Overall, the Prince Phantom 100X 305 is a well-rounded tennis racquet that will likely suit various styles of play. Combined with a 100 in head size, 1820 string pattern, and stiffness rating of 66, its clear this racquets design caters to a wide range of players. The truth is, there is a crossover, and many racquets work well for both levels of play. EZONE 98L . Although it might not be the first attribute that comes to mind, the Head Instinct MP 2022 is an arm-friendly tennis racquet featuring a low-end stiffness or RA rating of 64. Whether I was hitting groundstrokes, returns, or volleys, I felt like I could hit my spots with confidence. Whether it was a forehand, backhand, or approach shot, it felt controlled, and the racquets weight and stability offered a level of plow-through that allowed me to take the air out of the ball and neutralize the point even off of an aggressive topspin shot. This Gravity Pro balances comfort, control and feel, making it a great choice for players looking for a modern classic. Less vibration than my last. This experience comes from the fact that the racket 16 x 19 is more spacious, which enhances the ability to catch the ball. These properties determine the manoeuvrability, strength and precision of the tennis racket. While the increased power potential may be desirable for some players, it may leave other players longing for control. Despite receiving a few tweaks to lower the racquets stiffness this year, I continue to recommend players look elsewhere if comfort is a top priority. The two attributes that best describe the Prince Warrior Textreme are power and spin. Buy on Amazon: Wilson Ultra 108 V3.0 Tennis Racquets (4_1/4) Buy on Amazon: Wilson Tour Slam Strung Tennis Racquet, 4 1/4-Inch,. Maneuverability FortyFive enhances the frames vertical and horizontal flex to complement the modern swing path without giving up stability. RANKING LIST | SORT BY SCORES. Some Restrictions Apply. It also offers an open 1619 string pattern, which, when combined, ensures a fast swinging racquet that grips the ball for generating loads of topspin. Ultimately, its ideal for experienced players looking to generate their own pace. If the Babolat Pure Aero looks like the racquet for you, then be sure to check out the other variations on this tennis racquet. For 2021, Head introduced a new Prestige Pro, and it quickly became a playtester favorite. The Pure Aero Plus takes the power and monster spin of the Pure Aero then ramps it up a notch. Power Normally these two characteristics are in contrast to each other in tennis. Babolat X-Feel Origin Power Badminton Racket (2020) This racquet is ideal for beginners looking for an extra large sweetspot. Babolat Pure Drive Tennis Racquets NEW Babolat Pure Drive 98 Tennis Racquet $279 In Stock. With a moderate weight of 11.2 ounces, this racquet comes with a 100 in head and a 1619 string pattern, allowing for excellent access to topspin. Volleys FortyFive is a specialized graphite layup that enables above-average horizontal and vertical flex. The 100 in head, combined with the open 1618 string pattern, gave me plenty of bite and allowed me to generate more topspin on my shots without having to work too hard. Groundstrokes Returns Meanwhile, the frames 100 in head and open 1619 string pattern allow the strings to move freely and enhance spin. In the past, this was used only on the racquets throat and handle. The modification aims to improve spin, power, and comfort for the section at the top while improving control at the middle. The addition of SpiralFibers in the bottom portion of the frames head aims to improve the racquets feel while providing a better overall response. As you might expect, this frame continues to deliver excellent performance from the baseline allowing for big groundstrokes with heavy topspin and exceptional maneuverability on returns. You'll want a racquet that complements your developing style, whether it be grinding out long points from the baseline or banging forehand winners from a dead sprint. Heres an example: Each racquet offers similar specs, but the Tour model has 12 grams of extra weight, is slightly more flexible with an RA rating of 62 vs. 64, and offers a slightly more head light balance. 16/1.30mm: Medium-thick gauge; best for competitive players who break strings frequently. Here are my top three reasons for loving this frame. The Wilson Burn 100 v4 higher power level may leave some players wanting to tone things down a bit, but that is offset to a degree by its excellent topspin so your style of play is a factor here. Over the years, the Babolat Pure Drive has become an iconic tennis racquet backed by some of the games top players, including Andy Roddick before retiring and, more recently, Garbine Muguruza. Compare products. I enjoy hitting with this updated frame that feels less harsh than the last model. Topspin Control However, with the latest release of this frame, Head uses the material throughout the racquets head at 3, 9, and 12 oclock. With the latest version, the EZONE 98 comes with impressive comfort and feel that brings back memories of the player favorite DR edition. The heavy weight of this racquet helps generate power and increases stability on volleys and returns. Overall, the racquet has a dampened, low-vibration feel, making for a pleasant and comfortable