Friendship 729 Battle II vs Butterfly Tenergy 64: Which Should You Buy?
| Friendship 729 Battle II | Butterfly Tenergy 64 | |
|---|---|---|
| Our rating | 8.5/10 | 8.6/10 |
| best_side | FH | both wings, but especially the backhand and for speed-first attackers |
| control | 8 | medium-high |
| speed | 8 | very high |
| spin | 9 | high but the lowest of the Tenergy line |
| sponge_hardness | hard | approximately 36 degrees on the Butterfly scale (around 48 degrees ESN, plays nearer 45) |
| type | tacky | spring sponge high tension tensor, inverted topsheet |
| weight_uncut_g | 68 | approximately 70 (around 47 g cut at 2.1 mm) |
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These rubbers reward very different games. The Battle II is a hard, tacky Chinese sheet with a low diving arc and long dwell that loads serves and brush loops with elite spin and linear no-catapult control, best on a forehand close to the table. The Tenergy 64 is the fastest Tenergy, with effortless acceleration on loops, drives and smashes, a fantastic block feel and low spin sensitivity, though it has the lowest spin of the Tenergy line and a low throw that needs an angle adjustment.
On style and speed, the Tenergy 64 is a speed-first, spin-insensitive rubber that makes blocking, punching and countering easy on both wings, especially the backhand, and it is light at around 48 g cut. The Battle II is the spinnier, tackier choice with elite serves and a heavy looping arc, but it demands committed strokes and is weaker on flat smashes far from the table.
Choose the Tenergy 64 if you are a speed-first intermediate-to-advanced attacker or blocker who wants a fast, spin-insensitive rubber that is easy to counter and block with, especially as a backhand or flat-hitting forehand. Choose the Battle II, the lower rated but far cheaper option, if you want maximum tacky serve and loop spin on a budget and play a forehand-led close-table game.
FAQ
Which is faster?
The Tenergy 64 is the fastest Tenergy, with effortless acceleration on loops, drives and smashes. The Battle II is surprisingly fast for a tacky rubber but is best close to the table.
Which has more spin?
The Battle II has more spin, loading serves and loops heavily through tackiness, while the Tenergy 64 has the lowest spin of the Tenergy line and is deliberately spin-insensitive.
Which is better for blocking and the backhand?
The Tenergy 64 is the better blocking and backhand rubber, with a fantastic block feel, low spin sensitivity and a light weight. The Battle II is a forehand-dominant attacking rubber.
Which is cheaper?
The Battle II is far cheaper, often three to four sheets for the price of one premium tensor. The Tenergy 64 carries a premium price that newer tensors undercut.