Padelradar

The 9 bestpadel rackets for kids

Junior rackets for children and teenagers: nine models from HEAD, Nox, Babolat, Bullpadel, Kuikma, adidas and Wilson, with age range, weight and price compared.

Updated: November 2026By Timo, PadelradarNot a lab test — a comparison built from product data and reviews

At a glance

Best junior racket overallHEAD Coello Junior#1 · approx. €90Lightest branded starterBullpadel Indiga Jr 26#4 · approx. €54Best for under-8sBabolat Alioth Mini JR#9 · approx. €55

An adult racket is too heavy for children. With 360 grams in their hand, every shot becomes a struggle, their technique suffers and the fun soon disappears. Junior rackets weigh considerably less, usually have a soft core and a fibreglass face. That way the ball gets over the net even without much strength.

For this list I looked at the junior rackets in my comparison of 48 current models and picked the nine best, from the Babolat Alioth Mini JR for children under 8 to the Bullpadel Hack Jr for ambitious teenagers. The table shows the manufacturer's age range for every racket. If your child is just starting out in padel, the coach search also lists coaches who work with children.

Compare them all

Tap a column to sort, filter for what you need and pick up to three products to compare side by side.

Shape
AgeShapeWeightFeelFace
1HEADCoello Juniorapprox. €909–12 yearsTeardrop300–320 g–Glasfaser67768
2NoxAT10 Genius JRapprox. €80–Round300–325 gSoftGlasfaser 3K48888
3BabolatAlioth JRapprox. €808–12 yearsRound310–330 g–Glasfaser48888
4BullpadelIndiga Jr 26approx. €548–12 yearsTeardrop270–290 gSoftGlasfaser (Polyglass)59879
5KuikmaPR Evolution Juniorapprox. €509–12 yearsTeardrop330 g–Glasfaser57777
6adidasArrow Hit Juniorapprox. €65–Round310–330 gSoftGlasfaser48888
7WilsonBlade Jr V4approx. €75–Teardrop300 gSoftGlasfaser57879
8BullpadelHack Jr 26approx. €7012–16 yearsDiamond335–345 gMediumGlasfaser (Polyglass)86656
9BabolatAlioth Mini JRapprox. €55under 8Round280–300 g–Glasfaser38989

Typical street price when the list was updated · Scale 1–10, my assessment

The ranking

  1. 01
    #1 · Best junior racket overall

    HEAD Coello Junior 2026

    approx. €90 · Arturo Coello

    Best for: Kids aged around 9–12 who already play regularly and want a real teardrop modelled on Arturo Coello's racket.

    Ratings

    Power6
    Control7
    Comfort7
    Sweet spot6
    Handling8

    Specs

    Age
    9–12 years
    Shape
    Teardrop
    Weight
    300–320 g
    Feel
    –
    Face
    Glasfaser
    • Pros
    • Light 310 g with mid balance (265 mm)
    • Fibreglass face is forgiving on mishits
    • Teardrop shape grows with improving technique
    • Cons
    • Smaller sweet spot than round junior rackets
    • Around €90 is upper range for kids

    My verdict: The Coello Junior is a proper teardrop for children that gives kids with some experience room to grow. For a very first racket, a round junior model is more forgiving. If your child plays regularly and is improving, I'd choose it; for the very start, the Babolat Alioth JR is the better fit.

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  2. 02
    #2 · Best for young beginners

    Nox AT10 Genius JR 2026

    approx. €80 · Agustín Tapia

    Best for: Young beginners who want Tapia's racket as a light (300–325 g), round and easy-to-control junior version.

    Ratings

    Power4
    Control8
    Comfort8
    Sweet spot8
    Handling8

    Specs

    Age
    –
    Shape
    Round
    Weight
    300–325 g
    Feel
    Soft
    Face
    Glasfaser 3K
    • Pros
    • Round head with large, forgiving sweet spot
    • Soft HR3 White EVA core spares young arms
    • Carbon frame at a junior price
    • Cons
    • Little power for older, stronger juniors
    • 2026 version often sold out

    My verdict: The AT10 Genius JR is round, soft and head-light, which makes it a very easy way into padel. For older children with more strength it soon feels too tame. For young beginners it's my recommendation if you can find it; no age range is published, so go by the weight.

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  3. 03
    #3 · Most forgiving (ages 8–12)

    Babolat Alioth JR

    approx. €80

    Best for: Children aged 8–12 who want a forgiving, versatile round racket to learn the basics properly.

