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Choosing a squash racket can be difficult. There are SO MANY factors to consider.
If you mainly play single game, then this Technifibre Carboflex 125 the best price/quality ratio of all the rackets I've looked at, with all the features you need as a balanced player.
But do you play a lot of single or double, what is your playing style and your level? I've done all the research for you for this buying guide and found 7 rackets that will suit your needs.
Let's take a look at all the options first, then I'll dig deeper into each of these choices and when they fit your game:
Best Overall for Singles Squash
The Carboflex is particularly ideal for players who prefer long volleys and aggressive playing styles, but it can be used for a variety of strategies.
Best balanced squash racket
The Harrow Vapor is a top-rated racket for intermediate players and its qualities have a top price. It gives the ability to deliver great power, control and responsiveness on the track.
Best heavyweight squash racket for doubles
The Harrow Bancroft Executive racket is heavy enough to take a punch while remaining light enough that you don't exhaust yourself completely.
Best cheap squash racket for beginners
It is well balanced and maneuverable with its large hitting area, moderate stiffness and lightweight construction.
Best bang for your buck
Especially good if you play a lot of drops and volleys. It is easy to handle due to its lightweight construction of only 120 grams.
Biggest sweet spot
A light racket but weighted unlike most other rackets for more power.
Best Squash racket for strength
The racket is built with Fast Fiber Carbon Gel. The addition of Fast Fiber to this already super light racket gives you the opportunity to create more head speed and generate even more power.
Also read: the best squash shoes to improve your game
What we discuss in this comprehensive post:
Squash Racket Buying Guide
Some players may want a cheap racket while others are willing to spend a significant amount to get the highest quality equipment.
There are also many brands – Tecnifibre, Head, Dunlop and Prince – that offer a wide range of squashoffer equipment.
Here are a few things to consider while deciding on the best squash racket:
There are many factors to consider, including:
- the weight of the racket
- the string tension and its composition
- and especially with your playing style.
For specific games, such as doubles, a very offensive game where you want to give a lot of power or just as a beginner, there are of course some other options so I want to list those for you as well.
What is a good squash racket?
A head light squash racket is best for players looking for fast volleys or flicking the ball. They will also suit someone with established upper body strength. A head heavy racket adds power to shots, making it easier for players to hit the ball harder with a bigger swing.
Squash Racquet Price
A great place to start is the squash racket price range. They range in price from very cheap to extremely expensive.
Simply base your decision on how much you can comfortably afford to invest in your gear. While it is an advantage to go slightly above the most basic options, there is no need to start with the most expensive, highest quality racket.
A beginner can easily invest $30-$50 in a starter racket, but the best price to go for roughly is a racket around $100-$150 if you are serious about the game. The most expensive rackets are over €200.
Squash Racket Quality
There are many factors that can affect the characteristics and behavior of the squash racket, including material, head shape, size, balance and weight.
Try out a few rackets and pick them up to see which one is most effective for your gameplay.
Always go with the squash racket that matches your skill level. The racket of the highest quality is also built with better properties and lasts longer.
Racket construction
There are two primary types of composition in a squash racket, the open throat design and the closed throat construction:
- An open throat provides control and stability thanks to the shorter main strings.
- A closed throat has a larger sweet spot and normally generates more power
Racket Balance
In Squash there are three different categories of balance in a racket. Head light rackets, head heavy rackets and evenly balanced rackets. Each plays very differently and has different benefits to the player:
- head light: less weight in the head and more weight in the handle make these rackets lighter and more manoeuvrable.
- Head Heavy: With most of the weight in the head, these rackets deliver more power with less effort.
- Evenly distributed weight: allows these rackets to offer maneuverability (faster swing) while still generating power
racket weight
Squash rackets range in weight from 110 grams to 170 grams. The correct weight of the racket usually depends on personal preference. That said, there are advantages to both a lighter racket and a heavier racket.
- Lightweight (110G – 145G): a light racket provides a quick movement of the wrist, a faster movement of the head, provides a soft touch and a good ball feel, helps with deception when playing in the front of the playing field, easier control.
- Heavyweight (145G – 170G): a heavier racket helps add more power to your assumptions, provides stability and a smooth impact through the ball
Also read: which squash ball best suits my level and which dots should I choose?
handle shape
Squash rackets come with a standard handle size, but the shape of the handle may change from manufacturer. The shape you choose to use comes down to personal preference.
