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Padel Is Gaining in Popularity. Here's How to Pick the Best Racket for You
We tested rackets from brands like Head, Wilson, Babolat, and more
Racket sports are booming in the UK lately. Maybe that's because not only are they accessible, a good workout, and fun (who doesn't love competition?), but there's also research that they might increase your longevity. While everyone knows about tennis and squash, padel is quickly gaining popularity.
The good thing is you don't have to be a padel jockey in order to buy your first padel racket. Of course, you can go buy the most expensive pro model racket out there, but unless you're playing in competitive tournaments, you can still get by with a padel racket that's much more affordable (and still loaded with a ton of pop), with solid options even under £100.
Best Padel Rackets
Like the number of padel gyms popping up across the UK, the number of padel rackets players can buy is starting to get overwhelming. Lucky for you, the padel minds at Men's Health are breaking down the best rackets players need to know about this summer. Just like in tennis, some of the top-of-the-line rackets can be quite an investment. But there’s more to it than just looking at its price tag. Here are some of the other things you’ll want to keep in mind when grabbing a new racket.
What to Consider
Weight
Lighter padel rackets are better for beginners because they allow for better mobility, while heavier rackets can generate more power on each shot. Beginners and intermediate players should opt for a racket around 360-365 grams. Advanced players and stronger athletes can likely handle rackets as heavy 370 grams.
Hardness
Racket hardness refers to the hardness or softness of the playing surface of racket. A soft racket will absorb vibrations, feel comfortable, and have a large sweet spot. Hard rackets, on the other hand, deliver more power and precision at high speeds with smaller sweet spots. If you're a beginner, start with a softer racket to hone in on your control. Then, as your play progresses, you can upgrade to a harder racket to unlock more power.
Balance
Similar to a tennis racket, the balance of your padel racket should not be overlooked to ensure that you enjoy your time on the courts. Higher balance rackets (weight towards the head) provide more power but are less manoeuvrable. For those starting out or with minimal experience, it's recommended to opt for a racket under 26.5 centimetre balance.
How We Selected
To ensure we provided you with the best padel rackets on the market, I worked with our gear and commerce editors and racket sports enthusiasts to do the heavy lifting. With a combined experience in all things racket-based, including tennis and pickleball, we know what makes a good racket. Even someone like myself, who plays occasionally, knows that the right racket can make all the difference in your game.
After researching, playing numerous with numerous rackets multiple times, and going over testing notes, we took into consideration those factors we listed above: weight, hardness, balance, and the obvious one, cost. From there, we provided a comprehensive guide, and whether you're buying your first padel racket or your fifth, we've got you covered. Keep scrolling to learn more about the best padel rackets.
Pros
- Great price point
- Lightweight
- Oversized round shape allows for more mishits
- Excellent entry-level racket
Cons
- Not a great choice for advanced players
- Lacks maximum power capabilities
- Durability may be an issue
One of the most trusted names in racket sports, Babolat created the perfect racket for those looking to take it easy on their wallets. Like most budget-friendly rackets, this one offers excellent forgiveness thanks to its oversized head and a larger than normal surface area.
The Contact's 340 gram weight makes it one of the lighter rackets we reviewed. As for price? You can get this bad boy for under £900, which is a certified deal if you ask us.
Read More: Best Padel Shoes
Features at a Glance
| Shape | Round |
|---|---|
| Weight | 340g |
| Material | Carbon and fibreglass |
Pros
- Elite power and precision
- Carbon face offers maximum responsiveness
- Extended sweet spot
- Competition-ready
Cons
- Very expensive
- Not made for casual players or beginners
- Firm feel is less forgiving
Few do racket sports better than Wilson, and its Bela Pro V3 is one of the best premium choices you can get your hands on. With its hybrid shape, elite responsiveness, and premium materials, you get a racket designed for aggressive play and advanced players. It was designed in part with Fernando Belasteguin, padel legend, and blends power and precision with its 24K carbon face and high-density foam core. This allows for powerful attacking shots and, surprisingly, decent controlled placement shots. Its textured face increases spin rate, while its stability channel helps to maximise its sweet spot.
