There is no better way to start our padel blog than by trying to answer the big question every padel player faces when they start playing. How do you know which padel racket to buy?
For now, we will focus this article on beginner or intermediate-level padel players. Later on, we will answer the questions of more advanced players. We hope that by the end you will know which padel racket to buy.
Tips for buying your ideal padel racket
The key to understanding which padel racket is best to start playing is to understand its technical aspects.
At Stock Padel, we believe the key aspects to consider are: the shape, the weight, the fiber, and the type of EVA foam.
Consider the shape of the racket
- Round: It is the shape best suited to start playing padel; it gives us the widest and most centered sweet spot possible. This lets us enjoy our first matches without having to think about exactly where we hit the ball. Any part of the racket's surface will give us optimal control and let us focus on other, more important aspects of the game.
- Teardrop: This shape reduces the sweet spot and moves it to a slightly higher part of the racket. These rackets have a medium balance that takes away control, so they are not the most recommended for a beginner level. They force us to know our game and calculate each shot so that we hit the ball with the upper part of the racket. We recommend these rackets for when we already have some level.
- Diamond: It is the most extreme shape a racket can have. We strongly advise against using it at an amateur level. The sweet spot is reduced even further, and power increases considerably. All of this will complicate our learning. As we have said, finding control in our game is more important than power. They are ideal for advanced players with a very offensive game.
Weight: can we find the same padel racket in different weights?
Of course, this is due to the amount of epoxy resin included in the racket. But let's focus on the different weight ranges; we will talk about how a racket is made later on.
Padel rackets can normally be found in different weight ranges:
- 330 – 355 g: Light rackets, made for the youngest players. Some brands choose this weight for rackets designed specifically for women.
- 355 – 370 g: This is the most common weight for a padel racket, the most widely used and the one that suits most players.
- 370 – 390 g: This is a higher weight; we only recommend it for experienced players.
However, there are always exceptions. You can find rackets with a high weight that don't feel heavy when playing; this is due to their balance, that is, the way the weight is distributed in the racket.
Balance: another important feature when choosing your racket
It is the way the weight of our padel racket is distributed.
- High: The weight is distributed in the upper part of the racket, so they deliver more power in the shot and may feel heavier. They are designed for offensive players, and we advise against them at an amateur level.
- Low: They give us less power but more control, since the weight of the racket is distributed in its lower part. This is the balance we want if our profile is that of a beginner.
EVA foam: hard or soft foam in my padel racket?
Here we are looking for an optimal feel for our first matches. EVA foam is one of the most important aspects when choosing our racket. Its density varies, and we have probably heard of “hard foam” and “soft foam”.
- High density: With this type of foam we will feel an uncomfortable, dry touch on impact. These foams give us power, but we lose control. We advise against using them if we are at a beginner or intermediate level.
- Low density: This type of foam gives us more control in the game. It helps us get the ball out without much effort. It is the right foam for an amateur level.
Look at the fiber of the racket
Although there are countless fibers and possible combinations, for now we will clarify the most basic ones.
- Fiberglass: It is a flexible fiber, which gives us a very comfortable feel. It is used in entry-level or mid-range rackets, perfect for getting started in this world.
- Carbon: Its main characteristic is stiffness, which brings power and control to the game. It is a leap in quality, although by no means essential for learning to play padel. Of course, its price is higher than that of fiberglass. It is used in high-end rackets.
IN SUMMARY:
The main advice for knowing which padel racket to buy starts with being honest with ourselves. Realistically, we should look for a racket that gives us control and maneuverability.
The perfect padel racket for an amateur level would be round, with a low balance, medium weight, low-density EVA foam and fiberglass. You can find padel rackets with these characteristics from €50.
If we are at an intermediate level or are looking for a racket with higher performance (50% carbon fiber – 50% fiberglass), we can find models from €70. In general, 100% carbon rackets can be found from €150, although there are exceptions, and if we look for clearance stock we will surely find a model close to €100. You can find some models in our racket outlet section.