9 Best Tennis Rackets for Beginners 2024

Does it matter which tennis racket you choose?

Yes, it does but not as much as some people say. After all you are a beginner and the easiest way to improve is to work on your game and no by buying a new racket. Nonetheless if you are looking for a tennis racket as a beginner, there are a few rules that increase the chances of fitting a good racket for you:

The most important rule when buying

The most important rule for buying a new tennis racket for beginners is the following: It’s better to outgrow a tennis racket than to grow into it. Start with a tennis racket that feels easy and effortless to play.

As your skills develop, you can look for a new racket.

Don’t believe the marketing!

Tennis newbies usually believe that the choice of their racket will determine their success on the court, but this is not the case. While it’s true that there are both good and bad options for beginners, it’s important to understand that the player’s skills have much more influence than the material.

The reality is that buying the tennis racket that a player like Rafael Nadal uses will not improve your tennis. For many beginners, it might even make them worse and in some cases causes harm to their body.

However, blindly ignoring the choice of racket is also a mistake. The most important features of the tennis racket can help make the first stages of tennis easier and more fun. And fun is something you should not undervalue as a beginner as it keeps you in the sport.

Questions you need to ask yourself

Is your budget more than $70 for your tennis racket?

If you’re on a tight budget, don’t worry! Getting into tennis doesn’t necessarily have to tear a hole in your pocket. I’ve packed a very affordable tennis racket into the list. You can always upgrade later as you progress.

However, if you want to invest a little more, you’ll find some tennis rackets in my list of the best tennis rackets for beginners in 2024 that cost more but also offer significantly more perfomance and technologies.

Want to improve your game?

If you’re a casual player who only wants to hit the court a few times a year with friends, you don’t necessarily need to invest in a top-of-the-line tennis racket. An affordable option will serve you well.

However, if you’re serious about taking lessons and committing to the game long-term, you’ll soon appreciate the benefits of a mid-range tennis racket as you develop as a player. A quality racquet can complement your playing style and improve your skills, but remember that developing fundamental technique comes first. No tennis racket can do that for you!

Know your playing style?

At first, it is not so easy for beginners to clearly define their own game. An advanced tournament player can classify his own and his opponents’ game and make a clear decision for or against specific types of tennis rackets based on this knowledge.

As a beginner, of course, this is not so easy, since your own game has not yet developed in a clear direction. You know how you play? A lot of topspin? Little topspin? Fast? Slow? Great! If not, you should choose a tennis racket from the “Allround” category.

3 types of tennis rackets

Very roughly speaking, there are 3 different categories that you can put any tennis racket into. There are of course many more subcategories and additional features that make up a racket, but to save some time here are the 3 most important main categories:

Features of a tennis racket for beginners

They are divided into the categories of spin, control, power, all-round and arm-friendly.
Of course, a tennis racket for beginners does not have “For beginners!” printed on it. So how can tennis rackets for players who don’t just started be defined? Quite simply by the technical details, which you can usually find printed on the frame or, of course, on the Internet.

You should definitely check out my article “What is a tennis racket made of” to understand the influence the different parts have on the racket and your game.

Weight

Weight is very crucial in choosing your tennis racket, as it has the biggest impact on your swing. As a beginner, you should make sure to choose a tennis racket that is easy to maneuver and that you can hold comfortably for long periods of time, so it definitely shouldn’t be too heavy.

An ideal tennis racket for beginners should not be heavier than 10oz. Depending on whether you’re looking for a new racket for a full-grown man or a 14-year-old girl, the weight varies by an ounce.

Grip Size

When you buy an adult tennis racket, you have the option to choose a grip size based on the circumference of the handle. Choosing the right grip size is important to prevent injury and ensure comfort.

To find the right grip size, measure your hand with a ruler from the tip of your ring finger to the bottom crease that starts between your index finger and thumb. Using this measurement and the chart below, find your grip size.

To find the best fit, you should go to a store that sells tennis rackets and try different grip sizes to find the one that is most comfortable for you.
Small tip: if you are not sure whether to choose grip size 3 (4 3/8) or grip size 4, go for the small grip size. You can easily increase the grip strength with one more grip tape.

