Padel
How to choose the right padel racket: The ultimate guide
Find out everything you need to know to choose your padel racket and start playing this season.
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The racket is the most important piece of equipment to help you improve and enjoy your padel journey. Whether you are a beginner just starting to play padel or a very advanced player who is already trying to emulate the best Premier Padel players, your choice of padel racket will highly influence your performance and feel on the court.
“The choice of racket is very relative. It depends on the player’s weight, his style of play… There are a lot of factors to keep in mind. Obviously, I always recommend choosing high quality and good materials.” – says Ale Galán, one of the best padel players in the world.
With a wide variety of options available, it's essential to understand how different factors like shape, weight, balance, handle size and length, materials and surface texture affect your performance, help your game, and reduce the risk of injury. This guide will help you make an informed decision and choose the padel racket that fits your style and preferences.
01
Shape: Finding your fit
Juan Lebrón’s racket features a diamond shape and suits attacking players
© Samo Vidic/Red Bull Content Pool
Initially, the most apparent and visible differences between padel rackets come down to their shapes. Round, teardrop, and diamond are the main varieties of shapes you will see, with important differences between them:
- Round shape: This shape offers a larger sweet spot (the surface area where the racket hits the ball in optimal conditions), making it easier to hit accurate shots even if you don’t strike the ball perfectly. This is ideal for beginners or defensive players who prioritize control over power. The larger sweet spot ensures that mishits are minimized, allowing for a more forgiving experience on the court.
- Teardrop shape: Teardrop-shaped rackets, also called hybrid rackets, provide a balance between vigor and precision. The sweet spot is slightly higher up on the racket, offering a blend of the precision of a round shape and the potency of a diamond shape. This makes it a versatile choice for intermediate players who are developing both their defensive and offensive skills.
- Diamond shape: Diamond-shaped rackets are designed for advanced players seeking maximum power. The sweet spot is smaller and located higher on the racket, demanding more precision and skill to hit effectively, but also offering more intensity if shots are executed correctly. These rackets are typically used by aggressive players who like to frequently hit smashes and powerful volleys.
02
Weight: Power vs maneuverability
The racket’s weight significantly affects its power and manoeuvrability
© Premier Padel/Red Bull Content Pool
Even though padel rackets must adjust to certain measurements to comply with official rules, weight can vary between models and significantly influence their performance and suitability for different players, especially concerning power and maneuverability (the ability to easily move the racket in different directions).
- Lightweight rackets (350-360g): These lighter rackets are easier to handle, offering quick, smooth maneuverability and less strain on the player’s wrist and arm. Lightweight rackets are perfect for beginners or players who rely on speed and quick reactions. However, they may lack the strength needed for strong, attacking shots.
- Medium-weight rackets (360-370g): These offer a balance between power and control. They provide enough weight to deliver powerful shots while still being manageable for most players. Intermediate players often prefer this weight range as it allows them to develop their game in a comprehensive and versatile way.
- Heavy rackets (370-380g): Heavier rackets are favored by advanced, strong players in good shape who can handle the added weight. They offer increased power and stability, which benefits aggressive players who dominate with forceful smashes. However, they require good technique and strength to maneuver effectively.
03
Balance: Tailoring your playstyle
Bea González’s racket perfectly fits her precise and relentless style
© Samo Vidic/Red Bull Content Pool
Beyond shape, balance is another critical factor influencing a racket's performance. Balance refers to how the weight is distributed throughout the racket, and it can dramatically affect your play style. Whether the weight is concentrated towards the head, the handle, or evenly distributed, each configuration offers unique advantages.
- Head-heavy balance: Rackets with a head-heavy balance provide more power, making them ideal for aggressive players who focus on decisive aerial shots. The added weight in the head increases the momentum during swings, generating more force behind each shot. However, they can be harder to control, especially in defensive situations.
- Head-light balance: These rackets are easier to maneuver, offering better accuracy and quick response times. Head-light rackets are well-suited for defensive players who rely on speed and precision to out maneuver opponents. While sacrificing power, they also allow for quicker volleys and reactions at the net.
- Even balance: Even-balanced rackets offer a middle ground, providing a blend of energy and control. This balance is suitable for all-round players who don’t specialize in one particular style but rather adapt to different situations on the court. It’s a versatile choice for those looking to improve their overall game.
04
Handle size and length: Comfort and control
While often overlooked, the handle size and length of a padel racket are critical to determining levels of comfort and precision and to help reduce the risk of injury, mainly in the wrist, forearm, elbow, and shoulder. The right handle dimensions can improve your grip, reduce strain and improve maneuverability, depending on your preferences.
- Standard handle size: A large majority of padel rackets come in a standard handle size that fits the majority of players. This size offers a good balance of comfort and control, making it suitable for a wide range of players. It provides enough grip to allow for precise control of the racket during both attacking shots at the net and defensive shots close to the back wall.
