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Just for fun or maybe you're a fanatic - anyway is paddle play much more fun when you use the best materials. But which one do you choose? There are dozens of brands and unfortunately a well-known brand does not always mean good quality.
If you have a balanced playing style (or just don't know yet whether you want to play mainly with power or control) then this Dropshot Conqueror really the racket to take a look at. Gosh, you can play some sneaky balls with this!
That's why we've put together this ultimate list of the best rackets that will suit you, PLUS you don't have to buy the most expensive just to hope you're in good hands!
AIf you want to strike the right balance between fast balls and those perfectly placed, the Conqueror is undefeated (*hey, is that why it's called that?*).
It's not the cheapest, and as a true beginner you might not opt for the Drop Shot (although it will speed up your game).
That's why we've also reviewed a whole bunch of budget rackets in this post. Let's take a quick look at them, then take a closer look at each of these choices:
Best padel racket for balance
This paddle racket from Dropshot comes with a reinforced Power Bar Pro SYS and a carbon fiber shell, for a balance of power and control.
Best padel racket for beginners
Lightweight of 360 grams and 38 mm thick. The inner core is made of EVA foam for a durable, rigid yet soft feel.
Best padel racket for women
It is a good racket for women, but also for men who want to explore the finesse of padel with a lightweight racket.
Best padel racket for control
The round shape and the low balance of the surface make it a tool that is 100% manageable, comfortable and offers great versatility.
Best padel racket for strength
Fiberglass is more commonly used in padel construction than carbon and is less expensive. It is slightly heavier than carbon, but is also more flexible. This makes it good for power players.
Best budget padel racket
Very comfortable feeling thanks to the soft EVA foam, a pressure-absorbing material that won't tire your hand during long rallies.
Best padel racket for kids
The Head Delta Junior will fit most juniors well. with a 3 cm shorter frame and just under 300 grams.
What we discuss in this comprehensive post:
Padel Racket Buyer's Guide
Before going to the best padel racket buying guide, it's a good idea to have one thing clear. There is no "perfect" paddle racket.
Given the price and performance, it's best to find a racket that suits you. You may also want your racket to look good.
But the most important factors in deciding which racket to buy are your level of play and what the racket will bring to your game.
A padel racket is really quite different construction technique than a squash racket
Hardness of the racket
Softer rackets are best for power because they are more elastic. These rackets are good for the back court and for powerful volleying. Of course they are less durable.
Harder rackets are good for speed and control, but you will put more effort into making powerful shots. They are best for advanced players who have developed a technique to get the most out of their shots.
EVA rubber is hard, less flexible and gives less force to the ball. The advantage therefore lies in the durability of the lodge and more control.
FOAM, on the other hand, is soft, offers a little less control, but a lot more elaticity and offers more power and speed to the ball. Of course FOAM is less durable.
Racket Shape
- Round shape: Best for beginners due to a fairly large sweet spot (where you can hit the ball best) so you can hit quite a few of your shots and don't get demoralized. The round head also balances close to the handle for better control.
- teardrop shape: A faster swing than a round racket gives you a good balance between power and control. In general, the teardrop racket is suitable for players who have been playing Padel for a while. The balance is light in the middle for a balanced game. It is the most popular type of racket among padel players.
- diamond shape: sweet spot that is higher in the racket. Advanced or professional players find it easier to hit the ball hard with the diamond shaped head. The weight is further towards the head for harder swings but are difficult to handle. Beginners can't handle the diamond racket yet.
Weight
Lighter rackets are better for control, but you won't have as much power in your shots as you have with a heavier racket.
- Women will find that a racket between 355 and 370 grams is light and easier to handle, with better control.
- Men find rackets between 365 and 385 grams good for a balance between control and power.
Decathlon has translated this Spanish video into Dutch in which they look at choosing a padel racket:
If you want to know more about how to choose the right padel racket read our buying guide – he explains everything in detail!
Top 7 best padel rackets reviewed
Padel includes some tennis, badminton and squash. It is played double, both indoors and outdoors.
Courts are about a third the size of a tennis court, and the walls are also used in the game, as if it were squash.
The balls look a lot like tennis balls, so if you want you can replace the ball with tennis balls. But the racket is a stringless padel that may or may not be perforated.
The rackets also come in different shapes and weights.
If you've played padel before, you may already have some ideas about what you're looking for in a padel racket. Beginners, however, start from scratch.
