Friendship 729 Battle II vs Xiom Vega Pro: Which Should You Buy?
| Friendship 729 Battle II | Xiom Vega Pro | |
|---|---|---|
| Our rating | 8.5/10 | 8.5/10 |
| best_side | FH | both |
| control | 8 | medium-high |
| speed | 8 | offensive |
| spin | 9 | high |
| sponge_hardness | hard | 47.5° |
| type | tacky | tensor inverted |
| weight_uncut_g | 68 | 69 |
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Both rubbers favour the forehand and prize spin, but they get there differently. The Battle II is a hard, tacky Chinese sheet with elite serves, a low diving arc and linear no-catapult control, sold at a fraction of premium prices. The Vega Pro is an unusually linear, predictable tensor that gives you the speed you ask for with no catapult surprises, paired with high spin, a high or medium-high throw and strong short-game control at about half the price of Tenergy.
On style, the Battle II is the tackier, spinnier serving sheet but demands committed strokes and weakens far from the table. The Vega Pro is non-tacky, picks up less dust and is less sensitive to the opponent’s serve spin, with excellent blocking, flat hitting, serve return and pushes, though its firm sponge takes effort far from the table and feels best on the forehand and stiff blades.
Choose the Battle II if you want maximum tacky spin and Chinese-style serving on a budget. Choose the Vega Pro if you are a close-to-mid-table attacker who wants a spin-first, linear, controllable non-tacky forehand tensor on a stiff blade and an outstanding-value alternative to premium rubbers. Both share an 8.5 rating here, so the decision comes down to tacky versus tensor feel.
FAQ
Which is more controllable?
Both control well. The Vega Pro is unusually linear and predictable with lots of short-game control, while the Battle II offers linear no-catapult control but demands strong technique to manage its hard tacky sheet.
Is the Vega Pro tacky?
No. The Vega Pro is a non-tacky tensor, which means it picks up less dust and is less sensitive to the opponent’s serve spin. The Battle II is a hard tacky Chinese rubber.
Which is better for serves?
The Battle II is the stronger serving rubber, with elite serves and serve receive and huge spin from a small wrist motion thanks to its tackiness. The Vega Pro is spinny but non-tacky.
What blade suits the Vega Pro?
The Vega Pro is best on the forehand and on stiff blades; on the backhand and softer blades it can feel dead and hard. The Battle II is also a forehand-focused rubber.