Tennis Racket head size

This measurement in square inches or centimeters refers to the size of the area where the strings are located.

A larger racket head size offers two advantages:

1. First, it’s easier to hit the ball or you have more room for error in your swing because the stringbed is larger. On the other hand, a smaller head size can lead to more misses or balls that hit the frame.
2. Second, a larger head size usually provides more power, which is helpful for inexperienced players who lack the physical strength necessary to apply that power themselves.

Typically, tennis racket head sizes range from 93 to 107 square inches.

The racket head size determines the size of the sweet spot which is the area we ideally want to hit when swining a tennis racket. Therefore, a larger racket head of at least 645 cm2 (100 sq in) makes sense for beginners.

String Pattern

Preferably, you should choose an open string pattern of 16×19 or 16×18. Unlike tighter string patterns like 18×20, they make it easier for you to get good length and more spin in your strokes.

Additional Factors

Additional factors that play a minor role:

• Frame Thickness:The frame should be thicker than 27mm so you can get enough power into the ball even at lower racket head speeds.
• Swing Weight: influences how heavy a tennis racket feels when swinging. A higher swingweight means more power and stability, but less maneuverability. A lower swingweight means less power and stability, but more maneuverability.
• Frame Stiffness (RA): measures how stiff frame is. A higher RA value indicates a stiffer frame, which usually means more power and less control.
  
• String: influences every characteristic of the racquet and can be chosen supportively for strengths or weaknesses.
• Balance: influences maneuverability. A top-heavy balance point provides more power, while a grip-heavy balance point provides more control.

Specs of a tennis racket for beginners:

• Weight: lighter than 10 ounces
• Rack head size: larger or equal to 100sq in
• Length: longer than 27 inches
• String pattern: open patterns like 16×19 or 16×18
• Frame thickness: thicker than 27mm
• String: Not poly, but multifilament
• Balance: whatever you like

The big and famous tennis racket brands

As a newcomer to the tennis world, you’ll encounter several racket brands. The “Big-Four” consist of:

• Head
• Babolat
• Wilson
• Yonex

Each of these brands has its own unique design and technology. You’ll find a range of different tennis racquets to suit your needs with these brands, as well as all the others.

Tennis Rackets for Men and Women

Are there differences between tennis rackets for men and women? Almost all tennis rackets on the market today are unisex.

Only the Tecnifibre T-Rebound Iga targets women with its marketing, but many other tennis rackets meet the same characteristics that are important for a racket for women without being specifically marked for women.

Weight is the most important criterion for players. Lighter versions of just about every known tennis racket model are now available for both men and women. These are usually marked “Team”, “Light” or simply “L”.

Tennis rackets for beginners or advanced?

What is the difference between tennis rackets for beginners and tennis rackets for advanced players? There is no exact separation between the two. Technology and the consequent cost are the 2 factors that most often differentiate them.

1. Technology
   A beginner tennis racket is usually not made of advanced materials and does not bring the latest technologies as advanced tennis rackets often have.
2. Cost
   Due to the materials and lack of technologies, beginner tennis rackets usually cost less than $150 while the top frames always cost north of 200$.

However, the boundaries are fluid. There are so incredibly many different variants of tennis racket models, that often tennis rackets for advanced players are an excellent choice for beginners. The weight is usually what makes an advanced racket too hard to swing for a beginner.

Strings Explained Quickly

Get ready to perfect your string game! It’s time to talk about tennis strings, the often overlooked helper of your trusty racquet. You may think that strings are just a bunch of strings, but you’re dead wrong!

As a beginner, you may not even notice the difference between different strings, but trust me, they matter. And as you progress and improve your skills, you’ll notice the effects of your string choice on every stroke.

