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After testing, studying, and researching all the major tennis racquet brands, we have our picks for the best tennis racquets overall for 2023.
Whether you are a beginner or a more advanced tennis player, you have a lot of choices when it comes to racquets. Below, we’ll help you find the perfect racquet for your skill level, budget, and preferences. Before we get into the specifics, here is the list of top racquets for 2023.
The 14 Best Tennis Racquets for 2023
The table below has the top racquets based on skill level and playing style.
These are not necessarily in the best order for you. Depending on your skill level, athletic ability, and experience, some racquets will be better for you than others. We recommend reading our detailed reviews of each racquet to choose the best option for you.
| Racquet | Skill Level & Specifications | Summary & Full Review |
|---|---|---|
| Babolat Pure Drive – Buy on Tennis Warehouse | Intermediate to Advanced – Head size: 100 sq. inches Weight: 11.2 oz | Best for any players who want easy, controlled power from the baseline. – Our Review |
| Head TI S6 — Buy on Amazon | Beginner – Head size: 115 sq. inches Weight: 8.9 oz | Best for beginners who are looking for a quality racquet at a low cost. – Our Review |
| Wilson Clash 100 — Buy on Tennis Warehouse | Beginner to high-level Intermediate – Head size: 100 sq. inches Weight: 11 oz | Best for players seeking a comfortable, arm-friendly racquet that allows for improvement. Our Review |
| Prince Ripstick 100 — Buy on Tennis Warehouse | Beginner to Intermediate – Head size: 100 sq. inches Weight: 11.2 oz | Best for developing topspin skills. This racquet is easy to swing as well. Our Review |
| Head Boom MP — Buy on Tennis Warehouse | Beginner & Intermediate – Head size: 100 sq. inches Weight: 11.1 oz | Best for players seeking a comfortable racquet that is easy to swing. It offers solid power & spin. Our Review |
| Prince ATS Textreme Tour 98 — Buy on Tennis Warehouse | Intermediate to Advanced – Head size: 98 sq. inches Weight: 11.4 oz | Best for higher-level players looking to add control & spin to their game. Our Review |
| Wilson Pro Staff v13 — Buy on Tennis Warehouse | Advanced – Head size: 97 sq. inches Weight: 11.7 oz | Best for high-level players who want maximum control, stability, and feel. Our Review |
| Yonex Ezone 100 — Buy on Tennis Warehouse | Intermediate & Advanced – Head size: 100 sq. inches Weight: 11.2 oz | Best for players looking for a comfortable racquet with excellent power & feel. Our Review |
| Babolat Pure Aero — Buy on Tennis Warehouse | Intermediate & Advanced – Head size: 100 sq. inches Weight: 11.2 oz | Best for maximizing spin on groundstrokes & serves. Our Review |
| Head Extreme MP — Buy on Tennis Warehouse | All skill levels – Head size: 100 sq. inches Weight: 11.2 oz | Best for easy power and spin. The Extreme is easy to swing & comfortable on contact. Our Review |
| Yonex Vcore Pro 97H — Buy on Tennis Warehouse | Advanced – Head size: 97 sq. inches Weight: 12.3 oz | Best for stability against pace with great feel. This heavy racquet is built for physically strong, high-level players. Our Review |
| Head Radical Pro — Buy on Tennis Warehouse | High-level Intermediate & Advanced – Head size: 98 sq. inches Weight: 11.7 oz | Best for all-around performance for athletic, high-level players. This racquet has a nice blend of power, spin, feel, & control. Our Review |
| Wilson Blade 98 v8 — Buy on Tennis Warehouse | Intermediate & Advanced – Head size: 98 sq. inches Weight: 11.3 oz | Best for increased feel & control while still offering solid spin & power. Our Review |
| Head Speed Pro — Buy on Tennis Warehouse | Advanced – Head size: 100 sq. inches Weight: 11.5 oz | Best for high-level players seeking a well balanced racquet with no weaknesses. Our Review |
More Resources on the Best Tennis Racquets
If you’d like to see more racquets or want to do further research on choosing the best racquet, these resources will help. Read our reviews by skill level, brand, or type of tennis racquet.
Best Tennis Racquet Brands
Tennis Racquet Reviews By Type
3 Steps to Find the Perfect Tennis Racquet for Your Game
Free checklist with 27 racquet recommendations
Reviews of the 14 Best Tennis Racquets for 2023
Below, we’ll review each of the top racquets on our list in more detail.
Babolat Pure Drive
- Skill Level: Most skill levels.
- Where It Excels: Power at the baseline & on serves.