As advanced as this padel is, it is not the best option for beginners. It's designed for advanced players who can generate power on their own, looking to maximise it further. It's a competition-ready racket that’s one of the best all-around, complete models on the market.
Features at a Glance
| Shape | Hybrid |
|---|---|
| Weight | 370g |
| Material | 24K Carbon |
Pros
- Insanely lightweight
- Large, forgiving sweet spot
- Vibration dampening tech
- Easy to control
- Comfortable
Cons
- Not pro-level power
- Weight may feel unstable to pro players
At just 300 grams, this is arguably the lightest padel racket available today, making it incredibly easy to swing, control, reposition, and manoeuvre at the net for fast exchanges. This one utilises a round head shape and foam construction for a larger than average surface area, increasing its sweet spot and minimising mishits. It also features a 12K carbon face for plenty of pop and just enough power, which is impressive given its extremely lightweight design.
This padel racket is perfect for casual players and beginners, especially given how easy it is to control, which is almost effortless. Even players who are working on improving their swing can benefit from its vibration dampening tech. While it won't deliver the raw power of heavier rackets, the One Ultralight is designed for comfort and control at a reasonable price, given its loaded features.
Features at a Glance
| Shape | Round |
|---|---|
| Weight | 300g |
| Material | 12K Carbon |
Pros
- Extra grip means more spin
- Graphite construction for durability and strength
- Unique 'V' hole pattern means more control
Cons
- Not ideal for beginners due to smaller surface area
- Grip size could be improved
If the name of your game is spin, then this is the racket for you. With a super-thin graphite face, a rough-finish texture, and a medium-density EVA core, this racket allows you to bring home game winners with a furious spin even the Padel Gods would envy. The unique 'V' hole also helps with control and a faster swing speed (which means greater power).
Features at a Glance
| Shape | Hybrid |
|---|---|
| Weight | 365g |
| Material | Graphite |
There are control rackets, and then there is the total-control racket from Franklin. The Aurora model allows for outstanding placement thanks to its carbon fibre and soft foam core. The air hole adds some bonus control and power with each swing. Just be aware you have less surface area on this racket than others in this guide, so we only recommend the Franklin model for intermediate and advanced players.
Features at a Glance
| Shape | Diamond |
|---|---|
| Weight | 365g |
| Material | Carbon fibre |
Adidas Metalbone Carbon CTRL
Pros
- Customisable weight and balance system
- Elite control
- Large sweet spot
- Extremely durable
- Aggressive spin
Cons
- Not cheap
- Not ideal for beginners
- Weight system may be unnecessary for some
If you want one solid all-around racket that gives you elite-level control, durability, and advanced spin, this racket from Adidas should be your go-to. It's made for advanced and competitive players and is built with carbon aluminised 16K fibre and a soft EVA that creates a uniquely firm, yet comfortable response that rewards precise shot placements. This model uses a round shape for a larger sweet spot area and has strategically cut-out smart holes to help generate controlled spin while not taking away from its excellent accuracy.
This racket's unique weight and balance system allows you to fine-tune the feel and performance of the racket by adjusting its weight distribution. Its octagonal frame design improves torsional stability, while the extended grip provides added leverage. Ultimately, it's a racket that will keep you competitive for years to come, and one of the smartest premium picks around.
Features at a Glance
| Shape | Round |
|---|---|
| Weight | 260g |
| Material | 16K Carbon Aluminised |
Do Expensive Padel Rackets Make a Difference?
When you start going up the ladder in padel rackets, you typically get better power, speed, and control. However, these added features mean nothing if you aren't already playing at an intermediate to advanced level. Starting with a cheaper padel racket will help you learn the ropes of the game. Only once you find yourself progressing in the sport and playing on a consistent basis do we recommend upgrading to a more expensive racket (think $200 and above).
Jeff Turbett is a fitness and wellness writer who's based in Miami, FL. His work has been featured in The Manual and FightCamp.
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