Friendship 729 Battle II vs DHS Hurricane 3: Which Should You Buy?
| Friendship 729 Battle II | DHS Hurricane 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Our rating | 8.5/10 | 8.5/10 |
| best_side | FH | forehand |
| control | 8 | medium |
| speed | 8 | offensive |
| spin | 9 | extreme |
| sponge_hardness | hard | 39–41° (DHS scale) |
| type | tacky | tacky inverted |
| weight_uncut_g | 68 | 70 |
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These are two tacky Chinese forehand rubbers built for spin and control. The Battle II is a hard, tacky sheet with a low diving arc and long dwell that loads serves and brush loops from a small wrist motion, with linear no-catapult control and surprising speed for the type. The Hurricane 3 offers among the highest spin and best low-throw, long-arc feel of any forehand rubber, ideal for brush-looping heavy topspin, and is forgiving enough that you can just swing and the ball goes in.
On style and speed, both are forehand specialists close to the table. The Hurricane 3 is slow and dead on passive or short strokes, so you must supply your own power, and most players boost it to unlock speed and arc, which adds cost and upkeep. The Battle II is rated tackier and grippier than Hurricane 3 Neo, plays the poly ball well and runs faster unboosted, though its tackiness fades after about two months.
Choose the Hurricane 3 if you loop with a full forehand stroke, want maximum spin and control over plug-and-play speed, and accept boosting and a confusing version maze. Choose the Battle II, equally rated, if you want comparable tacky spin with more out-of-the-box speed and consistency on a budget, without the counterfeit and boosting headaches.
FAQ
Which is faster without boosting?
The Battle II is faster unboosted, described as surprisingly fast for a hard tacky rubber. The Hurricane 3 is slow and dead on passive strokes and is usually boosted to unlock speed and arc.
Which has more spin?
Both are extremely spinny forehand rubbers. The Hurricane 3 has among the highest spin of any forehand rubber, and the Battle II is rated tackier and grippier than Hurricane 3 Neo.
Which is easier to buy and maintain?
The Battle II is simpler, avoiding the Hurricane 3’s confusing version maze, counterfeit problem and frequent need for boosting. The Hurricane 3 also attracts dust and needs frequent cleaning.
Which is better for learning Chinese-style looping?
Both teach Chinese-style looping. The Hurricane 3 rewards correct full-body technique as a skill-builder, while the Battle II suits improving players learning Chinese-style looping and serving on a budget.