The quality, competitiveness, and speed of your tennis game is only as good as the racquet with which you choose to play. You can find countless racquets for sale on the market today. But how can you really know that you are getting the best tennis racquet that will better your chances of a win every time you hit the court? Discover which top 10 models are being called the best tennis racquet choices available today to decide which one will improve your game and make you a formidable opponent in every match.
Table of Contents
Tennis Racquet Comparison
Brand Model | Weight | String Pattern | |
---|---|---|---|
Babolat Pure Strike 100 Tennis Racquet Editor's Choice | 10.2 ounces | (unstrung) 16×19 | |
Prince Warrior 100 ESP Editor's budget Choice | 10.2 oz/10.7 oz | (strung) 14×16 | |
Head YouTek IG Prestige Pro – Unstrung Editor's Deluxe Choice | 11.5 ounces | 16×19 | |
Wilson Six.One 95S Spin Effect | 10.8 ounces | 16×18 | |
Babolet Pure Control Tour | 11.8 ounces | 16×20 | |
Landson LS-302 Aluminum PU Overgrip | 12 ounces | unspecified | |
Babolet Pure Drive (25) Junior | 8.5 ounces | 16×19 | |
Head 2013 YouTek Graphene Instinct PWR | 7.9 ounces | 16×19 | |
Wilson Pro Staff RF97 Autograph | 12.6 ounces | 16×19 | |
Babolet Nadal 25 Junior | 12.6 ounces | 16×18 |
The Top 10 Best Tennis Racquet Reviews 2018
Babolat Pure Strike 100 Tennis Racquet
(Editor’s Choice) – The Babolet Pure Strike 100 tennis racquet is designed for competitive and fast-paced play in mind. With its 16×19 string pattern, the racquet delivers the spin and control you want with every hit. It also features a hybrid frame, combining square and elliptical shaping that gives you the response you want.
It also is lightweight and easy to handle, making it perfect for both amateur and professional competition. Priced at around the $100 mark, this tennis racquet is perfect for people just learning the game or players who want to spare their budget while still enjoying their favorite sport.
- Affordable price
- Hybrid frame
- Lightweight for easy handling
- No cover included with racquet
- Frame can dent after prolonged use
Prince Warrior 100 ESP
(Editor’s Budget Choice) – The Prince Warrior 100 ESP tennis racquet is crafted for tennis players of all skill levels. With its tight 14×16 string pattern, this racquet is designed to spin the ball and give you the delivery that you look for with each serve. It also improves your return response with its lightweight frame and six-point head design.
This racquet also comes pre-strung for your convenience so you can begin using it right away. It comes in a sporty black and red color design that gives you the confidence to play your best.
- Lightweight frame for fast play
- 6-point head for better return
- Sporty design and color scheme
- Pre-strung rather than unstrung for customization
- Does not come with a cover
Head YouTek IG Prestige Pro – Unstrung
(Editor’s Deluxe Choice) – Head’s YouTek IG Prestige Pro unstrung tennis racquet is one of the more luxurious tennis racquets on the market that lives up to its opulent price tag. With its 98 inch head size and light 11.5 ounce weight, this racquet is easy to handle and gives you the speed and performance you want when you are out on the court.
It also is made from the newest materials on the market for tennis racquet construction and features innovative designs that put it ahead of its tennis racquet counterparts. This racquet comes in a sporty gold and red color combination that is sure to get you noticed each time you take on a match.
- Innovative design and materials
- Lightweight frame
- Sporty color combination
- Pricier than most other racquets on the market
- No cover included for the price
- Unstrung
Wilson Six.One 95S Spin Effect
Wilson has long been a name associated with top quality gear. This brand does not disappoint with its Six.One 95S Spin Effect tennis racquet. With its tight 16×18 string pattern, this racquet puts the perfect spin on the ball each time you serve and return. It also lets the ball drop faster, giving the effect that the tennis court is longer than it actually is.
The racquet likewise comes with the brand’s unique Amplifeel technology, which reduces the vibration you feel in your hand as you play. This innovation gives you more control and power during your match.
- Amplifeel technology for more control and power
- Tight 16×18 string pattern
- Lightweight design and dimensions
- No cover included with racquet purchase
- Unstrung
Babolet Pure Control Tour
Babolet’s Pure Control Tour tennis racquet may look simplistic and unassuming. However, it is actually one of the best racquets on the market for professional play. Featuring a lightweight frame that weighs under 12 ounces, the racquet gives you the utmost control with every swing.
It also features a head-light balance that often cannot be found in other racquets for sale today. Babolet also will tailor the string pattern and weight of the racquet to your liking upon request.
- Simplistic yet powerful design
- Lightweight frame for more control
- Head-light balance
- No included cover
- Higher price tag
Landson LS-302 Aluminum PU Overgrip
Landson’s LS-302 aluminum PU Overgrip tennis racquet is an affordable yet powerful tennis racquet designed for tennis players of all skill levels. With its oversized head and lightweight handle, it gives you maximum power while you play and also gives you better control and feel for the ball.
The tennis racquet likewise features No Shox technology, which reduces vibration and make the racquet easier to handle. It comes in a bright red design that looks sporty and appealing.
- No Shox technology to reduce vibrations
- Oversized head for maximum power
- Affordable price
- No cover
- Unstrung
Babolet Pure Drive (25) Junior
Tennis is a great sport for competitors of all ages, which is why it may be a wise idea to know what junior racquets make the mark in today’s junior competitor market. Babolet makes it easy for amateurs to learn how to play tennis like a pro with its Pure Drive (25) Junior tennis racquet.
