Best padel rackets under £50, £100 and £150 (UK, 2026)

Eight rackets for beginners and improving players, grouped by budget, with what you get for the extra money.

Quick picks

What extra money gets you

• Under £50: round, forgiving rackets with soft foam cores. Fine for learning and social games, but expect to replace them sooner if you play several times a week.
• £50 to £100: better-known brands, often some carbon in the frame, and a wider choice of shapes. Still forgiving.
• £100 to £150: more carbon and more advanced cores, aimed at improving players. Two of our picks are pro players' models that suit consistent players more than first-timers.

Whatever you spend: round shapes are the most forgiving, teardrop is the next step, and diamond shapes are for advanced players. Soft cores are a good choice in the UK because foam stiffens in the cold. Avoid unbranded rackets with no stated specs and old discounted pro models.

Best padel rackets under £50

Kuikma PR Comfort Soft

Round, low balance, soft EVA core and fibreglass faces: everything a beginner racket should have. Decathlon labels it intermediate, but the specs are forgiving. Decathlon customers rate it 4.6 out of 5 from 408 reviews.

Price seen: £34.99, down from £39.99, at Decathlon UK.

Dunlop Megamax Silver 2026

A round starter racket with a Pro EVA core and a graphite frame. Padel Underground calls it the cheapest racket from an established brand that UK shops list for beginners, but expects it to wear out sooner if you play several times a week.

Price seen: £39.99, RRP £70, at PDH Sports.

Best padel rackets under £100

NOX X-Hero 2026

NOX's beginner racket: round, with a soft EVA core, 3K fibreglass faces and a carbon frame. NOX rates its control 100/100. Padelspeed calls it forgiving and comfortable for beginners and lower-intermediates, with limited attacking power. Sources disagree on its balance and NOX doesn't publish it.

Price seen: £51.50, RRP £65, at PDH Sports.

adidas RX Series 2026

A soft EVA core with fibreglass faces and carbon reinforcements, slightly heavier than the X-Hero for a bit more natural power. Padel Racket Lab scores it 7.9/10: control-focused, soft and forgiving, but not for players who want big attacking power. Most retailers list it as round, one as teardrop.

Price seen: £79.99, RRP £100, at PDH Sports.

Babolat Air V-Inner 25

A light teardrop racket (345 g) with a soft EVA core and fibreglass faces, which Decathlon pitches at beginners. A good choice if you want a little more power without a heavy racket. Decathlon customers rate it 4.8 out of 5 from 25 reviews. It's the 2025 model.

Price seen: £79.99 at Decathlon UK.

Best padel rackets under £150

Bullpadel Ionic Control 26

A round, low-balance racket with a MultiEVA core and Glaphite faces (a carbon and fibreglass blend), which Bullpadel pitches at intermediates. PadelVerdict rates its sweet spot and control highly, but says its power falls short for players who finish points with pace.

Price seen: £119.99, RRP £195, at Express Padel.

NOX ML10 Pro Cup Coorp 2027

Miguel Lamperti's round control racket, with an EVA core, fibreglass faces and a carbon frame. Padel Underground recommends it for players a few months in who play from the back and value placement. Padel Market labels it advanced, so it's a step up rather than a first racket.

Price seen: £135, RRP £150, at PDH Sports.

NOX AT10 Pro Cup Soft 2026

Agustín Tapia's teardrop racket with a soft EVA core and aluminised fibreglass faces. NOX rates it for advanced players, so treat it as a stretch pick for a keen intermediate. Padel Underground says it rewards consistency and placement, and the soft core suits outdoor winter play.

Price seen: £119.99, RRP £180, at PDH Sports.

Last checked: 1 November 2026