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The Best Tennis Racquets for Beginners in 2021

The 15 Best Tennis Racquets for Beginners in 2021

Everything you need to find the perfect fit

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If there’s one thing that can make getting started with tennis tricky, it’s the dizzying selection of tennis racquets coupled with marketing jargon that suggests every tennis racquet is the best.

Today, we’re going to walk you through step-by-step how to approach selecting a racquet if you’re new to the game and share our recommendations and reviews for the best tennis racquets for beginners in 2021.

Looking for a sneak peek at what’s to come? Here are a few top picks for you to check out.

RacquetPrice
Babolat Boost D$$
Babolat Boost Aero$$
Babolat Boost S$$
Wilson Clash 108$$$$$
Wilson Hyper Hammer 5.3$$
Wilson Ultra 108 v3$$$$
HEAD Ti.S6$$
HEAD Graphene 360+ Instinct PWR$$$
HEAD Graphene 360+ Speed PWR$$$$
Yonex EZONE Ace$$

Keep scrolling to check out all 15 of our favorites and learn which racquet is best for you.

Article Contents

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1

Does My Racquet Matter?

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2

Questions to Ask Yourself

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3

Types of Tennis Racquets

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4

Key Racquet Attributes

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5

Popular Racquet Brands

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6

Men’s vs. Women’s Racquets

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7

Beginner vs. Intermediate

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8

Tennis String Basics

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9

Racquet Guide for Beginners

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10

Best Beginners Racquet

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11

How to Choose a Racquet

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12

Common Questions

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Racquet Index

Click any of the following links to read up on each racquet and learn why they made our list:

  1. Babolat Boost D
  2. Babolat Boost Aero
  3. Babolat Boost S
  4. Babolat Pure Strike EVO
  5. Wilson Clash 108
  6. Wilson Hyper Hammer 5.3
  7. Wilson Ultra 108 v3
  8. Wilson Burn 100LS v4
  9. Head Titanium Ti.S6
  10. Head Graphene 360+ Instinct PWR
  11. Head Graphene 360+ Speed PWR
  12. Head Graphene 360+ Extreme PWR
  13. Yonex EZONE Feel
  14. Prince Textreme Warrior 100L
  15. Tecnifibre TFlash 270 CES

Ready to get started? Let’s dive in!

Does it Matter Which Racquet I Choose?

I’m going to level with you. On day one, as a beginner, your tennis racquet will not make a huge difference. Don’t get me wrong; there are good and bad tennis racquets for beginners and key attributes to consider.

However, many players new to the game overemphasize their tennis racquet’s importance when first getting started.

The hard truth is that buying Roger Federer’s tennis racquet will not help you play any better. In fact, for most beginners, it would be a poor choice (more on that to follow).

At the same time, zero consideration for your racquet won’t set you up for success either. As we’ll cover, there are a few key attributes that can help make learning how to play tennis as a beginner easier and more fun.

Questions to Ask Yourself

The following two questions are helpful to consider before choosing a new tennis racquet as a beginner. If you can answer “yes” to either one of the following questions, then the racquets we cover in this article are going to be terrific options to consider.

On the other hand, if you answer “no” to either of them, then you may want to consider something less expensive.

Is your budget more than $50 for your racquet?
If you don’t have a lot to spend and you’re just getting started, then that’s perfectly fine. You don’t have to overspend to get started playing tennis. Our list of affordable tennis racquets offers an excellent selection to choose from to get a feel for the game, and you can always upgrade later.

On the other hand, if you have a little extra to spend, you’ll likely come to appreciate the nuanced differences in our selection of the best performance racquets as your skills improve. Of course, that brings us to our next question.

Are you committed to improving your game?

If you want to get out on the court with friends a few times a year and don’t have any intention of playing tennis frequently, then there’s not much reason to spend a bunch of extra money on a tennis racquet. You’ll have plenty of fun with an inexpensive racquet.

However, if you’re planning on taking lessons or committing yourself to play for the long haul, then you’ll likely come to appreciate what a mid-range model offers as your skills develop.

The most important takeaway here is that your tennis racquet won’t make you a better player on its own. Give Rafael Nadal a $20 kids tennis racquet, and you know he’ll still be 98% of tennis players in the world.

Instead, a quality tennis racquet can do wonders to compliment a player’s style of play and enhance their skills, but it all starts with building the fundamentals, which takes time.