This racquet features a tight 16×19 string pattern and weighs only 8.5 ounces. It comes in fun colors like hot pink that appeals to the younger player who wants a racquet that teaches the art of control, power, and spin.
- Affordable price tag
- Tight string pattern
- Lightweight for easier learning and handling
- Graphite construction rather than aluminum or sturdier materials
- No cover included with racquet purchase
Head 2013 YouTek Graphene Instinct PWR
Head’s 2013 YouTek Graphene Instinct PWR tennis racquet garners high reviews with fans of both the brand and the game of tennis. This racquet is one of the lightest on the market, weighing just under eight ounces. It also features a tight 16×19 string pattern that gives you better spin on the ball.
The racquet likewise is designed to be comfortable to use. It features technology that redistributes the weight between the head and the handle, giving you better control and power as you play. This racquet is perfect for beginner and intermediate players who have yet to master the art of control while swinging.
- Lightweight design
- Tight string pattern for better spin
- Redistribution of weight for maximum power
- Slightly higher price tag than other racquets
- Pre-strung
- No cover
Wilson Pro Staff RF97 Autograph
Wilson is the go-to brand for many tennis players today, which is why its Pro Staff RF97 Autograph tennis racquet remains one of the favorites on the market today. This racquet is a bit heavier, weighing in at slightly over 12 ounces. However, it comes with a tight 16×19 string pattern that promises to put the perfect spin on each ball you serve or return.
It also features technology that eliminates or greatly reduces vibration in the handle while you play. The racquet redistributes the weight between the head and the handle so that you can hold and maneuver the racquet to your advantage.
- Tight string pattern
- Redistribution of weight for maximum power
- Reduction or elimination of vibration in handle
- Higher price tag
- No cover with purchase of racquet
Babolet Nadal 25 Junior
Babolet is one of the tennis racquet brands that goes out of its way to introduce young players to the game with innovative and fun to use racquets. It accomplishes this goal in part with its Nadal 25 Junior tennis racquet, which at a little over 12 ounces is lightweight yet powerful enough to teach young players the craft of speed, control, and spin.
This tennis racquet comes with a tight 16×19 string pattern that delivers the fast spin players want during a match. It also is made from sturdy aluminum, helping players get more wear and tear out of their racquets as they learn. Tennis great Rafael Nadal lends his brand to this racquet’s design and inspiration.
- Affordable price
- Sturdy design and dimensions
- Rafael Nadal branding
- Aluminum can get dented and dinged with continued use
- Weight can be a drawback for early beginners
How to Choose the Best Tennis Racquet
Along with considering the information found in tennis racquet reviews, what other details should you be looking out for when you shop for a tennis racquet? You can make a wise tennis racquet investment by keeping these criteria in mind.
Weight
Tennis racquets are typically designed to be lightweight and easy to handle. However, some racquets are lighter than others. Before you decide which racquet is best for you, you should determine what amount of weight you are capable of handling while still playing the game to the best of your ability.
You may need to consult with a tennis coach or someone who knows the ins and outs of the game who can help you figure out how much weight you can tolerate holding during each match. You want a racquet that is sturdy enough to give you the control you need during the game yet lightweight enough to put some power and spin behind the ball. Once you know the ideal weight that is right for your playing level, you can then set out to find the ideal tennis racquet.
String Pattern
The string pattern of the racquet also should be one of the considerations you have in mind as you shop. The string pattern matters because it influences the power and spin you hit the ball with during returns and serves.
When you want to hit the ball harder and faster, you need a racquet that has a tight string pattern. Most higher level amateur and professional racquets feature patterns of 16×18 or 16×19. This pattern indicates how much space is between the strings in the head. You want a tight pattern with little space in between the strings to hit a ball faster and harder as well as one with maximum spin on it.
Brand
Brand should definitely be a major consideration in your racquet shopping simply because some brands are known for making premium tennis gear over other brands on the market. Favorites like Wilson and Babolet are almost universally recognized and appreciated for their high-quality tennis racquets. When you choose racquets from the better known brands, you get the performance guarantee and proven results that let you fully enjoy the game.
That is not to say that lesser known brands are incapable of delivering high-quality tennis gear that gives you the power and handling that you want when you play. Still, when you want to invest in gear that will deliver on its promise and last for years, you may be encouraged to choose racquets from the better known brands that are appreciated for making top quality tennis racquets and other gear.
Price
Finally, you want to consider prices as you shop for the tennis racquet that is best for you. Tennis racquets are available for a wide variety of prices today. You can find extremely cheap ones as well as racquets that sell for top dollar.
If you are set on choosing racquets from the better known brands, you should be prepared to spend more, however, as the top makers of this gear typically charge upwards of $50 or more for their racquets. Still, for that price you get racquets that are built to last as well as give you top performance during a match.
If you are just learning the game or on a tighter budget, however, you can still get good racquets made by lesser known brands for around the $30 to $40 range. These racquets may be ideal if you are shopping for a beginner or plan on playing just for fun or exercise. You may not see the need to spend top dollar for a racquet that will not be used for competition or professional play.
Conclusion
Tennis racquets come in a variety of shapes, weights, designs, and price ranges today. Choose the best tennis racquet for your playing needs and budgets with the buyer’s guide and reviews of today’s top 10 tennis racquets.