Table tennis is one of the fastest sports there is. With a top speed of 115 mph and an extremely short reaction time, fast attacking play is a popular way to succeed. Of course, this requires the right equipment. Are you looking for fast rubbers? Then you’re in the right place! In this post, I present to you my top 11.
List Overview
Top List the Fastest Rubbers
From the many different manufacturers there always are variants of their popular rubbers, which are trimmed for top speed. These often feature a large sponge thickness (> 2 mm) and a lower sponge hardness, so that it comes to a more powerful catapult effect.
To be honest there is no such thing as the “one fastest rubber”. If you prefer fast attacking play, you will probably be happy with any model from the list. Therefore it is not sorted.
I hope you can forgive me for not being able to test every single one. To give you an impression anyway, you will always find a suitable quote from player reviews. Fast rubbers sure are exciting for the players 😁
If I had to choose
Recommendation – If I were currently looking for a new rubber and was looking for maximum speed, this would be my choice:
And now start with the list…
1. Butterfly Tenergy 64
The Tenergy 64 is the fastest rubber from the Tenergy series due to the Spring Sponge Technology and with larger spacing between the pimples. Many famous table tennis professionals play this rubber, such as Chen Meng, the number 1 in the women’s world ranking list.
The Tenergy 64 is characterized by a very soft touch and is excellent for aggressive attacking play from a medium distance.
Sponge Characteristics:
- Available in a sponge thickness from 1.7 to 2.1 mm
- Air bubbles in the sponge
- Extremely thin pimples for precise topspin play
- Goal: Precise topspin play
Note: This is a true pro rubber that can generate an extreme amount of speed. At the same time, however, it requires very good technique to control the balls well.
What the players say:
- “Excellent rubber”
- “Great rubber, but very jumpy on the return”
- “Best backhand rubber ever!”
How much does the Tenergy 64 cost?
The price varies between $60 and $80 depending on the store. So the rubber is in the upper price category.
2. TSP Super Ventus
The TSP Super Ventus is something like the new flagship of the Ventus series. The rubber generates not only enormous speed but at the same time also extremely much spin. Ideal for a topspin attacking game with forehand and backhand.
Overall, the rubber shines with a good balance of high spin potential, a lot of power and a lot of speed. So you can also control returns and blocks well with the rubber.
Sponge characteristics
- Thickness: 2 mm
- Color: Pink
- Goal: Extreme acceleration
How much does the TSP Super Ventus cost?
Compared to the previous rubbers, the Super Ventus is a bit cheaper. The price is usually around $40.
3. Donic Bluefire M1 Turbo
With the Bluefire M1 Turbo, Donic has launched a variant of the popular M1 series that focuses entirely on speed. The top rubber layer is very thin and subjected to high tension to create more space for a thicker sponge.
With a sponge thickness of 1.9 to 2.3 mm, you can pose problems to your opponent with extreme power and speed.
Sponge Characteristics:
- Medium pore with short wide pimple structure.
- Very thin high tension pimple coating
- Hardness: 50
What the players say
Players agree and love the Bluestrom Z1 Turbo. Here are a few excerpts of the best comments:
- “I use the Donic Bluestorm Z1 Turbo MAX on my forehand side and it is a monster of spin and speed with excellent control.”
- “High quality plus rubber that does everything well from power speed to controlled block”
- “Wow, here’s the rubber I’ve been missing”
How much does the Donic Bluefire M1 Turbo cost?
Depending on the sponge thickness there, the rubber is available for $40-$50. Do you want to test it?
4. Gewo Nexxus XT Pro 48 / 50
The Gewo Nexxus XT Pro is available in 48 & 50 (sponge hardness). If you are a modern attacker who likes to play from short to middle range and rely on topspin, you can’t go wrong with this rubber.
The rubber is characterized by a very strong catapult effect and a flat trajectory. At the same time, however, the rubber surface is extremely grippy, which still allows for a high degree of control.
Sponge properties:
- Thickness: 1.9 to 2.3 mm
- Pimples: Medium to narrow
- Sponge hardness: 48 or 50
What the players say:
- “This is an exceptional rubber!”
- “Very good rubber, making the Nexxus series the most durable sponge. Good on both sides.”
- “Overall, this was an easy to play rubber aimed at players who need a sponge with a lot of spin potential”
How much does the Gewo Nexxus XT Pro cost?
The price is around $45. The rubber is currently not available on Amazon but you can get it at tt-shop.de:
5. Tibhar Evolution MX-P
The Tibhar Evolution MX-P is also the fastest and most dynamic rubber in its series. Compared to the other rubbers in this list, the MX-P might be the strongest when it comes to control and touch.
Nevertheless, of course, this rubber also shines with incredible speed and spin. This is helped by the Pro-Tension rubber surface, which is extremely grippy and thus holds great spin potential.
Sponge Characteristics:
- Thickness: 1.5 to 2.2 mm
- Red and open-pored
- Goal: Good balance between speed and control
What players say:
- “A very good rubber for forehand and backhand”
- “Better than the Tenergy 05 in every respect”
- “Incredible. Incredible…”
How much does the Evolution MX-P cost?
The price for the rubber ranges from $45-55.
6. JOOLA Rhyzer 48 / 50
The JOOLA Rhyzer has an extremely thin and grippy surface that is under high tension, which in combination with the narrow, relatively short pimples and larger gaps leads to a maximum catapult effect.
Once again, the rubber is particularly suitable for modern attacking players who like to play topspin balls from short and half distances. The trajectory is comparatively flat, but at the same time, the rubber impresses with its high precision.