hitting experience. The Racquet Comparison Tool compares properties of any two racquets. On both my groundstrokes and returns, I enjoyed the topspin that the Burn 100 v4 provided. Why it's the best: Another racquet with a long history, the Radical MP gets a bit of a bigger update. Not only is the racquet easy to maneuver, but it packs a punch up at the net, which helped me to put away my shots as I moved forward. The first two rackets in the range are the Shift 99 300g and the Shift 99 315g, with both rackets having similar specs to the old Steam 99 tennis rackets. Comfort It's really a toss-up for us choosing between the seventh and eighth versions. The combination of power and topspin made groundstrokes my favorite stroke with the Ultra 100 v4. Two areas where racquets in this class often suffer are stability and comfort. I played with each racquet and then rated its performance on a scale of 1-10 for each attribute and stroke. Aside from a racquets static weight, i.e., its weight when placed on a scale, the feeling of maneuverability often results from its overall weight combined with the frames distribution of weight or balance. In the past, Ive mentioned that while the racquet felt reasonably comfortable to hit with, players suffering from arm injuries or tennis elbow will likely find it a bit harsh on the arm. Compare Racquets Compare Racquets Currently, you have added only one racquet to compare. Add to that sufficient topspin for a bit of extra margin for error, and it works well in this area. Yonex EZONE 100 Tennis Racquet. De Air-lijn bestaat uit Babolat's diamantvormige rackets voor het jaar 2022. One Tour, ProStaff 6.0 85 and Prince Graphite), while others offer a buttery smooth feel (such as the Head Prestige, Volkl 10 Mid, Pacific Vacuum 90). Wilson has several different models of tennis racquets. With its 100 in head, the Phantom provides ample surface area to make a clean connection with the ball and avoid mishits while also featuring an open 1618 string pattern that provides access to generating topspin without working too hard. As such, it gives the beginner a large margin of error, ensuring that comfort and performance remain high even when contact is less than perfect. Despite the frame delivering plenty of topspin, it lacks in this department but will work well for players that prefer to flatten the ball out. Depending on where you live in the world you may call them table tennis rackets, table tennis paddles, table tennis bats, ping pong rackets, ping pong paddles or ping pong bats . To help, Ive narrowed down my picks of the best tennis racquets for 2023, all of which Ive playtested and reviewed to provide detailed performance insight for better decision-making. The Top 10 Best Tennis Racquet Reviews 2018 Babolat Pure Strike 100 Tennis Racquet (Editor's Choice) - The Babolet Pure Strike 100 tennis racquet is designed for competitive and fast-paced play in mind. Add a dose of exceptional stability, and the Pro Staff 97 is a top-notch frame for all-court play. The following are the tennis shots I used to evaluate each tennis racquet. In a nutshell, it tells you the percent of the combined collision speed of the ball and racquet that remains after the ball leaves the strings. Heres a look at the Babolat Pure Aeros top three attributes based on how the racquet scored in my evaluation. Here are a few examples of specs: Id encourage you to avoid getting too hung up on specs because what matters most is the feel, but they can serve as a valuable point of context to narrow your options. Add to that a smaller 97 in head and one of the industrys heaviest strung weights of 12.6 ounces, and you end up with a control-oriented tennis racquet that rewards intermediate to advanced players who can confidently swing it. Theyve also adjusted the shaft design just above the handle for better stability and a slight improvement in power. One item Id like to address is the stability of the racquet. Buy on Amazon: 2: Wilson Tour Slam Adult Recreational 8.50. The Yonex VCORE Pro 97 is a well-balanced tennis racquet that delivers across the board as an excellent option for all-court players who love to hang out on the baseline, enjoy moving around the court, and coming to the net. The 100 in head, open 1618 string pattern, and a slightly higher flex rating of 66 combine to produce plenty of pop and more than enough grip to enhance your topspin. With a 100 in head and tighter 1618 string pattern, youd expect topspin to be a highlight, and its solid. Head Vs Babolat Vs Wilson Tennis Racquet: A Detailed Comparison 1. You can add more spin to your current racquet by selecting a stiffer string with a low coefficient of friction and/or increasing your reference tension (which will enable you to swing faster). Babolat Pure Strike also uses the companys FSI Power technology, increasing the cross strings spacing. In themselves, they tell you nothing about performance, except as you have gained by experience. However, for 2022, Head updated this technology to Graphene 360+, which builds upon the technology by incorporating SpiralFibers in the lower portion of the racquets head for optimal flex, contributing to the frames lower stiffness rating of 62. A high power level and easy access to topspin define the Pure Drive, making it a fantastic choice for baseline tennis players