Which padel racket to get as a beginner
By the Poteau Team · updated
IN SHORT
For your first few games, don't buy anything: rent a racket at the club for about €4. In France, a padel spot on Poteau costs €12 at the median, so renting adds about a third to your game. After three or four games, you'll know what you need. Your first racket: round, on the light side, soft foam, fiberglass face. Decathlon sells them under €60, and every big brand has a beginner line.
Rent first, it's €4
At two clubs in Paris, France, renting a racket costs €3.90 to €4.50. On Poteau, a padel spot runs about €12 at the median. So the racket adds a third to your game, no more. Prices seen on Poteau and on the clubs' websites. Book direct and a club may charge differently.
A €60 racket is fifteen rentals. Plenty of time to find out if you'll stick with it. And nearly two padel games in three last 90 minutes. That's more than enough to judge a racket.
Round, teardrop or diamond
Shape | What it does | Who it's for |
|---|---|---|
Round | Big sweet spot, in the middle. Control. | Beginners |
Teardrop | Somewhere in between | Once you play every week |
Diamond | Sweet spot near the top. Power. | Players who already smash |
Start round. It forgives off-center hits (there will be some). A diamond hits hard when you catch it right. The rest of the time, it punishes you.
Weight and foam
Most rackets weigh between 340 and 375 g, about 12 to 13 ounces. As a beginner, aim low. A lighter racket is easier to handle and tires your arm less.
Inside, there's foam. Soft foam sends the ball without much effort. Hard foam needs a big swing to get it moving. Go soft.
Check the balance too. "Low" or "head-light" means easier to handle at the net, where you'll spend most of your time.
Fiberglass or carbon
The face is either fiberglass or carbon. Fiberglass is softer and cheaper. Carbon is stiffer, more precise, and pricier.
To start, fiberglass. Carbon can wait for your second racket.
How much to spend
Budget | What you get |
|---|---|
Under €60 | Round fiberglass rackets made for beginners. Decathlon (Kuikma) has several. |
€60 to €150 | Beginner and intermediate lines from Babolat, Head, Adidas or Nox. |
Over €150 | Stiff rackets, often diamond-shaped, built to hit hard. |
An expensive racket won't make you improve faster. If anything, it makes the start harder.
The strap goes around your wrist: it's required. And when the grip gets slippery, swap the overgrip. It costs a few euros.
Your first games are the best review
Clubs often rent out several models. Switch from one game to the next. You can also ask a partner to lend you theirs for a few points. People do.
To play without pressure, pick the right level. On Poteau, every player-run padel game shows the expected level, and most welcome levels 1 to 4. The level quiz gives you yours, from 1 to 10.
After three or four games, you'll know whether you want control or power. That's when to buy. For everything else about your first game, see our beginner guide.
The Poteau Team