In this article I’m going to tell you about the 15 best squash rackets available on the market today.
- Best overall squash rackets
- Best squash racket for beginners
- Top squash rackets on the pro tour
- Best squash racket on a budget
- Most durable squash racket
- Best squash racket for power
- Best squash racket for control
- Best squash racket for women
- Lightest squash racket
- Best hardball doubles squash racket
- The racket I use personally
FAQ
Before I tell you which rackets I think are best, I need to confess something.
There is no “best” squash racket.
Let me explain 👇🏼
Most squash rackets made today are high quality. They’re made of graphite. They are 27 inches long. They’re all within a fairly narrow band of specs. There are only a few different head shapes to choose from.
Really, there are dozens of good options. Maybe even hundreds of good options.
So if you’ve already got a squash racket that you’re happy with, and it doesn’t appear on this list, don’t worry about it. Your racket is probably great. You don’t need to snap it over your knee and rush out to buy one of the rackets mentioned on this page. If you’re happy with it, just keep playing with it. In fact, if you like your current racket, buy a few of them!
You know Greg Gaultier, the former World #1 and World Champion? He used the exact same squash racket for decades. Even as newer models were coming out, he kept using — and winning major titles — with his old racket. The reality is that squash racket technology hasn’t changed too much over the last few years.
At this point you might be wondering: If most squash rackets are good, why am I writing out this list of rackets?
It’s for my friend Peter.
One day not too long ago, Peter asked me which squash racket was best. And I told him the words that nobody wants to hear:
IT DEPENDS.
It depends on what kind of racket you like best. After I had blabbed on for a while about various nuances of squash rackets, Peter looked me dead in the eye and said:
“Just tell me which racket to buy.”
So I’m writing this page for all the Peters out there. This is for the people that need a racket, and just want my opinion on a few good options.
Ready then? Here we go.
Best Overall Squash Rackets
Whenever possible, I try to recommend one squash racket that’s available worldwide at a good price. But these days, things are a little weird.
You probably heard all about supply chain disruptions during the pandemic. Well that definitely had an impact on the supply of squash rackets. There was a time when most people around the world couldn’t even play squash because of Covid restrictions. Squash racket sales dropped nearly to zero.
Eventually things started to bounce back, but it hasn’t been so easy for the squash racket manufacturers to get the supply of rackets back to where it once was. And I’ll be honest, things are still a bit of a mess.
Bottom line: I’m going to recommend different rackets depending on the region you live in.
Fact is, the best “bang for the buck” deals are sometimes different country by country. I don’t want to recommend a single squash racket to everyone globally if it’s only a good choice in certain countries. For now I’ve added recommendations for the US and UK and I will add other regions soon.
Best squash rackets (USA)
Tecnifibre Carboflex 125 S
Classic Mohamed Elshorbagy racket
Product Info
Release year: 2015
Price: $150
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Buy (UK): amazon.co.uk
Buy (US): amazon.com | squashgalaxy.com
Search:Racket Specs chart
Advertised weight (unstrung): 125 grams
Advertised balance: 35 cm
Head size: 500 cm sq
String pattern: 14x18
Measured weight (all-in): 153.5 grams
Measured balance: 36 cm
Prince Airstick 130
Classic Ramy Ashour racket
Product Info
Price: $150
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Buy (US): squashgear.com
Search:Racket Specs chart
Advertised weight (unstrung): 130 grams
Head size: 480 cm sq
String pattern: 16x17
Measured weight (all-in): 142.5 grams
Measured balance: 37 cm
Right here I’m naming two rackets that are several years old and are absolute classic frames. Even though these are not the latest-and-greatest models, they are:
- Still great rackets
- Priced great
- Still cool
First up we have the Tecnifibre Carboflex 125 S. This one was made famous by Mohamed Elshorbagy and he was using it during a long stretch of dominance in the sport. It was also used by many other Tecnifibre-sponsored pros at the time. At the moment, this frame is sold exclusively by Squash Galaxy, either through their website or via Amazon.
Next up we have the Prince Airstick 130. This one’s even older than the Carboflex 125 S but it’s been brought back as an exclusive frame at Squash Gear. Ramy Ashour used this racket when he dominated the sport, which was just before Shorbagy came on the scene.
Best squash rackets (UK)
Tecnifibre Carboflex Airshaft 125
Top-end recent bestseller
Product Info
Release year: 2020
Price: £140 / $200
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Buy (Australia): ebay.com.au
Buy (Canada): controlthet.com | racquet-science.com
Buy (France): amazon.fr | dlsports.eu
Buy (Germany): amazon.de | decathlon.de | dlsports.eu
Buy (Italy): amazon.it
Buy (Netherlands): dlsports.eu
Buy (UK): amazon.co.uk
Buy (US): amazon.com | holabirdsports.com | squashgalaxy.com | squashgear.com
Search:Racket Specs chart
Advertised weight (unstrung): 125 grams
String pattern: 14x18
Measured weight (all-in): 153.1 grams
Measured balance: 36.25 cm (54% in the head)
Wilson Ultra Countervail
Proven classic frame
Product Info
Release year: 2018
Price: £100 / €120
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Buy (UK): amazon.co.uk
Search:Racket Specs chart
Advertised weight (unstrung): 137 grams
Advertised balance: 34.5 cm
Head size: 500 cm sq
String pattern: 14x18
Measured weight (all-in): 150.5 grams
Measured balance: 35.5 cm
Factory strings: Wilson Sensation Strike
For UK visitors I’m going to first name Tecnifibre’s Airshaft 125. This was released in 2020 and is actually a successor to the Carboflex 125 S that I mentioned above. Right now in the UK it costs over £140 but it was the top-of-the-line Tecnifibre racket until the X-Top models came out recently.
