For a first racket, look for a round or hybrid head, a soft core, a weight at or under 365g and a fibreglass or soft graphite face. Expect to spend between $130 and $250. Anything above that is buying performance you cannot yet use.
How we chose
This is a selection method, not a leaderboard. We have not play-tested these frames, and we will say so plainly rather than dress up a spec sheet as a review. Every racket below is in our range and meets these criteria, taken from the manufacturer's published specification:
- a round, teardrop or hybrid head, for a large, low sweet spot
- a soft or medium core, for comfort and forgiveness
- a weight at or below 365g, so a two-hour session doesn't hurt
- a price around $250 or under, because a first racket should not be an investment decision
Where a frame misses one of those criteria, we've said which one.
The beginner rackets we stock right now
Prices, RRP and stock on these cards are live from our shelf. If one disappears, it has sold through.
- Dunlop FX Start — the cheapest way into a real brand's racket. Hybrid head, 360g, medium balance, a soft graphite face over the same Pro-EVA core as Dunlop's flagship. If you are not yet sure padel is your sport, start here.
- Babolat Counter Origin — round head, fibreglass face, even balance. The one we hand to most first-timers who know they'll keep playing.
- Babolat Air Origin — the lighter, quicker sibling at roughly 345g with a low balance. Better for smaller hands and anyone who wants pace at the net over free power.
- Babolat Counter Vertuo — a dollar over our $250 line, and the one to pick if you want a round racket that will still feel right in year two.
See every beginner-suitable racket →
What to spend
Between $130 and $250. That band buys a genuinely good frame from a real brand with a real warranty.
Spending more does not make a first racket better. It makes it stiffer, heavier and less forgiving, because that is what the extra money buys in this sport. The premium frames are premium for advanced players. Buy your second racket well, once you know whether you're a control player or an attacker — that is the purchase worth saving for.
What actually matters in your first year
Consistency. Getting the ball back, off the glass, at the right height, again and again. Every one of the criteria above serves that, and none of them are things a marketing page leads with.
What doesn't matter yet: carbon weave, surface texture, profile thickness, which professional endorses it. You will not be able to feel the difference between 3K and 18K carbon for at least a year, and possibly ever. That is not a criticism — most club players can't, and it doesn't affect how much they enjoy the game.
Two things to buy at the same time
An overgrip. The grip your racket ships with is a base grip. Almost every player wraps an overgrip on top for feel and sweat management, and they are consumable — replace them every few weeks. In Australian humidity, a perforated overgrip is worth the extra dollar.
A frame protector. An adhesive strip along the top edge of the head. Padel is played against glass and mesh, and you will scrape the frame — everybody does. A protector costs about as much as a can of balls and is the difference between a scuffed racket and a cracked one. It is the single best-value item in the shop.
One thing you don't need yet
A paletero. A full padel bag holds six rackets and is designed for people who own six rackets. A backpack or a simple cover protects the frame in a normal sports bag for a fraction of the price.
Let the finder narrow it down
Answer five questions and we'll rank the range against your level, playing style, arm comfort, preferred feel and budget.
Written by the Australian Padel Shop team and last reviewed on 12 September 2026. Prices on this page are pulled live from our catalogue. We publish the manufacturer's specification for every product and record where and when we checked it. Where we haven't tested something ourselves, we say so.