It’s not really easy to know which type of racket is best suited for your game, especially if you’ve never even held one before. And that’s why many people find themselves asking, “What’s the best tennis racket under $100?”
Well, today’s your lucky day as you get to learn about some of the best affordable tennis rackets that the market has to offer.
And by the way, you’ll be shocked to learn that some of these rackets are being used by elite level athletes as well. So, are you ready?
First on the list is… *Drum rolls*
Best Tennis Tackets Unders $100
1.) Head Ti S6 Tennis Racket: Overall Best Racket
Features and Specifications:
- Weight: 8.8oz / 249g
- Head size: 115sq.in. / 741sq. cm.
- Length: 27.75in. / 70cm.
- Balance: 8 Ps. HH
- String: 16×19
This is without a doubt one of the best selling rackets today, and here’s why: as a newbie, you need to go for a racket that not only offers great balance, but also considerable weight and power.
The Head Ti S6 is that racket.
This racket can definitely be described as “oversized”, measuring in at 27.75 inches in length and with a head size of 115 square inches. This extra length can provide a bit more torque to your shots. If you’re a beginner, this larger head size is really going to help you find the sweet spot with your shots, and allow you a bit more margin for error if you miss-hit the ball.
One other thing that you’ll realize is, as a beginner, it’s easy to forget to drop the racket back or even turn your hips while you’re on the court playing. Manufacturers know this, so they made sure the racket also accommodates players with compact strokes.
A lot of the pro athletes don’t usually use this racket, especially in major competitions as the additional power that it provides isn’t needed. So, even though a beginner will see that as a plus, to the pro athlete, it’s a downside.
PROS
- Has great power potential.
- Affordable compared to other rackets.
- Doesn’t affect the player’s elbow and shoulder as much.
- Has a larger head size, thus larger sweet spot.
- Durable strings.
CONS
- Not suitable for pro athletes.
2.) Wilson Ultra Team Tennis Racket
Features and Specifications:
- Weight: 280g / 9.9 oz
- Head size: 100 sq. in. / 645 sq. cm.
- Length: 27 in. / 68cm.
- Balance: 4 Pts. HL
- String: 16×19
We know you’ll probably ask what makes this iteration different in the Ultra range, and the answer is the ‘PowerProfile.’ This new technology has incorporated a couple of geometric changes to the racket. They include:
Inverted Power Rib
That V section (also known as the throat of the frame) has an Inverted Power Rib meant to reduce twisting on impact and improve stability.
Sweet Spot Channel
There’s also a conspicuous hole in the frame. Do you see it? Yes, that one. That hole is meant to elongate your racket’s cross strings. Any pro player will tell you they prefer a racket that can produce powerful shots. Therefore, they often go for dense strings.
Wilson took that into consideration, and thought, why not make the cross strings a little bit longer? Longer strings could mean more power. And they were right.
Integrated Perimeter Weighting Systems
The intention was to distribute the power across the racket’s strings. With the help of this technology, players can now experience the full power regardless of where the ball gets to hit the strings.
Thanks to the head-light balance, this racket suits different playing styles. It provides excellent control, has a decent power potential, and the strings are in a 16×19 pattern. A great feature for incredible playability and added spin potential.
PROS
- Offers great power due to a great balance.
- Durable
- More flexible thanks to the graphite.
- Offers extra spin.
- Less vibrations.
CONS
- Only caters to adults and not kids.
- Not suitable for players who prefer heavyweight rackets.
3. Babolat Drive Max 110 Tennis Racket
Features and Specifications:
- Weight: 9.8oz./ 278g
- Head size: 110sq. in/ 710sq. cm
- Length: 27.5 in/ 70 cm
- Balance: 2 Pts. HH
- String: 16×20
This brand model has been around the block for almost a decade now, and the sales keep on rising. We think its ability to offer power maximally could be the primary reason why a lot of the players have fallen in love with it. .
Different racket models have come and gone, but this one has stood the test of time. So if you were in the market looking for a durable brand, viola! Now you’ve got one.
Its affordability is yet another reason why so many people go for it. And no, just because it’s affordable doesn’t mean that it’s of poor quality. You’ll be purchasing a high-quality racket that offers maximum power, incredible speed, and great control.
The Babolat Drive Max 110 balances at 2 points head heavy, and weighs 260 grams. In addition, it has a generous sweet spot, and a dense string pattern. The kind of features that you’d be looking for when shopping for a racket with great spin and power.
PROS
- Better spin capability.
- Comfortable Grip Size.
- Has power.
