For you to play tennis well, there are several factors you need to take into account so that once you’re on the court you can play your best game. Some players will tell you it’s your footwork, while others will say it’s having a good technique, but they also talk about your sports equipment.
This will be very important because you can’t compare hitting the ball with a racket that is poor quality and one that is of high quality. To help you improve your game and destroy your opponent, you need to compare some of the best budget tennis rackets that will not make you break your bank. However, deciding on which tennis racket suits you involves many factors like its weight, string strength, core material, control, and power. Having a strong racket can make a huge difference in your training and conditioning.
Factors to consider when choosing a budget tennis racket
Open or closed string pattern
Both types of string patterns have their own pros and cons and it’s very important that you don’t overlook this factor.
Open string pattern: A racket with such a string pattern has fewer strings crisscrossing each other. It’s a more open and more flexible string pattern that has more spaces between the strings which are ideal for spinning control. This is the best racket if you want to spin the ball as it gives you more power when it comes in contact with the ball. Since it’s more flexible, you can mold it to play with it so that it gives you plenty of force and spin to move forward. However, the wide spacing isn’t ideal for making aggressive shots and its flexibility can also make the strings snap after using them for a while.
Closed string pattern: The strings in this pattern are more crisscrossed which gives you better directional control and stability. Although such a racket doesn’t give you more power, it’s better suited for control. Such a racket doesn’t focus on performance but durability. The tight space between the strings makes such a racket more rugged, effective, and long-lasting which is the ideal racket for beginners, intermediates, and professional players.
String material
Natural gut strings: When choosing different types of strings for your racket you should consider natural gut strings which are unusual in their construction because they’re made from the gut of a cow. Tennis rackets with such strings are the most effective and durable that is even used by professional players.
They give you enhanced control, feel, and elasticity than any other material does and they increase force, flexibility, and spin. However, they can snap or break after daily or heavy use, they can be a bit expensive than synthetic strings, and they can get damaged by water or moisture because they’re not moisture resistant.
Synthetic strings: These are versatile and efficient and they’re more durable and heavy-duty than natural strings. Synthetic strings like polyester, nylon, and Kevlar are affordable and you can use them for a long time. They’re more appealing for competitive playing because of their enhanced durability.
Polyester strings are ideal if you want to improve power and feel for your performance. They have a softer feel than nylon and are superior when it comes to resistance and performance. These strings are better for competitions, but not good for a recovering tennis player.
Nylon strings are very popular and durable, but they aren’t made with the nylon that makes clothes. This nylon is made with high-quality fibers for better grip and durability.
Kevlar strings are a better choice for most players. They’re the strongest and most aggressive strings you can find and they’re the best for quick transition and power. These strings are designed for aggressive players.
Grip size
The size of your hand will determine the grip size of your tennis racket and most people don’t know the different hand sizes which makes it difficult to find your ideal grip size. Modern rackets come with a standard grip size chart that you can use to find the right racket that fits your hands. The racket should be comfortable to hold and play for a long time. It shouldn’t cause any injuries or irritation to your wrist or buildup of sweat or moisture. Keep in mind if you get a tight tennis racket it can cause fatigue, sweating in your wrist, elbow, hand, and forearm, or severe injuries. However, if the grip is loose, it can affect your wrist movements making it hard to spin and make hard shots.
Pricing
Different racket brands offer the same sized and weighted rackets with varying features and prices. How much you spend on a racket will depend on how often you’re going to be using it. It’s best to start with a cheap racket and later upgrade as you improve your skills. A racket in the $50-$150 price range may not fully comprise of graphite or come with dampening features but is ideal if you plat a couple of days a week. If you’re a more serious and frequent player you can get a racket with a price range of above $150 depending on your budget.
Weight
A tennis racket can be lightweight, medium, or heavy. A lightweight racket swings faster with less force on your part which is good for spinners, while a medium racket has a good balance of power and control, but a heavy racket has more power, balance, and control which is perfect for advanced players. If you get a racket that is too light most of the shock impact from the ball will be transmitted to your hand. If you have a strong hand, it’s better to get a racket that weighs about 14 ounces or more, but for a beginner 10 or 11.5 ounces will not be too heavy and even most players stay in this weight range for throughout their development.
The best budget tennis rackets
Wilson hyper hammer 5.3 strung
This is a lightweight racket that has a fast feel and easy movement which makes it perfect for a beginner in the game. Its fast feel and maneuverability in your arm give you the hype power to blast the ball over the court. It’s a very affordable racket that has a balanced blend of power and speed. It has a 110 sq inch head which gives you plenty of room to hit the sweet spot and you get power as you return the ball. This 27.5-inch racket is perfect for a compact swing while the balanced head gives you solid control of your return power and accuracy.
A combination of the 16×20 string pattern and the massive head size is the perfect racket if you’re looking to hit powerful shots. The best part about this racket is that it doesn’t put a strain on your muscles because it weighs only 9 ounces which is not as heavy as its other counterparts. Its oversized head will give you enough space to return any tough shots or hard serves that come your way.
Pros
- A great racket with awesome power
- An ideal racket for beginners and intermediate players
- A lightweight, strong, responsive, and forgiving racket
- You use very little effort to give you powerful and well-placed serves
Cons
- Not suitable for advanced players
Verdict
If you’re looking for a racket that will give you more power and control to help you hit more solid balls, this is the ideal racket for you.