- What It Lacks: Not the best for control, but still solid.
The Pure Drive has been one of the top tennis racquets in the world for players of all abilities for years. Used by several professional tennis players, this racquet is known for its power from the baseline. It also helps you create good spin, offers solid stability, in a comfortable frame.
Read our full Babolat Pure Drive Review.
Specifications
- Head Size: 100 sq. in.
- Strung Weight: 11.2 oz.
- Length: 27 in.
- String Pattern: 16×19
Head TI S6
- Skill Level: Beginners
- Where It Excels: Great starter racquet that helps with power for under $100.
- What It Lacks: Serious beginners will struggle with control as they improve their game.
For beginners who are interested in tennis but not sure they want to commit for the long term, the Head TI S6 is a great racquet. It’s affordable, yet still offers excellent quality that will allow you to improve. It has a large head size and sweet spot which helps new players generate good power and create confidence. The 16×19 string pattern makes this one of the best tennis racquets for spin. If you improve to the intermediate level this racquet will still work, but you may consider switching to a more advanced racquet like the Clash below.
Read our full Head TI S6 Review.
Specifications
- Head Size: 115 sq. in.
- Strung Weight: 8.9 oz.
- Length: 27.75 in.
- String Pattern: 16×19
Wilson Clash 100
- Skill Level: Intermediate
- Where It Excels: This is the most arm-friendly, comfortable racquet on the market with no real weaknesses.
- What It Lacks: It lacks enough power for low-level beginners and doesn’t have the stability or control needed for a high-level advanced racquet.
The Clash is the best tennis racquet for intermediate players. It has a great combination of control and power in a comfortable 100-inch frame. It’s known for being very arm friendly for people with tennis elbow. Intermediate players will find they can hit with good spin and control with this racquet while improving their game.
Read our full Wilson Clash Review.
Specifications
- Head Size: 100 sq. in.
- Strung Weight: 11 oz.
- Length: 27 in.
- String Pattern: 16×19
Prince Ripstick 100
- Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate
- Where It Excels: Easy to swing & generate spin.
- What It Lacks: Not great control or stability against fast paced balls.
The Ripstick is one of the best tennis racquets for spin. The open string pattern (16×18) helps beginners and intermediate players learn topspin. This racquet has an easy-to-swing frame with O-Ports that improve racquet head speed. You’ll generate easy power on groundstrokes and serves.
Read our full Prince Ripstick Review.
Specifications
- Head Size: 100 sq. in.
- Strung Weight: 11.2 oz.
- Length: 27 in.
- String Pattern: 16×18
Head Boom MP
- Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate
- Where It Excels: Power, spin, maneuverability, & comfort. This is a balanced racquet for high-level beginner to high-level intermediate players.
- What It Lacks: Stability on volleys & returning fast serves.
The Head Boom is a new racquet that is built for the modern club tennis player. It has a very comfortable 100-inch frame that is easy to swing. You’ll create plenty of power and spin from the baseline. The lightweight handling lets you move around the court with ease and it adds MPH to your serve as well.
Read our full Head Boom Review.
Specifications
- Head Size: 100 sq. in.
- Strung Weight: 11.1 oz.
- Length: 27 in.
- String Pattern: 16×19
Prince ATS Textreme Tour 98
- Skill Level: Intermediate to Advanced
- Where It Excels: Good control & very spin-friendly for a high-level racquet.
- What It Lacks: It doesn’t provide much pop.
The Prince ATS Textreme Tour 98 is a modern racquet that provides excellent control. This 98 square inch version provides a little more power than the Tour 95, making it a more balanced racquet. It has good spin potential, stability, and is very arm-friendly for an advanced racquet.
Read our full Prince Tour Review.
Specifications
- Head Size: 98 sq. in.
- Strung Weight: 11.4 oz.
- Length: 27 in.
- String Pattern: 16×19
Wilson Pro Staff v13
- Skill Level: Advanced
- Where It Excels: Precise feel & control. Great stability against pace as well.
- What It Lacks: Heavier racquet that is more difficult to maneuver.
The Pro Staff is designed with and used by Roger Federer. This advanced racquet has a comfortable, stable, 97 square inch frame with an open 16×19 string pattern which helps increase power and spin. This is one of the best tennis racquets for advanced players on the market. It handles pace well and offers unmatched feel on volleys and slice shots.
Read our full Wilson Pro Staff Review.
Specifications
- Head Size: 97 sq. in.
- Strung Weight: 11.7 oz.
- Length: 27 in.
