Padel rackets: Shapes, weights, materials & how to choose a racket
The most important piece of padel equipment you can own, is your racket. Your racket is an extension of your style and picking the right one can instantly elevate your game.
There are several factors to consider when picking a padel racket, including shape, weight and materials, with rackets suited to different levels and styles of play.
A lot of padel venues will have rackets that you can hire on site, but if you are looking to get your own, you’ve come to the right place. Search for your nearest padel courts.
Our partners at Pro:Direct are on hand with the essential guide on how to choose the right padel racket for you:
Padel racket shapes
There are three basic shapes of padel racket – each one tailored to different styles and types of gameplay:
| Racket shape | Description |
| Teardrop |
The all-rounder’s choice. A perfect blend of control and power, ideal for players who switch fluidly between attack and defence. |
| Diamond |
Increases the speed and power of your shots. Most suited to players who like to play more attacking shots. |
| Round |
Increases control and consistency. Most suited to players who like to play longer rallies and have a defensive game. |
Padel racket weight
Rackets usually weigh between 340-390g, with different weights impacting the response when you hit the ball:
| Weight | Description |
| Light padel rackets (340-360g) | Increases control and reduces power |
| Heavy padel rackets (370-390g) | Increases power and reduces control (more suitable for advanced / pro players) |
The density of your padel racket will also contribute to how you play as well:
- Hard padel rackets – increases control but firmer shot response
- Soft padel rackets – increases power and absorbs shot response
Top tip: If you suffer from any form of arm pain, a lighter, softer racket could be more suitable for you to reduce the impact of shot.
Padel racket materials
Padel rackets are made up of two types of materials. You have a core material inside the racket and a surface material on the outside. The materials used can impact how each racket plays:
Core materials
- Foam Core – softer feel with increased power
- E.V.A. Core – firmer feel with greater control
Surface materials
- Fibreglass – flexible and easier to control, offering a softer touch
- Carbon/Graphite – lightweight but more firm to play with
Other features to look for
- Rough Surface: Helps generate spin on volleys and smashes.
- Hole Pattern: Larger holes = more spin; smaller holes = more stability.
- Anti-Vibration Tech: Reduces strain and absorbs shock on contact.
Padel racket sweet spot
The sweet spot on a padel racket is the most effective surface on the racket face for hitting the ball.
- Large sweet spot – increases control and consistency
- Small sweet spot – increases power but reduced control when you miss the sweet spot
- Elliptic sweet spot – this is offered by some padel rackets and gives more of a mix of control and power
What is the best padel racket for beginners?
For anyone just starting out, we’d recommend going for a round or teardrop shaped padel racket to help get more control and accuracy in your shots.
For beginners, we would also suggest a mid-weight racket between 360-370g to give you a good mix of power and control.
You might also want to go for a larger sweet spot, so you get more consistent results when hitting in rallies.
Beginners may look to choose a foam core and fibreglass racket for a more forgiving feel on your shots.