１．Introduction
Table tennis racket prices have been rising steadily in recent years.
Especially among composite-material blades, products priced above ¥20,000–¥30,000 (approximately $133–$200) are no longer uncommon.
At the same time, many players may wonder:
- How much does the average table tennis racket cost?
- Are there major price differences between brands?
In this article, we analyzed shakehand rackets listed in the 2026 catalogs and official websites of nine major table tennis manufacturers.
The investigation focuses on:
- Average prices by brand
- Overall pricing trends
- Characteristics of premium-priced blades
We hope this comparison of pricing differences and brand characteristics will help you choose the right racket for your playing style.
２．Points to Note About This Survey
（１）About the Manufacturers Included
This survey covers the following nine table tennis manufacturers:
- Butterfly
- Nittaku
- VICTAS
- Yasaka
- JUIC
- Andro
- STIGA
- TIBHAR
- DONIC
Note: JUIC also distributes products from Dr.Neubauer, but those products were excluded from this survey.
（２）About the Prices
The prices used in this survey are based on the official MSRP listed on each manufacturer’s official website and digital catalog.
Actual retail prices may be discounted at table tennis shops and online stores.
（３）About the Rackets Included
This survey excludes specialized rackets such as those designed for large-ball table tennis.
In addition, the data in this article was compiled independently based on publicly available information on the internet. Minor discrepancies may exist due to timing differences and catalog updates.
Data current as of late April 2026.
３．Price Ranges by Manufacturer (Japanese Brands)
（１）Butterfly
First, let’s look at Butterfly, one of the most popular table tennis brands in the world and widely known for its premium pricing.
- Number of products: 42
- Average price: ¥19,865 (Approx. $132)
As many players may have expected, Butterfly recorded the highest average price among all shakehand racket brands in this survey.
Key Findings
- Approximately 64% of Butterfly’s lineup is priced above ¥15,000 (around $100).
- The brand has a particularly strong premium-product lineup.
- Butterfly also offers several beginner-friendly models priced below ¥8,000 (around $53).
Another notable point is the balance of the lineup.
- Butterfly has many products in the ¥15,000–¥20,000 range (approximately $100–$133).
- At the same time, the company also offers a similar number of entry-level models under ¥8,000 (around $53).
One reason for Butterfly’s high average price is its extensive lineup of composite blades.
For more information about composite materials used in table tennis rackets, check out the related article below.
（２）Nittaku
Next is Nittaku, a brand well known for its stable quality and consistency.
Nittaku is also the official Japanese distributor for the Chinese manufacturer DHS (Double Happiness). As a result, the company offers many Chinese-made rackets and rubbers, including the popular Hurricane series.
Key Data
- Number of products: 54
- Average price: ¥17,525 (Approx. $117)
Compared with two years ago, Nittaku’s average racket price has increased by approximately 10%.
Personally, I used to associate Nittaku with affordable, high-quality products. However, Nittaku recorded the third-highest average price among the nine brands included in this survey.
One possible reason is the expansion of its premium lineup.
Key Findings
- The number of products priced above ¥20,000 (around $133) increased from 13 models in 2024 to 20 models in 2026.
- This suggests that Nittaku has strengthened its lineup of high-performance rackets.
At the same time, Nittaku still offers many affordable models.
- The company has 14 products priced below ¥8,000 (around $53).
- These lower-priced models account for approximately 26% of the lineup.
Because Nittaku also has a strong beginner-friendly lineup, it remains a brand that is easy for new players to choose.
（３）VICTAS
Next is VICTAS, a brand that merged with TSP in 2020. VICTAS is also widely distributed in the Japanese table tennis market.
Key Data
- Number of products: 68
- Average price: ¥13,608 (Approx. $91)
With 68 products, VICTAS had the largest lineup among all brands included in this survey.
One major reason is its merger with TSP in 2020, which allowed VICTAS to inherit many existing product lines. In addition, the lineup has continued to expand compared with the previous survey conducted two years ago, when the company offered 54 products.
Compared with Butterfly, VICTAS recorded an average price approximately ¥6,000 lower (around $40 lower).
