DHS Hurricane 3 Neo: The Complete Amateur Guide & Review

[victormanriquey]

The DHS Hurricane 3 Neo is one of the most popular table tennis rubbers in the world and also one of the most misunderstood, there are endless myths and conflicting opinions about it. Most people argue about versions, sponge hardness, sponge colour, boosting, and more (I see this almost week on this forum). For a rubber that’s used by many of the top players of the world (and also my favourite FH rubber), I've always found it odd that there is very little clear and simple information out there for amateurs.

So, after using H3N for many years, I decided to put together a complete guide/review to answer the most common (and most confusing) questions, such as:

• How does it actually feel like to play with it?
• Is it a good BH rubber?
• Which version should I buy?
• What sponge hardness should I choose?
• Should I go for the orange or the blue sponge?
• Do I really need to boost it?

If you’re considering trying Hurricane 3 Neo, or if you’re already using it but still unsure about your setup, I hope this guide/review will help you with all that in simple terms:

👉 https://www.tabletennisequipmenthelp.com/blog/dhs-hurricane-3-neo-complete-amateur-guide

I hope that you will enjoy it as much as I enjoyed writing it, and as always, feedback is very welcome

Thanks!

Victor

Ps. I know a bunch of you have been waiting for this in the last days, hope I can live up to the hype I created by saying it was coming haha

 

[songdavid98]

On the section for "If you don't want to boost":

Does it make sense to use butterfly rubbers like Zyre or Dignics?

 

[joshmak10]

Great article Victor. Sums up H3 quite nicely. The only thing I would say is that I find after the second layer of booster, you should put it on like 12 hrs or so after you apply it, because I find that sticking on the H3 while still curled gives it some extra tension and it’s also doesn’t waste any booster since boost only lasts so long. That is just my feeling though. Love this otherwise!

 

[Tyce]

Bit of a side note, Seamoon has a shelf life and it's not pretty. After 6 months it can start having significantly less effect, after 9-12 months it can be completely useless.
I bought a bottle of "national" (same bottle but purple cap) and it has a stronger effect, plus it's not showing signs of decreasing after 6 months. Boost quality is simply better.

 

[zeio]

Regarding that primer on the sponge, the indirect semi-official answer from one source from 2009 (see first quote) says the sponge comes treated and that primer serves as a barrier and should be removed, whereas another source from 2024 by the owner of 乒乓网pingpangwang (see bilibili link) says it is just a layer of VOC-free glue and the sponge does not come treated.

2026/1/6
https://www.tabletennisdaily.com/forum/topics/calderano-signs-with-joola-139.38480/post-558357

p.s.
And for future reference, the answers by DHS Research Institute that the transparent layer of primer on the sponge of H3 Neo should be removed before gluing and that red topsheet is tackier than black topsheet.

[原创]我的NEO省狂满月了----- 最新感受
http://bbs.cnpingpang.com/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=185466

deniel021 2009-10-2 10:34:00

...期间特意问了红双喜研究所的朋友关于NEO套胶是否要除膜的事，得到的答复是要除，NEO海绵的工艺不是打底，而是对海绵进行了预处理，也就是大家通俗说的用了膨胀剂，那层透明薄膜和729-08省专的作用是一样的，起到隔绝保护作用。

[讨论]为什么国内的球员正手用黑色反手用红色胶皮呢？
https://bbs.cnpingpang.com/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=186942

以下是引用deniel021在2009-10-9 9:15:00的发言：

可能每家厂商的配方不同，根据红双喜研究所的说法是，红双喜的套胶配方中是红色比黑色粘。楼上苏州街33号的说法可能是理由之一，就是特制的多为黑色。另外有个说法，就是红色代表激情，正手红色对着对手，可能使对方振奋，黑色给人的感觉是消沉。

2024/1/12
尼奥狂飙不够弹？很多人都少了这一步，让尼奥狂飙发挥最大威力
https://www.bilibili.com/video/BV1mW4y1A7ES

2018/1/31
https://www.tabletennisdaily.com/forum/topics/boosting-h3-neo-national.16084/post-219429

DHS calls that layer the primer. No one really knows for sure what they have done to it at the factory. Some speculate it is just glue. Some say it is boosted glue. Some say it is there to protect the sponge, and/or the bond b/w sponge and topsheet. Whatever the case, leave it on. Put a layer or two of booster over it.

