Best Racquetball Racquet | 2022 Guide and Review
Those new to the game of racquetball need to put serious thought into the purchase of their first racquetball racquet. Selecting the right racquet will have a sizable impact on how well you perform on the court and will make training far easier. A medium weight design with an even balance is probably the best racquetball racquet for most users, although there are many other things you should be bearing in mind. This buying guide will explore all the essential factors you need to remember when selecting your first racquetball racquet.
In addition if your new to the game, it would also be a great idea to pick up a handy pair of racquetball goggles, they are a vital to your safety on court and help you play with more freedom and intensity!
Racquet Weight
Most racquetball will do well to prioritize weight when shopping around for a new racquet. You have a great deal of choice when it comes to racquet weights, with racquet options broadly split across three main categories.. More experienced players should take extra care and attention when selecting a suitable weight as these will help facilitate better play and suit individual playing styles. If you suffer from an existing injury or muscle weakness, selecting the right racquet weight can also help prevent injuries from worsening when you play. The weight of a racquetball racquet has a direct impact on the amount of power you can expect to unleash. It will also impact your overall control of the racquet, as well as the degree of flexibility you can work into your playing style. Most racquets will fall into one of three weight categories.
Lightweight racquets usually weigh little more than 160 grams. They are the preferred choice for heavy hitters, chiefly because they rely on the player themselves to produce power in their swing. Light racquets are ideal for those who want to demonstrate refined technique and advanced skills and are usually the go-to choice of professional players. They are not for everyone, however. When handled improperly, a lightweight racquet can worsen shoulder injuries and arm ailments.
Medium racquets come in at around 180 grams. They are the most commonly used weight of racquetball racquet. Unlike light and heavy alternatives, medium weight racquets offer a good balance of control and hitting power. You will no trouble finding this versatile category of racquet as the vast majority of sporting stores and online retailers stock a healthy selection of them.
Heavy racquets refer to anything that weighs in excess of 180 grams. Unless you have a significant amount of control, you should probably avoid them. However, if you have mastered your playing style and demonstrate advanced control, they can be an effective tool against your opponent. Because of their substantial weight, heavy racquets are a powerful option, but you will need to have exceptional control in order to play successfully. The downside of their heavier build is that they limit your mobility when playing. If you do not need to move around much when playing, they are definitely something to think about. They are also a good choice for those with limited physical strength, with the powerful potential of the racquet compensating for this. Newcomers to racquetball will find these heavier racquets particularly rewarding. If you have run into injuries before when handling lighter racquets, switching to a heavier alternative is worthwhile.
Types of Grip
Grips are often forgotten about when selecting a new racquet for racquetball. However, they are an essential component of any quality racquet and should never be neglected when selecting a new one. Racquets come with a factory grip as standard and the majority of players will probably find such grips perfectly useable. However, investing in an upgraded grip is relatively cheap and can have significant improvements on how well your racquet handles and performs.
A wrap grip is one of the best alternatives to consider if you are looking to upgrade from a standard factory grip. These grips take the form of artificial leather tape straps that are tightly woven around the handle of the racquet. A huge benefit of wrap grips is their absorption credentials. If you are swinging with significant amounts of power, these grips will minimize the amount of vibration and shock that travels through the racquet to the hand. They will also improve your overall handling of the racquet, ensuring it remains tightly in your grasp as you play. However, wrap grips do not last as long as other types of grip and will need replacing over time.
Another option is a rubber grip. These quality grips slide snugly over the racquet handle, although you will also need to apply some sort of adhesive to ensure it remains in place. Unlike wrap grips, rubber grips remain locked in place for a long time. If you are looking to upgrade your grip and do not want to worry about maintaining and replacing it, a rubber grip is ideal. However, rubber and moisture do not mix well. If you are playing outdoors, you should avoid exposing your rubber grip to rain as it will become slippery and difficult to handle. Exposure to perspiration results in the same problem. Unless a rubber grip is kept dry, it is easy for the material to wear down and disintegrate. Therefore, you need to ensure you are carrying out a basic level of maintenance to extend the life of a rubber grip.