If you’re looking for something a little less expensive, I’ve featured the Wilson Ultra Countervail. This came out back in 2018. I played with it extensively and really enjoyed it. Although it’s a few years old, it’s still a top-notch racket with a proven shape. Wilson has come out with updated cosmetics of this racket in subsequent years but to be honest I’m still a fan of this older cosmetic.
Best Squash Racket for Beginners
Head Nano Ti 110
Product Info
Price: $117 / £59
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Search:Racket Specs chart
Advertised weight (unstrung): 110 grams
Head size: 493 cm sq
String pattern: 14x18
Measured weight (all-in): 149 grams
Measured balance: 37 cm
I put together a page for Best Squash Rackets for Beginners, which you can check out for a bunch of options from around the world.
If I had to pick one off that list, it would be the Head Nano Ti 110. One thing I like about this one is its teardrop shape. That will give you a little extra power, and the racket will be a little more forgiving. I have been playing with teardrops for years, and I definitely recommend them for beginners as the default option.
Another nice thing about this model is it comes with a fan stringing pattern (the strings fan up and outward from the throat). I find that that stringing pattern provides a little additional power, which is useful when you’re getting started.
While the Nano Ti is one of Head’s older models, the build quality is still good, and the cosmetics are also nice.
Top Squash Rackets on the Pro Tour
Tecnifibre Carboflex X-Top 125
Tecnifibre pro favorite
Product Info
Release year: 2022
Price: US $240
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Buy (Australia): ebay.com.au
Buy (Canada): controlthet.com | racquetguys.ca | racquet-science.com
Buy (France): amazon.fr | dlsports.eu
Buy (Germany): amazon.de | decathlon.de | dlsports.eu
Buy (Italy): amazon.it
Buy (Netherlands): amazon.nl | dlsports.eu
Buy (Spain): amazon.es
Buy (UK): amazon.co.uk | decathlon.co.uk | squashituk.co.uk
Buy (US): holabirdsports.com | racquetguys.com | squashgalaxy.com | squashgear.com
Search:Racket Specs chart
Advertised weight (unstrung): 125 grams
Dunlop FX 125 Pro Lite
Dunlop pro favorite
Product Info
Release year: 2024
Price: $199
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Buy (UK): amazon.co.uk
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Search:Racket Specs chart
Advertised weight (unstrung): 125 grams
String pattern: 14 x 19
Factory strings: Dunlop Iconic Pro AF Black 17 Gauge
Alright, you’ve heard my opinion on the best all-around squash rackets, but which racket is best in terms of popularity amongst professional squash players on the PSA World Tour?
Right now, I’d say that title goes to the Tecnifibre Carboflex X-Top 125. It’s the signature racket of Mohamed El Shorbagy and replaces the Airshaft 125 (which I mentioned earlier) at the top of Tecnifibre’s lineup. It’ll ultimately be used by many other top pros, on both the men’s and women’s tours, as has been the case with all of Tecnifibre’s Carboflex 125 models.
Because this is the latest-and-greatest racket that the top pros are using, it’s also one of the most expensive rackets on the market. In the US right now it’s $240, and in the UK it’s £150.
Since at this point I have mentioned three Carboflex models, I will name one more top model of the pros and that is the Dunlop FX 125 Pro Lite. The Pro Lite model has been popular with the pros for a few years now and I used to recommend a prior version of it as my top overall squash racket, until stocks ran out. It’s a good balance of power and control.
Best Squash Racket on a Budget
Head Nano Ti 110
Product Info
Price: $117 / £59
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Search:Racket Specs chart
Advertised weight (unstrung): 110 grams
Head size: 493 cm sq
String pattern: 14x18
Measured weight (all-in): 149 grams
Measured balance: 37 cm
Recognize this one? That’s right, I already recommended it above as the best option for beginners. I would love to recommend a different one here but I’ve been scouring stores around the world for an hour now and I really can’t find a better suggestion than this. It’s currently £60 in the UK or $90 in the US.
I think what’s happening is the supply chain issues that I mentioned at the top of this article have meant fewer rackets getting into circulation, which means fewer “hidden gems” that are decent rackets for a steal. In other words most of the good cheap rackets have been scooped up already. It’s a shame for squash players’ budgets but it’s the world we’re in today.
Most Durable Squash Racket
Tecnifibre Carboflex Airshaft 130
Product Info
Release year: 2020
Price: £110 / $200
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Buy (France): dlsports.eu
Buy (Germany): decathlon.de | dlsports.eu
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Buy (UK): amazon.co.uk
Buy (US): amazon.com | squashgear.com
Search:Racket Specs chart
Advertised weight (unstrung): 130 grams
Head size: 500 cm sq
String pattern: 14x18
Measured weight (all-in): 157.8 grams
Measured balance: 36.25 cm (53% in the head)
Recommending a high-durability racket is a bit tricky because any racket can break if you clip the sidewall or the floor a little weirdly. There’s always the possibility of a freak accident like that, even among players with a high level of racket skill. And of course the risk is higher for beginner or intermediate players.
