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Best Tennis Rackets In 2021

Ben Coleman
Your guide to this article today is by fitness expert Ben Coleman
Published February 20, 2019
Support us! GearHungry may earn a small commission from affiliate links in this article. Learn more

If you want to play like Federer or Djokovic, you’re going to need the right tennis racket. The problem is, the world of tennis rackets can get a bit confusing. You have to consider your body type, style of play, and skill level before you start shopping around. Beginner and intermediate tennis players often buy the wrong type of racket, which can end up in a lack of progress or, worse, injury. Getting the right racket, however, can make a huge difference to your game.

In this article, we’ve selected the ten best tennis rackets from complete beginner rackets to professional standard rackets. We’ve also created a buyer’s guide and FAQ section below to help answer your questions and guide you in the direction of the perfect racket.

The Best Tennis Racket

1
Wilson Tour Slam Lite Tennis Racket

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This is the “lite” version of the Wilson Tour Slam racket. We’ve selected it to be our Best Value product this week because it’s even cheaper than the Wilson Tour Slam. At less than $20, it has to be one of the cheapest tennis rackets on the market. You really aren’t going to find anything cheaper that is worth having.

Like the normal Tour Slam racket, it has an oversized head, perfect for beginners. It also has a long frame and Wilson’s Stop Shock sleeves which soak up the vibration from each shot and make it a really easy racket to play with. Interestingly, despite the name, it actually weighs the same as the standard version – 10.3 ounces. That means it’s still a really lightweight racket and you shouldn’t encounter any problems from it being too heavy.

Key Features:

Longer main strings for explosive power and stability

Oversized head perfect for beginners

Stop shock sleeve for improved comfort

Power string bridge for stability

Aluminum construction is lightweight and easy to handle

Specification:
  • BrandWilson
  • Model55065
  • Weight11.2 ounces
Pros

One of the cheapest rackets on the market, from a well-respected brand.

Great for beginners.

Cons

If you get into the sport you will quickly want to upgrade to a better racket.

Not suitable for intermediate or advanced tennis players.

CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON

2
HEAD Ti.S6 Strung Tennis Racquet

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The Head Ti.S6 is definitely a step up from the Wilson racket we chose as our Best Choice. In terms of price, you’re looking at nearly double the investment, but you get some extra technology that is perfect for an all-court player. Despite the higher price tag, this is still a beginner’s racket. It has an even bigger head at 115 square inches, making it one of the most forgiving rackets on the market. That also means that most of the weight is at the head of the racket instead of it being equally distributed.

Like the Wilson Tour Slam, it’s also longer than a lot of advanced rackets. This gives you more reach and power, which is perfect for beginners. It will suit most styles of play but is especially suited to all-court players with compact to medium strokes that use a lot of spin on their shots. Instead of the aluminum alloy used in the Wilson, this racket uses an ultra-strong titanium weave that provides extra stability in the racket. It manages to keep the weight down to an impressive 8 ounces, whilst still maintaining a stiff construction and providing power in the shots.

Key Features:

Durable titanium and graphite alloy frame

Oversized head at 115-inches

Ideal for beginners through to intermediate players

Head heavy balance ensures stability and precision

Easy to control and highly durable construction

Specification:
  • BrandHEAD
  • Model 236005-4.25
  • Weight2 pounds
Pros

For slightly more advanced beginners, perfect for a player moving up to intermediate level.

Oversized head makes it very forgiving.

Cons

Some reports of strings breaking after a few uses.

CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON

3
HEAD Speed Kids Tennis Racquet

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This Head Speed Kids Tennis Racket is ideal for children aged two to eight years old and comes in a range of contemporary colors they’ll love. It’s also available in various lengths from 19-25 inches and is perfect for beginners to the game. It’s a lightweight racket so easy to manage with plenty of flexibility and maneuverability. However, the durable aluminum construction is designed to last and will certainly be going strong way after your child has outgrown its use.

It is uniquely designed with a head that actively reduces vibration for a more stable and responsive result. With a 3.75-inch grip and a head size of 107-inches, this is a great racket to help them gain confidence as they find their feet on the court. Lightweight, durable, and responsive, it is an excellent choice.

Key Features:

Aluminum construction is lightweight and durable

Perfect rackets for kids aged up to 8 years old

Lightly balanced head reduced vibration

Stable and responsive results when hitting the ball

Available in a range of sizes from 19 to 25-inches

Specification:
  • BrandHEAD
  • Model234267
  • Weight8 ounces
CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON

4
Wilson Federer 4 3/8 Tennis Racket

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Almost every young tennis player in the world wants to play like Roger Federer. He is what Pele is to soccer, Muhammed Ali is to boxing, and Michael Jordan is to basketball. At the ripe old age (for a tennis player anyway) of 37, he is still one of the best in the world and still winning titles. So surely the Wilson Federer Tennis Racket is the racket of choice for tennis fanatics.

