DHS Hurricane 3-50

There is not much to add to Andy Smith’s review; nine years later, it is still perfect.

Even though more options have been released since then, including “Chinese top-sheet on medium soft sponge” options and “hybrids,” the H3-50 remains the reference point. It is probably the best way to enter the world of Chinese sticky rubbers, despite the Victas VJC07 Sticky Extra being a serious contender.

Overall, the quality-to-price ratio is fantastic!

Awesome rubber! It is grippy and offers excellent control.

I use this rubber for my reverse penhold backhand (RPB) on a Yasaka Goiabao 5 blade, and I find that this setup suits me well.

I am able to produce heavy spin along with enough speed to put pressure on my opponents. While it may not have enough speed to win outright, it offers plenty of control and more speed than the commercial version. Looping is easy, and I can generate difficult spin for my opponents to counter.

I use the Hurricane 3-50 37 red on my backhand. It is very soft, tacky, and has a lot of grip. The control is excellent. The tackiness provides decent spin, and it is faster than a Hurricane 3 Neo. It’s similar to a tacky Tenergy 80. Additionally, it is a good budget-friendly rubber.

This rubber left me a bit disappointed. It’s a Hurricane 3 with a slow sponge. While the sponge works well with a non-sticky rubber like TinArc, this combination does not suit my playing style.

The top sheet is slightly tacky, but without the necessary kick from the sponge, the tackiness feels ineffective. The rubber is too slow and dead for my backhand, and I struggle to achieve a brush looping effect when using it on my forehand.

Although it is easy to loop and keep the ball on the table, I find that, in contrast to Hurricane 3 NEO, the ball almost always comes back.

For reference, the weight cut is 2.1mm H37 and weighs 46g.

H3-50 is a looping rubber, but it feels different from H3.

It takes time to get used to it. However, it seems to provide more power, which is an advantage. My teacher struggled to block my loops and had to focus on his backhand side instead.

Use this rubber on the forehand if you can hit hard. The loops you create will be amazing, making the balls kick up from the opponent’s side of the table.

However, if you hit slowly, the rubber may seem lifeless. As soon as you put in the effort, it transforms into a looping monster.

I have it on a Stiga Infinity (VPS).

This rubber is definitely different from regular H3 or H3 Neo. The topsheet is the same as that of regular H3, but the sponge is much softer, which enhances both control and spin.

I recently transitioned from a 5-ply pure wood blade (Stiga Maple Wood V) to a carbon blade (Nittaku Violin Carbon, which has just come out and is a very nice carbon blade). I have always used regular H3 as my forehand rubber, but I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to control a carbon blade as well. Therefore, I opted for this softer H3-50 for my forehand instead.

The combination is amazing. The short game is very spinny, much like regular H3, and the feeling is clear and sharp. During topspin-to-topspin rallies, the speed and control are remarkable. I can’t believe I’m using a stiffer carbon blade at all!

I feel that my consistency in the short game has improved with this rubber while maintaining the same speed and spin as before. I definitely recommend this rubber for carbon blades, especially if regular Chinese rubbers are too hard for you.

This rubber offers excellent spin, making it a fantastic choice for players on a budget. Its performance and affordability make it an appealing option for those looking to enhance their game without breaking the bank.

I really had no idea what to expect from the relatively uncommon combination of a very tacky topsheet and a fairly soft sponge. After hitting the first couple of forehand drives, I was completely baffled. I experienced a speed glue sound and feel, which was the last thing I expected from a Hurricane 3 rubber.

When executing forehand drives and flat hits, the rubber produces a very loud clicking sound. This serves as a useful auditory tool for adjusting the bat angle. The feel on forehand drives and smashes is very crisp. Although the sound is less pronounced during looping, it is still quite present.

For a more in-depth analysis, read our full review on our blog: http://blog.tabletennis11.com/dhs-hurricane3-neo-3-50-provincial-review.

I found this rubber to be slower than Mark V. Although it is pretty tacky, the low trajectory makes it hard to lift backspin over the net. Additionally, I can’t create much spin with it.

Most of my shots are no longer as dangerous compared to my previous backhand rubber, the Tibhar Aurus Sound 1.7, which I had to get rid of due to its excessive catapult effect.

Essentially, the DHS rubber would be the right choice for me; however, it lacks sufficient spin and has a trajectory that is a bit too flat for my playing style.

All in all, it is a very controlled all-round rubber.

I believe this rubber has been overhyped due to the transition to plastic balls. While it is a good, controlled offensive rubber, it feels too slow for the modern offensive game.