That said, right now, I would say Tecnifibre is the brand with the best reputation in terms of durability. That’s my gut feel from testing the rackets, talking to squash players and reading the Squash Source comments. Granted, that’s not totally scientific, but it’s the advice I would give right now to anyone who asked me.
If you’re looking for a durable racket, I’d recommend the Tecnifibre’s Airshaft 130. I know, I know, it’s the fourth Carboflex on this page, but not without reason.
The reason I picked the Airshaft 130 model specifically is because it’s 5 grams heavier than the Airshaft 125, and that’s 5 extra grams of graphite holding the frame together. I know it’s just a small difference, but every bit helps.
Best Squash Racket for Power
Black Knight Hex Blaze LT
Product Info
Price: $155
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Search:Racket Specs chart
Advertised weight (unstrung): 130 grams
For power, I’m going to recommend the Black Knight Hex Blaze LT. In my testing the Hex Blaze LT felt very light in the hand, with a slightly head heavy balance. This allowed me to get a lot of power behind the shots because you can swing through the ball quickly, but without losing control of the racket.
This racket also comes pre-strung with a premium string, the Supernick ZX Micro, which adds to the power of the frame.
Best Squash Racket for Control
Harrow Vapor
Product Info
Release year: 2019
Price: $215
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Buy (US): racquetguys.com | squashgalaxy.com | squashgear.com
Search:For the most control, I’m going to recommend a traditional head shape racket, the Harrow Vapor.
I generally recommend a traditional head shape for control because the bridged throat makes the racket more stable through the shot. In other words the racket is less likely to wobble as you make contact with the ball.
While a teardrop racket is nice for additional power, that comes with a little more unpredictability on the shot. For greater precision I like the bridged throat of a traditional head shape.
There are two more qualities of the Harrow Vapor that I feel offer additional control.
First, it has a slightly smaller string bed than some of the other traditional-head-shape rackets out there.
Second, the Vapor has a slightly stiffer frame than many other rackets with traditional head shapes.
Both of these features give the racket more predictability in terms of your shotmaking, thus additional control.
Best Squash Racket for Women
Tecnifibre Carboflex Airshaft 125 NS
Product Info
Release year: 2020
Price: US $220
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Search:Racket Specs chart
Advertised weight (unstrung): 125 grams
String pattern: 14 x 18
Measured weight (all-in): 156.2 grams
Measured balance: 36.25 cm (53% in the head)
Factory strings: Tecnifibre DYNAMIX V.P. 1.25
I’m going to mention a racket for women. Most of the time, women just use the same rackets as men. Any racket mentioned on this page is a good choice for both men and women.
For a while, some manufacturers were trying to market squash rackets to women just by making a pink version of a racket that was already in their lineup. Of course that works for some players, but obviously it’s just cosmetic and not a meaningful difference.
Enter the Tecnifibre Carboflex Airshaft 125 NS. This is world #1 Nour El Sherbini’s racket (hence the “NS” in the name). The 125 NS actually has a difference compared to the regular Airshaft 125:
It has a smaller grip.
A subtle change, but an important one.
Obviously this works for anyone with smaller hands, or anyone who just wants a smaller handle. It doesn’t have to be for women. And the cosmetics, mercifully, are not pink.
I’ve tested the Airshaft rackets myself and I actually prefer the smaller grip of the NS over the normal-sized grips of the other Airshaft models.
Lightest Squash Racket
Karakal SN-90 FF 2.0
Product Info
Release year: 2022
Price: £134
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Buy (France): dlsports.eu
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Buy (US): squashgalaxy.com | squashgear.com
Search:Racket Specs chart
Advertised weight (unstrung): 90 grams
Head size: 455 cm sq
String pattern: 14x19
Factory strings: Karakal Hot Zone 120 Squash String - Black
The lightest squash racket on the market is the Karakal SN-90 FF 2.0, with an advertised frame weight of 90 grams. I’ve never actually played with this racket myself, just wanted to include it for the curious-minded.
Best Hardball Doubles Squash Racket
Harrow M-140
Product Info
Release year: 2019
Price: $205
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Search:Racket Specs chart
Advertised weight (unstrung): 139 grams
String pattern: 16x19
My personal favorite hardball doubles racket is the Harrow M-140.
Harrow is certainly the top brand in the doubles space and has been for years. I believe the M-140 is one of the top-selling Harrow rackets and one of the most popular amongst pros on the doubles pro tour.
I like it for a few reasons.
- Medium-size head. While a larger head would seem more forgiving, actually any off-center hits in doubles are going to result in a poor shot. I think you’re better off with a slightly smaller head and gaining the extra control.
- Dense string pattern. This is another important factor for me in being able to control the harder doubles ball. An open string pattern allows you to put more cut on the ball but that’s really more applicable to a (softball) singles situation.
