12 Best Squash Rackets for 2022

In this article I’m going to tell you about the 12 best squash rackets available on the market today.

But before I do that, 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.

1.	Dunlop Hyperfibre XT Revelation Pro Lite	Best Overall Squash Racket
2.	Tecnifibre Carboflex Airshaft 125	Top Squash Racket on the Pro Tour
3.	Dunlop Aerogel 4D Ultimate	Best Squash Racket on a Budget
4.	Used Dunlop Aerogel	Best Cheap Squash Racket
5.	Head Nano Ti 110	Best Squash Racket for Beginners
6.	Tecnifibre Carboflex X-Speed 130	Most Durable Squash Racket
7.	Head Graphene 360 Speed 135	Best Squash Racket for Power
8.	Harrow Vapor	Best Squash Racket for Control
9.	Tecnifibre Carboflex Airshaft 125 NS	Best Squash Racket for Women
10.	Karakal SN-90 FF	Lightest Squash Racket
11.	Harrow M-140	Best Hardball Doubles Squash Racket
12.	Black Knight Pro-X	The Racket I Use Personally

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1. Dunlop Hyperfibre XT Revelation Pro Lite

Best Overall Squash Racket

My pick for the best overall squash racket is the Dunlop Hyperfibre XT Revelation Pro Lite. Dunlop came out with this around 2019. I played with this racket myself for about a year, just before the pandemic hit, and several top pro players used this racket as well.

This racket has a teardrop head shape with a fairly even balance point.

I like the teardrop shape because the longer string bed gives you a little more power and is a bit more forgiving. Because of that, I had to make my top overall pick a teardrop, but I’ve got a recommendation below for a traditional head shape option if you prefer that.

I mentioned this racket has an even balance point. I think that’s a good starting place for most players. There’s another version of this racket called the Revelation Pro that current world #1 Ali Farag uses but the reason I haven’t recommended that one (and the reason I didn’t play with that one myself) is it’s just too head heavy. It feels like a brick in your hand. Honestly I don’t even know how Ali Farag and his tiny forearms can even swing that racket, much less win tournaments with it.

As far as the price point, this racket is a good deal right now at $130 in the US and a VERY good deal in the UK at £60. Part of the reason it’s a good deal is that Dunlop has come out with a newer model, the Dunlop Sonic Core Revelation Pro Lite, replacing the Hyperfibre XT model. Whenever a new model comes out like that, the previous one gets priced at a discount because it’s not the latest-and-greatest, but that doesn’t take away the fact that the prior model is a high quality stick.

One last thing I want to say about this choice is I picked it in part because Dunlop has good worldwide distribution. You can get this racket in North America, UK / Europe, and Asia. I didn’t want to pick one that you’d have to order from overseas, as much as possible.

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2. Tecnifibre Carboflex Airshaft 125

Top Squash Racket on the Pro Tour

Alright, you’ve heard my opinion on the best all-around squash racket, 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 Airshaft 125. It’s used by Mohamed El Shorbagy and at least ten other top pros, on both the men’s and women’s tours.

Here’s the thing.

This particular series of rackets has been hugely popular for years. It started with the original Carboflex 125, which is still in print but now known as the Tecnifibre Carboflex 125 Heritage.

It’s gone through several iterations since then, and the latest model is the Airshaft 125. Because this is the latest-and-greatest racket that the top pros are using, it’s also one of the more expensive rackets on the market. In the US right now it’s $220, and in the UK it’s a slightly more affordable £130.

If you want to get a taste of what this racket is like, without paying top dollar for the latest model, you can try the previous version, called the Carboflex X-Speed 125. Shorbagy and all the other Tecnifibre pros used that racket pre-pandemic.

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3. Dunlop Aerogel 4D Ultimate

Best Squash Racket on a Budget

If you’re looking for a lower-cost option, I would try the Dunlop Aerogel 4D Ultimate. “Aerogel” is a technology that Dunlop used in their rackets maybe ten years ago. While the technology’s a bit dated, they are still good quality rackets. These frames were top of the line at the time, and many of the Aerogel frame shapes are still in wide use today.

Dunlop still seems to be keeping the Aerogel Ultimate model alive, which is a good thing for budget-seekers everywhere.

There’s a newer iteration of the Ultimate called the Dunlop Sonic Core Ultimate. It’s got the same frame shape and stringing pattern as the old Aerogel model. It might have some incremental improvements in materials over the Aeorgel Ultimate, but it’s still pretty similar. 

If you want a budget-friendly alternative though, stick with the Aerogel version. There’s also an Aerogel Elite that I’d recommend for the same reasons.

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4. A Used Dunlop Aerogel

Best Cheap Squash Racket

If you want to save even more money on a squash racket, my advice is:

Buy a used racket.

