Is the pressure on to find something for that someone that has been infected by the Padel bug? Look no further! We're here to help you choose the best racket for Christmas this year. 

A Quick Guide to Rackets

Which padel racket should I buy? 

If you are new to padel, it can be hard to determine which padel racket to choose. With a huge variety of shapes, weights, and colours on the market, the task can seem daunting. The two most important questions to ask yourself before you take the plunge are:

• What is your playing level?
• Beginner
• Intermediate
• Advanced
• What type of player are you?
• Cool Calm and Collected
• Attacking
• Defensive 

If you're just starting out, it's best to start off with a racket that isn't too heavy. This can range between 330 and 390 grams. The lighter padel rackets allow you to have more mobility and in turn, more control when hitting the ball. 

For those who suffer from tennis elbow, a lighter racket is a good option since it is easier on the elbow tendons. 

On the other hand, a heavier racket will give you more power when hitting the ball, however these can sometimes be clumsier when playing and making it harder to use. These rackets are often very demanding and better suited to the more advanced players. 

Which padel racket shape should I choose?

Padel rackets are available in 3 different shapes:

Round Face 

A round-faced padel racket is best suited for most players, from beginners to experienced competition level players such as Alex Ruiz and Miguel Lamperti, and is usually referred to as the control racket. They are easy to use, and provides good control, precision and power.

The sweet spot is located more central, making the racket easier to handle while offering a better feel to the ball. When hitting the ball outside of the sweet spot, round faced rackets are very forgiving.

Furthermore, it is ideal for players with a slightly more defensive style, who enjoy being close to the glass and reacting quickly to the ball. Round rackets are often perceived as compliant and are equally suitable for beginners, everyday players and competition level players.

So who should choose a round-shaped padel racket?

The most natural choice for padel beginners is a round-shaped racket. It is also suitable for more experienced players who seek maximum precision and control in their game. If you are looking for an easy-to-handle racket and want to avoid injuries, a round padel racket is recommended.

Diamond Face

A diamond-shaped padel racket focuses on speed and power, and is often intended for advanced, offensive play. The sweet spot on a diamond-shaped racket lies close to the outer edge. The racket is slightly more difficult to use and therefore suitable for everyday players. The main characteristics of Diamon faced rackets are:

High balance

Unlike round-faced padel rackets, diamond-shaped rackets have a distribution of the weight biased to the head of the racket, giving it a high balance. This results in a racket that is more difficult to handle, but which helps to generate more power in the shots.

Smaller sweet spot

Diamond-shaped padel rackets have a smaller sweet spot than the round-shaped ones. The sweet spot is located in the upper part of the racket face, and diamond-shaped rackets are normally not very forgiving at impacts outside the sweet spot area.

Who should choose a diamond-shaped padel racket?

Are you an attacking player with good technique and are looking for maximum power in volleys and smashes? Then a diamond-shaped racket may well be the right choice for you. However, if you suffer from previous injuries, a racket with a high balance is not recommended.

Paquito Navarro and Maxi Sanchez are examples of professional padel players using round-shaped rackets.

Tear-Drop Face

Last out are tear-drop shaped padel rackets, they have the following characteristics:

Medium balance

Teardrop-shaped padel rackets generally have a distribution of the weight between the grip and the head, which results in a medium balance or slightly higher depending on the model. Teardrop-shaped rackets are therefore slightly easier to handle than diamond-shaped rackets, but not as easy-to-play with rackets with a round shape.

Medium-sized sweet spot

Rackets with a teardrop shape generally have a medium-sized sweet spot that is located in the center of the head or slightly higher. They are not as forgiving as round-shaped padel rackets when hitting the call outside the sweet spot area, but more forgiving than the diamond-shaped rackets.

Who should choose a teardrop-shaped padel racket?

Are you an all-round player who wants enough power in the attacking game without sacrificing too much control? Then a teardrop-shaped padel racket may be the right choice for you. It could also be a natural next step if you are playing with a round-shaped racket today and are heading for a diamond-shaped racket in the long run.

Sanyo Gutierrez and Luciano Capra are examples of professional padel players using round-shaped rackets.