- Concave frame. The M-140 has a concave shape, as opposed to a convex one, at the point where the grommets pass through the frame. In my book this makes the racket stiffer, which is another important factor in being able to control a fast-moving doubles ball.
The Racket I Use Personally
Harrow Vapor Misfit
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Search:Racket Specs chart
String pattern: 14x19
Measured weight (all-in): 140 grams
For singles squash, the racket I’m using right now is the Harrow Vapor Misfit.
A couple months ago I was rewriting this article and included the Harrow Vapor as my best squash racket for control. I remember it fondly, but it had been years since I played with it.
Around then, I also noticed the Harrow Vapor Misfit, which is just the Vapor mold with a different cosmetic, was going for just $150 at Squash Gear. Now that may not sound like a great price to everyone, but it’s a nice discount off of the usual Harrow Vapor price of $215.
On top of that, I just love the cosmetics. I’ve been writing this blog for many years, and this is one of my favorite cosmetics of all time. I’m gonna get myself some pink headbands just to accentuate it.
Top Squash Racket Brands
Here are quick links to some high-quality brands I’ve covered so far on Squash Source:
305Squash | Ashaway | Black Knight | Decathlon | Dunlop | Eye | Gracelyne | Grays | Harrow | Head | Hit | Karakal | Manta | Mantis | Oliver | Prince | ProKennex | Salming | Stellar | Tecnifibre | Unsquashable | Victor | Wilson | Xamsa
Squash Racket Basics
Here are the parts of a squash racket:
Grip: where you hold onto
Head: where the strings are
Shaft: connects the head to the grip
Throat: where the racket starts to form a V shape
Fun fact: adult rackets are 686 millimeters (27 inches) long, according to the official specs published by World Squash. You can also get shorter junior squash rackets for young players.
Aside from the price, here are a few other factors you might want to consider about squash rackets:
Weight: How much the racket weighs in total.
Balance: Whether the racket is weighted towards the head (“head-heavy”), weighted towards the grip (“head-light”), or evenly balanced.
String pattern: How many cross and main strings it has.
Throat shape: Whether there’s a bridge across the throat of the racket (“conventional” head shape, as in the first picture above) or the strings go all the way down (as in the picture below).
Graphic Design: How cool it looks.
Durability: This can be a bit subjective, because it depends on how often you smack the wall with your racket, but it’s a factor.
Squash Racket Reviews
Squash Source has a growing collection of squash racket reviews.
- Squash Source readers have left valuable comments around the site.
- I’ve personally done a number of video reviews over the years — check out my YouTube channel for the latest videos
- I try to also include reviews done on other squash equipment sites.
Do you have any feedback on your current squash racket? Please search for your racket and leave a comment about it!
Here’s a video from the Squash Source YouTube channel that delves into some of my favorite rackets from the past few years. These are all rackets that worked for ME personally and (unsurprisingly) they are all pretty similar so don’t worry if you like different types of rackets or don’t have access to these particular models. The point is you should try and find what works for YOU:
Why Trust My Opinion
My name is Pierre and I’m the founder of Squash Source. I’ve been playing squash since I was a teenager, starting out in US junior tournaments and continuing on to play in college at Princeton and more recently in squash leagues and masters tournaments.
I’ve been reviewing squash rackets for Squash Source since about 2012, and over the years I’ve tried dozens, perhaps hundreds of squash rackets. The opinions on this page are based on the rackets I’ve actually tried, and are also informed by the hundreds of comments that have been left on Squash Source over the years by readers (thank you all!).
If you made it all the way down here, I want to leave you with one closing thought. The best squash racket is the one that gets you playing squash. That’s the most important thing. So grab a racket and go play!
Sarita says
()
Picking out the perfect new squash racquet can be both a fun and a daunting task. You should be considered when picking out your squash racquet: Head shape, overall weight, balance point and string length/tension.
Please read this blog by hutkay.fit- an online marketplace for Squash Gear & Apparel. https://www.hutkay.fit/collections/racquets
Shop squash rackets online at hutkay.fit from a wide range, which includes rackets from beginner level to advanced level. For more information, please visit Hutkay.fit website.
Ryan says
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What plays / feels similar to the techifiber carboflex 125s? Just looking for a change but nothing drastic 🙂
Anas says
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Hi Pierre,
I jut wanted your help on what racquet should I get?
I’m 16 years old and I’m an advanced player, I’m looking for a control racquet that allows me to really feel the ball. I was considering the prince textreme pro warrior but people kept saying that it breaks really easily. So I’m now thinking about the prince airstick 130 and Eye v lite 125 control. What do you think of these racquets and are there any racquets that you have tried that you think might be suitable. The price is not too big of an issue.
Thanks
Pierre says
()
Those are all considered high quality rackets, though I haven’t used them much myself. Personally I find those rackets with a “fan” stringing pattern have more power but less feel. That is just a personal preference of mine. Obviously Ramy feels differently since he’s played with two of the rackets you mentioned 🙂
You may have to test it out for yourself to see what you like best.
Right now my favorite control racket is the Salming Cannone Pro, which I’m using these days. A similar stringing pattern in the Eye range would be the Eye V.Lite 120 Control.
