Table of Contents
The best Padel Tennis Racket per category
Here are all rackets from our padel racket test 2024 listed. Clicking on the racket will take you directly to the detailed test.
Here are my top recommendations 👇
#1 for Power
HEAD Extreme Pro
91
99
94
84
94
77
74
💎
- lots of power
- low manouvrebility
#1 for Control
Bullpadel Vertex 03 CTR
91
83
84
99
94
93
91
🔵
- lots of control
- none
#1 Hybrid
HEAD Radical Pro
90
90
87
93
83
93
93
- great allrounder
- Auxetic-Technologie feels very nice at impact
- none
#1 for Beginners
Wilson Pro Staff LT
86
83
85
80
80
97
98
🔵
- very cheap price
- very light
- none for beginners
#1 Budget
Siux Infernal Combat
87
87
83
82
80
90
88
💎
- very good price
- great quality
- none
Independent & Unbiased
All products featured on FourtyLove are tested independently by me. I do not favour any brands nor do I receive any money from brands influencing my results. I might earn a small commission if you buy products through my affiliate links.
Rackets Tested
Hits per Racket
Hours Tested
Readers
Where are the differences in padel tennis rackets?
The right paddle racket often decides between victory or defeat, smash in or smash out, good or bad bandeja.
But since paddle has grown enormously in recent years, numerous racket manufacturers have naturally entered the market, flooding it with paddle rackets from all sides.
On this page, we will look at how to find the right paddle racket and where the differences between the rackets lie.
In the end, you can weigh the pros and cons of the rackets and decide for yourself which paddle racket you would like to test.
Weight
The weight of the racket influences every movement with the racket, as well as how much energy the ball bounces off the hitting surface. A heavier racket generally brings more power but less control, while a lighter racket makes it easier to place the balls precisely but brings less punch.
However, the weight of a paddle racket is not only important because of power and control, but additionally the most relevant factor for new players, as too much weight can lead to injuries and too little weight can take away the fun of the sport.
Balance
The balance point of a paddle racket is measured from the grip. If this is less than 26mm, the racket is referred to as grip-heavy. Balanced paddle rackets have a balance point around 26-28mm, and head-heavy rackets have their balance point above 28mm.
The lower the balance point, the faster the paddle racket can be maneuvered, but it loses the physical “lever” for additional power. Rackets with a higher balance point feel significantly heavier, are slower to maneuver, but generate significantly more power because more mass is placed at the upper end of the racket.
Head Shape
The head shape of a paddle racket is one of the major criteria for categorizing them. A round or circular head has a larger sweet spot, which lies in the center of the hitting surface. Due to the larger sweet spot, it is easier to hit the ball optimally with a circular paddle racket. Additionally, there is less loss of control and speed when hitting outside the sweet spot.
The diamond-shaped head raises the sweet spot and reduces its size. Although it is significantly harder to hit the ball perfectly, the power transfer is greater due to the higher sweet spot. Therefore, diamond-shaped paddle rackets are usually intended for aggressive players.
A teardrop-shaped hitting surface (also called “hybrid”) looks like a tear and represents exactly the middle of a round and diamond-shaped racket in all characteristics. It offers slightly more power than the round head, but not as much as the diamond-shaped racket, and of course, more control than the diamond racket but less than the circular one.
Hardness
The hardness of a paddle racket is determined by the core inside the racket. The inner core can be softer and therefore more elastic or harder and therefore less elastic. This core is either made of the very soft material “Polyethylene” or the commonly used harder “EVA” (Ethylene Vinyl Acetate) material.
Softer Padel Racket
A softer paddle racket helps generate speed in defensive situations. The sweet spot of paddle rackets with a soft core is larger. Additionally, they are ideal for beginners as they absorb a large portion of the vibrations onto the arm, thus preventing injuries.
- more power in defensive shots
- prevents injuries
- larger sweet spot
Harder Padel Racket
With a harder core in your paddle racket, you get some advantages that are important for advanced players. The trampoline effect is significantly reduced (which is not a disadvantage for advanced players as they can generate the speed themselves), increasing accuracy. With a hard racket, much more speed can be generated in fast shots, such as a smash, as the ball does not penetrate as far into the core and therefore absorbs less power. So, the ball basically just bounces off.
- more power in fast shots
- more precision
Surface
The surface of your Padel racket consists either of multiple layers of carbon fibers or glass fibers. Carbon fibers are harder and last longer. Therefore, you often find these carbon fibers in harder rackets with more power. Glass fibers are usually found in softer Padel rackets, which prioritize a comfortable and arm-friendly feel.
Additionally, the texture of the surface plays an important role. The surface of a Padel racket can be very rough or very smooth. A rougher surface creates more friction and thus more spin, allowing the Viboras (shots) to jump off the glass panel more effectively.
There are technologies to create a rough surface for Padel rackets. Three-dimensional grooves or “Sandblasted”:
- 3D grooves are a few millimeters deep grooves in the surface of the racket. These last a long time but are expensive to manufacture.