 

[ttarc]

Nittaku distributes DHS in Japan and sells "regular" H3Ns which can be less expensive than the ones from DHS.
NR-8701: H3N Orange Sponge, no corners cut, different printing on the sponge. IMO quality at least like provincial
NR-8734: H3N Blue Sponge, national.

They also did a short video comparing these version with FastArc G-1 and their H3 Turbo versions.

H3(N) on BH: Depends on playing style, technique and blade. Outer-carbon blades or blades with a hard(er) outer ply (can) compensate some disadvantages but might not work as well on FH.

@joshmak10: same here. I want that tensioned topsheet and never wait until it is flat before gluing

@Tyce: I'm currently using Seamoon 2, production date 6. July 2025, and it still works. Text on the package says something like use as soon as possible after opening but as with glues I don't buy the largest bottles
Seems that some have tried freezing it https://www.tabletennisdaily.com/forum/topics/booster-in-winter.30497/

@zeio: what I've found in the "Handbook of DHS T.T. Products" https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1xss4XdArxyhyyifUyy3y2tzR3AC6zGlT (translations by Google Translate), partially copied and expanded from this thread https://www.tabletennisdaily.com/forum/topics/dhs-hurricane-3-neo-unboosted.38941/#post-565229 where I've also posted a picture of a fresh H3N BS which looks like it has some factory booster

"What is the difference between NEO and organic rubbers? Can organic glue be used with NEO rubbers?
The difference between NEO and non-NEO rubbers lies in the reinforcement treatment of the sponge, and is unrelated to the use of organic or inorganic glue when gluing the racket.
Because NEO rubbers undergo reinforcement treatment, it is generally not recommended to use organic glue to glue the racket.
This is because the rapid expansion of organic glue can damage the foam pore walls of the NEO reinforced sponge. Initially, there may be a noticeable accelerating effect, but it will affect the durability of the sponge.
When using organic glue with organic rubbers, the sponge pores can fully expand, allowing it to fully develop elasticity.
Note: When we refer to organic and inorganic glues, we generally mean the type of glue used to bond the rubber to the blade." page 84 (95 in the PDF)

"NEO套胶与非NEO套胶的区别在于海绵的强化处理，与粘贴球 拍时使用有机或无机胶水无关。" Google and Deepl say "reinforcement treatment", Yandex "strengthening treatment"

"Why do national team athletes almost always use black rubber on their forehand?
National team athletes prefer black rubber primarily for two reasons. Firstly, it's psychologically more effective. Using black rubber makes the serve technique more concealed than with red rubber, making it harder for opponents to detect. Secondly, many national team players favor blue sponge Hurricane 3 rubbers on their forehand, and according to early ITTF regulations, blue sponges could only be used with black rubbers. This long-term habit led to the widespread use of black rubber." page 84 (95 in the PDF)

"The No. 20 sponge, developed by DHS in 2000, closely inherits the design of the No. 22 sponge. Its control is enhanced primarily through the addition of plasticizers and changes in processing. Therefore, it has a softer feel and a cleaner surface finish. However, their basic performance is similar. The No. 20 sponge has finer, denser pores to increase its potential energy, resulting in a longer trajectory and higher speed. The No. 22 sponge has high tensile strength and strong rebound, maintaining a lower trajectory. Through forceful friction, it can generate high-speed spin and strong forward momentum." page 79 (90 in the PDF)

"The Blue Provincial Hurricane seems to have increased in weight? Is it due to formula adjustments or glue? Since 2021, the blue sponge rubbers used by national and provincial teams have undergone toughening treatment. This increased toughness allows the sponge to withstand more and denser impacts, extending its lifespan. After toughening, the blue sponge has more power, resulting in a slight weight increase, generally 3-5 grams." page 88 (99 in the PDF)

 

[victormanriquey]

On the section for "If you don't want to boost":

Does it make sense to use butterfly rubbers like Zyre or Dignics?

