The Best Tennis Rackets in 2023

Whether you are a professional tennis player, an enthusiast for the game or a newbie trying to get into the sport, choosing the right tennis racquet can be a difficult task. Other parts of tennis equipment, especially tennis shoes, are also important but the right racket will make the most difference in your game.

In this article, we will explain how to choose the best tennis racket for yourself and help you find it after we review the best products currently available on the market.

head microgel radical tennis racquet
  • Comes in five grip sizes
  • 27 inches long, 18 x 20 closed string pattern
  • MicroGel technology
  • Provides more control and spin
  • Great choice for intermediate/experienced players
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HEAD rackets are one of the best groups of rackets for intermediate and advanced players and the Radical line from Head has been around for a long time for a reason. Also, they come at affordable prices, so MicroGel Radical is one of the best budget tennis rackets available.

This racket comes in 5 different grip sizes, ranging from 4 1/2 to 4 5/8 inches. The head size of the racket is 98 square inches, while the length is standard 27 inches. In addition to the mid-plus size of the head, you will get more control from the 18 x 20 closed string pattern.

The biggest advantage this racket has is the MicroGel technology that allows for an even distribution of the impact from the ball throughout the frame made from this silicon-based material. Combined with stiff carbon fibers and with the fact that the handle is a bit heavier than the head, this racket can give you the ultimate control and comfort.

Pros:
  • Affordable
  • Available in Different Grip Sizes
  • More Spin
  • More Control
  • Perfect for Players with Experience
Cons:
  • Not for New Players
  • Lack of Power

Wilson Clash 100 Tennis Racquet

The Best Tennis Racket for Added Flexibility

wilson clash 100 tennis racquet
  • Comes in four grip sizes
  • 16 x 19 open string pattern
  • Innovative frame technology
  • Good balance of power and maneuverability
  • Great choice for intermediate/experienced players
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This may not be the absolute best Wilson tennis racket but it is definitely in the very top. It is a rather unique and relatively new racket that offers a lot of flexibility thanks to the FreeFlex technology, as well as power and stability thanks to the StableSmart technology.

The Clash comes in four different grip sizes. This racket has a head size of 100 square inches, so it provides a good balance of power and maneuverability. It is a good option for intermediate players because of it and because of its innovative frame technology.

This racket also has an open 16 × 19 string pattern and head light balance, which means that it swings fast and can generate a lot of spin, all without the need to change your stroke. On the other hand, the Clash doesn’t provide as much control as some heavier rackets. Plus, it is a pretty expensive racket as well.

Pros:
  • Available in Different Grip Sizes
  • Flexibility
  • Power
  • Great for Players with Experience
  • Generates a Lot of Spin
Cons:
  • Very Expensive
  • Not for New Players
  • Lack of Control

Babolat Pure Strike 100 Tennis Racquet

The Most Versatile Tennis Racket

babolat-pure strike 100 tennis racquet
  • Comes in six grip sizes and various string colors
  • 16 x 19 open string pattern
  • Unique frame design
  • Good balance of power and control
  • Great choice for intermediate/experienced players
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Babolat Pure Strike series is probably one of the best series of tennis rackets in the last decade. The Pure Strike 100 is available in 6 different grip sizes, in the range from 4 0/8 to 4 5/8. But this racket is also available in a multitude of different string colors, like blue, red, green, yellow, gray and a few more.

The best thing about the Pure Strike 100 is the fact that it uses different racket technologies to make the racket suitable for a wide range of players. The frame is designed to make the strings move more freely and to add more power and reduce the impact. Also, it is constructed in a unique way, using elliptical shapes to provide a balance of power and control.

The string pattern is an open 16 x 19, with additional spacing between the cross strings, a feature of FSI Power technology. This also adds more power and spin to your shots. The racket is a standard 27 inches long, with a head size of 100 square inches.