Types of Tennis Racquets

To better understand why we’ve selected and recommended the tennis racquets in this article, it’s helpful to understand the different types of tennis racquets. They are as follows:

  • Power
  • Control
  • Tweener

Let’s do a quick review of each racquet below to highlight the differences and the type of player that will benefit from each.

Power Racquets

As the name suggests, manufacturers have designed this category of tennis racquets to provide players with easy access to power. To accomplish this, you’ll typically find these racquets have the following attributes:

  • Large head size
  • Stiff frame
  • Open string pattern
  • Lighter weight

The larger head sizes increase a player’s margin for error when swinging, which, combined with the stiff frame and open string pattern, return more energy to the ball and provide easier access to power. At the same time, the lightweight frames make them easier to swing and handle.

This combination of attributes makes them a popular option for beginners and an older generation of tennis players who still enjoy the game late into their lives but need something lighter and easier to handle.

You may also hear these referred to these as game improvement racquets. A reference to this type of racquet helping take a player’s skills from beginner to intermediate.

Control Racquets

On the opposite end of the spectrum, you have a selection of tennis racquets that emphasize control and are often called players racquets. The following attributes are frequently shared as part of this category of racquets to help provide players with more control:

  • Smaller head size
  • Flexible frame
  • Closed string pattern
  • Heavier weight

The above features combine to produce a frame that delivers more control to players while requiring a finely tuned technique to generate power. Of course, the smaller head size reduces a player’s margin for error as well, and the heavier racquets are more demanding for an inexperienced player to maneuver. As a result, we typically don’t recommend control racquets for beginners.

Earlier, we mentioned that Roger Federer’s racquet typically isn’t an ideal choice for beginners. That’s because it’s a heavy control racquet that will tend to frustrate a new player and generally is a better option for players to consider once their skills develop.

Helpful Tip
Many new players read the description for control racquets and quickly conclude that if they buy a control racquet, it will solve all their problems and keep the ball in the court.

It’s important to note that while the design of a control racquet will enhance a player’s ability to control and direct the ball, it’s typically not a difference that a beginner will detect as it’s nuanced.

Tweener Racquets

At first glance, the name of this racquet might throw you off, but this is a common category of tennis racquets that strive to provide a balance between power and control racquets, i.e., somewhere in-between, which is how they get their name.

As you’d expect, their attributes tend to fall somewhere in the middle:

  • Mid-sized head
  • Balanced flex, frequently with a lean toward a higher stiffness rating
  • Open string pattern
  • Mid-range weight

All in all, you’ll tend to see a broader mix of attributes associated with tweener racquets as manufacturers tweak them to appeal to a variety of different style players.

With that said, we tend to see adults consider power racquets as an option, while younger players who are just starting tend to gravitate toward tweener racquets.

The truth is, they can be a fantastic option for both groups of players and provide a terrific starting point while allowing players to grow into them.

Key Racquet Attributes for Beginners

When purchasing a tennis racquet, there are a variety of attributes to be aware of and a few key characteristics to consider. Below I’ll share the three most important for beginners and cover a few others for reference.

Grip Size

When you buy an adult size tennis racquet, you’ll have the option to select a grip size, which is a measurement of the circumference of the handle.

Finding the right grip size can help prevent injury by avoiding a grip that’s too small or too large, but it’s mostly a preference, i.e., you want to find something that feels comfortable.

Here’s a table that shows you the different size grips.

US SizesEuropean SizesSizes in mm
4 inches0100-103 mm
4 1/8 inches1103-106 mm
4 1/4 inches2106-110 mm
4 3/8 inches3110-113 mm
4 1/2 inches4113-118 mm
4 5/8 inches5118-120 mm
4 3/4 inches6120-123 mm

While selecting the right grip size isn’t an exact science, there is a simple measurement of your hand that you can take to get in the right ballpark – all you need is a ruler.

With your ruler, measure from the tip of your hand’s ring finger down to the bottom crease on your hand that starts between your pointer finger and thumb and runs sideways. Here’s a photo for reference.

Measuring Grip Size for Beginner Tennis Racquet

In the photo, you can see my hand measures just above 4 3/8 or 109 mm. Most players don’t find their measurement lines up precisely with the chart like mine. If you’re buying online, I’d recommend you purchase the grip size that’s smaller than your measurement because while you can increase the size of a grip, it’s much more challenging to make it smaller.