and big servers. Its well-suited for all-court play and performs well across the board, making it an incredibly versatile racquet that instills confidence. With that said, when comparing the two, advanced racquets will typically have the following attributes: The good news is that every racquet on my list is an excellent option for intermediate and advanced players. Add to compare. Although it lacks the massive power of the first two racquets, the exceptional control will enable you to keep the ball in play no matter how big you swing (think confidence). Properties such as weight, balance, length, and headsize measure a static condition that depends only on amount and location of mass. Learn with comprehensive resources to help you improve your game. HEAD Speed MP Tennis Racquet 8.90. Although Id encourage you to avoid getting too hung up on specs, they can serve as a valuable point of context to narrow your options, so heres a brief overview of what each of them means. At 7 points headlight, that translates into a maneuverable racquet thats easy to swing and generate racquet head speed for reliable and well-placed groundstrokes. The sweet zone quoted in the table is for the area of 30 percent. With all that power, the good news is that the Babolat Pure Drive also provides excellent access to topspin to help control your shots and keep the ball in the court. Product Range Head. Helpful Tip To help you get the most out of this resource, Ive developed the following tips to consider while researching tennis racquets. Compared with the original Wilson Burn, the swingweight is relatively balanced, coming in at 3 point head light strung vs. the original at 5 points head light. In 2021 this frame showed up on my list of the best tennis racquets for the first time, and it remains a contender this year. Here are my top three reasons why the Head Speed MP 2022 makes my list of the best racquets for 2023. Start by jotting down whats working and whats not working with your current racquet so you can use that information to help scout your next frame. As Yogi Berra might have said, nobody uses TikTok anymoreit's too crowded. Players may find a little less comfort, but its an improvement over the first generation of Wilson Burn. That is the starting point for choosing a racquet. However, higher-level players that enjoy customizing their racquets specs might opt for this model, which provides more room for adding weight. It also has a middle-of-the-road stiffness rating of 66, which wont deliver the highest comfort level but shouldnt cause most players any issues in this department. Learn more. Groundstrokes "TikTok definitely doesn't algorithmically reward indie artists as much as they did in 2021," Kraemer says. Join the conversation with other members of the community. There are lots of different V-Feel rackets to choose from, but you always know you're going to get comfort with this racket range. For starters, the 300 RS comes with a 98 in head and a manageable 11.2-ounce weight. Without a doubt, this racquets central and enduring feature is control, resulting from a time-tested formula with unique attributes common to Pro Staff models. Plus, its easy enough to adjust the racquet with a small bit of customization for those players needing it. As weve stated in the past, the Pure Strikes defining feature and what sets it apart from many other racquets is its broad appeal to a wide range of styles and levels of play. I loved the topspin I could produce with this racquet. However, this is likely only something advanced players would notice facing players who hit with extra pace. Its specs a weight of 11.5 ounces, a 97 in head, and a 7 point head light balance remain identical to its predecessor for an easy to maneuver package, tour-level control, and plenty of power. Spin These include power potential, sweet zone size, and vibration frequency. Clash 100 V2. In 2021, Wilson adds their new DirectConnect handle, which fuses that racquets butt cap with the handles carbon fiber to improve stability. As a result, its a strong performer from the baseline. If youve enjoyed this article, I encourage you to bookmark it and share it with your friends, family, and teammates who might find it useful. Returns Click any of them to jump to that frame and learn more about why it made my list of the best tennis racquets. Furthermore, most of the racquets I recommend in this guide come in multiple versions with adjustments to some of these variables, optimizing performance for one of the two groups. Overall, I had the most fun with this racquet at the baseline, where I found terrific placement and the confidence to go for my shots while hitting my targets. 