and performance, providing a good level of spin without compromising control. This modern rubber offers a speed that is manageable for beginners, allowing them to develop their skills without being overwhelmed by excessive pace.

Control is a standout feature of the Andro Upgrade, making it ideal for beginners who need to focus on consistency and accuracy. The very controlled nature of this rubber, combined with its affordability at just $10 per sheet, makes it an excellent choice for the backhand side, where precision and steadiness are crucial. However, availability can be a limitation, as the Andro Upgrade is not offered in every country. If it is accessible, it comes highly recommended for beginners looking to improve their backhand with a rubber that is forgiving, controlled, and economically priced.

The Andro Good represents a step up for intermediate table tennis players, especially for those looking to enhance their backhand with a modern rubber that significantly surpasses the speed of beginner sheets like Mark V, Sriver or Andro Upgrade. With a sponge hardness set at 43 degrees, it strikes an optimal balance between firmness for attacking shots and elasticity for spin generation. Its topsheet is engineered for a higher degree of engagement with the ball, facilitating both spin and speed without sacrificing the tactile feedback necessary for precise control. The speed of the Andro Good is notably higher than that of beginner rubbers, making it a suitable choice for players looking to add an aggressive edge to their game while their backhand technique continues to evolve.

Despite its enhanced speed, the Andro Good maintains a commendable level of control. This characteristic ensures that the rubber remains manageable for intermediate players, providing them with the ability to execute more powerful shots without losing consistency in their strokes. The combination of increased speed, balanced sponge hardness, and advanced topsheet design allows the Andro Good to produce both speed and spin on the ball effectively. This makes it ideal for intermediate players who are refining their backhand and seeking a rubber that offers a significant performance upgrade from beginner options. Andro Good hits the sweet spot between being faster than beginner rubbers while still offering ample control, supporting players in their development towards more advanced levels.

Joola, though sometimes overlooked, consistently delivers high-quality table tennis products, and the Rhyzen Fire rubber is no exception. Designed as a very controlled allround rubber, it caters perfectly to the needs of intermediate players looking to advance their backhand skills. With a sponge hardness of 42 degrees, Rhyzen Fire offers a superb balance between speed and control, making it accessible and beneficial for player development.

The topsheet of Rhyzen Fire is engineered for optimal engagement with the ball, featuring a surface that facilitates both spin and consistency. This design ensures that players can generate effective spins without sacrificing the precision of their shots. The speed of the rubber is calibrated to support aggressive play while remaining controllable, allowing players to execute fast shots with confidence.

Control is where the Rhyzen Fire truly shines. Its construction is aimed at providing players with the ability to place shots accurately, even during fast-paced exchanges. This level of control, combined with its balanced speed, makes the Rhyzen Fire an excellent choice for intermediate players who are refining their backhand techniques and seeking a rubber that supports both their offensive and defensive plays.

Compared to Andro Good, the Joola Rhyzen Fire presents a slightly different approach for intermediate players looking to enhance their backhand. While both rubbers cater to this skill level, the Rhyzen Fire emphasizes control slightly more, with a sponge hardness of 42 degrees—just one degree softer than the Andro Good's 43 degrees. This subtle difference in sponge hardness contributes to the Rhyzen Fire's slightly enhanced focus on control, making it an exceptional choice for players prioritizing placement and consistency in their game.

Nittaku, highly celebrated in Asia and particularly in Japan, may not be as widely recognized in Western countries, especially those in Europe. However, their Nittaku Factive rubber is a testament to the brand's quality, tailored for intermediate table tennis players. As an entry-level tensor rubber, the Factive introduces a mild catapult effect, providing a slight boost in speed upon impact without overwhelming the player. The sponge hardness is set at 40 degrees, striking an optimal balance between firmness for attacking shots and softness for enhanced control and touch.

The topsheet of the Factive is engineered for a high level of engagement with the ball, allowing for improved spin generation while maintaining ease of use. This characteristic ensures that players can execute a variety of strokes with confidence. Despite being a tensor rubber, its speed is designed to be accessible for intermediate players, facilitating a transition to more aggressive play styles without sacrificing control. Speaking of which – control stands out as a significant feature of the Nittaku Factive, accommodating the learning curve of intermediate players. The rubber's construction, combined with its mild catapult effect, offers players the ability to place shots accurately and consistently, while also experimenting with faster, more powerful strokes.

The Nittaku Factive, with its balanced approach to speed and control, makes it an excellent backhand rubber for intermediate players. It provides just enough of a performance boost to encourage advancement in skill, while ensuring that the essentials of table tennis technique remain at the forefront of a player's development.