- Affordable
CONS
- Doesn't come with a bag
4. Yonex EZONE ACE Deep Blue Tennis Racket
Features and Specifications:
- Weight: 9.2 oz/ 261g
- Head size: 102sq.in / 658sq. cm
- Length: 27in/ 69cm
- Balance: 3Pts. HL
- String: 16×19
Yonex has been serving the industry for over 60 years, with the same philosophy—Contribute through technological innovations, and provide the highest product quality. They’ve always believed the process is more important than the result.
The EZONE ACE Deep Blue is one of their main products. It has been designed to elevate your style of play whether you’re a beginner, an intermediate player or a pro athlete.
They noticed a gap in the industry and that’s how the idea of the ISOMETRIC racket frame was conceived. It provides the player with unparalleled spin control.
Speaking of new technology, do you know what the HYPER-MG is? It’s a premium graphite that gives the racket its explosive power by dramatically increasing the speed of the ball, while enhancing the repulsion power.
EZONE ACE Deep Blue has a head size of 102 square inches, a string pattern of 16×19, a balance of 345 mm, and a frame that weighs 260 grams. When put together, all these features offer comfort, control, flexibility, and power.
What about the Oval Pressed Shaft? Oh, we almost forgot about that. The shaft corners are curved so as to increase the dwell time for directional control and optimal spin.
PROS
- Comfortable grip.
- Offers more power.
- Flexible due to the graphite.
- Great for beginners and intermediate players.
CONS
- Not ideal for a pro/ advanced players.
5. Head MicroGel Radical OS Tennis Racquet
Features and Specifications:
- Weight: 11.1oz/ 315g
- Head Size: 107 sq. in. / 690 sq. cm.
- Length: 27in / 69cm
- Balance: 3pts. HL
- String Pattern: 18×19
Andre Agassi, who’s a retired American professional tennis player, made this racket famous. The latest version comes with a MicroGel technology, which is a low-density silicone-based material.
The irony is, even though this material is lighter than any other solid material on planet earth, it can still support anything that’s 4000 times heavier.
Anyway, during his time, Andre Agassi always talked about how “Image is Everything.” That’s why this new version has an aesthetic that’s quite appealing to the masses.
And, if you take a closer look at the head of the racket, you’ll find carbon composite fibers, meant to help absorb any shock felt while hitting the ball – great for anyone prone to injuries such as tennis elbow.
PROS
- Great racket for players prone to tennis elbow.
- User-friendly and more forgiving.
- Comfortable
- Great control.
CONS
- Takes time to get used to it if you’re a head-light player.
6. Babolat Boost Drive
Features and Specifications:
- Weight: 9.8 oz. / 278g
- Head Size: 105 sq. in. / 677 sq. cm.
- Length: 27in / 69cm
- Balance: 3pts. HH
- String Pattern: 16×19
This racket is still relatively new since it was introduced to us back in 2018. But that doesn’t mean that it’s on probation. It’s already earned its stripes for sure.
One other important thing worth noting is the fact that it’s not the type of racket that you’d typically go for if you’re planning to go pro. It’s basically a youth/ young adult racket, so you can’t really go pro with it.
Kids love it because it’s one of the best affordable tennis rackets, very light, maneuverable, oversize, and offers great control and spin.
PROS
- Great for beginners.
- Offers power and manoeuvrability.
- Affordable
- High strung and stable.
- Comes with a racket cover.
CONS
- Not suitable for advanced players.
7. Head Geo-Speed
Features and Specifications:
- Weight: 10.4 oz. / 295g
- Head Size: 105 sq. in. / 677 sq. cm.
- Length: 27.5 in. / 69.9cm.
- Balance: 1pts HL
- String Pattern: 16×19
If we start talking about balance as a factor in different rackets, we can’t fail to mention the best budget tennis racket—Head Geo-Speed. While other manufacturers were focusing on making sure their rackets dominated with certain features, the guys behind Head Geo-Speed were striving for more.
Everything is in moderation, and this is what actually helps this awesome product stand out.
Head Geo-Speed is a head-light racket. And you do know what that means, right? You won’t have to feel constrained while swinging. In addition, the strings are designed in such a way that they instantly absorb any shock created on impact. Nothing gets transmitted to your arms.
You also get to experience its power and extra control thanks to the Geo Power technology incorporated into it.
PROS
- Has a larger sweet spot.
- Reduces vibrations thus perfect for people with weak wrists.
- Has a sturdy frame
- Aids stability.
- Added power and increased control.
CONS
- Perfect for casual and recreational use only.