- String Pattern: 16×19
Yonex Ezone 100
- Skill Level: Intermediate to Advanced
- Where It Excels: Great combination of power & feel.
- What It Lacks: Not great stability for an advanced racquet resulting in loss of control on some volleys.
Yonex is a fast growing tennis brand that makes some of the best racquets in the world. The Ezone is a well balanced racquet built with great power, comfort, and feel. It has a 100 square inch frame and open string pattern for plenty of spin as well. Any player who wants controlled power from the baseline will like this racquet.
Read our full Yonex Ezone Review.
Specifications
- Head Size: 100 sq. in.
- Strung Weight: 11.2 oz.
- Length: 27 in.
- String Pattern: 16×19
Babolat Pure Aero
- Skill Level: Intermediate & Advanced
- Where It Excels: Maximum spin plus good power.
- What It Lacks: Control & stability when defending against pace.
Used by Rafael Nadal, the Babolat Pure Aero is an offensive weapon. It will help you generate tons of spin and power on both groundstrokes and serves. If you get an approach shot, for example, this racquet is what you’ll want in your hands. It’s a great racquet for intermediate and advanced tennis players who play with aggression.
Read our full Babolat Pure Aero Review.
Specifications
- Head Size: 100 sq. in.
- Strung Weight: 11.2 oz.
- Length: 27 in.
- String Pattern: 16×19
Head Extreme MP
- Skill Level: Any Skill Level
- Where It Excels: Power, spin, & easy to maneuver.
- What It Lacks: Not great for control or volleys.
The Extreme is a great racquet for most players. Beginners will enjoy the power level and large sweet spot. Intermediate players can use this racquet to develop their topspin and slice skills. Advanced players will be able to control the point with aggressive strokes and add power to their serve.
Read our full Head Extreme Review.
Specifications
- Head Size: 100 sq. in.
- Strung Weight: 11.2 oz.
- Length: 27 in.
- String Pattern: 16×19
Yonex VCORE Pro 97H 330
- Skill Level: Advanced
- Where It Excels: Stability & precise feel.
- What It Lacks: Maneuverability. This is a heavy tennis racquet.
This advanced tennis racquet is great for athletic, physically strong players who can swing fast. The heavy weight of this racquet helps generate power and increases stability on volleys and returns. The 16×19 string pattern adds even more power and spin, while the 97 square inch Yonex frame improves comfort.
Read our full Yonex Vcore Pro Review.
Specifications
- Head Size: 97 sq. in.
- Strung Weight: 12.3 oz.
- Length: 27 in.
- String Pattern: 16×19
Head Radical Pro
- Skill Level: High-Level Intermediate to Advanced
- Where It Excels: Excellent blend of control, feel, maneuverability, and power.
- What It Lacks: There aren’t any weaknesses with this racquet, but no obvious strengths either.
The Radical Pro is a very well-balanced tennis racquet for modern power baseline players. It is easy to swing, helping you generate good racquet head speed, power, and spin. It also has Head’s Graphene 360+ technology which adds comfort and feel to the frame. It’s one of my personal favorite racquets for rallying from the baseline.
Read our full Head Radical Review.
Specifications
- Head Size: 98 sq. in.
- Strung Weight: 11.7 oz.
- Length: 27 in.
- String Pattern: 16×19
Wilson Blade 98 v8 16×19
- Skill Level: Intermediate & Advanced
- Where It Excels: One of the most comfortable advanced racquets on the market.
- What It Lacks: Not great for generating power.
The Blade is one of the most popular racquets in the world. This version of the Blade is a very comfortable, arm-friendly racquet. It has good stability for its weight and helps you control both groundstrokes and volleys with a combination of spin and precise feel. This racquet is great for players who can generate their own power, but want something easy on the body.
Read our full Wilson Blade Review.
Specifications
- Head Size: 98 sq. in.
- Strung Weight: 11.3 oz.
- Length: 27 in.
- String Pattern: 16×19
Head Speed Pro
- Skill Level: Advanced
- Where It Excels: Well-balanced racquet with good control & feel with decent power.
- What It Lacks: Doesn’t excel in any one area.
Used by Novak Djokovic, this is an all-around excellent racquet for high-level players. The 100 square-inch frame offers good power, while the tight 18×20 string pattern helps players with control and feel. The stable frame makes it a good racquet for both offensive and defensive shots. The Head Speed Pro is a great racquet for all court players. This is also the racquet I personally use.
Read our full Head Speed Review.
Specifications
- Head Size: 100 sq. in.
- Strung Weight: 11.6 oz.
- Length: 27 in.