4. Add to Wish List Add to Compare. From the baseline, the Phantom 100X 305 provided respectable control with the ability to generate plenty of topspin that allowed me to dictate points with accuracy. Wilson Tour Slam Lite Tennis Racket. Heres a list: Long-awaited Pro Staff fans welcomed the introduction of the Wilson Pro Staff 97 v13 in 2020, which eliminated the use of Countervail and turned out to be well worth the wait. Overall, its an excellent improvement on a frame that continues to get better with each new release. Head's main lines are Gravity, Speed, Radical, Instinct, Extreme, and Prestige. However, it did receive an updated cosmetic. VCORE - Spin. Youll also find a Sweet Spot Channel on the racquets head at three and nine oclock, which increases the length of the cross strings in the mid-section to enhance string movement for added power. Topspin Preview Product Rating; Babolat Pure Aero Team Tennis Racquet - Strung with 16g. Its not a requirement to select a racquet, but it can be a practical consideration when sifting through the options. Order with confidence. New to the racquet in 2023, the Ultra 100 v4 now takes advantage of FORTYFIVE, Wilsons proprietary graphite layup that improves flex without sacrificing stability and maintaining power. The frame also lacks a bit in the stability department, so if youre dealing with a heavy-hitting opponent, particularly on serve and at the net, youll want to keep that in mind. If I was to pick a single area where this racquet excels, it would be hitting groundstrokes. Is it better than the v7 Read More Pro Staff RF97 v13: In-depth Review & Playtest However, Babolat also modified the formula by opting for tighter string spacing to improve control while maintaining the freedom of movement within the grommets for optimal spin. Why its the best: Updated in late 2021, the Blade 98 16x19 continues to impress. Its merely the tradeoff you make when you invest in this type of racquet. Pro tip: Spin comes primarily from your racquets speed and angle at contact. In addition to finding a racquet that complements your strengths, youll need enough mass to drive the ball powerfully through the court or redirect higher levels of pace. To that end, Ive created dedicated reviews for many of the racquets already, and Im diligently working on releasing new articles all the time. Off the ground, the Pure Strike is a delight. I also enjoyed the Wilson Ultra 100 v4s ability to generate topspin. This guide will give you an overview of my picks for the best racquets on the market, but more importantly, Ill do my best to provide you with a summary of the why behind each racquets selection and ranking. Here are the three key reasons I enjoyed the Phantom 100X 305. The sweet zone is the area of the stringbed located above 19 inches and has a power potential of 30% or more. Here are the racquets you should be looking at across the most important categories. Wilson is one of the most prestigious and best known racket manufacturers of all time. I continue to love serving with the Babolat Pure Drive its one of the best in this arena. A players style (or the style theyd like to develop) can influence the type of racquet a player purchases. 3. Actual sales may not have occurred at this price. Comfort Just so you know, TennisCompanion may collect a small share of sales from the links on this page to help keep this site running. Its also extremely maneuverable, which will help you position and swing the racquet effectively. How Often Should I Change or Replace My Tennis Racquet Strings. Princes Textreme line of tennis racquets features its unique Textreme material. Further complemented by its 98 in head and 1619 string pattern, the racquet offers great topspin and control. . Roger Federer and Serena Williams use Wilson racquets, but they also have great racquets for juniors or beginners. Advanced players will likely find the Wilson Clash 98 v2 or Clash 100 Pro v2 appealing. Furthermore, you can compare the specs of your existing racquet to the new racquet youre considering. Wilson Clash 98 V2 and V1 Tennis Racquet Comparison Review RacquetGuys 1.53K subscribers 13K views 9 months ago Welcome to our Wilson Clash 98 V2 and V1 Tennis Racquet Comparison Review. However, within one racquet family, the brand also offers options for different . Tennis Racket Construction When choosing a racket, there are three elements that affect power and control: headsize, weight, and string pattern. Simultaneously, the 98 in head and a slightly thinner beam gave me the control I desired to direct the ball and hit my spots. Head Graphene 360 Radical MP - Best Controlled-Power Head Racquet 3. The head features the companys signature Isometric square head shape, which increases the sweet spots size. The result is a lower 62 stiffness rating, which offers excellent comfort, especially compared to the prior model. Head Titanium Ti.S6 Why it's the best: Coming with strings installed, the Head Ti.S6 comes ready to play. I felt the Phantom 100X 305 improves quite a bit from its predecessor at the net. For 2023, the VCORE 98 makes my list, and Im super excited about what the updated racquet brings to the table while still delivering the same speed and spin I loved in the prior model. If youre interested in the Yonex EZONE 98 but are not quite sure if its an ideal fit, check out a few of the various EZONE models available. Similarly, players may debate its power level. The frame felt easy to maneuver, and I didnt have to work too hard to generate pace. However, some racquets make generating pace significantly easier. Wilson Adult Recreational Tennis Racket. A thicker beam makes the racquet stiffer and sends more energy back into the ball at impact resulting in more power. A modern twist on a classic, the Wilson Pro Staff RF97 v13 Autograph, is Roger Federers signature version of the Wilson Pro Staff 97 v13. For extra advice, check out my guide on how to choose a tennis racquet, which covers all of the factors