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2025 Guide: 9 Best Tennis Rackets for Beginners (Female & Male Players)
- Dawn Chambers, PT, DPT
- Aug 5, 2022
- 10 min read
Updated: Jul 11
Choosing the right racket is essential when you're just starting out in tennis. This beginner-friendly guide covers 9 of the best tennis rackets of 2025, including budget picks, top-rated women’s racquets, and key features to know, like grip size, weight, and control. If you're just starting out with tennis, you might have a variety of goals. Perhaps you want to volley the ball back and forth for fun - or maybe, you have aspirations of competing and going pro. You might pick up a tennis racket for exercise or get on the tennis court for some socialization.
⭐ Editor’s Note: This post was updated for 2025 to reflect the most current research, product reviews, and expert insights.
9 Best Tennis Rackets for Beginners (2025 Guide for Female & Male Players)
Whatever the reason you want to play tennis, choosing the best beginner tennis racket can be overwhelming. Having the proper equipment and tennis gear is critical to learning to play tennis in a fun and productive way. From frame and grip size to strings and tension, choosing the right tennis racket is no easy feat! Let's discuss the key features you'll want to look for as you shop, as well as our top picks for the best beginner tennis rackets.
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How to Choose a Beginner Tennis Racket
As you begin shopping for the best tennis racket, you'll need to be mindful of what your goals and capabilities are. Consider the following questions:
Do you plan on playing only recreationally, or do you want to compete?
Do you need help maintaining control?
Do you need help with powering your swing?
How strong are you?
You'll also need to consider a few practicalities. What's your budget - are you looking to get a cheap tennis racquet or a more expensive option? Are you shopping for beginner tennis rackets for children or adults?
Use your answers here to help you sort through the various features that most beginner tennis racquets offer. Below, we've listed options for every scenario, so you'll find one that works for your needs.
Tennis Racket Frame Sizes
There are a few specifications to consider as you shop for a tennis racket, the first being frame size. It's generally best for beginners to pick a racket with a larger frame. The larger size gives you a better chance of making contact with the ball.
In tennis, there's a spot on the racket called the sweet spot. This is near the center of the racket and is generally the best place on the racket to hit the ball with. To help you find the sweet spot, it's best to go for a racket that is 100 to 107 square inches. You may find a racket that goes up to 115 square inches, but having too much space might make you fail to follow through, setting you up with bad habits that are hard to break down the line.
This oversized frame will also help you get used to hitting the ball without needing to be perfect. Over time, you can begin working more on the precision you'll need to use a smaller racket.
A bigger frame size also helps your shots. The extra space enables you to create more power behind your swing, allowing you to deliver fastballs that challenge your opponent.
Tennis Racket Grip Sizes
You can find the grip sizes listed on the very bottom of the racket, at the end of the handle. Grip sizes range from 4 1/5 to 4 5/8. Alternatively, some rackets are numbered 1 through 5 rather than using the fraction system. For example, 4 1/5 would be a 1, 4 2/5 would be a 2, and so on.
Grip size depends on the size of your hands. Someone with small hands would start by trying a 4 1/4, while someone with larger hands should opt for a 4 1/2. Most people, however, do best with a 4 3/8 or a 3.
If you do realize that you've chosen a grip too small, that's okay. You can add an extra grip (or overgrip) onto it to add more width and bring it up to the next grip size. Therefore, it's better to choose a smaller racket if you're debating between two sizes.
Tennis Racket Strings and Tension
Strings and tension specifications are more important for advanced tennis players, so don't spend too much time on these elements when you first start to play tennis. The tighter your strings are, the more control you get, but you'll also lose some feeling and your sweet spot will shrink. On the other hand, looser strings give you more power and a larger sweet spot.
Plus, you don't have to swing as hard with loose strings, which can help prevent tennis elbow injuries.
Beginners can opt for an inexpensive string at the local tennis shop or sporting goods store. Then, tell them to string it to the manufacturer's recommendation, which you can find written on the frame.