8. Head Ti. Instinct Comp Tennis Racket
Features and Specifications:
- Weight: 290 g / 10.2 oz
- Head Size: 680 cm² / 105 in²
- Length: 69 cm / 27.0 in
- Balance: 0.8 HL
- String Pattern: 16×19
This model is not that common among tennis players but that doesn’t mean that it’s of low quality. The thing about this industry is, it takes time for consumers to get used to a product.
And that’s how we know the Head Ti. Instinct Comp Tennis Racket will be a household name in the near future. Go through the features and you’ll realize the racket is light, easy to handle, control, and offers more room for spin.
For example, this racket in particular is built using durable titanium material. This in turn makes the racket both lightweight, yet incredibly durable. What’s more, Head have made use of a head light design, which provides the player with more stabiltiy in their shots, due less vibrations being generated in the racket.
All in all, an incredible racket, made even more so by it’s surprisingly afforable price point.
PROS
- Easy to handle.
- Very stable.
- Easily cuts through air thanks to its slim design.
- Has a friendly spin pattern.
- It’s light yet powerful.
CONS
- Perfect for casual and recreational use only.
9. Wilson Adult Recreational Tennis Racket
Features and Specifications:
- Weight: 11.2 oz. / 318g
- Head Size: 110 sq. in. / 710 sq. cm.
- Length: 27.5 in. / 69.9cm.
- Balance: 3pts. HL
- String Pattern: 16×19
So here’s a fun fact: the Wilson Adult Recreational Tennis Racket is the brainchild of none other than Roger Federer. He wanted to design a racket that represented all his signature moves, so he gave Wilson a list of specifications.
No, this model is not the Wilson Hope model. It has a lighter frame, it’s oversize, and often used in a less aggressive playing environment. The frame can’t handle the pressure of an aggressive contest like a Grand Slam.
So you’ll never see a pro tennis player walk out to the court carrying it, if they really want to win the game. And the fact that it’s oversized means it has a larger sweet spot. Which also means it’s a tad bit more forgiving compared to other rackets.
The Wilson Adult Recreational Tennis Racket only weighs 11.2 oz. That’s because its Ampli-high-tech handle is made of Kevlar mix and graphite.
All in all, this is a great racket if you’re looking to play a few casual games with friends, and don’t want to break the bank on gear.
PROS
- Extended reach and court coverage.
- Improved feel and reduced racket vibration.
- Increased stability
- Oversized head that offers more power and forgiveness.
- Incredibly affordable
CONS
- Doesn’t come with a cover.
- For casual play only, not built for competition level players
10. Head Tour Tennis Racket
Features and Specifications:
- Weight: 9.7 oz. /275g
- Head Size: 110 sq. in. / 710 sq. cm.
- Length: 27 in. / 69 cm.
- Balance: 3pts. HL
- String Pattern: 18×19
We’re specifically referring to the pre-strung recreational tennis racket. And what makes this model so appealing to beginners and recreational players is the features that come with it.
You’ll love the headlight balance as it enhances stability while decreasing vibration whenever you hit the ball. The head size also helps the player master precision while they’re trying to learn different techniques.
Nano Titanium technology has been applied here to ensure your racket is not just light, but also sturdy.
And that’s not the only thing that this feature brings to the table as players who’ve used this racket before have attested to the fact that it has a powerful swing and great stability.
PROS
- Awesome for beginners.
- Durable titanium.
- Large surface area, making the ball easier to hit
- Offers great stability.
- Incredibly affordable
CONS
- Doesn’t come with a cover.
- For casual play only, not built for competition level players
How do You Pick the Best Tennis Racket Under $100?
How do you know which is the best tennis racket under $100, and is best suited for you?
This is one question you need to ask yourself before you even go out shopping.
Below, we’ve put together some key features that you should pay attention to when shopping around for a new racket.
The Weight of the Racket
This is undoubtedly one of the most important factors to take into consideration. The racket’s weight is a crucial factor, and it falls under three categories. We have light, medium, and heavyweight. Also, each category is different in the sense that they all have unique characteristics.
So the next question here is, “How do you measure the weight of a tennis racket?”
Easy! The answer is by using the balance points. And everyone knows this, including the pro players in the tennis industry. It’s not only accurate but also effective.
Place your racket on a straight rod. Start making adjustments until you find that place or section of the racket that holds it to perfect balance. It shouldn’t lean on either side. If it does, keep on trying.
What does the balance point translate to? If it falls more than halfway up your tennis racket, it’s a lightweight. If it falls less than halfway up, it’s a heavyweight. And if it falls in between those two points, we’re looking at a medium-weight.