Alex says
()
Hi,
Newish player on the cusp of beginner/intermediate. I’m looking for more power, especially from the back of the court. I currently have the Technifibre Carboflex 135 (2-year old model, I think). I find the sweet spot to be rather small. Trying to decide between the Dunlop Force Revelation 135 and the Prince Pro Rebel 950. I’m told they’re both great for power, but the former is heady light and latter is head heavy. Is one more powerful than the other? What about control? Any advice is welcome. Do the strings on the Prince break easier? Thanks!
Pierre says
()
I feel like all three of these are good rackets. Do you have the Carboflex 135 S?
The fan stringing pattern like in the Dunlop and the Prince feels more powerful, in my book. You may like the feel of those better. But I’m also wondering if you should first try restringing your Carboflex at a lower tension for more power, before dropping money on a new racket.
Will see if others have input.
Alex says
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I have the 135. Not the newer s.
Matt says
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Hi. Returning to squash after a near 30 year break. Formerly played as a kid with a wooden Dunlop Maxply and soon after one of the the first Graphites, the Prince Graphite Pro at the time a beast of a racket – small round head, proper 80’s kit.
First few games on returning were with a borrowed 10 year old head MgCarbon 5300 no weight given but feels pretty heavy, open head. Got on ok with it but hit a wall!
I purchased a Technifibre AP 135 after reading many reviews. This lasted 2 games before the strings broke so is on its way back. I actually felt it wasn’t right for me anyway. I’m an intermediate player and felt the sweet spot was a bit tight. I have a killer back hand, poor forehand and tend to play a lot of drops. Considering a Technifibre Carboflex 135S or Prince Team Black original 800.
I’m your typical “all the gear – no idea” player, late 40’s, still fit and get round the court well.
Any advice?
Matt
Iqbal Shahid says
()
Hi Matt
Welcome back to squash!! I haven’t tried either of the two rackets but have heard good things about the Prince. You could also take a look at Black Knight Ion Cannon, which is a popular choice in my club.
Pierre says
()
That type of wraparound string pattern (Tecnifibre AP / Prince rackets) takes a while to get used to I think. You might like some of the Head Cyanos, similar-ish shape to the Head MgCarbon 5300. The Carboflex 135 S was a little heavy for me but if you’re coming from those other rackets it may feel light in comparison! I’d say the most popular racket on the market right now is the Tecnifibre 125 S or the original 125. Hope that helps a bit.
Matt says
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Hi Pierre, good advice. I’ll take a look. Thanks.
Lloyd says
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Hey, has anyone come across or heard of blade squash rackets? Any opinions on them?
Lawrence says
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Hi Lloyd
I believe Blade is marketed out of Hong Kong. Phil Head runs/owns it. I had a Samurai — crazy stiff, but it looked nice! Didn’t play long enough with it to provide a better insight, sorry.
Lloyd says
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Thanks Lawrence,
Do you remember it being sturdy or did it feel like it could break easily?
Lawrence says
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I think it felt like it would break easier than, let’s say, a Dunlop or Tecnifibre. I think the stiffer the racket, the chances of it breaking are higher…I.e. Some Prince and Harrow models… but stiff also means vibration is at a minimum….so if you like your racket stiff and if you keep your racket impact with the wall to a minimum, then this is the racket for you!
Lloyd says
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Thank you Lawrence, appreciated! 🙂
Jonathan Hope says
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getting a stock of them on Monday. Can’t wait to try them. I will have the Shogun (both white and black models), Samurai, Ronin and Katana (the newest model). They look like they have the same moulds as Harrow for the samurai and shogun. Bonny make Harrow rackets (and some Dunlop and other brands), and I have found that several of those rackets have pretty similar if not identical weights and balances and have very little between them in terms of performance.
There’s a video on the Blade facebook page that shows how they make the rackets which is pretty cool and definitely worth a view if you’re into that side of things.
Jonathan
Lloyd says
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Hey,
What do you think of the Samurai and Shogun? (both black and the white) They are probably the ones I am most interested in
Lloyd
Jonathan Hope says
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Samurai is super head light and really manoeuvrable. My preference is the Shogun, plays very similar to the Harrow JP signature spark. Solid racket.
I have used the Shogun, Samurai, Ronin and Katana. All really good feeling rackets. Definitely worth considering as an alternative to any of the traditional brands without any worry.
Lloyd says
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Thanks for the response! Would you say they’re sturdy rackets then in that they don’t break easily?
Ryan says
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Currently play with technifiber 125s, wanting to try others which are similar. I didn’t get on with the technifiber AP 125 any other suggestions?
B says
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Hi,
Looking to purchase a racquet but have not seen many reviews on these 2.
1. Head Speed 135 and
2. Head Speed 120
Anyone have experience with these and what are your opinion?
Lawrence says
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Hi B
I played with the Speed 120 and found it too light for my liking!! It felt like I was playing with a badminton racket! It’s super stiff, and having to make extra effort to drive good lengths made my arm ache after a while.
If I had to choose again I would buy the 135, simply because it would feel like a squash racket!…….. but the pro shop didn’t have the 135 in stock.
I would try both first before deciding on one, as rackets are very personal — one man’s meat is another’s poison! ?
Gabriel says
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Hello! First of all, sorry for my English level. I don’t speak it very well 😉
I’m looking for the best control racket (there are a lot of options and I don’t know what is the best choice).
