If your elbow already complains, the racket is half the fix: light, balanced in the hand, a soft core. These are the rackets the finder still recommends when you tell it the elbow is a problem, kindest first. The other half is the grip, the balls and how often you play.
How the list is made: every racket that scores 9 or 10 of 10 for kindness to the arm on the finder's scale, then the lightest first. No shop paid to be here, and the order is fixed before any link is added.
1round340 glow balancesoft corefibreglass€90 to €150
Why it is here: arm 10 of 10, soft core, balance low, 340 g.
The same racket at 340 grams. For a smaller player, a sore arm, or anyone who values a quick racket at the net over a heavy overhead.
Padel Market
2round360 glow balancesoft corecarbon€150 to €220
Why it is here: arm 10 of 10, soft core, balance low, 360 g.
Built around comfort. If your elbow has ever complained, this is the racket the physios point at.
Padel Market
3round345 glow balancesoft corefibreglass€70 to €110
Why it is here: arm 9 of 10, soft core, balance low, 345 g.
A big sweet spot and a low balance. Beginners hit the centre more often with it than they think they do.
Padel Market
4round350 glow balancesoft corefibreglass€70 to €110
Why it is here: arm 9 of 10, soft core, balance low, 350 g.
The starter racket most Spanish clubs put in a beginner's hand: light, soft, forgiving, nothing to fight.
Padel Market
5round350 glow balancesoft corefibreglass€60 to €100
Why it is here: arm 9 of 10, soft core, balance low, 350 g.
Cheap, light and honest. If padel turns out not to be your thing you have lost very little.
Padel Market
6round360 glow balancesoft corefibreglass€90 to €150
Why it is here: arm 9 of 10, soft core, balance low, 360 g.
Miguel Lamperti's racket for a decade and the most recommended "first proper racket" in the sport. Control and comfort, and it will not hurt your elbow.
Padel Market
7teardrop365 gmedium balancesoft corecarbon€170 to €240
Why it is here: arm 9 of 10, soft core, balance medium, 365 g.
A soft-core teardrop that a lot of players with elbow history end up on. Comfortable, controlled, not slow.
Padel Market
Shop links may pay this site a small commission; the shop pays it, not you. The order on this page is decided before any link is added.