The words ‘padel racket’ will be appearing on many Christmas lists this year as the sport continues to grow – and there are bargains to be found!
Our Spanish padel expert, Joaquín Serna Sánchez, has come up with this handy guide to the best padel rackets for budgets under £100. So if you are looking for new equipment but don’t want to go over budget, these five options may be worth a look.
Before reading on, it’s worth checking our other recent articles on buying padel rackets, including what to take into account before buying a racket, the best options for amateur, intermediate and advanced players, as well as a list of the best value for money options currently on the market.
Head Delta Elite 2022
This is one of the best rackets that Head has produced in its Delta range and it is considered one of the most reliable of last season.
The Head Delta Elite 2022 has a great ball output and a very pleasant feel, which means that the player does not feel vibrations in the arm every time he/she makes a shot.
It is a racket with a large sweet spot that helps when defending at the back of the court, while in attack the most favourable shot is the volley. Due to its soft touch, the player will be able to respond deftly to both powerful shots from an opponent and slower balls where it’s necessary to generate your own speed, as long as the technique and the proper body movements are respected.
As it is made of fibreglass, it stands out for its durability and it also responds very well when it comes to putting spin on the ball. It is undoubtedly a complete racket for players of all levels.
It can be bought for around £95 on websites such as PadelPoint.
Nox MP10 Luxury 2022
The racket designed for the legend Mapi Sánchez Alayeto is still one of the most complete on the market, with a spectacular design that characterises the elegance of the Nox brand.
Its round shape and carbon composition with 3K technology make it a rigid racket that brings a lot of control. It is a model designed for drive players looking to handle their opponents so that their partner can finish the point.
It is a racket that stands out for its handling and has an EVA HR3 rubber that perfectly surrounds the impacts, which allows players to hit depth shots to keep opponents at the back of the court defending.
Despite being designed for players on the women’s World Padel Tour circuit, the Nox MP10 Luxury 2022 adapts perfectly to the physical characteristics of men, making it a versatile racket that can also be used by players of all levels.
It is currently available for around 100 pounds on platforms such as Padel Nuestro.
Vibor-A Black Mamba Black Series 1K
This racket, known for being the ‘face’ of the snake brand, impresses with its value for money.
With a Black EVA Ultra Soft rubber core, 1K carbon flats and 6K carbon fibre frames, together with its teardrop shape, it is a very versatile racket.
This is a model created for defensive players who stand out for their returning and retrieval ability and their good technique in volleys and bandejas. It has a large sweet spot and a soft touch, something that also helps with deep lobs to keep opponents away from the net.
Where it stands out less is in power shots, because it won’t be all that forgiving if your smash technique isn’t perfect. However, its roughness allows advanced players to successfully hit smashes over the fence.
Currently the price of this racket is around £87 at sites such as Padelman and PadelIberico.
Siux Trilogy Control Especial Edition
This Siux model is signed by one of the best players on the women’s tour, Patty Llaguno, and stands out for being a versatile racket thanks to the quality of its materials.
Its core is made of EVA Soft rubber and it has a round shape and a medium balance, making it perfect for players looking for a great balance between power and control.
The surface has the new Gold Carbon TEX 24K, which has a softer feel and offers a considerable ball output after a shot. It also provides extra durability and resistance.
In addition to this, it has an absorbent grip, which helps to reduce the negative impact of sweat on your hand.
This is definitely a model recommended for intermediate to professional players and is priced at around £100.
Star Vie Aquila Space 2.0 2023
This racket from one of the most renowned brands in padel is designed for evolving players wanting to be increasingly competitive on the court.
It has an ultra-soft rubber that makes it stand out for its great ball output. This racket is perfect for offensive players who have the role of point scorer in the team.
Its teardrop shape and centre balance allow you to defend with confidence and attack opponents when necessary. In addition, it has a rough surface and the new design of the heart gives it great workability. Its 100% Carbon 3K composition in the surface makes it very resistant and long-lasting
In conclusion, it is a highly recommended racket over this season and suitable for advanced players looking to start playing more competitive matches. It is currently available for £78 on the Starvie website.
