As a beginner you don’t need an expensive racket. In fact, the wrong racket can actually make learning harder. This guide explains what makes a good beginner racket, which specs matter, and which models to consider.
Hire first, buy later
Before you buy anything: hire a racket for your first few sessions. Almost every venue in Austria offers racket hire. Three to five sessions are enough to get a feel for what properties you prefer — and to make sure padel is actually your sport.
What makes a good beginner racket?
Shape: round is beginner-friendly
Padel rackets come in three basic shapes:
- Round (Redondo): Larger sweet spot, more forgiving on off-centre hits. Ideal for beginners.
- Teardrop (Lagrimero): Balance of control and power. Better for intermediate players.
- Diamond (Diamante): Small sweet spot, maximum power. For experienced and professional players.
As a beginner, always choose a round shape. A larger sweet spot means more control and less frustration when you don’t hit the ball perfectly.
Weight: lighter gives more control
Most padel rackets weigh between 330 and 390 grams. For beginners, aim for the mid-range (345–365 g):
- Too light: less stability against hard balls
- Too heavy: tires the arm, reduces control
Balance: low or mid
- Low balance (grip-heavy): More control, less power. The better choice for beginners.
- High balance (head-heavy): More power, but harder to control.
Look for rackets with low or mid balance.
Core: EVA vs. foam
The core material determines how the racket feels on contact:
- EVA (ethylene-vinyl acetate): Firmer, less vibration absorption. More control but can feel harsh on hard shots.
- Foam (polyethylene): Softer, springier. Easier on the arm, more “touch”. Common in beginner rackets.
For beginners, a foam core is generally more comfortable.
Surface: carbon vs. fibreglass
- Fibreglass: Rougher surface, more spin potential. Cheaper. Good for beginners.
- Carbon: Stiffer, more precise. More expensive. Better suited to intermediate players.
Beginner recommendation: fibreglass surface.
Recommended models by budget
Note: prices and availability change. Always check the current price with the retailer.
Budget under €60
In this range you’ll find solid starter rackets from Artengo (Decathlon) and Babolat. Ideal if you want to try padel without committing much money.
- Materials: usually foam core, fibreglass surface
- Shape: round
- For: absolute beginners, occasional players
Mid-range €60–120
This is where padel starts to get genuinely fun. Rackets from Bullpadel, Head, Babolat, and Nox offer a noticeably better feel without breaking the bank.
Worth looking at in this range:
- Head Spark Pro — grip-heavy, round shape, very forgiving
- Babolat Technical Vertuo — solid control, comfortable weight
- Bullpadel Hack — popular with beginners moving up quickly
Premium €120–200
Once you know padel is your sport, this range is worth the jump. Better materials, more precise sweet spot, clearly improved feel.
- Nox Tempo Wheader — popular with beginners who want to improve fast
- Bullpadel Vertex 04 — grip-heavy, excellent control
- Head Delta Elite — large sweet spot, forgiving and powerful
Where to buy
- Decathlon (stores in Austria) — cheapest option for beginner rackets
- Amazon.de — wide selection, fast delivery to Austria
- padelfreunde.de — specialist padel shop with good advice
- tennis-point.at — Austrian shop with padel range
Common buying mistakes
Too much power, not enough control: Beginners often buy powerful rackets (diamond shape, head-heavy) — then can’t make clean contact. Always start with control.
Too heavy: Rackets over 380 g tire the arm and increase the risk of elbow issues (padel/tennis elbow) for beginners. Start lighter.
Brand over specs: A well-known brand name doesn’t guarantee the right racket for your level. Always check the actual specs — shape, balance, weight — before buying.
Summary
For your first months on court you don’t need an expensive racket — but you do need the right one. Round shape, mid weight (350–365 g), foam core, fibreglass surface are the four criteria that define a good beginner racket. A budget of €60–120 is more than enough.
If you’re still not sure padel is for you: hire first. If you know you’re in it for the long run: buy a decent mid-range racket — it makes learning noticeably more enjoyable.
Last updated: 2026-03