Good Q, I will write another blogpost in some months around non-boost and cheap alternatives, still need to do a bit more research on this.

But anyways, dignics and zyre are not comparable, zyre is not tacky/hard so it belongs to a different category of rubbers. Dignics 09c comes closer in that way, but it still plays very differently, I have used it almost a year on BH and tried it often on FH but the feeling is not the same.

For me at the moment, Battle II and Hurricane 8 is what came closest, but as said before, Im researching other rubbers so I can complete the picture, so this is still TBD

 

[victormanriquey]

Great article Victor. Sums up H3 quite nicely. The only thing I would say is that I find after the second layer of booster, you should put it on like 12 hrs or so after you apply it, because I find that sticking on the H3 while still curled gives it some extra tension and it’s also doesn’t waste any booster since boost only lasts so long. That is just my feeling though. Love this otherwise!

Thanks a lot! Ah yes, this is one thing I did not mention in the guide, but I will add it!! I have experimented with glueing before it becomes flat, and I also enjoyed the feel! In the end, for me personally I usually let it sit a bit longer as I prefer more control, but this is the magic of H3(N), you can fine tune it to your own taste!! Thanks again, glad you enjoyed the read

 

[victormanriquey]

Bit of a side note, Seamoon has a shelf life and it's not pretty. After 6 months it can start having significantly less effect, after 9-12 months it can be completely useless.
I bought a bottle of "national" (same bottle but purple cap) and it has a stronger effect, plus it's not showing signs of decreasing after 6 months. Boost quality is simply better.

Interesting, I have not noticed much difference with a booster that is a bit older, but I will pay more attention from now on. I have not tried the purple cap, do you notice much more effect? I figured that for us amateurs yellow is good enough, or at least I enjoy what I get right now so I thought I'm not gonna pay more haha

 

[victormanriquey]

Regarding that primer on the sponge, the indirect semi-official answer from one source from 2009 (see first quote) says the sponge comes treated and that primer serves as a barrier and should be removed, whereas another source from 2024 by the owner of 乒乓网pingpangwang (see bilibili link) says it is just a layer of VOC-free glue and the sponge does not come treated.

2026/1/6
https://www.tabletennisdaily.com/forum/topics/calderano-signs-with-joola-139.38480/post-558357


2024/1/12
尼奥狂飙不够弹？很多人都少了这一步，让尼奥狂飙发挥最大威力
https://www.bilibili.com/video/BV1mW4y1A7ES

2018/1/31
https://www.tabletennisdaily.com/forum/topics/boosting-h3-neo-national.16084/post-219429

Thanks for this detail, I have indeed read the contradictory opinions on different forums, and to be honest, I'm not sure which one I can believe or take as a fact, but what I do know from my own testing and feeling is that the H3N is more lively than the normal H3 when you use it the first sessions, then after 2-4 more sessions (approx) it loses a fair amount of that effect and becomes similar to H3, still a bit better in my opinion but I think this is a personal and subjective feel. I will add this thread as link to the blogpost so people can read it as well? thanks again!

And btw, I have never removed anything, I just take both protective adhesives off and boost

 

[victormanriquey]

Nittaku distributes DHS in Japan and sells "regular" H3Ns which can be less expensive than the ones from DHS.
NR-8701: H3N Orange Sponge, no corners cut, different printing on the sponge. IMO quality at least like provincial
NR-8734: H3N Blue Sponge, national.

They also did a short video comparing these version with FastArc G-1 and their H3 Turbo versions.

H3(N) on BH: Depends on playing style, technique and blade. Outer-carbon blades or blades with a hard(er) outer ply (can) compensate some disadvantages but might not work as well on FH.