Most manufacturers list a tension within a range, like 40 to 50 pounds. Just opt for the middle of that range - so, in our example, you'd ask for 45 pounds.
→ Confused about how to warm up before tennis? Here's how to use dynamic vs static stretching the right way — with simple PT exercises to try.
The Best Tennis Rackets for Beginners
As you consider the following beginner tennis rackets, keep in mind what we discussed above. An oversized racket (at least 27 inches long and 100 square inches) will give you the best start playing tennis. You'll find that most brands make a beginner's oversized version of their popular rackets, so you won't have to sacrifice other elements in the name of a larger size.
This racket is one of the best beginner tennis racquets because it balances two key elements: it has a larger head size at 107 square inches while remaining lightweight at just 10.6 ounces. In the 2025 model, Babolat added NF²-Tech for better comfort and vibration dampening, making it even more beginner-friendly. That makes it perfect for a beginner, as it's both comfortable and easy to use.
Thanks to updates like the new HTR System for added stability, it's also versatile enough to accompany you as your tennis skills advance. In fact, this tennis racquet is used by beginners and competitive players alike.
This tennis racquet is incredibly light, weighing in at just 9 ounces. It also features a 115 square inch head, making it a great option for a true beginner learning hand-eye coordination and tennis basics.
You might go for this tennis racquet if you're looking for an easy-to-use option for recreational play or casual matches. The larger frame creates a bigger sweet spot, giving you plenty of room for error and helping you build confidence as you learn. If you decide to use this beginner tennis racquet simply for fun, it will work perfectly for hitting balls with your friends, family, or children.
Best Tennis Racket for Spin: Babolat Boost Aero
The Babolat Boost Aero is an excellent beginner tennis racquet that comes pre-strung and ready to use. It’s slightly lighter than the Boost S, making it easier to maneuver for players who are just learning how to control their swing. With its aerodynamic frame and lighter weight, it’s a great option for generating spin and adding more speed to your shots. The Boost Aero offers a nice balance of power, control, and comfort, making it one of the best beginner-friendly choices for players who want a fast, lively feel right from the start.
If you're concerned about control, look no further. This tennis racquet makes playing tennis easier by helping you stay accurate without sacrificing too much power. With a 100 square inch head, it's just barely considered oversized, making it easier to develop longer, more consistent strokes. The frame’s design naturally supports spin and control, which will be important as you advance in your tennis career. That extra control and technique could be especially helpful if you plan on playing tennis competitively or want to sharpen your skills faster.
If you’re looking for an affordable, easy-to-use beginner tennis racquet, the Head Ti.S6 is a top choice. (You might recognize it from earlier in our list — it’s not only one of the lightest beginner racquets available, but also one of the most budget-friendly.)
It features a generous 115 square inch head that makes hitting the ball much easier, even if you’re just learning. Its lightweight frame, coming in around 9 ounces, helps reduce arm fatigue while giving you plenty of power behind your shots. Pre-strung and ready for action, the Ti.S6 delivers excellent value for beginners who want reliable performance without a high price tag.
If 100 or 115 square inches feels too large for your playing style, you might opt for this tennis racquet that comes in at 98 square inches. It offers more precision and control than the bigger beginner tennis racquets on this list, making it a strong choice for players who are starting to develop consistent strokes.
The Yonex V-Core 98 can be a good option if you're a beginner looking for a racket that will challenge you to sharpen your technique and grow into a more competitive playing style.
Beginners may easily develop tennis elbow as they adjust to the repetitive motion of swinging the racket. To help prevent this, it’s important to choose a flexible, arm-friendly racquet. The Wilson Clash 100 V3 is designed with comfort in mind, offering outstanding shock absorption and a softer feel during play. Its updated frame improves stability while maintaining the flexibility that made the original Clash series so popular. If you're looking for a racket that protects your arm without sacrificing performance, the Clash 100 V3 is one of the best beginner-friendly options available.
→ Struggling with tennis elbow? These best elbow compression sleeves may help reduce pain and support recovery while you keep playing.
