Cons
- Lightweight design lacks natural power
The Hyper Hammer has been a longtime fav of tennis newbies for 25 years. This best-selling Wilson racket features a lightweight design that makes for easy swinging, which is great for long sessions on the court without the typical shoulder and elbow pain. It’s nearly effortless to create powerful spin, too, enabling beginners to quickly progress and learn new shot shapes. Plus, it’s surprisingly balanced, allowing beginners to feel confident in their serves. We also love the oversized (110-square-inch) head that’s more forgiving on off-center hits and provides noobs with plenty of real estate for easier serves and returns.
What sold us on the latest Hyper Hammer, though, was the price. It’s essentially a midrange racket with a beginner-friendly price tag, making it an easy recommendation for budget-conscious shoppers who are new to the game.
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| Length | 27.5 in. |
| Weight | 8.96 oz |
| Headsize | 110 sq. in. |
| Grip Sizes | 4-1/8, 4-1/4, 4-3/8, 4-1/2 in. |
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, including the Boost S, is purpose-built for beginners with everything you need, and nothing you don’t. It’s designed to add an extra “boost” to your returns while maintaining a comfortable, controlled feel that excels in every aspect of the game. The 10-ounce construction is light enough for effortless swings, but meaty enough to hammer through shots.
Like the Wilson Hyper Hammer 5.3, it’s right in the sweet spot of affordability (even more so), making it very approachable for beginners looking to level-up from most typical entry-level rackets.
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| Length | 27 in. |
| Weight | 9.8 oz |
| Headsize | 102 sq. in. |
| Grip Sizes | 4-1/8, 4-1/4, 4-3/8 |
Prince is a legendary brand in tennis, known for everything from stylish off-court apparel to on-court technology. Its Thunder 110 has an oversized surface area with a large sweet spot designed to limit mis-hits and makes reaching that ‘tweener just a little bit easier. It’s also among the most affordable rackets we recommend. The only downside? It’s limited to just one grip size (4-1/4″). Plus, this racket will provide decent power but may be too heavy for smaller players, those with arm injuries, or more intense marathon practice sessions.
| Length | 27 in. |
| Weight | 10.16 oz |
| Headsize | 110 sq. in. |
| Grip Sizes | 4-1/4 only |
Cons
- Pricey for a true beginner’s racket
We’ll get this out of the way: the Clash 108 V2 isn’t cheap. But for those who know they’re in it for the long haul or simply enjoy the finer things, this is the most comfortable racket a beginner can buy. It balances that comfort with responsive power and control for above-average accuracy and control on the court, making it ideal for players working on every part of their game. Plus, the enlarged sweet spot improves forgiveness and prevents mis-hits (must-haves for beginners!).
If you’re balking at the price, keep in mind that a racket of this caliber will last you years of regular play when compared to most cheaper (read sub-$100) models. Every beginner should consider making an investment on this model first before looking at a sub-$150 racket.
| Length | 27.25 in. |
| Weight | 9.9 oz |
| Headsize | 108 sq. in. |
| Grip Sizes | 4, 4-1/8, 4-1/4, 4-3/8, 4-1/2 |
Another value pick from one of tennis’s most trusted brands, the Geo Speed has a large hitting surface and strong, durable construction—two hallmarks of a top-tier beginner racket. The long, 27.5-inch length is helpful for small players with short swings, but is also beneficial for all players who are just starting to play.
No one is going to mistake this for a premium pro-level racket, but for noob players or anyone looking to add a recreational stick to their gear closet for occasional weekend play, we love the feature-to-dollar ratio of this model.
| Length | 27.5 in. |
| Weight | 10.4 oz |
| Headsize | 105 sq. in. |
| Grip Sizes | 4-1/8, 4-1/4, 4-3/8, 4-1/2 |
Yes, the latest Burn racket looks effortlessly cool on the court. But it’s also a stellar pick for players seeking a lightweight, easy-swinging racket that eases strain on the joints, especially for marathon sessions. It’s more stable and maneuverable than most, making it a great choice for beginners. Plus, 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 recommend in this guide.
| Length | 27 in. |
| Weight | 9.5 oz |
| Headsize | 100 sq. in. |
| Grip Sizes | 4, 4-1/8, 4-1/4, 4-3/8 |
You may not want to drop the cash it takes to buy a pro-worthy racket, but you can still buy one infused with tech trusted by the best in the world. Novak Djokovic, longtime world number one, has used Head rackets for well over a decade, so it’s safe to assume that some of that championship pedigree has been passed down to Head’s more affordable options. This oversized racket makes it possible for beginners to hit Wimbledon-worthy shots, even if they still have a lot to learn. It’s one of the brand’s more pared-down rackets, but the sub-$100 price tag makes it one of the best feature-to-dollar values in our roundup.
| Length | 27.75 in. |
| Weight | 8 oz |
| Headsize | 115 sq. in. |
| Grip Sizes | 4-1/8, 4-1/4, 4-3/8, 4-1/2 |
Another easy recommendation in Babolat’s quiver, the eleventh generation of the Pure Drive Lite is a bit of a spend, but easy to learn with. It packs much of the same great tech found in the brand’s other legendary rackets into a more beginner-friendly form factor, making it easy to progress your game. Plus, we love that it comes in four different grip sizes. It cuts through the air with ease, and it can help you start smashing those forehand winners. It’s noob-friendly with the chops to grow with players looking to accelerate their game.
| Length | 27 in. |
| Weight | 9.5 oz |
| Headsize | 100 sq. in. |
| Grip Sizes | 4, 4-1/8, 4-1/4, 4-3/8, 4-1/2 |
Beginners looking for peak power right out of the gate should do well with Dunlop’s FX500. The stiffer-than-average design provides predictable power and excellent spin potential, even for those new to the game. We especially love the extra-long (27-5-inch!) form factor that gives you plenty of reach. This is a racket for players looking to add serious depth to their game. The mid-range price point is surprisingly affordable for what’s otherwise a pro-level racket. The only downside? The stiff, heavy design means it’s less than ideal for those with arm injuries.
Read more: Best Tennis Shoes
| Length | 27 in. |
| Weight | 10.6 oz |
| Headsize | 100 sq. in. |
| Grip Sizes | 4, 4-1/8, 4-1/4, 4-3/8, 4-1/2 |
Ryan Brower is the Senior Gear and Reviews Editor at Men’s Health, where he tests the best products in outdoor gear and tech. Baseball, surfing, and camping occupied most of his time growing up. He also trained in martial arts for 12 years and holds a third degree black belt. He has written about the outdoors for nearly two decades and was previously the Managing Editor, Content Performance at Gear Patrol. He is also a Certified Beer Server and previously covered the craft beer industry. Ryan currently lives on the water in New Jersey with his wife and their dog.
Jeff Turbett is a fitness and wellness writer who’s based in Miami, FL. His work has been featured in The Manual and FightCamp.
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