Best Table Tennis Rubber For Forehand

The best table tennis rubber for forehand play will vary from player to player, playing style to playing style, and the skill level of the person holding the racket. A forehand rubber that works for one could be a nightmare to play with for the next. Here are a few forehand table tennis rubbers considered the best by many pros and recreational players.

Best Table Tennis Rubbers For Forehand:

1. Butterfly Tenergy 05
2. Yasaka Mark V
3. Tibhar Evolution MX-P
4. DHS Gold Arc 8
5. Butterfly Sriver
6. Xiom Omega V Asia
7. Yasaka Raska 7
8. Nittaku Fastarc G-1
9. Butterfly Dignics 05
10. Andro Rassanter R47
11. DHS Hurricane 3 Neo
12. And More…

Choosing a forehand rubber is all about choosing a rubber that suits your skill level and game and not blindly buying the most popular rubber because your hero is using it. Your style of play should dictate what rubber to employ on your forehand and backhand, as the rubber doesn’t magically transform your level overnight; rather, it enhances the skills you have gained through practice.

1. Butterfly Tenergy 05

The Butterfly Tenergy 05 (available on Amazon below) forehand rubber is still one of the best rubbers on the market today. The original “spring sponge” and tensioned top sheet produce a fast rubber that grips the ball longer. Expect a massive amount of topspin on drives and huge amounts of spin on the serve.

Combined with a fast pace, the Butterfly Tenergy 05 is ideal for the advanced offensive player who thrives on topspin and speed. The rubber keeps its pace and explosive power throughout and doesn’t need speed glue or boosting. The Butterfly Tenergy 05 is rated as one of the best table tennis rubbers ever made, period.

Butterfly Tenergy 05 is available in the following thickness:

• 1.7 mm
• 1.9 mm
• 2.1 mm

For players looking for even more power, the faster and heavier Butterfly Tenergy 05 Hard could be the forehand rubber for you. Many pro players use this harder version as it generates more power and is ideal for counter looping and an aggressive style of play. If you rely on your service game and spin variation to win your games, stick to the normal Tenergy 05.

2. Yasaka Mark V

The Yasaka Mark V (available on Amazon below) is the flagship rubber for Yasaka, which burst onto the scene in the successful 1970 and 1971 World Championships. It is still a favorite and very popular table tennis rubber today. One of the first rubbers to combine a mixture of natural and synthetic rubbers, the Mark V, is considered a strong weapon for beginners, intermediate, and professional players.

Many players will be quick to express that the Mark V is one of the most consistent rubbers on the market, compatible with most blades, and suits all playing styles from defensive to aggressively offensive. Players with proper stroke mechanics will love the rubber, as it plays with you and not against you.

Yasaka Mark V is available in the following thickness:

• 1.0 mm
• 1.5 mm
• 1.8 mm
• 2.0 mm
• Max

3. Tibhar Evolution MX-P

The Tibhar Evolution MX-P (available on Amazon below) is a hard mixture of rubber that gives the user a higher potential to produce more power on attacking strokes. Tibhar’s Evolution rubbers come in two categories, with the Evolution-P line being the most popular Evolution rubber and the fastest.

Rated as one of the best versatile all-around rubbers on the market and suitable for all player levels, including beginners. Compared to Butterfly Tenergy 05, it has more speed, a little less spin and catapult, but with equal control and is much cheaper.

The MX-P stands for maximum speed, and if you are looking for a forehand rubber from Tibhar with more spin and a little less speed, check out the Tibhar Evolution MX-S (available on Amazon below), which stands for maximum spin.

Tibhar Evolution MX-P is available in the following thickness:

• 1.7 mm
• 1.8 mm
• 1.9 mm
• 2.0 mm
• 2.1 mm
• 2.2 mm

4. DHS Gold Arc 8

The DHS Gold Arc 8 is the first DHS rubber that’s not Chinese. The non-tacky rubber was developed by German rubber experts in collaboration with multiple world champions Ma Long and Wang Liqin and the DHS Development Center.

The result is an elastic rubber with a robust pimple geometry that provides lots of power when playing mid-distance. When making contact with the ball, the feedback is a crisp, clear sound that instills confidence when producing shots with huge amounts of spin and speed.

