Trying to select the right equipment can be one of the most daunting things about starting a new sport and this holds true for tennis. With so much choice where do you begin? This article aims to demystify and educate on the main considerations when buying a beginner’s tennis racquet. After our recommendations, we will conclude with what we think is overall the best tennis racquet for beginners available to buy today.
If you’re in a hurry to get your hands on a new racquet, these are our top picks for the best tennis racquet for beginners.
- Head Ti S6
- Babolat Pure Drive 110
- Babolat Pure Aero Lite
- Wilson Hyper Hammer 5.3
- Babolat Drive G Lite
- Wilson Burn 100S
- Yonex EZone DR Feel
- Wilson Blade Team 99
How to choose the best tennis racquet for beginners
- Oversize head size
- Most tennis racquets are unisex
- More power
- Lighter frame
- Multifilament strings
- Smaller grip size
But before revealing our list of the best tennis racquet for beginners we thought that it would be useful to explain the main features you should consider before making your decision.
Pick a tennis racquet with a large head size
It is recommended that beginners have a larger head size often called an oversize racquet. These racquet’s have a bigger sweet spot so generate easier power more consistently. A larger head size is also more forgiving for players who are not capable of hitting the sweet spot consistently. This is because generally speaking a larger head size equals more power while a smaller head size equals more control.
| Head size | Dimensions |
| Oversize | 105 inches or larger |
| Midplus | 98 inches to 104 inches |
| Midsize | 85 inches to 97 inches |
Most tennis racquets on the market today are unisex
A common question by those new to the game of tennis is whether there is a difference between men’s and women’s racquets. Virtually all tennis racquets on the market today are unisex so top men and women use the same models. With this in mind all of the racquets reviewed below are suitable for both men and women tennis players.
The importance of a powerful tennis racquet
Sorry to tell you the bad news but as a beginner you will struggle to consistently generate your own power. This is because when you first start learning tennis you will likely have a shorter stroke and be generating less topspin than a more experienced advanced player. So it will take time to be able to pummel the ball like Rafa Nadel but with enough determination and practice you will get there.
So make life easier for yourself and pick a racquet that will give you easy power. The best way to do this is to get a tennis racquet with a large head size. The racquets we recommend all have larger head sizes and are all powerful also.
Go for a lighter frame tennis racquet
A heavier racquet is more powerful with all other things being equal, but this is negated if the player is not strong enough or does not have the technique to generate the racquet head speed with their swing.
Professional tennis players can play with heavier racquets because they play for hours everyday building up their strength and the specific muscles to take the wear and tear. Save yourself from the risk of developing tennis elbow by going for a lighter racquet. After building up your strength and endurance maybe then consider a heavier frame.
| Frame type | Weight |
| Lightweight frame | 9 – 9.7oz / 255 – 275g |
| Medium frame | 9.8 – 11oz / 275 – 310g |
| Heavy weight frame | 11oz / 310g or heavier |
Multifilament strings are more comfortable
Beginners to Intermediate players, Seniors, or those suffering from tennis elbow, should consider playing with multifilament strings. While Advanced players often use polyester strings.
Multifilaments are more comfortable than solid core strings due to the cushioning effect of thousands of micro fibers. The resultant effect is a soft and comfortable string.
It’s worth taking into consideration that regular play causes multifilament strings to fray, like gut. Once strings start to fray that is the first sign before they snap. This can be alarming to players switching from solid core strings which last much longer.
| String type | Control | Power | Comfort | Durability |
| Polyester | Medium | High | Low | High |
| Multifilaments | High | Medium | High | Low |
| Synthetic gut | Medium | Medium | Medium | High |
A smaller racquet grip will help you generate spin
Racquet grip sizes range from 0 through 5, or in the USA, 4 – 4 5/8. Most adult women are most comfortable with a 4 ¼ (grip size 2) while most men normally go for 4 3/8 (grip size 3).
However a recent trend has been for using smaller grip sizes to generate extra spin. A smaller grip allows the player to rotate their wrist with more ease, comfort and speed. This is often referred to as ‘wrist snap’.
