Full Babolat 2026 Racket Guide
By Josh, PH Tennis
Quick Summary
Babolat make lots of rackets. I'm going to talk you through the range so you're very clear on which racket is right for you.
There are three main families, and the right one for you comes down to your swing shape and style:
- Pure Drive: power. For flatter, shorter, more compact players like me. The Pure Drive is the most powerful racket you can buy.
- Pure Aero: spin. For later, more vertical hitters. Arguably the best spin racket as a whole family.
- Pure Strike: control. For flatter, earlier hitters. These are first strikers who need control.
Sitting across all three is the Evo range. These rackets are great value, really comfortable and have great amounts of tech for a much more competitive price.
One warning: if you have a wristier, flickier technique and rely on feel and hand skill, the Pure Drive is not the right racket for you.
Watch the video above to see the full Babolat range side by side.
The Range at a Glance
| Family | Built for | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|
| Babolat Pure Strike | Control and precision | Flatter, earlier hitters, first strikers |
| Babolat Pure Drive | Power | Flatter, shorter, more compact swings |
| Babolat Pure Aero | Spin | Later, more vertical, longer swings |
| Babolat Evo range | Value and comfort | A first proper graphite racket, or anyone not wanting to spend big |
Specs
Babolat Pure Strike
| Racket | Head size | Weight (unstrung) | Balance (unstrung) | String pattern |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Babolat Pure Strike 97 | 97 sq in | 310 g | 310 mm | 16x20 |
| Babolat Pure Strike 98 16x19 | 98 sq in | 305 g | 320 mm | 16x19 |
| Babolat Pure Strike 98 18x20 | 98 sq in | 305 g | 320 mm | 18x20 |
| Babolat Pure Strike 100 | 100 sq in | 300 g | 320 mm | 16x19 |
| Babolat Pure Strike 100 16x20 | 100 sq in | 305 g | 310 mm | 16x20 |
| Babolat Pure Strike Team | 100 sq in | 285 g | 325 mm | 16x19 |
| Babolat Pure Strike Lite | 100 sq in | 265 g | 330 mm | 16x19 |
Babolat Pure Drive
| Racket | Head size | Weight (unstrung) | Balance (unstrung) | String pattern |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Babolat Pure Drive | 100 sq in | 300 g | 320 mm | 16x19 |
| Babolat Pure Drive 98 | 98 sq in | 305 g | 325 mm | 16x20 |
| Babolat Pure Drive Team | 100 sq in | 285 g | 320 mm | 16x19 |
| Babolat Pure Drive Lite | 100 sq in | 270 g | 330 mm | 16x19 |
| Babolat Pure Drive Super Lite | 100 sq in | 255 g | 330 mm | 16x19 |
Babolat Pure Aero
| Racket | Head size | Weight (unstrung) | Balance (unstrung) | String pattern |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Babolat Pure Aero | 100 sq in | 300 g | 321 mm | 16x19 |
| Babolat Pure Aero 98 | 98 sq in | 305 g | 315 mm | 16x20 |
| Babolat Pure Aero Team | 100 sq in | 285 g | 320 mm | 16x19 |
| Babolat Pure Aero Lite | 100 sq in | 270 g | 330 mm | 16x19 |
| Babolat Pure Aero Super Lite | 100 sq in | 255 g | 330 mm | 16x19 |
Babolat Evo range
| Racket | Head size | Weight (unstrung) | Balance (unstrung) | String pattern |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Babolat Evo Strike | 102 sq in | 290 g | 320 mm | 16x19 |
| Babolat Evo Drive | 102 sq in | 270 g | 325 mm | 16x19 |
| Babolat Evo Aero Lite | 102 sq in | 260 g | 325 mm | 16x19 |
What This Is
This is a guide to the whole Babolat range. I've had every family in front of me, and I'll take you through each one. That covers what's in it, but mainly its overall characteristics and the types of players who'll enjoy it, based on their style and level. There are rackets for power, for spin and for control, and there's even a drop-down range for those not looking to spend big money.
