DHS Hurricane 3 is not one rubber. Standard and NEO versions sit alongside Provincial and National editions, with orange- and blue-sponge options, different hardnesses and different thicknesses. The names can make the range look more complicated than it needs to be. This guide breaks down what each version is for and which differences actually matter when choosing one.
Why Hurricane 3 Feels Different
The Hurricane 3 family is built around a tacky inverted topsheet and comparatively firm sponge. Rather than giving away effortless catapult, it rewards an active stroke: acceleration, brushing contact and good use of the body. That is why players coming from springier European/Japanese-style rubbers can initially find Hurricane 3 slower than expected on passive shots, yet very controlled in the short game and powerful when they engage it properly.
For many players the natural home is the forehand, where a longer swing can make better use of the firm sponge and tacky topsheet. It can work on backhand too, but a player with a short compact backhand may find a more elastic rubber easier to activate.
Hurricane 3 vs Hurricane 3 NEO
Classic route
The standard Hurricane 3 experience: tacky, controlled and technique-driven. TT Hub currently carries multiple hardness and 2.15/2.20 mm variants.
NEO version
Still recognisably Hurricane 3, but built around DHS's NEO sponge system. It is a sensible first choice for players specifically wanting the NEO family before moving into Provincial or National NEO versions.
Commercial vs Provincial vs National
The most useful way to understand these labels is as different grades within the Hurricane family, not a beginner/intermediate/advanced ladder where the most expensive automatically plays best for everyone.
| Edition | Best reason to choose it | Who should consider it |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial / standard retail | Lowest-cost entry to the Hurricane 3 playing concept | Players trying H3 for the first time or wanting strong value |
| Provincial | A more specialised step within the H3 range, with blue/orange sponge options depending on model | Established Hurricane users who know their preferred hardness and feel |
| National | Premium H3 specification and the highest-priced tier in the TT Hub range | Experienced H3 players specifically seeking National versions rather than simply “more speed” |
The key point is fit. A £24.99 standard Hurricane 3 that suits your stroke is a better purchase than a National sheet whose hardness and response do not.
Blue Sponge vs Orange Sponge
This is the comparison that creates the most confusion. It is tempting to reduce it to “blue = fast, orange = control”, but that is too crude because edition, hardness, thickness, NEO/non-NEO construction and your stroke all matter.
Firm & direct
TT Hub's current Provincial and National blue-sponge H3 options are aimed squarely at committed attacking players. They reward acceleration and are available in several hardnesses rather than representing one fixed feel.
Classic Hurricane route
Orange-sponge versions span multiple levels of the family. They retain the tacky H3 identity while giving players a route that does not require choosing the blue-sponge specification.
If you are new to Hurricane 3, sponge colour should not be your first decision. Decide first whether you actually want a firm, tacky, active-stroke rubber. Then choose edition, hardness and thickness from the variants that genuinely exist.
Hardness: 39, 40 or 41?
DHS hardness numbers should be understood within the DHS scale rather than directly translated to another manufacturer's scale. In simple terms, moving upward through the H3 range gives a firmer response. The right choice depends on how hard you accelerate, the blade underneath and how much directness you want.
- H39: a sensible starting point for many club players entering the firmer Hurricane family.
- H40: firmer and better suited to players who engage the sponge decisively.
- H41: a demanding option for players deliberately seeking a very firm H3 response.
Those are tendencies, not skill labels. TT Hub's live catalogue currently includes H39–H41 on several blue-sponge models, while standard H3 offers a broader set of hardness/colour/thickness combinations.
2.15 mm vs 2.20 mm
A 0.05 mm difference sounds tiny, and it should not be treated as a magic performance switch. Thickness interacts with hardness, blade and edition. Choose from the actual variants supplied for that model. For example, TT Hub's current Provincial Blue Sponge listing carries 2.20 mm stocked variants, while the current NEO Provincial Orange Sponge listing uses 2.15 mm variants.
How to Identify the Different Versions
Packaging, labels, sponge colour and printed markings can help identify a Hurricane 3 version, which is why the useful comparison images from the original article have been retained. However, packaging can change over time. Do not use one old visual detail as your only authenticity test.
