We were inspired to grab this set after my wife got us a “ping-pongly” set for Xmas.To their credit, ping-pongly, with their adept social media marketing, planted the seed for this idea and enticed her to buy it. The problem was the quality of that set. It was made with that cheap, nasty Chinese “chemical smell“ rubber.If you've ever been in a Harbor Freight tool store, you know the smell, and you may also know that it never dissipates. We left the components, especially the net, with its rubber pad base, out in the sun for days, to no real improvement.The paddles from Ping Pongly were in a way, nicer, with their thick padded surfaces, but overall not good since they give off a literally eye-watering chemical stink, different, and worse, than their net assembly.So I set out to find something from a known, “American“ company, since even though they manufacture overseas, you know they aren't using the really down-and-dirty factory and the horrible rubber compound with the chemical offgassing.Mission accomplished!! We are very happy with the new Champion set (and at half the price, no less!). If there's any smell it's the same smell you would expect opening up any brand-new sporting goods in the last 30 years. It is minimal. And the quality is excellent, especially the net, but the paddles are great too, if a bit louder with their harder, classic play surface.Tons of family fun, and NO stink!!!
Rating: [5 of 5 Stars!]