- Sandblasted means that there is a kind of “sandpaper” on the Padel racket, which is extremely rough and therefore generates a lot of spin. However, this surface wears out very quickly.
The 3 Padel Racket Types
There are 3 different categories into which every Padel racket can be classified. Of course, there are many more subcategories and additional areas that define a racket, but to save time, here are the 3 most important categories:
Padel Rackets for Power 💎
The characteristics of these rackets include: diamond-shaped head, high balance point, increased overall weight.
Padel Rackets for Control 🔵
The characteristics of these rackets include: a round head shape, low balance point, lower overall weight.
Allround Padel Rackets 💧
The characteristics of these rackets include: a teardrop-shaped head, medium balance point, medium overall weight.
What is Tested?
I test all Padel rackets on the following 6 factors and try to give them a rating: Power, Spin, Control, Hardness, Forgiveness, and Maneuverability. The average is then calculated from these values to determine the overall rating. I do my best to represent these values as unbiased as possible, but I must mention again that testing Padel rackets is very subjective. Each player perceives certain characteristics differently and might distribute 5 points more or less here and there.
Power
Power describes how much energy can be transferred to the ball with the Padel racket. The Power rating is a combination of weight, balance, and racket head shape, combined with the hardness of the racket surface.
Spin
Spin is determined by the racket head speed generated with the Padel racket and the texture of the surface. A rough surface creates more spin.
Control
The control of the Padel racket depends on the size of the sweet spot and the hardness of the hitting surface.
Hardness
Hardness describes the material and its behavior when the ball hits it.
Forgiveness
The Forgiveness value arises from the size of the sweet spot and how much accuracy is lost with “off-center” hits.
Maneuverability
Maneuverability is achieved through the overall weight and balance point of the Padel racket. Grip-heavy rackets are much faster to move than head-heavy ones.
All Padel Rackets Reviewed 2024
Schläger Vergleichstabelle
| Racket | Rating | Power | Spin | Control | Hardness | Forgiveness | Manouvre |
Headshape | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
HEAD Extreme Pro see Review |
91 | 99 | 94 | 86 | 94 | 77 | 74 | 💎 |
 |
Babolat Air Veron see Review |
89 | 84 | 86 | 94 | 88 | 95 | 96 | 💧 |
 |
HEAD Speed Elite See Review |
90 | 88 | 86 | 93 | 86 | 94 | 95 | 💧 |
 |
HEAD Gravity Pro See Review |
88 | 82 | 82 | 97 | 86 | 90 | 95 | 💧 |
 |
Adidas Metalbone HRD+ 2024 See Review |
88 | 97 | 94 | 82 | 96 | 80 | 78 | 💎 |
 |
Nox AT Genius Attack 18K Agustin Tapia See Review |
86 | 99 | 92 | 84 | 97 | 76 | 78 | 💧 |
 |
Bullpadel Vertex 04 See Review |
86 | 94 | 89 | 86 | 91 | 80 | 80 | 💎 |
 |
Babolat Technical Viper Juan Lebrón See Review |
91 | 99 | 95 | 88 | 90 | 73 | 74 | 💎 |
 |
Siux Fenix Pro 4 See Review |
91 | 100 | 92 | 86 | 94 | 77 | 75 | 💎 |
 |
Dunlop Aero-Star Pro See Review |
84 | 92 | 88 | 88 | 90 | 80 | 80 | 💎 |
|
Bullpadel Vertex 03 CTR See Review |
91 | 83 | 84 | 99 | 94 | 93 | 91 | 🔵 |
 |
HEAD Extreme Motion See Review |
90 | 86 | 85 | 95 | 93 | 88 | 90 | 💎 |
 |
StarVie Triton Pro 2.0 See Review |
91 | 89 | 92 | 99 | 85 | 91 | 90 | 💧 |
 |
Babolat Counter Viper See Review |
89 | 86 | 85 | 95 | 93 | 88 | 90 | 💧 |
 |
Adidas Metalbone 3.3 CTRL See Review |
90 | 84 | 82 | 97 | 94 | 94 | 90 | 🔵 |
 |
HEAD Speed Pro X See Review |
86 | 92 | 86 | 100 | 99 | 68 | 70 | 💧 |
 |
Nox Equation Advanced See Review |
85 | 78 | 78 | 86 | 78 | 99 | 99 | 🔵 |
 |
HEAD Zephyr UL See Review |
84 | 80 | 76 | 82 | 80 | 99 | 99 | 🔵 |
 |
Adidas Drive Light 3.3 See Review |
86 | 79 | 83 | 84 | 82 | 98 | 100 | 🔵 |
 |
Babolat Contact See Review |
84 | 78 | 82 | 84 | 80 | 98 | 100 | 🔵 |
 |
HEAD Speed EVO See Review |
82 | 78 | 76 | 83 | 80 | 100 | 98 | 🔵 |
|
Wilson Pro Staff LT See Review |
86 | 83 | 85 | 80 | 80 | 97 | 98 | 🔵 |
 |
Kuikma PR 990 Precision Soft See Review |
83 | 80 | 80 | 79 | 72 | 100 | 100 | 🔵 |
 |
Adidas Drive 3.3 See Review |
86 | 83 | 84 | 85 | 85 | 92 | 92 | 🔵 |
 |
Babolat Storm See Review |
86 | 82 | 80 | 86 | 86 | 96 | 99 | 🔵 |
 |
Dunlop Aero Star Team See Review |
86 | 94 | 88 | 88 | 92 | 79 | 82 | 🔵 |
 |
HEAD Flash Pro See Review |
84 | 84 | 79 | 80 | 82 | 92 | 94 | 🔵 |
 |
Bullpadel Indiga PWR 24 See Review |
86 | 94 | 88 | 88 | 92 | 79 | 82 | 🔵 |
 |
Puma Solar Blink CTR See Review |
84 | 83 | 84 | 96 | 90 | 91 | 94 | 🔵 |
|
Siux Infernal Combat See Review |
84 | 90 | 86 | 86 | 86 | 82 | 84 | 🔵 |
Categories
All Padel rackets in the list are an absolutely excellent choice! They are categorized into the following categories:
However, these categories are not exclusive. This means that even the best padel racket for Power still offers a considerable amount of Control.
