Quick answer: Butterfly’s Fan Zhendong series has 5 blades, ranked from most flexible/control-oriented to most powerful: Fan Zhendong ALC (best all-round balance), Fan Zhendong Super ALC (higher bounce, same flex), Fan Zhendong ZLC (power + stability), Fan Zhendong Super ZLC (maximum power, tournament-level), and Fan Zhendong CNF (fastest reaction with a long-dwell feel, Butterfly’s newest tech). If you’re an intermediate attacking player, start with the ALC. If you’re an advanced/competitive player who loops hard and needs more first-ball power, go Super ALC or ZLC. Only go Super ZLC or CNF if you’re an advanced/professional-level player who can control that much speed.
Below, we break down each blade in detail, compare them side-by-side, and help you pick the right one for your level.
What Is the Fan Zhendong Blade Series?
The Fan Zhendong series is a line of Butterfly table tennis blades built around the Viscaria plywood structure — the same core construction used by many of the world’s top players — but each version uses a different carbon fiber composite layer, which changes how much power, control, and bounce the blade gives you. Named after world #1 Fan Zhendong, this series covers the full range from balanced all-round play to maximum-power offensive blades.
All 5 blades share the same wood core. The difference between them comes entirely from the composite fiber layer, which is what changes the feel, bounce, and reaction speed.
Fan Zhendong ALC — Best All-Round Balance
Fan Zhendong ALC is equipped with Arylate-Carbon (ALC), this is the most balanced blade in the series. It uses the same proven Viscaria plywood structure trusted by many top international players. The flexibility, ease of use, and bounce give an excellent balance between offensive and defensive play — meaning it doesn’t punish small technical mistakes the way a stiffer, more powerful blade would.
Best for: Intermediate to advanced players who want a genuine all-round blade — strong enough to attack, forgiving enough to rally and block comfortably.
Approx. price: PKR 42,000 (price at time of writing — check the product page for current pricing)
Fan Zhendong Super ALC — Suppleness with Higher Bounce
Fan Zhendong Super ALC uses Super Arylate-Carbon, an upgraded version of the ALC fiber that achieves a higher bounce while keeping the same flexibility as standard ALC. Compared to the Fan Zhendong ALC, the reaction speed is increased without adding extra vibration — so you get more pop on your shots without the blade feeling harsher in hand.
Best for: Players who already like the ALC feel but want more first-ball speed for looping and counter-attacking, without moving to a stiffer carbon layer.
Approx. price: PKR 54,000 (price at time of writing — check the product page for current pricing)
Fan Zhendong ZLC — Power and Stability
Fan Zhendong ZLC uses ZL-Carbon, an artificial fiber engineered for an excellent balance of bounce and flexibility. This blade combines real power with stability — it won’t get overpowered when an opponent hits back hard, making it a strong choice for players who both attack and need to hold their ground in fast exchanges.
Best for: Advanced players who play close to the table and need a blade that can match pace with aggressive opponents.
Approx. price: PKR 62,000 (price at time of writing — check the product page for current pricing)
Fan Zhendong Super ZLC — Maximum Power and Stability
Fan Zhendong Super ZLC is the highest-performance carbon option in the series before CNF. It’s equipped with Super ZL-Carbon, a high-density weave of carbon and ZL-fiber. The Super ZLC delivers a noticeably stronger bounce for powerful shots, with stability coming from an expanded high-reaction area across the blade.
Best for: Advanced to professional-level players with a fast, aggressive playing style who can control high-speed shots without losing placement.
Approx. price: PKR 82,000 (price at time of writing — check the product page for current pricing)
Fan Zhendong CNF — High Reaction, Long Dwell Feel
The newest technology in the series, CNF uses Cellulose Nanofiber — a nano-technology artificial fiber that gives the blade high speed with a lower vibration property. What makes CNF unique is that despite enabling very powerful shots, it still offers the feeling of a longer dwell time (the ball staying on the rubber slightly longer), which helps with touch and placement even at high power levels.
Best for: Advanced/professional players who want elite-level power but don’t want to sacrifice feel and placement — typically the most expensive and most demanding blade in the lineup to use well.
Approx. price: Contact us or check the product page for current pricing, as this is Butterfly’s newest release in the series.
Fan Zhendong Series Comparison Table
| Blade | Fiber Technology | Feel | Best For | Approx. Price (PKR) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ALC | Arylate-Carbon | Balanced, flexible | Intermediate all-round players | 42,000 |
| Super ALC | Super Arylate-Carbon | Higher bounce, same flex | Attacking intermediate/advanced players | 54,000 |
| ZLC | ZL-Carbon | Powerful + stable | Advanced players, close-to-table attack | 62,000 |
| Super ZLC | Super ZL-Carbon | Maximum power, wide reaction area | Advanced/pro tournament players | 82,000 |
| CNF | Cellulose Nanofiber | High reaction, long dwell feel | Advanced/pro players wanting power + touch | 60,000 |
How to Choose the Right Fan Zhendong Blade for You
- New to attacking play or upgrading from a starter blade? Go with the ALC — it’s forgiving and versatile.
- Already comfortable attacking but want more pop on your loops? Move to the Super ALC.
- Play close to the table and face hard-hitting opponents regularly? The ZLC gives you the stability to hold your ground.
- Competitive tournament player who wants maximum power and can control it? The Super ZLC is built for that level.
- Want elite power without losing touch and placement? The CNF is Butterfly’s most advanced option in this series.
If you’re unsure which one matches your playing style, use our Racket Configurator or message us directly on WhatsApp — as a player ourselves, we’re happy to help you pick the right blade rather than the most expensive one.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between Fan Zhendong ALC and Super ALC? Super ALC uses an upgraded Arylate-Carbon fiber that increases bounce and reaction speed compared to standard ALC, without adding extra vibration — giving you more power while keeping the same flexible, comfortable feel.
Is the Fan Zhendong ZLC blade good for beginners? Not recommended for beginners. The ZLC is built for power and stability at higher shot speeds, which generally suits intermediate-to-advanced players who already have a consistent stroke and can control the extra pace.
Which Fan Zhendong blade is closest to what Fan Zhendong himself uses? Fan Zhendong has used variations across this series depending on the tournament and era; all five blades share his name and design input, with ALC through CNF representing different power/control trade-offs from the same core plywood structure.
Are all Fan Zhendong blades genuine/original at Xennom Sports? Yes — every blade we sell, including the full Fan Zhendong series, is 100% genuine and sourced through authorized channels.
Still not sure which blade fits your game? Contact us or try our Racket Configurator — we’ll help you match the right blade and rubber combination to your playing style and budget.