After completing 30+ hours of research on different tennis racquets for beginners to advanced players finally, we have prepared this best tennis racquet reviews for you.
By the combination of our own experience and reviews of other real users of the same products across the spectrum of power, spin, control, maneuverability, comfort, and the price we are confident that the Babolat Pure Drive 2018 will act like a beast for any level of players (from beginner to advanced). But if you are a beginner and you are only looking for a lightweight racquet, then we will suggest going for our another choice Wilson Hyper Hammer 5.3.
In this tennis racquet reviews article, we also included a comprehensive A-Z guide on the different buying factors and all the aspects of a racquet. You will find that guide at the last part of this article.
So let's move forward.
4 Top Tennis Racquets for Beginners & Intermediate Players [Extra Power]- Comparison Table
Product | Findings | Action |
|---|---|---|
1. Babolat Pure Drive 2018 Editor's Choice (Read Review) | Suitable For: All level of players Power: 5 out of 5 Control: 4.5 out of 5 Maneuverability: 4.0 out of 5 Weight: Heavy but quite ok for beginners Comfort: 5/5 | |
2. Wilson Hyper Hammer 5.3 (Read Review) | Suitable For: Beginner and intermediate Power: 5 out of 5 Control: 4.0 out of 5 Maneuverability: 4.75 out of 5 Weight: Lightweight Comfort: 5/5 | |
3. Head TiS6 (Read Review) | Suitable For: Beginner and intermediate Power: 4.75 out of 5 Control: 4.0 out of 5 Maneuverability: 4.5 out of 5 Weight: Very lightweight Comfort: 4.75/5 | |
4. Head LiquidMetal 8 (Read Review) | Suitable For: Beginner and intermediate Power: 4.5 out of 5 Control: 4.0 out of 5 Maneuverability: 4.0 out of 5 Weight: medium weight Comfort: 4.0/5 |
4 Best Tennis Racquets for Intermediate & Advanced Players [Extra Control] - Comparison Table
Product | Findings | Action |
|---|---|---|
1. Babolat Pure Drive 2015 Editor's Choice (Read Review) | Suitable For: All level of players Power: 4.5 out of 5 Control: 5 out of 5 Maneuverability: 4.75 out of 5 Weight: Heavy Comfort: 4.5/5 | |
2. Wilson Pro Staff RF97 (Read Review) | Suitable For: Intermediate and advanced Power: 4 out of 5 Control: 4.80 out of 5 Maneuverability: 4.3 out of 5 Weight: Heavy Comfort: 4.6/5 | |
3. Head Graphene Touch Speed Pro (Read Review) | Suitable For: Intermediate and advanced Power: 3.0 out of 5 Control: 4.9 out of 5 Maneuverability: 4.6 out of 5 Weight: Heavy Comfort: 4.6/5 | |
4. Head Graphene XT Radical Pro (Read Review) | Suitable For: Intermediate and advanced Power: 3.5 out of 5 Control: 4.5 out of 5 Maneuverability: 4.2 out of 5 Weight: Heavy Comfort: 4.0/5 |
When it is about choosing the top tennis racquet online, you must have to know the factors based on which you may proceed buying one. Now which way you want to decide? Based on the level of player you are (i.e., beginner, intermediate, advanced ) or based on the different features and benefits different tennis racquets have (i.e., weight, swing weight, balance, head size, length, string pattern, grip size, beam width, stiffness)?
We are going to guide you with every detail you need to know to choose the best tennis racquet. Hope you will find our guide useful and be able to make a decision quickly and proceed for buying one.
4 Excellent Power Racquets Reviews- Particularly for The Beginner and Intermediate Players
1. Babolat Pure Drive 2018 - Top Pick for Beginners & Intermediate Players
Suitable For: All level of players.
Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
Head Size | 100 sq.in |
Strung Weight | 11.20 oz/ 317.51 g |
Balance | 4 pts head light |
Beam Width | 23mm/26mm/23mm |
Length | 27 inches |
Stiffness/Flex | 71 |
String Pattern | 16x19 |
Swing Weight | 321 |
Pros
- Ideal for every level of players regardless of the age (Of course this NOT a junior racquet).
- Boosts the power and spin way more than the previous version of pure drive series, and these are the key factors to consider for any level of players particularly for the beginners.
- No matter if you are a beginner/intermediate/advanced player, you will find it as one of the best weapons for the big flat serve to the big kickers, and put your opponent on defense.
- Good option for both aggressive and defensive shots.
- One of the best service racquets that let you put your opponent on defense, excellent for groundstrokes as well. Handy for returns and volley.
- Easy to manage for baseline shots and return.
- Improved vibration dampening system with viscoelastic rubber. This is the improved version of Active Cortex Technology that was being used for the previous version and now the technology is called as “Cortex pure feel”.
- This 2018 model has diamond shape grommet hole added to FSI technology that increases the comfort and power by giving the strings a wider range of movement.
- The anti twisting elliptical frame helps to keep the racquet from twisting your hands when you hit the off center.
Cons
- Beginners may find this racquet a bit heavier than other racquets that we have selected for them. But for sure this won’t be too heavy to control. Mostly this is weighted for intermediate players. However, both beginners and advanced players will find it suitable for them.
- Initially, you may have to go through an adjustment period to get used to with the superpower boost from this version of Babolat Pure Drive.
- The extra dampening system may not be considered as a good feel for the ones who love the crisp feeling during the ball contact. Although this depends on your liking only.
- Sometimes it is difficult to manage the robust trajectory.
