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    DHS Hurricane 3 Neo: The Complete Amateur Guide

    Victor
    16 min read
    DHS Hurricane 3 Neo provincial and commercial versions with orange and blue sponge rubbers and booster
    Some new and used H3N from the last 2 years with Haifu Seamoon in the middle

    Everything you need to know about the H3 Neo — versions, hardness, sponge colors, boosting, and whether it's right for you

    Introduction

    I have used DHS Hurricane 3 Neo on my forehand for 7+ years, and on my backhand for around 3+ years. I've tried every sponge hardness (except the pro versions like 41.5° or 42°), and I've played with it both boosted (1, 2 and 3 layers) and unboosted. And I can surely say that after these years of experimentation and trying other things in between, there is no rubber I love more. It is, without a doubt, my favorite forehand rubber of all time, and it gets a solid top 5 for the backhand.

    What's curious is that even though this is one of the most popular rubbers in the world, there are not too many guides out there that explain all the complicated details and myths of this rubber in a simple way that most people can understand. So if you are an average club player wondering if the H3N should be your next FH or BH rubber, this guide is for you.

    Why the H3N is my favourite FH rubber of all time

    Let me get started with how a well boosted Hurricane 3 Neo feels like when you use it with the correct technique, because most people have never experienced this when they have used it so there are many misunderstandings and myths here (i.e. it's dead, feels like a brick and it's unplayable), for many reasons I will describe below:

  1. It gives tremendous spin when serving while keeping it short and low, plus it also keeps the ball very short when returning correctly. No tensor rubber can do this as well as the H3N.
  2. You can put a huge amount of power on the stroke and the ball almost always lands on the other side of the table. The throw angle is the perfect balance between a low throwing rubber (Battle 2) and a high throwing rubber (Dignics 09c) in my opinion.
  3. Not only does it land, but the amount of spin and kick that it has after it bounces makes it really uncomfortable for your opponent to bring the ball back on your side. It generates at least the same amount of spin than Dignics 09c (used correctly) if not more in my experience.
  4. After the stroke, you get really great feedback in your hand, it does not feel dead or like a brick, it's actually telling you whether you did the right thing or not. Combined with a soft flexible blade the feedback is fantastic.
  5. Last but not least, it will last for at least 6 months (boosted twice, every 3 months for example) at top performance for the amateur level and it costs a fraction of what other rubbers cost while giving you the same or more.

    6. Bonus point: Sometimes, certain situations don't allow for you to engage the sponge but that's fine. If you just engage the topsheet, you can do some devilish brushes that will make the life of the opponent a bit miserable from time to time when they don't see it coming. This is one of the reasons why many people say that the rubber produces somewhat unexpected shots. Now, if this does not convince you that when used well, there is nothing better, then I don't know what will! :)

    Hurricane Neo 3 Provincial (Orange)

    DHS

    Hurricane Neo 3 Provincial (Orange)

    View ratings in the Rubber Database

    However, this rubber might not be for you

    All that I mentioned above is immediately the problem with this rubber as well. You need to do things right and when footwork and technique are correct it is very rewarding, but when you do things wrong, it will have no mercy on you, it's a very strict (yet fair) teacher. This is why many people say that it is not for everyone, and they are right. Because the sponge is so hard, it demands a specific physical commitment and proper boosting. You cannot just wave your arm at the ball. You cannot just brush it a bit and expect a lot of catapult, and you cannot do the technique wrong. To unlock the power of H3 Neo on the forehand, you need:

  6. Correct footwork: Be in the right spot to start the correct technique and follow the correct rhythm. If you miss the timing, you won't be able to execute the next steps correctly and then it's not going to be fun.
  7. Correct body mechanics: Start by recoiling inwards (not to the right) while letting the arm rest relaxed next to your body. The arm naturally moves back producing a type of stroke that some people call the 'butt wipe' motion. Then, the focus switches to the index finger as it launches the body forward, opening the wrist and whipping the arm in a semi circular outwards/inwards-forward motion that explodes at contact point.
  8. Commitment to the contact: When you hit the ball, you should feel the ball sinking deeply into the sponge, producing a characteristic loud metallic crack sound. It feels like the ball is biting the rubber, almost like a crispy sound. If you hear a dull thud, you haven't activated the sponge yet; you are brushing too thin or you haven't used enough body and wrist.