However, if you can, I’d recommend you head out to any store that sells adult size tennis racquets and hold the two grip sizes that are closest to your measurement to get a feel for things. Whichever is more comfortable is the grip I’d recommend.

Head Size

The head size of a tennis racquet is a square inch or centimeter measurement of a racquet’s head where you’ll find the strings. For beginners, head size is important for two key reasons:

First, a larger head size will make it easier to hit the ball or increase your margin for error when swinging because the stringbed is larger. Select a racquet head that’s too small, and you may find the ball hitting the frame, which is a quick recipe for frustration.

Second, a larger head size will generally provide easier access to power, which is a welcome feature as you work towards developing proper technique and generating power on your own.

For reference, you’ll find head sizes typically range from 93-107 square inches. For beginners, we’d recommend you only consider racquets with a 100 square inch head size or higher.

Weight

Next up, another essential characteristic to consider as a beginner is the weight of the tennis racquet. Generally, retailers and manufacturers express the weight of a racquet as the strung weight, which, as you probably guessed, is the racquet’s weight with strings.

Weight plays a significant role in the performance of a tennis racquet. However, when starting, the main thing to be concerned with is not buying a racquet that’s too heavy. You want it to be comfortable to hold for an extended period while also being easy to maneuver.

Most racquets will fall somewhere between 10.5 – 12.6 ounces, but for beginners, we’d recommend you stay at or below 11.6 ounces.

Other Attributes

When you’re just getting started, I encourage you not to get wrapped up in the following attributes, but I always encourage players to become familiar with them.

Below we’ll walk through exactly what each of the attributes represents, how they’re measured, and generally how they impact racquet performance.

  • Balance: Racquets will either be head light (HL), head heavy (HH), or equal balance (EB), which represents the distribution of weight for the racquet and measured in points, i.e., 4pts HL. Many beginners appreciate tennis racquets that are HL because they are easier to swing and maneuver.
  • Swingweight: Not to be confused with strung weight, this is a measurement of how heavy a tennis racquet feels when swinging and can be useful for comparing one racquet to another. The balance of a tennis racquet has a substantial impact on the swingweight and is expressed as a numeric value, i.e., 324.
  • Stiffness: A stiffness or RA rating represents the amount of flex a tennis racquet exhibits and is shown as a numeric value, i.e., 67. Generally speaking, the stiffer a racquet, the more power or energy will be returned to the ball, while a frame with more flex will result in less power and subsequently more control for a player.
  • Beam Width: The beam of a tennis racquet is the measurement of the frame’s width in millimeters. Typically, a thicker beam results in more power, while a thinner beam less power. Some racquets will have a consistent beam-width all the way around, while others will vary at different points around the frame.
  • String Pattern: The string pattern of a tennis racquet refers to the number of main or vertical and cross strings. A tennis racquet with fewer mains and crosses has an open string pattern, i.e., 16×19, while on the other end of the spectrum, you’d end up with a closed string pattern, i.e., 18×20. An open string pattern tends to increase power and spin, while a closed string pattern typically provides more control.

Now that you’re familiar with the essential racquet attributes to be aware of, let’s quickly touch on a few popular tennis brands you’ll come across.

By far, the most popular racquets these days come from four major brands that include:

  • Wilson
  • Babolat
  • HEAD
  • Yonex

A few others to be aware of include:

  • Prince
  • Tecnifibre
  • Dunlop
  • Volkl

The truth is, each of these manufacturers produces excellent frames that cater to a wide range of players, and much of the decision for which brand to go with comes down to personal preference.

Men’s vs. Women’s Tennis Racquets

A common question with players that are new to the game is whether there is a difference between men’s and women’s racquets. Today, virtually all tennis racquets on the market are unisex, and you’ll find top men and women using the same models.

One exception is the Technifibre T-Rebound Tempo, which is marketed specifically for women, and per Technifibre seeks to account for women’s common physiological traits. However, plenty of tennis racquets accomplish the same thing without being explicitly marketed toward women.

With that said, there are indeed tennis racquets that are more popular with women or men because of their attributes, and manufacturers often market their racquets accordingly. The most significant characteristic that we tend to advise female players around is racquet weight.