Pros:
  • Available in Many String Colors
  • Available in Many Grip Sizes
  • Great for Players with Experience
  • Good Balance of Power and Control
Cons:
  • Expensive
  • Not for New Players
  • Not Suitable for Heavy Topspin

Wilson Pro Staff RF97

The Best Tennis Racket Design

wilson pro staff rf97
  • Comes in five grip sizes
  • 16 x 19 open string pattern
  • One of the heaviest strung weights
  • Provides control due to its small head size
  • Great choice for more experienced players
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This Wilson racket is one of the best rackets with a smaller head size since it only has 97 square inches. That makes this racket absolutely not suitable for novices but it is a great racket for those with more experience. The racket comes in 5 different grip sizes.

As the name suggests, this is the racket used by Roger Federer and many other professionals who like to have more control over their shots. The open 16 x 19 string pattern and one of the heaviest strung weights also give more control to those who can confidently swing it.

The frame has a pretty sleek design and it is one of the best-looking rackets in our opinion. It is head-light to improve maneuverability, although it still lacks a bit in this department.

Pros:
  • Available in Many Grip Sizes
  • Great for Players with Experience
  • Offers a Lot of Control
  • Beautiful Design
Cons:
  • Expensive
  • Not for New Players
  • Lack of Maneuverability

Babolat Pure Drive Team Tennis Racquet

The Best Tennis Racket for Women

babolat pure drive team tennis racquet
  • Comes in five grip sizes
  • 16 x 19 closed string pattern
  • Rigid frame design
  • High power level
  • Great choice for new players
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Babolat Pure Drive has become an iconic racket after many great players used it, like Andy Roddick and Garbine Muguruza more recently. And while all rackets are basically unisex, this is considered one of the best women’s tennis rackets out there.

The racket is available in 5 grip sizes and four string colors. It is 27 inches long and has a head size of 100 square inches. The string pattern is a closed 16 x 19 and the racket is head light to offer a lot of maneuverability. A high power level is one of the things that define Pure Drive, as well as easy access to topspin.

Thanks to the large head size, this racket is also suitable for beginners, not just intermediate players. Also, the frame is pretty rigid and stable thanks to its elliptical design, making it a good choice for people who don’t have much experience.

Pros:
  • Available in Many Grip Sizes
  • Available in Different String Colors
  • Good for New Players
  • More Power
  • More Topspin
Cons:
  • Expensive
  • Lack of Maneuverability
  • Not Very Flexible

Wilson Blade 98 16×19 Countervail Tennis Racket

The Most Comfortable Tennis Racket

wilson blade 98 16x19 countervail tennis racket
  • Comes in four grip sizes
  • 18 x 20 closed string pattern
  • Rigid frame design
  • High control and comfort levels
  • Great choice for experienced players
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Wilson Blade is one of the most popular rackets but it has gone through a lot of changes over the years. However, at its core, this is still a control-oriented racket with smaller head size and a reasonable strung weight of 11.4 ounces.

When it comes to the technologies included, Wilson Blade 98 has a braided basalt and graphite construction to increase the flexibility and provide more control. Countervail technology is a unique carbon fiber layer located within the frame to minimize the shot’s impact and improve control and comfort.

This racket also has a closed 18 x 20 string pattern, once again to improve control. The racket is also very stable, so it’s not for you if you are looking for flexibility. With so much focus on control, this racket is for intermediate and professional players only.

Pros:
  • Available in Many Grip Sizes
  • Great for Players with Experience
  • Offers a Lot of Control
  • Improves Comfort and Reduces Fatigue
Cons:
  • Expensive
  • Lack of Power
  • Not Very Flexible
  • Not for New Players

HEAD Graphene 360 Extreme MP Tennis Racquet

The Best Tennis Racket for Topspin

head graphene 360 extreme mp tennis racquet
  • Comes in five grip sizes
  • 16 x 19 closed string pattern
  • Solid power level for a heavy racket
  • Comfortable on the arm
  • Great choice for experienced players
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This is a heavier tennis racquet indented for intermediate or advanced players who enjoy hitting with authority and topspin. This is a beast of a racket that moves through the ball with a strong feel on the impact. It also comes with a stiffness rating of just 64, which makes it more comfortable on your arm.

