“STIGA Raptor Vs Pro Carbon ” is the most arguable and demanding debate in recent years. The famous STIGA Pro Carbon is undoubtedly the most popular premade table tennis paddle. If you search for its alternative of almost similar features, you will find the STIGA Raptor, also known as a newer model of the Pro Carbon. Both are STIGA’s top-quality rackets and are most suitable for intermediate players.
So which one do you choose? Which one has a better price-performance ratio? In this review, “STIGA Raptor Vs Pro Carbon”, I have highlighted the similarities and differences to help you pick the better one.


STIGA Raptor Vs Pro Carbon: Comparative Chart
Items | STIGA Raptor | STIGA Pro Carbon |
Blade Comparison | ||
Type | Shakehand, OFF or OFF+ | Shakehand, OFF or OFF+ |
Composition | 7 layers composite(5W + 2C) | 7 layers composite(5W + 2C) |
Technology | 1. Carbon technology 2. Crystal technology 3. Balsa wood technology | 1. Carbon technology 2. Crystal technology 3. Balsa wood technology |
Rubber Comparison | ||
Type | STIGA S5, Inverted (Pips-in) | STIGA S5, Inverted (Pips-in) |
Sponge Thickness | 2.0 mm | 2.0 mm |
ITTF Approval | Yes | Yes |
Technology | 1. Nano Composite 2. ACS technology | 1. Nano Composite 2. ACS technology |
Handle Comparison | ||
Handle Type | Concave Pro (Flared) | Concave Pro (Flared) |
Technology | WRB Technology | WRB Technology |
Performance | ||
Rating | Manufacturer’s rating Speed: 99 Spin: 100 Control: 80 | Manufacturer’s rating Speed: 99 Spin: 100 Control: 80 |
Other Key Points | ||
Other Features | 1. Rubber can be replaced 2. Weight: 0.37 lbs | 1. Rubber can be replaced 2. Weight: 0.35 lbs |
Price | $69.99 (Price on Amazon) | $71.00 (Price on Amazon) |
Related Topic: “12 Best Ping Pong Paddles in 2023: Unleash Your Potential“
STIGA Raptor Vs Pro Carbon: Comparative Analysis
It is very tough to distinguish between the two quality offensive paddles. Both look very similar, on STIGA’s official website, there is the same overview for the Raptor and Pro Carbon.
“The STIGA Raptor is a perfect blend of cutting-edge technologies and advanced materials. The Raptor will allow you to experience the extreme power and spin found in rackets of the top players around the world. This performance-level table tennis racket features ITTF approved rubber for tournament play with performance ratings of Speed: 99, Spin: 100, and Control: 80. The Raptor features a 7-ply extra light blade with S5 rubber and a 2mm sponge. Carbon Technology creates power and speed and ACS Technology increases control. STIGA – Play the best!”
Raptor
“The STIGA Pro Carbon is a perfect blend of cutting-edge technologies and advanced materials. The Pro Carbon will allow you to experience the extreme power and spin found in rackets of the top players around the world. This performance-level table tennis racket features ITTF approved rubber for tournament play with performance ratings of Speed: 99, Spin: 100, and Control: 80. The Pro Carbon features a 7-ply extra light blade with S5 rubber and a 2mm sponge. Carbon Technology creates power and speed and ACS Technology increases control. STIGA – Play the best!”
Pro Carbon
Let’s compare the different components that decide the performance of a racket as a whole.
Blade Comparison
Both the Pro carbon and Raptor have a similar composition of blade, like
- The Shakehand style has 7 layers of the composite blade that consists of 5-ply wood and 2 outer layers of carbon. The addition of carbon as an outer layer increases the stiffness and sweet spot (Crystal technology). Due to the stiff nature of the blade, you will get a hard feel, and the intensity of speed increases over an extended area. This is ideal for an offensive player to hit powerful strokes with a larger margin of error.
- The use of balsa wood as inner layers increases flexibility due to the soft, porous, and springy nature of balsa wood. This characteristic is conducive to generating a high amount of spin. Also, the flexible nature increases the dual time to enable the ball to stay for a longer time on the racket surface which results in good control and more spin.