If you’re unsure about what grip size is best for you go for a smaller handle. This is because you can use overgrip to build up the thickness. Remember it is easier to make a grip larger than it is smaller!
| Small hand | Medium hand | Large hand |
| 4 inches (US size) / 0 (Euro size) | 4-3/8 inches (US size) / 3 (Euro size) | 4-5/8 inches (US size) / 5 (Euro size) |
| 4-1/8 inches (US size) / 1 (Euro size) | 4-1/2 inches (US size) / 4 (Euro size) | 4-3/4 inches (US size) / 6 (Euro size) |
| 4-1/4 inches (US size) / 2 (Euro size) |
Use the Ruler Test to find the grip size that’s best for you. With a ruler on the center of your dominant hand measure from the tip of your ring finger to the bottom of the lateral crease of your palm. The distance between those two points will be your grip size.
Video by Essential Tennis
Top 7: best tennis racquet for beginners
A common question by beginner players is if there is a difference between men’s and women’s racquets. Virtually all modern tennis racquets available on the market are unisex. You will find that top men and women professional players use the same models. So with this in mind all of the racquets reviewed below are suitable for both men and women tennis players.
Head Ti S6
Best for baseliners with shorter strokes
The Head Ti S6 is one of the best-selling tennis racquets available to buy today. It’s an appealing combination of power, weight, and forgiving sweet spot making it a very popular racquet amongst beginners in particular.
Its titanium and graphite design makes this racquet ultra-durable. Beginners or intermediate players with shorter strokes will also benefit from the additional power and forgiveness that the racquet provides. However, more advanced players with longer swing strokes will find the power excessive and should look at other alternatives.
So if you are looking for a durable racquet with a large frame that remains lightweight then the Head Ti SG is hard to beat.
| Weight | Head size | Length |
| 225g | 115 sq inches | 27.75 inches |
Advantages:
- Large frame and sweet spot for power
- A great choice for recreational players with short to medium swing strokes
- Lightweight 225g
- Affordable price
Disadvantages:
- Lacks some control due to large head size
- Not suitable for advanced players
Babolat Pure Drive 110
Best for spin and control
If you are looking for a racket that is easy to use, perfect for beginners, and also has a large sweet spot, then you are probably interested in the Babolat Pure Drive 110. The lightweight racket is the perfect choice for recreational players who like to play fast and aggressively, while still being very consistent.
The Babolat Pure Drive 110 is a great option for anyone looking to buy their first racquet. Because its a forgiving racquet which makes it is ideal for recreational players of any level.
Advantages:
- Comfortable feel making it a good choice for older players
- Lightest in the Babolat Pure Drive range
- Excellent for generating spin
- Forgiving sweet spot assisting with consistency
- Balance of power and control
- Extended length enables wider net coverage and easy power on serves
Disadvantages:
- Higher price range
- Not ideal for net players because of the big frame you will lose some mobility on volleys
- Not as powerful as other beginner/intermediate racquets on the market
Wilson Hyper Hammer 5.3
Best racquet for all-court players (play at the baseline and net)
Wilson Hyper Hammer 5.3 is your ticket to power and control, thanks to industry-leading performance engineering. The hammer-shaped carbon frame maximizes weight distribution for explosive hitting while still offering the maneuverability to shrug off dink shots. The result is a powerful racket with fantastic speed, tonal quality, durability, and control – all in an ultra-light package that’s unbelievably fast and responsive.
Trusted by former No. 1’s Lindsay Davenport and Andy Roddick, Wilson’s Hyper Carbon line took the world of tennis by storm when it was introduced in 1997. The new Hyper Carbon Beta TCT technology increased the torsional stiffness rating by 13% without changing the overall weight of the frame. This added power provides greater control and the ultimate feel for today’s aggressive play styles.
Advantages:
- One of the most powerful beginner racquets
- Extremely light-to-power ratio
- A large sweet spot allows easy access to power
Disadvantages:
- For more advanced beginners looking to get more serious about their game
- Built for players with a moderate to fast swing
- Due to its lightweight, it suffers from vibrations and lesser stability
Babolat Pure Drive G
Best for players looking to add topspin to their groundstrokes.