So let’s take a look at the different types of tennis strings and what you should consider when buying your next string. Whether you’re looking for more power, control, or comfort, there’s a string for you. The only thing left to do yourself is string your racket with the string… or have it strung. 😂

String Materials
What are tennis strings made of? Here are the three most important materials:

• Natural gut
  Made from animal gut and offers excellent playability, but is also the most expensive.
• Polyester
  Known for durability and is the most popular and commonly sold type of string.
• Nylon
  Also called polyamide string or synthetic gut, offers an inexpensive but not quite as powerful alternative to natural gut.

String manufacturing

You now know what materials make up a string, but how is it made? There are different techniques to give strings different properties:

• Monofilament
  “Simplicity is key” – that’s the motto for monofilament strings! They are made of only one fiber (usually polyester). They last a very long time and break extremely rarely.
  The strings slip very little and due to the special coating, which provides additional spin-friendliness, there are bonus points for players who master topspin.
  But beware: compared to multifilament strings, they tend to transmit more vibrations and could lead to arm problems.
• Multifilament
  The hi-tech manufacturing of the strings, multifilament! Multifilament strings are a tangled web of over 1,000 individual fibers (Spiderman would be jealous).
  These whole fibers provide excellent, long-lasting elasticity, resulting in maximum shock absorption (no more arm pain!) and great playing comfort.
  The only drawback? These strings break relatively quickly for players with fast strokes and you’ll have to stop by more often with your tennis racket for a stringer.

String thickness / String Gauge

Finally, let’s talk about the string thickness which is also called “Gauge”. As you may have guessed, thicker strings are generally more durable and less likely to break, while thinner strings offer more spin potential and a better feel.

So choosing the right string gauge is a balancing act between durability and performance, but don’t worry, I’ve put together a handy chart of the different gauges available for you.

Recommended string for beginners

For beginners, I recommend paying attention to two things when choosing strings for your new tennis racket: price and durability.

As a beginner, it’s difficult to tell the difference between one set of tennis strings and another, so spending too much money on them is pointless.

Also, it’s impractical to change strings frequently, because as a beginner you won’t feel much difference between a string played for two hours and one played for nine hours.

Therefore, it is a wise decision to go for a durable and sturdy string that will save you some money.

In my review of the best strings, I recommend the Prince Synthetic Gut Duraflex for beginners. Super good value for money and great durability. You can’t go wrong with this.

Restringing Tennis Rackets

Should I get my new tennis racket restrung? Here are three scenarios:

1. 1. No string.
      There is no string on the tennis racket you just purchased? Yes, you should look into getting a string for your racket! 😂
   2. Tennis racket is strung (factory string)
      If a string is already strung on your racket, you should ask at a specialty store or online, or read up on whether it is a string strung by the manufacturer (HEAD, Babolat, etc.). These so-called “factory strings” are usually strung directly after the racket is manufactured. So this stringing has been waiting for months to be used. After such a long time, the string has lost a large part of its stringing hardness and there is only one thing left for you to do: Get the racket restrung.
   3. Tennis racket is strung (new string).
      If it turns out that the factory string has already been renewed by the dealer, you can start directly. However, do not forget to ask once with which hardness was strung. If you get along great with the stringing, you can order the next stringing directly in the same way.

Which stringing tension should I choose?

As a beginner, you shouldn’t worry too much about stringing hardness, as expensive strings won’t have much of an impact on your playing.

Look for the stringing hardness recommended by the manufacturer. Usually this is on the frame and gives a range. Decide on the middle of the range (usually 48-55 lbs).

Soft-strung strings provide more power and a bigger sweet spot (yes really, the sweet spot gets bigger), making them better for avoiding injuries like tennis elbow. Harder strung strings, on the other hand, provide more control but a smaller sweet spot and less “touch”.

How often should I restring my tennis racket?

The answer to this question is answered worldwide with the same rule of thumb:
“As many times as you play in a week, you should restring your racket per year.” I would strongly recommend here that you restring your racket once more often. This is also the number of times you should at least string your tennis racket.

What does restringing a tennis racket cost?

To string an adult racket, you need 40 feet of string. Strings are therefore always sold in 23 feet packs, or in a bigger reel of 660 feet. If you buy a reel, you will of course save a lot, because the price per foot is lower. Once you have tested two or three strings, it might be worth buying a reel.

