Congratulations on starting out on your tennis journey. Our Best 8 will help you select a racquet that helps you develop your technique and strokes. You will need a racquet with a larger head size that is more forgiving (when you don't hit the ball in the sweet spot) and can return the ball with some power from your shorter, slower swing. Our Best 8 list has racquets starting at $80.00 (that get you going), rising to $200.00 (if you're feeling flush).
Best 8 Racquets - Beginner
Babolat Pure Drive 107
Price: $199.00 (Typically)
Manufactured by: Babolat
Head size: 107 sq in (690 sq cm)
Length: 27.2in (69cm)
Strung weight: 10.7oz (303g)
Balance: 5 pts Head Light (HL)
Swingweight: 310 (Range: 200-400)
Stiffness: 69 (Range: 0-100)
Technology: FSI Power, Cortex
Colors: Blue and white
Grip type: Babolat Syntec Pro
String pattern (Mains x Cross): 16 x 19
Tension: Recommended 50lbs (22.7kgs) to 59lbs (26.8kgs)
Babolat Pure Drive 107 is a superior quality and lightweight oversized racquet that is ideally suited to beginners and some intermediate players. It has a generous sweet spot and forgiving head size that make it easy to use.
Yonex EZONE 108
Price: $179.00 (Typically)
Manufactured by: Yonex
Head size: 108 sq in (697 sq cm)
Length: 27.2in (69cm)
Strung weight: 9.6oz (272g)
Balance: 1 pts Head Light (HL)
Swingweight: 308 (Range: 200-400)
Stiffness: 67 (Range: 0-100)
Technology: Micro Offset Layout
Colors: Green and black
Grip type: Yonex synthetic
String pattern (Mains x Cross): 16 x 18
Tension: Recommended 40lbs (18.1kgs) to 55lbs (24.9kgs)
This racquet is a super light, solid choice from the Yonex EZONE family. With the isometric head producing a bigger sweet spot, it is powerful, comfortable and spin-friendly for beginner and intermediate players with slow-to-medium speed strokes.
Babolat Pure Aero Lite Pink
Price: $195.00 (Typically)
Manufactured by: Babolat
Head size: 100 sq in (645 sq cm)
Length: 27in (69cm)
Strung weight: 10oz (284g)
Balance: 0 pts Balanced (EB)
Swingweight: 308 (Range: 200-400)
Stiffness: 69 (Range: 0-100)
Technology: FSI Spin
Colors: Pink, white and black
Grip type: Babolat Syntec Pro
String pattern (Mains x Cross): 16 x 19
Tension: Range 50 lbs (22.7kgs) to 59lbs (26.8kgs).
This Pink latest of the latest Pure Aero Lite is a great option for a beginner who wants to experience the Pure Aero but in a lighter, easier to handle package. This racquet provides strong levels of stability combined with impressive spin and power.
Prince Textreme Warrior 107L Pink
Price: $129.00 (Typically)
Manufactured by: Prince
Head size: 107 sq in (690 sq cm)
Length: 27in (69cm)
Strung weight: 10oz (283g)
Balance: 1 pts Head Heavy (HH)
Swingweight: 315 (Range: 200-400)
Stiffness: 65 (Range: 0-100)
Technology: Textreme, CTS Beam
Colors: Black and blue
Grip type: Prince Resi Pro
String pattern (Mains x Cross): 16 x 19
Tension: Recommended 50lbs (22.7kgs) to 60lbs (27.2kgs)
The Prince Textreme Warrior 107L in Pink provides an easy to use, solid, and lightweight racquet with comfort and power. The flexible frame delivers great feel and excellent value for beginners and intermediates.
Wilson Triad Three BLX
Price: $199.00 (Typically)
Manufactured by: Wilson Sporting Goods
Head size: 113 sq in (729 sq cm)
Length: 27.5in (70cm)
Strung weight: 9.7oz (275g)
Balance: 6 pts Head Heavy (HH)
Swingweight: 329 (Range: 200-400)
Stiffness: Unknown but very low (Range: 0-100)
Technology: Triad, Power Holes
Colors: Blue and silver
Grip type: Wilson Hybrid Grip
String pattern (Mains x Cross): 16 x 19
Tension: Range 50lbs (22.7kgs) to 60lbs (27.2kgs).
The Wilson Triad Three BLX has the second-largest head size of the eight, in a super lightweight frame and one of the most arm-friendly racquets available. The 113 sq in head provides a really large sweet spot, which, combined with a slightly longer frame, makes this racquet ideal for beginners.
Volkl V-Sense 2
Price: $190.00 (Typically)
Manufactured by: Volkl
Head size: 115 sq in (742 sq cm)
Length: 27.6in (70cm)
Strung weight: 10oz (283xg)
Balance: 1 pts Head Heavy (HH)
Swingweight: 315 (Range: 200-400)
Stiffness: 67 (Range: 0-100)
Technology: C3 material, VSENSOR
Colors: Silver
Grip type: Volk V-Sense Grip
String pattern (Mains x Cross): 16 x 19
Tension: Recommended 46lbs (20.9kgs) to 60lbs (27.2kgs).
The Volkl V-Sense 2 is another lightweight, arm-friendly racquet in the mix. The longer length and our joint-largest head size, mean that you can deliver powerful shots from the baseline. The Volkl V-Sense 2 is a worthy contender both for singles and doubles.
ProKennex Ki 15 (260)
Price: $169.00 (Typically)
Manufactured by: ProKennex
Head size: 105 sq in (677 sq cm)
Length: 27.5in (70cm)
Strung weight: 9.7oz (275g)
Balance: 0 pts Head Light (HL)
Swingweight: 316 (Range: 200-400)
Stiffness: 70 (Range: 0-100)
Technology: Kinetic Technology, SpiralTech
Colors: Blue and black
Grip type: ProKennex Synthetic
String pattern (Mains x Cross): 16 x 19
Tension: Recommended 50lbs (22.7kgs) to 65lbs (29.5kgs)
This 2018 version of the ProKennex Ki 15 is a user-friendly, super lightweight with easy access to spin and power. The longer length and maneuverable head help beginner players compete from the baseline.
Head Titanium Ti.S6
Price: $80.00 (Typically)
Manufactured by: Head
Head size: 115 sq in (742 sq cm)
Length: 27.8in (70cm)
Strung weight: 8.9oz (252g)
Balance: 8 pts Head Heavy (HH)
Swingweight: 318 (Range: 200-400)
Stiffness: 75 (Range: 0-100)
Technology: NA
Colors: Black and silver
Grip type: Head Cushion Grip
String pattern (Mains x Cross): 16 x 19
Tension: Range 57lbs (25.9kgs) to 66lbs (29.9kgs).
This wide-bodied ultra-light racquet offers great value for any beginner with compact strokes. It offers a decent balance of power, spin, and control.
Summary
The Best 8: Beginner racquets are here for a reason and all are worthy of a demo. If you're on a budget, get started with Head Titanium Ti.S6 (best value), Prince Textreme Warrior 107L Pink (mid-range) and Babolat Pure Drive 107 (high quality). Then when your game improves and you swing longer and faster, discover the Best 8: Racquets - Intermediate.
