SANWEI's Target name covers several very different rubbers. Some are softer and control-led, others use sticky Chinese-style topsheets and firmer sponges, while the latest National variants push towards high-level offensive play. This guide separates the current TT Hub Target options and explains where SANWEI's newer official Target National models fit.
SANWEI Target Range Comparison
| TT Hub rubber | Surface / sponge | Hardness / thickness | Speed | Spin | Control |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Untacky, grippy / cake sponge | 37° / 2.1mm | 7.3/10 | 8.0/10 | 8.7/10 | |
| Half-sticky / Super-Density | 39° or 40° / 2.1mm | 8.0/10 | 8.0/10 | 8.5/10 | |
| Sticky / elastic sponge | 39° or 40° / 2.1mm | 8.2/10 | 8.8/10 | 8.0/10 | |
| Sticky / blue or orange cake sponge | Medium Soft / Medium Hard / 2.15mm | 8.7/10 | 9.0/10 | 7.8/10 | |
| Sticky / blue sponge | 38.5°–40° / 2.15mm | 8.6/10 | 9.0/10 | 7.4/10 | |
| Sticky / dense G40 sponge | 39°–41° / MAX | 8.7/10 | 8.7/10 | 7.3/10 | |
| Half-sticky / Compact Sponge, factory tuned | 38°–41° / 2.15mm | 9.3/10 | 8.7/10 | 6.8/10 |
Ratings: all Speed, Spin and Control scores above use TT Hub's consistent /10 system and match the current product data. Where SANWEI publishes a trustworthy 15-point Speed/Spin figure, it is converted directly; otherwise the TT Hub score is a conservative specialist estimate. Control is a TT Hub rating.
1. SANWEI Target Europe Soft — Control & Easy Engagement
SANWEI publishes Speed 11 and Spin 12 on its 15-point scale. Its soft cake sponge and untacky but grippy topsheet make this the outlier in the family: it is aimed at all-round and close-table players rather than players looking for a traditional sticky Chinese forehand. It is also the clearest Target option for developing players and many backhands.
Shop Target Europe Soft →2. SANWEI Target 3rd Edition — The Balanced Chinese-Style Choice
TT Hub's current product data records SANWEI Speed 12 and Spin 12, both 8.0/10 after conversion. The half-sticky surface and Super-Density Sponge make it a useful bridge between control-oriented rubber and the more demanding Target offensive models.
Shop Target 3rd Edition →3. SANWEI Target 3 Pro — Firmer Offensive Step-Up
Target 3 Pro moves towards a more committed offensive setup, with a sticky surface and firmer sponge options. TT Hub currently carries red and black in H39 and H40. We have not found a sufficiently reliable current SANWEI speed/spin pair for this exact generation, so we prefer not to present estimated numbers as manufacturer ratings.
Shop Target 3 Pro →4. SANWEI Target 3 National — National-Style Blue/Orange Sponge Option
TT Hub currently offers Medium Soft and Medium Hard variants. This is a more specialist offensive choice for players who actively engage the sponge and want a sticky topsheet with a more performance-oriented cake-sponge construction.
Shop Target 3 National →5. SANWEI Target Provincial Blue Sponge — Forehand Tuning
The current TT Hub listing is black only and offers unusually fine hardness steps: 38.5°, 39°, 39.5° and 40°. That makes it particularly useful for players who already know they want a firm Chinese-style forehand but want to tune the feel more precisely.
Shop Target Provincial Blue Sponge →6. SANWEI Target 3 Blitz — Dense, Direct & Aggressive
Blitz is aimed at aggressive loops and counter-attacks. TT Hub carries H39, H40 and H41 in both red and black, giving it one of the broadest hardness selections in our Target range. It is a better fit for active attackers than players prioritising effortless control.
Shop Target 3 Blitz →7. SANWEI Target National CP-Tuned — Maximum Target Performance
SANWEI specifies Speed 14 and Spin 13, converting to 9.3/10 and 8.7/10. CP means Compact Sponge and the rubber receives a factory pre-treatment. SANWEI positions 38°/39° towards backhand and 40°/41° towards forehand. This is the most aggressive Target in the current TT Hub comparison and best reserved for technically confident attackers who can exploit its stronger rebound.
Shop Target National CP-Tuned →Where Do New Target National & Player Edition Fit?
SANWEI's official current Target family also includes New Target National and Target National – Player Edition. New Target National is officially listed with a sticky topsheet, medium-pore cake sponge, 2.15mm thickness, Speed 13 and Spin 13.5. SANWEI describes it primarily as a forehand rubber.
The newer Player Edition takes a different route: a half-sticky topsheet and EnergyX cake sponge, with a 39° version positioned for forehand and a 37° version for backhand. SANWEI publishes Speed 13 / Spin 12 for 39°, and Speed 11 / Spin 13 for 37°, both at 2.1mm. These are useful reference points when understanding how the Target family is evolving, but this guide's purchase links focus on products currently in the TT Hub catalogue.
Which SANWEI Target Should You Choose?
Developing / control-first
Target Europe Soft is the obvious starting point: softer, untacky and easier to engage.
Balanced Chinese-style setup
Target 3rd Edition offers half-sticky grip without jumping immediately to the hardest, fastest Target options.
Traditional offensive loop/attack
Target 3 Pro or Target 3 National suit players wanting sticky grip and a more committed attacking response.
Fine-tuned forehand feel
Target Provincial Blue Sponge gives 38.5°–40° choices in small increments.
Dense, aggressive response
Target 3 Blitz is the firmer MAX option with H39–H41 choices.
Highest-output current option
Target National CP-Tuned is the factory-tuned OFF+ choice for advanced attackers.
Forehand vs Backhand
For most players, the firmer sticky Target models make the most natural sense on forehand, where a longer stroke can engage the sponge. Backhand players who want easier activation should look first at Target Europe Soft or the softer Target variants. SANWEI's own Player Edition reinforces this principle by positioning 39° for forehand and 37° for backhand.
What Happened to the Older Target National?
SANWEI explicitly states that the older Target National is no longer in production and was upgraded to New Target National. That matters when comparing reviews or listings from different years: “Target National” can refer to different generations, and their construction should not be assumed identical.
Still not sure which rubber suits you?
Use your level, playing style, forehand/backhand side and preferred feel to narrow the whole TT Hub range — not just SANWEI.
Try the Rubber Finder →Final Takeaway
The Target range is not a simple good/better/best ladder. Europe Soft is designed for a different player from CP-Tuned, while Target 3rd Edition, Pro, National, Provincial and Blitz progressively offer different combinations of tackiness, sponge firmness and offensive response. Pick the construction that matches your stroke rather than simply choosing the most expensive version.
For more background on sponge feel, read our rubber hardness guide, or browse all table tennis rubbers.