Best Tennis Rackets For Beginners Review

When you are super ready to get into the world of tennis and racket around the field, there is one thing that is likely to be with you, yeah that’s your racket. So, here we are reviewing the best tennis rackets for beginners.

This is such a weapon that can make or break your confidence if you don’t get yourself a perfect one. Since you just started experiencing the sport, it’s obvious you need some guidance to know which one would suit you.

And that’s the reason why you are reading this article! See we get it!

So, here you will not only find the 10 best tennis rackets for beginners but also some basic guides to help you out.

Let’s kick-start!

10 Best Tennis Rackets for Beginners Reviewed!

In this section, we reviewed 10 of the best tennis rackets for beginners. What are those? Let’s see the list

1. 1. HEAD TI S6
   2. Babolat 2018 Pure Drive
   3. HEAD MicroGel Radical
   4. Wilson Hyper Hammer 5.3 Strung
   5. Wilson US Open Junior
   6. Babolat 2018 Pure Aero Lite
   7. Wilson Tour Slam Adult
   8. HEAD IG Gravity Jr
   9. HEAD Speed Kids
   10. Wilson Pro Staff Team

HEAD TI S6

Pleased with size, grip, and weight. Although it says one user about TI S6 by Head but you will find a lot of people telling the same.

You can expect it to provide you with amazing smashes and clears because of being oversized coming 115 square inches in size. Plus, it also creates a much bigger sweet spot making it not only one of the best tennis rackets for beginners but also for intermediate.

Aside from that, the TI S6 offers exceptional durability having been made up of titanium and graphite fiber material. Since these materials are stated to be lightweight ones, so you will feel it very light. But, you can just state this for the frame.

Its strings don’t impress much. There is a lot of scopes for improvement when it comes to their tension. Plus, you will also feel the quality low.

However, the racket weighs around 8.9 ounces. So, you can guess how much light it will feel while swinging around.

As for the grip size, it comes 4.25 inches in size that helps let you grip the shaft very firmly. Moreover, the racket measures 27.7 inches long offering you easy maneuverability as well.

If you are someone who wishes to hit the racket effectively, then this racket has been constructed just for you.

Pros:

• Titanium offers lightness.
• Graphite composite offers durability.
• Head heavy provides you with power.
• The grip in shaft grips greatly.
• Large sweet spot.
• Easy to maneuver.

Cons:

• String tension requires improvement.
• Low-quality strings.

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Babolat 2018 Pure Drive

Is quality strings what you all need? Then nothing can beat the string performance which 2018 Pure Drive-by Babolat can do.

The racket has incorporated a groundbreaking SMAC technology that provides you with both power and spin. This tech refers to a softer shock-absorbing material combined with fiber so that you don’t feel any kind of vibration to distract you. There is another technology namely FSI string-bed coming with diamond grommets serving the same benefits.

The best thing about the racket is that both the frame and the string are made up of high-quality materials so durability has been ensured.

It has 100 square inch head size that belongs to the midsized plus range. With that, you can enjoy the largest sweet spot. To add more, 2018 Pure Drive is a head-light racket that offers easy maneuverability as well.

You will get 4-1/4 grip size through so you can hold the shaft firmly. As for the weight, the racket comes in 17 ounces making it a very light racket for you.

Although all these benefits make it one of the best tennis racquets for beginners, yet it has two areas of improvement.

One is that it needs re-stringing if you want to enjoy better control. And other is that the string has a very low tension that requires consideration.

If you are an intermediate tennis player who likes to play professionally then you can consider Babolat-Pure Strike 16/19 tennis racket.

Pros:

• Diamond grommets offer spin and power.
• SMAC technology for shock absorption.
• FSI string technology offers better string spacing.
• Head light provides maneuverability.
• Bigger sweet spot.
• Light to hold.

Cons:

• Requires re-stringing for better control.
• String has low tension.

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HEAD MicroGel Radical

You can make a guess right from the name about the quality of this Radical racket by HEAD.

This particular model comes with MicroGel material that is stated to be a groundbreaking silicon technology. It delivers you the lowest density of solid so that it can have the impact load distributed around the frame. To add more, the MicroGel is another reason to provide you with a solid feel and smooth touch as well.

Radical is a midsized plus racket when it comes to the head size that measures 98 square inches. Although, such size is not supposed to offer a sweet spot but you will get to enjoy hitting the ball effectively.

Moreover, it weighs about 10.4 ounces weight so you can feel its lightweight and play with it all day long without fatigue.

In addition, the Radical measures 27 inches long making it very easy to maneuver so you can enjoy the power it offers.