A 40 feet string for beginners should cost around 10$. In addition, there is the cost of the stringerr, which is about 15$. Often this service is free if you buy a string in your local tennis shop. (customer loyalty).

HEAD Ti.S6

There’s a good chance you’ve seen the HEAD Ti.S6 on a tennis court before. This iconic racket is an absolute heavyweight… er, lightweight among tennis rackets, and HEAD’s best seller for 25 years for good reason.

It weighs just 225 grams, with string and damper just 9 ounces, and comes with a gigantic sweetspot thanks to the 115 square inch racket head.

This super lightweight design and a ton of power make this racket perfect for beginners who don’t necessarily hit every ball dead center.

But also for players who want to make the sport a little easier again, due to injuries or age, should give the Ti.S6 a chance.

The relatively high swing weight combined with the lightweight titanium frame makes it perfect for players with a short backswing. If you have a very long swing motion and generate a lot of speed, I would tend to advise against the Ti.S6.

If you are looking for a light and forgiving racket and want to make the sport easy for yourself, the Ti.S6 is worth every penny.

Dunlop SX600

The, in my opinion, best and lightest racket with a racket head size of 677 cm2.

The SX600 belongs to the latest Spin series from Dunlop. You can tell by the yellow color, as all racket brands seem to have agreed that Spin rackets are yellow.

It is packed with new technologies, such as the “Spin Grommets” for more spin, the “Spin Boost Stringtech” for a 10% further string pattern to generate even more spin, the “V-Energy Shaft” for an aerodynamic frame and finally the “Sonic Core” from BASF, which according to Dunlop reduces vibrations by up to 37% compared to frames from competitors..

Of these technologies you can think what you want, but the important thing is that Dunlop has really released one of the best rackets for the entry level. 

HEAD Boom Team

The HEAD Boom Team is from HEAD’s newest and most visually appealing series. It is intended for ambitious beginners who are confident in a slightly heavier (9.7 oz) and smaller racket head (660 sq in) than is the case with the SX600, for example. 

All rackets from the Head Boom series are intended as an easily accessible racket for all types of players. The Boom Team is one of the best rackets for “better” beginners whose technique already works cleanly.
The special head shape and daruch enlarged racket head, as well as the medium weight make the Boom Team a racket that is easy to play but also allows enough spin and control for better players. Balls hit too hard won’t just be catapulted into the fence like extreme comfort rackets do..

Because of its non-existent weaknesses and the different types of players the Boom Team appeals to, it’s the no-brainer of the best tennis racquets for beginners in 2024, as you’ll almost never go wrong with it.

If you already know what kind of tennis you want to play and have decided to play extremely spin-heavy tennis, for example, the Boom Team is also a good choice, but rackets specifically designed for spin, such as the HEAD Extreme Team L or Yonex Ezone 100 L, may be even better for you.

HEAD Extreme Team L

HEAD has managed to mimic Babolat’s Pure Aero so well that for beginners who want plenty of topspin support, I don’t even recommend the original, but the excellent “copy.”

The latest version of the Extreme Team L was installed with “Auxetic”. Rackets with this material have a very special and crisp feel when hit, especially for players who have never hit HEAD rackets with Graphene or Auxetic. Hard to describe… you have to experience it for yourself. Some like it, some don’t. 😛

The spin grommets are particularly impressive, providing more string movement and an incredible trampoline effect. This gives the racket its name and gives your balls “extreme” spin. The 105 square inch should keep the frame hits for topspin shots… in check. Badum tsss.

Also, the fresh and new design of the Extreme Team L is a real eye-catcher and makes me a little envious with my predecessor in bright yellow..

The Extreme series has a great long-term advantage for ambitious beginners. If the 9.3 ounces of the Team L version becomes too light for you, you can simply upgrade to the Team with 4 additional ounces. And in case you get so “good” and trust yourself with a tournament frame, but don’t want to learn new racket characteristics, go one step further to the Extreme MP L with a weight of 10.1 ounces.