@joshmak10: same here. I want that tensioned topsheet and never wait until it is flat before gluing

@Tyce: I'm currently using Seamoon 2, production date 6. July 2025, and it still works. Text on the package says something like use as soon as possible after opening but as with glues I don't buy the largest bottles
Seems that some have tried freezing it https://www.tabletennisdaily.com/forum/topics/booster-in-winter.30497/

@zeio: what I've found in the "Handbook of DHS T.T. Products" https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1xss4XdArxyhyyifUyy3y2tzR3AC6zGlT (translations by Google Translate), partially copied and expanded from this thread https://www.tabletennisdaily.com/forum/topics/dhs-hurricane-3-neo-unboosted.38941/#post-565229 where I've also posted a picture of a fresh H3N BS which looks like it has some factory booster

"What is the difference between NEO and organic rubbers? Can organic glue be used with NEO rubbers?
The difference between NEO and non-NEO rubbers lies in the reinforcement treatment of the sponge, and is unrelated to the use of organic or inorganic glue when gluing the racket.
Because NEO rubbers undergo reinforcement treatment, it is generally not recommended to use organic glue to glue the racket.
This is because the rapid expansion of organic glue can damage the foam pore walls of the NEO reinforced sponge. Initially, there may be a noticeable accelerating effect, but it will affect the durability of the sponge.
When using organic glue with organic rubbers, the sponge pores can fully expand, allowing it to fully develop elasticity.
Note: When we refer to organic and inorganic glues, we generally mean the type of glue used to bond the rubber to the blade." page 84 (95 in the PDF)

"NEO套胶与非NEO套胶的区别在于海绵的强化处理，与粘贴球 拍时使用有机或无机胶水无关。" Google and Deepl say "reinforcement treatment", Yandex "strengthening treatment"

"Why do national team athletes almost always use black rubber on their forehand?
National team athletes prefer black rubber primarily for two reasons. Firstly, it's psychologically more effective. Using black rubber makes the serve technique more concealed than with red rubber, making it harder for opponents to detect. Secondly, many national team players favor blue sponge Hurricane 3 rubbers on their forehand, and according to early ITTF regulations, blue sponges could only be used with black rubbers. This long-term habit led to the widespread use of black rubber." page 84 (95 in the PDF)

"The No. 20 sponge, developed by DHS in 2000, closely inherits the design of the No. 22 sponge. Its control is enhanced primarily through the addition of plasticizers and changes in processing. Therefore, it has a softer feel and a cleaner surface finish. However, their basic performance is similar. The No. 20 sponge has finer, denser pores to increase its potential energy, resulting in a longer trajectory and higher speed. The No. 22 sponge has high tensile strength and strong rebound, maintaining a lower trajectory. Through forceful friction, it can generate high-speed spin and strong forward momentum." page 79 (90 in the PDF)

"The Blue Provincial Hurricane seems to have increased in weight? Is it due to formula adjustments or glue? Since 2021, the blue sponge rubbers used by national and provincial teams have undergone toughening treatment. This increased toughness allows the sponge to withstand more and denser impacts, extending its lifespan. After toughening, the blue sponge has more power, resulting in a slight weight increase, generally 3-5 grams." page 88 (99 in the PDF)

Great additional information here for others to read into the detail, thanks a lot for that!

I have not tried the nittaku versions so I did not want to comment on that here, I know they exist but wanted to keep it to my experience only, I have heard good things about those though!

Agreed on BH comment too.

And when I read all about the factory treatment my brain explodes a little bit (it's as if they dont want us to understand), im probably just a simple amateur in this case hahaha

 

[K.K]

can you add a video of your play? would be nice to have some sort of idea wich level you are talking about and what technical abilities you mean

 

[firefox22]

for me both fastarc and h3 has the same range of price, which one last longer? which one is the safest for penhold players?

 

[victormanriquey]

can you add a video of your play? would be nice to have some sort of idea wich level you are talking about and what technical abilities you mean

Yes sure, I will be upgrading my video setup next month as now I have been making videos with my oldish samsung phone and I cannot get the sound correctly unless im close, but then you cannot tape the whole thing, angle is too few haha

Anyways will share when I have it, no problem!