Padel Rackets for Advanced or Beginners?
All Padel rackets in my test are for advanced players, except for the categories “Beginner“, “Budget“, and “Kids“.
The Padel rackets in the categories “Power”, “Control”, and “Allround” are for advanced players, which I will further define directly in the next paragraph.
If your level doesn’t quite match “advanced” yet, but you are very ambitious and expect a strong learning curve, you should consider buying one of the advanced Padel rackets.
What does “advanced” mean?
An advanced Padel player masters every shot technically, even if they are not perfect. They can distinguish between a smooth smash and Vibora, know when a Bandeja is the right shot, and position themselves early in the right place when facing a smooth smash against panels 3, 4, or 5. If you can master all of this and execute it at a good pace… congratulations, you are an advanced Padel player!
There are various ranking systems nationwide that try to assign a level of play to each player. Here are the different rankings from which you are considered an advanced Padel player:
- Playtomic: from Level 3.5
- PadelBox: Level 1, 2, and possibly 3
Now let’s get to the important part❗
What is the Best Padel Racket 2024?
For many players, professional Padel training is more worthwhile than buying a new Padel racket. However, for those who are certain that they need a new rocket, here is the test of the best Padel rackets that you can currently buy:
Let’s Go!
The Best Padel Rackets 2024 for Power
The most common shot in Padel that ends the point directly is the smash. And what makes a good smash? Right, power!
… and of course, spin. Both are enhanced by a powerful racket, as rackets in this category have a higher weight. Additionally, they have a high balance point, which means that more mass is moved behind the ball during the smash, transferring more energy to the ball.
The most common racket head shape for these aggressive rackets is the diamond shape. These have an 11% larger racket head area in the upper part, where the ball is frequently hit during the smash.
These Padel rackets are intended for aggressive players who like to take an active role and go all-in on overhead shots. So, if you enjoy hitting very aggressive smashes and Viboras, this is your category of Padel rackets.
What Makes a Padel Racket “Good for Power”?
-
- High Weight
- Hard Racket Surface
- High Balance Point
- Diamond-Shaped Racket Head
HEAD Extreme Pro
HEAD Extreme Pro
The Head Extreme Pro is an outstanding Padel racket and earns the title of the “Cadillac among rackets”. The racket is showered with praise by most testers for its excellent power.
A look at the technical specifications reveals that the Head Extreme Pro was designed for power with its diamond shape, 370 grams, 12K carbon fiber construction, and Power Foam.
The shock-absorbing function on the grip minimizes vibrations, especially when the sweet spot is not hit.
PRO
- Lots of Power
- Lots of Control
- Dampened
- Nice feeling at impact due to Auxetic
CON
- none
Siux Fenix Pro 4
Siux Fenix Pro 4
The brand new Siux Fenix PRO 4 Padel racket not only stands out visually. This thing is an absolute beast (in the truest sense of the word) for all aggressive players out there, especially for the advanced to professional players who want to take their game to a new level of aggressiveness.
Just look at this thing – the diamond shape and balanced weight make it perfect for a powerful game. With a high sweet spot and a unique combination of EVA Hard core and 21k Textreme 45º carbon faces, this racket offers unparalleled power and precision.
But that’s not all – the appearance of the FENIX PRO 4 is just as impressive as its performance. With its glossy + 3D finish, this racket exudes aggressiveness and makes you stand out on the court.
PRO
- Lots of Power
- cool Design
- only for advanced players / “Pros”
CON
- Design maybe too cool 😛
Babolat Technical Viper Juan Lebrón
Babolat Technical Viper Juan Lebrón
An absolute bestseller on the market, branded with “el Lobo”. This racket is often found in the hands of technically skilled players and should only be considered by very good Padel players.
