Padel Rackets Advice

How to Choose a Padel Racket

Choosing a padel racket can be difficult. In this complete guide, we elaborate on all the terms and differences between different padel rackets.

The right padel racket should give you confidence on the padel court and enhance your game. Choosing the wrong padel racket not only causes you to perform worse on the padel court, but can also cause injuries.

Planning to buy a new padel racket? There is a huge selection of padel rackets on the market and it can be difficult to know which racket to choose. That's why we created this guide to help you make the right decision.

Choosing a padel racket in 5 steps

There is no one padel racket that is right for everyone. Your choice of racket should be based on your specific circumstances. Therefore, before looking at individual models, you should answer some basic questions for yourself.

Frequency

How often do you play padel? Do you play tournaments? For what reasons do you play padel? For example, if you like to play one day a week with friends, that's a very different situation than if you play five days a week plus tournaments.

If you play a lot, it may be worth investing in a more expensive, high-quality padel racket because it will last longer and allow you to develop faster. However, if you only play occasionally, you won't notice a particularly big difference between a simpler racket and a top-of-the-line racket.

Level

At what level do you play? Are you just starting padel or are you an advanced player or even a professional player?

A common beginner's mistake is to buy an overpriced and often difficult to play padel racket. You may look the coolest on the court, but you won't win matches with it if you don't master the technique well enough.

As a beginner, you are better off choosing an easy-to-play and forgiving racket, regardless of your budget. Once you are a more experienced player and have found your specific playing style, you can always switch to another racket. The next level is a recreational padel racket and then the advanced padel rackets.

Budget

How much money can and are you willing to spend on a padel racket? With a limited budget, you obviously have fewer options. However, a good padel racket does not have to be expensive. There are several models that offer great value for money.

Playing style

What is your playing style? Do you play right or left? Do you play mostly defensive or do you prefer to attack? These are also important questions you should ask yourself.

One of the most important aspects when choosing a padel racket is your playing style. If you are a player who prefers control and precision, you should obviously choose a racket with defensive characteristics. If you play a lot of volleys and smashes, you should look for a racket with more power.

The general idea is that the player on the left side is the more offensive player and the player on the right side is the more defensive player. However, there are plenty of exceptions to this rule, with attacking players on the right side and vice versa. This also very much depends on your level and knowledge of the game.

Physical

How much do you weigh? Are you in good shape? Have you had previous injuries?

You should choose a padel racket that is tailored to your weight and physique. Youth players and women generally play with lighter rackets, while men, especially those with a good physique, normally benefit from a slightly heavier racket.

If you suffer from injuries such as tennis elbow, choosing the right padel racket becomes especially important. You then want to try to find a model that is injury-friendly to play with, has less weight and is good at absorbing vibrations.

Padel racket shape

There are mainly three different shapes on a padel racket; round, diamond and teardrop. Each of them has its special characteristics with their advantages and disadvantages.

Round padel rackets

Padel rackets with a round shape are suitable for beginners because they are generally easy to handle and more forgiving to play with. They are also suitable for more advanced players who mainly seek control and precision in their play.

Padel rackets in teardrop shape

Players looking for a good balance between speed and control should look for a teardrop-shaped padel racket. They are generally slightly easier to play than diamond-shaped rackets and offer more power than the round ones.

Diamond-shaped padel rackets

Diamond-shaped padel rackets are suitable for the more aggressive player. They are harder to play with and do not offer the same control as a round racket. In return, you get significantly more power and speed in volleys, bandejas and smashes.

Want to know more about the different forms? Read this at the bottom of the page of the corresponding category.

The balance of the padel racket

An important aspect when choosing a padel racket is the balance. This is determined by the distribution of weight between the lowest and highest point, or grip and head of the racket.

Balance greatly affects how your padel racket feels on the padel court. Balance can be divided into three main categories: low balance, high balance and medium balance.

Low balance (heavy light)

Padel rackets with low balance are generally quite easy to handle and comfortable to play with. They are suitable for players who seek security and maximum control in their strokes. They are also softer to play with, which can help prevent injuries. The disadvantage of low balance rackets is that they do not generate the same power in offensive strokes such as volleys and smashes.