    9. I often describe the loading action to people as a Dragon Ball "Kamehameha": you need that deep recoil action to gather energy. From there, the stroke is like drawing a half-moon with your finger, snapping the wrist open right before contact.

    When boosted and hit with the correct stroke, the speed and spin are unmatched. Even against high-level club players or national-level opponents, provided that I execute this loop correctly, they very often cannot bring the ball back, even though I don't use a carbon blade (a DHS PG7 with the right technique is more than enough). That is the raw power of this rubber.

    You can also use it on your backhand but you probably shouldn't

    I would not choose H3 Neo for the backhand unless you are ready to boost a fair amount, use the 37 or 38 version and have a very solid technique. Otherwise, stick to its much better and easier to use hybrid relative, the Hurricane 8-80, which is my current backhand rubber together with Dignics 09c. The other alternative is if you enjoy having a die-hard learning experience, then yes, choose it and follow the path I followed (I was wrong), but I warn you, you are in for a very tough ride. Please then only do 37 degrees first to save you from some of the misery.

    This is because, just like the forehand, H3 Neo on the backhand requires you to use your body a lot and the game has become so fast that in most shots you won't have the time for it. Besides, many players prefer a "punch and block" style on the backhand, or a quick wrist flick, or a controlled loop. H3 Neo is not for that; it is for active high risk high reward looping.

    I used the softer version (37°) on my backhand for some years. It was decent and I learnt a lot with it, but eventually, I switched to the DHS Hurricane 8-80. The 8-80 has more catapult, is softer, and more forgiving. I was getting really tired in the rallies, didn't get as much spin as I wanted and my technique was not compact enough for the speed of the current game. After I changed, I now have a much better BH with better spin/speed and I still get to keep my tacky feeling after all. I have used tensors before but I serve/receive/counterloop often with my BH and there is too much catapult and too few tack for my taste. I'm definitely not the majority here, most people prefer a tensor rubber on their backhand and I can agree to that, so nothing wrong with that! If you like tensors, stick to that, it's often the right approach.

    So to summarise, don't use the H3N on your backhand unless you are prepared to commit to the tradeoffs that it brings. And just a last thought on this, even the great Wang Chuqin used hurricane 8 before as a way to get more BH power. Now he is back to the H3N but I'm sure he is boosting that with at least 4 layers and changing rubbers very very often, plus hey, he is the number 1 in the world, so I guess he can do whatever he wants ;)

    Hurricane 8-80

    DHS

    Hurricane 8-80

    View ratings in the Rubber Database
    Hurricane Neo 3 (37°)

    DHS

    Hurricane Neo 3 (37°)

    ~$54 USDSpeed: 7.7Control: 10.03 reviews
    RevspinView on Revspin.net

    Side note: I'm sure by now, you are itching to know more about boosting, but let's first discuss other important topics before we talk about that. You can always scroll all the way down if you really can't wait, but promise me you will read the rest of the text as well!

    Okay Victor you convinced me to try it. What version do I buy: Commercial, Provincial or National?

    This is where many players start getting confused and wasting money. Let me simplify the differences so you don't fall into the same trap!

    Commercial Version: It's a gamble

    Nowadays, the quality control on the commercial version is really poor, it was not like this before but for a couple years now, you are essentially gambling on tackiness and sponge hardness every time you buy a commercial H3N. Very often (check this community or Table Tennis Daily forums if you don't believe me), they have zero tackiness right out of the package, so then I wonder what's the point? Sponge hardness and thickness also vary wildly between sheets, so each time you have to get used to something else. Don't get me wrong, it still is a good rubber for beginners and people trying it for the first time, but for real usage and getting the rewards I mentioned in the beginning of this blog, the provincial version is a must.

