How to choose your padel racket – The complete guide

When you don't have a lot of experience in padel, it can be difficult to decide what model to buy. Indeed, padel rackets are full of technologies that you sometimes don't understand, and we know that customers can feel a bit lost. But don't worry, our expert team gives you its best tips to make buying a racket easier.

The shape

To begin your journey to the perfect racket, you can start by selecting the shape that best fits your needs. Traditionally, padel rackets come in three different shapes: diamond, teardrop, and round.

Diamond: Balance towards the head, resulting in more power but also less maneuverability and potentially more stress on your forearm. They are made for players who like spending time in attack and making the best of their offensive shots.

Round: Balance towards the grip, meaning more maneuverability, easier handling, and less stress on your muscles, but less power. They are recommended for players who like to defend and need a more forgiving racket, but also for those who want to reduce the risk of tennis elbow.

Teardrop: Balance towards the center, resulting in a mix between the pros and cons of round and diamond shapes. They are best for all-around players who seek a versatile option.

Mixes : To answer the needs of more demanding players, brands tend to create hybrid rackets that fall between these categories. The new Head Radical's Shape is a mix between a round and a teardrop shape; it is a little less powerful than a usual teardrop-shaped racket but also easier to maneuver. The new Bullpadel Vertex 04 Hybrid, on the other hand, is a mix of a diamond and a teardrop shape, and as you probably already understand, it is less powerful than a classic diamond-shaped racket but more than a teardrop one. These new molds are therefore made especially for those who don't find exactly what they need in the three traditional main categories.

Now you know the differences between padel rackets' shapes, you can rank them from 1 to 3 (or to 5, taking into account the new hybrid versions) depending on your needs and preferences.

The foam

After the shape, let's talk about the foam. The inside core of a padel racket is made of EVA foam, and it's the component that will influence its performance the most. Foams can be ranked in three categories: hard, mid, and soft.

Hard: A hard foam will bring you clean, precise, and powerful shots. It is usually used by professional players who are trained like athletes and have perfect technique. It is normally not recommended for those who don't have an advanced level because it's not forgiving and is quite demanding on your forearm.

Soft: Soft foams are the ones used by the majority of amateur players. They are tolerant, comfortable, and absorb vibrations very well, making them the favorite of beginners, players who like a comfortable feeling, and those who want to protect their joints.

Mid: Mid foams are, as you can imagine, between soft and hard foams. They are perfect for players who seek as much versatility as possible and for those who feel that the soft foam doesn't suit them anymore but don't feel ready yet to experiment with the hard foam.

For more versatility, brands create mixes of different foams, just like X Eva from Babolat, MultiEva from Bullpadel, or Multilayered Core from Nox. That way, you can experience a combination of the characteristics of different density foams.

That being said, you should also know that the foam choice depends on your level and athleticism, but not only. It is also a matter of sensations, and you should know that even some professional players prefer the comfort of a soft foam, while some not-so-advanced players feel much more at ease with a hard foam.

The Materials of the Faces and the Frame

As you probably know, padel rackets are made of composite materials, and the foam we mentioned earlier is covered by layers of more rigid materials. Two primary materials are used for the frame and the faces: carbon and fiberglass.

Carbon: This material is mainly used in high-end rackets. It is quite expensive but has many advantages: it is light, rigid, and resistant.

Fiberglass: This material is a bit heavier and cheaper than carbon but also more elastic.

Usually, the frames of high-quality rackets are mainly made of carbon, which brings stability, durability, and firmness to the racket. However, on the faces, you can find fiberglass, carbon, or a mix of the two. Carbon is best for power and precision, while fiberglass provides more bounce and control. The mixes of carbon and fiberglass, like those on the Babolat Air Veron or Bullpadel Vertex 04 Comfort, are designed for those who want a hybrid material that is more comfortable than carbon but more rigid than fiberglass.