High balance (head heavy)

High-balance padel rackets offer more speed in the offensive game, but at the cost of less control and comfort. They generally require better technique more experience than the low-balance rackets. If you are prone to injury, you should be careful when choosing a head heavy padel racket.

Medium balance (even balanced)

If you are an all-round player looking for a good balance between speed and control, a medium-balanced racket may be a good alternative.

Hard or soft padel racket?

The next important aspect to consider when choosing your new padel racket is whether it should be hard or soft. They differ greatly in terms of feel and playability on the padel court.

Soft padel rackets

If you are a beginner, a soft padel racket can be a good choice because it helps you gain more speed. For example, when you block an opponent's shot at the net or hit a looser shot from the defensive part of the court, the elasticity generates more speed.
Soft padel rackets also absorb vibration better, making them a good alternative for those who want to avoid injury.

Hard padel rackets

Are you a more experienced player who hits hard? Then check out hard padel rackets, as they generate more power. A good rebound with a higher execution speed is the result of the ball not being absorbed by a soft material.
Harder rackets are not only more powerful, but also offer better control for players with good technique.

Internal core and surface materials

The material in the internal core is usually EVA, available in different densities, or FOAM. The surface consists of carbon fiber or fiberglass. Carbon fiber is a harder material with better durability, while fiberglass provides a softer feel when hitting the ball.

The weight of the padel racket

How much should a padel racket weigh? The answer is that there is no optimal weight. you must make your choice based on your boundary conditions, such as playing style and physics. However, there are some general tips and guidelines that we discuss in this guide.

Differences between light and heavy padel rackets

The most obvious difference is that lower-weight padel rackets are easier to handle. They allow you to move the racket faster to get into the right position in many situations on the padel court.
Heavier padel rackets are harder to handle, but actually give you more power in strokes. This is easily explained by Newton's second law: Force = mass x acceleration.

Choose a weight based on your boundary conditions

If you are a beginner with average technique, we recommend choosing a lighter racket. A racquet that is too heavy increases the risk of injury.
The general rule is that the heavier you are, the heavier the racket you can play with. Of course, your fitness level also affects the choice of racquet weight. A more athletic person can choose a heavier racket without the same risks of injury.
If you choose a padel racket with a high balance that is more difficult to handle, we recommend a lower weight racket. If your racket has a low balance, you don't need to pay so much attention to the weight, but rather to the grip.

General guidelines based on your body weight

Here are some general guidelines when choosing a padel racket based on your body weight.

• Men - body weight 50-70 kg: 360-365 grams
• Men - body weight 70-80 kg: 365-375 grams
• Men - body weight +80 kg: 380-390 grams
• Women - body weight 40-60 kg: 340-355 grams
• Women - body weight 60-70 kg: 360-365 grams
• Women - body weight +70 kg: 370-375 grams

Keep in mind that these are only general guidelines, it is important that you try different weights on the padel racket to find the right weight for you.

Choosing a padel racket - Summary

There is no such thing as a perfect padel racket. Which racket is right for you depends on your personal preferences and boundary conditions. You can choose the right padel racket by asking yourself how often you play, at what level you play, your budget and your fitness level.

Padel rackets can be round, Diamond-shaped or teardrop-shaped. Round padel rackets are suitable for beginners and more experienced players looking for control. More experienced players looking for power should look at diamond-shaped rackets. All-round players benefit from teardrop-shaped rackets.

The balance of a padel racket is determined by the distribution of weight. Head light padel rackets have a balance toward the grip, while head heavy rackets have the balance closer to the head of the racket. A low balance makes the racket easier to handle and more comfortable, while a racket with a high balance generates more power.

There are different densities of the internal core of padel rackets. Fiberglass gives a softer feel, while EVA is generally harder. Your personal preference and playing style determine which material you choose.

Another important aspect is the weight of the padel racket. Lighter rackets provide more mobility on the padel court, while heavier rackets generate more power due to more mass. A tip for beginners is to choose a slightly lighter racket. Remember that a racket that is too light or too heavy can cause injuries.

This explanation should be seen as a guideline. Ultimately, choosing the right padel racket is about finding a racket that you enjoy playing with and that brings out the best in you on the padel court.