Best Padel Rackets of 2024: The Guide You Were Looking For

We have all experienced that indecision and difficulty in choosing which racket to buy when we want to take that step forward in our game. We find ourselves overwhelmed by the many options the market offers. That’s why our purpose is to analyze all the padel rackets available to make your choice a bit easier.

After conducting analyses in 2024 and considering previous years, here are our suggestions based on the most common needs.

To carry out these analyses and evaluations, we consider the following parameters: handling, sweet spot, ball output, control, and power.

The Racket of 2024: Bullpadel Vertex 04 2024

This racket has proven to be the most exceptional one we’ve found, ideal for those seeking a perfect balance between power and control without any limitations. Used by Juan “the cat” Tello, it stands out for its diamond shape and rough top spin surface, which facilitates generating spin in offensive shots. The CustomWeight system allows us to adjust the weight to achieve the perfect balance according to our needs and playing style. It also includes the so-called Air Power, strengthening the structure compared to its previous version.

On the court, we noticed that its wide sweet spot makes defense from the back easier without sacrificing control. The racket’s response is excellent at both high and low speeds, allowing smooth transitions to attack. At the net, it enabled us to apply great power in volleys and easily generate spin, although a good technical gesture is required to effectively block the opponent’s wall drops.

During smashes, the racket’s structure facilitated bringing the ball back to our court or taking it out for three with ease. The ability to adjust the weight through the CustomWeight system allowed us to increase the balance at the top, thus increasing the power in shots. The composition of the core and faces of the rackets favors less ball penetration, resulting in more powerful and aggressive shots.

Pros:

• Perfect balance between power and control.
• Wide sweet spot that facilitates defense.
• Rough Top Spin surface that enhances spin in attacks.

Cons:

• Requires good technical gesture to maximize performance.
• Some batches have shown fragility with low durability (the brand usually responds well with the warranty).

Bullpadel Vertex 04 2024

Puntuación total: 8.95

180.00€

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Best POWER Racket: Babolat Technical Viper Juan Lebron 2024

This time we go with the racket of “The Wolf,” with a very striking diamond shape and a long grip that will delight those who want to shine with their X3 smash. Born to take the initiative in the game and stand out at the net.

On the court, its medium-high balance of about 26.3 cm makes it perfect for playing at the net, crushing the ball like few racket’s can.

In defense, this racket demands a good technical level due to its hardness. Although challenging at low speeds, it responds better in fast shots, transmitting applied force with precision. The sweet spot is standard-sized, offering adequate control.

In mid-court, it generates speed and control when hitting the sweet spot. The elongated handle facilitates leverage, increasing acceleration. It requires constant precision and strength, ideal for players with a medium-high technical level.

At the net, the racket offers maneuverability, which pleasantly surprised us, and control in intense shots. Its more hollow sound provides greater comfort compared to the previous version. However, its hardness and technical demand make it less suitable for beginners.

Pros:

• Can add a lot of weight to the ball thanks to its marked sandpaper-like finish.
• Surprisingly maneuverable, thanks to its medium balance.
• Smart Buttcap allows for easy string changes, adapting to each player’s preferences, hidden under the cap.

Cons:

• Requires a long gesture in medium-low speed balls to hit well.
• Very changing sensations between the sweet spot and the outer area of the racket.
• The sandpaper-like roughness will wear off over time.

Babolat Technical Viper Juan Lebron 2024

Puntuación total: 8.55

220.00€

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Best CONTROL Racket: Nox ML10 Pro Cup Luxury 2024

Miguel Lamperti’s racket is once again our choice for the best control racket. Keeping its classic aesthetics, this racket incorporates 3K carbon in its faces and HR3 rubber inside, offering a medium-soft touch. The new EOS Flat system and an additional row of holes on the sides are noticeable from the first moment, significantly improving maneuverability.

The ML10 ProCup Luxury 2024 stands out for its comfort and wide sweet spot. The ball output is excellent at low speeds, requiring little effort for the ball to come out easily. Its improved maneuverability allows precise control in every shot, ideal for maintaining control in defensive situations.

The racket allows for easy depth without much effort thanks to its medium balance and medium-soft touch. The rough surface helps control the ball in cut volleys, offering a sense of security and precision in every shot. Ideal for players seeking precision in their shots without causing much fatigue. Although it may lose some power in flat smashes, it is more effective in lifted smashes from the back, where it feels more comfortable and efficient.

Pros:

• Great comfort and one of the best sweet spots on the market.
• Excellent maneuverability and control.
• Rough surface that enhances effect in volleys.

Cons:

• Less effective in flat accelerated smashes due to its medium-soft touch.

Nox ML10 Pro CUP Luxury 2024

Puntuación total: 8.9

139.99€

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Best VALUE Racket: Adidas Adipower 3.2 Ctrl 2023

This 2023 racket remains one of the best on the market and has become an excellent option in 2024 due to its significant price drop, making it the best value racket for this year. Used by Captain America, Alex Ruíz, this racket combines control and power in an elegant design. It maintains the 15K aluminized carbon in the frames and carbon fiber in the faces.

At the back of the court, it demonstrates its high hardness, ideal for players with good technical level. Its large sweet spot and controlled ball output allow for angled dink shots and precise lobs. It requires refined technique to prevent the ball from falling short in defensive shots but will reward with exceptional control.

It shines with its firm and solid touch, facilitating deep cut volleys. Its light weight and excellent maneuverability allow for quick and effective movements, whether in blocks or consecutive volleys. The absence of a significant rebound effect ensures controlled and precise returns, even in hard balls.