I’m an experienced player (I played a lot when I was young, even semi-profesional competitions 20 years ago), and I have started to play again one year ago.
Currently I’m playing with Tecnifibre Carboflex 125S, and I would like to play with another racket focused on control.
Which one could you recommend me? I have seen online the Tecnifibre Suprem 125, Tecnifibre Suprem 130, Dunlop Precision Ultimate, Dunlop Precision Elite… but I don’t know which one is better, or even if there is another one better than this ones.
Could you please help me?
🙂
kkc88 says
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If you want more control, you can simply start by re-stringing your current racquet at higher tension i.e. higher than 25lbs.
If you are looking for a new ‘control’ racquets, choose those with traditional/conventional throat shaped i.e. TF Suprem range, Dunlop Precision range.
You may lose a bit of power with higher tensioned strings or using a control racquet with shorter main strings due to lesser trampoline bouncing effect.
Gabriel says
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Thanks for the answer!
I think I prefer to try with a new racket and enjoy playing with two diferents (depending the opponent, the feelings during the match…). Is it crazy? 😉
What could be the best one for control? I like a the feeling of a “head-light” balance, like the Tecnifibre Carboflex 125S I have.
Thanks!
P.D.: In case of re-stringing my TF Carboflex 125S, which tension do you recommend me?
kkc88 says
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Most Dunlop racquets are of head-light balance. Your TF Carboflex 125S is a balanced racquet. I would recommend you to try tension at 27-29lbs. Anything higher may make the racquet feel “plankish”, may even make it vibrate more and also more prone to breakage – both frame and strings.
MS says
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What about Head Xenon 135 Slimbody?
Bought mine not long ago, love it, thinks it’s perfect for control but one might struggle a bit to generate much power.
Gabriel says
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It looks also a good option. I didn’t know this racket.
What could be better between this ones: Head Xenon SB 135, Dunlop Precision Elite or Dunlop Precision Ultimate?
I’m a little worried about the power with the Dunlop Precision Ultimate, but maybe it’s not a problem with this one…
I can’t test the rackets until I buy it.
Thanks!
Zak says
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Hey! great work with the website. Very helpful and keep it up.
So demoed a few rackets today and narrowed them down to 2.
Black Knight Ion Cannon and Tecnifibre Suprem 135. They are both in a similar price range and wanted an opinion between the two. If you had to choose one, which one would you recommend.
Thanks in advance
Sag says
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I am an intermediate player looking to take my game up to the next level.
Male, mid 30’s, power player over control.
Looking for head heavy, larger sweet spot, light racquet. Price is not a consideration.
kkc88 says
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Power racquet that is head heavy, larger sweet spot and light – consider the HEAD graphene XT Cyano 110. It fits all your requirements. If you want even more power – restring the racquet with Technifibre DNAMX or 305+ strings at lower tension – below 25lbs.
Georgi says
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Hi Pierre,
Could you please explain why racket’s balance is measured in cm and what does it represent?
I’m currently playing squash for around 20 months. My first racket was Wilson Impact 900, which has a balance of 30.9cm (source: http://www.newitts.com/wilson-impact-pro-900-squash-rackets#full-description ). I can’t myself figure out whether it’s head-heavy or head-light. I believe the former must be true. It’s also apparently a heavy racket – 215g. I’m currently looking for a replacement, that is similar to the Wilson 900. I’ve tried several other rackets, for instance Dunlop Blackstorm, but didn’t quite like it. Therefore, I believe I’d prefer a head-heavy one(?).
Could you please advise?
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Regards,
Georgi
Pierre says
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Hi Georgi, a standard adult squash racket is 27 inches long (68.6 cm). Head-heavy/head-light are subjective but I’d say 36 cm would be considered “even” balance even though this is beyond the technical halfway point of the racket. I can’t recall seeing many, possibly any, rackets under 35 cm balance point. I’ve never tried the Wilson Impact Pro but a 30.9 cm balance point would be considered VERY head-light — though like I said, this seems like a strangely low number.
The Wilson Impact Pro does seem quite heavy overall. If you’re playing frequently I’d suggest a lighter racket, maybe 145 grams so it doesn’t feel too much of a jump. I don’t have a very good mental picture of what your racket feels like so at this point I would recommend trying out rackets by borrowing them from other people at your courts or your pro shop, if either is possible, and see what you like best.
Nikhil says
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Dear Pierre,
I am from India, and I recently started playing squash at a club. Even though it has just been a week since I started, I have been picking up in a fast pace as I play badminton. The court has a Head Spector racket which players can use – I use it. I find that I need to develop more arm strength to drive my shots, but I have a slightly decent sense of control when I hit (probably comes from my badminton days). The Spector weighs 195g, and I’m afraid the weight may hinder my ability to flick backhands from corners etc.
Could you please be so kind as to suggest a racket for me that:
– Is light so I can handle it easy
– has better power than Head Spector?
Ideally, it should be a racket that is light, and helps me build my arm strength as well, along with sufficient ease to flick the racket when needed.
It would be a tremendous help for me if you could suggest a few options to look into.
