You do not need to spend two hundred pounds to get a racket that plays well. For a beginner or an improver, an expensive racket can actually make things harder, because the stiff, powerful frames the pros use are punishing when you mishit. The sweet spot for most people starting out is a soft, round, forgiving racket well under a hundred pounds, and there are some genuinely good ones.
What to look for in a budget racket
Three things matter. A round shape puts the sweet spot in the middle of the face and balances the weight low in your hand, so it is easy to control and kind to your arm. A soft core, usually soft EVA foam, is more forgiving and comfortable than a hard one. And a weight around 360 to 370 grams is easy to swing without feeling flimsy. Get those three right and you have a racket that will see you through your first year happily.
What you can ignore
Carbon layup numbers, rough spin-friendly faces and pro player names add to the price without adding much for a beginner. You will not use what an 18K carbon frame offers yet, and those frames tend to be stiffer and less forgiving. Save the money.
Our budget picks
Scroll down for the current picks with prices. Each is a proper, playable racket from a name you can trust, not a toy. If you are torn between two, pick the rounder, softer one.
When to upgrade
Do not rush it. Give a budget racket a good few months. You will know it is time when you are consistently hitting the middle of the strings, holding the net with intent, and wanting more power on your smash. That is when a teardrop or a firmer racket starts to pay off. Until then, spend what you saved on court time and a lesson or two, which will do far more for your game.
Frequently asked questions
Is a cheap padel racket worth it?
For a beginner, yes. A soft, round, sub-hundred-pound racket is easier to play with than most expensive ones, and you will not out-grow it for a good while.
Should I just hire a racket instead?
For your first two or three sessions, absolutely. Almost every Manchester club hires rackets for a few pounds. Once you know padel is sticking, buying your own for under a hundred pounds is money well spent.
What is the one upgrade that matters more than the racket?
An overgrip. A couple of pounds, and it does more for your feel and comfort than spending an extra fifty on the frame.