Butterfly Fan Zhendong ALC vs Butterfly Maze Advance: Which Should You Buy?
| Butterfly Fan Zhendong ALC | Butterfly Maze Advance | |
|---|---|---|
| Our rating | 8.8/10 | 8.2/10 |
| feel | Crisp and direct with noticeable dwell on contact; slightly softer arc than Viscaria Super ALC | soft, controlled, slightly stiff for an all-wood blade |
| handle | Flared (FL), Straight (ST), Anatomic (AN) — notably thicker grip than Viscaria | FL |
| plies | 5 wood plus 2 arylate-carbon (ALC) — Koto / ALC / Limba / Kiri / Limba / ALC / Koto | 5W (all wood) |
| speed | OFF | ALL+ |
| thickness_mm | approx 5.7mm | 6.7 |
| weight_g | 87-92g typical | 85 |
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Choose Fan Zhendong ALC if you are intermediate-to-advanced, play aggressive topspin loops, want flagship Viscaria-class performance, and can invest in a premium blade. Thick handle suits large hands, excellent dwell with wide rubber compatibility, and consistent world-class quality.
Choose Maze Advance for beginner-to-intermediate players seeking lightweight, controllable all-wood build for allround offence and defence. Coach-recommended for technique development, excellent consistency in community ratings, and affordable at under 70 dollars. Low vibration and good spin without tacky rubber, but moderate speed limits offensive ceiling.
FAQ
Which is faster?
Fan Zhendong ALC is much faster from outer-carbon. Maze Advance is moderate speed, suitable for beginners.
Which costs less?
Maze Advance is budget-friendly at around 66 dollars. Fan Zhendong ALC is premium-priced.
Which is better for beginners?
Maze Advance is coach-recommended and lightweight for learning. Fan Zhendong demands developed stroke.
Which offers more control?
Both offer control, but Maze Advance excels at short play and blocking. Fan Zhendong balances control with offensive power.