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Padel rackets for beginners

A first racket should forgive off-centre hits and feel soft on slow balls. Every racket on this page has a round head, a soft core and a low balance.

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A young padel player in a white T-shirt holds his racket high, ready to volley, on a blue indoor court with dark glass walls.
Photo: Carlosshoot, CC BY-SA 4.0

Compare padel rackets for beginners side by side

Padel rackets for beginners: key specs
Racket Shape Face Core Weight Balance Level Price
Tor Round 3K carbon Soft EVA 355 to 365 g Low Beginner, Improver £79
Fen Round Glass fibre Soft EVA 350 to 360 g Low Beginner £59
Lark Round 3K carbon Soft EVA 335 to 345 g Low Beginner, Improver £79
RoundBig, low sweet spot. Control and comfort.TeardropRaised sweet spot. All-round play.DiamondHigh sweet spot, head heavy. Power.

Guides that help you choose

A padel court built on a moored barge on a city quayside, enclosed by tall black netting.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. Rows of temporary outdoor padel courts on a London site seen from above, with a tower block behind.GuideYour first padel session: what to bring, what to expect and 10 tips from the first hourFor your first padel session, bring grippy trainers, sportswear, water and a friend or three: most venues hire rackets for a few pounds and sell balls at reception. A female padel player leans back to hit an overhead near the glass wall in a full indoor arena.GuideHow to play padel: the serve, the walls and the first ralliesTo play padel, two pairs face each other on a 10 by 20 metre walled court. Players on an outdoor green padel court with black-framed glass walls beside a park path under bare winter trees.ComparisonCarbon vs fibreglass padel rackets: feel, power, durability and who should choose whichFibreglass (glass fibre) faces flex more, so they feel soft, springy and forgiving, which suits beginners and occasional players.

Questions about padel rackets for beginners

Is a carbon racket too stiff for a beginner?

Not with a soft core. Tor pairs 3K carbon faces with soft EVA, so it still feels forgiving while lasting longer than glass fibre. If you play less than once a week, Fen is the softer and cheaper option.

How much should I spend on my first padel racket?

Between £55 and £90 buys a racket that will last a year or more of weekly play. Beyond that you mostly pay for stiffer carbon and power features a beginner does not need yet.

Should I buy a starter kit instead?

If you have no balls or grips yet, yes. The Starter Kit adds a tube of balls, three overgrips and a thermal cover to Tor for £92.