This is his beginner’s signature racket, but it’s worth mentioning that it’s not the racket he uses. His other signature racket cost in the region of $200 and it’s much more advanced. This is simply a racket that he has put his name to. So, is it any good?

Well, like all beginner rackets, it’s basic. It has a large 110-inch head, which makes it easy to play with. Plus, it’s very lightweight, sturdy and well-balanced – the volcanic frame technology gives it a super strong feel without adding to the weight. Like the Wilson Tour Slam, it has Stop Shock pads to prevent added vibration and give you more control over your shots. Make sure you wear comfortable tennis shoes and with this racket you will be playing like a pro in no time.

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Key Features:

Volcanic frame technology

110 square inch head

16×9 string pattern

Power strings

Specification:
  • BrandWilson
Pros

You can pretend to be Roger Federer, which might even make you play better.

It’s an excellent all-court beginner tennis racket.

Cons

It doesn’t come with a cover.

Some bad reviews on Amazon with complaints ranging from rackets warping to rackets arriving strung incorrectly.

CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON

5
Head 2013 Youtek Graphene Speed Pro Tennis Racquet

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The first thing to mention about Head Youteck Graphene racket is that it was used by Novak Djokovic. That should make it a contender for anyone choosing a new tennis racket. Djokovic is officially sponsored by Head and, whilst his rackets are always heavily modified, he has been known to use a version of this racket. So, what makes it one of the best tennis rackets on the market?

First off, the materials are considerably better quality than the cheaper, beginner rackets we’ve featured so far. This graphite tennis racket uses Head’s revolutionary graphene technology, that pushes the weight towards the end of the frame making the racket more maneuverable and stable. It has a smaller head size (100 square inches) and is well known for having excellent control around the court. It’s not the most powerful racket available, but excellent for playing accurate shots. Our handy guide to the best ping pong paddles features more great products like this.

Key Features:

Lightweight graphene frame

100 square inch head

18×20 string pattern

Used by Novak Djokovic

Specification:
  • BrandHEAD
  • Model60220303800002
  • Weight1.4 pounds
Pros

Used by Novak Djokovic, one of the best tennis players in the world.

Provides excellent control around the court.

Cons

Lacks power compared to some high-end rackets.

CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON

6
Wilson Energy XL Tennis Racket

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The Wilson Energy XL Tennis Racket is the last beginner’s racket to feature in our list. It’s similar in design to the other beginner Wilson rackets but is larger and more suited to taller and heavier players. Having said that, it has a similar oversized head to the other Wilson rackets at 112 square inches, but the frame is slightly longer. This works together to give you extra reach and power in your shots, whilst still giving you plenty of room for error in your shot.

It features Wilson’s V-matrix technology, which gives the strings a larger sweet spot. So even if you hit your shot with the wrong part of the racket, it will still have plenty of power and accuracy. It has an AirLite alloy frame, similar to the Wilson Tour Slam racket that we featured as our best choice. Wilson makes a whole range of excellent beginner tennis racquet, to choose between them it’s worth trialing a few before you buy.

Key Features:

AirLite alloy frame

Oversized 112 square inch head

Power strings

16×9 string pattern

Specification:
  • BrandWilson
  • ModelWRT31160U3
  • Weight14.1 ounces
Pros

Very affordable

Oversized head and length of racket makes it perfect for beginners

Cons

If you get into the sport you will quickly want to upgrade to a better racket.

CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON

7
Babolat Boost Strike Tennis Racquet

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Next is another excellent racket from Babolat. They have marketed Babolat Boost Strike Tennis Racquet as a perfect beginner’s racket or the first step up to a full-sized racket for junior players. However, it’s around three times more expensive than the Wilson beginner rackets. This is a better racket, but if you’re just getting into the sport, you might not want to spend $100 straight away.

It’s a little too lightweight for advanced tennis players, but it features a lot of the same technology as Babolat’s more expensive rackets. It has a large 102 square inch head which makes it both powerful and forgiving. It’s also inspired by the more advanced Pure Strike racket, so there is an obvious progression if you start to outgrow this model.

Key Features:

102 square inch head

100% graphite

16×19 string pattern

Weighs 10.4 ounces

Specification:
  • BrandBabolat
  • Model121185
  • Weight1.1 pounds
Pros

Super lightweight and easy to play racket, great for beginners.

An excellent option for beginners that want to spend a bit more money.

Cons

The cap for the charging port at the bottom of the grip isn’t high quality and sometimes comes open.

CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON

8
Prince Textreme Warrior 100 Racquets

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The Prince Textreme Warrior 100 is a slightly cheaper high-end option than the Babolat rackets. It’s still a great racket, but at less than $130, it’s only just more expensive than some beginner and intermediate rackets. It’s well-known for being a powerful racket that is excellent at hitting groundstrokes. It’s great for baseline rallies and will provide plenty of topspin on your shots.

One of the main technological advances on this line of Prince rackets is the solid beam. This gives the racket a super accurate response to shots and gives it a solid feel and maneuverability found only in the best tennis rackets. While most rackets at this level are suited to specific playing styles, this is genuinely a great all-court racket. It can handle groundstrokes, volleys serves, returns, and anything else you want to throw at it.

Key Features:

100 square inch head

Solid beam

16×18 string pattern

Weighs 11.14 ounces

Specification:
  • BrandPrince
  • Weight 12.8 ounces
Pros

A great all court racket that is perfect for both beginner and intermediate players.

More affordable than Babolat alternatives.

Cons

Nothing comes to mind.

CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON

9
Babolat 2018 Pure Drive Tennis Racquet

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We had to choose the Babolat 2018 Pure Drive as our premium product. Not only is it the most expensive product on this list, but it’s also probably the best tennis racquet for advanced players that money can buy. This racket is the latest in the Babolat Pure Drive range, which has become one of the best-selling ranges of all time. They are constantly pushing the technology forward and this has to be one of the most advanced tennis rackets ever made.

It has amazing frame technology that makes it super strong but also very absorbent at the same time. The frame is also designed to stop itself from twisting when you make off-center hits. It has a 100 square inch head and is 27 inches long, making it very similar to the other Babolat rackets we’ve featured. The main difference with this one is the amount of power you can get into your shots. Even the best players can find it difficult to handle.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t have the same smart racket technology as the Pure Aero Play. You can get a smart version of this racket, but it costs nearly $400.
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Key Features:

100 square inch head

Weighs 11.1 ounce

Cortex dampening system

Graphite construction

Specification:
  • BrandBabolat
  • Weight 12.8 ounces
Pros

One of the best-advanced tennis rackets money can buy.

Cons

Can be too powerful for some players.

Doesn’t come with the smart racket technology.

CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON

10
Wilson Tour Slam Adult Strung Tennis Racket

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We’ve chosen the Wilson Tour Slam racket as our Best Choice product in this list. It might not be the most technologically advanced racket, but for beginner and casual tennis players, it’s really hard to beat. If you play regularly and competitive tennis, you should be looking for a racket that is more specifically suited to your style of play and body shape.

So, what makes this racket so perfect for beginners? Firstly, it has a large head size (also known as an oversized head) at 112 square inches. When you consider that professional players use a head size of around 95-97 inches, you can see how much extra space you have to hit the ball. So, if you aren’t completely accurate when you make contact with the ball, there’s more room for error. The oversized head also gives you extra comfort when you hit the tennis ball with the wrong part of the strings.

It’s got an AirLite alloy frame that’s made from lightweight aluminum. As we’ve explained in more detail in the buyer’s guide below, when you’re starting out as a tennis player you want a lightweight racket. The heavier your racket, the more strength it takes to move it and the higher the risk of injury.

On top of that, it has Wilson’s Stop Shock pads that soak up a lot of the vibration when the ball hits the racket. This will give you more control over your shot and allow you to transfer more power. This racket is towards the bottom of the price range for tennis rackets, but you still get a whole lot of technology. It’s powerful and comfortable enough for any tennis player new to the game, and because of the price, it’s not too much of an investment if you want to upgrade when your game improves.

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Key Features:

Lightweight aluminum frame

Oversized 112 square inch head

Stop Shock pads

16×9 string pattern

Specification:
  • BrandWilson
  • ModelWRT32230U4-Parent
  • Weight12 ounces
Pros

Very affordable

Oversized head and length of racket makes it perfect for beginners

High-quality design and construction

Cons

If you get into the sport you will quickly want to upgrade to a better racket.

CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON

11
Babolat Pure Aero Play Tennis Racquet

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Babolat Pure Aero Play racket is a pretty big jump up from the other rackets featured in this list. Firstly, from a budget point of view, it’s not a beginner’s racket. It costs around $200, which is a serious investment for any level of tennis player. The most obvious selling point of this racket is that it’s used by Rafael Nadal, one of the best tennis players of the last decade. Babolat refers to this racket as Nadal’s fatal weapon, so it should be pretty good for you as well.

It has a head size of 100 square inches and features Babolat’s Frame String Interaction technology. This might not be the catchiest name, but it will change your game forever. Without going into detail, it provides more shot control on the parts of the string bed that players use most often. This racket has a lot of awesome technology, but the most impressive feature is the smart racket technology. You can sync it to your smartphone or other device and read data on your shot power, spin, and more. If you’re a serious tennis player, this could revolutionize your game. Find more great products like this by checking out our guide to the best pitching machines.