Thank you,
Nik
Pierre says
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Hi Nik, 195 grams is definitely heavy and would be difficult to control. Does your club have some demos of other rackets you could try? I think the best thing to do is just try a few rackets and see what you like best. It’s somewhat of a personal preference as to what you’ll like best, but I think any of the first 10 rackets on this Head rackets page for example will feel much more maneuverable. Normally for someone who is just starting out I would recommend something a little bit head heavier like the Xenon 135 so that you don’t become too “flicky” as you’re learning your swing, but since you come from badminton I think you might actually like and be able to handle those lighter rackets e.g. Cyano 110/120.
Rachel says
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Help please. I have been playing for about 18months now. I was bought a basic racquet to start with and it was “okay ” ( well to me) The strings have broken and have been advised to put the “cheap” thing ( about £25) in the bin. Which I thought as much but now I’m not sure which racket to buy. It sounds terrible but although I play twice a week ( am borrowing a Titan one at moment) they all see much the same when I looked in the shops.
I KNOW they are not the same…..composition / head weight etc etc but I think I just need a good next stage up racket. I don’t think I hit that powerfully ( bad hands) and I do alternate left and right – both equally good but apart from that if anyone has some suggestions I’d be really grateful . Thank you
Pierre says
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Hi Rachel,
You’ll get a sense of what kind of racket you like e.g. head weight / head shape just by trying different ones (borrowing your friend’s for a hit, say) but at this stage I’d just go for something that’s decent and forgiving and not too heavy. I’d check out the Wilson Hyper Hammer 110 for example.
Barry c says
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Hi, could you recommend a good head light racket, currently using tecnifibre carboflex 125 for a few years and like it. I have a head nano 115 as backup but find this slightly too head heavy. Looking to go lighter
Lawrence says
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Hi Barry
Dunlops are generally head-light, but not sure whether they fit your weight requirements! Not many rackets are lighter than the 125…..
That said, I just tried out the new Head Graphene Touch Speed 120 SB (Slimbody)…. it’s Super Super light (almost feels like a Badminton racket!) — this will fit your requirement! I’ve shared some pictures with Pierre – he’s posted it on this website somewhere — Pierre can share the link please?
Barry C says
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Thanks Lawrence, where can i get the Head Graphene Touch Speed 120 SB (Slimbody) in the uk?
Lawrence says
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Hi Barry
Not sure when it will be launched in U.K., perhaps you can hassle your pro shop friends to find out for you? It should be soon!
Greg says
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Hey there,
I’ve finally gone through the last of my Dunlop Hotmelt Carbon Jonathan Power (all black, matte, gold at the top and a bit at the bottom of the head) racquets – these are pretty old so it’s hard to find reviews or suggestions of what to try next. I’m looking for something very similar after not enjoying my accuracy with a Carboflex 130s I tried (felt lightish but head heavy, slow to cock the wrist, a bit too much power, low control over where I was placing the ball). Maybe I’m just not made for teardrops. I believe the JP hotmelt was 470cm, 135g?
What would you suggest I try? I’m looking at the traditional framed Suprem 130 or 135, and am lost with all of the new Dunlops.
I’m an advanced player, late 20s, and competed at the state/provincial level as a junior.
Thanks,
G
Lawrence says
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Hi Greg
I do believe the old Hotmelt (white/black) are still available online!
Something similar would be the
1. Dunlop — try the Precision Pro 140 and the 130; or the Elite
2. Tecnifibre — as you mentioned, the Suprems are also an option (wait for the new models coming soon!)
3. Head — the Xenon models are also quite good
Best is if you can test them as rackets are very personal.
Hope this helps! Enjoy!
Greg says
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Thanks Lawrence. I hit with a friend’s hotmelt pro and it felt pretty good, slightly lighter (or just more head light) than the JP Carbon Hotmelt which I sense is more even weight.
I have a demo order out for a Suprem 130, Precision 130 and Precision Elite and hopefully will like one of those… if not, Hotmelts are only $99 🙂
Any idea on the ETA for new Suprem’s being announced?
Lawrence says
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The new Suprems are out! I sent some pictures to Pierre and he’s posted it here on this website! Pierre – can share the link?
Greg says
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Update – I ended up demoing several racquets. In case someone’s also moving on from an older dunlop or wants to hear some comparisons, here it goes:
TL;DR:
– Don’t buy a precision pro 140, get the old hotmelt pro
– Stock dunlop ‘great white’ strings are atrocious
– I bought my first Black Knight racquet ever.
1. Dunlop Precision Pro 130
– Head light but not ‘overly so’
– Very nice control/feel, volleying felt amazing
– The stock stricks (great whites) are absolute garbage. I’ve only ever struggled to get to court to the back of the court with 1 other racquet, Head Xenon SB 120(ish).
– Hopefully with proper strings this has some power, but as someone with zero power generating problems for 20+ years of play. wow.
2. Dunlop Precision Pro 140
– More even feel than the 130
– Felt too a bit heavy coming from a 130-135 JP Signature Hotmelt Carbon
– Power was fine (it has supernicks though)
– Nice feel/feedback, very classic dunlop
– I think anyone that buys this racquet wasted money. It felt absolutely identical to the Hotmelt Pro I also demo’d
3. Dunlop Hotmelt Pro (graphite)
– More head heavy than the dunlop hotmelt pro titantium I have, but slightly less head heavy than a Head Graphene Xenon 135
– Feels just like the precision pro 140 but at 60% of the price
– Stock ‘silk’ strings (grey/silver) are much much better than the great whites.