- Round handle: think of this as a baseball bat
- Rectangular handle: think of a feeling, much more like a tennis racket
To replace
Squash Rackets can last for years if they are properly maintained. What needs to be replaced consistently are your strings, which should be replaced annually.
Best 7 squash rackets reviewed
Tecnifibre Carboflex Airshaft
- Big sweet spot
- Head-light weighting for rapid speed of the racket head through the ball
- Great factory strings included
- Slightly more vibration than other comparable rackets
- Head-light weighting can take some getting used to when playing with a balanced or head-heavy racket
The weapon of choice for PSA World Number One squash player Mohamed El Shorbagy, the Tecnifibre CarboFlex is a formidable squash racket for a wide range of players with different playing styles.
The Carboflex is particularly ideal for players who prefer long volleys and aggressive playing styles, but it can be used for a variety of strategies.
With excellent precision and control, the Tecnifibre Carboflex is a great racket for making accurate and deadly shots from anywhere on the pitch.
The Carboflex is heavy enough to take powerful and controlled shots, while remaining light enough to ensure you don't wear out too quickly in the match.
The main weight on the Tecnifibre Carboflex is perfectly balanced for both control and power. Therefore, it is an excellent racket for players whose playing style tends towards longer volleys.
The Carboflex has a strong sweet spot and if you figure out how to make consistent contact with it, you'll be making explosive shots time and time again. This racket also has an Isomorph shaft, which increases power by about 25% compared to the standard mono shaft.
The Carboflex has a little more vibration than other rackets of comparable caliber, but not nearly enough to do real damage to your game. Taken in combination with the balanced weight, you hardly notice it.
Technifibre Carboflex Airshaft vs 125 vs 130 vs 135
Tecnifibre Carboflex Airshaft X-Speed is a model that weighs the same with a light weight of only 125 grams, but offers different levels of play for players who respectively like more power or who want to improve their touch shots.
The Carboflex X-Speed 125 models are exceptionally light and extremely manoeuvrable, making them particularly suitable for attacking players trying to score points with short, explosive rallies.
The blue racket from Nour el Sherbini is otherwise identical to the black Carboflex 125 X-Speed from Mohamed ElShorbagy, but has a smaller grip size.
If you find the standard grip of these rackets too thick, then this model is an excellent option, because the thinner grip is also excellent for juniors.
The Carboflex x speed 130 weighs 5 grams more than el sherbini's x speed giving it a higher balance point off center that helps make shots more lethal on high balls, while the Carboflex 135 Airshaft is another 5 grams heavier.
Harrow Steam
- Big sweet spot
- Rigid shaft for more control
- Little to no vibration
- Duration
- Brittle racket with durability issues
The Harrow Vapor owes its name to the vapor trail that can be seen after the strokes of this racket. Just kidding, but this is one of the best rackets out there.
The Harrow Vapor is a top-rated racket for intermediate players and its qualities have a top price. It gives the ability to deliver great power, control and responsiveness on the track.
The only negative thing about the racket is concerns about durability. It is prone to breakage and seems a bit fragile. Many players complain that for the price, they expect the racket not to break as it becomes expensive to replace.
Overall, this squash racket has a great feel, great control and a top-end option for squash players.
Harrow Vapor vs Technifibre Carboflex
In terms of price, the Harrow Vapor does not differ that much from the Technifibre Carboflex, you could say they are in the same price range.
The slightly more expensive Vapor's biggest advantage is the reduced vibration after a shot, which can be an advantage especially during long matches or training sessions.
The sweet spot on both is similar, but the Harrow is slightly more balanced than the Technifibre, which in turn is head light, making it easier to play fast balls.
Harrow Bancroft Executive
- Head-heavy which provides more power
- No vibration
- Great control over the racket regardless of your grip preference
- Heavy for singles play
- The head-heavy aspect of the racket can take some getting used to
Looking for a strong, sturdy and reliable squash racket? Look no further than the Harrow Bancroft Executive.
The #1 female squash player in the US, Natalie Grainger. You don't get to that level without a great racket.
Not only does Grainger use the racket, she actually helped design it. This is the kind of racket that is suitable for a professional.
The Harrow Bancroft Executive racket is heavy enough to take a punch while remaining light enough that you don't exhaust yourself completely.
That said, this racket has fantastic precision and control.
The Harrow Bancroft Executive Racquet will keep your opponent back and forth across the court, game after game.
