Double Fish Volant Phoenix 2

CORRECTED! (- Weight) Attention, listen up!!! ... This rubber is currently the absolute best value for money on AliExpress – whether with 35° or 37° Chinese sponge hardness. For a fantastic €12 to €13 (US$14–15), these versions, which are only available in maximum thickness (and can barely lift the ball!), offer good control, sufficient speed and catapult effect, as well as above-average spin. The feel of these, as mentioned, non-stick rubbers is very reminiscent of a hybrid rubber. The ball flight is in the upper-middle range for the 37° version and in the middle range for the 35° version. Provided you don't receive defective goods, the 37° version weighs only 61–63 g uncut, including protective film! The 35° version weighs between 64 and 66 g, uncut with film. Conclusion: Besides the DHS Gold Arc 5 (€25), which is exceptionally good and highly recommended, I consider the two Phoenix 2 variants to be among the absolute best rubbers under €25. Whether beginner or advanced player – both will be satisfied with these rubbers (regardless of the blade used!). … So, go for it! … P.S.: Feel free to check out the other affordable rubbers I've tested! ;-)

Very good Rubber for this price. It plays like german Rubbers. The Speed is very good and enough for beginners and advanced beginners. This is precise and offensiv amazing Control. The topsheet is gripy and slightly sticky. It is also not expensive.

Played this rubber on forehand and backhand. In general, the rubber is quite pleasant when playing near the table, due to its medium stickiness. As for the strokes, when playing on the forehand, it seemed a bit straight to me, because of the very elastic sponge and medium stickiness, the ball flies straight and starts to fall behind the table. It is better suited for playing on the second line, it is difficult to hit from the table. I had better experience on the backhand, here it quite comfortable and well get on the nerves of opponents, but it has a high weight, and in combination with another heavy rubber, it can become too fast. I recommend it to players with good technique who play attacking.

Tried 35 degrees version. Very spinny and grippy rubber (spinnier than Donic Barracuda). Low arc, slightly tacky, but still bouncy enough, no need to use any booster, just a regular glue is sufficient. Only downside is, that control is just average. The price/performance ratio is outstanding. The price 12 eur (on sale on chinese eshops. Sometimes even less) is unbeatable and I would recommend to everyone to at least try it. For 12 Eur it's a beast . //Update 27.7 - After 2 months of regular playing (3x per week) it lost huge amount of its spin capabilities. Durability is definitely a downside. But for the players which are playing less frequently it's still ok.

Red, 43 g, 37 deg on BH. Big surprise from a chinese budget rubber, very euro-like behavior. Good speed and spin, and bouncy. Very close to my regular setup, and since my backhand rubber is discontinued, this is actually an option, and the weight is a bonus. Did not need to adjust much. Good arc, predictable. A bit tough to keep short game short, but it’s an expected trade off.