    As an alternative if you are on a budget, buy alternatives from 729, Sanwei, Loki or Yinhe. They offer much more tackiness for the same price and you often don't need to boost.

    Provincial Version: Buy this

    This is what I recommend for all amateurs. It has a very good price on Ali Express (use Beo Store for quality), ProTT, DHS-729 and TableTennis11, the sponge is consistent, and the topsheet is super tacky. This is what my contact in China uses (he plays provincially, 41 degrees blue sponge), and it is enough for all of us.

    It is essentially the perfect balance between money and value and most people on the Table Tennis Daily forum agree to this.

    National/Pro Version: Not worth it

    The National version is essentially the same but with slightly more speed, spin and better QA. However, unless you are a very high-level player, you will not notice a significant difference. I certainly haven't, so to me, it is not worth the extra 50-100 euros. Also, there are way too many fakes out there in the market, so only buy it from the official sources like Table Tennis 11, ProTT, DHS-729 or the best shops in Ali Express (i.e Beo Store) for example, and avoid the rest. But honestly, you will not notice the difference, so why spend so much more money on it? Imagine that blue sponge gets a bubble after boosting because you overdid it, that sucks for the extra money you just paid.

    Sure, I'll get the provincial, but which hardness do I go for?

    Well, first of all, DHS measures hardness differently than European brands. So do not get confused by the low numbers, these are very hard sponges that are not comparable to your usual 40-42 degrees tensor :)

    So read on and follow my advice to avoid buying a brick that you will hate the moment you play with it:

    39°: Where every H3N beginner must start

    If you are buying your first sheet of H3 Neo, buy 39°. Please follow my advice here, do not start with anything harder than 39, especially if you are not planning on boosting. This is a mistake I see so often.

    Why? Because it is the standard hardness for a reason. It offers everything you need and it's not too hard to activate it. Sure, it's not the most powerful, but for all of us amateurs, this is often enough.

    Many amateurs think "harder is better, it has more power" and buy 40° or 41° immediately. They end up with a rubber they cannot penetrate, and their shots lack quality and spin because the sponge acts like a wall. Trust me here, I have tried them all, I play at the second highest regional level and practice often with our national players. 39 is enough, especially blue, for 90% of us all, 40 is already a lot and only do this if you have used 39 a lot. Avoid 41 or harder.

    40°: The Power Upgrade for advanced users

    As mentioned above, only upgrade to 40° if:

  9. You have used 39° for a good amount of time.
  10. You feel the rubber "bottoming out" (hitting the wood) too easily on full-power loops, but this is not easy to achieve. This means that you have a very strong "hit-brush" technique (driving through the ball while brushing) and hear a loud metallic crack every time you contact the ball.
  11. You have excellent footwork and condition, and are willing to sacrifice control and balance for raw power.

    12. Sure, if you have all that, then the 40° gives you a heavier ball that kicks harder off the table. But remember, it is less forgiving. The moment you are lazy with your feet and late to the ball or if you are tired and do not engage the body correctly, you will miss more often than with 39°.

    41° or harder: Use at your own risk, recommended for (semi) pros only

    In my opinion, this is for national players or higher. Unless you train almost every day and have legs like tree trunks and technique like a beast, stay away. Unboosted, this feels like playing with a floor tile. Even with proper boosting (3-4 layers), it requires elite arm speed to activate.

    My contact in China plays with 41 degrees, but he is a high level provincial player, I think this says enough.

