Best rubber under $5?

[lodro]

That is 5 NZ dollars . I like to play with cheap crap 🤣

 

[mattlamperouge]

I made about 6 blades with Rxton 1/Rxton 1 special edition (a bit More tack) Fh & Rxton 3 Orange for the BH & it works quite well for beginners so far👌🤑🏓

 

[The_TT_Bat_Guy]

After extensive hours of research and play testing, I settled on Mercury 2 rubbers for my starter builds (for those moving from prebuilds to custom). For those in that camp who need a slightly slower rubber (I've noticed that the Mercury 2 on a Yinhe N11s can be a bit fast for beginners), I tend to use the Yinhe 9000 series rubbers as they play like all round rubbers that are tacky. For beginners and younger players on their first custom bat, I tend to use the Kokutaku 868 training rubbers as that's one of the slowest around that's easy to control and still has decent spin capabilities.

Friendship 729 Super FX will always remain a classic rubber but it's hard to get it for $5 these days. I haven't heard enough good things about the 729 Cross yet and one shop keeper I spoke too didn't really rate it despite stocking it (probably as a way to pad out the range a bit). I'm still tempted to try it but competition is pretty fierce in the budget rubber range.

I've also tried the Kokutaku Blue and that was pretty good for a budget rubber - stable spin and control and good for beginners needing a bit more speed than what's possible in their training rubber range.

So far, in the cheap range, I've used:

• Yinhe Mercury 2 (base rubber for my starter builds)
• Yinhe 9000 (alternative rubber for my starter builds)
• Kokutaku 868 training rubbers (for beginners and kids)
• Kokutaku Blue sponge
• Sanwei T88-III (trying out as a potentially feasible alternative for starter builds)
• Sanwei T88 Ultra Spin (trying out as a potentially feasible alternative for starter builds)
• XIENT XVT 40+ (which was surprisingly spinny with an elastic sponge and good speed even on a budget Sanwei 3W training-class blade!)
• Rxton 1 (spinny, mid tacky rubber that's got good potential. Can give good speed too if hit well)
• Huieson Hurricane Storm (Didn't like this at all - spinny enough but the bounce feels inconsistent. Tried it on Palio Expert blade)

 

[TensorBackhand]

After extensive hours of research and play testing, I settled on Mercury 2 rubbers for my starter builds (for those moving from prebuilds to custom). For those in that camp who need a slightly slower rubber (I've noticed that the Mercury 2 on a Yinhe N11s can be a bit fast for beginners), I tend to use the Yinhe 9000 series rubbers as they play like all round rubbers that are tacky. For beginners and younger players on their first custom bat, I tend to use the Kokutaku 868 training rubbers as that's one of the slowest around that's easy to control and still has decent spin capabilities.

Friendship 729 Super FX will always remain a classic rubber but it's hard to get it for $5 these days. I haven't heard enough good things about the 729 Cross yet and one shop keeper I spoke too didn't really rate it despite stocking it (probably as a way to pad out the range a bit). I'm still tempted to try it but competition is pretty fierce in the budget rubber range.

I've also tried the Kokutaku Blue and that was pretty good for a budget rubber - stable spin and control and good for beginners needing a bit more speed than what's possible in their training rubber range.

So far, in the cheap range, I've used:

• Yinhe Mercury 2 (base rubber for my starter builds)
• Yinhe 9000 (alternative rubber for my starter builds)
• Kokutaku 868 training rubbers (for beginners and kids)
• Kokutaku Blue sponge
• Sanwei T88-III (trying out as a potentially feasible alternative for starter builds)
• Sanwei T88 Ultra Spin (trying out as a potentially feasible alternative for starter builds)
• XIENT XVT 40+ (which was surprisingly spinny with an elastic sponge and good speed even on a budget Sanwei 3W training-class blade!)
• Rxton 1 (spinny, mid tacky rubber that's got good potential. Can give good speed too if hit well)
• Huieson Hurricane Storm (Didn't like this at all - spinny enough but the bounce feels inconsistent. Tried it on Palio Expert blade)

How does Kokutaku compare with Rxton 1?

What I really like to do is take a cheap rubber, boost it heavily, and see if it can compete with much more expensive rubbers. I boosted a Rxton 1 and found that it plays really well. I even preferred it over some premium rubbers.

Tornado V5 is really good as well.

 

[riemsesy]

View attachment 28868
That is 5 NZ dollars . I like to play with cheap crap 🤣

I used this rubber for paddles at the office. bouncy, soft, and loses grip pretty quickly. But colleagues are content.

 

[The_TT_Bat_Guy]

How does Kokutaku compare with Rxton 1?

What I really like to do is take a cheap rubber, boost it heavily, and see if it can compete with much more expensive rubbers. I boosted a Rxton 1 and found that it plays really well. I even preferred it over some premium rubbers.

Tornado V5 is really good as well.