While this racket can certainly be used by all types of players, it is worth considering that this racket may not be exactly what you are looking for, especially if you play a lot of singles squash.
With a weight of 155 grams, this racket is heavy for singles. Most singles rackets are 140 grams or less.
Dunlop Hyper T.I
- Durability: Dunlop rackets don't break often
- The grip from the factory is fantastic
- Long-lasting racket for a great price
- Doubles teardrop design means a smaller sweet spot
- The factory grip has ridges, which is different from most rackets
The Dunlop TI HQ Racket is a great racket for singles or doubles players, and features a bold black and orange design.
It is well balanced and maneuverable with its large hitting area, moderate stiffness and lightweight construction.
Plus, the weight is just about right – not too heavy, not too light. Dunlop rackets are known for their durability and affordability. This racket will be a weapon in battle for years to come.
The factory grip on this racket is fantastic, although it is different from most because of the different ridges. It is very grippy and comfortable, which is less likely to lead to light blisters after a long match.
A negative point with this racket is the teardrop design for doubles.
Typically doubles rackets have a shorter but wider head. Use of this racket for doubles is possible due to the weight and durability, but the teardrop-shaped design lends itself to a smaller sweet spot.
Head Graphene 360 +
- Great for attacking players for drop shots and lobs
- MicroGel technology leads to no vibration in squash squash
- Lightweight and stiff
- Not great for doubles
- Rectangular instead of square handle
The Head Extreme 360+ is built with lots of innovative features such as the Metallix, Flexpoint and Microgel technology.
This is a great racket for novice players hoping to quickly improve their playing skill and all-sound play.
The larger head size makes it easier for the beginner to play with great control and power.
The EXTREME provides stable power and maneuverability for the front club club player.
This squash racket is especially good for players who like to play a lot of drops and volleys. It is easy to handle due to its lightweight construction of only 120 grams. In addition, this racket can deliver a stiff performance with little or no vibration.
The negative of this racket is that it is not a good doubles game. This racket is definitely made for singles squash. Another concern for some players is the construction of the handle and grip.
Instead of a traditional "square" handle, this racket is more "rectangular", which can feel different in your hands.
Head Graphene Touch Speed
- Lightweight with unique weighting
- Little to no vibration
- Although it has a lot of power for such a light racket, some stronger players prefer a heavier weight for even more power
- The head-heavy aspect of the racket can take some getting used to
The Head Graphene Touch is one of the first-class rackets on the market. As the 2008 World Cup racket of choice Karim Darwish, you know this racket has what it takes.
This is one of the best quality rackets you can get and is durable enough to last for years.
Weighing only 4,76 oz, the Graphene Touch is a light and deadly machine that will help you take your game to the next level. Not only is it light, the Graphene Touch is weighted unlike most other rackets.
The Head Graphene Touch Squash Racquet is head heavy which some players may find taking some getting used to, but once you get comfortable with the weighting and balance you will see the true power of this racket.
All in all, the Head Graphene Touch Squash Racquet is a great racket for players across the spectrum. There are some aspects that some players may not like, but, hey, everyone is different, especially when it comes to squash.
If you're looking for a great gift or simply looking for an affordable way to step up your squash game, look no further than the Head Graphene Radical racket.
Karakal SN-90FF
- Ultra-lightweight for more power
- Head-heavy for more power
- Because it is so lightweight, it needs excellent shooting control
- Not ideal for doubles
- Somewhat brittle frame
The Karakal SN-90 FF squash racket is an ultra-light squash racket for single play. This racket has a premium price, lightweight construction, ease of use and the ability to generate power.
The racket is built with Fast Fiber Carbon Gel. The addition of Fast Fiber to this already super light racket gives you the opportunity to create more head speed and generate even more power.
This racket is definitely a singles oriented racket and many reviews on the web point to the fragility of the frame as it is prone to breaking. Just don't hit the wall!
Can you play squash with tennis racket?
You cannot play squash with a tennis racket. You will have to purchase a separate racket for it. But if you want to try out whether squash is for you, most courts have the possibility to rent a racket.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are several factors that contribute to making a racket "best" for you as an individual player. Depending on your playing style and physical characteristics, one racket may suit you better than another player.
If you're just starting out, the Black Knight C2C nXS will be a good option, but as an advanced player you can't go wrong looking at the Harrow Vapor.
Also read: what are the rules regarding the service in squash and where should I aim?