In recent years, racquet manufacturers have recognized the demand for lighter versions of their popular racquet models, so it’s more common than ever to find these available. However, men and women use the light versions of their racquets, so they are not explicitly female racquets.

Beginner vs. Intermediate Tennis Racquets

Another common question I get from students is what the difference is between beginner and intermediate tennis racquets. The truth is, it can get a bit fuzzy, but let’s break it down.

There are three factors that we can use to distinguish between beginner and intermediate racquets:

  • Cost
  • Construction
  • Materials

Cost
Beginner tennis racquets will often sell for less than $150. However, this does not mean that more expensive racquets cannot be a great fit for beginners.

Construction
Frequently, beginner tennis racquets will feature simpler construction than intermediate tennis racquets. Again, this isn’t a hard rule, but it tends to be the case.

Materials
Most beginner tennis racquets won’t use advanced materials because they’re more expensive, and new players won’t benefit dramatically from them when starting.

On the other hand, intermediate tennis racquets often feature the latest and greatest in racquet technology.

Where it gets muddy is racquets that are the exception to the above rules, i.e., cost more than $150 and feature advanced construction and materials, and there are plenty on the market, including a few on our list.

These pricier tennis racquets that work for beginners are often lightweight with oversized heads (above 100 square inches). However, these racquets are also suitable for some intermediate tennis players.

Here’s a table to help paint a picture:

AttributeBeginnerIntermediate
PriceUnder $150$100+
Head Size100 sq. in. and up100 – 105 sq. in.
Weight10.5 ounces or less9.5 – 11 ounces

To sum things up, while beginner tennis racquets tend to have a specific set of defining features, there is some crossover between intermediate with a selection of racquets that work well for both groups.

Next up, let’s take a look at tennis strings and what to expect when getting started.

Tennis String Basics

We’d be remiss in covering the best tennis racquets for beginners without any mention of tennis strings, so let’s dive in for a quick review.

Luckily, when you’re just getting started with tennis, you won’t need to worry too much about your tennis strings. The differences that various strings offer are relatively nuanced and will be hard to detect for new players.

However, as your technique and skills develop, you’ll find the strings you use and the tension you string your racquet can have a dramatic impact on your racquet’s performance.

For that reason, we want to provide some helpful information regarding the different types of tennis strings you’ll encounter and the key factors to consider when selecting a set of strings as a beginner.

Types of String

The following are the two main broad categories of tennis strings:

  • Natural Gut: Made from cow gut or intestine, these are some of the highest quality strings money can buy. However, due to their susceptibility to moisture, somewhat lower durability, and high cost aren’t the most popular, nor do we recommend them for beginners.
  • Synthetic: The vast majority of strings these days are synthetic and provide players of all levels with a wide variety of options and price points. Synthetic strings have come along way and become so good that many tour-level players don’t bother with natural gut anymore.

Within the synthetic bucket of tennis strings, you’ll find a few different types of materials. The two most popular are nylon and polyester strings, which provide players with contrasting playing characteristics.

Here’s a high-level overview of what you can generally expect from each:

Nylon

  • A softer material
  • Power
  • Arm friendly
  • Low durability
  • Good tension maintenance

Polyester

  • A stiffer material
  • Control
  • Topspin
  • High durability
  • Lower of tension maintenance

It’s worth reiterating that the above characteristics aren’t hard and fast rules. Instead, they’re rough guidelines for what to expect with each material. Another element that comes into play is the nylon or polyester quality, which often reflects in the strings’ price.

Construction

Beyond the material used, it’s worth noting that strings are also frequently constructed in different ways. We won’t dive too deep here, but two popular string constructions to be aware of are multifilament and monofilament.

Multifilament tennis strings consist of hundreds or thousands of microfibers woven together and are a popular construction for nylon strings. In contrast, monofilament strings are made of a single solid filament and are how you’ll frequently find polyester strings made.

Gauge

Finally, it’s good to be aware that strings come in different thickness or gauge. As you may have guessed, durability is a factor in that thicker strings tend to be harder to break.

However, the thickness of a string also impacts the spin potential and feel of a set of tennis strings – thinner strings typically provide more of both while being susceptible to breakage.

Here’s a quick table of the various gauges available for reference:

GaugeMin (mm)Max (mm)
191.001.10
181.101.16
17L1.161.20
171.201.24
16L1.221.26
161.261.33
15L1.341.40
151.411.49

Helpful tip
Notice that the higher the gauge, the thinner the string. New players often assume the opposite, so it’s worth keeping in mind.