The biggest innovation on the new Technical Viper is the adjustments to the 3D-Spin-Plus, which is very noticeable. The weight and balance remain similar, but the grip has been improved.
It offers a balanced mix of power, control, and spin, but still remains a Padel racket for power.
PRO
- Lots of control combined with crazy power
- nice design
CON
- expensive
Adidas Metalbone HRD+ 2024
Adidas Metalbone HRD+ 2024
The brand new Metalbone HRD+ from Adidas stands out visually for three things: Firstly, its square-shaped frame, which runs like a tube over the frame. Then, the attachment at the top of the racket that significantly increases the weight and balance point, and of course, its six weights at the heart of the racket. These are removable and can be arranged according to preference to adjust the racket’s weight and balance individually.
The Metalbone HRD+ also stands out in 2024 for its power. The diamond shape and high balance point combined with the aluminum hitting surface make the Metalbone HRD+ a Padel racket where the balls almost automatically fly over the fence. The “HRD+” stands for hard and thus denotes the reinforced hitting surface, which is significantly harder and increases ball speed.
In my test, I removed all the weights at the heart of the racket so that the balance point is as high as possible, and I can smash with the most powerful version of the Metalbone HRD+. And what can I say? 100% power! With hardly any other racket, it is so easy to put pressure on the opponent with overhead shots.
PRO
- Changeable weights and balance
- Lots of power
CON
- Weights on the racket throat feel weird for my offhand
Nox AT Genius Attack 18K Agustin Tapia
Nox AT Genius Attack 18K Agustin Tapia
Design and Aesthetics
The Nox AT Genius Attack 18K Agustin Tapia 2024 impresses with a modern design in black, blue, and gray tones. The clean lines give the racket an elegant aesthetic.
Technical Features
1. Surface Coating: 18K Carbon Alu
The 18K Carbon Alu surface offers power and durability. The rough finish enhances grip and enables spin generation.
2. Foam/Racket Core: MLD Black Eva Foam
The Multilayered Black Eva Foam with different densities provides versatile power feedback.
3. Additional Technologies
- Pulse Antivibration System: Minimizes vibrations for added comfort.
- EOS Flap Technology: Perforations in the core promote aerodynamics.
- Dynamic Composition Structure: Minimizes hardness differences for improved durability.
- Intelligent Dragon Strap: Interchangeable wrist strap for personalized comfort.
The Nox AT Genius Attack 18K Agustin Tapia 2024 unleashes its full power in an offensive orientation. With a weight of 360-375 g, diamond shape, and 38 mm width, it is suitable for advanced and expert players looking to elevate their game to a higher level.
Conclusion
The Nox AT Genius Attack 18K Agustin Tapia 2024 impresses with stunning design and powerful technical features. For players looking to maximize aggressive play and power, this racket is definitely worth considering. With innovative technologies, it represents the pinnacle of paddle racket technology in 2024.
PRO
- armfriendly due to Pulse Antivibration System
CON
- none
Bullpadel Vertex 04 2024
Bullpadel VERTEX 04 2024
The Bullpadel Vertex 04 24 promises maximum power and presents itself as a diamond-shaped racket for professional or advanced players. In this review, we take a closer look at the innovative technologies and features of this racket that make it a promising choice for players seeking power.
Frame Concepts
- CURVAKTIV System:
- Twisted structure: Provides resistance against rotational movements.
- Variable section shape: Allows for a smaller cross-section while increasing stiffness.
- Improved tension distribution: Due to wider cross-section longitudinally.
- AIR POWER support: A channel created by a cavity at the bottom of the racket supports improved distribution of vibrations and tensions.
Materials
- Outer Core: Xtend Carbon 12k Carbon: For maximum power and durability.
- Inner Core: MultiEva rubber: New rubber compound for improved performance.
- Frame: 100% Carbon Fiber CarbonTube: For stability and durability.
Customization Options
The Vertex 04 24 offers a CustomWeight plate system, allowing players to adjust the balance of the racket to their individual needs. This flexibility is crucial for players looking to optimize their racket preferences.
Comfort and Protection Technologies
- Vibradrive System: Vibration absorption for improved playing comfort.
- Hesacore Grip:
- Force reduction: Reduces effort.
- Vibration reduction: Minimizes vibrations.
- Injury prevention: Decreases the likelihood of injury.
In-Game Performance
The Bullpadel Vertex 04 24 is designed for players seeking maximum power. The combination of CURVAKTIV, AIR POWER, high-quality materials, and customization options makes it a promising choice for advanced and professional players.
Conclusion
The Vertex 04 24 impresses with innovative technologies and high-quality materials. Players seeking maximum power, comfort, and protection should consider this racket for 2024.
PRO
- Maximum power for offensive players
- CURVAKTIV-System increases stability
- AIR POWER for more comfort
CON
- very hard to play for beginners / even intermediates
Dunlop Aero-Star Pro
Dunlop Aero-Star Pro
The Aero-Star Pro comes with Japanese carbon and a very high balance point. It is Dunlop’s only paddle racket with a diamond-shaped head and at 370 grams, it is the most aggressive Dunlop racket.