Drop Shot Conqueror 10.0
- Durable pure carbon is softer than EVA rubber
- Only 370 grams
- Good strength and control of teardrop head and EVA foam core
- Not powerful enough for hard-hitters
- Not for beginners
This paddle racket from Dropshot comes with a reinforced Power Bar Pro SYS and a carbon fiber shell, for a balance of power and control.
Both the frame and core are important in a racket and this balance makes it one of the most bought padel rackets from this moment.
The core is usually lined with rubber or elastic material. EVA rubber, foam or hybrids are popular core materials, covered with carbon fiber or fiberglass.
The pre-impregnated pure carbon is softer than EVA rubber, so you get more elasticity from your paddle racket. It is also harder than foam, so the core is more durable.
The core foam is surrounded by EVA rubber for enhanced strength and control. The carbon fiber exterior is of high quality and makes the racket light, strong and stiff.
The racket is lightweight, only 370 grams. This makes it a great choice for women looking for a lightweight racket that is easy to handle.
Of course it is better to maneuver the ball to the front of the field rather than powerful shots from the back.
In general, the racket guarantees a great and soft feel and stable performance. It is comfortable to play with.
The holes are precision drilled for better aerodynamics. Here you can see Manuel Montalban with the 7.0 version:
Benefits
- Lightweight Carbon Fiber
- Sustainability
- Good strength and control of teardrop head and EVA foam core
- Good feeling
- Comfortable to play
Cons
- Not powerful enough for hard-hitters
- Not for beginners
Judgment
When it comes to specs, the Dropshot racket is top notch. It is a good padel racket for those looking for lightweight rackets.
If you are serious about your padel game and have a big budget, you will appreciate the comfort and feel of the racket.
This racket is best for those who have played padel for a while.
Drop Shot Conqueror 7.0 vs 8.0 vs 9.0
From the 7.0, the Dropshot has gotten a little heavier, but the 8.0 and 9.0 are both still just 360 grams.
However, the 9.0 is reinforced with double tubular carbon which gives it a stronger recoil without being heavier than the 8.0.
The material of the blade has also been increased from 18K to 24K carbon 3D for more grip on the ball.
Adidas RX 100
- Lighter than many padel rackets
- Very very affordable
- Good for beginner
- Smooth surface not suitable for ball grip
The Adidas Match Light padel racket is a lightweight of 360 grams and 38 mm thick. The inner core is made of EVA foam for a durable, rigid yet soft feel.
The core makes the racket comfortable to play. The composite carbon exterior makes the racket light and strong enough for a beginner.
De sweetspot is reinforced for more power than you would expect from such a lightweight racket.
Players with small hands may find the handle a bit thick. They may prefer to shrink the handle before playing.
The surface of the racket is smooth rather than structured, as you see with many beach padel rackets.
This means that the racket does not give you much grip on the ball, which is necessary to play close to the net.
As a result, the racket is not the best option for intermediate or professional players.
In general, you will find the Adidas Match a comfortable, lightweight and solid racket to play with.
Benefits
- Lighter than many padel rackets
- Comfortable to play
- Very very affordable
- Good for beginner
Cons
- Smooth surface not suitable for ball grip
Judgment
The Adidas RX100 is an affordable racket that is lightweight and comfortable to play a casual padel game. It is a good racket for beginners who do not use it heavily.
Also read: these are the best shoes for padel
Adidas Adpower Lite
- Light weight
- High-quality build
- Bigger sweet spot
- Price is on the high side
- Too light for the average man
The Adidas Adipower is an attractive racket with a weight of 375 grams and feels much more comfortable to play than the wooden rackets that many players are used to playing.
It is a good racket for women, but also for men who want to explore the finesse of padel with a lightweight racket.
The head is diamond-shaped, so it's best for advanced, attacking players.
If you change shape, you will need some time to get used to the racket. The Adipower weighs 345 grams, which is light enough for good control. It is 38mm thick.
It has an EVA foam core and the exterior is reinforced carbon. The quality of the racket is excellent, and only professional players are likely to spend this high price on a racket.
The head is reinforced for a larger sweet spot. Some people found the grip a bit narrow. If you feel that way too, you can increase the grip for more comfort. The grip size suits the average player.
Benefits
- Light weight
- High-quality build
- Built for control and power
- Bigger sweet spot
- Sustainability
Cons
- Price is on the high side
Judgment
In general, the Adipower has a good performance and a good price-quality ratio. You'll find that the larger sweet spot will likely improve your game.