The grip size of the racket is 4 3/8 so you can grip the handle firmly to strike the ball.

However, the racket does not have any vibration dampening technology, so it’s likely to vibrate a bit after hitting the ball. This can be a con for you.

Another little issue is it requires re-stringing. Albeit, not a very big con to disappoint you.

Pros:

• MicroGel for a solid feel and smooth touch.
• Weight offers lightness.
• Helps in hitting the ball effectively.
• Easy to grip the handle.
• Easy to maneuver.
• Power oriented.

Cons:

• Lacks vibration dampening technology.
• Requires re-stringing.

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Wilson Hyper Hammer 5.3 Strung

 

In the field of power, Wilson Hyper Hammer 5.3 is stated to be one of the best tennis rackets for beginners.

This is a head heavy racket so it will heighten the power of your smashes and clears. As a result, you will find yourself delivering the best shots.

Besides, Hyper Hammer features a solid frame that lets you utilize the racket correctly if you feel that you need to improve your swinging performance.

Moreover, it’s an oversized racket that comes in 110 square inches size. Therefore, you will love both of its power and forgiveness.

Not just that, the racket has been constructed with Graphite material making it a very durable product in hand.

Plus, the lighter frame will also be there to serve its benefits through providing you with comfort and zero exhaustion. You will find yourself swinging the racket effectively.

Hyper Hammer 5.3 features an open string pattern referring to a type that provides power and spin.

At 27.5 inches, it offers easy maneuverability as well as satiated forgiveness and reaches so that it causes no obstacles while making contact with the ball.

Moreover, the racket comes with 4 1/8-inch through 4 1/2-inch which will be great for newbies. Although, such size is not for large hands but you can get an over-grip to compensate.

A little con is that the racket vibrates a little, so you would wish to have a vibration dampening technology.

If you are looking for a details review, you can go through our article Wilson Hyper Hammer 5.3 Review.

Pros:

• Graphite offers durability.
• Head heavy delivers power.
• Light frame, so you’ll get comfort and lightness.
• Easy to maneuver.
• Open string pattern to deliver spin and power.
• Power frame to improve swinging performance.

Cons:  

• Players with bigger hands may feel awkward with the grip.
• Vibrates a little.

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Wilson US Open Junior

 

No matter what option you choose out of the 3, US Open Junior by Wilson will provide you with the same benefits.

You will basically get three sizes in this particular model starting from 21 inches and 23 inches to 25 inches.

The 21 inches racket has a midsized head coming 92 square inches in size. The 23 inches version is another midsized head racket that comes in 95 square inches. As for the 25 inches version, it is a midsized plus racket that measures 106 square inches in size.

There is a rule of thumb that the larger the head-size you will go, the more power you will get. Another one is that the longer the racket, the more forgiveness and reach you will witness. So, it depends on you that what you want for yourself.

However, the racket has been made up of Aluminum that makes it a very cheap yet high-quality racket for newbies. You will get a moderate amount of feel and power but that’s still a satisfaction.

The grip size of all the three versions measures 3 1/2 inches. Albeit lesser than the traditional range but great for juniors. Speaking of the grip, its white handle gets dirty pretty soon. So, that can be a little drawback. And it does not come with a cover, hence another little con.

Pros:

• Aluminum offers feel and durability.
• Lightweight to maneuver.
• Longer racket offers reach and forgiveness.
• Comes in 3 versions.
• Ideal for juniors.
• Provides you with a firm grip.

Cons:

• White grip catches dirt quick.
• Doesn’t come with a cover.

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Babolat 2018 Pure Aero Lite

 

This Pure Aero Lite by Babolat can still be called one of the best tennis rackets for beginners even being a 2018 version.

It has been constructed with Pure Aero Lite which is their famous AeroPro Lite technology that makes it a super-light racket. Plus, weighing around 16 ounces will also feel light.

It’s a midsized plus racket coming in 100 square inches so you can get some power through its performance.

Coming with even balance makes it an awesome pick for beginners because there will be both power and control to utilize. You will also feel the same through its latest frame-string technology for a legit crispy play.

The big plus is that it features the Cortex System that helps filter out all the vibrations which can hinder the feel.

The racket has 4 1/4-inches grip making it great for beginners who have small hands. You will also get to grip the shaft firmly.

Besides, it has been fused with FSI Spin Technology to give you more of a powerful and comfy spin.

Although the brand boasts much about the quality of the string but people felt it very flimsy. Another issue is that you won’t get a cover but that shouldn’t be a big deal.

