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The Babolat Pure Aero is one of the best tennis racquets for spin on the market. Below, we’ll review the Babolat Pure Aero, including pros, cons, and different models of the racquet. Then, we’ll compare it to other tennis racquets to help you decide if the Pure Aero is right for you.
Review Summary & Ratings for the Babolat Pure Aero
Made increasingly popular by Rafael Nadal, the Babolat Pure Aero tennis racquet is one of the best tennis racquets in the world.
Both professional and recreational tennis players love the Pure Aero for its unique ability to generate spin and power.
See our ratings, plus the pros and cons of the Babolat Pure Aero below for a quick glance at how it performs compared to other tennis racquets.
Our Ratings for the Babolat Pure Aero
- Power: 8
- Control: 7
- Spin: 9
- Serve: 9
- Return: 8
- Groundstrokes: 9
- Volleys: 7
- Price: $$$
Pros
- Excellent spin
- Easy power on groundstrokes from the baseline
- Great racquet for most skill levels & abilities
- Good for learning & maximizing topspin
- Decent mobility & handling at the net
Cons
- Doesn’t have great control for an advanced racquet
- Other racquets have better stability & feel on volleys
Different Versions of the Babolat Pure Aero Tennis Racquet
The Babolat Pure Aero tennis racquet comes in several versions that vary in weight and size. Below is a list of the different Babolat Pure Aero racquets on the market today.
We’ll review each version in more detail below.
What did Babolat Update with the Pure Aero 2023?
With the newest version of the Pure Aero, Babolat only updated two models.
- The Pure Aero 2023 has a slightly lower swing weight and is a little less stiff, making it more playable.
- The Pure Aero Team 2023 is slightly more head light, has a lower swing weight, and is less stiff, making it easier to handle as well.
You can still purchase the old version of the Pure Aero and its family of racquets for a discount.
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Babolat Pure Aero Review – A Spin-Friendly Racquet
We’ll start with the standard version of the Babolat Pure Aero. Below are the specifications and on-court performance you should expect from this racquet.
Babolat Pure Aero Racquet Specifications
- Weight: 11.2 oz. strung
- Head Size: 100 square inches
- Length: 27 inches
- Balance: 329.9 mm
- String Pattern: 16 x 19
Similar to other Babolat racquet reviews, we found the Pure Aero to be head light, sturdy, and easy to control. The most popular model, the Pure Aero, weighs 11.2 ounces strung (or 318 grams). Made of graphite, this tennis racquet is a standard 27 inches long.
The racquet head on the Pure Aero is 100 square inches, making it great for any skill level. The frame design combines power and speed. With a thick design for power, Babolat also focused on aerodynamics to generate maximum racquet head speed and spin.
Compare the Pure Aero with our list of the best intermediate tennis racquets.
The Pure Aero Helps Create Maximum Spin & Plenty of Power
While much of Nadal’s spin mostly comes from his strength and technique, it also comes from the design of the Babolat Pure Aero. The aerodynamic shape and open string design (delivered by the FSI Spin technology) provide maximum spin. The Pure Aero is one of the top 8 tennis racquets for spin.
If you want to hit deep heavy groundstrokes, with lots of power and spin, there’s no better racquet on the market.
If in potent hands, the Pure Aero efficiently delivers deadly spins from the baseline that will drive the opponent way back behind the baseline. When paired with heavy hitters, the Pure Aero provides surreal spins not only on forehands and groundstrokes, but while serving too. You’ll be able to hit that kick serve that takes the opponent off the court.
The open string pattern grabs the ball on all your shots to create spin. Hit the ball in the sweet spot and the racquet will make adding topspin to your shots effortless.
If there’s one thing the Babolat Pure Aero does as well as generate spin, it’s creating power. Though these racquets are lightweight, the large frame design provides great power for any skill level tennis player. The Pure Aero is one of the top 7 tennis racquets for power.
There’s no racquet out there that can create as much spin and power as this one. If you’re a baseliner, who wants to move your opponent around with big groundstrokes, this is for you. The ability of Pure Aero to absorb the ball’s impact and catapult in a given direction is quite astonishing.
This is all possible to do with the well-crafted graphite frame and open-string patterns. For a racquet with even more power that is less spin-friendly, see our Babolat Pure Drive review.
The Pure Aero is Great for Serves & Groundstrokes
The Pure Aero performs well on both groundstrokes and serves.
- On groundstrokes, the Ultra is easy to swing, and explosive on contact. The racquet offers top-tier spin as well.
- On volleys, the racquet isn’t great at defending fast-paced shots but holds its own at the net.
- On returns, the Pure Aero will generate good power to attack second serves. Defending against big servers will be a bit more difficult.
- On serves, this racquet performs well. It will maximize your power and spin so you can hit flat, slice, or kick serves with ease.
Reviewing Other Versions of the Babolat Pure Aero
The other versions of the Pure Aero are better for players of a lower skill level.
| Model | Technical Differences | Result In Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Babolat Pure Aero 2023 | N/A | N/A |
| Pure Aero Plus | Length – 27.5 in Weight 0.1 oz. heavier (11.3 oz. strung) | More power Less mobility & control |
| Pure Aero Lite | Weight – 1.1 oz. lighter (10.1 oz. strung) Balance – 342.9 mm (equal balance) | Better for beginners. Easiest model to handle & control Less Power |
| Pure Aero Team | Weight – 0.6 oz. lighter (10.6 oz. strung) Balance – 326.4 mm | Better mobility & control Less Power |
| Pure Aero Rafa | N/A | Cosmetic differences only |
| Pure Aero Tour | Weight – 0.6 oz. heavier Balance – 322.6 mm | Better for advanced players More power |
3 Steps to Find the Perfect Tennis Racquet for Your Game
Free checklist with 27 racquet recommendations
The Best Alternatives to the Babolat Pure Aero
Below are several tennis racquets similar to the Babolat Pure Aero.
- Head Extreme – This racquet has slightly better feel and control than the Pure Aero with a bit less spin and power.
- Wilson Ultra – For a lightweight, powerful racquet for beginner to intermediate players, the Wilson Ultra is a great option.
- Babolat Pure Drive – Babolat’s most popular racquet, the Pure Drive has better feel and control with less spin than the Pure Aero.
- Dunlop SX 300 – An underrated alternative that’s a little more arm-friendly.
Babolat Pure Aero Review: Key Takeaways
There’s no doubt that Babolat makes great tennis racquets. Their popularity has increased over the last 20 years, perhaps more than any other brand. The Babolat Pure Aero series proves to be an excellent racquet as well. Specifically designed for those players who want to increase their spin and power without sacrificing too much control.
Baseline players will find that this racquet helps them hit a heavier ball like Nadal (well, at least closer to Nadal). Big servers will only increase their strength with this racquet, as you’ll be able to add power and spin.
If you are a complete beginner, or don’t plan to play tennis regularly, then look at the best beginner tennis racquets. In our Babolat Pure Aero review, we’ve found that it is a player’s racquet for people who are serious about improving their game.
