Best Tennis Racquets For Beginners 2023

Selecting the right tennis racquet (or racket if you’re from the US!) can be something of a daunting process, especially if you’re just starting out.

There are many different brands to choose from, with each company offering their own line of different racquet styles to suit different peoples’ games.

If you’re just starting to get into playing tennis, you’ll want to choose a racquet that’s easy to use from the start, but you’ll also likely be keen to have a racquet which will still remain usable as you improve.

Luckily for you, we’ve put together this handy guide to help you select the best tennis racquet for you if you’re a beginner and are just starting out on the courts.

In this article, we’re going to walk you through all of the key things you need to know when picking a tennis racquet, and also bring you our top five product picks from a range of different brands.

So, with the introductions out of the way, let’s begin taking a closer look at the best tennis racquets for beginners out there right now.

What To Look For In A Tennis Racquet

If you’re just starting out in tennis, there are a few things to bear in mind before going out and buying your first racquet.

• Brand – First off, you’ll want to ensure that you’re buying from a reputable brand. This shouldn’t be too difficult, considering that there are many high-quality tennis brands out there these days, with many of them used by professional players on the ATP and WTA tours.

That being said, it’s always a good idea to do a bit of research into the brand before committing to a product. For the purposes of this article, we only selected brands who have a good reputation in the sport and whose products are appreciated by happy customers.

• Head Size – This is the first technical aspect of the tennis racquet that you’ll need to be aware of. Despite them all sharing a similar design, tennis racquets actually come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. One of the biggest variables when it comes to tennis racquet design is the size of the head (the round part of the racquet which holds the strings in place).

Generally speaking, if you’re a beginner and are just starting out in tennis, you’ll want to go for a slightly bigger head size. This is because the ‘sweet spot’ in the middle of the racquet, which is where you’re aiming to hit the ball, is larger in a racquet with a bigger head.

• Weight – When you’re just starting out playing tennis, it’s generally best to go for a racquet that’s lighter in weight, as this will allow you to perfect your form as you get to grips with moving around the court. It’s best for beginner tennis players to use equipment which is lightweight and easy to maneuver so that you’re able to work on getting your form and footwork correct.

That being said, it’s best not to choose a racquet that’s too light, as this may lead to you over-hitting the ball on some occasions.

(Photo: Adobe Stock)

• Grip Size – The grip size of the racquet is the next aspect you’ll want to consider. Tennis racquets come in a variety of grip sizes – they are often labelled as 0 to 4, and sometimes labelled as a fraction.

It’s always best to try and get the grip size correct, so that you can lock your fingers around the racquet in a comfortable manner. However, it’s also possible to adjust the grip size to make it larger after purchase by using overgrips or by visiting your local tennis store, where staff should be able to use a heat shrink sleeve to make the grip larger. Size 0 converts to four inches, size 1 is 4⅛ inches, size 2 is 4¼ inches, size 3 is 4⅜ inches, and size 4 is 4½ inches.

• Price – The next important aspect to consider is, of course, the price. Everyone will have their own budget when it comes to buying a beginner’s tennis racquet, but in general it’s best to go for one which will help to support you as you hone in your skills and which will also be useful beyond the beginner stage.

In general, you can expect to pay between £80 / $99 for a good quality beginner racquet, although of course there are plenty of great other options available either side of that number.

Best Tennis Racquets For Beginners 2023

So, with the introductions out of the way, let’s now take a look at our pick for the best tennis racquets for beginners on the market right now.

1) Babolat Pure Drive 110 (Best Overall)

Where to buy: www.amazon.com

Weight: 9.5oz / 269g
Head Size: 110 in² / 709.68 cm²

Our top pick for the best overall option is the Babolat Pure Drive 110. Babolat are a trusted brand that are well-known for their quality racquets, having sponsored Rafael Nadal from the beginning of his career. The Babolat Pure Drive 110 is widely considered to be one of the best overall tennis racquets on the market at the moment. The 110 in its name refers to the racquet’s 110-square-inch surface area, which is a larger option and perfect for beginners. It comes in various grip sizes, as you would expect. This is a lightweight racquet which, when strung, comes in at 9.5oz or 269 grams. If you find this to be too light for you, you could always add some lead tape to provide some extra weight. The Babolat Pure Drive 110 is very well-reviewed amongst customers and is a great option if you’re looking for a fast, powerful and comfortable oversize racquet to help hone your skills.