    The great debate: Blue vs. Orange Sponge

    This is the most asked topic aside from boosting and where people have the biggest disagreements because at the end of the day it's somewhat subjective, even though DHS has tried to clarify the properties of both sponges objectively. I have tested both exhaustively so let me tell you 'my truth' on the topic:

    Orange Sponge

  12. Feeling: It is bouncier, softer, and easier to use than the blue sponge. It has a higher throw angle than the blue one, so it is easier to lift heavy backspin because it needs less wrist action and body power, you will feel this clearly on heavy chops.
  13. Boosting: This is in my opinion the only rubber that can be used unboosted in the 37, 38 or 39 degrees. But I would always boost it anyways, if you are a beginner go for 1 layer and if you need more, add another. Be careful. With more than 2 layers of booster, the orange sponge can actually become too bouncy.

    14. Recommendation: If you are just getting started with Hurricane 3 Neo, buy the orange sponge. Do not buy the blue one yet, get used to the orange feeling first. (I made the mistake of starting with Blue — don't be me and save money, time and frustration).

    Blue Sponge

  14. Feeling: It is harder and more compact, harder to use effectively than the orange one but has more speed and spin. I also feel (this is very personal and others don't agree) that it has more dwell and control than the orange one, it's somehow more stable, and I can hold the ball longer, it's hard to explain without feeling it, but that's my feeling anyways. The throw angle is clearly lower than the orange sponge, but personally, I prefer the boosted blue sponge.
  15. Boosting: Even at 39 degrees, the sponge is very hard so it needs boosting, this truly is a rubber that won't work properly without that, just be aware of that. Without it, the throw is pretty low so it is difficult to land half-long balls or lift heavy backspin. The ball also doesn't sink in easily, so you need to go all-in with your shots, which is not always good or needed. With boosting, it feels just right, dwell and throw are really nice and the loud metallic crack it makes when hit-brushed properly is addictive. It does take some time to get used to, so expect balls going into the net or long pretty often until you get the hang of it.

    16. Recommendation: If you are used to the H3N or have used many chinese rubbers before, go for the blue sponge and boost it with 1-2 layers according to your own taste (my chinese contact does 3-4 layers on his 41°, but that's because at his level he needs it). If you are new, stick to the orange in 39 degrees and progressively get used to it before changing to the blue version.

    And finally, the topic of boosting!

    This is perhaps one of the most controversial topics in modern table tennis, but if you want to understand the true potential of the H3N, we have to talk about it.

    Is it Legal?

    Technically? No. According to ITTF rule 2.4.7, any physical, chemical, or other treatment of the rubber after it leaves the factory is strictly prohibited. This includes boosters, tuners, and speed glues.

    The Reality: In competitions, the ITTF uses "VOC-tests" to check for illegal solvents. However, modern oil-based boosters (like Haifu Seamoon) are VOC-free. They are undetectable unless you use so much that the sponge thickness surpasses the 4.0mm limit. It is an open secret that almost all top Chinese players boost. You can often tell because their rubbers look stretched, with the pimples "shining through" the topsheet. If this is the case, and it always is with Chinese pros, the rubber is heavily boosted.

    What Does Boosting Actually Do?

    Boosting chemically expands the sponge and increases its elasticity. It also stretches the topsheet, creating a "tensor-like" effect. After you boost, you will feel a noticeable increase in speed and spin and the sponge will feel softer, so spin generation becomes significantly easier because the ball sinks more into the sponge.

    Should You Boost Neo?

    Yes. DHS rubbers are fundamentally designed to be boosted. Unlike ESN rubbers that come tuned from the factory, DHS leaves the sponge unfinished so you can fine-tune it to your own taste. While the H3N comes "factory tuned," this is a very light effect that goes away after a couple training sessions, so to play at peak performance, H3 Neo requires boosting.

    So what should you do?