The Babolat Pure Drive G is a lite tennis racquet a slighter version of its brother, the Pure Drive. This version weighs in at 255 grams strung. The Drive Lite can still be swung with amazing power and precision, yet is even more maneuverable due to its lighter weight. Providing exceptional value for all players looking for a lightweight, yet powerful racquet that provides incredible feel and ball control.
Its reduced weight makes it easy to swing and gives you optimum power. Tighter stringing with less tension allows players to relax, play his or her game and concentrate on precision over power.
Advantages:
- Designed to be highly maneuverable for accelerated swing speed
- Good stability and easy power
- Cortex Pure Feel Technology reduces vibration making it a comfortable stick
Disadvantages:
- A tweener (between mid to large frame) racquet so a smaller head size than many other beginner racquets
- Higher price range
Wilson Burn 100S
Best for bigger baseline players looking for a strong balance of power, spin and control
The Wilson Burn 100S Tennis Racquet gives the control of a mid-plus power level in a traditional large head size. This “little sister” to the popular Burn 100 racquet, unleashes 100 extra RPM’s from baseline to net. A speedy 18×16 string pattern, Spin Effect Technology, and super-thin beam boost the overall performance of this mid-plus level player’s racquet.
With explosive power and spin, the Burn 100S is ideal for all court conditions. It’s built with Spin Effect Technology for a superb spin on every swing. Control and comfort are also hallmarks of this racquet, thanks to a comfortable soft grip and precise response from the 18×16 string pattern. The Burn 100S is a fast player’s dream.
Advantages:
- Plenty of easy power and spin
- Great looks and aesthetics
- Unique string pattern provides good control
Disadvantages:
- Lack of comfort due to the stiffness of the frame
- Heavier weight means some smaller players may struggle with it
Yonex EZone DR Feel
Best for control with a lightweight frame
The EZone DR Feel is the most balanced model in the EZONE range. With a flexible beam, this model is perfect for the player who looks to stay in the rally by delivering powerful shots. It has an easy-to-control feel that gives the confidence to play all parts of the court producing more spin on serves and volleys. The exclusive beam construction provides a forgiving response to off-center hits and keeps users calm in pressure situations!
Advantages:
- Lightweight and maneuverable
- Controllable power
- Generous sweet spot due to the isometric head shape
Disadvantages:
- Stiffer feel
Wilson Blade Team 99
Best for advanced beginners and intermediate level players
Wilson Blade Team 99 was designed for people who never give up, and relentlessly fight their way to the top. With a smaller racket head than other Wilson rackets, it makes for rapid play, providing a more agile style of play.
The frame weighs 304 grams. This advanced design is strategically positioned to be most effective while playing at the net and aggressive on the return shot. A stiffer construction positions players to attack with power from anywhere on the court. It also features the Nano-lock system which transfers energy from a player’s stroke into kinetic energy, providing an offensive advantage during every play and even after contact.
Advantages:
- A good compromise between speed and power
- Impressive spin potential and control
Disadvantages:
- Heavier racquet
Conclusion: the best tennis racquet for beginners
The Primo Tennis choice for the best tennis racquet for beginners is the Babolat Pure Drive 110. The Babolat Pure Drive 110 is great for beginners because of its lightweight frame and large sweet spot.
If you want a racket that’s lightweight, easy to use, and great for beginners, then the Babolat Pure Drive 110 is a perfect choice. It’s well-balanced and has a large sweet spot making it perfect for aggressive play with less of a chance of missing.
Boasting performance that exceeds the expectations of a beginner’s racket so your game can develop without needing to change making a good long-term option. The Babolat Pure Drive 110 presents a larger sweet spot ideal for beginner players who gain confidence to take hard swings on their strokes.
Looking for a lightweight tennis racket with a large sweet spot? The Babolat Pure Drive 110 is as good as it gets.
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