The Kokutaku feels softer and a bit more elastic. I feel the Rxton 1 has more speed reserves that more skilled players can get while the Kokutaku 868 Blue is an easy-to-play choice for beginners and advanced beginners. A couple of skilled players in my Stratford, London TT community enjoy using the Rxton thanks to it's price and the performance they can get even without boosting it.

 

[TensorBackhand]

The Kokutaku feels softer and a bit more elastic. I feel the Rxton 1 has more speed reserves that more skilled players can get while the Kokutaku 868 Blue is an easy-to-play choice for beginners and advanced beginners. A couple of skilled players in my Stratford, London TT community enjoy using the Rxton thanks to it's price and the performance they can get even without boosting it.

Have you tried boosting the Kokutaku? Does it react well to booster?

 

[The_TT_Bat_Guy]

Have you tried boosting the Kokutaku? Does it react well to booster?

Oh - I haven't. I don't boost rubbers so would need someone else to try that!

 

[TensorBackhand]

Oh - I haven't. I don't boost rubbers so would need someone else to try that!

What rubber would it be equal to in speed?

Mercury 3 maybe?

 

[TensorBackhand]

The Kokutaku feels softer and a bit more elastic. I feel the Rxton 1 has more speed reserves that more skilled players can get while the Kokutaku 868 Blue is an easy-to-play choice for beginners and advanced beginners. A couple of skilled players in my Stratford, London TT community enjoy using the Rxton thanks to it's price and the performance they can get even without boosting it.

How is the speed of the 868 blue?

 

[lodro]

Huieson Hurricane Storm (Didn't like this at all - spinny enough but the bounce feels inconsistent. Tried it on Palio Expert blade)

i boosted it twice and glued it on a inner slc blade and got myself the perfect "BH block-machine" 🤣

 

[TensorBackhand]

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256805732708921.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.main.5.617cVq1WVq1Whk&algo_pvid=b21bc239-5f55-486a-948d-18ec895288a0&algo_exp_id=b21bc239-5f55-486a-948d-18ec895288a0-2&pdp_npi=4%40dis%21USD%215.91%215.91%21%21%2142.62%2142.62%21%402101e80f17129013309883258e5975%2112000034851750664%21sea%21US%211644340096%21&curPageLogUid=cl7YyZYREZXF&utparam-url=scene%3Asearch%7Cquery_from%3A

Anybody try this rubber? How is it? Why do all their rubbers say 868 Blutenkirsche?

 

[TensorBackhand]

I found this funny review of Kokutaku rubber. They seem to think it works quite well for backhand. They seem to think the rubber is quite soft. Speed seems to be somewhat medium

 

[Bruschk0v]

After extensive hours of research and play testing, I settled on Mercury 2 rubbers for my starter builds (for those moving from prebuilds to custom). For those in that camp who need a slightly slower rubber (I've noticed that the Mercury 2 on a Yinhe N11s can be a bit fast for beginners), I tend to use the Yinhe 9000 series rubbers as they play like all round rubbers that are tacky. For beginners and younger players on their first custom bat, I tend to use the Kokutaku 868 training rubbers as that's one of the slowest around that's easy to control and still has decent spin capabilities.

Friendship 729 Super FX will always remain a classic rubber but it's hard to get it for $5 these days. I haven't heard enough good things about the 729 Cross yet and one shop keeper I spoke too didn't really rate it despite stocking it (probably as a way to pad out the range a bit). I'm still tempted to try it but competition is pretty fierce in the budget rubber range.

I've also tried the Kokutaku Blue and that was pretty good for a budget rubber - stable spin and control and good for beginners needing a bit more speed than what's possible in their training rubber range.

So far, in the cheap range, I've used:

• Yinhe Mercury 2 (base rubber for my starter builds)
• Yinhe 9000 (alternative rubber for my starter builds)
• Kokutaku 868 training rubbers (for beginners and kids)
• Kokutaku Blue sponge
• Sanwei T88-III (trying out as a potentially feasible alternative for starter builds)
• Sanwei T88 Ultra Spin (trying out as a potentially feasible alternative for starter builds)
• XIENT XVT 40+ (which was surprisingly spinny with an elastic sponge and good speed even on a budget Sanwei 3W training-class blade!)
• Rxton 1 (spinny, mid tacky rubber that's got good potential. Can give good speed too if hit well)
• Huieson Hurricane Storm (Didn't like this at all - spinny enough but the bounce feels inconsistent. Tried it on Palio Expert blade)

Hi,

thanks for these extensive informations.

which of these would you recommend as a "fun" / "pick up and play in the lunch break" type of rackets for club table tennis players used to euro style rubbers?

 

[igorponger]

TOO THICK -- TOO BAD.

All China products you can now get on market do offer overly THICK sponge > 2.1, those utterly unfit for playing accurate, artistic rallies. Instead, sponge mid size 1.6-- 1.8 mm is highly recommended.
We did obtained mid size sponge on direct request, from factory store directly, by courtesy of china friends.
----------------------
Be happy all

 

[JJ Ng]

Hi,

thanks for these extensive informations.

which of these would you recommend as a "fun" / "pick up and play in the lunch break" type of rackets for club table tennis players used to euro style rubbers?