The Pure Drive is my racket, and a couple of the coaches who work with us here at PH Tennis use the Pure Strike. So this is a range we play with, not just one we stock.
My Verdict
Babolat are making brilliant rackets at the moment, and there really is a racket here for everybody.
The Pure Drive is the most powerful racket you can buy. The Pure Aero is arguably the best spin racket as a whole family. The Pure Strike is a very underrated racket, and if you want a control frame you should check it out.
The thing most people miss is that three of these rackets don't really belong in their families. The Pure Strike 97, the Pure Drive 98 and the Pure Aero 98 are control rackets at heart. They should be their own player category.
And if you don't want to push the boat out, don't miss the Evos.
What Separates the Families
The biggest factor in choosing a Babolat is your swing shape. The flatter and earlier you hit, the more you'll suit the Pure Strike. If you're later and more vertical, look at the Pure Aero. If you're flatter, shorter and compact, it's the Pure Drive.
Head size and string pattern. Within each family, these change how much help you get. On the Pure Strike, the 100 gives you a little more comfort and a little more power. The 98s give you more control. Between the 98's two patterns, the 16x19 gives a higher launch angle and more spin, and the 18x20 gives a bit more control for flatter hitters.
Weight. Each family comes in a range of weights. As you go down, the playing characteristics stay very similar. That's useful if you're a junior transitioning up, if you're coming back to the game, or if you've had some injuries and want something lighter.
Vibration reduction in the Evos. The amount of tech and vibration reduction technology in the Evo range suggests it should be priced a lot higher.
How It Plays: Family by Family
Babolat Pure Strike: Control
I think the new Pure Strike in the carbon colourway looks great. This is Babolat's control frame. Its overarching feature is control, dwell time and flex on the ball. It's super comfortable, super controlled and almost spongy.
The four main frames are the Pure Strike 98 in 16x19 and 18x20, and the Pure Strike 100 in 16x19 and 16x20. Those four are really control frames, and what you're choosing between is how much help you want. If you want a little more comfort and a little more power, the 100 is going to be really helpful. If you want more control, and your level is a bit higher, you're going to want the 98s.
If you're a genuine first striker, the Pure Strike is the racket for you. That's someone getting on top of the bounce early, in the first two or three shots of the rally, really trying to get on top of the opponent. That player wants the 98s: the 18x20 if you tend to be flatter, the 16x19 if you're a bit spinnier.
Then there's the Pure Strike 97. At 310 g, it's more flexible, with a smaller head size, and heavier. It's more of a precision frame.
The Pure Strike Team and Lite have the same playability but drop down in weight to 285 g and 265 g.
A couple of coaches who work with us here use the Pure Strike. It's a very underrated racket.
Babolat Pure Drive: Power
This is my racket. I'm using it in the beautiful limited edition Spectra Edition, which may not be available by the time you're reading this, but check it out. I think it looks great under floodlights.
The Pure Drive is the most powerful racket you can buy. If you're looking for a power racket, want to hit through the court and drive your opponents back with something stiff, solid and stable, look no further.
That's why I like it. I can step on top of the ball early. I can crush the ball with a short or a long takeback. I can generate spin when needed. It really allows an all-court game.
Because of those characteristics, there are some downsides. It's not the right racket for you if you need feel and hand skill, need to whip the ball up, or have a wristier, flickier technique. You don't get the manoeuvrability and flex to control the ball that you get with other rackets. So that's a warning. But if you can deal with those shortcomings and use it properly, the Pure Drive is a great power frame.
It comes in a range of weights. The Super Lite is, as the name suggests, very light at 255 g. Then there's the Lite at 270 g, the Team at 285 g and the Pure Drive at 300 g.
Babolat Pure Aero: Spin
The Pure Drive is probably Babolat's most popular racket, but I'd say the Pure Aero has overtaken it in popularity and fame because of Mr Nadal. You might remember him: the Spanish guy with the whippy forehand. He won a lot of Grand Slams using the Pure Aero, and now Carlos Alcaraz has taken up that claim with the Pure Aero 98.