4. Eye X.Lite 120 Control (Shabana)
– Very interesting racquet. Light but ‘head heavy’, for a 120, which was a very unique feel
– Good power, great confidence in the front of the court
– looks amazing..the lack of traditional grommets/eyelets worried me
– slightly rectagonal/edged elipse shaped grip (stock) caused blisters
5. Dunlop Precision Elite
– Balance wise, feels identical to the old hotmelt pro titanium, slightly more headlight than the JP hotmelt carbon
– Good power (had powernick 18s on it) balanced swing, not a stiff feel
– Having only played with traditional 460-475cm racquet heads, the sweet spot felt odd
6. Black Knight Element Ion PSX (black)
– The most headlight racquet i’ve ever played with
– Very stiff, a lot of feedback from hitting the ball
– Excellent headspeed from small flicky shots – lets you hold the swing until very late
– Very good power (as much as 500cm Precision Elite, despite being more headlight and a smaller head)
– Very good control – feels amazing to volley and drop
– Maybe it’s just because its so headlight, but I’m scared to hit a wall with it. Here’s to hoping its strong
– I ultimately chose to buy this racquet and am pretty happy with it so far!
Adam says
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Hello,
I am just starting out I have only played a few times but I caught on quite quick. I am trying to choose between the HEAD Graphene XT Cyano 125 Racquet, HEAD Graphene Xenon 140 XTR, ans the Dunlop Aerogel 4D Pro Gt X. They are all on sale right now for a great price. I am a fairly big guy that generates a lot of power I could probably use something with a little more control and durability. Any suggestions?
Thanks
Lawrence says
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Hi Adam
Since you can generate a lot of power already, try the Xenon or the Aerogel – the round-shape frames tend to give more control.
The Cyano is listed as a power racket, but if you string at a higher tension you will have better control. Might break more strings, though 😀
Best is if you can try them out. Feel is very important too, and very personal. What feels nice to me may feel dead in another person’s hands.
Welcome to becoming another Squash addict!
Morgan says
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Hi,
Can you give me any info on a Grays nanotech 125 racquet. I’m just starting out, but at 6’5″ I generate a fair bit of power. All advice much appreciated.
Luke says
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Hi, for years I played on a Head Genesis 440 until it broke recently. Since then I can’t find a racket that suits. The Prince Exo3 pro rebel 950 was not forgiving enough for me. The Black Knight Ion X-force Black has good control but I am having to work so much harder to generate power than with my Head 440. Have you any suggestions as to what current racket would be similar to my old racket?
Hendrik says
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Wilson Hyper Hammer 120
Luke says
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Cheers – I will try it – any particular reason why you think it will be similar?
GM says
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Hi – I am looking to buy a new racket and am quite agnostic to the brand. I am an intermediate player with a game that is HEAVILY dependent on drop shot from all over the court. My playing buddies also tell me that I tend to pound the ball a lot when given a chance – so essentially lots of drop shots with liberal sprinkling of power shots.
My issue is that I am suffering from Elbow Tendonitis (I use the clamp on the elbow). And NEED a racket that has very low vibrations. I also use dampeners but want to buy a racket that has low vibrations
Can you please recommend a few rackets and I can buy from your site
Thanks
GM
Pierre says
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I’ve never dealt with tendonitis myself. Please see this reader’s suggestion of the Harrow Spark. I feel the Head Xenon 135 is pretty stiff but it may be a little too head-heavy for your dropshot / power game.
Mahmoud says
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Hello,
Recently I upgraded my old Dunlop blazer after 2years with a new Dunlop Biomimetic Elite 2013 . But the string has been cut out at the first play. I don’t know is it a common issue or an issue with my racquet only. I liked the feeling of the racquet in my hand and i found it a powerful racquet but with a poor durable string.
I will return it but i’m confused to buying another one.
I think about buying Tecnifibre CarboFlex 125 Basaltex. I know there is a difference between the two regarding the power and control style but The new Dunlop didn’t last for one match.
I need a good durability racquet like Tecnifibre with a closed throat as the Biomimetic. What do you recommend?!
Thanks
Mahmoud
Lawrence says
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Hi Mahmoud
If you like the feeling of the Biomimetic racket then just change the strings! :-D.
Most brands make durable rackets so difficult to recommend one over another. From my experience though, the rackets that are less durable are from Harrow, Prince and eye.
Hope this helps. Enjoy the game!
Mahmoud says
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Hi Lawrence,
Thanx alot. It sounds a good idea but i will return the racket and make a replacement. So i think the alternative is Head Graphene 130, Is it?!.
Or do you recommend other Rackets that provide a mix between control and power and durability?!
And for the string, Which is more durable and give a good connection with the ball, Ashawy power nick or tecnifibre 305+ 1.2 gauge?
Thanks
Mahmoud
Lawrence says
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Hi Mahmoud
The Head Graphene 130 sounds good!
As for the strings, both options are good — Ashaway are ‘soft’ strings whilst the 305+ is a ‘hard’ string — so it depends on your personal preference in the end. Try both!