In comparison to the regular H3 Neo, this rubber is lighter, less tacky, and softer. It is particularly suitable for beginners looking to transition into using a Chinese tacky rubber on their forehand.

I would recommend boosting it to enhance its performance.

I have been playing for 3 months with the Nittaku Rutis blade, which features a hard and tacky top sheet similar to the DHS H3 and H3 NEO. The red sponge of the H3-50 is softer than that of the H3, providing a different feel during play.

This rubber is not like the traditional Chinese rubbers, such as the DHS H3. When looping, it requires more brushing of the ball, but it is easier to execute loops compared to the H3. The arc is higher, making it easier to counter.

In the short game, there is slightly less control, but it is still sufficient for most players. Overall, these rubbers are more player-friendly than traditional Chinese rubbers, which tend to be slower and harder. Additionally, there is no need for booster applications with this rubber.

I have played with the Neo H3 and Skyline 2 rubbers, and I like them quite a bit. However, for my playing style, I find the H3-50 to be the best fit. I have it in max black on my forehand, and I truly love loop-to-loop rallies with this rubber.

This rubber offers a lot of control, and looping with it feels the most automatic, providing huge amounts of spin that I have experienced. During a loop exchange, especially around the second or third loop, I can exert little effort while maintaining a consistent shot. By digging the ball in a bit more, I am able to produce shots that kick enough to create problems for my opponent, often resulting in missed returns or shots that go long off the table.

The kick produced by the H3-50 is different from the Tenergy kick, which tends to speed up and stay low. Instead, the H3-50 kicks higher, which is very effective when combined with a topspin stroke. I also really appreciate how easy it is to play balls that are hard to reach. Low balls, which are below the table, are easier to loop back effectively compared to the Neo H3 or Skyline 2. Additionally, for higher or nearly out-of-reach balls, even when I have to move or stretch, I can still zip the ball back onto the table with great late spin, as long as I ensure that I’m on top of the ball when making the reach.

The H3-50 is tacky, but not as tacky as some other DHS rubbers I have used. I can grip the ball for a second or two, and it still produces a lot of spin. I also find it to be effective for blocking, even when stepping back a few paces. I don’t notice any drop-off in my short game, and the serves are excellent. However, without a doubt, the Neo H3 performs better for flat kills.

The rubber plays best with a mid-stiff, mid-hard blade, and I am currently using it on an HRT Clipper wood blade.

I have tried most of the different versions of Hurricane 3, including the NEO sponge and the national blue sponge. Out of all of them, Hurricane 3-50 is the most unique. It features a Chinese topsheet combined with a Japanese/European style sponge, specifically a spring porous sponge. Among the entire Hurricane 3 lineup, Hurricane 3-50 is the slowest.

Hurricane 3-50 excels in the looping game, but topspin drives are noticeably slower compared to the performance of the NEO and national Hurricane 3. Touch shots offer better control, and chopping feels easier with this rubber than with the other Hurricane 3 versions. Overall, it is a good rubber but does not represent a true upgrade, as the sponge density varies significantly among the Hurricane line.

Update 6/17/15: Once the topsheet loses its tackiness, the rubber struggles a bit when looping underspin. That being said, it still loops well, though it is not as effortless as when it is fresh out of the package. Overall, I prefer Hurricane 3 NEO over Hurricane 3-50.

Yes, Andy Smith did an excellent review. I wanted to switch from several Tenergy rubbers on my BTY Viscaria to something more directionally stable for my backhand.

This rubber offers good speed close to and mid-distance from the table, while also providing excellent spin on serves. Pushes are loaded, loops are severe, and the short game is effective. This rubber performs best on fast blades, as it may feel mushy on softer ones.

Although it costs a bit more than some other DHS rubbers, the price-to-performance ratio is excellent.

Update: It performs outstandingly on the T.B. Spirit blade, whether for forehand or backhand. If you dislike the hard sponge found on many Chinese rubbers, you will love this version. It offers more control, slightly less speed, and wicked topspin. It feels like it absorbs your opponent’s shots, allowing you to generate your own shots with precision.

This is my absolute favorite Chinese rubber. I would upgrade my rating to a 10.

Review of H3 50 Table Tennis Rubber

This review is based on one black sheet of rubber only.

First of all, Andy Smith did an excellent review of H3 50, and I agree with most of the points he made.

There isn’t much point in reviewing this rubber in terms of spin, speed, and control, as it is very similar to H3N, just a bit softer. Therefore, the aforementioned attributes should be quite similar to those of H3N.

