Donic Acuda S3

Rubber description:

The Donic Acuda S3 is a versatile table tennis rubber designed for offensive players seeking both speed and spin in their game. With a max speed rating of 100 and an impressive spin rating of 100, this rubber excels in delivering powerful loops and aggressive shots. Its soft sponge, rated at 1.9 for hardness, allows for excellent touch and control, particularly beneficial for players who enjoy attacking play from mid-distance. The S3 is characterized by its loud sound upon impact—a feature that enhances the tactile feedback during strokes, giving players higher confidence with their shots.

In terms of tackiness, the Acuda S3 is on the lower end, rating at just 1.8, which some players feel translates to a bit of a challenge when playing close to the table. However, many reviews highlight its strength in longer distance loops and its capability to handle topspin effectively. The weight of the rubber is considered medium at 3.6, contributing to its balance of speed and control.

Durability is rated at 7.4, which indicates that while it performs well, players should be cautious as the edges can chip easily. For those seeking alternatives, other popular options in the same category would include the more renowned Tenergy series or Baracuda, but many users affirm that Donic’s Acuda S3 gives notable performance at a competitive price point without sacrificing quality. Overall, the Acuda S3 is a reliable choice for offensive-minded players looking to blend speed, spin, and control in their game.

Recent Reviews

#1 — July 2019

This rubber is very good for players who favor blocking techniques.

#2 — June 2019

I used this rubber on my backhand with a Nittaku Septear blade (OFF) for about a year before I changed. I found this rubber to be the best do-it-all rubber I have ever tried. It was really easy to block loops that had a lot of topspin, and it was fairly easy to create spin as well.

Compared to the Tenergy 64 I had on my forehand, the Acuda was superior. It had better spin, control, and durability. The only thing that Tenergy was better at was smashing the ball. Weirdly enough, the Tenergy was not faster by a whole lot.

I occasionally tried the rubber on my forehand, and it was super comfortable to loop and attack with. So far, it has been the best rubber I have used, but I do not have many other rubbers to compare it to since I am only 13. I have played for six years, so I still know my fair amount of table tennis.

#3 — September 2018

I played Acuda S3 in 1.8mm on both the forehand and backhand on a Stiga All Around Classic blade. It was my first experience with tensor rubbers. I chose the Acuda S3 over the Desto series because I had heard that the first-generation Desto rubbers were not as well-balanced and stable as the newer Acuda rubbers.

I had previously played with some Desto rubbers (F3 and F2) and remembered them as being more bouncy. However, I found the Acuda S3 to be very easy to adapt to. It offered excellent spin, control, and ease of use for short touch play.

The Acuda S3 performed well for both driving and looping shots. While the 1.8mm thickness was adequate, I later considered using the S2 in 2mm for looping and the S3 in 2mm for all-around play.

Overall, the Acuda S3 was an excellent choice for my first tensor rubber. I was very satisfied with its performance. (At the time, I had been playing table tennis for almost two years. It’s possible that the Acuda S3 would have been too fast for a complete beginner.)