Serves with a huge amount of backspin and strong counter topspin; the rubber pushes strongly and blocks effectively. The rubber is very forgiving, has a medium-soft touch, but feels like a medium-hard rubber during play. Excellent when counter looping and excellent when opening top spins in underspin balls.

DHS Gold Arc 8 is available in the following degrees:

• 47.5°
• 50°

5. Butterfly Sriver

The Butterfly Sriver (available on Amazon below) is the rubber that’s perfect for players with an all-around counterattacking game, which is the play style of most table tennis players. The Butterfly Sriver is the best-selling Butterfly rubber of all time and is loved by many professional players (20 World and 70 European Titles won with a Butterfly Sriver rubber) and recreational players alike.

The control that the rubber gives the user is excellent and perfect for the intermediate player looking to fine-tune their game without having to go through lots of rubbers in the process. Most table tennis players will benefit from using the Sriver and its medium hard but flexible rubber, which lends itself to controlled attacks and blocks.

The Butterfly Sriver is available in the following thickness:

• 1.5 mm
• 1.7 mm
• 1.9 mm
• 2.1 mm
• Max

6. Xiom Omega V Asia

The Xiom Omega V Asia (available on Amazon below) is a hard (50+ degree) sponge with a soft top sheet, resulting in a fast rubber that makes it easy to smash and loop while delivering a really good spin with zero slip when playing with new balls. Players love the direct sensation that the rubber gives during topspin shots, flat hits, and blocks.

A professional advantage of the higher friction at contact is that the player can catch the ball at an extreme angle and still have control of the shot. The throw angle of the rubber is rated as medium to high, and overall, the rubber is well-balanced and ideal for intermediate players covering most play styles.

The rubber comes alive on more brushy shots, and service and short games are dealt with impressively. Not as fast as other speed-monster rubbers, but the top-end speed is still fast and will increase your forehand percentages.

Xiom Omega V Asia is available in the following thickness:

• 1.8 mm
• 2.0 mm
• Max

7. Yasaka Rakza 7

The Yasaka Rakza 7 (available on Amazon below) is a Hybrid Energy rubber consisting of natural gum rubber in the top sheet, combined with a Power Sponge. The result is a table tennis rubber with an impressive level of grip able to produce powerful spin that results in great ball placing accuracy. If you are looking for a rubber that will increase your consistency in hitting the table, this might be the rubber for you.

The rubber is not the fastest on the market, but it allows you to hit as hard as you want due to creating lots of controlled spin. Playing looping shots is a delight when playing with the Yasaka rubber. Serves are crisp, and shot-making is precise.

Yasaka Rakza 7 is available in the following thickness:

• 1.8 mm
• 2.0 mm
• Max

8. Nittaku Fastarc G-1

The Nittaku Fastarc G-1 (available on Amazon below) is one of the best-selling rubbers in Japan, and it’s easy to see why. The offensive rubber features a 47° built-in tension power sponge and a grippy top sheet that can generate good speed and spinning ball arc.

The rubber’s tackiness helps lift underspin balls in a controlled manner without overshooting the edge of the table. The rubber is known to provide great spin when using brushing shots to play looping shots. The medium-hard sponge provides adequate power from all playing distances.

Nittaku Fastarc G-1 is available in the following thickness:

• 1.4 mm
• 1.8 mm
• 2.0 mm

9. Butterfly Dignics 05

The Butterfly Dignics 05 (available on Amazon below) features improved rubber composition and Spring Sponge, resulting in more dwell time, 3.4% more power, and 22% more arc compared to the Tenergy 05. The Dignics employs pimple code No. 5 (highly acclaimed for its high spin performance). The rubber is ideal for players who want to generate powerful topspin while also countering topspin at mid-distance and close to the table.

Due to the harder spring sponge and its strong catapult effect, the rubber produces a higher and longer trajectory than a Tenergy 05 rubber. The Dignics 05 is an excellent forehand rubber choice for the more advanced player who wants to take their attacking game to the next level.

The Butterfly Dignics 05 is available in the following thickness:

• 1.9 mm
• 2.1 mm

10. Andro Rasanter R47

The Andro Rasanter R47, as the name indicates, is a medium hard sponge at 47° that is ideal for the player whose profile is offensive topspin played at high speeds. The rubber is not for beginners, and advanced players will require certain skills to control.

