PADEL Rackets, known as the world's fastest growing racket sport, is played in doubles on an enclosed court, much like tennis and squash but with walls that can be used as part of the game. The objective is to score points by playing a ball to the opponent's side of the court without it coming back. In this guide, we'll delve into the world of padel rackets, providing you with everything you need to know to choose the perfect one for your style, level of play, and budget.
What is Padel?
Padel, invented in 1969 by Enrique Corcuera, is a racket sport played on an enclosed court with walls that can be used as part of the game. It is similar to tennis and squash in that the ball can bounce off the glass wall or metallic mesh that surrounds the court. Unlike those sports, however, padel is typically played outdoors and is particularly popular in countries such as Mexico, Argentina, the UK, and the USA.
What is a Padel Racket?
A padel racket is the essential equipment used in padel games. It resembles a tennis racket but has a few notable differences, such as being covered with holes instead of strings and featuring a frame made of materials like fiberglass or carbon fiber.
Shape
There are mainly three shapes on a padel racket: round, diamond, and teardrop. Each one has its special characteristics with their advantages and disadvantages.
Round Padel Rackets
Round padel rackets are suitable for beginners as they are generally easy to handle and more forgiving to play with. They are also suitable for more advanced players who primarily seek control and precision in their game.
Diamond-shaped Padel Rackets
Diamond-shaped padel rackets suit the more aggressive player. They are more difficult to play with and do not offer the same control as a round racket. In exchange, you gain significantly more power and speed in volleys, bandejas and smashes.
Teardrop-shaped Padel Rackets
Players who look 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.
Balance
An important aspect when choosing the padel racket is the balance. It is determined by how the weight is distributed between the lowest and highest point, more specifically the grip and the head of the racket.
Low Balance
Padel rackets with a low balance are generally pretty easy to handle and comfortable to play with. They suit players who seek security and maximum control in their shots. They are also more gentle to play with, which can help avoid injury. The disadvantage of the low-balance rackets is that they do not generate the same power in offensive shots such as volleys and smashes.
High Balance
High balance padel rackets offer more speed in the attacking play, but at the expense of reduced 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 about choosing a high balance padel racket.
Medium Balance
If you are an all-round player who is looking for a good balance between speed and control, a medium balance racket can be a good alternative.
Hard or Soft Padel Racket?
When it comes to choosing your new padel racket, you'll also need to consider whether it should be hard or soft.
Soft Padel Rackets
If you are a beginner, a soft padel racket can be a good choice, as it helps you get more speed. When you, for example, block a shot from the opponent 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 vibrations better, making them a good alternative for those who want to avoid injuries.
Hard Padel Rackets
Are you a more experienced player who hits hard? Then take a closer look at hard padel rackets as they generate more power. Good recoil with higher output speed is the result of the ball not being absorbed by a soft material.
In addition to being more powerful, harder rackets also offer better control for players with good technique.
Internal Core and Surface
The material in the internal core is normally either EVA, available in various densities or FOAM. The surface is made of either carbon fiber or fiberglass.
Carbon fiber is a harder material with better durability, while fiberglass provides a softer feel when hitting the ball.
Weight
How much should a padel racket weigh? The answer is that there is no optimal weight. You should make your choice based on your pre-conditions, such as playing style and physics.
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 correct position in many situations on the padel court.
Heavier padel rackets are harder to handle, but instead, give you more power in the shots. This is easily explained by Newton’s second law: Power = Mass x Acceleration.
Best Padel Rackets of 2023
There is a huge amount of padel rackets on the market and new brands are being introduced regularly. We frequently try new models and publish our reviews at PadelJoy.
After reading this buyers guide, you hopefully have an idea of what type of racket you are looking for. In our guide Best Padel Rackets of 2023, you will find racket recommendations for all types of players.
##Choosing the right padel racket is about finding a racket that you enjoy to play with and bring out the best of you on the padel court. Padel is a sport that is played worldwide and organized by national federations at the country level, so it's a great way to improve your game, whether you're a pro or a beginner. With our extensive experience in this sport, we will help you find the most suitable racket for your individual playing style and preferences.