The Extreme Pro comes with a head size of 100 square inches and a 16 x 19 string pattern. It also includes the 360 Spin Grommet technology that allows for more string movement and increases snapback to ensure the ability to hit a great topspin with a lot of pace.

So, if you like to play from the baseline, this is a perfect racket for groundstrokes. It does swing a bit slower due to its weight but it delivers full swings with plenty of power for its weight class.

Pros:
  • Available in Many Grip Sizes
  • More Power
  • More Topspin
  • Great for Players with Experience
Cons:
  • Expensive
  • Lack of Control
  • Not for New Players
  • Heavy

Yonex EZONE 98

The Best Tennis Racket for Shot Control

yonex ezone 98
  • Comes in five grip sizes
  • 16 x 19 closed string pattern
  • Flexible frame design
  • High control and comfort levels
  • Great choice for experienced players
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In our opinion, this is by far the best Yonex tennis racket on the market. It is a great all-court racket that offers a lot of control and optimal hitting experience. This racket comes in five grip sizes and many different string colors so you can find the one that matches your style the most.

One of the best features of Yonex EZONE is the unique nanometric carbon graphite composition that improves the flexibility of the frame. In addition to this, the racket also has a narrow shaft for even more flexibility at that location.

The racket offers plenty of control due to the 98 square inches of head size, and a lower flex rating of 62. Combined with the unique isometric square shape that increases the size of the sweet spot and a closed 16 x 19 string pattern, this racket also offers plenty of topspin.

Pros:
  • Available in Many Grip Sizes
  • Great for Players with Experience
  • Offers a Lot of Control
  • Flexible
  • Comfortable
Cons:
  • Expensive
  • Lack of Power
  • Not for New Players

Wilson Tour Slam Adult Strung Tennis Racket

The Best Tennis Racket for Beginners

wilson tour slam adult strung tennis racket
  • Comes in three grip sizes
  • 16 x 19 open string pattern
  • Large head size
  • High power level
  • Great choice for new players
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This racket is adaptable and a great option for beginners. It is a synthetic racket with an aluminum construction that allows for more power.

This racket also has a unique Stop Shock Pads technology, which decreases the vibration from the impact with the ball and gives you a bit more control. The head size is quite large since it has 12 square inches and that makes it great for beginners. It is also a bit longer than the standard, with 27.5 inches in length, to give the extra momentum.

The string pattern is a closed 16 x 19 and the racket is a bit on the heavy side. Also, the handle grip may be too large for some people, although it comes in three different sizes.

Pros:
  • Affordable
  • Comes in Different Grip Sizes
  • Great for New Players
  • More Power
  • Large Sweet Spot
Cons:
  • Not for Experienced Players
  • Heavy
  • Large Grip Size
  • Less Control

Wilson Hyper Hammer 5.3 Strung Tennis Racket

The Best “Tweener” Tennis Racket

wilson hyper hammer 5 3 strung tennis racket
  • Comes in four grip sizes
  • 16 x 20 closed string pattern
  • Large head size
  • High power level
  • Great choice for new players
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The Hyper Hammer is one of the most popular tweener rackets, which means that it provides a good balance of power and control. It is also one of the best rackets for beginners due to its increased head size of 110 square inches.

This racket is available in four different grip sizes, ranging from 4 1/2 to 4 3/8. It is also 0.5 inches longer than the standard 27-inch rackets, which adds more power to it. The racket uses Hyper Carbon technology to make it lighter and stiffer compared to other similar rackets.

The Hyper Hammer is pre-strung and has a 16 x 20 open string pattern. This racket is head heavy, another feature that adds to the power of it. On the other hand, it lacks control, so it’s not suitable for professionals.

Pros:
  • Affordable
  • Comes in Different Grip Sizes
  • Great for New Players
  • More Power
  • Large Sweet Spot
Cons:
  • Not for Experienced Players
  • Heavy
  • Less Control
  • Not Very Flexible

HEAD Ti.S6 Tennis Racquet

The Most Durable Tennis Racket

head ti s6 tennis racket
  • Comes in four grip sizes
  • 16 x 19 closed string pattern
  • Large head size
  • High power level
  • Great choice for new players
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This is another beginner-friendly racket with an oversized head of 115 square feet that has been around for a long time since it was first made back in 1996. With a large sweet spot and other features, it is a great choice if you are just starting your tennis career, especially since it is also one of the more affordable options.

