Best Beginner Tennis Rackets: How to Choose the Right One
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Choosing a good beginner tennis racket is one of the most important decisions a new player makes. The right racket makes the game easier, more enjoyable, and helps you improve faster. The wrong one creates bad habits and makes tennis harder than it needs to be. This guide covers everything you need to know to choose the best starter tennis racket for your level.
What Makes a Good Beginner Tennis Racket?
A good beginner tennis racket has four key characteristics: a large head size, a light weight, a longer length, and a head-heavy or even balance. These features maximise power and forgiveness — the two things beginners need most.
Head Size: Bigger Is Better for Beginners
Head size is measured in square inches. A larger head size means a larger sweet spot — the area of the strings that produces the best contact. For beginners, a larger sweet spot means more consistent shots even when your timing is slightly off.
| Head Size | Category | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| 85–97 sq in | Midsize | Advanced players |
| 98–104 sq in | Mid-plus | Intermediate players |
| 105–115 sq in | Oversize | ✅ Beginners |
| 116+ sq in | Super oversize | Beginners / seniors |
Recommendation for beginners: 105–115 sq in. This gives you a large sweet spot without sacrificing too much control.
Weight: Lighter Is Easier to Swing
Racket weight affects how easy it is to swing and how much power you generate. Heavier rackets produce more power but require more strength and technique. Lighter rackets are easier to swing but can feel unstable on fast balls.
| Weight (unstrung) | Category | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Under 255g (9 oz) | Ultralight | ✅ Beginners, juniors, seniors |
| 255–285g (9–10 oz) | Light | ✅ Beginners to intermediate |
| 285–310g (10–11 oz) | Medium | Intermediate players |
| 310g+ (11 oz+) | Heavy | Advanced players |
Recommendation for beginners: 255–285g (9–10 oz). Light enough to swing freely, heavy enough to feel stable.
Length: Standard vs Extended
Standard adult tennis rackets are 27 inches long. Extended length rackets (27.5–29 inches) give more reach and leverage on serves but are slightly harder to manoeuvre.
Recommendation for beginners: Standard 27 inches. Extended length rackets are better suited to intermediate and advanced players who want more serve power.
Balance: Head-Heavy vs Head-Light
Balance describes where the weight is distributed in the racket. Head-heavy rackets feel heavier and produce more power. Head-light rackets feel lighter and are easier to manoeuvre at the net.
- Head-heavy: More power, better for beginners who struggle to generate pace
- Even balance: Good all-round option for beginners
- Head-light: Better for advanced players who generate their own power
Recommendation for beginners: Head-heavy or even balance.
String Pattern: Open vs Dense
String pattern refers to the number of main and cross strings. An open string pattern (16x19) produces more spin. A dense pattern (18x20) produces more control and durability.
Recommendation for beginners: 16x19 open string pattern. More spin helps keep the ball in the court while you're still developing consistency.
What to Avoid as a Beginner
- ❌ Small head size (under 98 sq in) — too small a sweet spot for inconsistent beginners
- ❌ Heavy rackets (over 300g) — too heavy to swing freely without proper technique
- ❌ Pro player rackets — designed for players who generate their own power; punishing for beginners
- ❌ Very cheap unbranded rackets — poor quality frames and strings that won't help you improve
Recommended Beginner Tennis Racket Specs Summary
| Feature | Beginner Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Head size | 105–115 sq in |
| Weight (unstrung) | 255–285g (9–10 oz) |
| Length | 27 inches (standard) |
| Balance | Head-heavy or even |
| String pattern | 16x19 (open) |
| Grip size | L2–L3 (4 1/4"–4 3/8") |
Good Beginner Tennis Racket Brands to Consider
These brands consistently produce quality starter tennis rackets at beginner-friendly price points:
- Wilson — Clash 108, Burn 100 series. Excellent beginner options with large head sizes and forgiving frames.
- Babolat — Pure Drive Lite, Boost series. Lightweight, powerful, and widely used by beginners and club players.
- Head — Ti.S6, MXG series. The Ti.S6 is one of the most popular beginner rackets ever made.
- Prince — Textreme Tour series. Good power and large sweet spots for beginners.
- Tecnifibre — T-Fight series. Quality frames at competitive price points.
Budget: expect to spend €50–€150 for a quality good starter tennis racket. Anything under €30 is likely to be poor quality. Anything over €200 is likely a professional-level racket that won't suit a beginner.
Do I Need to Restring My Beginner Racket?
Most beginner rackets come pre-strung from the factory. Factory strings are adequate to start but are typically low quality. Once you're playing regularly (2+ times per week), consider restringing with a mid-range polyester or multifilament string at around 24–26 kg tension.
A good rule of thumb: restring your racket as many times per year as you play per week. If you play twice a week, restring twice a year.
Tennis Made Easy – Drills, Footwork, Mental Game & Training Guides
Once you have your racket, take your game to the next level with our complete collection of digital training guides.
Shop the Collection →Frequently Asked Questions: Beginner Tennis Rackets
What is a good beginner tennis racket?
A good beginner tennis racket has a large head size (105–115 sq in), light weight (255–285g), standard 27-inch length, and a head-heavy or even balance. These features maximise power and forgiveness while you develop your technique.
How much should I spend on a beginner tennis racket?
Budget €50–€150 for a quality starter racket. Anything under €30 is likely poor quality. Anything over €200 is typically a professional-level racket that won't suit a beginner's needs.
What size tennis racket do I need as a beginner?
Adult beginners should use a standard 27-inch racket with a head size of 105–115 square inches. Children need shorter rackets — 19–21 inches for ages 4–6, 23 inches for ages 7–8, 25 inches for ages 9–10, and 26 inches for ages 11–12.
Is a heavier or lighter tennis racket better for beginners?
Lighter is better for beginners. A racket in the 255–285g range is easy to swing freely and develop proper technique. Heavy rackets (300g+) require strength and technique that beginners haven't yet developed.
What grip size should a beginner use?
Most adult beginners use grip size L2 (4 1/4") or L3 (4 3/8"). To check: hold the racket in an eastern forehand grip — there should be a small gap between your fingertips and your palm. If your fingers touch your palm, go up a size.