Out of the rubbers on the list, I have tried Yinhe Mercury 2, Sanwei T88 Ultra spin and Rxton 1.

Mercury 2 is out of the question. It is very very tacky.

Rxton 1, it was a while ago. I just remembered that it was very good for its price. So it would be my second choice.

Sanwei T88 Ultra Spin is not tacky at all. It is the best choice for someone who is used to euro style rubbers.

 

[TensorBackhand]

Out of the rubbers on the list, I have tried Yinhe Mercury 2, Sanwei T88 Ultra spin and Rxton 1.

Mercury 2 is out of the question. It is very very tacky.

Rxton 1, it was a while ago. I just remembered that it was very good for its price. So it would be my second choice.

Sanwei T88 Ultra Spin is not tacky at all. It is the best choice for someone who is used to euro style rubbers.

Honestly Rxton Train is $5 and is better than all other Rxton rubbers

 

[plunder]

@Bruschk0v the market has spoken. Looking at alix sales numbers of sub-5$ rubbers, Mercury 2 is by far the best-selling rubber (Medium vs Soft seem equally popular), only trailed by T88 Ultra Spin, with most orders from Ukraine Russia India Pakistan, see alix buyers' comments. i trust the market's voice/decision, so i use Mercury 2 for serious club play, and T88-I for returnboard.

• Mercury 2 Soft: rather light-weight, (old production used to be) veery tacky, resistant top sheet (durable), no catapult; a slowish rubber, which i can appreciate; imho very suitable for all club play (league, tourneys); product from a very strong brand and original manufacturer: Yinhe Milky Way
• T88-I: hardish sponge, not as light-weight, resistant top sheet (durable), very grippy, ~catapult/tensor; a fastish rubber, hence more fun; serious enough for club play but not a good choice for beginners; product from a strong brand and original manufacturer: SANWEI

I choose(!) to be an ignoramus, and ignore all less-big brands (Loki, Roki, Palio, Dawei, Double fishes, whateva), there's no need to behave like an idiot EJ, just focus on the top2-best selling rubbers, with the widest popularity and availability. Friendship 729 is even more popular but not a sub-5$ rubber! Yinhe is becoming the 2nd biggest brand from China behind DHS. For fun rackets during lunch breaks, i'd recommend the T88-I. @Andrea Jiang it has very nice production quality and is easy to maintain. Good spring effect.

 

[BlazeReaper]

If you're looking for something light and enjoyable to play with casually, T88 Ultra Spin is a great option. But if you want a bit more power and grip after boosting, Rxton Train offers excellent value.

 

[TensorBackhand]

@Bruschk0v the market has spoken. Looking at alix sales numbers of sub-5$ rubbers, Mercury 2 is by far the best-selling rubber (Medium vs Soft seem equally popular), only trailed by T88 Ultra Spin, with most orders from Ukraine Russia India Pakistan, see alix buyers' comments. i trust the market's voice/decision, so i use Mercury 2 for serious club play, and T88-I for returnboard.

• Mercury 2 Soft: rather light-weight, (old production used to be) veery tacky, resistant top sheet (durable), no catapult; a slowish rubber, which i can appreciate; imho very suitable for all club play (league, tourneys); product from a very strong brand and original manufacturer: Yinhe Milky Way
• T88-I: hardish sponge, not as light-weight, resistant top sheet (durable), very grippy, ~catapult/tensor; a fastish rubber, hence more fun; serious enough for club play but not a good choice for beginners; product from a strong brand and original manufacturer: SANWEI

I choose(!) to be an ignoramus, and ignore all less-big brands (Loki, Roki, Palio, Dawei, whateva), there's no need to behave like an idiot EJ, just focus on the top2-best selling rubbers, with the widest popularity and availability. Friendship 729 is even more popular but not a sub-5$ rubber! Yinhe is becoming the 2nd biggest brand from China behind DHS. For fun rackets during lunch breaks, i'd recommend the T88-I. @Andrea Jiang it has very nice production quality and is easy to maintain. Good spring effect.

DHS is king no doubt.

I would actually say Double Fish has the best rubbers outside of DHS. They are very grippy, very spinny, have good hardness, and also are quite fast and respond to booster.

Yinhe has really good rubbers too, but sometimes can be a bit hit or miss or comes across as inconsistent. The hardness can be a bit inconsistent. Also, their rubbers generally feel harder than other brands. The sponge is different, very dense and rubbery.

Loki rubbers are a bit scattered my opinion. Rxton 7, Rxton 9 aren't that good. Arthur series is much better. Loki also has some low cost options like Rxton Train.

Friendship can be good if they fix the throw angle. B2 throw angle is too low. Battle Max was a bit better. I still have a new Battle 3 that I haven't tested yet.