To learn more about Nittaku Factive as a backhand rubber, have a look at the extensive review on our page for you to check out including all the details including sponge and topsheet information and playing characteristics. Additionally, there is also this YouTube review video from Catenaccio channel with a live recording while playing: (YouTube) Nittaku Factive Review

The Andro GTT 45, much like the Nittaku Factive, caters to intermediate table tennis players as an entry-level tensor rubber. The sponge hardness of the GTT 45 is around 43 degrees, making it a tad harder and faster than the Factive. This rubber incorporates a topsheet that is tailored for optimal interaction with the ball, ensuring a good balance between spin generation and straightforward play. The GTT 45 delivers a moderate catapult effect, boosting the ball's speed off the racket without compromising the player's control or making the rubber difficult to manage. For players seeking an even softer option, Andro also offers the GTT 40, with a sponge hardness slightly below that of the GTT 45, providing even more control and a gentler touch at the expense of some speed.

The speed of the GTT 45 is designed to be accessible and manageable for intermediate players, enhancing their game with additional pace while maintaining a high degree of shot accuracy and consistency. Control is a standout feature, as the rubber's construction allows for precise placement and strategy execution, making it an ideal choice for developing players who value both speed and reliability in their backhand strokes.

Overall, the Andro GTT 45, with its balanced characteristics of speed, spin, and control, alongside a slight catapult effect, offers intermediate players a great tool for enhancing their backhand play. Its slightly softer nature compared to similar rubbers like the Nittaku Factive provides an excellent opportunity for players to fine-tune their technique with a forgiving and responsive equipment choice.

Coming in at just $35, Butterfly Rozena stands out among backhand rubbers for intermediate players by being harder and faster than both the Nittaku Factive and Andro GTT 45. As the fastest of the three, Rozena offers a significant step up in performance with a sponge hardness of approximately 47 degrees. This increased firmness contributes to its higher speed and enhanced energy transfer. Rozena boasts a more pronounced catapult effect, aiding players in generating speed on their strokes without reaching the high-speed extremes of its more advanced counterpart, Tenergy 05. Despite this added power, Rozena remains controllable, striking a fine balance between aggressiveness and manageability. Its distinctive pink sponge not only gives it a unique appearance but also marks it as a rubber that combines performance with style.

The topsheet of Rozena provides moderate grip, spin and durability while its speed is the most notable of the rubbers mentioned so far, enabling intermediate players to push their offensive game further while still maintaining a level of control that allows for consistent play. However, compared to other high-end products like Tenergy, Dignics or Nittaku's Fastarc series, Rozena's topsheet does not provide the same level of grip and spin.

Control with Rozena, despite its faster nature, is impressively maintained through its design, allowing players to execute precise shots and maintain rally consistency. The combination of speed, spin, and control makes Butterfly Rozena an excellent choice for intermediate players seeking to enhance their backhand with a rubber that offers a step up in performance while remaining within a controllable and adaptable framework.

Many advanced table tennis players prefer a hard and sticky rubber on their forehand for spin and a springy rubber on their backhand for speed and flexibility. Tenergy 05 fits the latter category perfectly and is a popular choice among top players, including Fan Zhendong, who uses it on his backhand. Known for its speed, Tenergy 05 is one of the fastest rubbers on the market, offering an explosive response that can be challenging to control without advanced skills.

Priced at around $60, it is significantly more expensive than the rubbers previously mentioned, reflecting its premium quality and performance capabilities. The sponge hardness of Tenergy 05 is approximately 36 degrees, which strikes a balance between giving enough firmness for powerful shots and maintaining the elasticity needed for spin and speed.

The topsheet of Tenergy 05 is designed to maximize grip and spin, enabling advanced players to execute high-spin shots with precision. Despite its speed, the rubber offers a surprising level of control for those with the technique to harness it, making it a formidable choice for the backhand side of advanced players seeking to add an aggressive edge to their game.

Dignics 05, a step up in hardness and technology from Tenergy 05, is tailored for advanced table tennis players. Its construction incorporates the innovative Spring Sponge X technology, offering enhanced speed and spin capabilities. This rubber is harder than Tenergy 05, with a sponge hardness of approximately 40 degrees, which contributes to its less forgiving nature. The increased hardness demands precise technique, making it challenging for less experienced players to control.

Dignics 05 is favored by elite players like German national player Dimitrij Ovtcharov or Japan's table tennis sensation Tomokazu Harimoto, particularly on the backhand side, where its properties are maximally exploited. The topsheet of Dignics 05 is designed for optimal spin generation and durability, supporting aggressive play styles that rely on spin and speed.

Despite its very high speed, advanced players appreciate the control Dignics 05 offers, provided they have the skill to manage its power. The hard sponge and advanced topsheet characteristics require a player to have refined strokes and excellent timing, but for those who do, it delivers unparalleled performance.

