Yasaka Rakza X Review: The Grippy, High-Control Tensor That Sits Right Between Rakza 7 and Tenergy 05

By UltraSpin · 2026-06-06 · rubber

The Rakza X is the harder, faster modern member of Yasaka’s long-running Rakza family. Rakza 7 is the spin-priority benchmark and Rakza 9 leans toward speed; the Rakza X threads between them with a natural rubber gum top sheet bonded to a harder Power Sponge. Yasaka pitches the surface as exceptionally grippy, good for both heavy spin and speed, and the reviewers back that up. It is a tensor inverted rubber with a medium-hard sponge in the 45 to 50 degree range, sold in 1.8mm, 2.0mm and Max, at a mid-range price of roughly 50 USD. This review pools first-hand impressions from Revspin’s user community, the rated reviews on TableTennisDaily, the 43 customer reviews on Megaspin, and setup threads on Reddit’s r/tabletennis to build a multi-source picture of how it plays.

Performance

Grip is the headline. Nearly every source opens with how grippy the top sheet feels, and several describe it grabbing the ball at once and overriding the opponent’s spin. One Revspin user called the spin out of this world, and TableTennisDaily reviewers settle around 8 out of 10. The grip is mild, not tacky, so it plays like a high-spin Japanese tensor rather than a Chinese hybrid. Speed is offensive but controllable. TableTennisDaily numbers put it in the 7.5 to 8.2 range, and the medium-hard sponge adds real punch to drives while keeping mid-distance play in hand. One comparison comes up repeatedly: slightly slower than Xiom Vega Pro, in line with Tenergy 05 but more forgiving, and sitting between Tenergy 05 and Rakza 7 with more control and accuracy than the Tenergy. The throw is medium to high, and it is one of the rubber’s defining traits. Reviewers describe an arc that carries the ball high over the net and still drops it deep, which helps enormously on counter-topspins and makes opening on backspin easy and safe. One Megaspin reviewer said the first loop is so easy to do and produces very high spin that is difficult to block. The short game rates around 8 out of 10, forgiving enough to correct a touch shot mid-stroke, and the firm sponge skips the catapult bounce of softer rubbers so the ball stays low and short. Control is where the rubber earns most of its praise. It is a fast offensive sheet, yet the linear, predictable response builds confidence, and one TableTennisDaily reviewer scored control as high as 9.5. The downsides cluster in three places. Weight first: many call it medium-heavy to heavy, one player reporting a 200g racket once both rubbers were on, and heavy blades only make it worse. Passive blocking and lobs draw repeated complaints, because the lively sponge makes a dead block hard to keep down, though active, directed blocking rates very good. Durability is mixed, from a strong 8.8 down to a 5, and one detailed reviewer watched the top sheet lose grip after a couple of months at 10 to 15 hours a week. Coming off a soft rubber, you will need time to adjust, since the firmer sponge only gives back what you put into it.

What Reviewers Agree (and Disagree) On

All four sources line up on grip, spin, and a high, controllable throw arc, and on the framing of the Rakza X as a balanced all-rounder between Rakza 7 and the faster sheets. TableTennisDaily’s line that it does not excel anywhere in particular but never disappoints sums up the mood, and it holds a 4.67 star average there with no negative ratings. The sharpest disagreement is durability, and how it stacks up against Rakza 7. Some long-term users call it their all-time favourite and say it sharpens Rakza 7’s control in blocks and loop exchanges while matching the speed and spin, while a minority watched the top sheet wear out within months or simply preferred the spinnier, more familiar Rakza 7. A few dissenters found it dull or dead on specific all-wood blades, so pairing matters. Almost everyone, fans included, concedes the weight and the weaker passive blocking.

Who Should Buy It

Buy the Rakza X if you are an intermediate to advanced offensive player who values grip, spin, and control over raw top-end speed and wants a high, safe arc for looping and counter-topspin. It is a smart backhand pick for anyone coming off Rakza 7 who wants more control in blocks and loop exchanges, and it holds up on the forehand on a faster blade. Pair it with a medium to fast blade and watch the total weight, because the rubber is heavy. Think twice if your game runs on passive blocking or lobbing, if racket weight bothers you, or if you are stepping straight up from a soft rubber and want an easy switch. Heavy hitters at 10-plus hours a week should also expect the top sheet’s grip to fade sooner than on premium rubbers, though the mid-range price takes some sting out of that.

FAQ

Is the Yasaka Rakza X better than the Rakza 7?

Depends what you want. Reviewers rate the Rakza X as faster, with a higher throw and more control in blocks and loop exchanges, while the Rakza 7 is the slightly spinnier, established benchmark. Several long-term users prefer the Rakza X on the backhand for its control, but a minority stick with Rakza 7 for the spin and feel.

Is the Rakza X tacky or grippy?

Grippy, not tacky. Reviewers call it mildly grippy in the manner of a high-spin Japanese tensor, with the top sheet rated around 3 out of 10 for tackiness. The grip is enough to override incoming spin without the sticky surface of a Chinese hybrid.

How hard is the sponge and how heavy is the rubber?

The sponge is medium-hard, about 5 out of 10, roughly 45 to 50 degrees. The rubber sits on the heavy side, medium-heavy to heavy, and several reviewers note it adds noticeable weight to the racket, so it pairs best with blades that are not already heavy.

Is the Rakza X good for forehand or backhand?

Both. Reviewers run it on either wing depending on the blade. It draws praise on the forehand for grip and rotation, and many players favour it on the backhand for the control, the easy first loop, and the high throw.

How durable is the Rakza X?

Mixed. Some reviewers rate it around 8.8 out of 10, while others put it as low as 5 and report the top sheet losing grip after a couple of months of heavy play at 10 to 15 hours a week. At a mid-range price, most still call the value reasonable even though the top sheet is not the longest-lasting.