Sanwei V5 Pro vs Stiga Carbonado 290: Which Should You Buy?
| Sanwei V5 Pro | Stiga Carbonado 290 | |
|---|---|---|
| Our rating | 8.5/10 | 8.3/10 |
| feel | hard, fast, crisp all-wood with strong vibration and a high-pitched ping | very stiff, hard, crisp and direct carbon feel with a high-pitched sound; fast and linear with a low throw |
| handle | FL/ST | FL |
| plies | 7W (all wood) — ash outer plies over an ayous core | 5 wood + 2 carbon (7-ply), TeXtreme carbon |
| speed | OFF | OFF+ |
| thickness_mm | 6.3 | 6.2 |
| type | — | OFF+ |
| weight_g | 90 | 95 |
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The Sanwei V5 Pro and Stiga Carbonado 290 attack from opposite ends of the price ladder. The V5 Pro is a 7-ply all-wood blade with ash outer veneers, giving a fast all-wood pace with a crisp, high-pitched ping and lively vibration that reads shot quality clearly. Rated OFF, it actually plays a touch tamer than its billing yet stays spinny and forgiving thanks to a large sweet spot.
The Carbonado 290 is a true OFF+ engine built from 5 wood plus doubled 200 gram TeXtreme carbon. It delivers extreme power, exceptional blocking stability and long, low loop drives, but it is stiff, heavier at around 95 grams and throws very low, which can cause netting until you adjust your bat angle.
For pace, stability and finishing power, the Carbonado 290 wins outright, but it demands solid technique and a premium budget. For a spinny, communicative all-wood feel on a tight budget, the V5 Pro is the smarter buy. With a rating around 8.5, the V5 Pro suits improving attackers, while the stiff carbon 290 rewards advanced, aggressive players who already finish points fast.
FAQ
Which blade is faster?
The Stiga Carbonado 290 is faster, rated OFF+ with doubled TeXtreme carbon, while the all-wood Sanwei V5 Pro sits at OFF and plays a touch under its advertised speed.
Which is better for control and feel?
The Sanwei V5 Pro gives livelier all-wood vibration and a large, forgiving sweet spot. The Carbonado 290 is stiffer and more linear, with a low throw that takes adjustment.
Which should a budget-conscious player choose?
The Sanwei V5 Pro is the value pick, offering fast all-wood pace and strong spin at a fraction of the Carbonado 290’s premium price.
Are both heavy blades?
The Carbonado 290 is heavier at around 95 grams and on the stiff side, whereas the V5 Pro weighs around 90 grams with a more flexible all-wood feel.