Butterfly Maze Advance vs Stiga Carbonado 45: Which Should You Buy?
| Butterfly Maze Advance | Stiga Carbonado 45 | |
|---|---|---|
| Our rating | 8.2/10 | 8.4/10 |
| feel | soft, controlled, slightly stiff for an all-wood blade | Moderately stiff with deep reverberating vibrations; more wood-like dwell than typical carbon blades; high throw angle |
| handle | FL | Straight/Flared/Anatomic (coal-grey dyed wood) |
| plies | 5W (all wood) | 7-ply with TeXtreme carbon (5 wood + 2 carbon at 45-degree angle) |
| speed | ALL+ | OFF |
| thickness_mm | 6.7 | 5.7mm |
| weight_g | 85 | 85-91g |
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The Maze Advance is an affordable, all-wood control blade for beginners moving up from pre-made paddles, offering exceptional consistency and clean touch. The Stiga Carbonado 45 is an advanced carbon-hybrid blade for competitive loop-dominant players who prioritize control, consistency, and short-game feel at the expense of raw power. The Carbonado 45 is rated OFF-class and endorsed by top Chinese women’s national team players; the Maze Advance is ALL+ and meant as a first proper blade.
The Maze Advance is a stepping stone into custom blades, coach-recommended and affordable (around $66) for learning control and technique. The Carbonado 45 is a premium blade for intermediate-to-advanced players who want wood-like vibrations and excellent blocking stability, well-balanced nimbleness, and high throw angle to aid heavy topspin loops. They serve entirely different skill levels and game styles.
Choose the Maze Advance if you are new to custom blades and want an affordable, widely available foundation for control and consistency. Choose the Carbonado 45 if you are already competent and want a competitive, loop-dominant blade with exceptional short-game and blocking feel.
FAQ
Which is faster?
The Stiga Carbonado 45—it is OFF-class with carbon, though slower than most carbon blades. The Maze Advance is ALL+ and designed for control, not speed.
Which is better for short-game and blocking?
The Stiga Carbonado 45—it is endorsed by top Chinese women’s team players for outstanding short-game and wide sweet spot in blocking. The Maze Advance is good but not specialized here.
Which is more forgiving for beginners?
The Maze Advance—it is coach-recommended for beginners with clean touch and low vibration. The Carbonado 45 is not ideal for power-first or far-from-table play.
Which is more affordable?
The Maze Advance at around USD 66. The Stiga Carbonado 45 is a premium blade and costs significantly more.
Which is better for topspin loops?
The Stiga Carbonado 45—it has high throw angle that aids heavy topspin loops. The Maze Advance is too slow and control-focused for advanced loop play.