But referring to the question, when you say level you mean my ranking or else? For ranking is hard to say, I stopped playing competitions a while ago so my ranking is frozen since then but Im much better nowadays. Best approximation I can give you is:
- In germany when i was at borussia dusseldorf they told me my rating would be around 1700-1800 TTR which roughly translates (if I can trust my american contacts and AI) to a low 2000ish USATT
- In the netherlands where I play, I won a doubles tournament last january (I was the attacker and my partner the defender) which was until 1460 dutch elo, and only lost a few sets in 5 matches

For the other topic, technical abilities, is there something you'd like to know in particular? I can try to tape that as well in detail!

Thanks!

 

[victormanriquey]

for me both fastarc and h3 has the same range of price, which one last longer? which one is the safest for penhold players?

Funny I just got the same question today by one portuguese player I helped before. So I will tell you what I told him

G1 is overall very good, more lively than H3N unboosted but still has a linear nature within the tensors, and has good spin/speed, its one of the best intermediate to advanced tensor rubbers out there. I try it regurlarly as many people in our club have it, last week with innerforce ALC, always feels good, I enjoy the clicky feeling I get on the sponge but still prefer my H3N for the spin, sponge feel, throw, tack, etc.

They are both very different in nature, I wonder what makes you doubt between them aside from price, as one is tensor and the other hard tacky and needs booster, bit like day and night philosophy here haha

If you can provide more details about what you need and look for, Im happy to help!

 

[DBsystem78]

Fastarc G1 seems to be a good backhand rubber from my point of view

 

[belllfador]

for me both fastarc and h3 has the same range of price, which one last longer? which one is the safest for penhold players?

G1 is overall easier to play and for maintenance. Don't require booster and a tight cover sheet, it is more consistent in a dusty training room. H3 has significantly better grip, one of the most spiny rubbers. If you wish to win points with spin, H3 is the better choice. With good care, both rubbers can survive hundreds of hours.

 

[victormanriquey]

Fastarc G1 seems to be a good backhand rubber from my point of view

Yes I agree to this, I know a fair amount of people who use it on BH as well, it's an excellent rubber overall, I prefer like more linear tensors over very spingy ones, but yeah, I play dhs rubbers so I guess I just like linearity overall

 

[victormanriquey]

G1 is overall easier to play and for maintenance. Don't require booster and a tight cover sheet, it is more consistent in a dusty training room. H3 has significantly better grip, one of the most spiny rubbers. If you wish to win points with spin, H3 is the better choice. With good care, both rubbers can survive hundreds of hours.

Yes agreed on this, a well boosted dhs rubber lasts 6 months on peak performance and then if not boosted as much, it can easily do 9 months depending on time played. I think with G1 you can also easily get 6 months at great performance, not sure about 9 months, Im used to replacing them after half a year anyways, it's still very good value for money!

What is your opinion on the months that G1 lasts at peak performance @belllfador ? Most people I know in the club replace them after 4-6 months from what I see

 

[belllfador]

Yes agreed on this, a well boosted dhs rubber lasts 6 months on peak performance and then if not boosted as much, it can easily do 9 months depending on time played. I think with G1 you can also easily get 6 months at great performance, not sure about 9 months, Im used to replacing them after half a year anyways, it's still very good value for money!

What is your opinion on the months that G1 lasts at peak performance @belllfador ? Most people I know in the club replace them after 4-6 months from what I see

My G1 has more than 20 hours across 6 months and 2 blades. I have sold my old one in a similar condition. Play and look like new, only 0.5-1mm shrinkage in length. One of my opponents has Vis with G1 and C1, more than 2 years old with ruff edges and marks on the surfaces, but the grip is there, and the sponge is alive. He does not use protective sheets, and cleans the rubbers only before play. With the same "care" H3 will be white and oxidized with properties of antispin rubber. G1 has a weak sponge, so the glue needs to be DHS no. 15 or SUKE 02.