Rubber Comparison
STIGA Pro Carbon and Raptor both consist of ITTF-approved S5 rubber with a thickness of 2.0 mm which is suitable for offensive play. The technologies with which this rubber S5 is designed are:
- ACS technology is the process of inducing micro air capsules in the sponge to increase the elasticity of the rubber. Due to the increased elasticity, during impact, the ball penetrates more into the sponge. So the sponge absorbs more energy and releases a high amount of energy through the springing action to throw the ball with high speed and control.
- NCT (Nano Composite Technology): The use of NCT technology tightens the bonding strength between molecules of the topsheet. This makes the rubber more elastic which is helpful for high speed and spin.
Handle Comparison
The handle of both STIGA’s paddle is of the concave-pro type which is a slight modification over the flared (FL) type handle. The cross-section of the handle is larger towards the end to make it comfortable to grip and also helps falling out of hand.
One advantageous feature of this handle is the use of the WRB technology to make it effective for offensive play with a better feel.
- W ⇒ Weight Balance
- R ⇒ Rate of Recovery
- B ⇒ Ball Sensitivity
The summary of this technology is the weight reduction by running a hollow metal rod throughout the handle. The implementation of WRB technology hollows out the handle to shift the center of gravity toward the tip of the racket. Attackers prefer this head-heavy balance to generate more speed and spin.
STIGA Pro Carbon Vs Raptor: Performance

Both are offensive paddles with speed and spin ratings of 99 and 100. They are excellent for attacking with heavy topspin. Being offensive paddles, they also exhibit good control with a rating of 80.
Price Comparison
Though the price of STIGA Pro Carbon and Raptor is slightly higher, the better features result in a good price-performance ratio. The Raptor and Pro Carbon are available for $69.99 and $71.00 respectively on Amazon.com.
Is STIGA a Good Brand?
You may be anxious to know the brand value of STIGA. STIGA is one of the few leading manufacturers in the world of table tennis which are well trusted due to the wide variety of quality products. This Sweden-based company started manufacturing in the year 1944 and with the implementation of innovative technologies, it slowly has become a very reputed brand for table tennis equipment. In the premade paddle category, STIGA’s dominance is very impressive with a wide collection of value-added rackets like Pro Carbon, Evolution, Raptor, Talon, Titan, and many more.
STIGA Raptor Vs Pro Carbon: Final Conclusion
Though the above-mentioned analysis shows that both rackets are identical, the Raptor is slightly heavier (weight- 0.37 lbs) compared to the STIGA Pro Carbon (weight- 0.35 lbs). It is easier to maneuver with the lighter Pro Carbon whereas the Raptor imparts more momentum when hitting the ball (Force = mass x velocity). So due to the ability to achieve higher speed, the Raptor is a slightly more offensive ping pong paddle compared to the STIGA Pro Carbon.
- If you want a lighter racket that is more suitable for looping and prefer to play close to the table, the choice should go to the Pro Carbon.
- If you want to destroy your opponent with the help of lethal speed (also with spin) and like to play away from the table, the STIGA Raptor is a better option for you.
- The difference between them is so marginal that a better deal plays the crucial deciding factor.
I have tried hard to help you with a better selection. If you have any questions, please write in the comment box below for a quick reply.
Thank you for continuing till the end.
Related Topic: “STIGA Pro Carbon Vs Killerspin Jet 800: Which is Better?“
Thanks for the nice reviews
what do you think of JOOLA Infinity Overdrive Ping Pong Paddle and Table Tennis Sets – Racket with Carbon Kevlar Technology & Double Black Extreme Speed Rubber
I bought this recently ,is stiga raptor better than this one
Thanks for the compliment.
JOOLA Infinity Overdrive is a very good 7 ply (5W + 2C) offensive racket with a nice combination of 3 different kinds of premium woods and carbon layers. A big drawback for Infinity Overdrive is the pasted black rubbers on both FH and BH sides which is not eligible for tournament play. STIGA Rafter is an equally good offensive racket and also ITTF approved for playing in tournaments which I think is an extra advantage over Infinity Overdrive.