It is lightweight and comfortable to play with. Here's PadelGeek with their review:
It has a smooth surface, so you can miss some of the grip on the ball that the older Adipower model had.
But overall a great pro racket for many good games in padel.
Bullpadel Hack Control
- Round shape with large sweet spot
- Built for control with power
- Durable Carbon Fiber Frame
- A stiffer core feels unpleasant for beginners
Bullpadel Hack Control stands for manageability and excellence.
The Spanish brand Bullpadel introduces its new collection and catalog with much improved versions of its best-selling padels.
This is the case of the Hack Control which takes the best of the Hack in terms of power and combines it with a great performance of control.
All-in-one padel that stands out for its comfort; a dream padel for the track.
The round shape and the low balance of the surface make it a tool that is 100% manageable, comfortable and offers great versatility.
In addition, despite its shape, the stiffness of carbon and other integrated materials gives you just enormous strength, compared to the older model Hack.
The Hack Control presents a sober and beautiful mix of black and light blue colors with a shade of gray that perfectly represents the player profile you intend to showcase: the serious game controller.
Benefits
- Round shape with large sweet spot
- Built for control with power
- Durable Carbon Fiber Frame
- Attractive design
- Value for your money
Cons
- A stiffer core feels unpleasant for beginners
Judgment
Manufactured by a respected brand in padel, the Bullpadel makes an excellent addition to your padel equipment, whether you are an intermediate or pro player.
The racket looks great, performs well and is a good price.
Bullpadel Vertex 03
- High-quality materials
- Little resistance
- Provides power and control
- Hard to find online
- Not suitable for beginners
The Bullpadel Vertex 03 racket is a diamond-shaped racket with a weight between 360 and 380 grams.
It is a medium-weighted racket that both intermediate and professional players will appreciate.
The carefully designed hole pattern on the headstock keeps drag to a minimum and improves your performance.
The frame is made of tubular bidirectional fiberglass with reinforcement in the fiberglass weave.
Fiberglass is more commonly used in padel construction than carbon and is less expensive. It is slightly heavier than carbon, but is also more flexible.
This makes it good for power players. The core is polyethylene, a hybrid of EVA and foam that is soft and durable.
A layer of woven aluminum glass with titanium dioxide reinforced resin protects the core, improving recovery time after a blow.
Benefits
- High-quality materials
- Attention to detail
- Little resistance
- Value for your money
- Provides power and control
Cons
- Hard to find online
Judgment
The racket is designed for performance, with a large sweet spot, great control and good power.
The soft core absorbs vibrations and allows you to make powerful assumptions without feeling the impact on your arms.
In short, a great racket, designed with technical details that many will appreciate.
brabo Tribute 2.1C CEXO
- Reasonable spin
- Good beginner racket
- Soft material relieves pressure
- Too soft for advanced players
- Build quality leaves a lot to be desired
This racket is perfect for intermediate players.
It has a very comfortable feeling when racket and ball make contact, thanks to the soft EVA foam.
And because it's made from terephthalate foam, this pressure-absorbing material keeps your hand from tiring during long rallies.
There are about four different spin techniques you can learn: flat, backspin, topspin and slice.
When you are just learning to play padel, start by mastering the flat spin technique.
To perform a flat spin, first move your racket from front to back in a straight line perpendicular to the ground, as shown below.
A good padel racket for spin will have a rough face.
This is because the rough face essentially grips the ball when it hits your racket, easily making it spin to an impressive degree!
The Brabo Tribute series is made for it, and with the hybrid soft you have the perfect balance between speed and weight to be able to make the fast movements for a perfect spin.
Brabo has been developed on it with their carbon fiber exterior and rough top layer.
Head Delta Junior Belac
- Lightweight but durable
- Buy on the growth
- Too big for most under 7
There are of course also padel rackets for children.
The size of the racket has been adjusted, but the weight is especially important, because of the maneuverability of the wrist joints of children.
The sizes are of course different for a child of 5-8 years than for a child of 9-12 years, for example.
A good tip is to buy one on the growth so the Head Delta Junior will fit most juniors well.
It has a 3 centimeter shorter frame and is ultra-light at just under 300 grams for fun to play with.
Conclusion
In summary, remember that not all rackets suit all of us equally well.
Each person needs a specific model that suits his or her physical condition and level of play.
As our skills develop, we value the performance of a racket more, but the criteria explained above will still be helpful in choosing our next racket.