2) Head TI S6 (Best Less Expensive Option)

Where to buy: www.amazon.com

Weight: 8.9oz / 252g
Head Size: 115 in² / 742 cm²

Next up is the Head TI S6, which is a great option if you’re looking for a very lightweight tennis racquet with which to hone your game. Head are a well-established brand in the sport and sponsor the likes of Novak Djokovic, Alexander Zverev and Matteo Berrettini. Made with a graphite and titanium frame, the Head TI S6 offers excellent value for money (at the time of writing, it costs less than $100) and its larger frame size of 115 square inches means that it’s perfect for beginners who are looking for a new racquet with a larger sweet spot as they continue to develop their game. The Head TI S6 is also a great option for players who like to use spin, or who have a strong all-court game, and it is very well-reviewed amongst customers on Amazon.

3) Babolat Pure Aero Team (Best For Control)

Where to buy: www.amazon.com

Weight: 8.9oz / 252g
Head Size: 100 in² / 645.16 cm²

The Babolat Pure Aero Team is a great option for beginner players looking for a tennis racquet with extra control and that could remain useful even after moving past the beginner stage. The Pure Aero Team features a slightly smaller racquet face than the two options above, and this means that players who intend to play competitively further down the line may prefer this option. This is because generally speaking, the smaller the racquet face, the more control you have over your shots. Thanks to its lightweight graphite frame, the Babolat Pure Aero Team is a brilliant option if you are looking for a racquet offering good pace and spin. Because of its lightweight frame, improving players will find it easier to generate the racquet head speed needed for both pace and spin. It’s well-reviewed by customers on Amazon and features Babolat’s trademark yellow and black design.

4) Wilson Clash 108 V2

Where to buy: www.amazon.com

Weight: 10.4oz / 295g
Head Size: 108 in² / 696.77 cm²

The Wilson Clash 108 V2 is another good option for beginner players who are looking to improve their game with a racquet featuring a larger sweet spot. Featuring a carbon fiber frame, this is a great option for those shopping for an oversize racquet which also offers excellent feel, making it a top choice for beginners. Its oversize head provides plenty of forgiveness and enlarges the sweet spot for off-center shots, so you can be more consistent as you work on your game. This racquet also features a slightly longer frame, giving it some added power for serves and ground-strokes. Because of its large head and lightweight frame, it’s perfect for beginners who are looking to learn to play with topspin and improve their overall game.

5) Head MicroGEL Radical Oversize

Where to buy: www.amazon.com

Weight: 11.1oz / 315g
Head Size: 107 in² / 690 cm²

The final racquet on our list is the Head MicroGEL Radical Oversize (OS). This Head racquet offers excellent value for money (at the time of writing, it’s the least expensive option on this list) and features a microgel and graphite composition. According to the manufacturer, the MicroGEL composition helps to absorb the shock of the racquet hitting the ball, meaning that it can help to provide solid strokes on a more consistent basis. Featuring excellent control, this racquet features a larger racquet head of 107 square inches, making it perfect for players who are looking for an easy-to-use option with an arm-friendly response.

Anything Else To Consider?

Shopping for a tennis racquet can sometimes be a daunting process, so it’s never a bad idea to pop into your local tennis store to get some tailored professional advice and also hold a few different racquets in your hand.

If you’re ordering online, most stores will offer free refunds if you have not used the racquet, meaning that you should be able to return an item if you were to immediately feel that it’s not the right one for you when holding it.

(Photo: Adobe Stock)

Wrapping Things Up – Our Final Thoughts

So, that brings us to the end of our look at the best tennis racquets for beginners on the market right now.

We’ve walked you through all of the key things to bear in mind and have also picked out five of the top options available to you at the moment.

Our current top pick is the Babolat Pure Drive 110, but you’re not likely to go too far wrong by selecting any of the other options on this list.