Recommended Strings for Beginners

As a beginner, we’d recommend focusing your string selection on two key factors: price and durability.

When you’re just getting started, there is no reason to overspend on tennis strings because it will be hard to detect the difference between one set over another. You also don’t want to have to replace your strings frequently either, so getting something that’s durable and will last is a great option and will save you some extra cash.

Here are some recommend guidelines for your first set of strings:

  • Price: $10 or less
  • Material: synthetic/nylon
  • Gauge: 16

For reference, a few popular options include:

As you’ll see in our guide below, many beginner tennis racquets come pre-strung. If you select one of those racquets, you won’t even have to worry about choosing tennis strings to start.

Restringing Your Racquet

It’s worth noting that you’ll need to restring your racquet periodically. As a beginner, the main factor to consider is your frequency of play.

As a general rule of thumb, I encourage players to think about how many times they play per week on average and then double that number for the number of times they should restring per year. For example, if you play twice a week, you should restring four times a year or every three months.

Check out our article on how frequently to restring for an in-depth review of factors to consider, including how to know when it’s time.

Racquet Guide for Beginners

Hopefully, you feel equipped with the essential pieces of information that will help you select the best tennis racquet for your needs.

Of course, we want to help narrow things down for you, so we’ve pulled together a list of our 15 favorite racquet picks to consider.

The Best Tennis Racquet for Beginners

With a wide range of tennis racquets to choose from for beginners, our top pick for 2021 goes to the Babolat Boost D.

Babolat Boost Drive

Babolat Boost D

When it comes to beginner tennis racquets, the Babolat Boost D delivers on all fronts. First, its 105 square inch head is a great size for beginners – not too big or too small, and it’s the most forgiving head size in the Boost lineup.

Next up, it features an open string pattern of 16×19 (again, that’s 16 main strings and 19 cross strings), which helps it pack some extra punch while also providing plenty of topspin.

At 9.2 ounces, it’s also light and easy to maneuver, which is ideal for beginners looking to develop their strokes. Add to that a very reasonable price point, and it comes in as our pick for the best tennis racquet for beginners in 2021.

Key Specs

Head size105 in² / 677 cm²
Strung weight9.2oz / 260g
PowerMedium
String Pattern16 Mains / 19 Crosses
Pre-strungYes

Babolat Tennis Racquets

Babolat offers up an outstanding category of tennis racquets for new players that come with the Boost name at terrific price points. While the Babolat Boost Drive is our favorite pick in the bunch, the Aero and Strike models we discuss below are also excellent options for beginners.

Babolat Boost Aero

Babolat Boost Aero

If you’re a Nadal fan, then you’ll likely recognize the paint job of this tennis racquet. The Boost Aero is the younger sibling to Nadal’s stick of choice, the Babolat Pure Aero, but is priced at a fraction of the cost making it a great starter frame for any beginner.

The racquet comes in the same 9.8-ounce weight as the Boost Drive for easy maneuverability, but its smaller head size results in less power. At the same time, its 16×19 string pattern provides plenty of access to spin.

Overall, this racquet sits comfortably between the Boost Drive and the next racquet, the Boost Strike, regarding power and control.

Key Specs

Head size102 in² / 658 cm²
Strung weight9.8oz / 278g
PowerMedium
String Pattern16 Mains / 19 Crosses
Pre-strungYes

Babolat Boost S

Babolat Boost S

As the Boost family’s heaviest racquet, weighing in at 10.4 ounces, the Babolat Boost S will provide new players with the most control compared to the Boost Drive and Aero.

Like the other Boost racquets, it’s the starter version of the Babolat Pure Strike with a near-identical paint job and a price tag that’s easier on the wallet. The racquet still features a forgiving 102 square inch head size and 16×19 string pattern, a friendly setup worthy of any player looking to pick up their first tennis racquet.

Key Specs

Head size102 in² / 658 cm²
Strung weight10.4oz / 295g
PowerMedium
String Pattern16 Mains / 19 Crosses
Pre-strungYes

Babolat Pure Strike EVO

Babolat Boost Evo

Finally, the Babolat Boost Strike EVO is an excellent alternative to the Babolat Boost S. They feature identical head sizes, but the Pure Strike EVO is almost a half-ounce lighter at 10 ounces.