Pros:

• Pure Aero Lite for a light feel.
• Delivers power and control.
• Cortex System dampens vibration.
• Frame-string technology offers crisply play.
• FSI Spin Technology for a comfy spin.
• The grip feels great.

Cons:

• Low-quality strings.
• Doesn’t come with a cover.

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Wilson Tour Slam Adult

 

Tour Slam Adult by Wilson can enchant you through its high-quality feel at the most low-cost rate.

It has been constructed with aluminum so you can enjoy both of its feel and durability.

Moreover, Tour Slam features AirLite Alloy Frame that offers you a great benefit of its lightness. Not just that, its 12 ounces weight also serves the same benefit.

Its head measures 27.5 long to offer reach whereas coming in 112 square inches oversized will give you more power.

The racket comes equipped with Volcanic frame technology that enables you to enjoy power and stability.

The big plus is that you will have V-Matrix Technology letting you use its bigger and more forgiving sweet spot so you can strike the ball successfully.

The racket also comes with power strings so it can help in heightening power while guaranteeing its string quality.

Tour Slam also features stop shock pads to help in lessening vibration. As a result, you won’t get to feel any vibration from the strike.

Since it’s a head-light racket, it makes sure you can maneuver it independently. Plus, it ensures powerful swinging as well.

The grip size is 4 ¼-inch. Thus, many of you may not hold the shaft properly if you have bigger hands. We also found many users who complained about its slippery feel.

Pros:

• Aluminum offers durability and feel.
• AirLite Alloy Frame for lightness.
• Volcanic frame technology for power and stability.
• Power strings feel high of quality.
• Forgiving sweet spot.
• Stop shock sleeves to reduce vibration.

Cons:

• Slippery grip.
• Not for bigger hand players.

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HEAD IG Gravity Jr

 

IG Gravity Jr by HEAD offers all the comfort and convenience that make it one of the best tennis racquets for beginners.

Out of the two head lengths, this one comes 26 inches long that enables you to maneuver the racket very easily. However, it may fail to offer reach that you want.

The head size measures 100 square inches, hence it belongs to the midsized plus category. Such range can deliver a forgiving sweet spot.

It has a head light balance that does not only offer control but also provides you with the power to strike the ball effectively. Besides, it also helps dampen shock so you can enjoy stability while striking.

Having been made up of carbon composite, the frame promises you to last longer than you think.

It weighs around 12.8 ounces so that it can deliver lightness to give exceptional comfort to all the junior players out there.

Since the grip size measures 4 inches, it’s great for players with smaller hands. So, if you are looking for a high-quality racket for your kid, this can make an ideal choice. To be precise, it has just been designed for little newbies. So, it’s sad news for adults.

Pros:

• Easy to maneuver.
• Offers a forgiving spot.
• You will get both control and power.
• Has shock absorption tendency.
• Carbon composite offers durability.
• Very light to hold.

Cons:

• May not offer reach.
• Not for adults.

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HEAD Speed Kids

 

Out of all the best tennis racquets for beginners, speed by HEAD has managed to shine greatly through its maneuverability and control.

Coming in head light, the racket lets you swing it through the air easily so you can maneuver as well as control it the way you want. Moreover, you will also enjoy its shock absorption advantage due to this factor.

The weight of the head furthermore helps in offering stability when you strike the ball. On the other head, the length of the ball offers maneuverability as well by coming 23 inches long.

As for the head size, it’s an oversized racket that measures 107 inches in size so you can enjoy the most forgiving sweet spot to hit the ball efficiently.

Speed has been designed with aluminum o-beam material making it a very solid and durable product.

Coming in just 8 ounces, the racket feels very light in hand. Its grip size measures 3 5/8 inches that makes it a very ideal racket for little beginners especially.

Although, the head length fails to offers reach but you will find yourself enjoying more power throughout its uses.

However, some of the users wished the racket to have a cover since the brand does not include one. But that’s not a big deal.

Pros:

• Easy to maneuver and control.
• Offers stability.
• You will get control and power.
• Has shock absorption tendency.
• Aluminum o-beam construction for durability.
• Great for kids.

Cons:

• Fails to offer reach.
• Cover not included. 

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Wilson Pro Staff Team

 

If durability is what you desire to have, then Staff Team is one of the best tennis racquets for beginners.

The racket has used graphite that makes it one of the most durable models out of its rivals.

This is a midsized plus racket that measures 100 square inches to let you strike the ball effective for its sufficient sweet spot.

Besides, the racket weighs around 10.6 inches to offer a much lighter feel. Speaking more of the lightness, you will also get the same advantage from its head light factor. Coming in head light will give you easy swinging that will help boost your confidence.

