When choosing a tennis racquet, you need a tool you can trust during the most intense of competitions. There are so many racquets on the market, that choosing just one can be as challenging as hitting a pin-point drop shot from the baseline. The three main categories are ‘Tweener’ or beginner racquets, control racquets, and power racquets. However, every player is a little bit different, and every racquet offers a different approach to the game of tennis. You want to make sure you settle on a comfortable, confidence-inspiring racquet to fit your game. Here are the top tennis racquets out right now.
Best ‘Tweener’ & Beginner Racquets
Racquet Type |
Tennis Express Picks |
| Control and Feel | Dunlop LX 1000 Tennis Racquet |
| Power and Spin | |
| Budget-Friendly | Dunlop Team 285 Prestrung Tennis Racquet |
Best Intermediate Racquets
Racquet Type |
Tennis Express Picks |
| Control and Feel | |
| Power and Spin |
Head Extreme Pro 2024 Tennis Racquet Babolat 2021 Pure Drive Tennis Racquet |
| Budget-Friendly | Head Instinct MP 2022 Tennis Racquet |
Best Advanced Racquets
| Racquet Type | Tennis Express Picks |
| Control and Feel | |
| Power and Spin | Wilson Ultra 100 v4.0 Tennis Racquet |
| Best All-Around |
Continue reading for an in-depth evaluation of each of these fantastic racquets.
More on Beginner Racquets:
Looking for a racquet to learn with? These beginner-friendly racquets are designed to help you learn how to play, build confidence, and inspire you to grow as a player.
Control and feel: Dunlop LX 1000 Tennis Racquet
The Dunlop LX 1000 Tennis Racquet is ideal for beginner players due to its large 115 square-inch head, providing a larger sweet spot for more forgiving shots. Its 16×18 string pattern offers a good balance between power and spin potential, helping players develop control over their strokes. The racquet’s dual bridge system effectively absorbs shock, reducing vibrations and making it more comfortable to handle. These features combine to enhance both control and feel, making it easier for beginners to improve their game with confidence and consistency.
Power and Spin: Babolat Boost Rafa Prestrung Tennis Racquet
The Babolat Boost Rafa Prestrung Tennis Racquet is an excellent option for beginners seeking power and spin. Its 102 square-inch head provides a generous sweet spot, allowing for more powerful shots even when off-center. Its traditional 16×19 string pattern enhances spin potential, helping new players add extra topspin to their shots, which is key to controlling the ball. Lightweight and easy to maneuver, this racquet is designed to generate power without sacrificing control. It’s a great choice for players looking to develop an aggressive, spin-heavy game while maintaining comfort and ease of use.
Budget-Friendly: Dunlop Team 285 Prestrung Tennis Racquet
The Dunlop Team 285 Prestrung Tennis Racquet is a budget-friendly option perfect for players seeking reliable performance. Its 100 square-inch head provides a forgiving sweet spot, making it easier to hit consistent shots, even if you’re still developing your skills. The 16×19 string pattern offers a familiar feel, balancing power and control while enhancing spin potential. Lightweight and easy to handle, this racquet suits beginners and casual players looking for an affordable yet dependable option to improve their game without breaking the bank. It’s a solid choice for all-around playability and comfort.
More on Intermediate Racquets:
So, you’re getting better at tennis and ready to move on to something that reflects your skill level. Here are three of the best intermediate tennis racquets you can buy right now.
Control and Feel: Dunlop CX 200 Tour 18×20 Tennis Racquet
The Dunlop CX 200 Tour 18×20 Tennis Racquet is perfect for intermediate players looking for power and spin in a racquet with exceptional precision. With its smaller 95-square-inch head, it offers more control than many racquets, making it ideal for players who prioritize accuracy. Weighing around 11.4 oz (323 g) unstrung, it provides the heft needed for powerful, stable shots. The 18×20 string pattern enhances control while offering great spin potential, allowing players to easily generate topspin. This racquet delivers a balanced blend of power and spin, ideal for those who want precision with forceful groundstrokes.
