9 Best Tennis Rackets for Beginners, According to Tennis Pros

Power, power and more power — that's what this lightweight racket is all about. No matter your skill level, the versatility of this best-selling racket will bring power to your game. Thanks to new technology in the large-sized head (100 square inches), we noticed more rigidity, which, even as a beginner allowed for more explosive, accurate shots — no matter if the ball hits the sweet spot or not. And when you do connect with the sweet spot, the vibration system hits with a unique, delightful sound on impact — one you just don't experience the same way when you shank it.

While it is on the pricey side, this 30th-anniversary edition reinforces the success of the timeless Pure Drive design, so you can grow with it as your game progresses. This racket is widely used on tour by professional players too.

“Yes it’s expensive, but its status as one of the best-selling rackets in the world for the past 30 years speaks to its quality and performance,” says Evrard. “This special anniversary edition is ideal for those who want to invest in a top-tier racket — with exceptional feel and control — from the start.”

True beginners who aren't ready to commit to any one racket will appreciate the very budget-friendly price point of this option. It's made of highly durable aluminum carbon fiber that's resistant to excess wear and tear, plus it has a triangular-shaped frame that helps with shock absorption and minimizes vibrations. The racket is extremely lightweight too, which allows beginners to play for longer without causing any arm or shoulder pain. The strings might need to be restrung if you use it frequently, but it's a great entry-level racket.

The flexibility built into this racket makes it a versatile option for a beginner player. It's made out of alloy aluminum, which keeps the racket lightweight but with just enough stiffness to return more powerful shots or quick volleys up at the net. The 110-square-inch head size gives beginners a large sweet spot to hit off of, and the string pattern is designed for better control to help create more spin off the face. Unfortunately, the grip isn't the highest quality, so you might need to regrip it sooner rather than later.

It may be one of the more budget-friendly options out there, but this tennis racket's claim to fame is helping beginner players generate the power they need to play competitively. The 112-square-inch head boasts the brand's special V-Matrix Technology that creates a larger sweet spot, plus a Power Bridge to improve rebound speed. Still, the racket's lightweight construction won't feel cumbersome in the hands of newbies. If there's any downside, it's the lack of shock absorption and that the racket tends to vibrate a bit when returning more powerful shots from your opponent.

If you're looking for a lightweight racket that's easy for beginners to use, this 8-ounce option from Head is one of the brand's best sellers — and the same brand that 24-time Grand Slam winner Novak Djokovic uses. It has a very large 115-square-inch hoop (or head) that makes it more likely for inexperienced players to hit the ball. Plus, because it's so lightweight, it's nice and gentle on your joints — an important consideration for more mature players learning the sport. Users do caution that the factory string job is less than stellar and recommend having the racket restrung at a pro shop for best results.

It may be on the heavier side for some beginners, but those who can handle the extra weight will appreciate the control and stability this Prince tennis racket offers. It's all thanks to the 100-square-inch head and solid beam, or thickness of the racket. The racket, which is one of Prince's top sellers, also has a balance point that falls closer to the head — a feature that experts like Delanoe say will help intermediate players learn how to put some spin on the ball.

If you're looking to swing fast and easily generate power, this racket is for you. Weighing in at just 9.5 ounces, this beginner-friendly racket won't tire out your arms too quickly. The brand's isometric square-shaped frame is designed to have a larger sweet spot and allows you to have more control, so the racket feels more comfortable overall in your hand. Plus, by optimizing the intersection of main and cross strings, you can also generate easy power. You may need to regrip the racket over time.

This tennis racket has a relatively large 105-square-inch head, plus a 16- by 18-inch string pattern that helps new players generate more power and even a little bit of spin. It also has a special technology the brand calls Sonic Core, which places Infinergy returns at the racket's 10 and 2 o'clock positions, essentially dampening the shock and creating a more comfortable feel when hitting. Just keep in mind: This racket is on the pricier side, especially considering it comes unstrung.

With over 2,500 five-star reviews, this racket that's named after legendary tennis player Roger Federer is a beginner favorite — and for good reason. The face features the brand's Power Strings system with longer main strings strung more tightly so you can generate the maximum amount of power. The racket is longer than other options, so you have greater reach to get to those wide returns at the baseline. It is a bit heavier than other beginner options, but the large hoop size does make for a bigger sweet spot. Bonus: Shock pads are built in to minimize vibrations on contact.