Stiga Carbonado 290 vs Yinhe T-11+: Which Should You Buy?
| Stiga Carbonado 290 | Yinhe T-11+ | |
|---|---|---|
| Our rating | 8.3/10 | 7.8/10 |
| feel | very stiff, hard, crisp and direct carbon feel with a high-pitched sound; fast and linear with a low throw | very light, stiff but soft balsa core with a carbon ping |
| handle | FL | FL |
| plies | 5 wood + 2 carbon (7-ply), TeXtreme carbon | 5W+2 Carbon with balsa core (two thin wood outers, one carbon layer per side, around a thick balsa middle ply) |
| speed | OFF+ | OFF- |
| thickness_mm | 6.2 | 6.5 |
| type | OFF+ | — |
| weight_g | 95 | 78 |
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The Carbonado 290 and Yinhe T-11+ both use carbon but feel entirely different in the hand. The 290 is a stiff 5+2 TeXtreme carbon blade rated OFF+, with extreme power, very stable blocking and long, low loop drives. It is stiff, around 95 grams and throws very low, asking you to adapt your angle, at a premium price.
The T-11+ is a balsa-cored carbon blade rated OFF- but exceptionally light at around 78 grams, making it one of the lightest offensive blades around. Its stiff but soft balsa core with a carbon ping gives fast speed with more control than typical carbon blades, easy flat smashing and hitting through spin, excellent flicking and a stable short game, plus strong spinny chopping, all at outstanding value. Heavy topspin looping is its clear weakness, and its fragile surface must be sealed.
Choose the Carbonado 290 for top-end OFF+ pace, the most stable blocking and long loop drives. Choose the T-11+ for serious speed in a featherlight package, ideal for flat hitters, pips-out and combination players, blockers and power loop drivers, best paired with soft to medium rubbers. With a rating around 7.8, the T-11+ is a specialist speed blade, while the heavier 290 is a premium weapon for spin-aware attackers.
FAQ
Which blade is lighter?
The Yinhe T-11+ is dramatically lighter at around 78 grams, one of the lightest offensive blades around, versus around 95 grams for the Carbonado 290.
Which is better for heavy topspin looping?
The Carbonado 290 handles looping better with long, low loop drives, while heavy topspin looping is the clear weakness of the balsa-cored T-11+.
Does the T-11+ need sealing?
Yes. The T-11+ has a fragile surface that can splinter and must be sealed before use; the 290 ships with a clean, finished limba top surface.
Which suits flat hitters and blockers?
The T-11+ is built for flat hitters, pips-out players and blockers who want speed in a light package, while the 290 favors spin-aware two-wing attackers.