Best Racquetball Racquets for Every Player Type
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HEAD Liquid Metal 170/180/190 Racquetball Racquet -
E-Force Takeover Racquetball Racquet -
2015 Ektelon Textreme Longbody Racquetball Racquet -
Gearbox '10 White Accent Racquetball Racquet -
Wilson Striker Racquetball Racquet -
Buyer's Guide
There are hundreds of racquetball racquets available today and finding the right one can be a daunting task. To get the racquet that suits you best, you need to consider weight, head shape, materials, grip, and string bed. Racquets generally weigh between 160 grams and 245 grams. Players who are just learning the game should start out with a heavier racquet (though not too heavy that they can’t swing it properly). Heavier racquets generate more power and accuracy. Lighter racquets require the player to have more accuracy, but are great for generating a faster swing and allow for more maneuverability.
Beginners should also start out with a larger racquet as these have a larger sweet spot, have a greater margin for error, and generate more power. Smaller racquets are better for control and allow you to hit shots closer to the wall. Racquets made with materials such as graphite are stiffer and help you gain more power and force on your shots. For more information on what to look at in selecting the best racquetball racquet in 2022, we have listed below the available racquetball racquets on the market. It is important to learn a little about the specifics of the racquets before purchasing one so you can choose the right one for your skill level.
Here are the best racquetball racquets of 2022
HEAD Liquid Metal 170/180/190 Racquetball Racquet - Best Racquetball Racquet Overall
The Head Blackjack contains a “smart material” called d3o, which changes its behavior depending on dynamic loading and impact. The material is “smart” enough to sense the needs of players during different strokes and hits during a match. This material in the throat of the racquet will stiffen when you hit the ball hard to maximize power, and it will flex when you hit softly to maximize control and feel. Head’s corrugated throat is a new throat design that allows for corrugated rails to be incorporated into the racquet’s throat. These rails create a higher percentage of stiffness and provide the player with more power. The Blackjack is 22 inches long, weighs 160 grams unstrung and comes with another of Head’s modern technologies, IGS2, Inner Grommet System. The IGS2 eliminates the need for exterior grommet holes which means less weight with optimal stiffness.
E-Force Takeover Racquetball Racquet - Runner Up
The E-Force Heatseeker 160 racquet is made with high-tech components and is designed for more power, greater accuracy, and better feel. You will also notice more forgiveness when you hit the ball off-center, saving you a few points in every game, no matter what level player you are. The Heatseeker comes with new graphite construction, hi-octane boosters, and a new string pattern. The Hi-Octane boosters are a new feature that helps create a more solid stringbed, and increase your power on both center and off-center shots. It has a quad shape, weighs 160 grams unstrung, is 22 inches long, and has a string tension of 28-34 pounds.
2015 Ektelon Textreme Longbody Racquetball Racquet - Honorable Mention
The EXO3 Attack is the new version of the very popular More Attack; it has the same shape, look, and feel. The EXO3 comes with extra energy bridge inserts that allow you to change the balance and weight of the racquet. The racquets come from the factory with all silver inserts, but you can change it when you string the racquet to any combination you want. The inserts are located at nine, 12, and three on the frame. Use all silver (the heavier insert) for an even balance and use silver only on top for a head heavy feel for faster acceleration. Use blue (the lighter insert) only on top for a light head feel and improved stability, or all blue for the lightest weight. This racquet is 22 inches long, weighs 168-175 grams unstrung, and has a string tension of 30-38 lbs.
Gearbox '10 White Accent Racquetball Racquet - Consider
Gearbox is one of the newest players in the racquetball racquet industry. This is a great racquet for someone who wants a lighter weight but doesn’t want to sacrifice power. The single tube frame construction transitions into the head for optimal power. It is head heavy to maximize power on your strokes. The weight is 165 grams unstrung, the string tension is 25-35 pounds, and the length is 22 inches. It has an excellent swing profile that provides the least amount of air resistance and it uses a unique dampener system to minimize any vibration. The 250 also has a hybrid quad/teardrop frame design that provides better control and accuracy.
Wilson Striker Racquetball Racquet - Best Racquetball Racquet
This is the top of the line model in the Wilson BLX series and offers maximum power for experienced players. Not only is it powerful, it also earned excellent reviews for ball control in testing by Racquetworld.com. Wilson blends basalt into this composite racquet to help reduce vibration. It weighs 175 grams unstrung, is 22 inches long, and has a string tension of 28-33 pounds. It has a teardrop shape and is head heavy for extreme power. The Power Strings design helps to maintain constant string placement helping to increase power and accuracy. For heavier racquets, you can go to the Sword BLX (185 grams) or the Force BLX (190 grams); these offer the same quality, power, and control as the Warlock.
