The Sports Equipment GuideControl or power in a tennis racket
The trade-off behind most racket choices.
Most racket choices come down to one trade-off. Rackets that give you easy power tend to give you less control, and the other way round. The right balance depends on your swing.
Power rackets
These usually have a big head, a lighter frame and an open string pattern. They give you depth for a shorter swing, which suits players who want help getting the ball over the net and deep.
Examples our tool picks for power
| Racket | Head size | Weight (strung) | String pattern |
|---|---|---|---|
| HEAD Instinct Team L * | 107 sq in | 283 g | 16x19 |
| HEAD Instinct PWR 115 * | 115 sq in | 244 g | 16x19 |
| Dunlop LX1000 (255g) * | 115 sq in | 269 g | 16x18 |
| HEAD Boom Team * | 107 sq in | 275 g | 16x19 |
| Babolat Pure Drive 107 * | 107 sq in | 301 g | 16x19 |
* Some ratings for this racket are estimates, not playtest data. Specs are manufacturer figures and model years may vary.
Control rackets
These usually have a smaller head, a heavier frame and often a denser string pattern. They reward a full, confident swing and give you more say over where the ball goes. They are less forgiving if you mis-hit.
Examples our tool picks for control
| Racket | Head size | Weight (strung) | String pattern |
|---|---|---|---|
| HEAD Speed Pro | 100 sq in | 326 g | 18x20 |
| Dunlop CX 200 Tour 18x20 (315g) * | 95 sq in | 332 g | 18x20 |
| Yonex EZONE 98 | 98 sq in | 323 g | 16x19 |
| Yonex Percept 97D * | 97 sq in | 337 g | 18x20 |
| Dunlop CX 200 (305g) | 98 sq in | 320 g | 16x19 |
* Some ratings for this racket are estimates, not playtest data. Specs are manufacturer figures and model years may vary.
These lists come from our matching tool, which ranks rackets by how well they fit a profile. Commission plays no part, and we do not show prices because they change. Run the quiz for a list based on your own answers.
Which should you pick?
If you often hit the ball short and want more depth, lean towards power. If you hit long and want to keep it in, or you already swing hard, lean towards control. If you are not sure, a middle-of-the-road all-round racket is a safe place to start.