Key Findings
- About 46% of VICTAS products fall within the ¥8,000–¥15,000 range (approximately $53–$100).
- This mid-range pricing is one reason why the brand’s average price remains relatively moderate.
- The lineup is particularly strong for intermediate-level players.
Another notable point is the quality of VICTAS wood blades.
- The company offers many high-quality all-wood rackets.
- Personally, I think this gives the brand a very positive reputation among players who prefer traditional blade feel.
（４）JUIC
Next is JUIC.
JUIC also distributes products from Dr.Neubauer. However, Dr.Neubauer rackets were excluded from this survey because many of them are relatively expensive and have a limited market share in Japan.
Key Data
- Number of products: 9
- Average price: ¥16,072 (Approx. $107)
With only 9 products, JUIC had one of the smallest lineups among the brands included in this survey.
Key Findings
- Overall, JUIC products are moderately priced.
- However, the company offers four models from its higher-priced Titanium series.
- These composite blades appear to have pushed the average price upward.
Another interesting point is product activity in recent years.
- Since 2018, JUIC has not appeared to place advertisements for new products in the Japanese magazine Takkyu Goods.
- This may suggest a more limited recent product expansion compared with larger brands.
（５）Yasaka
Next is Yasaka. For many longtime table tennis players, Yasaka is probably best known for its classic rubber, Mark V.
Key Data
- Number of products: 29
- Average price: ¥10,746 (Approx. $72)
Among all brands included in this survey, Yasaka recorded the lowest average price.
Compared with Butterfly, Yasaka’s average price was approximately ¥9,000 lower (around $60 lower).
Key Findings
- Yasaka offers relatively few high-end rackets.
- Most of the lineup falls within more affordable price ranges.
- The brand focuses on products that are easier for players to purchase at a reasonable price.
Another interesting point is the company’s most expensive model.
- Yasaka’s highest-priced racket was the Masamune, a 3-ply blade made with premium Japanese Hinoki wood.
- The racket is priced at ¥22,000 (approximately $147).
４．Price Ranges by Manufacturer (Overseas Brands)
From here, let’s take a look at four major overseas table tennis brands.
（６）Andro (Germany)
Next is the German brand Andro. The company is known for its stylish designs and strong focus on competitive players.
Andro also offers beautifully crafted Japanese-made blades under the “Wanokiwami” series, which are especially notable for their premium finish and appearance.
Key Data
- Number of products: 21
- Average price: ¥15,520 (Approx. $103)
Key Findings
- The most common price range for Andro products was ¥15,000–¥20,000 (approximately $100–$133).
- This reflects the brand’s strong lineup of intermediate- to advanced-level models.
- Compared with some other brands, Andro appears to focus more heavily on performance-oriented products.
Another notable aspect of the brand is its image within the sport.
- French star Simon Gauzy, one of Andro’s sponsored players, is known for his creative and stylish playing style.
- His creative and stylish playing style matches Andro’s modern and stylish brand identity very well.
（７）STIGA (Sweden)
Next is STIGA, a long-established Swedish table tennis manufacturer. The brand is especially well known for its high-quality wood blades and has recently gained additional attention through the Cybershape series used by Truls Möregårdh.
Key Data
- Number of products: 37
- Average price: ¥19,351 (Approx. $129)
In this survey, STIGA recorded the second-highest average price after Butterfly.
Key Findings
- STIGA offers many premium carbon rackets priced above ¥30,000 (approximately $200).
- This includes high-end models from the popular Cybershape series.
- These expensive carbon blades appear to be one of the main reasons behind the brand’s high average price.
Another notable feature of STIGA’s lineup is its balance in the mid-range category.
- About 35% of the products fall within the ¥8,000–¥15,000 range (approximately $53–$100).
- This suggests that STIGA also has a strong selection of intermediate-level models.
Among overseas brands, STIGA is one of the best-known table tennis manufacturers in Japan.
（８）TIBHAR (Germany)
Next is the German brand TIBHAR. The company is well known for sponsoring top players, including the Lebrun brothers, and has a strong image as a performance-oriented brand.