The Pure Aero family is spin friendly, and you can get huge amounts of spin. The range comes in a Super Lite, Lite, Team and the 300 g Pure Aero, and you keep very similar playing characteristics as you move through the weights.
The Pure Aero works brilliantly if you have a vertical, longer swing path, want a launch angle that goes high over the net, or play on slower surfaces. If you want to play with spin and have a vertical long swing, the Pure Aero is a fantastic option whatever weight you need.
The Hidden Category: Pure Strike 97, Pure Drive 98 and Pure Aero 98
Across the Babolat range, these three rackets don't really sit in their families, apart from the Pure Strike 97, because they are control rackets at heart.
Babolat Pure Drive 98. This shouldn't really be in the Pure Drive range. It's a control racket that's just slightly stiffer, with power as its secondary characteristic. It's a great option for a high-level player who wants the smaller head size, doesn't need power because they can control the ball, but wants a little extra pop compared with a more genuine control frame. I know quite a few strong players who really love this racket.
Babolat Pure Aero 98. The Pure Aero 98 and the Pure Aero are very different rackets. The 98 is much more of a control frame, but it sits in the Pure Aero family because, while control comes first, it lets you generate good racket speed. If you have a slightly whippier technique and really go after the ball, the Pure Aero 98 performs very well. It's slightly underpowered, but if you generate power yourself, it's a brilliant racket for keeping the ball in the court with spin and control. If you need a bit of extra pop and power, I'd go to the Pure Drive 98 over the Aero. If you want to be like Carlos, jump on the Aero 98.
The Evo Range: Best Value
Across all the families there's a drop-down range called the Evos. They're probably the best value rackets in the range. They're very comfortable, and the amount of tech and vibration reduction technology in them suggests they should be priced a lot higher.
They make a great entry-level racket and a first proper graphite racket. You get a lot of bang for your buck, so you don't have to buy the top-spec frame. The Evos are a great stepping stone, so don't miss out on them.
Who Each Family Is For
Babolat Pure Strike: first strikers who need control and get on top of the bounce early. Flatter, earlier hitters. Choose the 98s for more control, the 100 for more comfort and power, and the 97 for precision.
Babolat Pure Drive: flatter, shorter, more compact players who want to hit through the court and play an all-court game. It's not for wristy, flicky techniques or players who rely on feel and hand skill.
Babolat Pure Aero: later, more vertical hitters with a longer swing, who want a high launch angle over the net or play on slower surfaces.
Babolat Pure Drive 98 and Pure Aero 98: high-level players who generate their own power and want a control frame. Choose the Drive 98 for extra pop and the Aero 98 for a whippier, high racket speed game.
Babolat Evo range: anyone after their first proper graphite racket, or anyone who doesn't want to push the boat out but still wants comfort and great tech.
Try Before You Buy
Think about your style of play and how you like to go about your tennis. That will push you in the right Babolat direction. Then get the racket in your hand.
Our demo service lets you test any of these rackets properly, wherever you are in the UK. Add £25 to any adult racket order and we string it, fit an overgrip, add protection tape and send it out. Get on court and test it properly. If it's wrong, return it for a full refund on the racket, minus strings and the demo fee. If it's right, we refund the £25.
Book a racket demo with PH Tennis
Not sure where to start? Book a one-to-one virtual consultation. It might be with me or someone else in the team. We spend 20 minutes talking through your game, your current racket setup and strings, to guide you towards the rackets we think you should be testing next.
FAQ
Which Babolat racket is the most powerful?
The Babolat Pure Drive. It's stiff, solid and stable, and in my view it's the most powerful racket you can buy.
Which Babolat racket is best for spin?
The Pure Aero family is arguably the best spin racket range overall. It's spin friendly at every weight, with huge amounts of spin available.