Sponge characteristics:
- Thickness: 2 mm or 2.3 mm
- Pimples: Short and large-pored
- Hardness: 48 or 50
What players say:
- “Amazingly balanced rubber, amazing spin and high speed, excellent feel.”
- “A bit too soft. The bounce is big. Good for a player opening near the table. Only for the backhand.”
How much does the JOOLA Rhyzer cost?
The rubber costs about $45-50 for the maximum sponge thickness. It is available here, for example:
7. Killerspin Fortissimo
The Killerspin FORTISSIMO is an extremely innovative rubber, which was developed especially for topspin players on a high level. It consists of a composition of natural and synthetic rubber in equal parts.
Fortissimo, as the name suggests, is designed for maximum power and speed and is therefore recommended for top players only, as ball control is challenging due to the strong catapult effect.
Sponge properties:
- Thickness: 2 mm or 2.3 mm
- Japanese sponge specialized for topspin.
What players say:
- “The best rubber I have played so far”.
- “Amazing, and in some ways special rubber.”
- “A very forgiving rubber with pace and control, and one of the fastest rubbers for the forehand.”
How much does the Killerspin Fortissimo cost?
The rubber usually costs around $50. Unfortunately, it is rarely available. Currently, it is available on Amazon:
8. Butterfly Bryce High Speed
The Bryce High Speed is another extremely fast rubber from Butterfly. The “Micro-Layer” technology of the manufacturer provides a particularly thin top rubber, which gives the rubber an extreme grip and high elasticity.
This also makes this rubber particularly suitable for aggressive topspin attacking play. According to the online store Megaspin, the rubber actually is the fastest one from Butterfly.
Sponge properties:
- Thickness: 1.7 to 2.1 mm
- Pimples: Very taut, pimples inside
- Hardness: 35
What players say:
- “Very fast rubber with less spin than other rubbers.”
- “Blocks feel magical with this rubber…. No effort required….. Backhand rubber without a doubt. Blocks feel magical with this rubber…. No effort required….. Backhand rubber without a doubt.”
How much does the Bryce High Speed cost?
The rubber costs about $60 for the maximum sponge thickness.
9. Donic Coppa X1 Turbo Platinum
The Coppa X1 Turbo Platin is the hardest and fastest rubber of the Coppa X series. In addition, the rubber impresses with extremely high spin values, which makes it a fast-paced and spin-heavy offensive rubber.
The Coppa C1 Turbo also impresses with a relatively good feel on more passive block shots and in the service/return area. The rubber is ideal for offensive play from the half-distance.
Sponge properties:
- Thickness: 1.8 to 2.2 mm
- Hardness: Medium
What the players say:
- “Ideal for topspin players!”
How much does the Donic Coppa X1 Turbo Platinum cost?
The rubber usually costs about $50. It’s available on Amazon:
10. Stiga Calibra LT
The Calibra LT rubber has a medium-hard sponge for very good players with a fine technique. If you are an advanced player looking for rubber with extreme spin and pace and sensitive touch, this is the rubber for you!
The Calibra LT series stands for an extremely long trajectory. Together with the high spin characteristics and speed, this results in a unique combination for aggressive attacking players. Control, on the other hand, suffers a bit compared to other rubbers in this list.
Sponge Characteristics:
- Thickness: 1.8 to 2.2 mm
- Hardness: Medium
What players say:
- “This is an excellent rubber but it is overpriced, just like the other non-Chinese rubbers”
- “The rubber is very fast and has an extremely low trajectory, the ball is so flat that opponents often think the ball is going into the net, but then it whizzes past them, which I find very enjoyable, the touch is very consistent.”
How much does the Stiga Calibra LT cost?
The Stiga Calibra LT costs just under $50 in the maximum sponge thickness.
11. Andro Rasanter R53
This Andro rubber is, as the name suggests very fast. The Andro-Cell technology provides more power for extremely hard topspins but also for players opening with the backhand.
The Andro-Sponge has an extremely elastic cell structure which provides a strong catapult effect. The relatively hard rubber gives thereby quite direct feedback about the ball contact.
Sponge Characteristics:
- Thickness: 1.7 to 2.3 mm
- Hardness: Hard
What the players say:
- “Very fast rubber. It’s hard to control at the beginning. I had problems blocking spinning balls, but I got used to it and adapted. The short game is fantastic.”
- “I thought it would be unplayable. But it isn’t! The softness of the surface completely offsets the sponge hardness. Everything is good. And I mean that!”
How much does the Andro Rasanter R53 cost?
Like the previous rubber on the list, the Rasanter 53 is in the price range of $45-50.
What makes a fast rubber?
I hope you found what you were looking for in my list of the fastest rubbers. Now there is one more question. What actually makes a rubber a fast rubber? The answer is complex.
First of all, there is the sponge. The design of the pores and the hardness play a role but the biggest effect is the thickness of the sponge. With the models shown in the list, there are often different options (mostly about 1.7 mm to 2.3mm). So if you are looking for maximum speed, you should also choose the variant with the largest sponge thickness.
A thicker coating provides a stronger catapult effect. You can imagine this in a similar way to a trampoline. The more elastic the surface, the more extra energy or speed is transferred to the ball when hitting it.
Nothing beats technique
There is one factor that is more important than any rubber or racket feature: technique. Yes as trivial as it sounds. Any rubber can be fast if the technique is right! Nothing has such a big influence on it.
As long as your technique is not right, I would even advise you not to use any of the rubbers in this list, because they are usually much harder to control due to the enormous speed.
With speed to success
I am a big fan of fast and spectacular play. Nothing is better than winning the point with a smash. I guess you see it that way too. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have read the article until here 😁
I hope the post could help you in your search for a suitable fast rubber.
Enjoy the game 🏓
