STIGA Mantra Pro XH is an ITTF-approved table tennis rubber, developed in Sweden and manufactured in Japan, designed for technically skilled offensive (OFF+) style players seeking maximum power, spin, and precision. This rubber, part of the Stiga Mantra product line, was created in collaboration with top Chinese players to ensure the highest quality standards. Its standard topsheet with shorter pimples and unique geometry, combined with a special blend of natural and synthetic rubber, provides excellent grip, enabling the generation of extremely high spin (~16.9/20) and an aggressive ball trajectory (9.1/10). The ultra-hard 53° sponge, reinforced with Oxygen Capsule System (OCS) technology, delivers a powerful catapult effect, exceptional speed (~19.5/20), and good control (~8.0/20), making it ideal for fast topspin strokes, counter-topspin attacks, and explosive rally finishers. The thinner topsheet allows for a 2.1 mm sponge, enhancing speed and power while maintaining precision, though it demands advanced player technique to fully exploit the rubber's potential. Mantra Pro XH is optimized for ABS balls and offers high durability due to its specialized rubber composition. The rubber is available in red and black, complying with ITTF regulations, with a 2.1 mm sponge thickness, perfectly suited for modern, highly offensive playing styles.

Compared to the Stiga DNA Platinum XH (~21.0/20 speed, ~7.8/20 control, ~17.5/20 spin), the Mantra Pro XH offers slightly lower speed but similar spin and slightly better control. Player feedback highlights that the rubber "delivers explosive power in topspin strokes," "enables heavy spin generation in challenging situations," and "provides a distinct hitting feel," making it ideal for advanced players aiming to dominate the game.

Key Features:

• Rubber Type: Inverted (Smooth), standard topsheet

• Sponge Hardness: Ultra-hard (~53°)

• Sponge Thickness: 2.1 mm

• Speed: 156/100 (~19.5/20 on the general scale)

• Control: ~80/100 (~8.0/20 on the general scale)

• Spin: 135/100 (~16.9/20 on the general scale)

• Trajectory Height: 9.1/10

• Topsheet Properties: Standard, optimized for grip and spin

• Technologies: Oxygen Capsule System (OCS)

• Color: Red, black

• Country of Origin: Japan (designed in Sweden)

• Certifications: ITTF-approved

• Suitability: Highly offensive play, topspin strokes, counter-topspin attacks, playing against backspin, fast close-to-table and mid-distance play

• Player Level: Advanced/Professional

Unique Characteristics & Playing Style:

The STIGA Mantra Pro XH is a high-performance rubber designed for technically skilled offensive players seeking extreme speed (~19.5/20), very high spin (~16.9/20), and good control (~8.0/20). Its standard topsheet with shorter pimples and unique geometry maximizes surface contact between the sponge and blade, enabling intense spin generation and a high ball trajectory (9.1/10), ideal for topspin loops, aggressive serves, and shots from difficult angles. The ultra-hard 53° sponge, enhanced by OCS technology, creates a strong catapult effect, giving shots explosive power for quick and effective rally finishers at the table or mid-distance. Developed in collaboration with top Chinese players, OCS optimizes the sponge’s pore structure, extending ball trajectory and increasing topspin arc aggressiveness while producing a crisp, audible sound that enhances shot feedback.

This rubber requires advanced technique to fully utilize its potential, making it best suited for professional and advanced amateur players who rely on fast topspin attacks, counter-topspin play, and aggressive strategies to overwhelm opponents. Player reviews emphasize that the rubber "offers explosive power in topspin loops," "generates heavy spin in complex situations," and "provides a sharp hitting sensation," making it perfect for highly offensive play.

Topsheet Composition:

The Mantra Pro XH features a standard topsheet optimized for excellent grip and spin, with shorter pimples (inverted) that increase surface contact between sponge and blade. A unique blend of natural and synthetic rubber ensures very high spin (~16.9/20), particularly in topspin loops, aggressive serves, and shots from difficult angles. The thinner topsheet allows for a 2.1 mm sponge, boosting speed and power while maintaining precision, though it demands precise technique.

Compared to the Stiga DNA Platinum XH (~21.0/20 speed, ~7.8/20 control, ~17.5/20 spin), the Mantra Pro XH offers slightly lower speed but similar spin and slightly better control. Against the Butterfly Tenergy 05 (~14.5/20 speed, ~8.0/20 control, ~14.5/20 spin), the Mantra Pro XH provides significantly higher speed and spin with comparable control. The topsheet ensures strong grip, enabling heavy spin even in challenging situations like counter-topspin strokes or against heavy backspin.

Players note that the rubber is "highly effective in generating spin on loops," "stable in difficult-angle shots," and "offers excellent grip," making it ideal for power and spin-focused players. The topsheet is less sensitive to opponent spin than sticky rubbers, easing serve reception and short-game play. Durability is high, maintaining grip even under intense use if properly maintained.

Sponge:

The Mantra Pro XH uses an ultra-hard sponge (~53°), balancing extreme speed (~19.5/20), very high spin (~16.9/20), and good control (~8.0/20), delivering an "explosive yet controlled feel." The Oxygen Capsule System (OCS) enhances the sponge’s pore structure, ensuring a strong catapult effect and direct feedback, while expanded pores improve rubber-to-blade contact, producing a crisp, audible sound. The 2.1 mm sponge thickness maximizes speed and power, ideal for ultra-aggressive offensive styles.

Compared to the Stiga DNA Platinum XH (~52.5°, ~21.0/20 speed, ~7.8/20 control, ~17.5/20 spin), the Mantra Pro XH offers slightly lower speed but better control and similar spin. Against the Tibhar Evolution MX-P (~15.0/20 speed, ~8.0/20 control, ~15.0/20 spin), the Mantra Pro XH provides significantly higher speed and spin with comparable control.

