Butterfly Timo Boll Allround vs Nittaku Acoustic: Which Should You Buy?
| Butterfly Timo Boll Allround | Nittaku Acoustic | |
|---|---|---|
| Our rating | 8.3/10 | 8.7/10 |
| feel | Medium-soft, classic all-wood dwell with good tactile feedback | Crisp all-wood feel with a large sweet spot, long dwell and a signature acoustic sound |
| handle | FL/ST/AN/XXS | FL/ST |
| plies | 5-ply all wood (koto outer) | 5-ply all wood (Limba outer veneers over a tung and ayous core) |
| speed | ALL+ | OFF- |
| thickness_mm | 5.5 | 5.7 |
| weight_g | ~85 | 88 |
We may earn a commission from links on this page. Learn more.
The Butterfly Timo Boll Allround at 8.3 and Nittaku Acoustic at 8.7 are both excellent all-wood blades, but the Acoustic outclasses on almost every dimension — speed, spin, control, and build quality. The Acoustic is heavier at 88g and thicker at 5.7mm with a larger sweet spot and long dwell that forgive mistakes while delivering crisp feedback. The Timo Boll is lightweight at 85g with precise placement control, but its speed ceiling is simply too low for intermediate players wanting to finish points without a carbon plate.
Where the Timo Boll shines is in pure simplicity and technique building for true beginners; the Acoustic suits intermediate-to-advanced players who loop near and far from the table while retaining wood-like touch. The Acoustic’s crisp acoustic sound and reputation for flattering both grippy European and tacky Chinese rubbers make it far more versatile. However, the standard flared handle runs small, and the Acoustic carries a premium price reflecting its superior craftsmanship and capability.
Choose the Timo Boll if you are a beginner focused purely on control and consistency; pick the Acoustic if you want a step-up all-wood blade that offers excellent spin and feel without carbon.
FAQ
Which has a better sweet spot?
The Nittaku Acoustic has a class-leading large sweet spot with long dwell, while the Timo Boll offers good feedback but a smaller, more precise playing area.
Which generates more spin?
The Nittaku Acoustic delivers excellent spin on loops from both near and far distances due to its size and dwell; the Timo Boll has limited feedback for advanced stroke mechanics.
Which is better value?
The Timo Boll was budget-friendly when current, but is now discontinued; the Acoustic carries a premium price but is actively sold and rewards that investment with superior performance across the board.
Which is best for blocking?
Both offer solid blocking due to their all-wood construction, but the Acoustic’s larger sweet spot provides more forgiveness on off-center blocks.