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A guide on how intermediate, versatile padel players should choose their racket and our top picks based on over 300 reviews and our own on court play tests.
What we’re looking for
Some of us are looking for a little bit of everything.
We’re looking for a racket that has enough weight in the head to give us that extra punch without slowing us down at the net.
We’re looking for a racket with a medium hardness so that when smashing, the ball isn’t totally swallowed by the racket face, but we still get a healthy bounce effect from the back of the court and a pretty forgiving sweet spot.
Ladies and gents, we’re talking about the best intermediate versatile rackets.
Our top pick
adidas
Adipower CTRL 3.2
This racket really surprised our reviewers. It has “CTRL”or control in the name. It has a frankenstein shape-I would not call this shape “round.” And it’s played with by one of the most powerful players in the game - Alex Ruiz.
A close second
oxdog
Ultimate Tour
Intermediate point builders seeking versatility and agility
The Oxdog Ultimate Tour is Oxdog’s medium touch diamond-shaped racket. Despite its shape, it has a pretty low balance, so it plays like a medium touch teardrop-shaped racket.
It tops this list as it has a premium feel with all of the finishings you could think of. It’s muted sound and comfortable aerial game pleased our reviewers.
One of the top rackets of the year.
Go for the Ultimate Pro+ if you’re interested in a medium-hard touch and .5-1cm higher balance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do we look for in a versatile racket for intermediate players?
We look for a medium hardness, medium to medium-high balanced racket for an intermediate versatile racket. This will give you a great compromise regarding power/control and ball output as well as a good compromise between power and maneuverability. We recommend these rackets for players who feel comfortable all around the court or who don't want their racket to be too extreme in any particular area of the game.
How much should I spend for a versatile racket for intermediate players?
Padel racket pricing is very complicated and constantly changing. As new rackets are released in the winter season, we see the highest prices of the year with steep discounts for the previous season. We recommend spending between €200-300 for a premium racket in the current season. You can easily spend more, while spending less will usually require you to select a racket from the previous season or a racket with fewer premium features. Check out our discounts page for the most up-to-date deals!