  16. First time user: I strongly recommend playing with it unboosted first to understand the rubber. It will be fine for now, don't worry.
  17. After that: Once the factory tuning dies, if you feel like the rubber plays significantly different, take it out, remove the glue and give it 1 layer of booster, wait 24-48h and paste it again.
  18. If it's not your first time with the rubber: Always boost it, 1 or 2 layers according to your own taste / preference. Make sure to do the process correctly and be patient! Reboost when needed, usually after 2-3 months. After that, use it for another 2-3 months and then change to a new sheet.
  19. If you don't want to boost: If the hassle of boosting isn't for you, do not buy this rubber. Instead, look at modern tacky alternatives like 729 Battle II Provincial Blue or Sanwei Target National, which perform much better right out of the package without extra work.
    20. Battle II Provincial (Blue)

    Friendship/729

    Battle II Provincial (Blue)

    ~$34 USDSpeed: 8.9Control: 9.146 reviews
    RevspinView on Revspin.net
    Target National (New)

    Sanwei

    Target National (New)

    ~$40 USDSpeed: 9.0Control: 8.911 reviews
    RevspinView on Revspin.net

    How I boost: My personal preference

    What booster?

    I have always used Haifu Seamoon. I have never used anything else because it is the standard choice for all Chinese pros, but many users go for the Falco long term and are very happy with it. To know more about the different boosters, check this article out or this video if you like a more visual approach.

    How many layers?

  20. 39 degrees: Apply 1 or 2 layers, this is where everyone should begin.
  21. Harder degrees and/or max power: You can go to 3-4 layers. This provides much more speed and spin but sacrifices control and reduces the sponge durability. Sometimes it also causes bubbles as the topsheet separates from the sponge, this is a well known issue in the blue sponges, so be careful and be patient.

    22. How to apply the booster?

  22. Preparation: Remove both the top (transparent) and bottom (white) plastic protector. Apply the booster directly to the clean sponge. There is no need to put any layer of glue before the booster. Glue 'blocks' the booster absorption and the booster will dissolve the glue, making your booster brush dirty.
  23. First layer: Brush on a uniform layer, from bottom to the top, and do not put too much, thin layers spread correctly are better than one thick layer. In my experience, boosting with patience and love is always better, just like with most things in life ;)
  24. Resting: Let it dry and rest for 12 to 24 hours until the initial dome reduces and the sponge flattens out. This very much depends on the temperature and humidity of your space. As a rule of thumb, our house is usually at 50-60% humidity, and it takes between 4-8h depending on the season and the sponge color/hardness to curve and flatten again a bit after the first layer.
  25. Additional layers: I usually apply another layer after 24h, as I said, I take my time. I apply the second layer with the same instructions as before and let it rest again. One little detail is that I put the rubber on a small plastic ball that I have made from the transparent protector. This helps the rubber curve more naturally and avoids unnecessary strings. I discovered this after seeing a video of Zhang Jike and realising this is much better! He uses a bottle, that's also fine. I also put a protective surface under the topsheet, usually a pokemon TGC mat. I know, what a waste, but it works nicely!
  26. Gluing: Once the booster is absorbed and the rubber is relatively flat (it doesn't have to be entirely flat though, that takes a week or so), apply 2 layers of water-based glue (like DHS No.15 or Revolution 3, I prefer the DHS one here, it's trickier but works better) to the sponge and then glue it to your blade with 1 layer of glue on it.

    27. (For a visual guide, search for "How to boost Hurricane 3" on YouTube — there are many great tutorials).

    Final thoughts

    This is all I have for you on the H3N! I hope you enjoyed reading the guide as much as I enjoyed writing it, and I hope that it will help you decide whether to use the H3N or not. If you end up using it, all I have to say is 'welcome to the club, and enjoy the magic'! Thanks for reading and be sure to check out my other equipment articles. Do let me know if you have any equipment related questions, I'm always happy to get in touch :)

    Last note, I want to finish this by mentioning other great written reviews on the H3N. This guide is my own opinion on the topic and it is always healthy to check other people's opinions and experiences plus giving some kudos back to the community, so here are some links that I also enjoyed reading in the past:

  27. OOAK Forum Mega Thread
  28. Table Tennis 11 Review
  29. Racket Insight
  30. Doppelmoral's Blog

    31. See you at the table!

    #DHS#Hurricane 3 Neo#chinese rubber#boosting#forehand#rubber guide#tacky rubber#equipment

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