Key Features:

Aerodynamic headlight frame is responsive and precise

Features Babolat’s FSI Spin technology

Strung with top-quality springs from USRSA master racket technicians

Ideal for strong intermediate to advanced players

Generates fantastic topspin

Specification:
  • BrandBabolat
Pros

The smart racket technology allows you to find out stats about your game, therefore giving you the opportunity to improve.

Used by Rafael Nadal, one of the best tennis players in the world.

Cons

The cap for the charging port at the bottom of the grip isn’t high quality and sometimes comes open.

CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON

Tennis Racket Buying Guide & FAQ

We’ve not just provided a list of the best tennis rackets, we also want to show you how we made our decisions. This is important because it will help you make an informed choice when it comes to buying a racket.

How We Chose Our Selection Of Tennis Rackets

Brand - In a competitive and popular category like tennis rackets, there are plenty of well-known market-leading brands. Almost everyone, whether they're a fan of tennis or not, will no doubt be familiar with popular brands like Head, Wilson, and Babolat. These brands spend a lot of money in research and development, so it's always an excellent idea to check out what they have on offer.

Price - You can spend as little or as much as you want on a tennis racket and in the end, it will come down to what budget you have available. The advanced materials and technology used in the worlds best tennis rackets cost more money to develop. Generally speaking, the more budget you have at your disposal, the better quality and more durable the racket will be that you can invest in.

Reviews - There's no better way, save from trying out the racket yourself, of understanding the likely performance of a tennis racket than reading what other consumers have to say about their own experiences using it. Consumer reviews might not always be technically accurate, but they do provide an honest appraisal of any potential problems you would do well to avoid.

tennis racket on the court

Features To Look For In Tennis Rackets

These are the key attributes that we recommend you first evaluate before making your final product selection.

Control - As you become more experienced, you will be the one wanting to control your racket as opposed to the other way round. Starting out, the larger surface area the head has and the heavier and stiffer the racket is, the easier it is for you to place your shot, no matter how poor your return might be. As your gameplay improves, it's all about you being able to expertly direct the ball and control your racket to deliver precisely placed shots. That's when a more flexible racket frame with smaller head size will be more appropriate.

Power - Starting out, you won't be able to generate as much physical power yourself. This is something that will increase over time, along with your technique. So consider purchasing a racket that can create that pace and speed for you. The more powerful rackets tend to have larger heads and stiffer frames and overall are longer.

Touch - How a racket feels when you swing, it is part of the nuance of playing a game of tennis. Ultimately you want the racket to feel like a natural extension of your arm so that you have ultimate control over all your shots and not the other way round.

Comfort - Comfort is most often associated with vibration or rather lack of it. Starting out, you will want to minimize shock so that you can play and place more precise shots. Heavier rackets enable this control and connectedness, better allowing the novice player to handle and absorb shock.

Stability - Do you require a racket that gives you confidence or one that delivers lots of responsiveness? The heavier a racket is, the more stable it will be, and the easier it will be to strike and return service with accuracy. As you become more experienced, stability becomes less important, and precision and placement take over.

Maneuverability - An easy to maneuver racket will feel lighter to hold and more natural to swing plus will provide faster response times when it comes to position and angling the direction of the head.

tennis racket on the ground

Tennis Racket FAQ

Q: How do I choose a tennis racket?

A: Besides your available budget, you also need to consider your skill level, style of play along with your weight and size. Starting out, it's best to go for a more generic and basic racket whereas you progress you should choose something optimized for your gameplay and tailored to your exact measurements.

Q: What grip size should I go for?

A: To determine the most suitable grip size, examine the size of your hand. Look at your palm and measure the length of the horizontal line running from your palm up to the start of your ring finger. That measurement is likely to be anywhere from 4 inches up to around 4 5/8 inches. If in doubt, head to your local sports store where an expert will be able to kit you out professionally.

tennis rackets

Q: What weight tennis racquet should I go for?

A: It's not just about what feels best and is more comfortable to grip and swing. The weight of the racket you purchase will also affect the pace and control of your gameplay. As will the type of grip control you go for, the size of the head itself as well as the racket's overall length and width.

Generally speaking, lighter rackets of 255-270 grams are easier to control but provide less power. Mid-weight rackets of 280- 310 grams offer a nice balanced combination between both control and power. Whereas at the top end, heavier rackets weighing around 330 grams provide a great deal more energy and give the player a lot more control and dynamism.

Ben Coleman
Ben Coleman
Ben Coleman is our resident sports and fitness product expert who offers a wide range of information in this field. Ben speaks fluently in the language of nutrition, training, and health - with a Fitness and Personal Training B.A (Hon) gained from the prestigious Southampton University in the UK.
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