The best padel rackets for 2026: what actually matters, and the right racket for each level
By the Lobwell Padel team. Updated 1 November 2026.
Short answer: The best padel racket is the one that matches your level: a round, soft cored racket of 340 to 365 g for beginners and improvers, a teardrop of 360 to 370 g with a medium core for intermediates, and a diamond with a hard core and high balance for advanced attackers. Spending more does not make up for the wrong shape. In our range that means Tor (£79) for most new players, Ridge (£89) or Arc (£109) for intermediates and Crag (£149) for advanced players.
What makes a padel racket the best for you
Most "best racket" lists rank models by price or by which pro uses them. That is not much help if you play twice a week at your local club. A racket that suits a tour player swinging at full speed will feel stiff, unforgiving and hard work for a club player. The best racket is the one whose shape, weight, balance, core and face match how and how often you play.
Below are the five specs that decide how a racket plays. Look at them in that order: getting the first two right matters far more than the last three.
| Spec | Options | What it changes | Rule of thumb |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shape | Round, teardrop, diamond | Sweet spot position, forgiveness, power | Round for learning, teardrop for all round, diamond for attackers |
| Weight | About 340 to 375 g | Stability against speed and stamina | Pick what you can swing well in the second hour |
| Balance | Low, even, high | Manoeuvrability against momentum | Follows shape; low is easiest |
| Core | Soft, medium, hard EVA | Rebound on slow balls against power at speed | Soft unless you swing fast |
| Face | Glass fibre, 3K, 12K, 18K carbon | Flex and feel against precision | 3K carbon suits most club players |
Best for beginners and improvers: Tor
Tor is the racket most people should buy first, and many will keep it well beyond their first year. It has a round head with a large central sweet spot, a soft EVA core that adds depth to lobs without a big swing, 3K carbon faces that feel crisper than the glass fibre on most hire rackets, and a low balance that keeps it quick at the net. It weighs 355 to 365 g and costs £79.
If you play once a week or less, or want the lowest price route into your own racket, Fen at £59 is softer still, with glass fibre faces. If weight is the main concern, Lark is the same idea as Tor at about 340 g. More detail in best padel rackets for beginners.
Lobwell Tor
Round 3K carbon racket for your first year and well beyond it
- Round
- 3K carbon
- 355 to 365 g
Best for intermediate players: Ridge and Arc
Once you choose when to let the ball pass to the glass and play bandejas on purpose, a teardrop starts to make sense. Ridge (£89) is the gentle step: a teardrop head, medium EVA core, even balance and a lightly textured 3K carbon face. It still forgives off centre hits, but adds pace on overheads. Arc (£109) is firmer and more precise, with a 12K carbon face, a sand textured surface for slice, and a balance that is even to slightly high.
Choose Ridge if you are moving off a round racket. Choose Arc if you already play twice a week or more and want the ball to go exactly where you aim. See best intermediate padel rackets.
Lobwell Ridge
Teardrop 3K carbon racket for players moving off a round head
- Teardrop
- 3K carbon
- 360 to 370 g
Best for advanced attackers: Crag
Crag (£149) is our finishing racket: a diamond head with a high balance, a hard EVA core and 18K carbon faces with a rough finish. It puts the most mass behind the ball on smashes and viboras and gives a stiff, precise strike at speed. The trade-off is a smaller sweet spot near the top and a firm feel on slow balls.
It suits regular players at a good level who play the left side and win points at the net. If you compete at national level or want a specific tour model with a custom balance and weight, a specialist performance brand with a wider range will suit you better than our range.
Best for juniors and lighter players
Children of about 7 to 12 should not use adult rackets. Pip Junior (£39) weighs around 280 to 300 g with a slightly shorter handle and a soft foam core. For older juniors moving up, lighter adults or anyone who has had arm discomfort, Lark at about 340 g gives the Tor recipe with less weight to swing. See junior padel rackets and best lightweight padel rackets.
Lobwell Pip Junior
Lighter, shorter racket for juniors aged about 7 to 12
- Round
- Glass fibre
- 280 to 300 g
The whole range at a glance
| Racket | Price | Shape | Weight | Core | Face | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pip Junior | £39 | Round | 280 to 300 g | Soft foam | Glass fibre | Juniors about 7 to 12 |
| Fen | £59 | Round | 350 to 360 g | Soft EVA | Glass fibre | First months, occasional players |
| Tor | £79 | Round | 355 to 365 g | Soft EVA | 3K carbon | Beginners and improvers |
| Lark | £79 | Round | 335 to 345 g | Soft EVA | 3K carbon | Lighter players, comfort |
| Ridge | £89 | Teardrop | 360 to 370 g | Medium EVA | 3K carbon | Improvers to intermediates |
| Arc | £109 | Teardrop | 360 to 370 g | Medium EVA | 12K carbon | Intermediates |
| Crag | £149 | Diamond | 365 to 375 g | Hard EVA | 18K carbon | Advanced attackers |
Do you need to spend more?
For most club players, no. The jump from a tired hire racket to a well specified round carbon racket is the biggest improvement you will feel. Above that, extra money mostly buys stiffer materials and more aggressive shapes, which help strong players and can hold back everyone else. Spend the difference on court time, fresh balls and good shoes.
Still unsure? The racket finder recommends one racket from four questions, and all padel rackets lets you filter by shape, weight and level. For the theory behind the picks, read how to choose a padel racket.
Questions people ask
What is the best padel racket for a beginner?
A round racket of 340 to 365 g with a soft core and low balance. In our range, Tor suits most beginners and Fen suits occasional players on a tighter budget.
What is the best padel racket for power?
A diamond with a high balance and hard core, such as Crag, but only for players with good overhead technique.
How much should I spend on a padel racket?
Most club players are well served between about £60 and £110. Higher prices mostly buy stiffer, more advanced rackets.
Are own brand padel rackets any good?
Judge any racket by its specs: shape, weight, balance, core and face. Lobwell rackets are a new range, so we describe them by those specs rather than by reviews.
Sources
Keep reading
Buying guideThe best padel racket for beginners: the spec to look for after three sessions on a hire racketThe best padel racket for a beginner has a round head, a soft EVA core, a weight of about 340 to 365 g and a low (head light) balance.
Buying guideThe best padel rackets for intermediate players: when to move up and what to move toMost intermediate padel players suit a teardrop racket of 360 to 370 g with a medium EVA core, an even balance and a 3K or 12K carbon face.
Buying guideThe best padel rackets for power: the specs behind a heavy smash, and who should use themA power padel racket combines a diamond or high teardrop head, a high (head heavy) balance, a hard EVA core and a stiff 12K or 18K carbon face, usually at 365 to 375 g.
GuideHow to choose a padel racket: shape, weight, core and face in six decisionsChoose a padel racket by your level first, then shape, weight and core.
ComparisonRound vs teardrop vs diamond: which padel racket shape wins, shot by shotRound rackets win on control, forgiveness and speed at the net; diamond rackets win on overhead power; teardrops sit in between and are the most common choice for intermediate players.