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First of all, if you’re here you’re probably just starting out. So, welcome to tennis! You’re going to love it 🙂
Below we will show you everything you should consider when buying a tennis racquet, and the best tennis racquets for beginners on the market today. Whether you want to remain a recreational player or want to learn to become a more competitive tennis player, we’ll help you find the perfect racquet.
Our recommendations below are based on over 20 years of experience playing and coaching tennis, including testing different racquets from the leading tennis brands. Before we review each racquet in detail below, here is our list of the 7 best beginner tennis racquets!
- Head TI S6 – Best Overall Beginner Racquet
- Babolat Pure Drive 110 – Best for Power
- Prince Ripstick 100 – Best for Serious Beginner
- Wilson Clash 108 – Best for Comfort (arm friendly)
- Head MicroGEL Radical OS – Best for Control
- Wilson Hyper Hammer 5.3
- Wilson Tour Slam Racquet – Best Cheap Racquet for Beginners
How to Choose a Tennis Racquet for Beginners
When choosing a tennis racquet as a beginner, there are a few questions to consider.
- Is the racquet for a child or an adult?
- Will you need help creating power for your shots? Or will you need more control? – In other words, how physically strong are you?
- Do you expect to remain a recreational player, or do you want to become more competitive?
- What is your budget?
No matter how you answer these questions, you will be able to find a great choice below.
Most good tennis racquets for novice players have a few characteristics to help beginners play well.
3 Steps to Find the Perfect Tennis Racquet for Your Game
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Racquet Specification Chart Based on Skill Level
Here is a chart that shows tennis racquet specifications for tennis players of different skill levels. This will give you a quick idea of what specs to look for in your new racquet.
Of course, this will vary based on your specific skill-set and there will be exceptions to this chart. For example, if you play a lot of other sports that involve hand-eye coordination, then you may not need as much help with power and can use a smaller racquet with a smaller sweet spot.
| Racquet Specifications | Beginner Players Only | Intermediate & Some Beginner | Advanced & Some Intermediate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Head Size (sq. inches) | 107 – 115 | 100 – 110 | 95 – 100 |
| Length (inches) | 27-28 | 27 – 27.5 | 27 – 27.5 |
| Weight (strung) | Under 11 Ounces | 10.1 – 11.5 Ounces | Over 11 Ounces |
| Price | Under $150 | $100 & up | $150 & up |
| Power vs Control | More Power | Balanced Racquet | More Control |
If you want to better understand everything that goes into tennis racquet specifications, keep reading. Otherwise, jump down to the reviews.
Tennis Racquet Frame Sizes
The first thing to consider is the frame size. In general, beginners will want to pick a racquet with a large frame, over 100 square inches, especially if you will need help creating power on your shots. The best tennis racquets for power all have larger frames.
Since you’ve never (or rarely) played tennis before, you’ll also want a racquet that is more forgiving. Roger Federer can use a small racquet because he hits the ball at the same spot on the strings every single time.
People who are learning tennis will make contact with the ball all over the strings, so you want to have an oversized racquet head. More than 100 square inches is best for players new to the game. This will give you what is called a big “sweet spot”. The bigger the sweet spot, the less precise you have to be with your point of contact.
Weight of the Tennis Racquet
Beginner racquets tend to be lighter and easier to handle, while more advanced racquets are heavier. Beginners should choose a racquet under 11 ounces. If you’re physically strong and athletic, you can use a racquet close to 11 oz. Players who aren’t as strong or athletic should find a racquet between 9 and 10.5 oz.
Grip Sizes
For grip size, you’ll see most racquets come with several options ranging from 4 ⅕ up to 4 ⅝. On the bottom of the racquet, you can find the grip size. Sometimes, there is a number representing the size between 1 and 5 instead of a fraction.
Most players should use 4⅜ – look for 4⅜ or a 3 on the bottom of the handle. If you have small hands, then you can start with a 4¼ (2), and if you have larger hands, choose a 4½ (4).
I have a 4 grip size on one of my racquets and a 3 on the other. I use an extra grip on the smaller racquet to make them feel the same and it works great.
So, if you’re unsure, choose the smaller option, and if it is too small you can add any of the best tennis overgrips to compensate for the difference. However, if you order it too big, there is not much you can do.
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Choosing a String and Tension
Beginners don’t need to worry about the type of string or tension as much. The best tennis strings can be pricey for beginners and won’t affect your performance much.
Just choose a string that is relatively inexpensive at your local tennis shop and tell them to string the racquet with the manufacturer’s recommendation. Usually this will be written on the frame somewhere and will typically give a 10 pound range (ie. 50 – 60 lbs). In this case, just choose the middle (55 lbs).
In general, loose strings will provide more power and a larger sweet spot. Looser is also more helpful to prevent tennis elbow injuries since you won’t have to swing as hard. The best tennis elbow braces can help prevent injury as well. Tighter strings will give you more control, but a smaller sweet spot and less feel.
Best Tennis Racquet for Beginner Adults
As discussed above, for adults who are learning to play tennis, you want to start with a racquet over 100 square inches and under 11 ouces.