Lightweight
As a beginner, you’ll want to go with a lightweight tennis racket as it offers two things: Mobility and Elasticity. You’ll also not feel like you’re struggling much while swinging the racket if you’re a spinner.
But then again, this is the worst type of racket for a player who prefers power-driven shots. To top that off, they’ve been found to be less shock-absorbent and not durable.
Medium
This weight range is meant for players who wish to strike a balance. A mid-weight racket will provide you with stability, control, and more importantly, an all-around maneuverability.
And that’s why beginners, intermediate, and advanced players find rackets that fall under this category more appealing.
Heavyweight
A heavyweight racket usually screams power. And the heavier it is, the more power it offers. As a matter of fact, you’ll quickly spot this type of racket if you’re focusing on the head size of available rackets. They’re typically larger.
Since we’ve already mentioned the head size as a factor, why not just dive into it?
Head Size
If you have a bigger head, you’ll get powerful shots. That’s because the chances of the ball hitting that sweet spot are drastically increased. And in case you were wondering, the sweet spot is that section of the racket that’s best placed to hit the ball.
The strung area of your racket will be your head size. If it’s over 106 square inches, it’s oversize. If it falls between 100-106 inches, it’s midsize. And if it’s less than 100 square inches, which is the traditional size, it’s a standard racket.
Advanced players prefer working with the standard head size as it enables them to produce power with every shot. A beginner should play with an oversize so as to reduce mishits and inconsistency in undeveloped strokes.
| Size | Inches | Power | Control | Sweet Spot |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Mid |
85-97 |
Low |
High |
Small |
|
Mid-Plus |
98-104 |
Medium |
Medium |
Medium |
|
Oversized |
105+ |
High |
Low |
Large |
Grip Size
You can measure the racket grip size using the ruler test or index finger test. There’s no need of having a racket on hand, if you’re using the ruler test. But if you prefer the index finger test, it’s a must-have.
Index Finger Test
Before we even tell you how to go about it, we first have to make sure you understand the Eastern grip.
So, let’s assume you’re right handed. Both the heel pad and your index finger’s knuckle have to rest on the racket’s 3rd bevel. So that means the string face and your palm won’t be resting on different bevels, but the same one.
Okay, now that that’s out of the way, slide the other index finger in-between your palm and ring finger. If it perfectly fits, you have the right grip size. But if there’s too much room or you’re noticed that you’re kind of struggling, you need a different racket.
The Ruler Test
As we mentioned earlier, you don’t need a racket here. Just a ruler and your hand. The dominant hand, of course.
Extend all your fingers, and have them close to each other. Then align your rule with the ring finger. Make sure it’s in a parallel position, and the other end is in line with the palm’s middle crease.
That length between the bottom lateral palm crease, and the tip of your third finger, is the racket’s grip size. It’s a perfect fit if it falls between 4 and 4-5/8 inches.
Below is a break down of different sizes, and their corresponding measurements.
US SIZES
4 Inches
4- 1/8 Inches
4- ¼ Inches
4- 3/8 Inches
4- 5/8 Inches
4- ¾ Inches
EU SIZES
0
1
2
3
4
6
SIZE (MM)
100-103mm
100-103mm
106-110 mm
110-113 mm
113-118 mm
120-123 mm
The Balance
Unless you’re new to tennis, you know every racket comes with all the basic information inscribed on it. Somewhere on that frame, you’ll find the string pattern, balance, and weight. The balance is actually an important factor, and it’s normally measured in millimeters or balance points.
The number inscribed will be the distance from the balance point to the grip’s end. Anything below 320 mm means you’re holding a racket that’s balanced in the grip. If it’s above 330 mm, your racket has a head balance, i.e. the head’s heavy.
The next question here is, which balance is best suited for a pro athlete, and which is preferable for an amateur player?
Well, if you’re just starting out, you’ll want to go with one that’s balanced in the head. It’s a lot easier to control and creates more speed.
A balanced-grip racket will make it difficult for you to maneuver if you’ve never held a racket before.
String Pattern
On your tennis frame, you’ll again find something written in this form; 18×20. That number right there is meant to tell you the number of horizontal and vertical strings that your racket has.
It might not seem important at first, but if you factor in the head size, it automatically becomes a significant factor to take into account.
Don’t go for a racket that has a larger head size and fewer strings. The holes in between the vertical and horizontal strings will be bigger, and compelling you to restring every now and then.
Also, make sure your strings are dense. That way, you’ll have more control while directing the ball.
