Padel Sport

Best Padel Rackets for Beginners in India

New to padel? A beginner's guide to choosing your first racket — shape, weight and core — with forgiving, well-priced picks for India.

Instasport Admin

• 3 min read
Puma Nova Padel Pro padel racket

Best padel rackets for beginners in India

Padel is the fastest-growing racquet sport in the country, and the first thing every new player needs is the right racket. Get it wrong and the game feels harder than it should; get it right and padel is wonderfully easy to pick up. This guide explains what matters in a beginner padel racket and recommends a few solid options available in India, with prices.

Shape: why round is best for beginners

Padel rackets come in three shapes. Round rackets have a low balance and a large central sweet spot, which makes them the most forgiving and controllable — exactly what a beginner wants. Teardrop rackets balance power and control for improvers, while diamond rackets are head-heavy, powerful and demanding, suited to advanced players. As a beginner, start round and forgiving; you can chase power later.

Weight, balance and core

Look for a racket around 350 to 365g with a low, head-light balance so it feels easy to manoeuvre and gentle on the arm. A soft EVA foam core is more comfortable and forgiving than a hard core, helping you keep the ball in play while you learn. Comfort matters more than power at this stage — an arm-friendly racket means longer, more enjoyable sessions.

Beginner-friendly rackets to consider

The Puma Nova Padel Pro (₹6,499, down from ₹12,999) is an approachable, well-priced racket for new players. If you want to step up into a recognised padel brand, the Bullpadel Indiga CTR 26 (₹9,099) leans towards control while the Bullpadel Indiga PWR 26 (₹9,099) adds a bit more power for improvers. Players who want a softer, premium feel can look at the LOK Be Flow Gen 2 (₹11,199). Whichever you pick, always play with the wrist strap attached.

How much should a beginner spend?

You do not need a top-tier racket to start. A control-oriented round or teardrop racket in the ₹6,000 to ₹11,000 range will serve you well for your first year or more. Spend the rest of your budget on a decent pair of court shoes for grip and support, and a tube of padel balls — those make a bigger difference to a beginner's enjoyment than an expensive frame.

Beyond the racket: shoes, balls and grip

A racket is only part of a beginner's padel setup. Court shoes designed for lateral movement give you grip and ankle support on the artificial turf padel is played on — running shoes are not a safe substitute. Buy a tube of pressurised padel balls (they are similar to low-pressure tennis balls) and replace them once they go soft. An overgrip makes the handle more comfortable and easy to refresh when it wears, and a spare wrist strap is cheap insurance against a dropped racket damaging the glass walls. Spend a little here and your first sessions will feel far more enjoyable than chasing the most expensive frame.

It also helps to take a couple of group lessons or play with more experienced partners early on. Padel is a tactical, doubles-focused game, and learning where to stand and when to use the back glass will improve your results faster than any equipment upgrade.

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Frequently asked questions

What shape padel racket is best for beginners?

A round racket. Its low balance and large central sweet spot make it the most forgiving and easiest to control, which is ideal while you learn. Teardrop and diamond shapes suit improvers and advanced players.

How much should a beginner padel racket cost?

A good beginner racket typically costs between ₹6,000 and ₹11,000 in India. You do not need an expensive frame to start — control and comfort matter more than power.

What weight padel racket should a beginner choose?

Aim for roughly 350 to 365g with a head-light balance and a soft foam core. That combination is easy to swing, comfortable on the arm and forgiving on off-centre hits.