How to choose a padel racket

Round, teardrop or diamond?

Shape moves the sweet spot and the balance, and that's most of how a racket feels.

Drawn to the same scale. Amber: roughly where the sweet spot sits. The chalk line: the balance point. The higher it sits, the more head-heavy the racket feels.

• Round: favours control. The sweet spot is larger and more central, and the balance sits nearer the handle, so off-centre hits are forgiven.
• Teardrop: the all-rounder, balancing power and control. A good second racket once you know how you like to play.
• Diamond: favours power. The balance is towards the head and the sweet spot is smaller and higher, so it rewards clean, confident hitting.

What weight should a padel racket be?

Most adult padel rackets weigh about 340 to 390 g, and most models fall between roughly 350 and 375 g. The LTA's guide suggests beginners start with a mid-weight racket of 360 to 370 g. If you have elbow, wrist or shoulder niggles, go lighter (340 to 360 g). Heavier rackets, 370 g and up, suit strong players who play often. Remember that a frame protector adds about 6 g and each overgrip a little more.

Soft or hard core?

The core is the rubber inside the racket. Soft (foam) cores feel more comfortable, absorb more vibration and give easy pace at slow swing speeds, but they wear faster. Firmer EVA cores feel more precise and last longer, but you have to swing faster to get the same pace. Makers disagree about which is more "powerful", so ignore that word on the label and think about comfort and precision.

Carbon or fibreglass?

Fibreglass faces are more flexible and forgiving, softer on contact and usually cheaper. Carbon faces are stiffer, lighter and more responsive, and they suit advanced players who generate their own pace. Many rackets mix the two.

How big is a padel racket?

Under the International Padel Federation's rules a racket can be no longer than 45.5 cm, no wider than 26 cm and no thicker than 38 mm. The face is flat and drilled with round holes, 9 to 13 mm across in the centre. It must have a non-elastic wrist cord no longer than 35 cm, and wearing it is compulsory. There's no weight limit.

Best padel racket for beginners: what to look for

• A round shape, for the big sweet spot.
• A mid-weight racket, around 360 to 370 g, or lighter if your arm complains.
• A soft core and a fibreglass face: comfortable, and they do more of the work for you.
• Avoid buying a pro's diamond racket because it looks good. It will punish off-centre hits.

How long does a padel racket last?

There's no fixed lifespan. As a rough guide from retailers, a racket played once or twice a week starts to feel tired after about a year, and sooner if you play more. Signs it's going: it feels softer than it used to, the paint is chipping off the frame, or a white racket has yellowed. That's why the bag in the PadelFourth app asks "Time to look at your racket?" after about 12 months.