If you're looking for a new tennis racquet, we can help. Our team has carefully gone through the massive inventory of current racquets to find the best racquets for every ability level. Here are our top picks.

Best racquets for beginners

Best racquets for intermediates

Best racquets for advanced players

A closer look best beginner racquets

If you are just starting your tennis journey, you'll want a light and comfortable racquet that makes learning the game easy. Here are the three racquets you should be looking at.

Head Titanium Ti.S6

Why it’s the best: Coming with strings installed, the Head Ti.S6 comes ready to play. It offers ample power and spin, it delivers impressive maneuverability without compromising stability or comfort. This racquet is ideal for beginners looking for an extra large sweetspot.

Prince O3 Legacy 120

Why it’s the best: The O3 Legacy 120 offers the most luxurious hitting experience in this guide. As such, it gives the beginner a large margin of error, ensuring that comfort and performance remain high even when contact is less than perfect. It also has Prince’s time-tested O3 Technology, which produces unmatched vibration dampening. If you’re looking for pure comfort and easy power, start here.

Babolat Boost Aero

Why it’s the best: This maneuverable point-and-shoot weapon makes learning the game easy. Although it lacks the massive power of the first two racquets, the exceptional control will enable you to keep the ball in play no matter how big you swing (think confidence). It’s also extremely maneuverable, which will help you position and swing the racquet effectively. The fact that it comes pre-strung for under $100 makes this starter stick hard to beat.

Looking for more options? Find more on our Beginner Racquets Gear Guide.

A closer look at best intermediate racquets

If you're an intermediate player, you will be able to rally with moderate power and consistency. You'll want a racquet that complements your developing style, whether it be grinding out long points from the baseline or banging forehand winners from a dead sprint. Here are the racquets you should be looking at across the most important categories.

Best power & spin: Babolat Pure Aero (tie)

Why it’s the best: Endorsed by Rafael Nadal, this racquet was built for the tornadic and angular mechanics of the modern game. Players looking to hit spin-loaded balls that drop hard and explode off the court will love how fast this stick whips through contact. Although it is weighted for intermediate players, the Pure Aero transcends ability level, making it as good for the dedicated beginner as it is for the wily veteran in the market for speed and spin.

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Best power & spin: Babolat Pure Drive (tie)

Why it’s the best: Since its launch more than 20 years ago, the Pure Drive has become one of the most popular and versatile racquets ever made. Like the Pure Aero, this racquet delivers an easy learning curve to virtually any player who is looking to swing big and load the ball with pace and spin. Although it has inspired an army of clones, the Pure Drive is the undisputed king when it comes to light power frames.

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Best power & spin: Yonex VCORE 100 (tie)

Why it's the best: The Yonex VCORE 100 stands out in a crowded market of modern power frames. This racquet excels at delivering power and spin when you need them. With Vibration Dampening Mesh in the handle, this version of the racquet offers improved comfort.

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Best control & feel: Wilson Blade 16x19 v8 (tie)

Why it’s the best: Updated in late 2021, the Blade 98 16x19 continues to impress. It's really a toss-up for us choosing between the seventh and eighth versions. The Blade 98 16x19 v8 has a striking look with it chameleon paint, but the performance remains familiar. We noted a slight uptick in power, but the same outstanding feel remains. The Blade 98 is spin-friendly thanks to its easy maneuverability and grippy 16x19 stringbed. Players looking to attack the ball with full swings will get the most out of this racquet. For comfort and power this stick pairs well with a multifilament or natural gut string. To maximize spin and control try the Blade 98 with your favorite co-poly string.

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Best control & feel: Head Radical MP 2021 (tie)

Why it's the best: Another racquet with a long history, the Radical MP gets a bit of a bigger update. For 2021, Head gives this racquet a lower flex rating for a more arm-friendly feel. Head also increases the static weight and swingweight for the Radical MP, which translated into more stability. Built for control and feel, this racquet doesn't skimp on power either, making it a well-rounded pick for the intermediate and stronger player.

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Pro tip: If you’re looking for more control, select a racquet with a more flexible beam and smaller head size. For players with flatter mechanics, a dense string pattern can help with control. For players who hit with spin and higher trajectories, a more open (spin-friendly) string pattern can help with control. You can add control to your current racquet by increasing string tension and/or selecting a firmer string.

Best arm-friendly: Yonex EZONE 98 2022

Why it’s the best: This racquet continues to evolve and impress. With the latest version, the EZONE 98 comes with impressive comfort and feel that brings back memories of the player favorite DR edition. In addition to a large sweetspot, what separates the EZONE 98 from the competition is its user-friendly blend of speed, spin and power. Rising intermediates looking for the pop of a modern player’s racquet minus the stiff feel should give this stick a test drive.

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Best arm-friendly: Wilson Clash 100 (tie)

Why it's the best: Players looking for a power-loaded racquet that also puts a priority on comfort will find that elusive combination in the Clash 100. More powerful than the EZONE 98 listed above, this racquet makes hitting with depth easy. On the flip side, this racquet won't feel quite as stable as our other top intermediate arm-friendly pick.

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A closer look at best racquets for advanced players

If you're an advanced player, you have a fully developed game and extensive experience playing competitive matches. In addition to finding a racquet that complements your strengths, you’ll need enough mass to drive the ball powerfully through the court or redirect higher levels of pace. Here are the racquets you should be looking at across the most important categories.

Best power & spin: Babolat Pure Aero Plus

Why it’s the best: There's no denying the power and spin of the Pure Aero line. There's a reason it landed on this list twice. The Pure Aero Plus takes the power and monster spin of the Pure Aero then ramps it up a notch. The added length of this racquet makes your biggest serves and groundstrokes even more damaging. Our playtesters love this racquet strung up with their favorite co-poly string so they can take their biggest cuts while finding extra control via massive spin.

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Looking for more options? Read our Power Racquets Gear Guide or Spin Racquets Gear Guide

Best control & feel: Head Prestige Pro 2021 (tie)

Why it’s the best: The Prestige has a long, storied history with legions of fans. For 2021, Head introduced a new Prestige Pro, and it quickly became a playtester favorite. This racquet's specs line up to equate control. Don't get us wrong, though. In the right hands, this Prestige Pro can also deliver loads of plow through, but it does it with pinpoint accuracy, making it an easy choice for best in terms of control and feel.

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Best control & feel: Yonex VCORE PRO 97D (tie)

Why it's the best: Recently updated, the VCORE PRO 97D continues to put an emphasis on precision with its dense 18x20 string pattern and 97-square-inch head size. The beam got just 1 mm wider, which translated into a small bump in put-away power. Fans of the previous versions of this racquet need not worry, however. The control was not sacrificed.

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Looking for more options? Find more on our Control Racquets Gear Guide

Best arm-friendly: Prince Phantom 97P (tie)

Why it’s the best: The entire Phantom line is built around a buttery feel and pinpoint accuracy. The Phantom 97P has plenty of characteristics of a classic control racquet, but it also appeals to modern players with its speedy swing and access to spin. We think players who want to have a foot in both worlds will want to try this racquet.

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Best arm-friendly: Head Gravity Pro (tie)

Why it's the best: Built with a thin beam and low flex, the Head Gravity Pro offers outstanding feel. With its 100-square-inch head, the racquet has an ample sweetspot, while its rounder shape allows a bit more access to spin than some other 18x20 string patterns. This Gravity Pro balances comfort, control and feel, making it a great choice for players looking for a modern classic.

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