IT’S NEVER TOO late to pick up a new sport, especially if that sport is tennis. The best tennis rackets for beginners, like most tennis equipment, are easy to find, come in a variety of price points, and are made to suit anyone’s game, whether you’re playing for the first time or you just joined a club and are looking to progress.
To help pick out right sporting equipment to begin your new hobby, we tested numerous tennis rackets across some of the biggest brands in the game. We aren’t professional tennis players, but hey, that might make our picks even more relevant. However, since we know the opinion of a legend is always a plus, we caught up with Florida-based tennis coach Rick Macci. Macci has taught the best in the game, including a certain set of sisters named Venus and Serena — ever heard of ‘em?
Best Tennis Rackets for Beginners
- Best Racket for Beginners OverallWilson Clash 100 Pro V2 Tennis RacketRead more
- Best Deal Racket for BeginnersBabolat Boost Strike StrungRead more
- Best Affordable Racket for BeginnersWilson Hyper Hammer 5.3 Tennis RacketRead more
How to Pick a Beginner Tennis Racket
Get Your Hands on an Actual Racket (or Two)
When it comes to deciding which racket to buy, Macci recommends literally getting your hands on as many as you can. “You can grab a few rackets before you purchase one and demo them,” he says. “Or you can pick up old rackets laying around your house or your friends house to see how they feel in-hand.” If you can’t find a tennis store or a Dick’s Sporting Goods nearby, run to the nearest thrift shop — there are usually a handful of rackets lying around.
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Measure Your Grip
To get the best fitting racket, knowing your grip size is a must. Sizes start at 3 7/8 inches (or double zero in European sizing) and increase in increments of 1/8 inch, up to 4 3/4 inches (or size six in European). Those may not sound like dramatic leaps in sizing, but in your hand, 1/8th of an inch too big or too small can make a huge difference over the course of a match. Tennis Warehouse is a great resource if you’re looking for tips on sizing. For Macci, this is the most important factor when buying a racket. “You want to make sure that your hand can kind of handle the racket comfortably. The last thing you want to do is have a handle that’s too big,” he says.
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Weigh Your Options
Like grip sizes, rackets come in a variety of weights. Rackets on the lighter side are designed for small players, juniors, and control, while heavier rackets are ideal for more experienced players who prefer a little more oomph. While the size of your body can be an easy way to determine your racket weight, Macci encourages adult players to start light and progress to heavier rackets. “When it comes to weight it’s always better to go lighter because swinging the racket will be easier on your elbow and shoulder,” Macci says. “However a heavier racket will give you more power, so if you’re confident you can go up then you’ll have those benefits.” In the end, Macci admits that “Everybody likes to have more juice,” but a lighter pick will be easier on your body as it adapts to your swing.
How We Selected
When ranking the best tennis rackets for beginners, we took into account factors like size, control, power, and weight. We also considered price, as some rackets provide a lot more value for the price. Lastly, we took into account Macci’s advice in our selection process, as he provided some insider tips to our editors and writers. The range of rackets below caters to all types of needs for those new to the game. Keep scrolling to learn more.
Best Racket for Beginners Overall
Wilson Clash 100 Pro V2 Tennis Racket
$249 at wilson.com$269 at Amazon$269 at Walmart
Pros
- Utilizes the best technology Wilson has to offer
- Blends flexibility and and stability to get the most from every shot
- Excellent power performance that’s easy to control
- Large sweet spot
- Long lifespan
Cons
- Expensive for a true beginner
We’ll get this out of the way: the Clash 100 V2 is not cheap. But for those who know they’re in it for the long haul or simply enjoy the finer things, this is the best all-around racket a beginner can buy. Its blend of power, comfort, and control makes it an ideal choice for players working on every part of their game, while the enlarged sweet spot improves forgiveness and prevents mis-hits.
Keep in mind a racket of this caliber will last you years of regular play when compared to much cheaper models in our roundup. Every beginner should consider making an investment on this model first before looking at a sub-$150 racket.
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| Length | 27 in. |
|---|---|
| Weight | 10.9 oz |
| Headsize | 100 sq. in |
Best Deal Racket for Beginners
Babolat Boost Strike Strung
Pros
- Designed to cater to handling
- Adept at all shot types
- Great for early beginners
- Impressive shot consistency
Cons
- Not the most powerful racket. Could use more pop
Well-designed and loved by players at every level of the game, including numerous professionals, you can’t go wrong with a Babolat. In fact, Macci told us that Babolat is “a brand that I always come back to.” The Boost Series, like its name suggests, adds an extra boost to your returns while maintaining a controllable feel that excels in every aspect of the game. We found this Strike model delivers impressive consistency on returns in both power and control.
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| Length | 27 in |
|---|---|
| Weight | 9.8 oz |
| Headsize | 105 sq. in |
Best Affordable Racket for Beginners
Wilson Hyper Hammer 5.3 Tennis Racket
Pros
- Makes it easy to generate spin
- Easy on shoulders and elbows
Cons
- Lightweight design lacks natural power
The Hyper Hammer has been one of our favorite tennis rackets for beginners for years now. Its lightweight design makes it easy to maneuver throughout a match and keeps strain off your joints. This also means it takes less effort to create spin, enabling beginners to quickly progress and learn new shot shapes.