This racket is also a bit longer since it measures 27.75 inches to add even more power to your shots. The racket boasts titanium and graphite constructions, so it is pretty durable. Yet, with a weight of just 8.9 oz. it is also pretty lightweight and offers plenty of maneuverability.

While the construction of the racket is meant to reduce vibration, the added power and less weight will make you feel the impact of the ball. And while all the other features are suited for beginners, the stiffness of this racket is not.

Pros:
  • Affordable
  • Available in Different Grip Sizes
  • Great for New Players
  • Very Durable
  • More Power
Cons:
  • Not for Experienced Players
  • Heavy
  • Less Control
  • Not Very Flexible

Wilson Federer Adult Tennis Racket

The Best Tennis Racket for Practice

wilson federer tennis racquet
  • Very affordable price
  • Non-slippery grip
  • Large head size
  • High power level
  • Great choice for new players
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If you are looking for the best tennis racket under 50 dollars, this is the perfect choice for you. While this could be seen as cheap, the fact that it is made by Wilson and supported by Federer guarantees a good quality as well.

This is primarily designed to be a practice racket, so it is perfect for beginners who are looking to improve their skill and technique. However, intermediate players can also use this racket since it is durable and lightweight at the same time.

This racket comes pre-strung with power strings. It also uses Stop Shock Pads for improved comfort and perforated grips that prevent the racket from slipping from your hand. The head size is 110 square inches, a bit larger than the standard to allow newbies to hit with more power.

Pros:
  • Extremely Affordable
  • Available in Different Grip Sizes
  • Great for New Players
  • More Power
  • Large Sweet Spot
Cons:
  • Not for Experienced Players
  • Heavy
  • Less Control
  • Not Very Flexible

How To Choose The Best Tennis Racket

As we already said, choosing the best tennis racket for you is not an easy feat because it depends on many different factors and your experience level. But first, let’s take a look at the types of tennis rackets.

Tennis Racket Styles

There are three main types or styles of tennis rackets:

  • Power Rackets – These rackets are lightweight, long and have large heads, so they are suitable for beginners or intermediate players. The best tennis racket for beginners will provide the player with more power, which is important for those who aren’t used to hitting the tennis balls.
  • Tweener Rackets – This is a well-balanced type of racket that players of all skill levels can use because it provides a nice balance of control, power and maneuverability.
  • Control Rackets – Also known as player’s rackets, they are designed for professionals. They come with small heads to offer maximum control, which means that the player has to add the power to the shots. They are also heavier than other types of rackets and they can be short or long.

Buying A Tennis Racket. Factors To Consider

Now that you know what styles of rackets exist, we can go into more detail and talk about specifics and features you need to consider when you buy a tennis racket.

Grip Size

We believe that grip size is the most important factor to consider when you buy a tennis racket. If you don’t get the right grip size, you will struggle to make your shots.

A racket with too small of a grip size will force you to squeeze the handle too much. This can tire your muscles or even lead to injury in the long run. On the other hand, a grip size that’s too large will force you to make changes to your grip and prevent you from using your wrist, so you won’t be able to play comfortably.

The right grip size should fit naturally in your hand and be comfortable enough to allow you to use the full range of motion in both your wrist and your forearm. Choosing the right grip size will give you more control over your shots.

There are more than a few different grip sizes out there but these are the most common ones:

  • Small Hand Sizes: 4 inches, 4 1/8 inches, 4 1/4 inches
  • Medium Hand Sizes: 4 3/8 inches, 4 1/2 inches
  • Large Hand Sizes: 4 5/8 inches, 4-3/4 inches

To make sure that the grip size is the right fit for your hand, just hold the tennis racket as a forehand and see if there is some space between your fingers and your palm. There should be about a pencil’s width between them to indicate the right grip size.