Many advanced racquets have lightweight models with larger frames, so you can likely find a similar looking racquet to your favorite pro player.
Oversized (OS) racquets are great for beginners as well. They are longer than the standard 27 inches, providing more reach and power through added leverage. When you’re just learning to play tennis, you want to keep your swing slow and under control. An oversized racquet will create the power for you to get the ball back over the net.
Here are the 3 best options for adults:
- Head TI S6 – a great lower cost racquet for any adults.
- Wilson Clash 108 – for more serious beginners who want a high-end racquet with great comfort.
- Prince Ripstick 100 – the best racquet for athletic beginners who want to improve fast.
Best Tennis Racquet for Female Beginners
Female tennis players typically need more help with power and are better at control than men. For this reason, women starting out should look for a powerful racquet. The best choices will be 105 to 115 square inches with a thick frame.
The Head TI S6 and Babolat Drive 110 are our top female picks. Both of these racquets provide lots of power with lightweight technology and can help add spin to your shots as you improve. We’ve reviewed several other good options below as well.
Best Tennis Racquet for Beginner to Intermediate Players
Beginner tennis players who are thinking about taking the game a little more seriously will want to buy a racquet that allows for improvement. That means you need a racquet that is forgiving, with a big sweet spot, but also helps you learn new skills like topspin.
Most fit and strong adults should choose racquets that help you with control, spin, and mobility. As your game advances, the ball will be coming back faster, so you’ll need a less bulky racquet.
Choose a racquet around 100 to 105 square inches. This will help you get a good combination of spin, power, and control.
The best racquet for a serious beginner who wants to improve their game is the Prince Ripstick 100. It has plenty of power for a beginner and allows players to develop control and learn to hit with topspin, required for a higher skill level.
Below are also great choices for the player transitioning to the intermediate level of tennis.
- Wilson Clash 108 – great for older adults who need a comfortable racquet.
- Head MicroGEL Radical OS – best for athletic adults with good fitness, strength, and hand-eye coordination.
- Head TI S6 – offers plenty of power for teens and older, less physically strong adults.
See our reviews of the best tennis racquets for intermediate players for more options.
3 Steps to Find the Perfect Tennis Racquet for Your Game
Download your free checklist with 27 racquet recommendations when you join our Deal of the Week Newsletter.
Top 7 Beginner Racquets – Reviewed
Below are our seven picks for the best tennis racquets for beginners available today. All seven racquets are considered adult tennis racquets. You’ll see detailed descriptions, the relative price (on a 1-3 scale), and our recommended USTA rating level for the racquets. We also included lists of pros and cons with an image of the racquet itself.
#1 – Head TI S6
For older teens and adults learning how to play tennis, this is the best tennis racquet under 100 dollars.
Its titanium structure means it is lightweight (8.9 oz. strung) so you can control it easily from the baseline and avoid tennis elbow. You’ll be able to generate power on your shots since this racquet has a large frame and has its weight balanced towards the head. The large frame size of 115 square inches means it has a huge sweet spot in case you mishit the ball.
The 16×19 string pattern also makes this one of the best tennis racquets for spin. You’ll be able to generate topspin on your shots as you improve your game. The main strings on this racquet spread wider as they move further from the handle. We found that in combination with the frame technology, this gives the racquet excellent feel.
This racquet is also the best value tennis racquet if you plan to become a more avid recreational player. However, we don’t recommend this racquet for advanced players as it is bulky and difficult to maneuver at the net for a fast-paced game.
Read other Head tennis racquet reviews.
- Specs: 115 sq. inch head size | 8.9 oz.
- Price: $
- USTA Rating: Up to 3.5
Pros
- Great power from the baseline
- Lightweight – prevent tennis elbow and injury
- Great feel with a large sweet spot
- Relatively inexpensive
Cons
- Bulky and difficult to maneuver at the net
- Not for high level intermediate players
#2 – Babolat Pure Drive 110
Babolat makes some of the best tennis racquets on the market, and this racquet is the perfect adult beginner tennis racquet if you have a large budget and want to improve fast.
This version of the Babolat Pure Drive is lightweight and easy to maneuver at the net, with a large head (110 sq. inches) for a bigger sweet spot. The wide frame will help generate power. The string pattern helps generate spin so you can continue using it as you continue to improve your game. Also, if you plan to become an intermediate player, you won’t have to change racquets.
Read other Babolat racquet reviews.
- Specs: 110 sq. inch head size | 9.5 oz.
- Price: $$$
- USTA Rating: Up to 4.0
Pros
- Excellent power for groundstrokes
- Big sweet spot
- More control than most beginner racquets
- Great for learning how to hit topspin
- Good for intermediate players
Cons
- Costs more than most starter racquets
- Not for high level intermediate players
#3 – Prince Ripstick 100
The Prince Ripstick is a great tennis racquet for almost any skill level. Its easy maneuverability and power make it great for beginners, while the open string pattern and stability allow for faster swings from intermediate players.
