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Racquetball games are intense, and a small mistake can cost you. Your aim is to paralyze your competitor. That needs skill, speed, and of course, the right racket.
The best racquetball racquet gives you control.
How?
The best racquets for racquetball let you effortlessly generate bashful smashes and effortless swings.
But how do you find the best racquetball racquets?
This article presents the 10 best racquetball rackets for players of all levels. We gathered them based on their unique features and enhancements that give players an edge over their opponents. Check them out, but first:
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What is a Racquetball Racquet
A racquetball racquet is an equipment used to play racquetball. The racquet is used to hit the racquetball. Although the racquetball racquet is similar to a tennis ball racket, it is much more dynamic.
The only difference is that the racquetball racket’s head is shorter, usually 22 inches. The shorter head is due to the small racquetball court size. Also, it is essential in reducing the reaction time.
Note that both tennis and racquetball racquets are head-heavy and even-balanced. The head-heavy racquetball racquets require that players use more power.
What is Racquetball Racquet made of
Currently, the best quality racquetball racquet is designed from graphite and titanium. These versatile materials give racquetball racquets a unique balance of several aspects.
Racquetball Racquet Weights: How It Differs
Weight determines how to locate the best racquet for racquetball as it affects maneuverability, control, and power.
The weights are:
- >165g Racquets: These are fast-swinging racquets, courtesy of their lightweight nature. They offer maximum maneuverability but little power. They aren’t the best option for players with shoulder or arm injuries. But if you can generate enough power, you can use them.
- 165-185g Racquets: These racquets offer a moderate swing and are considered the best option, as most players use them. However, using them requires a little additional response, but they have a perfect balance of power and control.
- 185+g Racquets: These are heavy-weight racquets; thus, they offer a slow swing. Their biggest advantage is that they provide power and control. However, their maneuverability is low. That makes them an excellent option for beginner players.
What Weight Racquetball Racquet Should I Use
Each player has a favorite weight. Here is the breakdown:
- Slow swing: These are heavy racquets, and they offer more power but less control and maneuverability. Use this racket if you are new to racquetball. Also, in this category fall the best racquetball racquets for seniors.
- Moderate swing: This category is for the most advanced players. The rackets offer maneuverability, control, and power. The rackets are somewhat heavy.
- Fast swing: These racquets swing pretty quickly, thanks to their light weight. If you want maneuverability, they are the best choice. However, you will need to generate a lot of power to propel the ball. These racquets are the best fit for pro-level players.
From the above, what is the best racquetball racket for you? Well, that depends on your experience level. If you are a novice, use slow swing rackets; but if you know the ropes of the game, try the fast swing or the moderate swing rackets.
10 Best Racquetball Racquet Reviews
Best Racquetball Racquet for Beginners: Head Mx Hurricane Pack
[amazon box=”B087DSLJZZ”]
Any beginner looking for a complete pack at an affordable fee should consider buying the Head Mx Hurricane Pack. The pack features protective eyewear, two balls, and the racket itself. This is everything that a beginner racquetball player needs to get started.
Highlights
Color: | Yellow | |
Grip Type: | SofTac | |
Material: | Metallic-Fiber | |
Suggested users: | Unisex-adult | |
Manufacturer: | HEAD | |
Sport Type: | Racquetball | |
Grip Size: | 3 5/8 inches |
Unique Features
- Head Size: The head is pretty big – at 107-inch/692 cm2, it is a big enough surface area for beginners to miss the ball.
- Stability: HEAD MX Hurricane Pack offers unmatched precision, courtesy of the Dump Plus technology that dampens the shock generated when you hit a ball. Therefore, the shock won’t reach your hands, resulting in precise hits and a better feel.
- Weight: At 190 g, the head MX hurricane is undoubtedly a heavy racquet. The weight offers additional stability and allows more control. Besides, it gives a good bounce –just what beginners need. While the racquet is top-heavy, it is straightforward to use.
- Durability: This racquet should last at least one year with reasonable use.
What Need Improvement
- The wristband is somewhat loose, which might cause the racquet to fly off the hand.
- Durability is wanting
Best Lightweight Racquetball Racquet: Wilson Striker Racquetball Racquet
[amazon box=”B00N4FOZKY”]
While Wilson is a renowned brand in the tennis world, it also has a reputation for making highly functional racquetball racquets. Wilson Striker Racquetball Racquet is created for beginners and comes at quite an affordable price.
However, while it is well-made, this racquet is not as durable as its highly-priced counterparts. That makes it suitable for casual play.