This model falls between the Boost Strike and the higher-end performance Pure Strike in materials, construction, and tech.

However, as the Pure Strike family’s lightest option, it swings easier while maintaining a mid-range RA rating of 65, which will help players maintain comfort when striking the ball.

Key Specs

Head size102 in² / 658 cm²
Strung weight10oz / 283g
PowerLow
String Pattern16 Mains / 19 Crosses
Pre-strungYes

Wilson Tennis Racquets

With an extensive lineup of tennis racquets used by legends like Roger Federer and Serena Williams, Wilson knows a thing or two about building tennis racquets that deliver performance. The following are our favorite picks for beginners.

Wilson Clash 108

Wilson Clash 108

The Wilson Clash 108 is a unique racquet on our list for beginners and delivers maximum comfort. Many racquets skew heavily toward power or control, but the Clash seeks to strike a balance for an arm-friendly tennis racquet that also provides an exceptional response.

With a 10.4 ounce weight, extended 27.25-inch length, and large 108 square inch head, the Wilson Clash 108 is a delightfully easy-to-use racquet. Overall, if comfort without sacrificing performance is a priority, then this is a terrific tennis racquet to try out.

Key Specs

Head size108 in² / 697 cm²
Strung weight10.4oz / 295g
PowerMedium
String Pattern16 Mains / 20 Crosses
Pre-strungNo

Wilson Hyper Hammer 5.3

Wilson Hyper Hammer 53

At 9 ounces, the Hyper Hammer 5.3 is an extremely lightweight tennis racquet with an oversized head of 110 square inches. Combined with a half-inch extended length at 27.5 inches and beginners will find it has more than enough power while also being forgiving.

What makes this racquet different compared to others on our list is that it still feels like it has a pretty good weight to it when swinging.

That’s because it has a substantial head heavy balance, i.e., the weight of the racquet skews toward the head, which is a common attribute among the Hammer line of tennis racquets and where they get their name. The extra weight helps with a solid feel on contact with the ball while the overall eight is still low and easy to handle.

Key Specs

Head size110 in² / 710 cm²
Strung weight9oz / 255g
PowerMedium
String Pattern16 Mains / 20 Crosses
Pre-strungYes

Wilson Ultra 108 v3

Wilson Ultra 108 v3

The Wilson Ultra 108 v3 is an all-around fantastic tennis racquet for beginners. It features a generous 108 square inch head size, which provides ample surface area for easy contact with the ball for starters.

Add to it an extended 27.25-inch length (a half-inch longer than your standard 27 inches) and 10-ounce strung weight, and this racquet delivers easy access to power in a package that’s quick and easy to swing.

The open 16×18 string pattern on the larger head size also provides players with more than enough topspin. For any new player to the game, this racquet is sure to deliver.

Key Specs

Head size108 in² / 697 cm²
Strung weight10oz / 283g
PowerHigh
String Pattern16 Mains / 18 Crosses
Pre-strungNo

Wilson Burn 100LS v4

Wilson Burn 100LS v4

The Wilson Burn 100LS v4 is a low to medium-powered starter racquet that provides players with a solid mix of features at a surprisingly reasonable price point.

The Burn 100LS v4 also comes in at a strung weight of only 10.5 ounces, so it’s a quick racquet that’s easy to maneuver and ideal for beginners.

The head size comes in at 100 square inches, which is the smallest we’d recommend for beginners to help ensure there’s plenty of margin for error when swinging to hit the ball. With an open string pattern of 18×16 and a stiffer frame with an RA rating of 71, this racquet delivers plenty of pop while making it extra easy to generate topspin.

Key Specs

Head size100 in² / 645.16 cm²
Strung weight10.6oz / 298g
PowerLow
String Pattern18 Mains / 16 Crosses
Pre-strungNo

Head Tennis Racquets

While players who are new to the game might be familiar with Babolat and Wilson tennis racquets, Head is another hugely popular brand that offers an impressive lineup of racquets with some fantastic beginners’ options.

HEAD Titanium Ti.S6

Head Titanium Ti.S6

For years, HEAD’s affordable Titanium series of tennis racquets have been an incredibly popular choice for beginners.

This model features the largest head size on our list at 115 square inches for a large sweet spot. Along with its titanium makeup and extended 27.75-inch length, this racquet provides tons of power.