- String Pattern: 18×20
What to Consider When Choosing a Tennis Racquet
You may not even know where to start or what questions to ask when looking for a new racquet. First, you need to decide your skill level.
What is your skill level?
Put yourself into one of these three categories.
- Beginner: I’m just starting to learn tennis.
- Intermediate: I used to play tennis or started playing recently and want to keep improving.
- Advanced: I play regularly and control shots with placement, spin, and power.
After you know your skill level, you’ll want to consider your overall goals, athletic ability or hand-eye coordination, and budget.
Consider Your Tennis Goals, Athletic Ability, & Budget
Depending on what you want to achieve, some racquets will be better for you than others.
Your Tennis Goals: Do you want to improve? Or just play for fun?
If you’re serious about improving your tennis game, then you’ll want to invest in the best tennis gear, including a high-quality racquet. You may even consider buying two or more racquets. Most intermediate and advanced players carry at least two racquets with them because they can break the strings during a match.
See our list of the best tennis bags to carry your racquets.
If you just want a reliable racquet to play recreationally a few times per month, then you’ll probably only need one racquet and can choose something a bit cheaper.
How Athletic Ability & Hand-Eye Coordination Determine The Best Racquet for You
- If you’re a beginner, have you played other sports in the past?
- What are your fitness level, mobility, and physical strength?
An older person who isn’t as strong or mobile as they used to be might consider one of the best tennis racquets for power with a larger frame. Someone who is in their 30’s and plays lots of sports can use a more control-oriented racquet, even if they both have the same skill level.
What is your budget?
The best racquets can be well over $200. That price doesn’t make sense for a beginner who isn’t sure if they will keep playing tennis. Think about what budget makes sense for you based on the goals above and your income.
Tennis Racquet Specification Chart
Many tennis racquet brands can confuse you with terms like balance, swingweight, flex rating, and so on. We’ve made it simple for you, with just the most important specifications below.
This chart will give you a high-level idea of what to look for in a tennis racquet.
| 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 |
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Terms to Know When Shopping for Tennis Racquets
When you start shopping for a new racquet, there are many terms that the manufacturers use to help you understand how the racquet will perform on the court. Below, we’ll go over the most important terms to understand, and other common terminology, mostly for advanced players.
Tennis Racquet Terms Everyone Should Know
- Head Size: The head size refers to the part of the racquet that holds the strings together. Head sizes range from as little as 90 square inches, for advanced racquets, up to 115 square inches for beginners.
- Weight: The weight refers to the weight of the racquet. This is often measured without strings in the racquet but is sometimes measured with strings. One of the most popular tennis racquet sellers, Tennis Warehouse, measures the strung weight of each racquet. When comparing, make sure you are consistent.
- Length: The length of tennis racquets is typically 27 inches. Oversized racquets may be up to 28 inches in length which helps add power to your shots.
- String Pattern: String pattern refers to the number of main and cross strings in the racquet. Common string patterns include 16×19, 18×19, and 18×20. The higher the numbers, the closer the strings will be together. This is called a “tight” string pattern and helps players with control and feel. Smaller numbers of mains and crosses make for an “open” string pattern which can help with power and spin.
If you need help deciding which type of string to use, see our list of the best tennis strings. - Grip Size: When you purchase a racquet, you can choose your grip size. These available grip sizes are typically 4 ⅛, 4 ¼, 4 ⅜, 4 ½, & 4 ⅝. You’ll often see them numbered 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. For most players, a 4 ⅜ (#3) grip will do. Depending on your hand size, go up or down an eighth accordingly.
Other Terms for Higher Level Players
Below are other terms you may see, but most players can ignore. These terms are used by highly-advanced players who need to get every detail right.
- Balance: The balance of a racquet refers to how the weight is distributed through the racquet. Some racquets are “head light” meaning there is more weight in the handle. This makes it easier to swing and handle. Head heavy racquets have added stability and power but are more difficult to swing.
- Swingweight: This term refers to the ease with which a player can swing the racquet. It is measured on a scale from 0 to 600. A higher swingweight means the racquet is more difficult to swing. Typically head heavy racquets have a higher swingweight.
- Stiffness (or flex): The stiffness of a racquet refers to how flexible it is. This is on a scale from 0 to 100 with 100 being the stiffest. A stiffer racquet will have increased power and stability but less comfort and feel. Players with elbow tendonitis should consider a less stiff racquet.
- Beam Width: The beam width refers to the racquet frame’s width when looking at it from a profile view. This is usually measured in millimeters. A racquet with a wider beam will typically have increased power while smaller beams will offer better control and feel.
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