Buyer's Guide
What makes a good racquet? Why is it important to your game play?
Well, there is much more to racquetball than simply swatting the ball from forward to back. Power, accuracy, and spin are key attributes of a good player, but all of which are impossible without a good racquetball racquet. Choosing a good racquetball racquet really will make a difference in your game. Selecting the right racquet is the most important, and also the most difficult, part of choosing equipment. But it doesn't have to be hard!
The following guide is provided to help you on your way.
What should you look out for when choosing a racquetball racquet?
Here are some of the most important things to note before buying a new racquet.
Head size
Racquetball racquets have fewer variations in head size as tennis racquets, but still subtle differences can influence play. If you're hitting the ball, the bigger your head size, the wider your sweet spot will be. You'll experience fewer misses and you'll still get a little power behind your shot when you're not hitting it perfectly.
Weight
If you play a tournament with several games, then swinging the racquet repeatedly will really tire you out. For that reason, lighter racquets would be helpful as it can help you stay quick throughout a long match, giving you the edge against a tough opponent. Howver, don't sacrifice durability by going too light.
Balance
Most pure power players buy a racquet that is head-weighted to generate more force behind the ball. The weight of a racket must be distributed evenly throughout the whole. This style of play is preferred by players who place the ball with finesse rather than relying on just power. When shopping, select your style wisely. Additionally, do not use a new type of weighted racquet in match play until you have adjusted to it. Make sure you practice with it before putting it to use in a game.
Grip
Choosing the right grip size for your new racquetball racket is very important. Your game can be affected more than you can imagine when you have the wrong grip size. Racquets are strung and gripped at the factory— you can see these factory options on our Product Facts page. If you want to measure your grip, you need to take out a measuring tape. Turn the palm of your hand upward, with your fingers extended out and together. With the measuring tape, measure the distance between the end of your ring finger and the bottom crease of your palm (usually at the point where your thumb connects to your hand). You need to look for a grip of that size. The most common measurement is between 4 and 4 3/4 inches.
A lot of people wrap their new racquets in grip tape. If you're planning to do the same, consider getting a grip size one size smaller than your hand measurement. This will allow you to add grip tape to the grip without making it too big for your hand.
Durability
The game of racquetball can sometimes accidentally become a contact sport. It is inevitable a racquet will break from time to time. Choose a racquet made from materials other than plastic to help prevent this. Graphite, carbon fibers, and plastic resins are some materials that make good racquetball racquets. These materials in racquetball racquets make them light and much more durable.
String type
Raquetball string types are less important than in tennis because of the way racquet balls are constructed, but they can still influence gameplay. You can occasionally do a few more tricks with the ball if you use higher-quality strings. So when you think of buying a new racquet, pay attention to the string type that it has.
Pricing
Keep to a budget you can afford. Investing in a racquet from the previous year is a great way to save some money while still purchasing a top-of-the-line model. The price ranges of racquetball racquets vary widely: it is possible to buy them for less than $15, or for more than $200. You have a lot of options to choose from when it comes to price. Start by determining your racquet buying budget based on your finances, your usual playing frequency, and your skill level. This will assist you in narrowing down your choices to start with.
Determine your brand options
There are various technologies that affect how the racquet feels and plays. This would vary by model and brand. For best results, we recommend trying out different racquets before commiting to a purchase.
FAQs
Is there any difference between a tennis racquet and a racquetball racquet?
Generally, they seem to appear similar, but there are a few notable differences. They are different in shape, with tennis racquets being larger and more round. As far as stringing goes, tennis racquets have strings that go vertically and horizontally across. The strings of a racquetball racquet are typically less grid-like and depend more on the design of the individual manufacturer. Other differences might include material, sturdiness, and structure.
What ts the difference between racquetball and squash?
The most significant difference between the two are the pieces of equipment used. Squash racquets can be up to 27 inches long, while racquetball racquets cannot exceed 22 inches in length. Moreover, squash balls are smaller, with a diameter of 4 centimeters, and have less bounce than racquetballs. Squash balls are made from rubber that is not elasticized nearly as much as the rubber used in racquetballs. There also few differences in the rules of the game.
What support equipment do people most often use when playing racquetball?
For maximum protection, you might need eye protection, knee pads, wrist braces, and sweatbands. If you want to throw in some style, you can also make use of a headband and a glove for some extra grip.