The Ti.S6 is also feather-light at 8.9 ounces and comes with a 16×19 string pattern, which, combined with a larger head size, makes this a spin-friendly tennis racquet as well.

Last but not least, this racquet also comes pre-strung and ready-to-go, which will save you some extra cash up-front.

Key Specs

Head size115 in² / 742 cm²
Strung weight8.9oz / 252g
PowerHigh
String Pattern16 Mains / 19 Crosses
Pre-strungYes

Head Graphene 360+ Instinct PWR

Head Graphene 360+ Instinct PWR

Another option in the same range as the Speed PWR is the Instinct PWR, which offers similar design characteristics.

Like the Speed, it comes with 115 square inch head size, but it’s slightly lighter at 8.6 ounces and a bit longer at 27.7-inches for plenty of power, topspin, and margin for error.

Despite their weight difference, these two racquets feel similarly weighted when swinging because of their balance. The Speed is only 2 pts HH, while the Instinct PWR is 9 pts HH, which means more weight is in the racquet’s head, so it feels heavier when swinging.

All in all, the Head Graphene 360+ Instinct PWR is another worthy contender for beginners to consider.

Key Specs

Head size115 in² / 742 cm²
Strung weight8.6oz / 244g
PowerHigh
String Pattern16 Mains / 19 Crosses
Pre-strungNo

Head Graphene 360+ Speed PWR

Head Graphene 360+ Speed PWR

At 9.7 oz strung, the Graphene 360+ Speed PWR is the lightest tennis racquet in Head’s Speed lineup.

However, it combines its lighter weight with an oversized 115 square inch head size and open 16×19 string pattern to deliver exceptional power with plenty of margin for error.

Overall, it’s another excellent option for beginners looking for an easy-to-use racquet that they can grow into as their skills improve.

Key Specs

Head size115 in² / 742 cm²
Strung weight9.7oz / 275g
PowerHigh
String Pattern16 Mains / 19 Crosses
Pre-strungNo

Head Graphene 360+ Extreme PWR

Head Graphene 360+ Extreme PWR

To round out Head’s options for beginners, you’ll also want to take a look at the Graphene 360+ Extreme PWR.

This option is a bit more arm friendly than the Speed and Instinct models, but it still delivers power, spin, and a generous head size.

Like the Instinct PWR, this racquet comes in at a very easy to manage with a weight of 8.6 ounces, has an extended 27.7-inch length, and a 16×19 string pattern.

Key Specs

Head size1115 in² / 742 cm²
Strung weight8.6oz / 244g
PowerHigh
String Pattern16 Mains / 19 Crosses
Pre-strungNo

Yonex Tennis Racquets

If you’re not familiar with Yonex, they’re an increasingly popular brand that’s worth keeping your eye on as you evaluate tennis racquets.

A defining feature of all Yonex tennis racquets is their Isometric Square Head Shape, which, according to them, increases the sweet spot of their racquets by 48%. You’ll find it looks slightly different than the typical oval head shape standard with all other tennis racquet brands.

Yonex EZONE Ace

Yonex EZONE Ace

While many Yonex frames tend to lean toward a more experienced audience, the Yonex EZONE Ace is an excellent option to consider hitting on many of the key attributes that new players will appreciate.

First, it comes with a 102 square inch head size, which is a great starting point while not nearly as big as others on our list. The racquet also weighs in at 9.7 ounces strung and features a 16×19 string pattern that will offer a nice blend of controlled power and topspin.

The EZONE Ace is also a reasonably comfortable tennis racquet that’s less stiff than others on our list, making it a worthy contender for players concerned about the health of their arm.

Key Specs

Head size102 in² / 658 in²
Strung weight9.7oz / 275g
PowerMedium
String Pattern16 Mains / 18 Crosses
Pre-strungNo

Prince Tennis Racquets

A well-established brand in the tennis world, Prince, has helped define and shape modern racquet and string technology. Today, they continue to offer a fantastic line of tennis racquets worth checking out for any players new to the sport.

Prince Textreme Warrior 100L

Prince Textreme Warrior 100L

With many tennis racquets in their lineup, the Prince Textreme Warrior 100L stands out as their most beginner-friendly.

