Counter Vertuo 2.6 2026 Padel Racket

The most forgiving racket Babolat make in this range — a round head built for players who win points by not losing them.

How it actually plays. Independent testing scores it 8.2/10 with a clearly defensive profile: comfort 8.5, maneuverability 8.3, sweet spot 8.2, control 8.1, spin 7.0, power 6.2. The reviewer put it plainly — power at 6.2 is the lowest parameter and the honest core of this racket's identity. It will not manufacture pace for you. Attackers were explicitly told to look elsewhere, and we'd repeat that.

Where it wins. Round is the most forgiving shape in padel: the sweet spot sits over the middle of the face and the mass sits closer to your hand, so mishits are survivable and the racket is quick to move. Combine that with a 265mm mid-low balance and you get a frame that keeps working when your legs have gone. If your game is redirecting pace, holding the back glass and waiting for the mistake, this is built for you.

On comfort. Flagged arm-friendly, and comfort is its single highest measured parameter at 8.5/10. The Black EVA core is soft, the face is soft fibreglass rather than carbon, and Babolat's Vibrabsorb system uses SMAC elastomers through the frame to damp vibration. Independent testing specifically calls it out as suitable for players with arm concerns. No racket is a treatment, but the construction argument here is real.

Who it's not for. Anyone expecting the Viper's punch in a cheaper frame. This is a different racket for a different job, and buying it as a budget Viper will disappoint you.

Specifications from the manufacturer, verified 2026-09-02. Play characteristics and ratings summarised from an independent published test, not from manufacturer marketing copy. Manufacturer weights vary by around ±10g on every brand.