Despite its round shape, its EVA High Memory rubber does not soften upon impact, allowing for powerful and precise smashes. Its medium balance facilitates finishing points with shots like the x3 or bringing it back, proving to be a versatile and efficient racket in all game situations.

If you are looking for a value racket but this one does not suit your playing style or level, check out this article on best value padel racket’s where you’ll find more options.

Pros:

• Great value for money.
• Wide sweet spot and excellent control.
• Firm touch that facilitates control at the net.

Cons:

• Requires good technique due to its hardness, not suitable for beginners.

Adidas Adipower 3.2 Ctrl 2023

Puntuación total: 8.75

119.95€

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Best VERSATILE Racket: Adidas Metalbone HRD+ 2024

Compared to its 2023 version, Ale Galán’s racket presents improvements with a robust and adaptable design. The conventional string, slightly shorter handle, and red octagonal cap indicate the presence of Adidas’ hard rubber. With technologies like Octogonal Structure and the Weight Balance system, this racket allows for weight and balance adjustment according to player preferences, giving it great versatility.

It is characterized by its medium-hard hardness, offering a slightly reduced sweet spot that makes it more technical. With all the weight screws in place, the racket has a lower balance of 26 cm, providing superior control. The EVA High Memory rubber allows for quick recovery in powerful shots, facilitating ball speed without much effort.

The roughness extending to the lower part of the racket improves control in volleys and cut shots. Its oversized diamond design and the ability to adjust the balance through the screws make this racket perfectly adaptable to different playing styles, allowing both control and power in shots.

It allows for excellent control and handling, thanks to its balanced design and the possibility of adjusting its weight. In smashes, the racket is reactive, facilitating powerful shots with little effort. However, its hardness requires a medium-high technical level to adapt to the rebound it generates at high speed.

Pros:

• High adaptability thanks to the Weight Balance system.
• Excellent control and maneuverability.
• Extended roughness that enhances effect in shots.

Cons:

• Requires good technical level due to its reduced sweet spot.

Adidas Metalbone HRD+ 2024

Puntuación total: 9.1

254.15€

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Best Racket for WOMEN: Adidas Cross IT Light 2024

Used by Marta Ortega, it combines innovative design and advanced technologies to offer exceptional performance. With an elongated handle, medium balance, and an aerodynamic heart Dynamic A Flow, it provides maneuverability without compromising control and comfort.

With a sweet spot larger than standard and a medium-soft hardness with a dry touch, along with its balance of 26.5 cm and light weight of 355 g, it allows for good maneuverability, although slightly inferior to previous models. At low speed, the ball output is good, significantly improving at medium and high speeds.

It stands out for its acceleration capacity in overhead shots. The longer handle and higher balance facilitate ball speed with little effort. However, in very strong flat shots, it can absorb some power, while in effect shots, it offers excellent performance and control.

Its dry touch provides good sensations, allowing for depth with little gesture at low speed. In smashes, although not its strong point, it offers decent power thanks to the EVA Soft Energy rubber and aerodynamic design. It is more effective in lifted smashes than in flat ones.

Pros:

• Excellent maneuverability and control.
• Large sweet spot and good ball feel.
• Elongated handle that facilitates acceleration in aerial shots.

Cons:

• Less power in flat smashes due to its medium-soft hardness and light weight.

Adidas Cross It Light 2024

Puntuación total: 8.5

164.89€

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Best Racket for BEGINNERS: Nox MM2 Pro by Manu Martin

Designed by the great Manu Martín, this tear-shaped racket combines a well-received aesthetic design with advanced technologies, offering exceptional performance for almost all levels at an affordable price, especially now with the available discounts.

From the first moment we tried it, we saw that it has a wide sweet spot and excellent ball output, facilitating control and comfort. Its hybrid format and medium-low balance ensure superior maneuverability, ideal for maintaining control in defensive shots, standing out in this aspect compared to similar racket’s from the Nox family like the ML10 Pro Cup Luxury. The combination of 12K carbon and HR3 core provides a medium-soft touch, perfect for players seeking control and power.

In mid-court, we found a racket that stands out for offering uniform hitting and high ball output. It is ideal for players looking for a racket that responds well at low speeds. The roughness on the face, although not very marked, facilitates control of effects in shots.

With excellent maneuverability and control in quick direction changes. Its medium-soft touch is ideal for blocks and volleys, although precision is required in strong shots to prevent the ball from getting out of control. In smashes, the racket shows good response in smashes for three, while in flat smashes it does not have the output expected by heavy hitters.

Pros:

• Great sweet spot and ball output.
• Excellent maneuverability and control in defense and at the net.
• Affordable price, ideal for players of various levels.

Cons:

• Not focused on heavy hitters who want to bring it back constantly.

Nox MM2 Pro 2023

Puntuación total: 8.7

110.99€

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Best Racket Under €100: Head Graphene 360 Alpha Pro

The Austrian brand maintains its models for more than a year, differentiating itself from other brands. That’s why we believe this high-end model becomes an excellent option for 2024 at an unbeatable price.

The racket of former number one Sanyo Gutiérrez remains a top seller. Its excellent construction with graphene 360 in the faces and frame provides great resistance and durability. Head’s power FOAM rubber offers a medium touch and excellent ball output. Its tear-shaped mold offers excellent control.

It is a versatile racket, suitable for both defense and attack, with a good sweet spot thanks to the Optimized Sweet Point system. It is useful from both the back of the court and at the net.

A versatile racket for right- or left-handed players who are not heavy hitters, which we will continue to see in 2024 on all courts.

Pros:

• Great resistance and durability.
• Excellent control and ball output.
• Versatility in defense and attack.

Cons:

• May require adaptation to make the most of its potential.
• Not oriented towards smashing play.