Highlights:
- Color: Red
- Grip Type: SofTac
- Material: Composite
- Suggested Users: Unisex-adult
- Manufacturer: Wilson
- Sport Type: Racquetball
- Grip Size: 3 5/8 inches
Unique Features
- Head Size: The head is pretty big – at 107 square inches/692 cm2; beginner players will not miss the ball.
- Stability: While there is negligible vibration, this racquet firmly stays in your arms. The well-made frame absorbs most of the shock, ensuring that your shots are on target. Remember, when striking the ball, the V-Matric frame hosts extra string bed movement and power.
- Weight: At 205g, the Wilson Striker Racquetball Racquet packs the right weight to help beginners have control over it.
- Durability: The Wilson Striker Racquetball Racquet frame is designed from T6 heat-treated aluminum alloy, making it sturdy. This allows the frame to stand up to abuses of heavy play.
What Need Improvement
- The grip slips off with powerful shots.
- Far apart spaced strings give it a lack of power.
Best Racquetball Racquet for Advanced Player: Head Graphene Radical
[amazon box=”B00L4JUU06″]
The HEAD Graphene Radical swings pretty fast, making it ideal for players with substantial experience in racquetball. Thanks to the Megablast, players get unparalleled power and accuracy.
While each player has a favorite weight, Graphene offers three weights on these advanced racquets. A lightweight weight racket is the best option if you love faster swings. However, it also depends on the power amount you can generate.
Highlights:
- Color: Blue
- Grip Type: Hydrosorb Comfort Black
- Material: Composite
- Suggested Users: Unisex-adult
- Manufacturer: HEAD
- Sport Type: Racquetball
- Grip Size: 3 5/8 inches
Unique Features
- Head Size: The head size varies with the weight of the racquet. Advanced players can do well with a 160-gram racquet with a head size of 106 Square inches and a length of only 22-inch. This gives them better control over the racquet.
- Stability: This racket is well-aligned, courtesy of the optimized weight distribution. Thus, it allows players to have balanced control over their racket while playing. This kind of stability allows faster gaming. Besides, a balance point is stipulated to enable players to have enough control at each weight.
- Weight: You can choose 160g, 170g, or 180g. These are unstrung weights. Adding the weight of the strings and grip can elevate the weight. Choose a weight that you can manage.
- Durability: The proprietary frame is pretty sturdy, ensuring decent durability. Additionally, Had uses proprietary strings, Megablast, which is known to be durable. However, general durability depends on the frequency of use.
What Need Improvement
- The grip might fall off sooner than expected
- Frame is weak
Best Racquetball Racquets Under 100: E-Force Chaos Racquetball Racquet
[amazon box=”B002UDLCP2″]
Previously, this racquet was called the E-Force Gladiator, but has since changed to the E-Force Chaos Racquetball Racquet. It’s not only the name that changed, but the entire racket was revamped to produce a power-packed for anyone needing serious racquetball play. That makes it one of the best-rated racquetball racquets. At 22 inches long and with vibration dampening technology, any player seeking to give their opponents a run on the court should try this racquet.
Highlights:
- Color: Blue
- Grip Type: tape
- Material: Graphite
- Suggested Users: Unisex-adult
- Brand: E-Force
- Sport Type: Racquetball
- Grip Size: 3 15/16
Unique Features
- Head Size: At 107 square inches, this racquet offers enough space for learners to catch the ball. The quadraform provides plenty of space, while the dense string bed enables this racket to deliver a punch of power whenever you swing it in action.
- Stability: The stability of E-force chaos stems from several design elements. First, it features the Zero Richter Tubes, which encloses the main strings. These 84″ of vibration-dampening tubes ensure that no vibrations reach your hands. Secondly, the bypass stringing system that allows skipping after every two holes allows a livelier ball response alongside power.
- Weight: At 190 g, this racket offers enough power and control to beginner racquetball players.
- Durability: The zero Richter tubes are designed from sturdy materials to hold up against abuses encountered in the court. Additionally, the strings are cleverly anchored onto the frame to ensure the integrity of the string bed. Ideally, they are attached to the outside edges and extend to the free space via the string holes, making them sturdy.
What Need Improvement
- Power and control are average
- Can’t take all types of shots
Best Racquetball Racquet for Intermediate Player: Head i.165 Racquetball Racquet
[amazon box=”B004IA8YKG”]
The HEAD Intelligence i.165 Racquet offers power, precision, minimal vibrations, and super maneuverability. This racquet is a show of advanced technology in sports. Therefore will deliver superb performance for players who can handle it well.
