If you are thinking about getting into Padel, now is the best time. The sport is growing at a fast pace, and more people are finding out about this niche racket sport that combines the best elements of tennis and squash.
But what is the best padel racket for beginners? That is what we are here to explore! Read on and find the best padel racket to start your padel journey.
What is Padel?
Padel is a racket sport that was invented in Mexico in the late 1960s and has since become popular in Latin America and Spain. that is played within an enclosed space. It is a racket sport that combines elements from Tennis, Racquetball, and Squash into a unique game played with a net in the center of the court and walls on either side of it.
Padel is characterized by its walled court. Similar to tennis, padel is played across a net that also divides the middle of the court. The court is larger than a pickleball court and smaller than a regular tennis court, and it has walls that surround the court’s boundaries, so players can legally play the ball off of them like squash or racquetball. A padel paddle is generally made of plastic, thicker than a pickleball paddle, and has holes. Tennis balls can be substituted for the ball, as it looks similar to them.
The sport has been growing in popularity, especially lately after slowly made its way to America. In 1993 the US Padel Association was formed in Chattanooga, TN. Nowadays, different places to play padel are becoming more available.
Where can I play Padel?
Padel can be played in most major cities in the US if you can find a court to play on. The uniquely walled court makes it an expensive court to build, similar to how squash and racquetball courts are somewhat exclusive in nature. That being said, there are places to play Padel if you look hard enough. In NYC for example, there is a location in Williamsburg Brooklyn called Padel Haus, a club with many indoor padel courts exclusively run for padel enthusiasts. If you are in Spain, Mexico or Argentina however, padel courts could be more easily accessible given padel’s origin story and the popularity of the sport in those countries.
What should I look for in a Padel racket?
Weight – Beginners should be using a much lighter padel racket. This will give the beginning player much more maneuverability and let them focus on building good hitting form. Heavier rackets are used to introduce more power into a swing, but its important to just make sure you get a handle on volleying the ball and successfully swinging a racket with good form. A lighter padel will help you accomplish these things. A good weight for a beginner should be around 350-360 grams.
Shape – there are different shape options for padel rackets. The most common are round, teardrop and diamond shapes. Round shaped is the best for beginners. They typically have the sweet spot right in the center, and are best for controlling how the ball comes off the racket. You’ll want to get your control of your shot down before anything else.
Grip – For grip, you’ll just want something that is comfortable and good enough that your padel won’t slip. Material is something that
Material – most padels are made with Fiberglass and Carbon Fiber. Fiberglass is probably the best choice for a padel racket, mostly due to its lighter weight and softer touch as compared to carbon fiber. Carbon fiber is harder and will deliver more power. Once you become more of an intermediate player, moving to Carbon Fiber could be a wise choice.
Best overall Padel racket for beginners – Adidas Match Padel Racket
Adidas is a trusted brand by racket sports enthusiasts, and they just so happen to make a fantastic padel racket for beginners. This Adidas paddle features great comfort and balance for those just starting out in Padel. The fiberglass surface gives your drive of the ball a quality bounce off of the paddle. Most of the reviews for this paddle state that it is perfect for just starting out as the grip is quality enough for mild usage and the weight is in the middle range. The design is also beautiful, so you won’t look like a bum out there on the court with some cheap paddle.
Best Padel racket set for beginners – GRANDCOW Carbon Fiber Padel Racket Pair
For slightly over $100, you’ll get 2 quality Padel rackets. This is a great purchase for a romantic couple or two buddies to kick off their new padel hobby. The GrandCow padel rackets feature a full carbon fiber composite surface for high performance and lightning-fast reactions. The vibration control is solid given the full-size carbon frame and perfect triangle-angle hand support with a soft memory core. The grip handle is quality as well as it has a soft anti-slip sweat-resistant grip built-in with an adjustable wrist-lock, you’ll enjoy a comfortable and safe playing experience.
Best budget Padel racket for beginners – WLSRW Carbon Fiber Padel Racket
All of the buyers featured in the reviews describe a positive experience with this WLSRW paddle, especially for beginners. And at a reasonable price point of under $60, this is a really great budget racket to start out with. The carbon fiber provides a great feel and power to shots, making it easier to hit the ball with precision and accuracy. The grip is comfortable and easy to hold, and the overall weight and balance of the racket are perfect for hitting powerful shots without sacrificing control. A few reviewers mention minor issues such as noise when shaking the racket, but overall, the product is well-received.
Best premium Padel racket for beginners – Royal Padel Supercross
If you have some extra cash to invest in your first padel racket, you can do no wrong with the coveted Royal Padel supercross. If you plan on playing padel for years and improving your playing abilities, you might be using this racket for years to come because this paddle is the real deal for both newbies and pros alike.
Its new core made of eva/poly technology gives it an extra punch of power that’s perfect for hitting the ball with great force. The bidirectional fiberglass fabric makes it durable and flexible, with three layers of aluminum fiberglass impregnated with epoxy resin including titanium oxide. Plus, the hybrid core made with high-density polyethylene and resistant EVA rubber gives you immediate recovery and durability with a smooth design. You’ll get a fantastic combination of control, precision, and comfort with this racket. It’s been tested to meet the requirements of expert players, so you’re guaranteed high quality and injury prevention.
The one piece of negative feedback we saw was the grip, as it was reported to be slippery by a few reviewers. Other than that, this is a good bet on a padel racket that will give you quality games for years to come.
Best Padel racket for kids – Wilson Minions Junior Eyes Padel Racket
We wouldn’t leave the kids out of our review process, now would we? This Wilson paddle is a fun first padel racket for kids. This paddle offers a perfect combination of stability and responsiveness with its fiberglass weave technology. The racket’s grip, comfort, and feel are also optimal, and it comes with a wrist strap for added convenience. Overall, the Wilson Blade Junior padel racket is an excellent option for children looking to develop their skills in the sport.