- Thicker handles: Some players, especially those with larger hands, prefer a thicker handle that feels tighter and closer to their palm and fingers. Handles can be thickened by adding overgrips, extra “layers” that simultaneously increase the handle’s thickness and provide extra cushioning. A thicker handle can offer more stability and reduce wrist strain during powerful shots. However, it may reduce the ability to make quick adjustments, so it is better suited for players who rely on powerful, steady strokes rather than quick, agile movements.
- Longer handles: Some rackets come with a slightly longer handle, which can offer better leverage for two-handed backhands, as well as more reach and a bit of extra power. This feature is particularly useful for players who prefer to hit occasionally with both hands or need extra reach to cover the court. However, it can also make the racket feel less maneuverable and heavier, so it’s typically favored by advanced players. Those players transitioning from tennis will likely also benefit from counting on a longer handle that more closely resembles the ones in tennis rackets.
05
Materials: Impact on performance and durability
Juan Lebrón soars to make contact
© Premier Padel/Red Bull Content Pool
The materials used in a padel racket influence its weight, durability, and performance, among other characteristics. Excluding other less frequent materials, there are two main types of materials that compose padel rackets, both at the most superficial level and inside their core.
- Carbon fiber: Rackets made from carbon fiber are lightweight yet strong, offering excellent power and precision. They are stiffer, which means they transfer more energy to the ball, making them ideal for advanced players who need maximum power and accuracy. However, they are less forgiving of mishits due to their rigidity. Carbon fiber provides the added advantage of increasing the racket’s durability, as it is a rigid material that firmly withstands hits.
- Fiberglass: Fiberglass rackets are softer and more flexible, providing greater comfort and control for beginners. This material is more forgiving, making it easier to hit consistent shots even if the contact is made far from the sweet spot. Beginners or intermediate players often prefer fiberglass rackets for their softer feel and easier touch on the ball. Despite these benefits, fiberglass is usually less durable and more fragile than carbon fiber.
- Core materials (EVA foam vs soft foam): The core of the racket can be made of EVA (ethylene-vinyl acetate) foam or soft foam. EVA rubber is firmer, more resistant, and offers a good balance between power and finesse, making it suitable for most players. Soft foam provides more comfort and shock absorption, reducing vibrations and making it easier on the arm, which is beneficial for beginners or injury-prone players but sacrifices durability.
06
Surface texture: Enhancing spin and control
Another subtle yet significant aspect of a padel racket is its surface texture. The texture can boost your ability to impart spin on the ball, affecting how it behaves after making contact with the racket. From smooth to rough surfaces, the texture can give you an edge in executing advanced shots.
- Smooth surface: A smooth surface provides a more consistent and predictable ball trajectory, making it easier to control shots. This type of surface is generally preferred by beginners who need stability and precision without the added complexity of spin.
- Rough surface (sandpaper or 3D patterns): A rough surface allows for greater spin potential, giving advanced players more precision over the ball’s trajectory and bounce. This is particularly useful for executing advanced shots like slices, drop shots, or topspin smashes. The additional grip on the ball helps in creating more effective spins, which can be a decisive factor in higher-level play.
07
The padel rackets used by the best players in the world
Alejandro Galán’s racket offers a mix of control and power
© Samo Vidic/Red Bull Content Pool
Differences between rackets are even more important at the professional level, where players are equipped with rackets that perfectly match their skills and styles of play. Elite players can notice even the slightest difference between rackets, as it is their main tool to shine on the court. These are the padel rackets used by some of the best players in the world:
- Juan Lebrón's Technical Viper by Babolat: Juan Lebrón, known for his aggressive and creative shots, uses the Technical Viper by Babolat. This racket is designed for explosive power, featuring a diamond shape that maximizes strength for forceful smashes. The frame is constructed with carbon fiber, ensuring stiffness and durability. It also features a rough 3D Spin+ texture, which enhances spin, allowing Lebrón to add devastating effects to his shots and a larger-than-usual handle to empower his creativity and control. The combination of power and spin makes this racket ideal for players who dominate the game with aggressive play.
- Alejandro Galán's Adidas Metalbone HRD 2024: Alejandro Galán, one of the most versatile and explosive players in the world, uses the Adidas Metalbone HRD 2024. This racket features an oversized diamond shape that provides a high-quality mix of power and control. The customizable weight system allows Galán to adjust the racket's balance, tailoring it to his play style. The octagonal structure adds stiffness and stability, improving precision on powerful shots. At the same time, the rough surface increases spin, making this racket versatile for players who mix aggressive shots with tactical control.
- Bea González's Bullpadel Pearl: Bea González, renowned for her precise and consistent play, uses the Bullpadel Pearl. This racket has a diamond shape with triangular patterns that minimize weak spots and help upgrade the racket’s speed, which is essential for her consistent and dynamic playing style. The surface, featuring a combination of carbon fiber and fiberglass, provides a soft yet firm touch, improving comfort and reducing vibrations while maximizing power. Additionally, the head-heavy balance gives it an extra boost of force. This racket is perfect for players who value control and finesse but don’t want to give up raw power.
When choosing a padel racket, it's important to consider how each feature aligns with your playing style and skill level. Whether you're just starting out or already looking to refine your game and take it to the highest level, understanding these aspects will help you make the best choice for your needs.
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