Highlights:
- Color: Navy
- Grip Type: SofTac
- Material: Graphite
- Suggested Users: Unisex-adult
- Brand: HEAD
- Sport Type: Racquetball
- Grip Size: 3 5/8 inches
Unique Features
- Head Size: This medium-range racket with a head size of 102 square inches. That makes it suitable for players with the skills to catch the ball quickly.
- Stability: The racket uses Intelligence Technology in the fibers, generating electrical energy that minimizes vibrations by 20%. Besides, the beam design allows for proper balance and easy maneuverability.
- Weight: The Intelligence i.165 Racquet weighs only 165g. This weight, alongside 552mm in length, allows players to manipulate it easily. However, to many players, it is light.
- Durability: Both the frame and the strings are solid. However, the strings tend to lose power. So, when you hit the ball, it has a muffled feel.
What Need Improvement
- Much less spring when you hit the ball
Best Racquetball Racquet for Older Players: Head Mx Fire Racquetball Racquet
[amazon box=”B087DW174P”]
HEAD racquets are brilliant products for beginner to pro-level racquetball players. The MX Fire Racquet is categorized as a beginner racquet, thanks to its beginner-friendly specifications.
Besides retailing at an affordable price, the head size and weight perfectly align with the needs of novice players.
Highlights:
- Color: Navy
- Material: Composite
- Suggested Users: Unisex-adult
- Brand: HEAD
- Sport Type: Racquetball
- Grip Size: 3 5/8 inches
Unique Features
- Head Size: 107 square inches, which offers a larger surface area for players who haven’t mastered the skills of responding to shots.
- Stability: This beginner racquet features Damp Plus technology within its frame and fibers to absorb vibrations from the impact of balls before they travel to your hand. This leads to higher precision and a better feel on your hands.
- Weight: Beginner racquetball players need higher stability and control, a feature well known to HEAD; as such, they created the heaviest racquet, MX Fire. At 190 g (unstrung), the racquet offers enough power and control to newbies. Also, it is one of the best racquetball racquets for seniors.
- Durability: While durability is a crucial factor when you buy a commodity, the MF Fire doesn’t shine in this area. However, with good maintenance, it can hold up to the roughness of racquetball.
What Need Improvement
- Low durability – strings and frame parts snap out easily
Best Racquetball Racquet for Power: Ektelon Toron Pro 170 ESP
[amazon box=”B00OMZS8BC”]
Ektelon Toron Pro is a highly practical racquet that comes in various weights. However, this specific product weighs 195 g. These are among the heaviest rackets around, making them ideal for players needing control and power. Its teardrop-shaped head offers a massive surface area alongside a superb feel.
Highlights:
- Color: Red
- Material: Composite
- Suggested Users: Unisex-adult
- Brand: Ektelon
- Sport Type: Racquetball
- Grip Size: 3 7/8 inches
Unique Features
- Head Size: At 106 sq. inch head size, this heavy head racket offers a decent surface to respond to your opponent’s shots quickly. A large head and an open string design/pattern give players enough power to propel the ball where your opponent can reach.
- Stability: The Toron pro is more maneuverable than the 2013 ESP RG Toron 170. It features TeXtreme reinforcement in the four critical areas of the frame, providing torsional support. Besides, the racket’s weight is well optimized, it has no vibrations, and the grip is well fitted.
- Weight: The strung weight of the Ektelon Toron Pro stands at 195g. Any beginner will find this weight right in offering stability and control.
- Durability: This racket is built for durability, thanks to the TeXtreme reinforcement, a lighter, thinner, and highly durable way of weaving the carbon fibers. TeXtreme mounting on the frame’s four key areas leads to superior durability.
What Need Improvement
- Low-quality grip; it wears out quickly.
Best Racquetball Racquet for Elbow Pain: Gearbox GB 250 Racquetball Racquet 185
[amazon box=”B004IA8ZYG”]
The Gearbox GB 250 Racquetball Racket features 100% superior modulus graphite construction alongside a teardrop/quadraform head design. With it comes to control, power, maneuverability, and durability. The head, frame torsion, swing profile, and head and frame design are fine-tuned to give you phenomenal gameplay.
Highlights:
- Color: Red
- Material: Composite
- Grip Type: Gearbox Smooth Wrap
- Suggested Users: Unisex-adult
- Brand: Gearbox
- Sport Type: Racquetball
- Grip Size: 3 5/8 inches
Unique Features
- Head Size: Gearbox GB 25 106 square inches Quadraform shaped head, with a head heavy balance system. This is a nice thing for players just learning to catch the ball from their opponents.