Power and Spin: Babolat 2021 Pure Drive Tennis Racquet
The Babolat 2021 Pure Drive Tennis Racquet is a great option for intermediate players seeking better control and feel. Weighing 10.6 oz (300 g) unstrung, it strikes a balance between power and maneuverability, making it easier for players to handle during fast-paced rallies. Its 100 sq. in. head size and 16×19 string pattern provide precision without sacrificing spin. The racquet’s stiff frame enhances ball feedback, giving intermediate players a better feel for their shots, and making it ideal for those looking to improve their control and overall consistency on the court.
Budget-Friendly: Head Instinct MP 2022 Tennis Racquet
The Head Instinct MP 2022 Tennis Racquet is a great choice for intermediate players seeking a well-rounded racquet for a reasonable price. With a 100-square-inch head and a moderate weight of 10.6 oz (300 g) unstrung, it balances power, control, and maneuverability. Its traditional 16×19 string pattern offers excellent spin, making it easier to generate topspin and whip on groundstrokes. Its forgiving frame and comfortable feel make it ideal for players looking to improve their game while staying budget-conscious. The Instinct MP delivers solid performance at a competitive price, suitable for value-seeking players.
More on Advanced Racquets:
Do you think you have what it takes to wield one of the best racquets on the market? These three tennis racquets are designed for advanced players looking for a racquet to cater to their skills.
Control and feel: Babolat Pure Strike 97 Gen4 Tennis Racquet
The Babolat Pure Strike 97 Gen4 Tennis Racquet is a top-tier choice for advanced players who prioritize control and feel. With its 97-square-inch head, this racquet provides a precision-focused design, perfect for players who rely on pinpoint accuracy. Weighing 11.4 oz (305 g) unstrung, it offers excellent stability and responsiveness. The 16×19 string pattern enhances both spin and control, while its stiff frame provides great feedback on each shot. Comparable to the Wilson Pro Staff, especially with its 97-square-inch head, the Pure Strike 97 Gen4 delivers ultimate precision, ideal for advanced players seeking consistency and finesse in their game.
Power and Feel: Wilson Ultra 100 v4.0 Tennis Racquet
The Wilson Ultra 100 v4.0 Tennis Racquet is Wilson’s most powerful performance frame, and the racquets still offer tons of pop, but with version 4.0 the integrated FORTYFIVE° strategically within the layup to improve the stability and comfort. With a 100 square-inch head and 16×19 string pattern, the Ultra provides users with lots of power for an aggressive playstyle. Wilson also reduced the bulk of the Ultra v4 models by thinning out the shaft to make the racquet more comfortable and ergonomic. Carryovers from v3 include an Expanded Sweet Spot Channel to widen the cross strings for more string movement and thus more power, spin, and comfort. Crush Zone grommets return as well to increase dwell time for extra feel and control.
Best All-Around: Wilson Blade 98 16×19 v9.0 Tennis Racquet
The Wilson Blade 98 v9.0 Tennis Racquet is a top choice for advanced tennis players seeking a versatile, all-around racquet. Renowned for its exceptional control, it also provides ample spin and power, making it suitable for a variety of playing styles. With a 98-square-inch head size, it offers a precise sweet spot for players who value accuracy, while its 16×19 string pattern is capable of generating spin. Weighing 305 grams (unstrung), the racquet strikes an ideal balance between maneuverability and stability. The Blade 98 v9.0’s flexibility and feel also help players stay connected to the ball, giving them confidence in aggressive baseline rallies or delicate net play. Its sleek, modern design and performance features make it one of the best all-around racquets for those who demand a blend of control, power, and spin.
An Important Note on Buying a Tennis Racquet
Before you buy a tennis racquet, you should know that all racquets are different. No one playstyle is the same, and your experience with one racquet can be totally different than someone else’s. Tennis racquets ain’t cheap, so before you order one online, make sure it’s the one for you. How can you do this? Well, play with it!
But how can you play with a racquet if you don’t already own it? Great question!
Tennis Express offers an unbeatable racquet demo program that allows people just like you to test racquets. Simply find a racquet on our demo page and add it to your kart. You can demo up to three racquets at a time for a small fee of $14.99, which includes shipping the demos to you and a pre-paid FEDEX return label to ship the demos back to Tennis Express. Testing a racquet before buying one is the key to ensuring you get the best racquet for you and your game. You can find racquets and more at TennisExpress.com!