Head Size

Another thing to consider when you choose a tennis racket is the head size. This can have a big impact on your swing and choosing the head size comes down to your skill level and personal preferences.

Tennis rackets with a larger head size offer more power, while those with smaller head sizes give you more control over your shots. Basically, a racket with a larger head size is the best beginner tennis racket because you will certainly not be precise as a beginner, so going with power instead is better. Larger head size also gives you a larger hitting area, so you will have a better chance to hit the ball.

You can find rackets with head sizes ranging from 93 to 135 square inches. The majority of them are in the range between 97 and 100 because that is the head size that offers the best balance of power and control. A racket in this range is the best intermediate tennis racket. Rackets over 100 square inches are considered large, while anything smaller than 97 square inches is better left to professionals.

Weight

The weight of the racket you choose will also have a big impact on your game. In fact, the weight can affect both power and control, so choose it wisely.

Heavier tennis rackets give you more power because there is more mass to help you hit the ball harder. Consequently, lighter rackets allow you to control the ball better and improve maneuverability.

With that in mind, lighter rackets are better suited for playing singles because you need more accuracy, while heavier rackets are more suitable for doubles because you spend a lot of time on the net.

The weight of tennis rackets ranges from 9 ounces to 11 ounces or even more.

Length

Length is not that important of a factor for beginners but if you already play tennis, it is certainly a thing to keep in mind. Also, your size should impact the length of the racket as well. If you are a smaller player, then you would be better off with a shorter racket.

Longer rackets give you more reach on groundstrokes, plus a bit of a leverage on serves and more power. On the other hand, added length can’t provide a lot of control and leads to higher swing weight.

The longest allowed racket in official tournaments is 29 inches but you can get any racket in the range from 26-29 inches. Most adult rackets are around 27 inches long which is considered standard.

Balance

When it comes to the balance of a tennis racket, it can either be head-heavy, head-light or evenly balanced.

A head-heavy racket will have most of its mass located near the head of the racket. In most cases, this is used for lightweight power rackets because it can increase stability despite being lightweight.

A head-light racket will have most of its mass located near the handle. This is typical for the traditional player’s rackets because it can increase maneuverability despite being the heaviest type of rackets.

Lastly, the evenly balanced rackets will have the mass distributed all across the racket. It is used for medium-weight rackets and provides a unique blend of maneuverability and stability.

String Pattern

The string pattern is often overlooked by recreational players but it can influence many aspects of your game. The string pattern on a racket can be open or closed.

An open string pattern is able to deflect more on impact compared to the closed pattern. That means that an open pattern provides a higher launch angle and a stronger ball rebound. This type of pattern may give you a greater feeling of control and allow you to find pace and depth easier.

You may also be able to hit spin balls better. The downside of this pattern is string durability since the increase in movement of tennis strings will result in increased abrasion and faster breakage of the strings.

When it comes to the closed string pattern, it won’t deflect a lot on impact, so it will have less rebound strength. This is why some players prefer them since it gives them a feeling of control. This pattern also allows you to swing quickly and get the ball spinning faster.

A closed string pattern is also more durable and strings will last longer due to the lack of string movement.

Pre-Strung Vs. Unstrung Rackets

The last factor to consider is whether you want a racket that is pre-strung or unstrung and your choice will mostly be determined by your experience level.

Pre-strung rackets have already installed strings and they are a smart choice for recreational players since this is the cheaper option. Unstrung rackets allow you to string the rackets according to your game, which is a better choice for professionals.

Conclusion

Choosing the right tennis racket can take a lot of time since there are many factors you need to consider before you buy a tennis racket.

We hope that our tips can help you find the perfect racket for you and that our reviews have been useful and made your search a bit easier and faster.

About The Author

Vladimir Kovacevic

Vladimir is a former journalism student and an active freelance writer. He has a lifelong passion for sports, especially soccer, basketball and tennis. His basketball playing days ended after high school but he still likes to play hoops with his friends. Vladimir also likes to ride his bike at some of the most popular green areas in Belgrade, Serbia.

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