There are two versions of the Ripstick that vary by weight (11.2 oz. vs 10.4 oz.). Most physically fit players can start with the heavier version which will allow you to improve faster. For younger teens or ladies who want something easier to handle, the 10.4 oz. Ripstick is best. This racquet’s 16×18 string pattern makes it great for learning topspin, a skill required to advance your game. The 100 square inch frame is comfortable and offers good power and stability. The unique O-ports minimize wind resistance helping you swing faster too.
We recommend this racquet for serious beginners who want the best chance to improve their tennis game.
- Specs: 100 sq. inch head size | 11.2 oz.
- Price: $$
- USTA Rating: Up to 4.5
Pros
- Great for beginners and intermediate players
- Allows a player to improve fast
- Great comfort and power
- Better control than most beginner racquets
- Fantastic for learning topspin
Cons
- Smaller frame than some beginner racquets
- More expensive than others on this list
#4 – Wilson Clash 108
The Wilson Clash tennis racquets are excellent for beginners and high-level intermediate players. With the Clash 108, you will be able to improve fast!
This racquet’s 108 square inch head creates a big sweet spot, perfect for beginners. It’s a flexible racquet with great control and comfort. The extra .25 inches in length helps to add power on your serve and groundstrokes. Beginners who want to learn how to hit with topspin will find the Clash 108 provides plenty of spin.
This is one of the most forgiving, comfortable tennis racquets on the market. It’s more expensive than most beginner racquets. But, it’s worth the investment if you do plan to play tennis often and want to improve fast.
Read other Wilson racquet reviews.
- Specs: 108 sq. inch head size | 10.4 oz.
- Price: $$$
- USTA Rating: Up to 4.0
Pros
- Great beginner racquet for control
- Allows for fast improvement
- Good mobility for doubles
- Head size and added length provide more power
- The most flexible and comfortable beginner racquet (easy on the arm)
Cons
- More expensive than most beginner racquets
#5 – Head MicroGEL Radical OS
The Head MicroGEL Radical OS can be used by tennis players at a variety of skill levels. It’s a great “tweener” racquet for athletic beginners or people who want to improve to an intermediate player quickly. It’s a relatively inexpensive racquet as well.
This racquet has a 107 inch head size, making it excellent for beginners. The tight 18×20 string pattern offers great control and feel, allowing you to improve fast. The Radical OS is one of the best 8 tennis racquets for control.
The 11.1 oz. weight of the racquet adds power and stability as well. For players who are relatively athletic and physically strong with good hand-eye coordination, this is a great racquet.
For the price, this is certainly one of the top beginner or low-level intermediate racquets on the market to help players place and control their shots. However, we would not recommend this for advanced adult players or people who plan to play at an advanced level.
- Specs: 107 sq. inch head size | 11.1 oz.
- Price: $
- USTA Rating: Up to 3.5
Pros
- Best beginner racquet for control
- Great transition racquet for beginner to intermediate
- Good stability & feel
- Excellent for athletic beginners who need more control
Cons
- Slightly heavy for a beginner
- Not great for high-level intermediate players
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#6 – Wilson Hyper Hammer 5.3 (Oversized)
For players who want a balance of control and power, Wilson has created this great racquet in their line of hammer racquet series.
This oversized racquet (110 square inches) has a tighter string pattern (18×20) than most beginner racquets. This will help you to place your shots better all over the court. At 9 ounces, it is lightweight but still heavy enough to transition your game to the next level.
While we wouldn’t recommend this for advanced or upper-level intermediate players, this is a great starter racquet that will give you a few years to improve your game even if you play often.
- Specs: 110 sq. inch head size | 9 oz.
- Price: $
- USTA Rating: Up to 4.0
Pros
- Good for intermediate players
- String pattern allows for more control and feel
- Good mobility at the net for a beginner
Cons
- Less power than some starter racquets
Best Cheap Tennis Racquet for Beginners
If you’re on a very tight budget, or just need a cheap tennis racquet for one event, then we recommend the Wilson racquet below. It has the best value of any under $50 racquet on the market. Wilson is a major, trusted tennis brand and makes quality tennis gear.
#7 – Wilson Tour Slam Tennis Racquet
This is the best budget tennis racquet for beginners or people who need a cheap racquet. This racquet’s 110 square inch head size gives you a large sweet spot and great feel for the value. It is a great weight for a beginner racquet at 11.5 oz.
Because of the price, this is also a great way to see if you enjoy tennis without having to spend much. If, however, you plan on playing tennis as a more serious hobby and want to improve to an intermediate player, this racquet is not recommended.
- Specs: 110 sq. inch head size | 11.5 oz.
- Price: $(half)
- USTA Rating: Up to 3.0
Pros
- Budget friendly
- Large head size creates a big sweet spot
- Good power
- Wilson is a trusted brand
Cons
- Not a great racquet to improve your game
Conclusion: Our Pick for Top Starter Racquet
With dozens of options on the market, it can be confusing to decide which racquet is best for you. Since most tennis players take shorter and more compact swings when they’re first learning tennis, you need a racquet that can provide power. Your groundstrokes will become more consistent as you play more, but larger sweet spots and more forgiving racquets will make the game more fun.
The Head TI S6 is the perfect balance of control and power, feel and spin, that a beginner needs to learn the game of tennis.