Popular Brands
Selecting the best brand is no easy feat because every tennis player has his/her own preference. Plus, every manufacturer is unique in that they often offer distinctive features and technologies.
And before you even ask, the answer is, ‘No.’ Not even the best players in the game can unanimously agree which brand is superior.
By the way, every brand has a rich history. Let’s look at a few examples, shall we?
Yonex
Any professional tennis player or even a tennis fan will tell you the dominant brands in the industry are American and European brands. But, Yonex doesn’t fall in any one of those categories, and that should tell you something.
Yonex is an Asian brand. When the company was founded, its primary product was wooden floats for fishing nets. Who would have thought, right?
Unfortunately, it was forced out of the market when the industry introduced plastic floats. That was obviously a bummer, but you know what they say — when one door closes another one opens.
So they began manufacturing badminton rackets for other brands, and before long, they were ready to stand on their own. That’s how they started producing rackets under their name.
The Yonex brand is synonymous with high quality. The quality of rackets that it’s managed to produce over the years has helped it gain popularity pretty quickly. This company experimented with graphite at a time when other brands were playing it safe, and that gamble paid off.
Babolat
Even though this brand is probably the oldest manufacturer on this list, it wasn’t until a couple of years back that it became a prime player. Before they came to the major league, people only loved the strings that they produced and nothing else.
But, they’ve evolved. The company’s primary objective used to be making solid strings for other companies, and now they make their own strings and some of the best tennis racquets under $100. See, if that’s not evolution then we really don’t know what is.
Just so you know, Babolat is a French equipment company. Pierre Babolat founded the company in 1875, and it mainly operated in Europe before expanding to the United States.
Accessibility is the stereotype surrounding this brand. Anyone who’s ever used it, or currently using it, will attest to the fact that it’s easily accessible. And that could be the reason why the sales have been rapidly increasing across Europe and in the States.
Who are some of the players endorsing the brand? Aside from the fact that it has a huge presence at the junior levels, some of the top elite athletes who use Babolat rackets include Garbine Muguruza, Jo-Wilfred Tsonga, Rafael Nadal, Caroline Wozniacki, Andy Roddick, and Dominic Thiem.
Wilson
You’ve seen that ‘W’ on a few tennis rackets while you’re enjoying a final, right? Sorry, what’s that you said? You thought that ‘W’ was a Serene Williams brand name?
Well, it could be, but it’s not. It’s actually the Wilson brand. And the reason why you think it’s associated with Serena is that she’s one of the athletes that believes in and market the brand.
And the company has not just invested in tennis, but in golf, basketball, and baseball as well. Manufacturing violin strings, rackets, and surgical sutures was their main line of business until they decided to branch out to other projects.
Wilson was previously known as Ashland Manufacturing Company, and it was founded in 1913. Two years later, Thomas E. Wilson was appointed to the head position, and that’s when everybody started referring to the company as Wilson.
Over the years, people have argued that the brand is not only one of the best in the industry, but takes the number one spot because of Pete Sampras.
Who’s Pete Sampras? He’s no one really—just the guy who held the number one tennis position for what seemed like a century and is regarded as the greatest player of all time. A real GOAT!
Other headliners include Kei Nishikori, Stefanos Tsitsipas, and Roger Federer. The funny thing is, a lot of the people who buy the brand don’t buy it because they believe in it, but rather because they want to own something that’s custom-made for Federer.
Yes, Wilson has a signature racket for Federer.
Head
Last on this list is a company that was founded by an aeronautical engineer, Howard Head. It was Head who figured out aluminum can be a useful material in the tennis industry and raised the bar. They offer an array of tennis gear from racket bags, strings, clothing, and rackets.
To be honest, we think these Head rackets have succeeded where others have failed because they’re constantly improving their designs. They always come up with different technological innovations that help athletes better their game.
Top athletes, including Maria Sharapova, have represented them or used their rackets at specific moments of their careers.
The brand is strong and reliable. Two factors that you certainly have to take into account while making a purchase. It might not be as popular as Wilson or any other brand out there, but remember, we still do have professionals who swear by it.
Wrapping it Up
If you were looking for the best tennis racket under $100, you now have a list and some basic knowledge of what to look for in a racket. Now go out there, and conquer the world.
We all have our fingers crossed, hoping one day your name will appear in the history books of the All Time Greats.
Related Reading:
- Best Tennis Racket for Beginners
- Best Tennis Racket for Intermediate Players
- Best Tennis Racket for Advanced Players
- Best Tennis Racket for Women
