Question 1

Is the app really free?

Accepted Answer

Yes — taking the quiz and getting your four picks is free, with no sign-up wall and no paywall to see your rackets. The one paid part is reruns: each time you retake the quiz for a fresh set of picks, we run a new AI analysis, and that isn't free for us — so a rerun is a small in-app purchase, or you can earn one by inviting a friend. Your first set of picks is always free.

Question 2

How does the recommendation work?

Accepted Answer

You get four rackets, each with the reason it fits you — not a ranking to decode. You answer 12 quick questions about how you play, what you value, and your budget; that takes about two minutes. Then give us three to four minutes while we read your answers against our library, check live stock at trusted shops, and write up why each pick suits your game and your arm.

Question 3

How does What The Padel help me find a racket?

Accepted Answer

What The Padel finds your racket four ways, so pick whichever suits you: • Take the quiz. 12 quick questions, about two minutes, and we match you four rackets with the reason each one fits your game. • Read a guide. Our ranked picks for a category, like beginners or left-side players, with the why behind each. • Read a review. One racket examined in full, including who should skip it. • Browse the library (coming soon). All 800+ rackets we track in one place, so you can find yours yourself. Whichever route you take, you get a live price from a shop we trust.

Question 4

Are your recommendations independent, and how do you make money?

Accepted Answer

Yes — our picks are independent, because we hold no stock and we're not a shop, so your result can't be steered toward a shelf we need to clear. We never take payment to rank one racket above another. The racket we pick for you is chosen only from what fits your game — never from what pays us.

Question 5

Do you sell the rackets?

Accepted Answer

No — we're not a shop and we don't hold any stock. We match you to rackets, then link you to trusted retailers with live prices so you buy directly from them. Because we sell nothing ourselves, the pick is about your game, not our inventory.

Question 6

How do I choose a padel racket?

Accepted Answer

Start with three things — shape, weight, and how firm the core is — then match them to your level and your arm, not to what a pro plays. A round head with a softer core is forgiving and easy on the arm, good for starting out or a tender elbow; a teardrop or diamond head with a firmer core hits harder but wants cleaner timing. Not sure how it adds up for you? The free 12-question quiz reads your level, style, and budget, then matches you four rackets with the reason for each.

Question 7

What padel racket should a beginner buy?

Accepted Answer

For your first racket, look for a round head, a soft core, and a weight around 355 to 365 grams — forgiving, easy on the arm, and quick at the net. A round shape keeps the sweet spot where beginners actually hit, and a soft core absorbs mishits instead of punishing them. Skip the diamond-shaped power rackets the pros use; they're stiff and unforgiving until your technique catches up. Around €80 to €120 gets you a real EVA-core racket you won't outgrow in a month.

Question 8

Round, teardrop, or diamond: which racket shape should I get?

Accepted Answer

The shape decides where the power and the sweet spot sit: round is control and forgiveness, diamond is power, teardrop is the middle. A round head keeps the weight low and central for the biggest sweet spot and the easiest control, which is where nearly every beginner should start. A diamond head moves weight to the tip for maximum smash power, but the sweet spot shrinks and it demands clean technique. A teardrop splits the difference.

Question 9

What's the best padel racket for a sore arm or shoulder?

Accepted Answer

If your arm, elbow, or shoulder flares up, look for a round head, a soft EVA core, and a lighter frame around 350 to 360 grams — the combination that's gentlest on the joint. A soft core flexes on contact and sends less shock up the handle, and a lighter round racket is easier to swing without straining the elbow or shoulder. Stiff, head-heavy diamond rackets transmit the most vibration, so they're the ones to avoid; some frames also add anti-vibration tech in the handle, which helps.

Question 10

Should I get a control or a power racket?

Accepted Answer

Choose control if you're still building technique or you play a patient, placement game; choose power if your technique is clean and you finish at the net. Control rackets (round head, softer core, even balance) keep the ball in play and forgive mishits — the safer choice for most players, because power you can't aim is just errors. Power rackets (diamond head, firm core, high balance) reward players who already generate their own speed. If you're unsure, control is almost always the right first answer.

Question 11

How heavy should my padel racket be?

Accepted Answer

Most players do best between about 355 and 370 grams — light enough to react at the net, heavy enough to carry power. Lighter frames (350 to 360g) are easier on the arm and quicker in the hand, which suits beginners and anyone protecting an elbow. Heavier frames (365 to 375g) add punch on the smash but tire your arm and slow your reactions. Weight also depends on balance: the same grams feel heavier in a head-heavy diamond than in an even round.

Question 12

How often should I replace a padel racket?

Accepted Answer

Most rackets last one to three years, depending on how hard and how often you play. A casual player hitting once or twice a week can get well over a year from a frame; someone playing four or five times a week may wear one out in a few months. Replace it when you feel the signs rather than watching the calendar: a dull, dead feel on contact, new vibration through the handle, lost power, or any crack in the frame or face.

Question 13

Is an expensive padel racket worth it?

Accepted Answer

Not always — a well-matched €100 racket often beats a pricier frame that fights your game, especially while your technique is still settling. Expensive rackets add stiffer carbon, sharper feedback, and more power, which rewards players who already time the ball cleanly and know what they want more of. Below that, brand matters less than fit: the same shape and core feel similar across brands. We don't score or rank rackets on hype — we only show live prices from vetted shops, so you're comparing real, in-stock offers whatever your budget.

Stop playing with the wrong padel racket. 🎾

Read the full breakdown

Top 10 Rackets for Women

Top 10 Rackets for Beginners

Top 10 Rackets for Intermediate

Top 10 Rackets for Tennis Elbow

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