Which Babolat racket is best for control?
The Babolat Pure Strike is Babolat's control frame. The Pure Strike 97 is the precision option within it.
What are the Babolat Pure Drive specs?
The Babolat Pure Drive has a 100 sq in head, 300 g unstrung weight, 320 mm unstrung balance and a 16x19 string pattern.
What are the Babolat Pure Aero 98 specs?
The Babolat Pure Aero 98 has a 98 sq in head, 305 g unstrung weight, 315 mm unstrung balance and a 16x20 string pattern.
What are the Babolat Pure Strike 97 specs?
The Babolat Pure Strike 97 has a 97 sq in head, 310 g unstrung weight, 310 mm unstrung balance and a 16x20 string pattern.
What is the difference between the Pure Aero and the Pure Aero 98?
They are very different rackets. The Pure Aero is a spin racket. The Pure Aero 98 is much more of a control frame that still lets you generate good racket speed, and it is slightly underpowered.
What is the difference between the Pure Drive and the Pure Drive 98?
The Pure Drive is a power racket. The Pure Drive 98 is a control racket that is slightly stiffer, with power as its secondary characteristic, suited to high-level players.
Should I choose the Pure Drive 98 or the Pure Aero 98?
If you need a bit of extra pop and power, choose the Pure Drive 98. If you have a whippier technique with high racket speed and generate power yourself, choose the Pure Aero 98.
Is the Babolat Pure Drive good for players with a wristy technique?
No. If you have a wristier, flickier technique or rely on feel and hand skill, the Pure Drive doesn't give you the manoeuvrability and flex you need.
What weights does the Babolat Pure Drive come in?
Super Lite at 255 g, Lite at 270 g, Team at 285 g and the Pure Drive at 300 g, plus the Pure Drive 98 at 305 g. All weights are unstrung.
Should I choose the Pure Strike 98 16x19 or 18x20?
The 16x19 gives a higher launch angle and more spin. The 18x20 gives a bit more control for flatter hitters.
What is the Babolat Evo range?
It's a drop-down range across all the Babolat families, made up of the Evo Strike, Evo Drive and Evo Aero. The rackets are very comfortable, with a lot of vibration reduction technology for the price. They make a great first proper graphite racket.
Which Babolat racket does Carlos Alcaraz use?
The Babolat Pure Aero 98.
Which Babolat racket does Josh from PH Tennis use?
The Babolat Pure Drive.
Where can I demo a Babolat racket in the UK?
PH Tennis offers a UK-wide demo service. Add £25 to any adult racket order, and the racket is strung, gripped, taped and sent out. If it's not right, return it for a full refund minus strings and the demo fee. If it is, the £25 is refunded.
Find out about our demo service
Final Thoughts
Thank you very much for reading my how to choose a Babolat racket guide. As you've seen, there are three main families: the Pure Drive for power, the Pure Aero for spin, and the Pure Strike for first strikers needing control.
In short, this is really linked to your swing shape and style. The Pure Strike is going to suit flatter, earlier hitters. The Pure Aero is going to suit later, more vertical hitters. And the Pure Drive is going to suit flatter, shorter, more compact players like me. So think about your style of play and how you like to go about your tennis, and that will push you in the right Babolat direction. There really is a racket here for everybody.
And if you don't want to push the boat out, you can drop down to the Evo range across all the families. You'll get a racket that's great value and really comfortable, with great amounts of tech, for a much more competitive price. So always check out the Evo range too.
If you have any questions about the Babolat range, drop us a comment on the video or get in touch with us through Instagram. Or book a one-to-one virtual consultation. If you haven't subscribed to the channel, make sure you do, and you'll never miss a thing from myself, Josh, Ben or Joe at PH Tennis.
About PH Tennis
PH Tennis is North London's premier tennis store, serving Enfield, Middlesex and beyond. We're the place to come for tennis rackets, honest advice, restrings and demos, and every racket we talk about here is one we've had on court ourselves.
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