The length of the head measures 27 inches in size so you will be able to utilize its maneuverability that it offers. As for the grip size, it’s 4 3/8 inches in size that will suit different players of different hand sizes.

Besides, the racket features frame geometry and design that makes it a very unique product for the newbies. The inner rim has a matte finish with a detailed pattern that complements the overall design.

Moreover, the Staff Team comes pre-strung where the quality of the multifilament string feels high. So, you will have both playability and arm-friendly comfort.

The racket does not include a cover. Thus many users complained about it. Also, some of you may want to use over-grip for better hold. 

Pros:

• Graphite for durability.
• Offers satiated sweet spot.
• Very light to use and hold.
• Easy to maneuver.
• Comes with a unique pattern on the rim.
• Provides playability and arm-friendly comfort.

Cons:

• Doesn’t include a cover.
• Some may require over-grip for better grip.

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Best Tennis Rackets For Beginners Buying Guide!

Things to mull over

Weight

Weight has a big role in your swing. So, it becomes an essential factor while looking for a tennis racquet. There is a wide range of weight of the same model, so you should not be scared to ask the seller that which one would best suit you.

The rule of thumb is that the heavier the racket will be, the more powerful and the less maneuverable it will be. As a result, it can drain a player quick. Meanwhile, heavier rackets will have more energy so you will find it way difficult to hit the tennis ball.

When it comes to the tennis racquet, the heavier one weighs around 320g or above whereas the lighter one comes in around 310g or below. On top of that, strings add more 35g to the total weight.

However, this certain factor helps in teaching you the right techniques and strokes banking on the racket you’d pick.

For instance, if you swing with a lighter and a heavier racket at 50mph, you will notice that the latter will hit the ball pretty harder than the lighter. Thus, make sure to grab one that you can control no matter if it’s heavy or light.

Anyways, below we have highlighted the ideal weight depending on the gender:

• Adult male: 7.5-ounce to 11.5-ounce.
• Adult female: 7-ounce to 11-ounce.

However, if you think that heavyweight racket will be hard for you to deal with because of its strength required for use, then we would recommend you to opt for the lighter one. Because such racket will neither be hard on the ball not it will cause fatigue in your arms or wrist.

Head Size

Head size refers to the area having strings affixed to the border. It is measured in square inch generally. The larger the size of the head, the more power the racket will generate, thus the larger the sweet spot it will have making it easier for you to strike the ball effectively. On the other hand, the smaller the size of the head, the more control you will get to enjoy.

Although, this rule of thumb is not entirely true but you can have the idea to understand which one goes along with you well.

There are rackets with a much bigger head size as well. Such are called oversized rackets. These ones help in saving a lot of time from frustration since their margin of errors isn’t bigger so you have a very lesser chance to miss the ball. Not just that, such rackets will also provide you with a little power-boost.

Below has the common range of head size we have highlighted:

• Midsized: 80 to 95 square inches
• Midsized Plus: 96 to 105 square inches
• Oversized: 106 to 118 square inches
• Super Oversized: 119 square inches and beyond.

Head Length

The tennis racket usually comes 20 to 28 inches long. The longer the racket, the more power and reach you can expect. Meanwhile, the shorter the racket, the easier it will be to maneuver.

Balance

Head Heavy Balance

Newbies who are undoubtedly into playing a rigorous game, the head heavy racket can make an ideal pick for them. As it holds weight in its head, it helps boost the power of your clears as well as smashes. So, if you wish to generate consistent clears, then you’ll require head heavy racket for delivering such shots. 

Head Light Balance

Rackets with a lightweight head are ideal for those players who love to play double format matches. Since the racket head will possess lesser weight, it will be easy for them to swing the racket through the air and control. As a result, they will find it easier to maneuver it as well. To add more, if newbies love to play a quick and attacking match, then head light racket can make an impeccable choice. They just need to have an excellent footing on the speed of the swing.

Even Balance

Rackets possessing an even balance weight provide you with a mid-ground between head-heavy and headlight. Such evenly balanced rackets give you all the power from their rear while control from their front. If you are a newbie, then an even-balanced racket will definitely be a great pick. Because with this, you will be able to make yourself an all-rounder. 

Shaft

The shaft extends to the end of the racket right from the bottom of the head. It is basically the handle part of the whole body you can say. You will find the throat of the racket at the top of the handle and beneath it is the shaft. The shaft has two different tendencies. The flexible one and the stiff one.

