Padel participation more than doubled in 2025, and the sport isn’t slowing down in 2026 – here’s how to pick your perfect racket with buys from £39
This summer it seems like everywhere you turn, there’s someone raving about playing padel. The sport combines elements of tennis, squash, and badminton into one, and has been touted as not only a great way to get your fitness up, but also a brilliant way to socialise. In fact, stats show that padel participation more than doubled in 2025, and the sport isn’t set to slow down in 2026, either, proving just how popular it is.
For anyone wanting to get into padel, finding the right racket can significantly improve your game, whether you’re a beginner or are trying to level up your skills. To help make your transition into the game easier, we’ve found the best rackets for all abilities, so you can get on the court with no hesitation.
The best padel rackets for pros
If you’re ready to step up to the next level and are determined to elevate your game, a diamond or teardrop-shaped racket is a great way to introduce more power and aggression to your play. The surface area is smaller, which makes your precision tougher to nail, but gives you plenty of scope to build up your skills. A heavier-weighted racket will also require a stronger grip strength and power in your swing, but can help develop your on-court aggression.
Pulco Varlion Summum Maxima Prism – £300
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For anyone who’s caught the padel bug, the Summum Maxima Prism racket, part of Pulco x Varlion’s limited-edition collaboration, is an upgrade that’s well worth the investment. Whether you’re treating yourself after months of regular matches or buying for the player who’s first to book the weekly court, it’s designed for those who take their game seriously.
Spanish brand Varlion – one of the original padel brands that still produces its rackets in Spain – has built a loyal following among experienced players thanks to its focus on high-performance rackets, and this model is no exception. Combining control and power with a sleek, prism-inspired finish, it’s designed to help confident players get more from every shot while looking the part on court. It’s not aimed at complete beginners, but for anyone playing regularly and looking to step up their game, this is a gift they’ll love.
Mirror head of shopping says: “I can see why this racket has built such a strong reputation among regular padel players. It feels well-balanced, making it easy to switch between defensive shots and more powerful returns without losing control. The finish is premium, the design stands out on court and, most importantly, it’s reliable during fast rallies. It’s an investment, but if padel has become your sport of choice, I’d say it’s money well spent.”
Other picks:
The best padel rackets for intermediate players
Once you’re comfortable on the court, you can step up to a more heavyweight racket, which will help give you more power in your swing. You can also start shopping around for different racket shapes, with a teardrop shape offering a good mix of power and control.
You might need to work a little harder on your accuracy, but they give you plenty of potential to work on getting a more powerful stroke.
Nox X-One Silhouette Padel Racket
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The best padel rackets for beginners
For those just starting out, getting your hands on a more lightweight racket is a great way to introduce yourself to the game. Look out for weights ranging from 360 to 365 grams, as these make it easier to manoeuvre and don’t require as much swing strength.
You should also stick to a more rounded shape, as this gives you a larger surface area to hit with and make it more straightforward to nail accuracy and precision.
Donnay Tiffany Light 99
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