NOX Ventus Hybrid 12K Lite 2027 Padel Racket

The lightest racket in the Ventus line. A teardrop at 350–360g with the same firm, layered MLD core and 12K carbon face as its heavier siblings — the shape that suits the widest range of players, made quicker in the hand.

How it plays. Fast. Padelful rate it the quickest Ventus at the net, with precise volleys and very high manoeuvrability, and a medium balance that lets you attack and defend without changing your game. The honest limits from the same review: smash power is limited, the response is on the firm side, and there is less rebound from deep defence than a softer racket would give. Despite the "Lite" name, this is not a soft racket — NOX rate the feel medium-hard.

What's new for 2027. About 5g lighter than the 2026 version (350–360g, down from 355–365g). It also gains NOX's VCS anti-vibration layer bonded inside the handle (NOX claim up to 56% less impact reaching the wrist than the previous generation) and Weight Balance — 2g and 4g weights that let you add up to 8g if you want more head weight, new to the Ventus line this year. Shape, core and face are unchanged.

Where it sits. Edu Alonso's Ventus Hybrid 12K Xtrem is the full-weight Ventus teardrop, with a 12K Xtrem face, and Aránzazu Osoro's Ventus Control 12K puts the same core and face on a round head. In stock now, the NOX NextGen Pro Hybrid 12K is a 12K teardrop on the same MLD core, and the Babolat Air Vertuo 2.6 is a light, softer teardrop.

Is this the racket for you?

• Yes if you want a carbon all-rounder but find 365g-plus rackets tiring, you live at the net, or you are stepping up from fibreglass and want speed before power.
• No if comfort is the priority: the softer-cored Genius 12K Xtrem Lite is the gentler option.

Specifications from NOX's 2027 product page and the catalogue supplied by the Australian distributor, checked 9 Oct 2026; some retailers still list the older 355–365g figure. Manufacturer weights vary by around ±5–10g. Photos supplied by NOX. Ratings are quoted from the sites named; we have not court-tested this frame ourselves. Sources: NOX · Padelful.