Choosing the best table tennis glue for your paddle is not as easy as it seems. You have to consider adherence, ease of use, drying time, just to name a few. On top of this, the ITTF(International Table Tennis Federation) has some pretty specific guidelines when it comes to the glue that you use. But have no worries, all of the five below are ITTF approved.
There are a couple of types of glue, but the most popular by far is the no VOC water based glue. This type of glue has no volatile compounds in it and is the only type of glue that is currently legal. (Speed glue got banned a long time ago).
There are many brands to choose from, each with their strengths and weaknesses, but in our opinion, these are the best 5 table tennis glue bottles that you can get today.
5. Donic Vario Clean
This glue adheres to all the standards set by the ITTF and contains zero harmful volatile compounds. This water based glue has a very fast drying period and is also reasonably priced.
The adherence quality of this glue is simply remarkable and it is very easy to use. The donwside is that you will only get one sponge which will not last you very long before you have to buy another.
4. Joola Lex Glue Green
This one is free from solvents and has a latex base which makes it one of the best and most efficient adhesives. It does its job perfectly and without any hassle.
It is very easy to use and the rubber sticks flawlessly with a single application. The best part about this glue is that it can be easily peeled off using your fingers if you poured a little bit too much by mistake.
3. Tibhar Clean Fix
The Clean Fix is the best glue if you want to change the rubber on a daily basis. It is easy to handle and has a premium adherence quality so that the blade and the rubber can easily and properly stick to one another.
It has a sponge applicator attached to the top of the product body which allows easy application, making it very unlikely that any glue will get stuck to your hand. Just remember to wait at least 5 minutes for it to dry for a better adherence.
2. Killerspin Table Tennis Torque AQ
This glue comes with an applicator clip and has around 15 disposable applicator sponges. It is a water based glue and does its work perfectly.
After a single application, you can expect the rubber to remain attached to the blades for a long time so that you can continue playing without any problems. The Torque AQ’s downside is that it can be a bit difficult to apply on the rubber and paddle.
1. Butterfly Free Chak
This is the best table tennis glue that you can get right now. It is made in compliance with the norms issued by the ITTF and is also free from organic solvents and VOCs. This glue is made using 100% liquidized natural caoutchouc, which is a natural rubber in simple terms and has some amazing adhesive properties.
Although it dries pretty fast you should give it enough time to dry well, until it no longer smears your finger on touch. This way, the rubber and blade will stick properly together. A set of instructions also come with this glue, teaching you step by step what to do, so that you get the most out of it.
The Butterfly Free Chak is the best when it comes to adherence and ease of use and is no wonder that it is used regularly by the top table tennis players like Mizutani or Timo Boll. If you want top quality and performance there is no better choice out there.
Other things to consider
• A single glue bottle should last for months, but if you purchase a lower quality glue, then you might end up finishing the entire glue bottle after just a few days, as it will be required to apply the glue multiple times to get the proper adherence.
• If a water-based glue freezes then it becomes unusable. That is why you should always store your glue bottle at room temperature and never in the fridge or outside.
• Make sure you read the instructions carefully before applying it on your blade and rubber, as different table tennis glues require different setting times. So going through the instructions will save you time and give you the best results.
• Assembling your very own table tennis paddle is not very difficult but there is a small learning curve. If this is your first time making your custom paddle, then you should definitely check out the video below.
If making your own racket seems to much of a bother, check out our guide about the best pre made table tennis paddles out there, and you should be ready to play in no time.