Yonex Ezone 100L

The Yonex Ezone 100L is for players who wanted more power from the Extreme. 
The Japanese generates 10% less topspin than the Extreme, however, the Ezone series makes it much easier to play the ball deep into the opponent’s court and the spin is still significantly higher than almost all other racquets.

This racket seemed much harder to play in the test than its direct competitor, the Extreme. After a while, though, you quickly realize how the extra power and depth works, and that the Ezone is a racket for baseline players who want to dictate long rallies. 

The Ezone is definitely not for the rank beginner, but rather for the intermediate player looking for an alternative to the classic spin rackets HEAD Extreme and Babolat Pure Aero. 
If you can handle the mix of power and spin, the Ezone 100L is one of the best rackets for advanced beginners 2024.

Babolat Pure Aero Team

The Pure Aero Team with the spirit of Rafa and Alcaraz in the frame is the ideal racket for beginners who want a lot of topspin but also a lot, a lot of control. 
For beginners with a clean technique, the Pure Aero Team is a great choice. It allows you to play boldly yet consistently so you don’t give your opponent easy points.

If you’re looking for a racquet for spin, the Pure Aero Team should definitely be on your test racquet list.

You haven’t played a Babolat yet? Then you might want to choose a different racket, since Babolats play so uniquely that switching is usually difficult (but not impossible). In all other respects, the Pure Aero Team is virtually identical to the HEAD Extreme Team, only offers a little bit more control.

Babolat Pure Drive 110

Some players want a little more speed and the ability to play the ball more easily deep into the opponent’s court. For this case, Babolat developed what they call the “definition of power”. The Pure Drive!

One of these power rackets is so well known that you’ve almost certainly seen it before. The Pure Drive from Babolat from 1994 to 2006 the best seller and was only replaced by the Pure Aero specially designed for Rafa as such.

The Pure Drive 110 is very light (9 oz) and top-heavy with a large 110 sq in head. This makes the blue rocket very easy to play and has been impressing with extreme power for years.

If you trust yourself with a small racket head with a few points less power, I recommend the Pure Drive 107.

Wilson Clash 100L v2

The second version of the best-selling tennis racket the last two years, the Wilson Clash, is rightly once again very highly praised by all magazines. The Clash 100L v2 is the highest quality, but also the most expensive racket for beginners that I recommend.

The Clash’s FORTYFIVE° carbon construction and flexibility make it an arm-friendly and stable option for players who prefer comfort and easy-swinging power. The newly revised design at the frame tip creates a larger sweet spot that increases the margin for error and boosts confidence on crucial shots.

If you struggle with arm issues, such as tennis elbow, but still want to play an athletic racket that allows for enough control and spin, the Wilson Clash 100L v2 is the best choice.
Quite important nowadays, many components of the Clash, such as the grommets and the protective tape around the frame are made of environmentally friendly Agiplast from plant basi , to reduce the environmental impact.

If you are a beginner looking for a racket that offers comfort and performance to take your game to the next level, the Clash 100L v2 is for you. As a beginner who is still very much honing his technique, you’re better off testing other racquets.

Wilson Tour Slam Lite

Wilson’s best seller since the 90’s, with a very large 113 square inch racket head, is the absolute best cheap tennis racket for beginners.
The Wilson Tour Slam Lite is very light (9.7 ounces) and is equipped with an oversized racket head. The frame provides enough power, control and spin for most beginners for the first time.

Despite the low price, Wilson has equipped it with some technologies. Thanks to the Stop Shock Pads, located near the neck of the racket, the vibrations of the hit are well absorbed. With the addition of Volcanic Frame Technology, the racket gives your balls even more power and stability.

If you have only recently dipped into the tennis world or just want to have a sniff without directly spending hundreds of euros on a racket and you just want to get started and play right away, the Tour Slam Lite from Wilson is your racket.

If you consider yourself a “good” beginner, or think that you will make big leaps in your playing strength in the first few months or even weeks, then you should, however, keep your hands off the Tour Slam Lite, as it is really only intended for beginners at the very first beginner level.