The rubber pairs well with all wood blades to maximize control. The rubber lets you perform your topspin with a precise curved trajectory and be creative in semi-distance play. Players will enjoy the power, speed, and spin this rubber produces on all attacking strokes from any distance.

The Andro Rasanter R47 is available in the following thickness:

• 1.7 mm
• 2.0 mm
• Max

11. DHS Hurricane 3 Neo

The DHS Hurricane 3 Neo suits the play of an attacking all-rounder whose style is linked to controlled loops. The sticky surface is paired with a Neo factory-tuned sponge that gives similar control as the iconic Hurricane 3 rubber, with more spin than the Neo Hurricane 2.

Players with longer swings will enjoy greater control and speed on strong loops, and overall, the rubber provides an awesome balance between speed, spin, and control. It’s also one of the cheaper rubbers on the market and offers excellent value for money.

The rubber is best paired with fast carbon blades and performs even better when boosted. It’s not the fastest rubber on the market, and you will have to put some effort in when going for optimal speed. Ma Long plays with a Hurricane rubber, and if it’s good enough for the legend, it’s good enough for you.

The DHS Hurricane 3 Neo is available in the following thickness:

• 2.1 mm
• 2.15 mm (37° and 39°)
• 2.2 mm 

12. Donic Bluestorm Z1 Turbo

The Donic Bluestorm Z1 Turbo is fast. Fast and the Furious fast. The Z1 Turbo has a 50° middle-pored sponge paired with a very thin, highly tensioned pimpled rubber top sheet. The Z1 Turbo is for the unyielding full-force attackers.

When required, the Z1 Turbo offers great spin, control, and violent power. Players with good technique will find this rubber a joy to play with, especially away from the table. The Germans did a great job when designing this 5-star rubber.

The Donic Bluestorm Z1 Turbo is available in the following thickness:

• 1.9 mm
• 2.1 mm
• Max

13. Butterfly Tackiness Chop II

The Butterfly Tackiness Chop II is a popular rubber for defensively styled players (choppers). This friction rubber creates a ton of spin and offers a little more offensively than the original Tackiness Chop rubber. Players who employ a classic defense will enjoy the rubber, as it offers excellent control during any shot (chop, loop, smash, drive, and block.)

The Tackiness Chop II might feel a little slow for more advanced modern defenders, but it’s a good option for intermediate players who can create enough power through a solid technique.

Butterfly Tackiness Chop II is available in the following thickness:

• 1.5 mm
• 1.9 mm

14. Joola Dynaryz AGR

The Joola Dynaryz AGR features the 50° Hyperbounce Sponge, engineered to combat kinetic energy loss, and maximize the speed glue effect. The Advanced Traction Surface found in the rubber’s design helps to prevent the ball from sliding as it’s designed to enhance the friction between the ball and the rubber.

The Joola Dynaryz AGR provides a strong catapult effect and a high level of controllable spin. Some players mention that they enjoy the low trajectory the rubber can produce, while others note how fast and controlled their short game has become, effortlessly lifting backspin balls. The rubber is fast and ideal for power players who like to hit the ball flat.

Joola Dynaryz AGR is available in the following thickness:

• 2.0 mm
• Max

Conclusion

All the table tennis forehand rubbers listed above are of the highest quality. Not all the rubbers will automatically work for you, and your game might have to be tweaked a little when switching to another brand, so always base your choice on your skill level and style of play.

References

• https://pingsunday.com/fan-zhendong-equipment-and-playing-style/
• https://pingpongruler.com/best-table-tennis-rubbers/
• https://www.tabletennisdaily.com/forum/showthread.php?25480-Best-Blades-and-Rubbers-For-Intermediate-Modern-Defensive-Players
• https://butterflyonline.com/?_ga=2.55669421.767210227.1660824721-577441174.1660824721
• https://pingsunday.com/best-forehand-rubbers-table-tennis/
• https://www.tabletenniscoach.me.uk/the-most-popular-table-tennis-rubbers-in-2022/
• https://revspin.net/rubber/xiom-omega-v-asia.html
• https://revspin.net/rubber/yasaka-rakza-7.html
• https://www.allabouttabletennis.com/table-tennis-rubber.html