worthy of your consideration. Pro tip: If youre looking for more control, select a racquet with a more flexible beam and smaller head size. Touch, or feel, is a bit nuanced and frequently tied to a sense of control and connectedness, especially when hitting volleys and finesse shots like drop shots. However, Yonex also refines its drilling of the holes for the outer main strings with its Linear Tech to widen the sweet spot and enhance string movement. These are the main reasons I loved playing with the Wilson Burn 100 v4. Again, the frames 100 in head and 1619 string pattern help deliver that topspin, which I found came easily and helped me keep my opponent on their toes. Players who will likely enjoy Babolats Pure Strike are all-court players who like to attack the net and are looking for a well-balanced tennis racquet that performs consistently across a wide range of attributes and strokes. Wilson Tennis Rackets. Simultaneously, everything felt under control, supported by a slightly more flexible frame than some of the other racquets in the Babolat family. The "sweetness" of the shot depends on the impact location. Babolat Drive G 115 Tennis Racquet From: CAD $230.00 CAD $199.99 Babolat Drive G Lite Tennis Racquet From: CAD $219.99 CAD $189.99 Babolat Drive G Tennis Racquet From: CAD $229.99 CAD $199.99 Babolat Evoke 102 Tennis Racquet CAD $79.99 CAD $64.99 Babolat Explorer Badminton Racquet CAD $29.99 CAD $23.00 Babolat First II Badminton Racquet #3. The Phantom 100X 305 is one of the most comfortable racquets that weve played with, making it an excellent option for players in need of an arm-friendly companion. Of course, what makes the Pure Stike unique is that it maintains its high marks up at the net with volleys. Energy Flow and Return Between a Tennis Ball and Stringbed; Effective Racquet Mass; Racquet Control Part 1; Free-standing vs Hand-held Racquet Testing; Spin Demo; Racquet Weighting; Spin Setups . Head Graphene Touch Instinct MP - Best Spin-Friendly Head Racquet 6. It is manufactured by graphite composition. For 2021, Babolat introduces their HTR System, enhancing the hoops graphite to strengthen and improve the frames rigidity, which results in improved energy transfer and enhanced power. 3 The 10 Best Tennis rackets For 2022 3.1 Yonex EZONE 98 2022 - My Favourite racket of 2022 3.2 Wilson Pro Staff 97 V13 3.3 Babolat Pure Drive 2021 3.4 Wilson Blade 98 18 X 20 V8 3.5 Babolat Pure Strike 16 x 19 4th Gen 3.6 Wilson Clash 100 Pro 3.7 Yonex VCore Pro 100 300 - [Best racket for Intermediate Players] 3.8 Head Prestige Pro 2021 Furthermore, a more experienced player will have developed the technique and skill required to generate their own pace, so they dont need to rely as heavily on the racquet to generate power. Layway Tennis Rackets 2 Players Recreational for Beginners ,Pre-Strung 27 Inch Light Adult Racquet. The main criterion by which Babolat racquets are divided is the racket weight: men's from 280 grams to 320 grams, women's and for juniors from 255 grams to 285 grams. Overall, the Babolat Pure Strike left me feeling pleased across the board. The frame uses square and elliptical shapes in strategic locations to offer a unique blend of control and power that is highly responsive with excellent feel and precision. As a frame with a mid-range weight and head light balance thats very easy to maneuver, I did find the Tecnifibre TF-X1 300 to provide a bit less stability, particularly when returning bigger serves. As a result, its a fast swinging racquet, a crucial attribute for players looking to enhance topspin. At 11.1 ounces and with a 4 pt HL balance, the TF-X1 300 is an easy-to-man maneuver frame for quick reactions up at the net and generating maximum racquet head speed for topspin. Once again, it pays to demo multiple frames to gain a first-hand experience of a given racquets feel. Best Wilson tennis racquet reviews (newest update) #1. If you like what you see with the Pure Strike, you should check out some of the different racquets in the Pure Strike series. Both racquets can work well for intermediate and advanced players. Comparison Table of Top Class Tennis Racket for Slice. 3. The frames design allows the strings to move freely so that they can work together for a more generous sweet spot, additional power, and less shock. 1. Maneuverability Heres why I love the Tecnifibre TFight 300 RS. Kudos! One unique aspect of the Phantom 100X 305 is that it maintains stability without a dramatic increase to its stiffness rating through the use of Textreme, Princes ultra-thin carbon thats baked directly into the frame. As with other racquets, you might expect a little bit of give and take along the way, and the Volkl V-Feel 8 Pro is no exception. Like finding a new racquet, experimentation is crucial to finding the right strings that will help you perform your best. At 11.1 ounces and with a 4 points head light balance, this lightweight frame is easy-to-maneuver, afforded me excellent preparation on my groundstrokes, and delivered easy handling up at the net. I was able to create tons of racquet head speed effortlessly, and together with the more open string pattern and more generous sweet spot, it helped me produce a considerable amount of topspin that would leap off the ground, making for a super fun playtest. Exclusive Offers Sent Right to Your Inbox.