- Stability: The graphite construction alongside the skillful balance of different racket aspects results in a well-balanced racket. With a balanced swing profile, frame, and fiber orientation, the racquet doesn’t produce any vibrations, hence stability, maneuverability, and great power.
- Weight: The strung weight of this racket stands at 187g. Undoubtedly, this is a heavy racket, suitable for novices.
- Durability: Though straightforward, this racket has much strength, making it one of the most durable options for any racquetball player.
What Need Improvement
- Wall beater guards don’t cover the whole top of the racquet
Best Budget Racquetball Racquet: Python Intro 5000 Racquetball Racquet
[amazon box=”B078Z1BL1H”]
In terms of durability at an affordable price, Python Intro 5000 Racquetball Racquet is an excellent option for any beginner to try. It is without much hype – but only the fundamental features required to get you started.
Highlights:
- Color: Blue
- Material: aluminum
- Suggested Users: Unisex-adult
- Brand: Python Racquetball
- Sport Type: Racquetball
- Grip Size: 3 5/8 inches
Unique Features
- Head Size: Python Intro 5000 features a 106 square inch teardrop-shaped head. This is the standard size for any beginner racquetball racket; the shape and size offer a large surface area for better play.
- Stability: Like most beginner racquets, the Python 5000 racquet is head heavy, allowing power shots. Fiber weaving and the frame design are perfectly balanced to minimize write torsion. Above all, its impact absorption properties are above par, meaning no shock travels to your hand.
- Weight: This starter racket weighs 190g, a suitable weight for beginners.
- Durability: There isn’t much technology injected into this racquetball racket as far as durability is concerned. However, the materials are well selected and skillfully molded into a durable racquet. Of course, it won’t be as durable as its high-end counterparts.
What Need Improvement
- It doesn’t give much power.
- The frame is a tad smaller.
Best Racquetball Racquet for Control: Head Mx Cyclone 190 Club
[amazon box=”B087DWPRMX”]
Undoubtedly, you are not new to HEAD’S racquetball rackets. While they all boast stability, balance, and tremendous power, the Head MX Cyclone 190 combines all entry-level racquet specifications alongside a friendly price point.
Highlights:
- Color: Blue/Orange
- Material: Metallic-Fiber
- Grip Type: SofTac
- Suggested Users: Unisex-adult
- Brand: HEAD
- Sport Type: Racquetball
- Grip Size: 3 5/8 inches
Unique Features
- Head Size: MX Cyclone 190 Club features a 107 square inch teardrop-shaped head. This is a large enough sweet spot for any beginner racquetball racket.
- Stability: This beginner’s racket has a Damp Plus, which absorbs vibrations generated from the ball’s impact before it hits your hand. That promises you a well-balanced, precise hit and a better feel.
- Weight: This starter racket weighs 190g, a suitable weight for players needing control and power, typically novices.
- Durability: Although an entry-level racquet, HEAD MX Cyclone 190 Club pack is well made to withstand the abuses of a racquetball court. However, some durability issues reported revolve around the handle and strings.
What Need Improvement
- The grip and string tend to loosen up much faster.
How to Hold a Racquetball Racquet
Beyond finding the best racketball rackets, you need to know some techniques, more so, grip technique. This technique ensures that your racket can deliver optimally.
When you get the best racket for racquetball, ensure that you do not grip it too tightly because you will need to shift your grip based on how you hit the ball. Remember, the racquetballs are bouncy – they come off with more spring.
For you to have more control over your shots, the best way to grip your racket is with the head perpendicular to the floor. Besides, it prevents shots directed at the ground or up the ceiling. Ensure that the V between your forefinger and thumb is along the edge of your racquet.
While gripping the racquetball racquet handle, hold it as if you are shaking its head. The head should be straight up and down in a typical forward swing motion.
Types of Grips
The best racket for racquetball comes in three grip designs:
- Forehand Grip: To get a forehand grip, place the handle between your index finger and thumb, i.e., to form a V-shape. Let your index finger point to the top flat side, and the thumb should follow, directed towards the forefinger. This grip allows you to make passing shots, kills, pinches, and ceiling shots. Its significant advantage is that it allows you to create powerful shots without exerting your wrist.
- Backhand Grip: In this position, you place the V-shape between the index finger and the thumb towards the left top flat side of the front end of the racquet. The index finger is at the front, and the thumb follows it. This grip is best for drop shots, angle shots, and cross-court shots.