Players highlight that the sponge "delivers a catapult-like explosive effect" and "helps generate extremely powerful topspin loops," especially in close-to-table and mid-distance attacks.

Spin & Trajectory:

The Mantra Pro XH excels in spin generation (~16.9/20), particularly in topspin loops, aggressive serves, and shots from difficult angles. The standard topsheet and ultra-hard sponge prolong ball contact, enabling heavy spin that disrupts opponents, especially in topspin and counter-topspin exchanges. The rubber’s trajectory (9.1/10), optimized by OCS, is high and aggressive, ensuring stable flight paths ideal for topspin attacks, counters, and backspin play.

Compared to the Donic Bluefire M1 (~15.0/20 spin), the Mantra Pro XH offers significantly higher spin. Players praise its ability to "generate heavy spin in topspin loops," "maintain stability in difficult shots," and "deliver an aggressive trajectory," making it perfect for power and spin-focused players.

Control:

The Mantra Pro XH provides good control (~8.0/20) in its category, particularly in topspin strokes, serves, backspin play, and blocks. The ultra-hard sponge (~53°) ensures stability in powerful shots but demands higher technique compared to softer rubbers like the Stiga Mantra Control (~9.7/20 control). Against the Stiga DNA Platinum XH (~7.8/20 control), it offers slightly better control, while matching the Butterfly Tenergy 05 (~8.0/20 control) but with far greater speed and spin.

Players note that the rubber is "controllable in topspin play" and "allows precise ball placement," especially in backspin and counter-topspin strokes, though it requires refined technique.

Technical Ratings:

• Speed (156/100, ~19.5/20): Extremely high, ideal for topspin, counter-topspin, and backspin attacks. Much faster than Butterfly Tenergy 05 (~14.5/20).

• Control (~80/100, ~8.0/20): Good control in topspin, serves, and blocks. Lower than Stiga DNA Platinum S (~9.2/20).

• Spin (135/100, ~16.9/20): Very high spin potential, surpassing Butterfly Dignics 09C (~16.5/20).

Playing Aspects:

• Topspin Loops: 9.8/10 – Extremely effective, especially forehand, with high spin and speed.

• Backspin Play: 8.5/10 – Effective chops with heavy backspin, requiring precise technique.

• Blocking: 8.3/10 – Stable against topspin due to standard topsheet and hard sponge.

• Push Shots: 8.7/10 – Precise short-game pushes with disruptive spin.

• Chopping: 8.2/10 – Effective defensive backspin shots.

• Counter-Hitting: 9.5/10 – Stable counters with excellent speed-spin balance.

• Smashing: 9.4/10 – Powerful offensive shots, especially with 2.1 mm sponge.

• Serves & Receives: 8.8/10 – Effective spin generation, demanding precise technique.

• Flicks: 8.7/10 – Stable banana flicks with good spin and control.

Blade Compatibility:

The Mantra Pro XH pairs well with ultra-offensive blades that complement its speed, spin, and control:

• Stiga Carbonado 290 (OFF+): Maximizes speed for aggressive attacks.

• Butterfly Zhang Jike Super ZLC (OFF+): Enhances spin for topspin play.

• Donic Ovtcharov True Carbon (OFF+): Ideal for speed and spin-focused players.

• Tibhar Samsonov Force Pro Black Edition (OFF): Boosts speed for topspin strokes.

• Yasaka Ma Lin Extra Offensive (OFF): Balances topspin and counter-attacks.

Recommended for OFF+ blades (e.g., Stiga Carbonado 290) for maximum speed/spin or balanced OFF blades (e.g., Zhang Jike Super ZLC) for added control.

Additional Notes:

The Mantra Pro XH is a premium rubber combining extreme speed (~19.5/20), very high spin (~16.9/20), and good control (~8.0/20), enhanced by OCS technology for durability and feedback. Compared to Stiga DNA Platinum XH, it trades slight speed for better control. Against Butterfly Tenergy 05, it dominates in speed and spin.

Players praise its "explosive topspin power," "heavy spin in tough situations," and "crisp hitting feel," especially with the 2.1 mm sponge. The rubber’s weight (~50g) suits players seeking a powerful setup. Maintain with a rubber cleaner (e.g., Stiga Rubber Cleaner) and protective film.

Ideal For:

• Advanced/professional players (5–10+ years experience) seeking speed, spin, and control.

• Aggressive offensive players relying on topspin, counter-topspin, and explosive rallies.

• Forehand dominance: Exceptional for FH attacks with high speed/spin.

• Close-to-table and mid-distance play: Optimized for powerful loops and counters.

Advantages:

1. Speed (19.5/20): Elite-level pace for offensive play.

2. Spin (16.9/20): Heavy spin generation in all situations.

3. Control (8.0/20): Reliable precision for aggressive shots.

4. Trajectory (9.1/10): High, aggressive arc for topspin dominance.

5. Hard Sponge (53°): Powerful catapult and feedback.

6. OCS Technology: Enhanced durability and performance.

7. Low Sensitivity to Spin: Easier receive and short-game play.

8. Cost-Performance Ratio: Professional quality at a competitive price.

Final Verdict:

The STIGA Mantra Pro XH is a high-end rubber merging extreme speed, heavy spin, and controlled aggression, powered by Oxygen Capsule System technology. Its ultra-hard sponge, standard topsheet, and crisp feedback make it ideal for advanced offensive players aiming to dominate with topspin loops, counters, and explosive rallies. A top-tier choice for professionals and ambitious attackers!

Mantra Pro XH

Mantra Pro XH

Mantra Pro XH