Friendship 729 Battle II vs DHS Hurricane 8: Which Should You Buy?
| Friendship 729 Battle II | DHS Hurricane 8 | |
|---|---|---|
| Our rating | 8.5/10 | 8.2/10 |
| best_side | FH | forehand |
| control | 8 | medium-high |
| speed | 8 | high |
| spin | 9 | extreme |
| sponge_hardness | hard | 39-40 (DHS scale, medium-hard) |
| type | tacky | hybrid tacky tensor |
| weight_uncut_g | 68 | 70 |
We may earn a commission from links on this page. Learn more.
Both are tacky Chinese forehand rubbers, but the Hurricane 8 chases more speed. 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 8 is a hybrid tacky tensor that is faster and easier to drive than the Hurricane 3 family, with extreme spin and tack on serves and pushes and the ability to hit fast, low-arc loopdrives and counterloops.
On style and speed, both are forehand specialists with heavy serve spin. The Hurricane 8 is the more driveable, faster sheet and responds well to boosting, but it is heavy at 50 g or more cut, its tackiness is inconsistent and fades after about two weeks, and it is weak in the passive and flat game. The Battle II is lighter at 68 g uncut, plays the poly ball well and holds tackiness longer at about two months, though it too is weaker far from the table.
Choose the Hurricane 8 if you are a developing-to-intermediate forehand attacker who wants tacky spin with more speed and easier driving than a boosted Hurricane 3 Neo and can handle a heavy rubber. Choose the Battle II, the higher rated of the two, if you want comparable tacky spin and serve quality with more consistent tackiness and a lighter sheet on a budget.
FAQ
Which is easier to drive and faster?
The Hurricane 8 is faster and easier to drive than the Hurricane 3 family, capable of fast, low-arc loopdrives and counterloops. The Battle II is surprisingly fast for a tacky rubber but best close to the table.
Which holds its tackiness longer?
The Battle II holds tackiness longer, fading after about two months. The Hurricane 8’s tackiness is inconsistent between sheets and fades after about two weeks.
Which is lighter?
The Battle II is lighter at 68 g uncut. The Hurricane 8 is heavy, often 50 g or more cut, demanding stronger technique and footwork.
Are these good backhand rubbers?
Neither is a backhand choice. The Hurricane 8 is not recommended as a backhand rubber for most players, and the Battle II is forehand-dominant.