- Continental Grip: This grip is less similar to holding a hammer. Ideally, wrap your four fingers around the handle and place the thumb over the index finger. The palm, the fingers, and the thumb share the hold. This grip is ideal when you want to make a power-packed kill shot. Use it if you want to hit the ceiling or the wall.
Racquet Grip Tips and Tricks
Racquetball grip means two things: the part of the racquet you hold or how you hold the racquet. The essential thing is to always have control of your racquetball racquet when you hold it. And that will mean first starting with selecting the best quality racquetball racquet. Nonetheless, here are essential things to keep in mind:
Practice
Each grip mentioned above has its pros and cons and requires a different approach—you can only master how to use each grip if you practice effectively. More practice will help you have effective control over your shots. This will influence how effective and efficient you play.
For instance, you can keep the racquet head perpendicular to the ground by using the backhand grip. Of great importance is practicing the new grip until you get used to it before switching to another. More practice develops memory and muscle, making everything much easier.
Wear a glove
Buy the specific racquetball glove and wear it. The glove will give you extra grip on the racquet, thus, preventing slips and improving your precision. Besides, it absorbs heat and sweat, keeping your hands cool and dry.
Cautions
Playing racquetball comes with its dangers, though minimal. For instance, the off-center impact can push you to apply stress over your elbow, resulting in sprain and injuries. You can only reduce this impact when you vary the grip tightness.
How to Restring a Racquetball Racquet
You can restring your racquet or give it to a professional. If you decide to do it, here are vital tips:
- Remove the old strings from the racquet; start at the middle, moving anticlockwise. After that, properly select the desired string before setting up the racquet on the stringing machine. To be sure, follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Typically, you need 40 feet of string.
- Familiarize yourself with the string pattern. Mostly, you will begin from the top right towards the bottom right and then loop the string up via the bottom left of the handle to a corresponding hole on the top left of the frame.
- Weave the racquet strings down and up while maintaining the tension between the motions. Repeat the procedure until you have completed stringing all the vertical strings. After that, tie off the top end of the string.
- Now, string the crosses or horizontal strings, usually left to right. Weave each string over and under each vertical/main string until you finish all the holes. This should give rise to a grid of taut strings covering the entire frame. Proper stringing will ensure that all spaces are uniform and at the correct tension.
How to Regrip a Racquetball Racquet
Here is how you can install grips:
Wrap Grip Installation
- Remove the old grip along with any adhesive tape residue.
- Take your new wrap grip, and unroll it.
- Your grip has a tapered and square end. Peel off the paper backing from the pointed end.
- Stick the end of the grip onto the end of the handle at a downward angle to lock it in and prevent it from slipping out.
- Wrap the grip anticlockwise; left-handed players will wrap it clockwise for the spiral grip to align correctly with their finger positioning.
- Pull the grip tightly to prevent wrinkles and bumps while wrapping. Overlap the grip by approximately 1/8 inch for the entire wrap to be flat and smooth.
- When you reach the head of the racquet, cut the excess grip in a perpendicular alignment to the handle and complete the wrapping.
- Secure the top of the grip using the finishing tape
Rubber Grip Installation
- Remove the existing grip and any other material such as glue, debris, and double-sided tape. The handle should be clean and dry.
- The end of the handle cap can get glue on it, so protect it with tape.
- Get your rubber grip and gently massage it to make it a bit more flexible
- Apply glue/adhesive to the interior of the rubber grip. Use enough glue because excess creates a mess. Roll the grip between your palms to ensure the adhesive is evenly distributed
- Stabilize the racket by putting it on the ground, gently massaging the grip over the flare at an angle, and slowly slide it down. Ensure you get it down at a reasonable time so that the glue doesn’t dry mid-way.
How to Interpret Stringing Instructions
Each manufacturer offers their own stringing instructions, which specify the pattern, string type, tension, number of strings, weaving movements, skip holes, and double-barrel grommets.
Stringer coordinates are labeled with both letters and numbers, essentially:
- L – left
- R – right
- H – head
- L – the lower part of the frame
The stringing instructions are in two categories – crosses and mains. Detailed instructions also indicate the tension, knot types, and how to clamp.
FAQ About Racquetball Racquet
What weight of racquetball racquet should I use?
Can you play racquetball with tennis rackets?
Final Thoughts
Now, you have all the information you need to get the best racquet for racquetball. It’s up to you to determine what you need in a racket. While beginners and advanced level players can use some rackets, look at your individual needs, including a budget, maneuverability, and control. If you are still stuck, consult this guide for in-depth insights.