Thanks to the Tri-Clamp technology, the racket actually swings a bit faster through the air, as it reduces air resistance, allowing even more balls to fly out of the court.
PRO
- less air resistency Tri-Clamp
CON
- none
Finally Control in Life… on the Padel Court!
The Best Padel Rackets for Control 2024
In padel, control and precision are the most important factors, as unlike tennis, it’s not just about hitting the ball past the opponent with speed, but rather about “outplaying” the opponent. The court is very small and is covered by two players. A single misplaced or too fast ball can force you and your partner into defense. To prevent this and always stay on the offensive and at the net, there are control rackets.
What Gives a Padel Racket Control and Precision?
- Hard Racket Surface
A hard hitting surface allows the ball to simply bounce off rather than deeply embedding into the surface. This embedding, as with softer surfaces, causes the padel ball to rebound less predictably, resulting in more scattered shots. - Low Balance Point
The low balance point shifts the mass of the racket towards the grip. This allows the padel racket to move much faster behind the ball. - Round or Teardrop Shaped Racket Head
A round racket head has the largest sweet spot and minimizes the ball’s dispersion even on off-center hits.
Bullpadel Vertex 03 CTR
Bullpadel Vertex 03 CTR
One of the most used padel rackets by professionals: The Vertex 03 CTR has a very low balance point and a circular racket head, making it a very classic control racket (at least on paper).
The sweet spot is huge, so the racket forgives many imperfect hits. However, that doesn’t mean it’s designed for weak players. The Vertex 03 CTR is definitely more suited for advanced, perhaps even highly advanced players.
The Vibradrive system works very well, minimizing vibrations and thereby saving the arm, allowing many players to enjoy longer padel sessions.
Thanks to its Carbon 12K construction, the Vertex 03 CTR is one of the harder padel rackets and (as we learned above) therefore very precise.
A top racket for those who prioritize precision above all else and have already spent many hours on the padel court.
PRO
- crazy good control
CON
- very hard to play even for a control racket
StarVie Triton Pro 2.0
StarVie Triton Pro 2.0
The new StarVie Triton Pro 2.0 is one of the biggest improvements in the padel racket market in 2024. Hardly any other padel racket is as precise and offers as much control. The Triton Pro 2.0, like all StarVie padel rackets, has performed very well in the spin category. The 2mm deep grooves (called Full Plane Effect) last a long time and generate a lot of spin.
The slightly elongated grip is very comfortable for me as a tennis player, as I often use the second hand during spontaneous rescue actions at the glass, where a long backswing is not possible. Also, the new strap sits very well and doesn’t constrict as much as that of the predecessor.
PRO
- crazy good control
- great price
- lots of spin
- 1cm longer grip for offhand
- great wristband
CON
- none
HEAD Extreme Motion
HEAD Extreme Motion
The little brother of the Extreme Pro comes with 10g less weight and offers almost as much power as the Pro, but delivers significantly more control and maneuverability. Although the diamond shape is somewhat atypical for control rackets, it works very well with the HEAD Extreme Motion. So, if you’re more of an aggressive padel player (on the court, not in private), but want to play not only fast but also precise, the Motion is the better choice than the Pro. The significantly reduced weight also makes it much easier to play with the Motion. At the net, you can react faster, and in defense, the Motion is the best choice from the Extreme family.
PRO
- great control racket for left and right side players
- lots of power
- even more control
CON
- neon-yellow
Adidas Metalbone 3.3 CTRL
Adidas Metalbone 3.3 CTRL
The Metalbone 3.3 in the control variant is felt to be played on every court in every padel hall. And rightly so, Adidas’ “Metalbone” really plays well. Like all Metalbones, the CTRL can also be adjusted through the 6 weights to make it more head-heavy, in case some power is lacking.
PRO
- Good in all categories
- interchangable weights
CON
- Weights feel weird for offhand
Babolat Counter Viper
Babolat Counter Viper
The Babolat Counter Viper is, on paper, the most classic control racket. With its low balance point, round head, and huge sweet spot, it also plays like one. Thanks to its low balance point, the Counter Viper swings incredibly fast in defense (hence the name “Counter”), but its weight of 365g provides enough mass to work in offense as well. The rough surface generates enough spin for nasty Viboras and Bandejas.
PRO
- classic control racket
CON
- none
HEAD Gravity Pro
HEAD Gravity Pro
The HEAD Gravity Pro features Japanese carbon construction and a very high balance point. It is the only paddle from Dunlop with a diamond-shaped head and at 370 grams, it’s Dunlop’s most aggressive option.
The Tri-Clamp technology allows the racket to swing faster through the air by reducing air resistance, resulting in more balls flying out of the court.
PRO
- great price
CON
- weird color combination
HEAD Speed Pro X
HEAD Speed Pro X
The HEAD Speed Pro X, although not explicitly designed as a control paddle by HEAD, offers remarkable precision due to its incredible hardness. While it may not rank in the top 5 of the best control padel rackets due to its lack of maneuverability and high demands, it is exceptionally precise.
