9 Best Tennis Rackets for Beginners in 2024, According to Gear Experts

We’ll get this out of the way: the Clash 100 V2 is not cheap. But for those who know they’re in it for the long haul or simply enjoy the finer things, this is the best all-around racket a beginner can buy. Its blend of power, comfort, and control makes it an ideal choice for players working on every part of their game, while the enlarged sweet spot improves forgiveness and prevents mis-hits.

Keep in mind a racket of this caliber will last you years of regular play when compared to much cheaper models in our roundup. Every beginner should consider making an investment on this model first before looking at a sub-$150 racket.

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Well-designed and loved by players at every level of the game, including numerous professionals, you can’t go wrong with a Babolat. In fact, Macci told us that Babolat is “a brand that I always come back to.” The Boost Series, like its name suggests, adds an extra boost to your returns while maintaining a controllable feel that excels in every aspect of the game. We found this Strike model delivers impressive consistency on returns in both power and control.

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The Hyper Hammer has been one of our favorite tennis rackets for beginners for years now. Its lightweight design makes it easy to maneuver throughout a match and keeps strain off your joints. This also means it takes less effort to create spin, enabling beginners to quickly progress and learn new shot shapes.

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Yes, the Burn looks effortlessly cool on the court, but it’s also a stellar pick for players who want a lightweight, easy-swinging racket that eases strain on the joints. It comes in at a palatable, middle-of-the-pack price point, and makes up for its light weight with a stiff, powerful carbon fiber construction. This is the Goldilocks racket when compared to the three Wilson rackets we name in this roundup.

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Do I Need to Spend A Lot of Money on a Racket

You can easily spend $250 on a tennis racket and there’s no problem in doing so. However, if you are just getting into the game and aren’t sure if you will commit to playing frequently, spending less is no issue at all. There are a ton of options in the $100-range that are equipped with advanced tech and will progress with you as you get better. If you know you’re only going to play once a month or want a racket for your upcoming vacation, you can easily get away with spending $50 or less.

Do All Tennis Rackets Come Strung?

No. When you’re buying a racket, we recommend making sure it’s actually pre-strung before you head to checkout. Most rackets that skew toward the affordable side of things will come with strings installed and ready to play straight out of the box, but many of the more expensive rackets come unstrung to accommodate the string preferences of better players.