Which padel racket to buy?

To begin with, it’s important to determine your playing level. We distinguish the following levels:

Junior: Junior rackets are suitable for children up to around 12 years old. The Junior rackets are lighter and made from softer materials. Additionally, these rackets have a smaller and thinner grip.

Beginner/recreational players: Players who are just starting with padel or play occasionally for fun. A padel racket for beginners should be easy to handle, forgiving, and offer great control. These rackets are usually lighter and have a round shape.

Intermediate/experienced players: Players who play padel regularly or are already experienced in other racket sports like tennis. These intermediate players often don't have a specific playing style yet and usually choose a teardrop-shaped racket. The advantage is that you can hit with more power while still maintaining good control.

Advanced/professional players: Players who play frequently and intensively and have fully mastered the technique. These advanced players have developed a specific playing style and therefore know exactly what they are looking for in a racket. Players who prefer control and precision will choose a racket with defensive characteristics (round shape), while players with an aggressive playing style will opt for a racket with offensive characteristics (diamond shape).

An important aspect is the shape of the racket head. We distinguish 4 different shapes. The shape of the padel racket says a lot about the playing style of the racket.

With round-shaped rackets, the balance point is low. As a result, the racket has a large sweet spot (the ideal hitting point), making it quite forgiving if you don’t hit the ball exactly in the right spot. In round rackets, the sweet spot is in the center of the racket. Round rackets are very maneuverable and offer great control. A disadvantage is that the racket provides less power in your shots.

Round rackets are ideal for beginner and recreational players. As an experienced or advanced player, you’ll choose a round shape if you're a defensive player and mainly looking for control.

Teardrop

The balance point of a padel racket is closely related to the shape of the racket. The balance has a significant impact on the maneuverability of the racket.

Low: With rackets that have a low weight balance, the weight is more towards the grip. This results in a maneuverable racket with a lot of control. These rackets usually have a round shape and are suitable for beginner players or advanced players who want more control.

Medium: The weight is more centered in the racket and is balanced, offering a good mix of control and power. These rackets typically have a teardrop or round shape and are suitable for a wide range of players.

High: With rackets that have a high balance, the weight is closer to the head of the racket. As a result, the racket feels a bit heavier and allows for powerful shots, but it can also increase the risk of injury. These rackets usually have a diamond shape and are mainly suitable for advanced and professional players.

It is recommended to try out several rackets to discover which weight suits you best. A lighter racket is often used by children, women, and beginners. Lightweight rackets are more maneuverable, offer greater control, and reduce the risk of injury. Male players and more advanced players generally opt for a heavier racket, which allows for more power.

Choose the heaviest weight you feel comfortable with, as this will transfer the most power through the racket. In addition to the weight, the weight distribution (balance) also affects how heavy the racket feels. When the balance point is low, the racket feels lighter than when the weight is more towards the top. The general guidelines for racket weight are as follows:

290–340 grams (light): This weight category mainly includes junior padel rackets. There are also extra-light rackets for adults who are just starting padel or are prone to injury.

340–365 grams (medium): Rackets in this weight category are mainly suitable for women, beginner players, or players who are injury-prone.

365–390 grams (heavy): The weight of padel rackets for men typically ranges between 365 and 390 grams. This weight category is not recommended for beginner players or those prone to injury.

The outer part of a padel racket, including the frame and racket face, is usually made of fiberglass or carbon.

Carbon is an expensive, lightweight, and durable material. Few rackets are made entirely of carbon due to the high cost. That’s why padel rackets often specify how much carbon is used. You’ll find rackets with 3K carbon, 12K carbon, or 18K carbon. For example, 3K carbon contains three thousand carbon threads in one fiber, and so on. The more carbon threads per fiber, the thicker the carbon layer. The more carbon a racket contains, the longer it will last and the harder it will feel. Rackets with a high carbon content feel heavier and provide a lot of power. These rackets are suitable for advanced players with an attacking playing style.

Fiberglass is cheaper and heavier than carbon. It is also softer and more elastic. However, fiberglass is less strong than carbon, which makes carbon more durable. Rackets made of fiberglass are more budget-friendly. For beginners, a fiberglass racket is recommended because of its elasticity, which reduces impact and makes it easier to place the ball.

Many mid-range and top-end padel rackets have a specific texture or coating on the racket face. This makes the surface rough, giving you more grip on the ball. As a result, it becomes easier to apply spin to your shots.

Some rackets come with a built-in protective strip at the top. You can also buy protective tape that you can apply to the top of the frame yourself. This way, your racket lasts longer and is protected from scratches and impacts on the court.

The core must effectively absorb shocks and withstand the high impact of hitting the ball. It also needs to endure varying weather conditions like rain and temperature changes. The core is usually made of foam or EVA rubber. A third type of core combines both materials (hybrid core).

Foam: Foam is highly elastic, allowing the ball to bounce off the racket more easily. This means you need less power for defensive shots and gain more control. The material is soft and comfortable but provides less power for offensive shots.

EVA: EVA rubber is harder and less flexible. It is more difficult to play with, especially in colder temperatures. However, it is more durable and provides greater power for offensive strokes. Within EVA rubber, different compositions vary in hardness.

Hybrid: Hybrid cores use both foam and EVA to combine the benefits of both materials. Many modern rackets feature this combination. A hybrid core is a soft rubber made of foam surrounded by outer EVA rubber. There are many types of foam and blends, which ultimately determine the racket’s hardness. The harder the racket, the more power it delivers; the softer the racket, the more control it offers.

A padel racket does not come in different grip sizes. You can make the grip thicker yourself by applying one or more overgrips. How do you know if your grip is thick enough? When you hold the racket in your hand, your pinky finger should fit in the space between your fingers and the palm of your hand. If there is more space, the grip is too thick; if there is too little space, the grip is too thin.

If you use an overgrip, it is recommended to replace it regularly. If your hands sweat a lot, your grip will deteriorate quickly, and you’ll lose control. It is also possible to replace the base grip with a special base grip with texture. This provides maximum grip and extra comfort.