Used rackets are like used cars: you get more bang for your buck.  

You’ll have to do a bit more digging, but you’ll end up with a good racket at a very good price. 

I already mentioned the Aerogel models above are a good budget pick. Well, they’re also good options to look for on the used market. 

The first thing I would try: search on eBay for “Dunlop Aerogel Squash”. I’ve checked this query in the US and the UK and it gives pretty good results. 

Search eBay for Dunlop Aerogel Squash

• Australia
• Canada
• France
• Germany
• Netherlands
• US
• UK

These rackets are often cheap in terms of price, but they’re not cheap in terms of build quality.

In my opinion they also still retain a bit of retro cool.

If the Aerogel method isn’t doing it for you, here’s an alternate way to find a good used squash racket. 

First browse around on eBay or any other site that lists squash rackets for sale. When you find a promising racket at a price you can tolerate, search for it on Squash Source. If you notice that a pro player used to play with that model, it’s probably a good choice. Or you can browse the comments and see if that racket is well-liked. This approach may take a little longer but it can surface some other options for you.

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5. Head Nano Ti 110

Best Squash Racket for Beginners

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 use a teardrop myself and have been playing with them 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.

Bottom line, this is a good starter racket that looks and plays like a high-end model, but without sporting a high-end price. 

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6. Tecnifibre Carboflex X-Speed 130

Most Durable Squash Racket

If you’re looking for a durable racket, I’d recommend the Tecnifibre Carboflex X-Speed 130. 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 talking to squash players and reading the Squash Source comments. 

Granted, that’s not very scientific, but it’s the advice I would give right now to anyone who asked me. 

The reason I picked the X-Speed 130 model specifically is because it’s 5 grams heavier than the X-Speed 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.

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7. Head Graphene 360 Speed 135

Best Squash Racket for Power

There are two ways to look at generating power with a squash racket. If you’re more of a beginner or intermediate player, you want to get a racket with a larger string bed and a fan stringing pattern. The strings on that kind of racket are just going to produce a little more ‘pop’ on your shots.

I already mentioned the Head Nano Ti as a good beginner racket and it meets the string criteria I’m laying out here, but just to throw out another option, I’ll mention the Head Graphene 360 Speed 135:

The 360 Speed 135 has the teardrop frame shape and fan stringing pattern. It is essentially a more recent version of the Head Nano Ti, and with even nicer cosmetics too.

The other way to generate power with your squash racket is by developing a faster swing speed. That’s going to be for the more advanced player, because you need to have your swing timing down in a really controlled manner.

For the advanced player 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.

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8. Harrow Vapor

Best Squash Racket for Control

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.

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9. Tecnifibre Carboflex Airshaft 125 NS

Best Squash Racket for Women

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.

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10. Karakal SN-90 FF

Lightest Squash Racket

The lightest squash racket on the market is the Karakal SN-90 FF, 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.

The SN 90-FF is the successor to the SN 90, which came out about seven years ago.

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11. Harrow M-140

Best Hardball Doubles Squash Racket

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.

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12. Black Knight Pro-X

The Racket I Use Personally

For singles squash, the racket I’m using right now is the Black Knight Pro-X. I loved the Pro-X when I reviewed it, which was right before the pandemic started. Months later, when we were finally able to get back on court again after the initial COVID wave, I pulled this out of my bag and just kept on playing with it.

This racket is similar to the Hex Blaze LT that I mentioned above in the “Best Power” category: it’s light, but has a slightly head-heavy balance, so you can get some nice whip on your shots.

The only reason I didn’t include this racket in the list above is that it’s only available in the US, and I want to recommend things that squash players all around the world are likely to be able to find.

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Top Squash Rackets Overview

Squash Racket	Frame Weight (grams)	Head Size (cm2)	String Pattern	Balance
Dunlop Hyperfibre XT Revelation Pro Lite	125	490	14×19	Head Light
Tecnifibre Carboflex Airshaft 125	125	500	14×18	Even
Dunlop Aerogel 4D Ultimate	132	500	16×19	Even
Head Nano Ti 110	110	500	14×18	Head Heavy
Tecnifibre Carboflex X-Speed 130	130	500	14×18	Even
Head Graphene 360 Speed 135	135	500	12×17	Head Light
Harrow Vapor	125	470	14×18	Head Heavy
Tecnifibre Carboflex Airshaft 125 NS	125	500	14×18	Even
Karakal SN-90 FF	90	455	14×18	Head Heavy
Harrow M-140	125	N/A	14×18	Head Heavy
Black Knight Pro-X	125	490	14×18	Head Heavy

Best 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

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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.

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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:

Subscribe on YouTube

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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!