    Ratings

    Power4
    Control8
    Comfort8
    Sweet spot8
    Handling8

    Specs

    Age
    8–12 years
    Shape
    Round
    Weight
    310–330 g
    Feel
    –
    Face
    Glasfaser
    • Pros
    • Round shape and fibreglass face make clean contact easy
    • Handle-heavy balance is easy to swing
    • Carbon frame on a junior racket
    • Cons
    • Babolat doesn't state a model year
    • Low power once technique improves

    My verdict: The Alioth JR is a forgiving round racket that makes clean contact easy for 8- to 12-year-olds, and its carbon frame makes it solidly built. As technique grows, it lacks power. As a first proper racket it's a very good choice for me; for ambitious kids with more experience, the HEAD Coello Junior is the next step.

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  4. 04
    #4 · Lightest branded starter

    Bullpadel Indiga Jr 26 2026

    approx. €54

    Best for: Kids aged around 8–12 who are starting padel and need a very light, cheap racket from a big brand.

    Ratings

    Power5
    Control9
    Comfort8
    Sweet spot7
    Handling9

    Specs

    Age
    8–12 years
    Shape
    Teardrop
    Weight
    270–290 g
    Feel
    Soft
    Face
    Glasfaser (Polyglass)
    • Pros
    • Only about 280 g, very easy to handle
    • Flexible Evalastic core is comfortable
    • Low price for a branded junior racket
    • Cons
    • Thin 26 mm profile gives little power
    • Ambitious kids outgrow it quickly

    My verdict: At around 280 g the Indiga Jr 26 is the lightest branded racket on this list, and it costs little. Control and handling clearly come before power. For children just trying padel, I'd choose it; if your child sticks with it, they'll need a more powerful racket after a while.

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  5. 05
    #5 · Best budget pick

    Kuikma PR Evolution Junior

    approx. €50

    Best for: Budget-conscious families with a 9- to 12-year-old who plays regularly and needs a versatile racket.

    Ratings

    Power5
    Control7
    Comfort7
    Sweet spot7
    Handling7

    Specs

    Age
    9–12 years
    Shape
    Teardrop
    Weight
    330 g
    Feel
    –
    Face
    Glasfaser
    • Pros
    • Lowest price on this list
    • Fibreglass face and EVA core are forgiving
    • Available in any Decathlon store
    • Cons
    • 330 g is heavy for younger kids
    • Decathlon own brand, no pro-player model

    My verdict: The PR Evolution Junior is a straightforward, versatile teardrop for just under €50 that you can pick up and try in a shop. At 330 g, though, it suits the older children in this age group better. If you want to spend little and your child already has some strength, I'd take it.

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  6. 06
    #6 · Best soft round junior

    adidas Arrow Hit Junior 2026

    approx. €65

    Best for: Children under 12 who want an affordable, soft round racket of 310–330 g that puts control before power.

    Ratings

    Power4
    Control8
    Comfort8
    Sweet spot8
    Handling8

    Specs

    Age
    –
    Shape
    Round
    Weight
    310–330 g
    Feel
    Soft
    Face
    Glasfaser
    • Pros
    • Round shape with generous sweet spot
    • Low-density soft EVA core feels gentle
    • Good price for a 2026 junior model
    • Cons
    • Fibreglass frame is less durable than carbon
    • Shops list the balance as medium or low

    My verdict: The Arrow Hit Junior is soft, round and forgiving, which makes it a pleasant racket to learn with. Unlike some rivals it has no carbon frame, which may cost some durability over time. If your child mainly wants fun and control, it's a good, affordable choice in my view.

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  7. 07
    #7 · Best handling

    Wilson Blade Jr V4 2026

    approx. €75

    Best for: Juniors who want a light (about 300 g), quick teardrop for a more versatile game.

    Ratings

    Power5
    Control7
    Comfort8
    Sweet spot7
    Handling9

    Specs

    Age
    –
    Shape
    Teardrop
    Weight
    300 g
    Feel
    Soft
    Face
    Glasfaser
    • Pros
    • About 300 g and quick at the net
    • Soft EVA core and fibreglass face are comfortable
    • Teardrop shape adds a bit of punch
    • Cons
    • Weight specs differ between retailers
    • Smaller sweet spot than round junior rackets

    My verdict: The Blade Jr V4 is light, head-light and soft, so it's particularly quick in the hand. Its teardrop shape gives a little more punch than round junior rackets but forgives slightly less. I'd give it to kids who already have the basics; check the weight before buying, as retailers' figures differ.

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  8. 08
    #8 · Best for advanced teens

    Bullpadel Hack Jr 26 2026

    approx. €70 · Paquito Navarro

    Best for: Older, technically solid juniors (roughly 12–16) who want to attack like Paquito Navarro.