Head speed kids junior racket
This is a kids racket for children ages 2-8 years and above. It gives your kid a solid start to his/her first tennis practice session. It’s made with an aluminum o-beam that is both durable and lightweight. This youth tennis racket has a headlight balance that helps to improve its stability and reduce the vibrations on kid’s hands when they hit the ball. It has a 16×19 string pattern and a 107 sq inch head. This racket is designed for young children who are just starting to familiarize themselves with the game. The tightly taped handle should prevent the racket from slipping out of your kid’s hand. It measures 25 inches which are about the right size for small and young players and the 7.4 ounces of weight will not tire your child’s hands and arms.
Pros
- The perfect size racket for kids interested in playing tennis
- A lightweight racket that is ideal for a beginner
- Has a nice grip
- Well-constructed and durable
Cons
- The racket can be too stiff
Verdict
This is an excellent racket for young kids who are interested in playing tennis. It’s lightweight with a tight grip so your child won’t have problems holding the racket.
Street tennis club tennis racket
This is the ideal racket for kids who are eager to learn how to play tennis and improve their skills. It’s designed in a variety of sizes from 17-21 inches to help young beginners have fun with their friends and still learn how to play. The height of your child will help you decide the length of the racket you should buy. It’s made with quality aluminum that makes the racket durable and still lightweight which helps your kid to easily control their strokes. It has a thick string gauge that allows for better contact with the ball while the grip is designed for small hands. This tennis racket has a sleek look that your little one will be happy with and have fun on the court.
Pros
- A lightweight racket for kids
- It has a good grip for small hands
- It’s sturdy and well-built
- The strings are thick and last long
Cons
- It’s a bit expensive
Verdict
A great racket for young kids to help them have fun and learn how to play tennis on the court at the same time. It’s made with durable and lightweight material so it won’t get damaged easily.
Babolat Nadal 25 junior
This racket is specially designed for young children ages 9 and 10 years to allow them to have fun while getting to know how to play tennis. This 25-inch tennis racket has been named after Rafael Nadal to motivate young players to be just like their idols or role models in this sport. It has a simple design with a black body and lime green stripes. The 105 sq inch head size has highlighted strings so that your child can find the sweet spot easily. The aluminum and graphite construction makes the racket strong while at the same time lightweight so that your child’s arm doesn’t tire easily. This racket weighs a mere 8.5 ounces so your young ones won’t have a problem handling the racket. The grip size is small enough to fit small hands and to allow for a firm grip.
Pros
- This racket has a nice color and design
- The string pattern adds power to your kid’s stroke
- The tightly taped grip provides your child with a firm grip
- The aluminum construction is durable and strong
Cons
- The strings are strung a bit loose
Verdict
A junior-sized racket for kids between the ages of 9 and 10 years old who aspire to one day be pros in tennis. It helps to improve your child’s performance and skills while having fun.
Head graphene touch speed pro
Speed pro is a racket recommended by Novak and perfect for advanced players who are looking for more power in their spin. It has a very beautiful and attractive design that you will love and made with quality materials that ensure it lasts longer and can withstand a more aggressive game. The upper body has a navy blue color while the lower body has a light blue color. The base has a white grip with an elongated handle with a length of 27.0 inches that allows you to grab the racket with both hands to make stronger shots. It weighs about 340 gms which can be a bit heavy for beginners and the length of the handle means you have to hold the racket further from your body while hitting the ball.
Pros
- The racket comes already strung
- A solid racket that delivers more power with each hit
- An attractive racket with a beautiful design
Cons
- Not suitable for beginners
Verdict
The perfect tennis racket if you want to improve your performance and are looking for a racket that will add power to your spin.
Wilson tour slam lite
This is a very budget-friendly tennis racket that doesn’t compromise on your comfort and safety and you still get the power in each hit. It has a massive 112 sq inch head size and a string pattern of 16×19 that will provide you with both comfort and power. If you’re a beginner this racket is perfect for you because it has a large hitting area which ensures you still perform well even your contact is less than perfect. It has a length of 27.5 inches which allows you to hit the ball with good speed to produce a good amount of power and spin. The handle has stop shock sleeves that help to absorb the impact of the ball and reduce vibrations.
Pros
- A lightweight racket for beginners
- The large surface area makes it easier to hit the ball
- A solid and cheap racket
Cons
- The handle grip is a bit flimsy
Verdict
A great racket for beginners who want some power in your spin and it’s safe to use on the court. It gives you a comfortable, lightweight feel.
Conclusion
The goal of buying the best budget tennis racket is to look for one that is valuable, effective, and durable. Also, base your choice of racket on your skill level that will provide better conditioning and help you feel stronger while training. Wilson hyper hammer 5.3 strung is a perfect example of an affordable lightweight racket that has a good blend of power and control to help you in your game.
Hi, my name is Leornard!
My love for sports started way back when I was in middle school. I participated in track field and tennis. Some of my greatest and proudest accomplishments during that time were playing against other schools in the state. When I college, I took up tennis as a fun sport or exercise due to my limited time but I still had passion in the sports. Now, I keep up with tennis as a hobby and for my health but my passion for the sports still run deep. I am interested in the highs and lows of tennis and that is why TennisWearguide exists.
