Friendship 729 Battle II vs Xiom Vega Europe: Which Should You Buy?
| Friendship 729 Battle II | Xiom Vega Europe | |
|---|---|---|
| Our rating | 8.5/10 | 8.0/10 |
| best_side | FH | BH |
| control | 8 | 9 |
| speed | 8 | 7 |
| spin | 9 | 8 |
| sponge_hardness | hard | around 47.5 degrees (soft, listed near 42.5 ESN) |
| type | tacky | inverted |
| weight_uncut_g | 68 | 60 |
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These rubbers target different players. The Battle II is a hard, tacky Chinese sheet that excels at serves, serve receive and brushed loops, with a low diving arc and long dwell that suit forehand-dominant attackers. The Vega Europe is very light, soft and spin-insensitive, built around exceptional beginner-friendly control, excellent blocking and easy serve returns at a low price.
On style, the Battle II is the spinnier, faster, more demanding sheet that needs full committed strokes and weakens far from the table. The Vega Europe is the easier, more forgiving sheet rated 9 for control and 7 for speed, with stable predictable spin and a softness that makes receiving serves simple, though it lacks top gears for high-quality finishing shots and can bottom out on very fast carbon blades. It is also much lighter at around 60 grams uncut versus 68 for the Battle II.
Pick the Battle II if you are a forehand attacker who wants to learn Chinese-style tacky spin and serving on a budget. Pick the Vega Europe if you are a beginner or intermediate all-rounder who wants maximum control and stability, especially on the backhand, while building reliable strokes before moving to faster tensors. The Battle II holds the higher 8.5 rating here.
FAQ
Which is better for a beginner?
The Xiom Vega Europe is the better beginner rubber. It offers exceptional beginner-friendly control, is spin insensitive which makes receiving serves easier, and is soft and comfortable. The Battle II demands strong technique and full strokes.
Which has more spin?
The Battle II generates more spin with its tacky topsheet, rated 9 for spin with elite serves. The Vega Europe is rated 8 and gives stable, predictable spin but does not generate heavy spin on serves.
Which is lighter?
The Vega Europe is much lighter at around 60 grams uncut, versus around 68 grams for the Battle II, and is described as very light, soft and comfortable to play with.
Which side suits each rubber best?
The Battle II is best on the forehand for Chinese-style looping, while the Vega Europe is rated best on the backhand for maximum control and stability.