• Flexible shaft: Such a shaft is basically more on the thin side. It comes with a traditional beam width. If you are able to produce power on your own, then you can opt for the flexible shaft.

Advantages:

• More control.
• Absorbs more shock.

Disadvantages:

• Less power.
• Dead ball feeling.

• Stiff Shaft: Such shaft is basically thick in size. It comes with a wide-body beam width. If are having issues with producing a lot of power, then this one is for you.

Advantages:

• More power.
• Offers faster attacks plus serves.

Disadvantages:

• Transmits shock to the arm.
• Average control.

Grip Size

Being a newbie, you must get yourself the correct grip size for the racket. The smaller grip will lead you to squeeze the handle excessively. And this can result in tiring your muscles and causing severe injury.

Meanwhile, the larger grip will make it very difficult for you to use your forearm and wrist. Thus, you won’t be able to make changes to the grip as well.

A perfect grip size should be comfy enough to play with so that you can have the full range of movement in your forearm and wrist.

You will find a wide range of grip sizes in the market that can confuse you. So, we have underscored a basic guide that you can follow for your convenience:

Small-Sized Hand

• 4-inch (US size) or 0 (Euro size)
• 4.13-inch (US size) or 1 (Euro size)
• 4.25-inch (US size) or 2 (Euro size)

Medium-Sized Hand

• 4.38-inch (US size) or 3 (Euro size)
• 4.5-inch (US size) or 4 (Euro size)

Large-Sized Hand

• 4.63-inch (US size) or 5 (Euro size)
• 4.75-inch (US size) or 6 (Euro size)

Materials

The racket is not made up of just one material. It comes with a combination of different materials where one is selected for strings, one is for grip and one is for the frame. Below has some common materials used for tennis racquet:

Titanium

It’s a light material that will provide you with better control. So, you will find it easier to swing it through the air. The material might not offer much power but you will enjoy spin and control.

As for the strength, it’s super strong and solid. You will find it great for its stiffness. If you are a player who tends to power serve, then you can grab such a racket.

Graphite

This is a heavy material and you will find it very difficult to swing the racket through the air while trying to power serve. However, if you’re skilled enough to serve the ball at high impact, you can get to enjoy its added power eventually.

When it comes to its sturdiness, graphite is a very strong material. Besides, you will love its durability as well.

Grip Materials

Some mainstream materials for grip are rubber, neoprene which is a synthetic material and leather. You may go with a synthetic material since it comes with a textured surface that further offers added friction.

String Materials

One of the most widely-used materials for strings is nylon for the tennis racquet. It banks on the chemical composition that decides if the strings will be firm of soft. This material provides both durability and performance and comes in a cheaper price tag.

You can also go with polyester material that is used for the string as well. It provides lesser power but you will have stiffer feel and spin than other materials.

A lot of brands combine polyester strings with nylon material so that it can provide you with a softer feel and solid string bed. That’s the reason why it is liked by most of the players of different levels of expertise.  

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 

Q: How to get a proper grip size?

A: You are required to take a look at the palm of your hand at first to get a proper grip size. There you’ll notice 2 horizontal lines running across your palm. Now measure from the bottommost point of the horizontal line to the topmost one of your ring finger. You might get a measurement ranging from 4 inches to 4 5/8 inches. This way, you can get a perfect grip size for your hand.

Q: Should you give stress on “New Technology” of the racket?

A: Having new or groundbreaking technology is a good thing, but you should not give stress on such a factor more than the other basic ones. There are many manufacturers that brag about incorporating new technology to draw the player’s attention. These can be a trap to make them buy the rackets where in fact it’s nothing but a hype. Make sure that you check out the reviews of such technology. If you don’t find anyone talking about it, then look for the positive or negative factors and then make a decision for purchase. But no matter what, durability and performance should always be the factors to give more emphasis on.

Q: Which one would be the best tennis racquet brand?

A: Brand may play a role in determining the quality of the racket, but that is not the only factor. Different manufacturer has both positive and negative sides. Even a rare or very new manufacturer can provide you a racket having all the positive features and qualities. However, if you still need a suggestion, then you can check out rackets from HEAD, Wilson or Babolat. You will find a lot of users who got impressed by their rackets. But make sure to check the reviews beforehand!

Wrap Up

Being a beginner, it’s absolutely understandable how hard it is to get a racket when you have no idea from where to start. Even several varieties of rackets also end up confusing you. That’s why we exist to help you out. We have tried to keep all the reviews absolutely unbiased so you can know both the pros and cons of a particular racket. So, it’s all up to you to decide which one would you grab for its qualities forgiving the cons.