Best junior padel rackets
8 rackets · prices checked 5 October 2026
Junior rackets are shorter and a good deal lighter than adult ones, usually 280 to 345 grams. For a child under about eleven that matters: an adult racket is too heavy to swing properly and they end up pushing at the ball.
Beyond that there isn't much to separate them, and I wouldn't spend long choosing. Children grow out of them in a couple of years. The cheaper ones are fine, and the dearer ones mostly buy you the same paint job as the adult racket their favourite player uses, which, to be fair, may be the whole point.
A tall or strong twelve-year-old is often better off with a light adult racket; see the lightweight list.
What gets in: Sold by the brand as a junior racket.
The order: how many UK shops stock it, then how well it fits the list, then price. We have not play-tested these rackets, so “best” here means best fit on the brand’s published specs at today’s price, and nothing more. No brand or shop pays to be included. We may earn a commission if you buy through a shop link, and where two rackets tie, one we can earn on goes first. How we work.
No. 1Bullpadel Hack JR 2026
Diamond · 335 to 345 g · medium balance · soft feel · intermediate levelUp to 345 g, diamond shape, soft core: at the heavier end for a junior, so better for older children.
See all 3 prices →£69.99deliveredat Everything Padel · 3 shops compared · 11% under the shop's was price
No. 2Babolat Alioth Pro Junior 2026
Teardrop · 320 to 340 g · medium balance · intermediate levelUp to 340 g, teardrop shape: at the heavier end for a junior, so better for older children.
See all 3 prices →£79.99deliveredat Express Padel · 3 shops compared · 38% under RRP
No. 3adidas Arrow Hit Junior 2026
Round · 310 to 330 g · medium balance · soft feel · beginner levelUp to 330 g, round shape, soft core.
Think twice if you want maximum smash power. Round rackets trade some of it for control and a bigger sweet spot.
See all 2 prices →£52.99deliveredat Express Padel · 2 shops compared · 18% under the shop's was price
No. 4Bullpadel Vertex Junior 26
Diamond · 335 to 345 g · medium balance · soft feel · intermediate levelUp to 345 g, diamond shape, soft core: at the heavier end for a junior, so better for older children.
See all 2 prices →£63.99deliveredat PDHSports · 2 shops compared · 20% under RRP
No. 5Head Speed Junior 2025
Teardrop · 310 to 330 g · medium balance · soft feel · beginner levelUp to 330 g, teardrop shape, soft core.
See all 2 prices →£68.99deliveredat Padel Market · 2 shops compared · 28% under RRP
No. 6Dunlop FX Junior 2026
Hybrid · 325 to 345 g · medium balance · soft feel · beginner levelUp to 345 g, hybrid shape, soft core: at the heavier end for a junior, so better for older children.
See all 2 prices →£49.99deliveredat Everything Padel · 2 shops compared · 23% under RRP
No. 7Dunlop Galactica Junior 2025
Hybrid · 310 to 330 g · medium balance · soft feel · beginner levelUp to 330 g, hybrid shape, soft core.
See the price →£42.50deliveredat Express Padel · 29% under RRP
No. 8Head Coello Junior 2026
Teardrop · 300 to 320 g · medium balance · soft feel · beginner levelUp to 320 g, teardrop shape, soft core.
See the price →£76.50deliveredat PDHSports · 15% under RRP