In summary, this expensive rubber ($80) is ideal for advanced players seeking a modern, high-performance backhand rubber. Its combination of Spring Sponge X technology, hardness, and elite usage makes it a top choice for those looking to elevate their game, despite its challenging control aspects for those less experienced.

Nittaku Fastarc G1, the top-selling rubber in Japan, is a favorite among advanced table tennis players for its blend of speed and control. This rubber offers linear acceleration, featuring a low to moderate catapult effect, which provides players with predictable behavior during gameplay. It excels in both short plays, due to its ease of control, and in generating powerful shots when striking the ball with force. Particularly effective for mid-distance counter looping, Fastarc G1 allows for aggressive play without loss of precision.

Priced at a reasonable $45, it represents a balance between quality and affordability. With a sponge hardness of 47.5 degrees, Fastarc G1 supports a playing style that requires a rubber capable of generating a lot of spin, complementing aggressive strokes with high levels of control and spin potential. The topsheet is engineered to maximize contact with the ball, enhancing grip and spin generation.

The speed of the Fastarc G1 is one of its standout features, enabling fast-paced play that can dominate opponents. Despite its speed, it maintains excellent control, allowing players to place shots accurately and adjust their strategy dynamically. The combination of speed, spin, and control at a competitive price point makes Nittaku Fastarc G1 a compelling choice for advanced players aiming to enhance their backhand performance.

Additionally, for players seeking a slightly softer option, Nittaku also offers the Fastarc C1. This variant maintains the high-quality performance characteristics of the G1 but with a softer sponge, providing an alternative that might better suit players who prefer a more forgiving rubber with similar capabilities in spin and control. The main advantage of the C1 is that it allows to spin up balls with heavy underspin easier than harder rubber while sacrificing a bit of speed.

Butterfly Tenergy 05 Hard is an exceptionally hard rubber, tailored for elite table tennis players with a backhand-dominant playing style. Its extreme hardness translates to significant power and a crisp feeling upon ball contact, making it suitable for players who prioritize aggressive backhand strokes. The sponge hardness of Tenergy 05 Hard is around 43 degrees, positioning it among the hardest rubbers available in the Butterfly lineup. The topsheet is designed to maximize grip and spin potential, allowing for devastating spin on serves and loops. This characteristic, combined with the rubber's hardness, contributes to its very high speed, enabling powerful shots that can dominate play from the backhand side.

However, the Tenergy 05 Hard's exceptional speed and hardness also make it challenging to control and less forgiving on inaccuracies, demanding precise stroke execution and timing. Elite players with advanced skills and a strong backhand will find this rubber enhances their game, providing the power and spin needed to compete at the highest levels.

In essence, Butterfly Tenergy 05 Hard is ideal for elite, backhand-dominant players seeking a rubber that offers unmatched power and a sharp, responsive feel. Its demanding nature means it's best suited for those with the technique and strength to leverage its capabilities fully. Using Tenergy 05 Hard, it's possible to strike extremely fast shots with a flat trajectory curve for maximum speed. This however, means that opening up against backspin can be a lot more difficult due to the harder nature of this rubber.

To learn more about Tenergy 05 Hard, have a look at this TabletennisDaily review where Tom seems to really like the rubber on his backhand: TableTennis Daily - Butterfly Tenergy 05 Hard Review

Butterfly Dignics 09C stands out as a hybrid tensor rubber, uniquely blending the hardness and slight stickiness reminiscent of Chinese rubbers like DHS Hurricane 3 with the dynamic catapult effect of tensor technology. This combination offers elite table tennis players a rubber that excels in both spin and speed. Notably, Timo Boll, who played a significant role in its development, utilizes Dignics 09C on both his forehand and backhand, showcasing its versatility and high performance. The rubber is inspired by the hard and sticky characteristics of traditional Chinese rubbers but elevates the playing experience with added speed, thanks to its tensor properties. This makes Dignics 09C particularly suited for players with a strong and confident backhand, as it requires a solid technique to harness its full potential.

The sponge hardness of Dignics 09C is around 44 degrees, ensuring that the rubber remains both responsive and powerful. Its topsheet is designed to maximize grip, allowing for heavy spin on loops and serves, while the hardness ensures that players can generate the speed necessary for powerful shots.

Despite its high speed, Dignics 09C offers commendable control, a testament to its well-engineered balance between spin, speed, and precision. This control, coupled with the rubber's speed and spin potential, makes it an excellent choice for elite players seeking a backhand rubber that can deliver aggressive shots without sacrificing accuracy.

Butterfly Dignics 09C is ideal for elite players with a proficient backhand, offering a sophisticated blend of hardness, stickiness, and tensor technology for superior spin and speed. Its development, influenced by Timo Boll, ensures a high-quality rubber that meets the demands of top-level play. However, keep in mind that this level of performance comes at a cost of a whopping $80 per sheet.