If you like a strong forehand rubber like Neo, then H3 50 will be a step down from it. On the other hand, if you are a user of Baracuda by Donic, you may find it easier to switch to something like H3 50. You might gain some control but lose the off-the-table bounce that tensors provide. If you are trying to transition from European rubbers because they do not complement your forehand, or if you have difficulties hitting the table with good consistency, then this could be a good transitional rubber for you.

On the other hand, if you are a higher-level player, you might want to try it on the backhand side. It will provide you with adequate bounce and solid spin.

Personally, I don’t see myself as a loyal customer of DHS when it comes to H3 50; I don’t understand where the additional ten dollars go when compared with H3N. However, you, as a different player, may feel differently and realize something I could not. At the end of the day, most rubbers have similar performance, and we are judging them based on personal preference and feel.

I hope this helps, fellow players. Have fun and enjoy life!

For players who have used H3 Neo Commercial, Provincial, or National, the main issue with H3-50 is not its speed or spin, but rather the low throw angle.

The topsheet and sponge are of very good quality. However, the sponge features small pores and falls short compared to the best European (ESN) or Japanese (Butterfly) sponges.

We may need to wait a few more years for improvements in this area.

This is the H3 topsheet mounted on a Tinarc sponge, creating an intriguing combination.

When compared directly to a commercial H3N, the H3-50 exhibits some noteworthy characteristics:

• It feels very similar during service and in the short game, which is excellent.
• It is slower on flat hits and loop drives.
• It is slightly less responsive when brush looping.
• It provides a more flexible, elastic feel during looping.

The last point is particularly important. When looping and engaging the sponge, the H3-50 delivers good speed and a higher arc. This creates a better window for successful looping than traditional H3-type rubbers. Additionally, the elastic nature of this setup allows it to perform well away from the table, provided you put in the effort.

If your game is built around the strengths of the H3N (or a similar rubber), the H3-50 may feel like a step back. It is not as effective for powerful play over the table—for example, hard loop drive kill shots. However, it excels in an all-around playing style and feels much safer during loop-to-loop exchanges.

The H3-50 may make more sense from a Euro-Japanese perspective. It resembles a medium-speed Euro-Japanese rubber combined with a tacky topsheet. If you switch from Euro-Japanese rubbers to the H3-50, you may sacrifice speed (and possibly ease of blocking), but you will gain significant control and spin in service and short game situations. Rather than experiencing the full-on H3N experience, the transition to H3-50 feels more manageable when looping, making it less daunting overall.

I’ve been using this rubber on my forehand, and I noticed that the topsheet looked scuffed after just a few days of play. I never hit the table with it, so it seems fragile.

In terms of performance, I think it plays more like some of the old-school Japanese rubbers rather than modern tensors or typical hard/dead sponge Chinese rubbers. It reminded me of the Juic 999 series I played with in the 90s.

While I consider it an okay sheet of rubber, I don’t quite understand why DHS would introduce this model now. It doesn’t contribute to the spring sponge/tensor race, and players who enjoy the NEO line may find it less capable offensively. Similarly, those who prefer the older H2 and H3 sponges might dislike it for being bouncier in the short game and lacking a top gear in terms of power.

I do appreciate the rubber for serving and flicks, but those aren’t where I earn most of my points, so ultimately, it’s not the right choice for me.

I tried it on the Xiom Vega Pro and the Nittaku Basaltec Outer blades, both of which are in the Off- to Off range. It might perform better on a blade rated OFF+ to access that top gear, but I just don’t think this rubber is going to be the best option for anyone.

The rubber is slow with a low throw, and it has a somewhat spinny quality on loops. However, it lacks any distinguishing features compared to the H3 Neo Provincial. Honestly, it does not perform much better than the H3 Neo Commercial either; in fact, it feels slower.

Perhaps a boosted version would play differently, but overall, it felt like just another Chinese rubber to me.

This rubber performs exceptionally well on the backhand of a carbon blade. The combination of the hardness of the top sheet with a soft sponge creates an excellent playing experience. The tackiness is well-known from the Hurricane 3 line, which adds to its appeal.

Pair this rubber with Hurricane 3 Neo on the forehand and you will experience one of the best budget rubber options available on the market.

Excellent rubber (H37) for both backhand and forehand on stiff or hard veneer wood. It deserves a much better rating than the current 8.7.

However, it does not pair well with soft wood blades due to its softness. When used with the right blade, the combination is fantastic.