With its considerable power, the Speed Pro X is highly enjoyable in offensive play. However, if you find yourself not primarily in an offensive position, it might be advisable to consider switching rackets. Nevertheless, if your main goal is to dominate the court with absolute precision, the Speed Pro X is an excellent choice.
PRO
- Ultimate control (in the rare case that you are good enough for this racket)
CON
- basically no manouvrebility
Power, Control, Spin, Offensive, and Defensive. All included!
The Best All-Round Padel Rackets 2024
All-round or hybrid padel rackets have no weaknesses and are very well represented in every category. While they may not be as outstanding as rackets specifically designed for a particular category, they do not have major deficiencies in areas such as control or maneuverability. Such hybrid padel rackets are ideal for players who have left the beginner level behind but are not yet sure which playing style they prefer. With these rackets, you can play equally well in both offensive and defensive situations.
What makes a good hybrid/all-round padel racket?
- Medium Balance Point
The medium balance point provides the racket with both control and maneuverability, while also offering enough power to be aggressive during smashes. - Tear-shaped Racket Head
The tear-shaped head positions the sweet spot slightly higher, allowing for more speed during net shots, although it still allows for some off-center hits, which might result in errors with a diamond-shaped racket. - Medium Weight
The racket should not be too heavy, but also not too light, to enable swift movement while still providing enough mass to generate significant speed when needed. In defensive play, it’s easier to defend with a lighter racket as it can be moved quickly.
HEAD Radical Pro
HEAD Radical Pro
Not only on paper but also on the court, an absolute classic all-rounder that can do it all. The new Radical Pro is easy to maneuver, has plenty of power & spin, and is definitely precise enough to spin the Vibora on Court 3.
- 3K carbon hitting surface
- Medium weight and medium balance point
- Auxetic technology for a very plush and pleasant hitting sensation
- Soft Butt Cap Technology for vibration damping
PRO
- good in all categories
- Auxetic-Technologie for a very nice feeling at impact
CON
- none
HEAD Speed Elite
HEAD Speed Elite
The Speed Elite is the younger and much easier-to-play sibling of the Speed Pro X. It has everything a good all-rounder / hybrid needs: Sufficient power, enough precision, a comfortable weight that will appeal to most players, and is now also available at a very good price! If I had to recommend a racket blindly, the Speed Elite would most often be a very good choice.
PRO
- very good in all categories
- good price
CON
- none
Babolat Air Veron
Babolat Air Veron 2024
The Babolat Air Veron is great for players who already have some experience, don’t consider themselves beginners anymore, and are looking for a versatile racket. With its shape and balanced weight, it offers just the right balance of power and control. The 3D Spin coating ensures that you can grip the ball better and thus generate more spin. If you’re more of an offensive player, you should take a look at the Technical Veron, while for a calmer game, the Counter Veron might be better suited for you.
PRO
- very good in all categories
CON
- none
Just Started Playing Padel?
The Best Padel Rackets for Beginners 2024
If you’ve just started playing padel, you shouldn’t worry too much about rackets. Playing and training are much more important and will benefit you significantly. When choosing a racket, simply look for the right weight and a large sweet spot. The racket shouldn’t be too expensive either, as there’s a chance you’ll outgrow it in a few months and need a more advanced padel racket.
What Makes a Good Padel Racket for Beginners?
- Lightweight
To prevent injuries, your first padel racket should be relatively light. - Round Head Shape
The round head shape enlarges the sweet spot and makes padel much easier. This increases the enjoyment of the game, and that’s what it’s all about, right? - Affordable PriceYour first racket shouldn’t be too expensive. It’s hard to put a specific number on it since everyone has a different relationship with money, but a top-of-the-line model from the top brands will certainly not be necessary.
Adidas Drive Light 3.3
Adidas Drive Light 3.3
The lighter sibling of the Adidas Drive 3.3, which is much easier to maneuver and provides a bit more assistance in defense. You don’t really notice the lack of power in overhead shots, but the maneuverability is all the better for it. An absolute top padel racket for beginners that you can’t go wrong with.
PRO
- great manouvrebility
- good in defense
CON
- none
Kuikma PR 990 Precision Soft
Kuikma PR 990 Precision Soft
The Kuikma PR 990 Precision Soft is a very soft padel racket designed for beginners who need a lot of support, especially in terms of power, particularly in defense.
PRO
- great choice for beginners
- very soft with lots of power in defense
CON
- none
HEAD Speed EVO
HEAD Speed EVO
Like all Speed padel rackets, the Speed EVO is an absolute all-rounder and excels in every aspect. It offers enough power in defense and maneuverability to be a good racket for padel beginners, while also providing some power for smashes combined with precision.
PRO
- great choice for beginners
- good in all categories
CON
- none
Wilson Pro Staff LT
Wilson Pro Staff LT V2
The Pro Staff LT is the super-light version of the Pro Staff and comes with a very long grip, in case you need the second hand on the racket for the backhand. Its low weight is very helpful in defense, and it is one of the softest and most arm-friendly padel rackets I’ve ever held.
