Choosing the Right Padel Racket Shape: A Complete Guide
CHOOSING THE RIGHT PADEL RACKET
When stepping onto the padel court, your racket choice can make all the difference. With so many options available, one of the most important decisions is the shape of the racket. The shape not only influences how much power or control you’ll get, but also how forgiving the racket will be when you don’t hit the ball perfectly.
Let’s break it down into the three main shapes:
- Round → Best for control, easier to handle, bigger sweet spot. Perfect for beginners.
- Teardrop → A balanced mix of control + power. Great for intermediates.
- Diamond → Designed for maximum power, but harder to control. Favoured by advanced/pro players.
🔰 Rackets for Beginners (Levels 1–2–3)
If you’re just starting out, go for a round-shaped racket. The sweet spot is centered and wide, making the racket more forgiving.
👉 What to look for in a beginner racket:
- Weight: ~345–370 g (lighter is easier to swing).
- Materials: Fiberglass or fiberglass + soft carbon. Soft EVA core for comfort and reduced arm strain.
- Balance: Low or medium balance = easier control and manoeuvrability.
✅ Best beginner-friendly brands:
| Brand | Why they’re good for beginners |
| Bullpadel | Very popular, huge range of models. |
| Nox | Balanced rackets, generous sweet spot, good quality at fair prices. |
| StarVie | Spanish-made, durable, beginner-friendly models. |
| Akkeron | Comfortable rackets, good entry-level options. |
⚡ Rackets for Intermediate Players (Levels 4–5)
Once you’ve mastered the basics, you’ll want a racket that gives you more power without losing control. That’s where teardrop-shaped rackets shine — versatile, balanced, and suitable for both offensive and defensive play.
👉 Perfect weight for intermediates:
- ~360–375 g
- Lower end (360–365 g): More manoeuvrable, quicker at the net.
- Higher end (370–375 g): More punch on smashes & overheads, suited for stronger players.
✅ Recommended brands:
- Nox → Reliable balance, excellent for all-round play.
- Bullpadel → Huge range of versatile rackets.
🏆 Rackets for Advanced & Pro Players (Levels 6–7)
At this stage, precision, power, and feel are key. Diamond-shaped rackets deliver maximum power, but demand solid technique. Many pros also use specialized teardrop or hybrid models for a balance of aggression and control.
✅ Best brands for advanced players:
- Bullpadel
- XPLO 25 → For advanced power players.
- Neuron 25 → Control-oriented, perfect for constructing points.
- Pro players: Paquito Navarro, Alejandra Salazar, Delfi Brea, Gemma Triay, Fede Chingotto, Juan Martín Díaz.
- Nox
- Luxury Series (AT10 Genius 12K/18K, etc.) → Premium carbon construction, HR3 foam cores, exceptional feel.
- Premium FR Exclusive 12K → Built for demanding players.
- Pro players: Agustín Tapia, Miguel Lamperti, Aranzazu Osoro, Majo Sánchez Alayeto.
- StarVie
- Renowned for craftsmanship, durability, and balance.
- Astrum → Round shape, head-light, focused on control.
- Pro players: Javier Garrido, Momo González, Mapi & Majo Alayeto.
🎯 Quick Recap
- Beginner (L1–3): Round shape, light weight (~345–370 g), fiberglass, low/medium balance.
- Intermediate (L4–5): Teardrop shape, medium weight (~360–375 g), carbon mix, balance between control & power.
- Advanced (L6–7): Diamond shape, heavier (~370–380 g), full carbon, high balance for maximum power.
👉 If you want to see the trendiest rackets of the moment, check out Padelhip — they stock the latest models from Bullpadel, Nox, StarVie, and more.