Yasaka Rakza 7 vs Yinhe Mercury II: Which Should You Buy?
| Yasaka Rakza 7 | Yinhe Mercury II | |
|---|---|---|
| Our rating | 8.6/10 | 8.2/10 |
| best_side | both | both |
| control | high | very high |
| speed | offensive | medium |
| spin | high | high |
| sponge_hardness | 45–47° | medium to medium-soft (36-38 degrees Chinese scale) |
| type | tensor inverted | tacky inverted (budget Chinese) |
| weight_uncut_g | 70 | 60 |
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Both prize control and spin, but at different price and performance tiers. The Rakza 7 is a non-tacky tensor with huge grip, near-Tenergy spin, outstanding short-game control and offensive speed, versatile on both wings. The Mercury II is a budget tacky Chinese rubber with very high control and good spin, aimed at beginners, improvers and defenders.
Choose the Rakza 7 if you are a developing-to-advanced attacker who wants a controllable, very spinny rubber with real offensive speed and excellent value, especially as a backhand or a step up from entry rubbers.
Choose the Mercury II if you want maximum control and a tacky feel on a tiny budget, or you play a chopping and defending game. It is slower than German tensors and weak at flat hits and fast counters near the table, but it is forgiving and costs a fraction of the Rakza 7. In short, the Rakza 7 is the performance upgrade and the Mercury II is the budget control pick.
FAQ
Which is faster?
The Rakza 7, rated offensive, though its speed is moderate at around 80 percent of top rubbers. The Mercury II is rated medium and slower than German tensors, especially at distance.
Which has more control?
The Mercury II is rated very high for control and suits defenders and beginners. The Rakza 7 also has outstanding control with no runaway catapult on touch, but it adds more offensive speed.
Which is the better value?
The Mercury II is cheaper outright at around five dollars a sheet. The Rakza 7 offers strong cost-performance for a near-Tenergy tensor, so it is the better value if you want more speed and spin.