7 Best Padel Rackets for Padel Lovers in 2023
Over the past few years, padel has become an increasingly popular sport and is now one of the fastest growing racket sports on the planet with a great community surrounding it.
But with so many padel rackets on the market, how can you know which is the best to choose from?
Well luckily for you I have tested and reviewed the 7 best padel rackets you can buy in 2023.
Let’s get into it!
Reviews of the 7 Best Padel Rackets in 2023
1. Babolat Viper Counter
Price: $$$ | Weight: 365g | Skill Level: Advanced
Pros
- Lots of control
- Large sweet spot
- Explosive
- Extra long grip
Cons
- Difficult to get used to unless you are experienced
The Babolat Viper Counter is my pick for the best padel racket of 2023.
This is the perfect padel racket for any experienced player who is looking to add more control and spin to their game.
But this does not mean it is a very defensive racket. The large and centered sweet spot, makes it perfect for those explosive smashes and powerful moves. I found that the large sweet spot also makes this racket a bit more forgiving on mishits compared to others on the market.
One thing you may notice about this racket is its unique head shape. Normally with a round head shape the rackets tend to be suited more for a defensive player but the Babolat Viper Counter is perfect for people that love to be more offensive.
My favorite feature of the Viper Counter is its extra-long grip. As someone with a double-handed backhand, this made it a lot easier to hit those shots.
Although I have to say, if you’re not an experienced player you may struggle to adapt to this racket due to its unique head shape. But I can assure you, once you have got used to playing with the Babolat Viper Counter, you won’t be disappointed.
2. Dunlop Galactica
Price: $$$ | Weight: 370g | Skill Level: Any
Pros
- Good price
- Plenty of power
- Good control
- Looks great
Cons
- Quite heavy
The Dunlop Galactica is a well-balanced, high-end racket and is the padel racket of choice for World Padel Tour player Juani Meires.
Built into the racket is their Pro Eva and Carbon 6k Japanese foam technology making it feel very comfortable with those smashes and high balls.
Teardrop-shaped rackets are generally a lot more powerful due to the weight distribution between the grip and head. This is definitely the case with the Dunlop Galactica, making it a great racket for aggressive players that want a bit more power in their shots.
I did find that this racket felt quite heavy compared to some others on this list, however, it wasn’t enough to put me off. In fact, I found it had better shock absorption due to the heavier weight which is ideal if you suffer from tennis elbow.
Oh yeah, and it looks awesome.
3. Adidas Metalbone 3.1
Price: $$$$ | Weight: 345-360g | Skill Level: Advanced
Pros
- Very powerful
- Great quality
- Adjustable weight technology
Cons
- Expensive
Throughout the years, Adidas has always made some of the best quality padel markets on the market and this is no exception when it comes to the Adidas Metalbone 3.1.
Developed by world no.1 player Alejandro Galan Romo, this racket was made for those aggressive-style players who want a powerful, dynamic style of play. As it is an oversized racket, the Adidas Metalbone 3.1 has a larger sweet spot than other rackets so even on those mishits you can still have control.
However, one of the main new features is the option to change the weight of the racket. It has an innovative weighting system that allows you to choose between a heavier or lighter racket and move the balance higher or lower. This is done through 6 customizable weights on the side of the racket that you can remove whenever you like.
But, this feature does come at a cost. The Adidas Metalbone 3.1 is one of the most expensive rackets on the market which is why I’d only recommend it for advanced padel players.
4. Head Graphene 360+ Alpha Pro
Price: $$$ | Weight: 375g | Skill Level: Intermediate/Advanced
Pros
- Great feel
- Good power
- Comfortable to use
Cons
- Heavy
The Head Graphene 360+ Alpha Pro is a padel racket built for feel and power and is used by top player: Sanyo Gutierrez.
Not only is Head one of the top racket brands in the world of tennis, but it has also become one of the top brands in the padel world.
The Graphene 360+ Alpha Pro has a very soft “Power Foam” which helps to generate maximum power on your strokes. Combined with the Graphene 360+ technology, that we see in their tennis racket range, this means that you have the perfect combination of feel and power so you can push your opponents on the court.
