Butterfly Timo Boll ALC vs Butterfly Timo Boll ZLC: Which Should You Buy?
| Butterfly Timo Boll ALC | Butterfly Timo Boll ZLC | |
|---|---|---|
| Our rating | 9.0/10 | 9.0/10 |
| feel | medium | direct and responsive with ZLC dwell |
| handle | FL/ST/AN | FL/AN/ST |
| head_size | — | 157 x 150 mm |
| plies | 5W+2 Arylate-Carbon | 7 plies: Koto / ZLC / Limba / Ayous / Limba / ZLC / Koto (5 wood + 2 ZL Carbon composite) |
| reaction | — | 117 |
| speed | OFF | OFF++ |
| thickness_mm | 5.8 | 5.5 |
| vibration | — | 108 |
| weight_g | 86 | 85 |
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Both are Timo Boll signature blades rated 9, but they use different fibres and aim at different ceilings. The ALC is a 5-wood plus 2 arylate-carbon OFF blade; the ZLC is a 7-ply Koto/ZLC/Limba/Ayous/Limba/ZLC/Koto build rated OFF++.
How they differ in play
The Timo Boll ALC is about balance. It blends speed, heavy spin and control in a ratio reviewers call near-ideal, with a large, even sweet spot, a higher throw, and enough flex to throw a high arc. The low vibration makes it solid rather than communicative, so it rewards a developed stroke, but it stays consistent across the whole face and pairs famously with Tenergy 05.
The Timo Boll ZLC is faster and stiffer. The Zylon-carbon layers add explosive rebound while holding the ball fractionally longer than plain carbon, which reviewers praise for blocking precision and lifting backspin with less effort. The throw is lower and the trajectory flatter and more penetrating, ideal against opponents back from the table. The cost is margin: it can feel numb at slow swing speeds, reacts sharply to incoming spin in the short game, and demands a multi-week adaptation. At roughly 270 USD it is also the pricier blade.
Which to pick
Pick the ALC for a balanced, high-spin, larger-sweet-spot all-rounder. Pick the ZLC if your technique is genuinely ready for OFF++ pace and you want flatter, more penetrating power close to mid-distance.
FAQ
Which is easier for learning to loop?
Butterfly Timo Boll ALC offers more help due to sponge characteristics.
Which offers the best value?
Butterfly Timo Boll ZLC delivers better value. Butterfly Timo Boll ZLC combines affordability with strong performance.
Which rubber maintains its grip longer?
Both have different longevity patterns handles wear better. Check specific playing conditions in detailed reviews.