Many players want their beginner tennis racquets to carry them into the intermediate stage without needing an early upgrade. The Dunlop SX600 is a great choice for this transition, offering the extra power and forgiveness that beginners need while introducing more control and maneuverability for advancing skills. Its oversized head and lighter frame make it easy to generate power, and the unique 16x18 string pattern helps players start developing reliable topspin. If you're looking for a racket that grows with you, the SX600 is a smart investment.
→ Want compact gear for home or travel workouts off the court? Try one of these best small and compact exercise tools.
For female beginners, two standout racquets are the Head Ti.S6 and the Babolat Drive 110. Both offer lightweight frames that make it easier to swing comfortably without straining the arm, along with oversized heads that create a more forgiving sweet spot. These features help new players build confidence and enjoy longer rallies as they develop their skills. As you continue to improve, both racquets offer enough control and stability to support your progress on the court.
Additional Essentials for Beginner Tennis Players
Choosing the right racket is the first step, but it’s also important to be prepared when you step onto the court. Having a well-stocked tennis bag can make practices and matches much more comfortable — and help you perform your best. Here are some beginner-friendly tennis bag essentials to consider packing before your next time on the court:
Make sure you always have an additional sleeve of tennis balls in your bag so you can pick up a good tennis match if necessary. The extra benefit? Additionally, you get to use a tennis ball brand that you are accustomed to, giving you an edge over your rivals.
On your hands, it starts out as a liquid and turns into a film that dries sweat and prevents sweat from coming through your hand's pores.
This towel provides 3 to 4 hours (depending on conditions) of cooling relief while enduring outdoor heat and/or high levels of physical activity.
Playing with an overly worn-out grip on your tennis racquet can be uncomfortable, slippery, cause blisters, and cost you your game!
Racquet overgrips should be changed regularly and even mid-match if necessary for a more comfortable match.
Dampeners lessen the racket's vibration in your hands. The last thing you want if you usually play with a dampener is to lose it in the middle of a game. If your dampener ever disappears into thin air and is never found again, make sure you have a spare one in your bag.
Make sure you have adequate sun protection and can actually see the ball.
Tennis matches can take hours, so don't forget to protect your face and skin with sunscreen.
Beginner Tennis Rackets Frequently Asked Questions: Grip Size, Comfort & What to Buy First
What is the best tennis racket size for a beginner?
For most beginners, a racket head size between 100–107 square inches offers the ideal balance of power and forgiveness. Larger heads give you a bigger sweet spot, making it easier to hit the ball cleanly and learn proper technique.
What is the right tennis grip size for women and men?
Grip size is based on hand size. Most women do well with a 4 1/4" grip (size 2) while most men prefer 4 3/8" (size 3). If you're unsure, it's best to size down and use an overgrip to increase comfort and control.
Should beginners choose lightweight or heavy tennis rackets?
Beginners benefit from lighter rackets (9–10.5 oz) because they’re easier to swing and reduce arm fatigue. Lightweight frames help you learn proper mechanics and build up to heavier rackets over time.
Is it better to buy a pre-strung tennis racket?
Yes. Most beginner rackets come pre-strung at mid-range tension, which is perfect when you're just starting. You can re-string later once you develop preferences for control or power.
Can using the wrong racket cause tennis elbow?
Yes. Rackets that are too heavy, stiff, or poorly strung can contribute to tennis elbow, especially for new players. Look for arm-friendly rackets like the Wilson Clash 100 V3 or Head Ti.S6, which offer vibration dampening and a softer feel.
Final Thoughts
Deciding to play tennis is an exciting choice. Whether you just want to hit a tennis ball around for fun or become the next Roger Federer, choosing a great tennis racquet will get you started on the right path. You might opt for a lightweight racquet or prioritize an inexpensive racquet - it all depends on your goals. Whatever you do, you'll be glad you chose one of the above top-rated beginner tennis racquets.
Medical Disclaimer: The information on this site, including text, graphics, images, and other material, is provided solely for informational purposes and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other healthcare professional with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your specific condition.
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