Joola Rhyzen Ice is the softer counterpart to Joola Rhyzen Fire, designed to offer a more forgiving experience with enhanced spin capabilities. With a sponge hardness of 37 degrees, it caters to players seeking a gentler touch without sacrificing performance. The softer sponge allows for a greater dwell time, enabling players to impart more spin on the ball, a crucial factor for those looking to add variation and deception to their game. The topsheet of Rhyzen Ice is tailored for spin efficiency, featuring a surface that grips the ball effectively, thereby facilitating topspin, backspin, and sidespin shots with ease. Despite its focus on spin and control, the speed of the rubber remains competitive, providing ample pace for offensive shots while allowing for quick reactions in defensive scenarios. Control is where Rhyzen Ice truly excels, offering players the ability to place shots with precision and consistency. This control, combined with the rubber's forgiving nature and enhanced spin potential, makes it an ideal choice for players looking for a soft backhand rubber that supports a wide range of playing styles, from defensive chopping to dynamic topspin rallies.

The Andro GTT 40 is a softer iteration of the Andro GTT 45, designed for table tennis players seeking a blend of forgiveness and enhanced spin capabilities on their backhand. This rubber is characterized by a sponge hardness of 40 degrees, making it more compliant and capable of generating more spin than its firmer counterpart, the GTT 45. This additional softness contributes to the rubber's forgiving nature, allowing for better control and consistency, especially during off-center hits. The topsheet of the GTT 40 is engineered to maximize contact with the ball, providing a grippy surface that enhances spin without sacrificing speed. This makes the GTT 40 particularly well-suited to players looking to maintain an aggressive edge in their game while benefiting from the increased spin potential and control that comes with a softer sponge. In terms of performance, the GTT 40 is slightly faster than the Joola Rhyzen Ice, positioning it as a more offensive option. While the Rhyzen Ice caters more to allround players with its balanced properties, the GTT 40 offers an opportunity for those looking to adopt a more assertive approach, enabling quick, spin-heavy shots that can dominate play. Overall, the Andro GTT 40 stands out for its excellent balance of speed, spin, and control. Its softer sponge provides a comfortable playing experience, making it an ideal choice for players seeking to enhance their backhand with a rubber that supports an offensive game without compromising on forgiveness or spin.

Rakza 7 Soft, the softer counterpart to Rakza 7, is renowned for its linear playing characteristics, making it a favorite among table tennis players globally. This rubber combines a very controllable catapult effect with speed, offering players a unique blend of pace and precision. Its worldwide popularity stems from its exceptional spin capabilities, making it extremely spinny and ideal for players who rely on spin to dominate their games. The sponge hardness of Rakza 7 Soft is around 40 degrees, providing a softer feel that enhances the rubber's overall control and touch. This softer sponge works in tandem with a topsheet designed for maximum grip, allowing players to impart significant spin on the ball without sacrificing speed. Despite its softer nature, the Rakza 7 Soft maintains a commendable level of speed, making it suitable for players looking to execute fast, spin-loaded shots. The very controllable catapult effect ensures that while the rubber is fast, it remains manageable, allowing for precise shot placement and strategic play. Overall, Rakza 7 Soft excels in control, making it an excellent choice for players seeking a soft backhand rubber that does not compromise on speed or spin. Its ability to provide high levels of spin, combined with its linear playing characteristics and controllable speed, makes it a versatile and effective option for a wide range of playing styles.

Tenergy 05 FX is a softer variant in the Tenergy series, with a sponge hardness of approximately 32 degrees. This reduced hardness enhances the rubber's flexibility and forgiveness, making it an ideal choice for players seeking a combination of speed and control on their backhand. The topsheet of Tenergy 05 FX is designed to maintain the high-quality spin and grip characteristics associated with the Tenergy line, enabling players to generate aggressive spin without sacrificing the precision of their shots. The speed of Tenergy 05 FX is dynamic and responsive, allowing for rapid acceleration of the ball while maintaining a level of control that suits aggressive play. Despite its capacity for speed, the rubber’s softer sponge provides a significant control advantage, facilitating accurate placement and nuanced shot making. Former world-class player Kalinikos Kreanga is known for his relentless backhand power, using Tenergy 05 FX on his backhand – a testament to the rubber's suitability for high-level play. Kreanga’s preference for this rubber highlights its ability to perform under the demands of elite competition, offering a perfect balance between speed, spin, and control, tailored for the nuanced requirements of the backhand stroke.

Have a look at the following YouTube video where Kreanga explains why he is a huge fan of using 05 FX on his backhand: TableTennis Daily - Tenergy 05 FX Rubber Review | With Kalinikos Kreanga