However, I did find this racket quite heavy to use. While this did help with adding more power to my game, I found that my shoulder was tired after long periods of use. Then again, maybe I should just be hitting the gym more.
I can’t be the only one who loves this black and white design, right?
5. Adidas Adipower 3.1
Price: $$$$ | Weight: 375g | Skill Level: Advanced
Pros
- Large sweet spot
- Loads of power
- Good grip and control
Cons
- Expensive
- Not suitable for beginners
With power in the name, how could you turn down this racket?
The Adidas Adipower 3.1 is a diamond-shaped racket that offers lots of power due to its large sweet spot. Combine this with their EVA High Memory rubber core you won’t find many rackets that can produce more power than this.
The Adidas Adipower 3.1 also has Spin Blade Technology built into it which helps you achieve more spin and grip on your shots for control.
However, inexperienced players may struggle to control their shots due to the amount of power this racket has. Plus, this is an expensive racket so I would only recommend it for players that are serious about their padel game.
6. Nox Equation WPT
Price: $$ | Weight: 360-375g | Skill Level: Any
Pros
- Good price
- Comfortable
- Great control
- Fun to use
Cons
- Lacks power
The Nox Equation WPT is a control racket that is great for any type of player due to its ease of use.
It has a round head shape that gives you lots of control as well as plenty of power due to the big sweet spot. While it may not be as powerful as some of the other rackets on this list, you won’t be disappointed.
The price tag is very appealing as well.
You will enjoy your experience with the Nox Equation WPT.
7. Head Evo Delta
Price: $| Weight: 365g | Skill Level: Beginners
Pros
- Cheap
- Ideal for beginners
- Comfortable to use
- Good amount of control and power
Cons
- Lacks technology compared to high-end rackets
The Head Evo Delta is the racket I’d recommend if you’re new to padel and are looking for a budget-friendly option.
It has a round head that I found offers a nice blend of power and control whilst being very arm-friendly and comfortable to use. This is due to the Innegra technology that is built into it for shock absorption.
The Head Evo is also the cheapest racket on this list making it perfect for new players looking to buy their first padel racket.
However, if you’re an intermediate/advanced player, you may want a racket that can handle the faster pace of the ball.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions related to the padel rackets:
When Was Padel Invented?
Padel was invented in Acapulco, Mexico in 1969 by Enrique Corcuera. Enrique was inspired by tennis and squash and wanted to create a sport that combined elements of both. This sport was then introduced to the community and immediately grew in popularity.
In the 1980s, padel became very popular in Spain and is now the 2nd most popular sport in the country behind football.
Padel is continuing to grow in popularity and is now being recognised in the United States and the UK where many new padel courts are built every year.
How to Play Padel
Padel is an easy sport to learn especially if you’re familiar with the rules of tennis. However, there is still a lot you can learn. If you’re looking to learn the basics of padel then I’d recommend checking out this video:
Where to Play Padel
More and more padel courts and clubs are getting built every year. If you’re looking for a club that is close to you I’d recommend searching “[YOUR AREA] padel clubs” on google.
Many clubs will offer group lessons as well as individual coaching lessons so you can improve your padel game.
What is the Best Padel Racket for Beginners?
If you’re a beginner who’s just starting out in padel, then I’d recommend the Head Evo Delta.
This racket offers a good combination of power and control and is very comfortable on the arm, allowing you to focus on improving your strokes.
Plus, it is very affordable so you’re not having to break the bank to afford a new racket.
What is the Best Padel Racket for Intermediate Players?
If you’re an intermediate player then I’d recommend trying out the Dunlop Galactica. It is a well-balanced racket that can handle the extra pace you will receive from tougher opponents.
If you’re a very offensive player that is looking to add more power to their game, try out the Head Graphene 360+ Alpha Pro.
What is the Best Padel Racket for Advanced Players?
Final Words
Well, there you have it. Those are my picks for the best padel rackets for 2023.
And hopefully you have found the perfect racket that suits your needs.
So what’s next?
It’s time to get out there and start playing the fastest growing sport in the world!
Image Source: Manuel Pappacena