Friendship 729 Battle II vs Yasaka Rakza X: Which Should You Buy?
| Friendship 729 Battle II | Yasaka Rakza X | |
|---|---|---|
| Our rating | 8.5/10 | 8.4/10 |
| best_side | FH | both |
| control | 8 | medium-high |
| speed | 8 | high |
| spin | 9 | high |
| sponge_hardness | hard | 47.5 (medium-hard, roughly 45-50 degrees) |
| type | tacky | tensor inverted |
| weight_uncut_g | 68 | 69 |
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Both rubbers are spin-focused, but their throw and feel diverge. The Battle II is a hard, tacky Chinese sheet with elite serves, a low diving arc and linear no-catapult control, best on the forehand close to the table. The Rakza X is a fast tensor with outstanding grip that produces high spin and overrides incoming spin, paired with a linear, predictable response and a high, safe throw arc that excels on loops and counter-topspins.
On style, the Battle II is tackier with a lower diving arc and stronger serves, but it demands full strokes and weakens far from the table. The Rakza X has a higher, safer arc, a strong forgiving short game and is versatile on both forehand and backhand depending on the blade, though it is on the heavy side, harder to control coming from soft rubbers, and its top-sheet grip can fade after a couple of months of heavy use.
Choose the Battle II if you want maximum tacky Chinese spin and serving on the forehand at the lowest cost. Choose the Rakza X if you are an intermediate-to-advanced offensive player who wants a grippy, high-spin tensor with a forgiving feel and high throw on either wing, and a step up for anyone who liked Rakza 7 but wants more control in blocks and loop exchanges. The Battle II rates 8.5 to the Rakza X’s 8.4.
FAQ
Which has a higher throw?
The Rakza X has a high, safe throw arc that excels on loops and counter-topspins. The Battle II produces a low, diving arc instead.
Which is more versatile across wings?
The Rakza X is versatile on both forehand and backhand depending on the blade, while the Battle II is best on the forehand for Chinese-style looping and serving.
Which is heavier?
The Rakza X is on the heavy side at around 69 grams uncut, close to the Battle II’s 68 grams, and reviewers note it adds noticeable weight to the racket.
Which is easier to control coming from soft rubbers?
Both are demanding. The Rakza X can be harder to control for players coming straight from soft rubbers, and the Battle II demands strong technique and full committed strokes.