CHOOSING THE RIGHT TABLE TENNIS BAT – YOUR GUIDE TO THE STAR SYSTEM

How many stars can a table tennis bat have? How many stars should my own table tennis bat have? If you've just discovered the wonderful world of table tennis, it may be good to get to grips with the star system. Maybe you have a younger child who wants to start playing table tennis, a teenager who is keen on competing in the sport, or you're just after a bat for playing at home or in the office with friends or colleagues. Here we guide you through the star system.

Do you like playing table tennis outdoors? Take a look at our durable bats for outdoor use.

STIGA table tennis rackets are graded according to a 1 to 5 star system, where 5 is the very best and 1 means an easier racket. A better table tennis racket doesn't necessarily mean it's the best choice for you. The racket you choose will depend on the level at which you play and your table tennis experience. Different stars provide different amounts of speed and spin. Here you can find out more about what the different stars mean, as well as examples of rackets to help you choose the right racket for your starting point.

Hobby/1-star - A ping pong racket that is easy to play with for those new to the sport. It gives you good control without being too fast or giving too much spin. It helps new players control the ball trajectory and keep the ball in play longer. Perfect for kids and beginners playing in their free time, at home or at school. In this category you will find for example rackets like Evolve, CYBERSHAPE® - Hobby and CYBERSHAPE® 1-star.

2-star - A table tennis racket for those who have developed a taste for table tennis and may want to start playing in a club. This racket offers more speed than the 1-star and gives you a better opportunity to develop your game, while maintaining control. In this category you will find the React racket.

3-Star - A 3-star table tennis racket is suitable for those who want to start building technique and learn the basics properly. With this racket, you'll gain additional speed while still maintaining good control. It will help you both develop and improve your game. Here you'll find rackets like Future, Trinity, Royal WRB 3-star and CYBERSHAPE® Future - 3-star.

4-Star - A table tennis racket for those who may already be playing in a club or have been playing table tennis for a while, and are now aiming to play at an even higher level. This racket provides high speed and a lot of spin so that you as an average player can hone your technique even more. Here you will find rackets like Vision and Royal 4-star.

5-star - The best of our pre-glued rackets. A competition racket that suits those who are used to playing table tennis. This more advanced racket will give you top speed and spin, but it also means you need to have some technique and good ball sense. Rackets at this level will give you a better feel for the game as a skilled player. Our Rolls-Royce among the five-star rackets is undoubtedly the Pro Carbon Plus CYBERSHAPE® - 5-star, a really offensive 5+2 plus pocket with 5 layers of wood and 2 layers of carbon fiber. In this category you will also find rackets such as STIGA Pro Carbon +, Prestige 5-star and Royal 5-star.

So a ping pong racket with more stars means a more advanced and faster racket with less control, which also requires a bit more from you as a player. In other words, the more stars your racket has, the better you need to be at handling it. Choosing the right racket for your level will maximize your game. Here you can find all our STAR Series table tennis rackets - from 1- to 5-star rackets.

In addition to the number of stars on the racket, it is good to think about what style of play you have. Racquets that provide speed and spin suit offensive players, while a defensive racquet provides spin and control. Hybrid rackets are balanced to suit different playing styles. In addition, if you play in competitions, the racket needs to be approved by the International Table Tennis Federation. Look for a racket that is ITTF approved.

The higher the star rating of a table tennis bat, the more advanced and faster it is. As such, it offers less control and is therefore more demanding of the player. The more stars a bat has, the more control and playing experience it requires. Here you'll find all of our table tennis bats in the STAR Series – from 1-star to 5-star.

Have you been honing your skills with a 5-star bat for a while and are ready for the next step? Read more about STIGA's separate table tennis blades and how to glue rubber yourself.