Padel is one of the fastest-growing sports in India, and new courts are opening in cities like Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Ahmedabad. It’s easy to learn, very social and great fun. But padel racquets look very different from tennis or badminton racquets, so choosing your first one can be confusing. This guide explains everything in simple words, plus our picks from HEAD and Babolat for every level.
⚡ Quick picks
| Best for | Racquet | From |
|---|---|---|
| Best for beginners | HEAD Vibe 2025 | ₹8,585 |
| Best comfort & control | Babolat Counter Vertuo 2.6 | ₹12,599 |
| Lightest | HEAD Radical Team Light 2026 | ₹13,866 |
| Best intermediate | Babolat Air Veron 2.6 | ₹17,875 |
| Best for power | Babolat Veron Juan Lebrón 3.1 | ₹18,849 |
Prices at the time of writing. Padel stock is limited, so tap a racquet for live price and availability.
What is padel? (in 30 seconds)
Padel is a racquet sport played mostly in doubles on a small court surrounded by glass and mesh walls. You can play the ball off the walls, like squash. The ball looks like a tennis ball but has slightly lower pressure, serves are underhand, and the racquet is solid with holes, with no strings. That’s why beginners can rally from day one.
| Padel | Tennis | Pickleball | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Racquet | Solid, perforated, foam core | Strung racquet | Solid paddle |
| Court | Small, enclosed with walls | Large, open | Small, open |
| Usually played | Doubles | Singles & doubles | Doubles |
| Learning curve | Easy to start | Harder | Easiest |
How to choose a padel racquet
⚪ Round
Control. Biggest sweet spot, balance near the handle, easiest to use. Best for beginners and defensive players.
💧 Teardrop
All-round. A mix of power and control. Best for improving intermediate players.
🔷 Diamond
Power. Balance towards the head and a smaller sweet spot. Best for advanced, attacking players.
- Shape first. Start with round if you’re new. Move to teardrop or diamond as your technique improves.
- Weight. Around 340–355 g is light and easy to handle; 355–365 g is a good all-round range; 365 g+ gives more power but is more tiring.
- Face material. Fiberglass is softer and more forgiving, great for beginners. Carbon is stiffer, giving more power and precision for experienced players.
- Core. A soft EVA or foam core feels comfortable and helps beginners get the ball over easily. A harder core gives more control and power at higher speeds.
- Comfort. If you’ve had elbow trouble, choose a lighter racquet with a soft core and vibration-reduction technology.
Best padel racquets for beginners
HEAD Vibe 2025
₹8,585 ₹12,265 30% off
An easy, forgiving first racquet from HEAD at the most affordable price.
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HEAD Coello Vibe 2026
₹12,547 ₹17,925 30% off
Arturo Coello signature design at a beginner-friendly price.
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Babolat Counter Vertuo 2.6
₹12,599 ₹20,999 40% off
Round shape with a soft fiberglass face and vibration absorption. Very forgiving.
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HEAD Radical Team Light 2026
₹13,866 ₹19,809 30% off
Very light and easy to swing. Great for women, juniors and comfort-first players.
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Best padel racquets for intermediate players
HEAD Gravity Team 2024
₹14,299 ₹21,999 35% off
Round control racquet with HEAD Auxetic technology for a solid feel.
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Babolat Counter Veron 2.6
₹16,499 ₹27,499 40% off
Control-first round racquet with a carbon face for more precision.
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Babolat Air Veron 2.6
₹17,875 ₹27,499 35% off
Light teardrop with easy power and great manoeuvrability. A brilliant all-rounder.
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HEAD Radical Motion 2026
₹17,832 ₹25,475 30% off
Low balance for easy handling, ideal for fast players at the net.
View price & stock →Best padel racquets for advanced players
Babolat Veron Juan Lebrón 3.1
₹18,849 ₹28,999 35% off
Diamond-shaped power with a slightly more forgiving carbon face.
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HEAD Extreme Pro 2023
₹18,599 ₹30,999 40% off
Heavyweight stability for big smashes. Great value at 40% off.
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Babolat Counter Viper 2.6
₹23,724 ₹36,499 35% off
Babolat’s top control racquet for strategic, defensive advanced players.
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Babolat Viper Juan Lebrón 3.1
₹31,199 ₹47,999 35% off
Babolat’s flagship power racquet for advanced attacking players.
View price & stock →🎾 Don’t forget
- Padel balls: they look like tennis balls but have lower pressure. Use proper padel balls like the Babolat Padel Ace.
- A padel bag with thermal protection keeps your racquet safe from heat. See our padel bags.
- Shoes with good grip: padel courts are often artificial grass with sand, so court shoes with a herringbone sole work best.
- Use the wrist strap on your racquet. In doubles, partners are close together!
Frequently asked questions
Which padel racquet is best for beginners?
A round, light racquet with a soft core and fiberglass face, like the HEAD Vibe 2025 or Babolat Counter Vertuo 2.6. They’re forgiving and make it easy to keep rallies going.
Can I use a tennis racquet for padel?
No. Padel uses solid, stringless racquets designed for the smaller court and the lower-pressure ball, and most clubs require proper padel racquets.
Why are padel racquets expensive?
Good padel racquets use carbon or fiberglass faces with special foam cores, and most are imported. Our prices already include big discounts, and a quality racquet lasts much longer and protects your arm.
Round, teardrop or diamond: which should I choose?
Round for control and beginners, teardrop for all-round play, diamond for power and advanced players.
What weight padel racquet should I buy?
Most beginners and women are comfortable around 340–355 g. Experienced and stronger players often prefer 360–370 g for more power.
Not sure which padel racquet suits you?
WhatsApp us your level, how often you play and your budget. We’ll suggest the right racquet and check which of our stores has it so you can see it in person.
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