Which Hurricane 3 Should You Buy?
| If you want... | Start here | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Lowest-cost introduction to H3 | Hurricane 3 | Classic tacky H3 character without paying for Provincial/National grading |
| NEO at a sensible entry price | Hurricane 3 NEO | Direct route into the NEO family |
| Provincial orange sponge | NEO Provincial Orange | For established H3 users wanting the Provincial NEO orange-sponge specification |
| Provincial blue sponge | Provincial Blue | Firm blue-sponge option with multiple hardnesses |
| Premium orange-sponge H3 | National Orange | National-edition route without choosing blue sponge |
| Premium blue-sponge H3 | National Blue | Premium firm blue-sponge option for experienced H3 users |
| NEO + National + Blue | NEO National Blue | The most specialised NEO blue-sponge route in the current range |
Current TT Hub Hurricane 3 Range
DHS Hurricane 3
The value starting point for the classic tacky Hurricane 3 system.
View Hurricane 3 →
DHS Hurricane 3 NEO
The accessible NEO version before stepping into Provincial or National editions.
View H3 NEO →
H3 NEO Provincial Orange Sponge
Current TT Hub variants include H39 and H40 in 2.15 mm.
View Provincial Orange →
H3 Provincial Blue Sponge
Firm blue-sponge route with H39, H40 and H41 options in the current range.
View Provincial Blue →
H3 National Orange Sponge
Premium National-edition orange-sponge option.
View National Orange →
H3 National Blue Sponge
Premium blue-sponge version, currently offered in H39, H40 and H41 at 2.20 mm.
View National Blue →
H3 NEO National Blue Sponge
The specialised NEO National blue-sponge version in the current TT Hub catalogue.
View NEO National Blue →Blade Pairing
Hurricane 3 does not perform in isolation. Its firm sponge and tacky topsheet can feel controlled on a fast carbon blade because the blade supplies rebound, while an all-wood setup can emphasise dwell and touch. That does not mean “H3 needs carbon”; it means the complete racket matters. If your blade is already very fast, do not automatically choose the hardest H3 simply because it is the premium option.
If you are choosing both parts together, use the Custom Bat Finder rather than treating rubber and blade as separate purchases.
What About Boosting Hurricane 3?
Hurricane 3 is frequently discussed alongside boosting, but competition legality needs to be clear. ITTF rules require racket coverings to be used without physical, chemical or other treatment that changes their playing properties, and current racket control includes authorised-covering, thickness and VOC checks. For sanctioned competition, use the rubber in a compliant state and check the current ITTF racket-covering information.
For the wider technical discussion, read our table tennis rubber boosting guide.
Who Should Avoid Hurricane 3?
H3 is not automatically the best rubber because elite players use tacky Chinese-style equipment. Think twice if you rely on a very short stroke and want the rubber to generate easy pace for you, if you dislike firm sponge, or if you are still learning basic control and would benefit from a softer, more forgiving setup. The right rubber should support your technique rather than force you to imitate someone else's.
Still not sure which Hurricane — or which rubber — fits you?
Use the TT Hub Rubber Finder for recommendations based on your side, level, playing style, priority and preferred feel.
Start the Rubber Finder →Shop Chinese-Style Rubbers →DHS Hurricane 3 FAQs
What is the main difference between blue and orange sponge Hurricane 3?
Blue-sponge H3 versions in the current TT Hub range are firmer, specialist Provincial/National options. Orange sponge appears across more of the traditional H3 family. Edition and hardness matter alongside sponge colour, so colour alone should not decide the purchase.
Is National Hurricane 3 always better than Provincial?
No. National is the premium grade, but suitability depends on your technique, hardness preference, blade and budget. A Provincial or commercial version can be the better setup for an individual player.
Should I choose H39 or H40?
H39 is a sensible entry point for many players; H40 is firmer and rewards stronger engagement. Players already comfortable with firm H3 setups may deliberately choose H40 or H41.
Is Hurricane 3 mainly a forehand rubber?
It is especially popular as a forehand concept because a larger forehand swing can engage its firm sponge well. It can be used on backhand, but players wanting easy rebound from compact strokes may prefer something more elastic.
Is Hurricane 3 good for beginners?
It can be used by developing players, but its firm, low-catapult character is not the easiest choice for everyone. Beginners should prioritise control and technique rather than copying professional equipment.
Does a more expensive Hurricane 3 automatically make you faster?
No. Hurricane performance is highly technique-dependent. Paying for Provincial or National specification does not replace acceleration, timing or correct blade pairing.
Final Recommendation
If you have never used Hurricane 3, start with the standard H3 or H3 NEO and learn whether you actually like the tacky, firm, active-stroke feel. If you already know the system and want a more specialised sheet, choose Provincial or National according to sponge type, hardness and thickness — not prestige alone.
For a broader explanation of tacky vs tensioned rubber, hardness and forehand/backhand selection, continue with our Complete Guide to Choosing Table Tennis Rubber.
Want to compare your options? Use our compare this rubber with other options to check key characteristics side by side before choosing.