Different types of carbon are available on the market. You have probably already seen them: 3K carbon, 12K carbon, 24K carbon... Basically, experts tend to say that the higher the K, the harder the feeling will be when hitting the ball. This may make a difference for professionals, but for amateur players, it is usually advised to first learn how to distinguish between carbon and fiberglass before anything else. In any case, the number of K should never be the most important decision-making factor.

In general, high-level players prefer carbon, while beginners and those who want to limit vibrations feel more comfortable with fiberglass. But once again, it depends on the sensations you seek. Other materials, such as graphene or basalt, with slightly different properties, can also be added to the mix to create more unique characteristics.

What weight for your padel racket?

The weight of a padel racket is also something to consider. A padel racket is considered quite heavy when it weighs more than 370g. Between 360g and 370g, it is considered average, and models that weigh less than 360g are judged light. Some rackets can be really light, like the Head Zephyr, which weighs only 340 grams!

Basically, the heavier the racket, the more powerful it will be, but it will also be more demanding. That's why heavy rackets are recommended for advanced and professional players. On the contrary, a lightweight racket is maneuverable and easy to play with but usually lacks power. Beginners, women, juniors, or those who want to protect their joints will fully benefit from a light racket.

Depending on your level, your style of play, and the qualities you seek, you can decide to go for a heavier or lighter racket. Remember, those that are in the average range, let's say between 360g and 375g, are the ones that fit the majority of players!

Rough surface or no?

Not so long ago, padel brands started using rough surfaces on racket faces to make the ball stick more. That extra grip is handy for those who like to maximize spin or seek extra comfort. But if you are looking for maximum power and ball speed, then a shiny and smooth surface will be best. Once again, you just have to know what suits your game!

What racket to prevent tennis-elbow?

Contrary to what its name may suggest, tennis elbow is not an injury that only occurs in tennis. Indeed, every racket sport can lead to this tendon inflammation, and as you can imagine, padel isn't free from this condition. Those who frequently read our blog articles already know this since it's a subject we have discussed a couple of times. Find more info here.

So, if you have ever suffered from tennis elbow, if you feel that you are playing a bit too much and your forearm is starting to get tired, or if you just want to prevent it, you should consider this in your padel racket choice.

You need to understand that the softer and lighter a racket is, with its weight balanced toward the grip, the less stress it will put on your arm. So, if your main goal is to limit the risk of tennis elbow, aim for a light, round, and soft racket, like the ones from the Head Zephyr collection. For players who don't prioritize this but still fear they might suffer from tennis elbow at some point, carefully select the characteristics of your racket to ensure they fit your game while also helping to prevent injuries. The best models from top brands usually integrate anti-vibration systems that may not compensate for everything but can still help.

At Padelusa.com, we have a specific collection called Tennis Elbow where we select the models that best suit the needs of those at risk.

Padel Rackets for men, for women?

Padel rackets are unisex objects in the sense that a man can perfectly play with a racket made for women and vice versa. However, it would be foolish to ignore that men and women are different. Men are usually heavier and stronger, meaning they can play with heavier and more demanding rackets. Women, on the other hand, tend to prefer playing with lighter, softer, and more maneuverable rackets. Brands understand this, which is why they make models with characteristics tailored especially for women's needs and with designs that are also more feminine. So, if you are a woman and you seek a padel racket that will fit your specific needs, feel free to check our women's collection!

Conclusion

Now you know the main components of padel rackets and what to look for when making your choice. You first have to know your level, strengths, weaknesses, and goals. Based on this, choose one feature for each of the four categories we have discussed in this article (shape, foam, faces and frame, weight), and you will find the best racket for you. For example, a player who loves offense, has a high level in padel, and wants a diamond-shaped, not light racket with firm foam, a carbon structure and faces, and a rough surface will typically feel perfect with the Wilson Bela Pro V2.5 since it meets all those needs!

And for those who still have difficulties making their choice, don't forget to take our quiz!