Key Data
- Number of products: 39
- Average price: ¥17,713 (Approx. $118)
In this survey, TIBHAR recorded the third-highest average price among all brands.
Key Findings
- TIBHAR offers many premium carbon rackets in the ¥25,000–¥30,000 range (approximately $167–$200).
- This includes signature models associated with the Lebrun brothers.
- These high-end carbon blades appear to be one of the reasons behind the brand’s high average price.
Another notable feature is the brand’s mid-range lineup.
- About 26% of TIBHAR products fall within the ¥8,000–¥15,000 range (approximately $53–$100).
- This suggests that the company also offers a solid selection of intermediate-level models.
TIBHAR also sells the “Jäger” Japanese penhold blade, made with premium Hinoki wood, priced at ¥38,500 (approximately $257).
- This product lineup suggests that TIBHAR is also paying attention to the Japanese table tennis market.
（９）DONIC (Germany)
Finally, we come to the German brand DONIC. The company is well known among table tennis fans for sponsoring legendary Swedish players such as Jan-Ove Waldner and Jörgen Persson during the golden era of Swedish table tennis.
Key Data
- Number of products: 37
- Average price: ¥13,604 (Approx. $91)
In this survey, DONIC recorded the second-lowest average price among all brands.
Key Findings
- About 51% of DONIC’s lineup (19 products) falls within the ¥8,000–¥15,000 range (approximately $53–$100).
- These products are mainly targeted at intermediate-level players.
- This large mid-range lineup appears to be one of the reasons behind DONIC’s relatively low average price.
At the same time, the company has also shown an ambitious side in recent years.
- DONIC signed Chinese superstar Zhang Jike, who remains extremely popular in China.
- The brand has also expanded its lineup of premium carbon rackets.
Overall, DONIC can be considered one of the iconic European brands with both a long history and a strong competitive legacy in table tennis.
５．Overall Average Price and Trends
Finally, let’s look at the overall average price across all products included in this survey.
Key Data
- Number of products: 336
- Average price: ¥16,066 (Approx. $107)
Key Findings
- The most common price range was ¥8,000–¥15,000 (approximately $53–$100).
- About 35% of all products fell within this category.
- This suggests that mid-range rackets remain the core of the overall market.
Based on the overall average, a racket priced around ¥16,000 (approximately $107) can be considered fairly typical in today’s market.
Another interesting point was the most expensive product included in the survey.
- The highest-priced racket was from the DHS Hurricane series distributed in Japan by Nittaku.
- The racket was priced at ¥44,000 (approximately $293).
These rackets are based on the signature models used by top Chinese players such as Ma Long, Wang Chuqin, and Sun Yingsha.
If you are interested in these premium models, it may also be worth checking actual retail prices on Japanese online stores.
６．Conclusion
First, here is a summary table of the results covered in this survey.
This survey showed that pricing characteristics vary significantly between table tennis manufacturers.
Key Findings
- Brands such as Butterfly and STIGA offer many premium carbon rackets priced above ¥30,000 (approximately $200).
- These high-end products are one of the main reasons why their average prices are relatively high.
- On the other hand, brands such as Yasaka and DONIC focus more heavily on the ¥8,000–¥15,000 range (approximately $53–$100), making their lineups more affordable overall.
The special materials used in composite blades can sometimes cost several thousand yen per sheet due to patent and manufacturing costs, which is one reason why these rackets tend to be expensive.
Another interesting finding was the difference in brand strategy.
- Brands such as Nittaku and VICTAS have expanded their mid- to high-end lineups while still maintaining beginner-friendly products.
- This highlights the different directions and market strategies taken by each manufacturer.
Compared with the survey conducted two years ago, many brands also showed a general increase in prices.
- One likely reason is the growing number of premium carbon rackets in the market.
- Higher manufacturing costs may also be contributing to rising average prices.
The prices in this article are based on official manufacturer MSRPs, so actual retail prices may vary depending on Japanese table tennis shops and online stores.
A table tennis racket is a piece of equipment that many players use for years. Finding one that truly matches your playing style and provides the right feel is often more important than price alone.
This article focused mainly on shakehand rackets, but I have also written a separate article about penhold rackets for readers who are interested.
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