PRO
- great choice for beginners
- very armfriendly
CON
- none
HEAD Flash
HEAD Flash
The HEAD Flash is designed for aggressive beginners who need a lightweight racket. It plays very easily and can be easily upgraded to the HEAD Flash Pro if you no longer consider yourself a beginner.
PRO
- great choice for beginners
- upgrad to Flash Pro when you get “better”
CON
- none
Babolat Contact
Babolat Contact
The Contact is extremely light and agile, making it ideal as a padel racket for beginners. It boasts a huge sweet spot and offers plenty of power in defense. All of this combined with a balance point at the grip makes it another great choice for beginners.
PRO
- great choice for beginners
CON
- none
HEAD Zephyr UL
HEAD Zephyr UL
The UL in “Zephyr UL” stands for “Ultra Light,” and that’s precisely what the Zephyr UL is. Weighing only 340g, very grip-heavy with a huge sweet spot, it makes for an excellent choice for beginners.
PRO
- great choice for beginners
- huge and forgiving sweetspot
CON
- none
New Padel racket that doesn’t break the bank?
The most affordable Padel rackets of 2024
A new Padel racket doesn’t always have to cost over €200. There are many models, even from top brands, that play very well and are much cheaper. I’ve marked these models with “#1 budget-friendly.” Additionally, you can also look for models from previous years. These are often almost as good as the new models but reduced by more than 50%. I’ve marked these rackets with “#1 value for money.”
What makes a good Padel racket for beginners?
- Lightweight – To prevent injuries, your first Padel racket should be rather lightweight.
- Round racket head – The round racket head enlarges the sweet spot and makes Padel much easier. This increases the enjoyment of the game, and isn’t that what it’s all about?
- Affordable price – Your first racket shouldn’t be too expensive. This can’t be expressed in numbers since everyone has a different relationship with money, but a top model from the top brands will certainly not be necessary.
Siux Infernal Combat
Siux Infernal Combat
In my opinion, the Siux Infernal Combat is the most affordable Padel racket with very good quality. It is highly durable, equipped with top technologies from Siux, and plays very well! Often available for under 50€ on Tennis-Point, it’s an absolute steal without compromising on quality.
PRO
- high quality
- great price
- good in all areas
CON
- none
Adidas Drive 3.3
Adidas Drive 3.3
The Adidas Drive 3.3 is designed for ambitious beginners and is an excellent choice as a beginner’s racket.
PRO
- great price
- great choice for ambitious beginners
CON
- none
Babolat Storm
Babolat Storm
The Storm is the ultra-mobile version of a padel racket. It is very lightweight with a low balance point, combined with the teardrop shape, making it unbeatable in defense for its price.
PRO
- great price
- great at defensive shots
CON
- none
Bullpadel Indiga PWR 24
Bullpadel Indiga PWR 24
For players looking to spend less and seeking an offensive and affordable padel racket with plenty of power, the Indiga PWR from Bullpadel is the best choice. It features a diamond shape, a high balance point, and weighs 360 grams, making it ideal for fast smashes and an aggressive playing style.
PRO
- great price
- good for aggressive players
CON
- none
HEAD Gravity Pro
HEAD Gravity Pro
One of HEAD’s best control rackets, available almost all year round at an incredibly good price. The Gravity Pro is very grip-heavy and extremely precise. If I were playing on the right side, this would be my racket of choice!
The Gravity Pro is from 2021 and therefore a “discontinued model,” which significantly lowers the price.
PRO
- best value for the money!
CON
- none
Dunlop Aero Star Team
Dunlop Aero Star Team
The small and lightweight (-5g) sibling of the Aero Star Pro, this racket is an excellent all-rounder with a lot of spin potential. The Team model is also diamond-shaped with a medium balance point and extremely high quality, being part of Dunlop’s top series. It is often available at extremely affordable prices.
PRO
- great price
CON
- none
Puma Solar Blink CTR
Puma Solar Blink CTR
The Solar Blink CTR is a padel racket designed for control, but it brings more power than originally expected. It’s currently available as an absolute steal for under 40€ (RRP 120€)!
PRO
- very precise
- great price
CON
- “Some models may not be as durable in terms of quality (Puma’s quality control??)”
Was du über deinen persönlich besten Padelschläger für 2024 wissen solltest:
- Headshape
The head shape of a Padel racket is one of the most important criteria for categorizing it into a specific category. A round or circular racket head has a larger sweet spot located in the center of the hitting surface. Due to the larger sweet spot, it is easier to hit the ball optimally. Additionally, there is less loss of control and speed when hitting outside the sweet spot.
A diamond-shaped racket head shifts the sweet spot upward and reduces its size. Although it is significantly more difficult to hit the ball perfectly, the power transfer is greater due to the higher sweet spot. Therefore, diamond-shaped Padel rackets are typically intended for aggressive players.