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| Length | 27.5 in |
|---|---|
| Weight | 8.96 oz |
| Headsize | 110 sq. in |
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Best Oversize Tennis Racket
Prince Men’s Thunder Strike 110
Pros
- Large surface area makes for easier contact
- Big sweet spot prevents mishits
Cons
- Might be too heavy for smaller players
Prince is a legendary brand in tennis, known for everything from stylish off-court apparel to on-court technology. The Thunder Strike 110 has an oversized surface area that limits mishits and makes reaching that ‘tweener just a little bit easier. Since it’s on the heavier side at over 10 ounces when strung, this racket will provide power but may be too heavy for smaller players or marathon practice sessions.
| Length | 27 in |
|---|---|
| Weight | 10.16 oz |
| Headsize | 110 sq. in |
Best Tennis Racket Under $100
Head Ti.S6 Strung Tennis Racquet
Pros
- Extra long length improves reach
- Composite construction is exceptionally durable
Cons
- Progressing players may want a more technical racket
You may not want to drop the cash it takes to buy a pro-worthy racket, but you can still buy one infused with tech trusted by the best in the world. Novak Djokovic, longtime world number one, has used Head rackets for well over a decade, so it’s safe to assume that some of that championship pedigree has been passed down to Head’s more affordable options. This oversized racket makes it possible for beginners to hit Wimbledon-worthy shots, even if they still have a lot to learn.
| Length | 27.75 in |
|---|---|
| Weight | 8 oz (unstrung) |
| Headsize | 115 sq. in |
Best Tennis Racket for Recreational Play
Oppum 27″ Pro Tennis Rackets (2-Pack)
Pros
- Comes in a two-pack
- Made to take a beating
- Storage bag included
Cons
- Not ideal for consistent, competitive play
It takes two to tango, er, play tennis. Unless you love playing wall-ball, you’re going to need a playing partner. If you know someone who wants to break into tennis with you, this two-pack from Oppum is the perfect place to start. They’re made from a durable blend of aluminum and composite, come with carry bag for travel and storage, and suit players of all sizes.
| Length | 27 in |
|---|---|
| Weight | 10.2 oz |
| Headsize | 107 sq in |
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Most Stylish Racket for Beginners
Burn 100ULS V5 Tennis Racket
Pros
- Weight makes it a good choice for those with a history of injuries
- Generates exceptional spin
- More power than the Wilson Hyper Hammer
Cons
- Not as powerful as the Pro V2 from Wilson
- Heavier than the Wilson Hyper Hammer
Yes, the Burn looks effortlessly cool on the court, but it’s also a stellar pick for players who want a lightweight, easy-swinging racket that eases strain on the joints. It comes in at a palatable, middle-of-the-pack price point, and makes up for its light weight with a stiff, powerful carbon fiber construction. This is the Goldilocks racket when compared to the three Wilson rackets we name in this roundup.
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| Length | 27 in |
|---|---|
| Weight | 9.7 oz |
| Headsize | 100 sq. in |
Best Tennis Racket Under $50
Head Geo Speed Adult Tennis Racket
Now 34% Off
$40 at Amazon$40 at Walmart$65 at Dick’s Sporting Goods
Pros
- Name-brand tech trusted by elite players
- Is an incredible value at under $50
Cons
- Will likely be outgrown quickly by consistent players
Another value pick from one of tennis’s most trusted brands, the Geo Speed has a large hitting surface and strong, durable construction, two hallmarks of a top-tier beginner racket. The racket’s long length is helpful for small players with short swings, but is beneficial for all players who are just starting to play.
| Length | 27.5 in |
|---|---|
| Weight | 10.4 oz |
| Headsize | 105 sq. in |
Best Pro-Approved Racket for Beginners
Babolat Boost Rafa 2nd Generation
Pros
- Affordable version of a pro racket
- Eye-catching colorway
Cons
- Some beginners might prefer something less flashy
Affordable and easy to learn with, the Boost Rafa is made in the signature colorway of legendary Spaniard Rafael Nadal. You probably can’t hit a forehand like he can, but this racket takes the best tech Babolat has to offer and pares it back to tailor to beginners, making it easy to progress your game.
| Length | 27 in |
|---|---|
| Weight | 9.8 oz |
| Headsize | 102 sq. in |
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Do I Need to Spend A Lot of Money on a Racket
You can easily spend $250 on a tennis racket and there’s no problem in doing so. However, if you are just getting into the game and aren’t sure if you will commit to playing frequently, spending less is no issue at all. There are a ton of options in the $100-range that are equipped with advanced tech and will progress with you as you get better. If you know you’re only going to play once a month or want a racket for your upcoming vacation, you can easily get away with spending $50 or less.
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Do All Tennis Rackets Come Strung?
No. When you’re buying a racket, we recommend making sure it’s actually pre-strung before you head to checkout. Most rackets that skew toward the affordable side of things will come with strings installed and ready to play straight out of the box, but many of the more expensive rackets come unstrung to accommodate the string preferences of better players.