    Ratings

    Power8
    Control6
    Comfort6
    Sweet spot5
    Handling6

    Specs

    Age
    12–16 years
    Shape
    Diamond
    Weight
    335–345 g
    Feel
    Medium
    Face
    Glasfaser (Polyglass)
    • Pros
    • Diamond shape gives real attacking power
    • 100% carbon CarbonTube frame
    • Junior version of a pro racket
    • Cons
    • 335–345 g is heavy for younger children
    • Small sweet spot, not for beginners

    My verdict: The Hack Jr 26 isn't a learning racket but an attacking one for teenagers whose technique is already in place. With its diamond shape and 335–345 g it forgives little. For ambitious teens who want to attack, it's my pick; the age range comes from a single source only, so go by weight and playing level instead.

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  9. 09
    #9 · Best for under-8s

    Babolat Alioth Mini JR

    approx. €55

    Best for: The youngest players under 8 who need the lightest, simplest racket to start with.

    Ratings

    Power3
    Control8
    Comfort9
    Sweet spot8
    Handling9

    Specs

    Age
    under 8
    Shape
    Round
    Weight
    280–300 g
    Feel
    –
    Face
    Glasfaser
    • Pros
    • Only about 290 g with low balance
    • Round shape forgives off-centre hits
    • Carbon frame despite the small price
    • Cons
    • Outgrown fast, roughly by age 8
    • Babolat doesn't state a model year

    My verdict: The Alioth Mini JR is made for the youngest players: light, head-light and round, so clean contact comes more easily. Your child won't play it for long, but for the start I think it's just right. After that, the Babolat Alioth JR is the logical next step.

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Which racket for which age?

  • Under 8: as light as possible, i.e. under 300 grams. On this list that's the Babolat Alioth Mini JR at 280 to 300 grams.
  • 8 to 12: about 270 to 330 grams. This is where most junior rackets sit, from the very light Bullpadel Indiga Jr to the HEAD Coello Junior.
  • 12 and over: 330 to 345 grams, for example the Bullpadel Hack Jr. Strong children who train regularly can move up to a light adult racket at 14 or 15.

The manufacturers' age ranges are only a guide. Your child's height and strength matter more than their date of birth.

What matters in a kids' padel racket

Weight: better too light than too heavy. A racket that's too heavy leads to faulty movement patterns that are hard to unlearn later.

Shape: round or teardrop. The sweet spot is large and the racket forgives off-centre hits. A diamond like the Bullpadel Hack Jr is only for teenagers who already play confidently.

Grip: junior rackets usually have a thinner grip. It should sit comfortably in your child's hand without them having to squeeze hard.

Buy one to grow into, or buy new later?

Children grow out of their rackets quickly. Even so, a racket to ‘grow into’ isn't a good idea, because it will be too heavy for the first year. It works out cheaper to buy the right racket now and pass it on or sell it later. Junior rackets in good condition sell well on the Padelradar racket marketplace, and you'll find second-hand ones there too.

How I chose

I compared 48 padel rackets available in Germany and Spain in November 2026 and, for this list, only included rackets sold as junior or children's rackets. My sources are the manufacturers' product pages with weight and recommended age, independent reviews and shop descriptions, and the prices of large retailers on 2 November 2026. Not all manufacturers state the length of their rackets, so it's missing from the table.

The scores from 1 to 10 for power, control, comfort, sweet spot and handling are my own assessment, not a lab test, and they compare the junior rackets with each other. Prices are street prices and vary from retailer to retailer.

T

Timo, Padelradar
I play padel myself, run Padelradar and build these lists by comparing manufacturer specs, retailer data and the ratings of major review sites. There are no paid placements.

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Frequently asked questions about padel rackets for kids

›What is the best padel racket for kids?

In my comparison the HEAD Coello Junior comes out on top, a teardrop at 300 to 320 grams for children aged 9 to 12. The Bullpadel Indiga Jr is very light and affordable at around €55, and for children under 8 the Babolat Alioth Mini JR is the right choice.

›What age can children start playing padel?

From primary school age. Many clubs offer coaching for children, and there are rackets made specifically for children under 8. What matters is that the racket is light: under 300 grams at that age.

›How heavy should a kids' padel racket be?

Under 300 grams for children under 8, about 270 to 330 grams from 8 to 12, and 330 to 345 grams from 12. Better too light than too heavy: a racket that's too heavy ruins technique.

›When does a child need an adult racket?

Usually between 13 and 15, depending on height and strength. A good transition is a light adult racket at 340 to 350 grams with a soft core.

›How much does a good kids' padel racket cost?

The rackets on this list cost between €50 and €90. The cheapest good one is the Kuikma PR Evolution Junior from Decathlon at around €50, the most expensive the HEAD Coello Junior at around €90.

Links marked * are partner links to Tennis-Point. If you buy through them I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. They do not affect the ranking.

Best Kids & Junior Padel Rackets 2026 | Padelradar