Balance of Racquets
Racquet balance is another crucial point you should be considering. However, like grips, balance is often overlooked in favour of other details. Fortunately, racquet balance is easy to understand, with the majority of racquets falling into one of a few key categories.
If you are looking for a perfectly balanced racquet, look for options that fall into the evenly balanced category. These types of racquet boast a centre of balance that is positioned in the middle of the racquetball racquet. This results in a racquet that offers exceptional levels of control and powerful swing performance. Combine this balance with a medium weight frame and you have a very versatile racquet.
A head light racquet is another popular balance option. This type of balance refers to any racquet where weight is focused in the handle end. It can also refer to racquets where weight is focused in the neck section of the frame. The result of this concentration is that the racquet feels more lightweight and easy to handle. However, the downside is that you sacrifice hitting power. They are a good choice for those who want to play with high levels of control and are a good fit for those stationed in front court positions.
Finally, there are racquets with head heavy balance. As you would expect, these racquets have substantial concentrations of weight in the head section. Focusing the weight here means you can enjoy more considerable swing speeds. This almost always results in shots with added power. The problem with this type of balance is that the racquet can feel heavy and prove difficult to wield. Unless you have the muscle strength to compensate for the head heavy balance, you should probably avoid this type of racquet altogether.
Selecting Suitable Strings
Most racquetball racquets are already threaded at the point of purchase. These existing strings are usually suitable enough for everyday games, although the more experienced player will likely want to upgrade to something better tailored to their playing style. Although you can start playing with factory standard springs, these will eventually wear and loosen over time. Therefore, you need to know what to look for when it comes to restringing your racquet.
Tension is the first factor to think about. This refers to how tight or loose any strings will be. Strings with higher tension will feel stiffer and offer enhanced control. Strings with lower levels of tension will feel looser, but are a good choice for those looking to swing with more power.
You also need to think about the width of your racquet strings, otherwise known as string gauge. A lower gauge relates to thicker racquet strings. They are the best option for beginners and those who play on a regular basis. Unlike higher gauge strings, these thicker strings are very durable. Thinner strings, otherwise known as higher gauge strings, are more responsive and result in better interaction with the ball. This makes them a good fit with the more experienced player with a tailored technique. However, the thinner nature of these strings makes them more prone to breakage.
In Summary
There is a lot to think about when selecting a new racquetball racquet, especially if you have never purchased one before. Even the most basic of racquets has its advantages, so it makes sense to familiarize yourself with the key criteria before you buy.
Even if you are just starting out with a limited budget, you should look for a racquetball racquet that is durable enough that it can be used on a regular basis. You also want to leave room for personalizing your racquet to accommodate an evolving playing style. Even a modestly priced racquet should allow you to swap out factory grips for rubber or wrap alternatives. You also need to be able to restring your racquet once the factory strings begin to wear and weaken. This will save you the need to upgrade to a brand new racquet prematurely.
Wilson Striker
Produced by the renowned global racket-sports company the Wilson Strike is a quality product for the recreational and more casual racquetball player.
This particular model of racket is great for a player who wants to add a touch more power to their game to help control rallies on court. The V-matrix design means that you have more sting bed movement and a stiffer racket meaning you definitely will feel the power in this racket. The ball appears to almost ping off the strings as you play your shots!
The racket is also relatively light-weight for its price and in this way is comparable to the more expensive models available for purchase. The frame is also fairly tough and durable and meaning that the racket will be able to survive a good deal of usage which is an additional bonus.
A reliable product for a recreational player who likes to play with a lot of power!
HEAD Intelligence i.165 Racquet
A more light-weight racket perfect for an intermediate or a more serious beginner player.
This racket weighs around 165 g making it really light on the arms and very comfortable to play with but still has the solid firm grip to it that you want. The added bonus is that the racket is very maneuverable making you will be able to react and move the racket with great speed – perfect for a fast-paced intense racket-ball game.
The grip on the racket is quite tacky and sticky compared to similar models making it great for use. With it being around 3 ⅝ inches in size it is also comfortable to use and can be made larger with additional over gripps etc. For those of us that pick up a sweat when playing racquetball we would definitely recommend buying a glove to accompany the paddle as the added friction and grip-strength would definitely come into use in matches.