Practical Experience
A good news for you.
What’s that?
Even if you haven’t tried the previous versions of Babolat pure drive, you will find this new version as a perfect one to get introduced to the pure drive family.
On the other hand, if you are a regular user of the Babolat’s pure drive family, this paragraph is for you folks. Certainly, there are a number improvements from the previous version, and we are going to point them out soon. You will find enough reason to switch to this version if you haven’t done it yet. Of course, there are some changes that you may not find good. But those are not any major changes that may keep you away from switching.
Let’s move forward!
Let’s analyze the extra benefits that this version provides in general than the previous version.
Extra Power and Spin
Because of the wider string spacing and diamond shape grommet hole, we found this newest version as a provider of a remarkable amount of power and spin.
If you are a beginner or intermediate tennis player then power is something that you want to have out of your racquet.
On the other hand, if you are a regular Pure Drive user then the downside is that you may have to go through a short adjustment period to get used to with the extra power this version is providing.
Did I miss talking about spin?
Oh yes, the wider string spacing is helping to play the topspin remarkably well. Overall you are going to have very satisfactory support to play spin shots.
By the way, don’t mess up wider string spacing with string pattern. The string pattern is 16x19 that is known as the open string pattern, and this type of open pattern boosts the power and spin by default. But here you will get some more power and spin due to the wider spacing.
Improved Vibration Dampening System
Previously it was “Active Cortex Technology” that was responsible for preventing painful shock and vibration to the player’s arm. This time they have introduced an improved version of it and they are calling it “Cortex pure feel”. That means they have improved the dampening system than the previous version.
The downside is if you love the crisp feeling of racquet and ball contact, then you may not like this version as you have just read about its new technology called “Cortex pure feel”. Particularly when you will hit the ball from the baseline. Nonetheless, this is taking care of your arm more than before. Cheers!
Ok, now let’s come to the main points. How will this version of Babolat Pure Drive perform in terms of some of your favorite shots?
Serve ( Our marking is 9.5 out of 10 )
The immense support that this racquet provides for service is one of the main reasons behind keeping this on our list for the beginners.
Not sure if you are already good at flat bomb or big kickers, but this model will make it as good as you would have expected to put your opponent on defense.
We must say, with the combination of power and precision that this racquet provides, this is one of the best service racquets you will likely to find.
Flat serve and kick serve are the two you will be able to perform really well with the help of the support that this model provides. Don’t worry about slice serves as well.
At the end of the day, it is your capability of playing shots, a racquet can only boost and support your effort. Babolat Pure Drive 2018 will do that job perfectly in terms of service.
Returns ( Will give it 8.5 out of 10 )
Probably after reading the review on service support that you will get from this version, now you are asking yourself the definite next question. That is, how much support will you get in terms of returns, right?
As this racquet boosts the power and spin, ultimately this will help you to play defensive shots as well, particularly when you will play a return shot against your opponent’s serve. You will find it a lot easier to hit the forehand returns. Its strength will help you to get good depth as well.
You won’t face any problem to take a good cut as well. However, from our observation, this is not the best of the best in terms of return, but quite ok and acceptable piece of a weapon for you.
Groundstrokes (We will give 9.0 out of 10)
The only bad thing you may feel while hitting from the baseline is the ultra dampening feeling that this racquet provides after implementing the “Cortex Pure Feel” technology. Especially if you are someone who tends to find the crisp feeling during the ball contact.
You may have to go through with some adjustment regarding power control due to the extra power that it generates for your groundstrokes.
Except those, from our analysis, this version of Babolat Pure Drive plays a vital role in helping you to hit the groundstrokes. The main reason is the extra power and spin that this model helps to generate. Once you hit some shots and adjust your control over the extra power, this will become your best buddy for the groundstrokes and put your opponent on defense.
So don’t worry about hitting powerful balls from the baseline. You won’t find any problem during the pickup from the baseline as well.
Volley ( Our marking on this is 8.8 out of 10)
As compared to the previous versions of pure drive series, this a faster, lighter, and more solid option for playing volley. No doubt, you will like the stability during the play. We think during the deep volley you will have fun due to the power and control combination provided by this version.
As you know that the volley is a kind of shot where precision and placement are the keys; the stability and the stiffness of the racquet helps a lot in this regard.
Watch out what tennis star Kim Clijsters said about this version of Babolat Pure Drive series. Video courtesy : Holabird Sports
Some Technological Details
FSI Technology: Gives more responsive contact without sacrificing the control, also ensures more power and comfort.
GT Technology: Increases the stability, power, and precision.
Woofer: Usually in the standard racquets the string provides the power, but the frame is static. The Woofer is the first dynamic system that makes the frame and string talk to each other when hitting the ball.
In the case of other tennis racquets, only some strings participate during the contact with the ball. Babolat invented a frame that makes sure the use of the full potential of the racquet by allowing all the strings to become active to their full potential during the ball contact.
The Pulley Function increases the sweet spot, absorbs unwanted vibration, stimulate more strings to react while striking the ball and improves forgiveness during off-center shots.
The Piston Function increases the trampoline effect and absorbs the shock.
Evo Beam: Provides better responsiveness.
Cortex Pure Feel: This technology is responsible for preventing painful shock and vibration to reach to player’s arm and hand. This is an improved version of previous technology named "Active Cortex Technology". This time it increases the dampening feeling during the ball contact.
Elliptic Geometry: Elliptical frame shape is designed to remove the added weight, racquet bending, and frame twisting, resulting in power with exceptional maneuverability.
