Best padel racket for beginners in South Africa
The best padel racket for beginners: which shape, weight and balance to start with, what to look for in a first racket, and what to pay in South Africa.
Someone in the WhatsApp group booked a court for 7am on a Saturday. You went, played on a club racket with a grip that had seen better days, and by the end of the hour you were already checking when the next booking was. Three games later, you're looking at rackets online and wondering why some cost the same as a weekend away.
Padel has taken off in South Africa, with courts going up in most cities and a fair few suburbs, and the racket wall has grown to match. Most of it is built for players who've been at it for years. This guide sticks to the first racket: the shape to start with, the weight and balance that suit a beginner, and what to pay.
The best padel racket for beginners: what to decide first
How often will you play? Once a week socially is different from three times a week with a coach. The more you play, the sooner you'll want a second racket, so the first one needn't be the last word.
Have you played tennis or squash? Racket-sport players often pick up padel faster and can move to a hybrid shape sooner. Complete beginners do best with round.
Any elbow or shoulder niggles? If so, a softer core and a lighter racket matter more than anything else on this list.
Will a partner or family member share it? Then go for the most forgiving racket you can find. It suits more players.
Shape: start with round
Shape decides balance, and balance decides how a racket feels in a beginner's hand. A round racket keeps the weight low, near your hand, with the sweet spot in the middle of the face, where most new players hit. It forgives off-centre shots and goes easy on the arm while you learn to play off the glass. Diamond can wait a year. Our guide to padel racket shapes compared explains how round, teardrop and diamond play.
Babolat, Bullpadel, StarVie, Siux and Adidas all make round rackets for newer players.
Your second racket: teardrop or hybrid
If you've come from tennis or squash, or you're playing a few times a week and already comfortable with the walls, a teardrop (often sold as a hybrid) can be a sensible first racket too. For most players it's the second one, bought once the first has done its job.
What it's made of
The face. Fibreglass faces are softer, more flexible and give the ball a bit of help, which suits beginners. Carbon faces are stiffer and more precise, and the higher the carbon count (you'll see 3K, 12K, 18K), the stiffer and more expensive it tends to get. A mixed face sits in between.
The core. The foam inside is usually EVA, in soft or hard versions. Soft cores are comfortable and give a bit of pop at slower speeds. Hard cores give more control and power at speed but transmit more shock to the arm.
The weight. Most adult rackets sit between about 340 and 380 grams. A beginner's sweet spot is around 345 to 365. Lighter rackets suit smaller players and sore arms. Heavier rackets give more power and stability but tire you out over a long match.
| Level | What to look for | Price band |
|---|---|---|
| Beginner | Round, soft core, fibreglass or mixed face | R2,000 to R3,500 |
| Improving club player | Hybrid, carbon or mixed face | R3,500 to R6,000 |
| Advanced | Diamond or hybrid, high-carbon face | R5,500 to R9,000 |
Where the deals are
Padel rackets are refreshed every year, often with a new year printed on the model name, and last year's version is regularly marked down when the new one lands. That's where a lot of value sits for a first racket, because the changes are usually small. Padel listings also tend to carry very big "was" prices, sometimes with half the price crossed out, so compare the sale price with the same racket at another shop before you trust the percentage.
The Padel Shop ranks live padel deals from the shops we track by REALRANK™. It reads six things: how deep the discount is, how much it saves in rand, how the price compares to other shops, whether the brand is one people search for, how recently the price dropped, and whether it's in stock across sizes.
Before you pay
Try before you buy where you can. Many clubs and padel shops have demo rackets, and an hour with one tells you more than any description. Check the returns policy before you buy, because at the time of review one specialist shop lists rackets as non-returnable and handles an opened racket only under warranty. Buy a few overgrips and a frame protector with it, and keep the receipt for the warranty. Shoes come next, and our guide to padel shoes or tennis shoes covers the grip question.
Before you buy, Check The Deal. Shop great padel deals, verified and ranked by REALRANK™.
Frequently asked questions
What padel racket shape is best for beginners?
Round. The low balance and central sweet spot give more control and forgiveness while you learn the game and the walls.
How much should I spend on my first padel racket?
Enough for a decent round racket from an established brand, not a pro model. Last year's version of a good beginner racket is often the best value.
Is a carbon padel racket better?
Carbon is stiffer and more precise, which suits experienced players. Fibreglass is softer and more forgiving, which suits beginners.
What weight padel racket should I buy?
Most beginners do well between about 345 and 365 grams. Go lighter for a sore arm or a smaller frame.
Where are the best padel racket deals in South Africa?
The Padel Shop on THE REAL DEAL ranks live padel deals from the shops we track by REALRANK™.
Sources
- PadelGear, rackets listing with shape and price (price bands), read 21 October 2026
- Padel Deals, rackets and shoes listing (price bands, shape filter), read 21 October 2026
- PadelGear refund policy, read 21 October 2026
Written by Dean. Reviewed 27 October 2026. Price bands are for a decent option at full price, rounded, and change; the live deals show today's prices. Some links earn THE REAL DEAL a commission. Placement buys visibility, it never touches REALRANK™.