While the head size is the smallest size we’d recommend for beginners at 100 square inches, it fits right into the pack of other racquets on our list, weighing in at an easy to maneuver 9.6 ounces. However, a good chunk of that weight makes its way into the head of the racquet, so it still feels solid and stable when hitting.

Like the Yonex EZONE Ace, it also leans toward more control with a lower stiffness rating that emphasizes feel though still offering up restrained power in a spin-friendly package.

Key Specs

Head size100 in² / 645 in²
Strung weight9.6oz / 272g
PowerLow
String Pattern16 Mains / 18 Crosses
Pre-strungNo

Tecnifibre Tennis Racquets

For years Tecnifibre was well-known for its strings, but they’ve continued to grow and develop its racquet line successfully. More recently, endorsements from players like Daniil Medvedev, Jeremy Chardy, and John Millman have helped increase their exposure.

Tecnifibre TFlash 270 CES

Tecnifibre TFlash 270 CES

At 10.2 ounces, the TFlash 270 CES is a lightweight tennis racquet that swings easily to generate power and topspin.

The racquet has a smaller 100 square inch head size, which is plenty sufficient for beginners, and a 16×19 string pattern.

Although you may not be familiar with the brand, Tecnfibire is a well-respect option that’s worth considering for beginners.

Key Specs

Head size100 in² / 645 in²
Strung weight10.2oz / 289g
PowerLow
String Pattern16 Mains / 18 Crosses
Pre-strungNo

How to Choose the Right Racquet

If you’ve made it this far, you may still be feeling a bit overwhelmed at where to start and which of the racquets in our list are the best for you.

To help, it’s worth considering your personal preferences. Here’s a brief list to consider that will narrow the above list quite a bit:

  • Affinity towards a specific brand
  • A desire for a lightweight racquet
  • The need for a high-comfort frame
  • A large head size to increase your margin for error

Do any of these resonate with you? If so, then you’ve just narrowed your options. For example, if you’re really into Babolat racquets, then you have three great options to choose from on our list.

Of course, don’t forget to revisit the two questions at the beginning of this guide. If your racquet’s price is a concern or you’re not sure whether you’re going to like playing tennis, then those considerations will also limit your selection to the more affordable options on the list.

If you’re still stuck, then the best way to choose a tennis racquet is to get out on a tennis court and demo some racquets.

Your local tennis club or pro shop will likely have a few on hand you can try, and even if they’re not on our list, you can take note of their attributes like weight and head size to use as a point of reference when considering the racquets on our list.

Another route you can take is ordering any of these racquets through one of the demo programs available through online retailers.

Common Questions

Here are a few questions new players often have when looking for a new tennis racquet.

How much does a good beginner’s racquet cost?
Many excellent beginner’s tennis racquets cost less than $150. However, dedicated beginners might consider spending a bit more to find a high-quality tennis racquet they can grow into as their skills develop.

What should I look for in a beginner tennis racquet?
As a beginner, here’s a quick checklist you can use to help point you in the right direction for your first tennis racquet:

  • Have a head size of at least 100 square inches
  • Weigh no heavier than 10.5 ounces
  • Offer an appropriate grip size for your hand

If you can check all those boxes, then you’ve likely found a tennis racquet that will work well for getting started learning how to play tennis.

What tennis racquet brand is the best?
The three most popular tennis brands are Wilson, Babolat, and Head. However, it’s better to think of each brand as different instead of better than the other. Any advice counter to that is subjective.

For reference, Roger Federer uses Wilson, Rafael Nadal uses Babolat, and Novak Djokovic uses Head.

Is a lighter or heavier tennis racquet better for beginners?
Lighter racquets with larger head sizes that are easy to maneuver are good options for beginners.

As your technique improves, you’ll likely want to transition to a heavier racquet with a smaller head size. Said another way, there are a time and a place for light and heavy tennis racquets.

All things being equal, a lighter racquet will be easier to maneuver, while a heavier racquet will offer more power. For more information, check out our article on racquet weight and balance.

Wrapping Up

Finding your first tennis racquet as a beginner can be a little overwhelming. You don’t want to overspend or make a poor choice that you’ll regret. Hopefully, armed with the information in this guide, you’re feeling more confident about making a purchase.

If you have questions or need help picking out a tennis racquet, drop us a note in the comments below. We’d love to answer any questions you have.

Home > Gear > Racquets > Best Tennis Racquets for Beginners

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