A teardrop-shaped hitting surface (also called “Hybrid”) looks like a tear and represents exactly the middle ground between a round and a diamond-shaped racket head in terms of all properties. It offers slightly more power than the round racket head, but not as much as the diamond-shaped racket, and of course, more control than the diamond racket but less than the circular one. - Hardness
The hardness of a Padel racket is determined by the core inside the racket. The inner core can be softer and therefore more elastic or harder and therefore less elastic. This core is made of either the very soft material “Polyethylene” or the commonly used harder “EVA” (Ethylene Vinyl Acetate) material.
Softer Padel racket:
A softer Padel racket helps to generate speed in defensive situations. The sweet spot of Padel rackets with a soft core is larger. Additionally, they are ideal for beginners as they absorb a large portion of the vibrations on the arm, thus preventing injuries.
Harder Padel racket:
With a harder core in your Padel racket, you gain some advantages that are important for advanced players. The trampoline effect is significantly reduced (which is not a disadvantage for advanced players, as they can generate the speed themselves), increasing accuracy. With a hard racket, much more speed can be generated in fast shots, such as a smash, as the ball does not penetrate as far into the core and therefore absorbs less power. The ball simply bounces off, essentially. - Weight
The weight of the racket affects every movement with the racket, as well as how much energy the ball bounces off the racket surface. A heavier racket generally provides more power but less control, while a lighter racket makes it easier to place the balls precisely but delivers less oomph.
However, the weight of a Padel racket is not only important because of power and control, but also the most relevant factor for new players, as too much weight can lead to injuries and too little weight can take away the fun of the sport. - Balance
The balance point of a Padel racket is measured from the grip. If it is less than 26mm, the racket is considered grip-heavy. Balanced Padel rackets have a balance point around 26-28mm, and head-heavy rackets have their balance point above 28mm.
The lower the balance point, the faster the Padel racket can be maneuvered, but it loses the physical “lever” for additional power. Rackets with a higher balance point feel significantly heavier, maneuver more slowly, but generate much more power because more mass is placed at the upper end of the racket. - Surface
The surface of your Padel racket is made of either multiple layers of carbon fibers or glass fibers. Carbon fibers are harder and more durable, which is why you often find them in harder rackets with more power. Glass fibers are typically used in softer Padel rackets that prioritize a comfortable and arm-friendly feel.
Additionally, the texture of the surface plays an important role. The surface of a Padel racket can be very rough or very smooth. A rough surface creates more friction and therefore more spin, allowing for those tricky Viboras to jump off the glass nicely.
There are technologies to create a rough surface for Padel rackets. Three-dimensional grooves or “Sandblasted”:
3D grooves are grooves a few millimeters deep on the surface of the racket. These grooves last a long time but are expensive to manufacture.
Sandblasted means that there is a kind of “sandpaper” on the Padel racket, which is extremely rough and generates a lot of spin. However, this surface wears out very quickly.
For most advanced players, the HEAD Speed Elite is an excellent choice. Regardless of playing style, the Speed Elite will work well for most players as it is the best all-rounder that’s not too heavy.
The HEAD Extreme Pro is a great choice for tournament players who play aggressively and have no issue with the high weight and high balance point.
The HEAD Gravity Motion is a very good Padel racket for beginners as it offers a lot of control and is very easy to play with. It is of high quality and has enough weight to last long even for beginners who are very ambitious.
For children up to 10 years old, I recommend the HEAD Monster Kids Padel racket. It weighs only 300g, and most importantly, it looks cool! For children older than 10 years, I recommend the HEAD Speed Junior. It weighs 330g and plays very similarly to the adult models.
Babolat Technical Viper Juan Lebrón. The extremely rough surface provides an incredible amount of spin.
The most affordable padel racket with the best value for money is the Siux Infernal Combat. It is often available at a bargain, priced at less than €50, despite incorporating Siux’s most advanced technologies and being a very high-quality padel racket.
Take your time when searching for your new padel racket! Each padel racket is different and comes with advantages and disadvantages for different types of players.
If you play a lot of padel and enjoy spending time on the court, it is essential that you take enough time to choose your racket. A racket from top brands like HEAD, Siux, or Bullpadel will always be worth it! The high-quality materials allow you to use the racket for a long time, even with frequent play.
The technical differences of the various rackets allow you to say some things about the racket even before you have picked it up. Try out a few rackets whose characteristics match the padel you want to play.
And now? Play, play, play. Occasionally get some sleep, but then play again! There is no better method to find your personal best padel racket. This was true in 2024, was the case in 1999, and will still be the case in 2025!
“The HEAD Gravity Pro offers the best value for money. It’s from the year 2021, making it a discontinued model, which means it’s extremely affordable despite having the latest technologies and the best quality from HEAD.”
Of course, feel free to ask me any questions about my list of the best padel rackets of 2024 in the comments. I’m here to help you!
![Nox AT Genius Attack 18K Agustin Tapia [REVIEW]](https://fourtylove.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Nox-AT-Genius-Attack-18K-Agustin-Tapia-feature-900x386.jpg)
Comments