All-in-all a solid, light-weight racket that is great for players looking for a more serious game of racquetball and looking to take their skills to the next level.
HEAD MX Hurricane Pack
The Head MX Hurricane is a great paddle for beginners and more casual players looking for a stable and sturdy racket.
The racket frame weighs 190 g making it one of the more heavy rackets out there. This is perfect for novices as it add stability, power and control making it perfect for players just starting off their racquetball career who are getting to grips with and developing their game – all without splashing a tonne of cash.
A great addition is that the racket comes with a pair of balls meaning you will be able to get stuck into practice and match play straight away. The racket also comes with some protective eye-wear which is great for anyone who enjoys seeing!
The racket frame is also quite thick and tough making it a very durable product.
This is a solid,reliable and affordable beginners racket that is great for casual players and those just starting to fall in love with the sport.
Python Intro 5000 Racquetball Racquet Series
A great beginners racket that will not empty your wallet.
This is the ideas racket for someone just testing out or trying out the sport and is simply looking to enjoy the game.
For a racket made out of an alloy frame it is surprisingly light and nimble whilst maintaining a tough and durable exterior. This makes it a great racket for children just starting out with the sport. It is light enough for them to swing through the ball effectively and durable enough to manage all the bruises that come along with the sport!
The frame style is also simplistic, great for someone who enjoys a no-nonsense kind of approach to their rackets.
Because of its weight, the racket has a great feel to it, it has a very comfortable fit into your hands making it a joy for the casual racquet-ball player to use.
A more light-weight beginners racket that is very nice to use.
Wilson Fire XT Racquetball Racquet
Another very cost-effective beginners racket from a very reputable brand.
The prime bonus of purchasing this racket is that it comes with everything you need to start playing the sport. Lynx protective eye-guards are provided which is a must-have when playing at a more serious level and for protection against any wayward shots that might come your way. Two long-lasting blue bullet balls are also provided which are great for practice and games.
The racket itself is very strong, stiff and durable. This makes it great for beginners and more casual players. The stiffness and strength allow for power to be generated in strokes and the durability means that you’re going to have a racket that lasts.
The racket is relatively light-weight making it playable with for all ages.
All in all, a decent quality beginners racket from a reliable brand. An all-round solid bet.
HEAD Liquid Metal 170/180/190 Racquetball Racquet Series.
This is a style of racket targeted at the more advanced player.
It comes in three different weight categories for your own personal preference
- 170g
- 180g
- 190g
A heavier model will provide you with more power and a firmer more stiff feel. However you will be giving up a bit of speed, flexibility and maneuverability.
The lighter models will provide rapid reflexes and racket speed however a bit of power would be sacrificed.
Our advice would be tailor your racket selection to your style of game. If you are a big hitter and enjoy a power based game then definitely go for the more heavy option. If you are a player who prefers a more control based game relying on fast racket speed then we recommend purchasing a lighter racket.
There is a SofTac grip which feels great to use especially with a glove and the body of the racket is made up of titanium and graphite composite making it durable and strong to play with. The grip is 3 ⅝ inches making it ideal for all hand sizes and shapes. The sweet spot is relatively large with this racket meaning you will have great fun using it!
For its size and weight, this racket is able to generate a lot of power whilst maintaining a great level of control. We recommend this racket for serious racquetball players looking to get stuck into the game.
E-Force Chaos Racquetball Racquet
A great power racquetball paddle for an intermediate or more serious player.
This is a relatively heavy racquetball racket which makes it have a sturdy reliable feel to it. There is also very little vibration when playing with this racket making it very easy on the wrists.
There is a cool by-pass stringing system which means that the racket strings skip every two holes meaning that the ball does not hit two strings at the same time which is great for power and ball response.
This racket represents a great upgrade from a more beginner-standard racket to a more advanced one. It feels smoother and easier to play with and this makes it a great purchase.
A good racket that is a step up from your basic beginner one if you do not mind playing with a slightly heavier paddle.
