DHS Hurricane 3 vs Palio AK47: Which Should You Buy?
| DHS Hurricane 3 | Palio AK47 | |
|---|---|---|
| Our rating | 8.5/10 | 7.8/10 |
| best_side | forehand | both |
| control | medium | high (best on the softer Blue) |
| speed | offensive | medium-high (Blue softer and more linear, Red fastest) |
| spin | extreme | high |
| sponge_hardness | 39–41° (DHS scale) | Blue around 38-40 deg, Yellow around 40-42 deg, Red around 45-47 deg (Euro scale) |
| type | tacky inverted | non-tacky inverted tensor (offered in Blue, Yellow and Red sponges) |
| weight_uncut_g | 70 | 67 |
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These are classic budget choices with very different DNA. The Hurricane 3 is a tacky inverted forehand rubber with extreme spin and a low, long arc, ideal for brush-looping heavy topspin, but it is slow on passive strokes and most players boost it to unlock speed and arc. The AK47 is a non-tacky inverted tensor sold in Blue, Yellow and Red sponges, remarkably light, grippy and near plug-and-play with high spin and a more linear feel.
Choose the Hurricane 3 if you are an attacking shakehand or penhold looper with a full forehand stroke who wants maximum spin and control and does not mind boosting and maintaining a tacky Chinese rubber. Choose the AK47 if you want a light, spinny, non-tacky tensor that works out of the packet on either wing, with Blue for control, Yellow for balance and Red for a faster, more aggressive sheet.
The Hurricane 3 carries the higher rating and the deeper spin ceiling, but it demands technique and upkeep, while the AK47 trades some refinement and stability for low cost, light weight and easy versatility.
FAQ
Which has more spin?
The Hurricane 3. Its tacky topsheet delivers among the highest spin and best low-throw arc of any forehand rubber, while the AK47 is high spin but non-tacky.
Does the Hurricane 3 need boosting?
Most players boost it to unlock speed and arc. The AK47 plays well out of the packet and does not require boosting.
Which is better on the backhand?
The AK47, especially the softer Blue sponge, which offers high control on pushes, blocks and the short game. The Hurricane 3 is a forehand rubber.
Which sponge of the AK47 should a beginner pick?
Blue for a controllable backhand or all-round game, Yellow for a balanced middle, and Red for a faster, more aggressive offensive sheet.