Best Tennis Racket by Brand
Quick Summary
We are truly living in the golden age of racket manufacturing, and narrowing each brand down to one racket was very difficult. My method was simple: I pretended each brand came to me as a sponsored coach and asked, "Which racket do you want?" These are my answers.
- Tecnifibre: Tecnifibre T-Fight 315
- Head: Head Speed Tour
- Wilson: Wilson Blade 98 16x19
- Yonex: Yonex VCORE 98
- Babolat: Babolat Pure Aero 98
The verdict: the Yonex VCORE 98 is maybe the best racket ever made, and everybody should try it at least once. The Babolat Pure Aero 98 is the one I actually use, because I think it might be the most fun racket that's ever been made.
Watch our YouTube video to see all five rackets and hear why each one made the list.
Specs
| Racket | Head size | Weight (unstrung) | Balance | String pattern |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tecnifibre T-Fight 315S | 98 sq in | 315 g | 310 mm | 16x19 |
| Head Speed Tour | 97 sq in | 305 g | 315 mm | 16x19 |
| Wilson Blade 98 16x19 | 98 sq in | 305 g | 320 mm | 16x19 |
| Yonex VCORE 98 | 98 sq in | 305 g | 315 mm | 16x19 |
| Babolat Pure Aero 98 | 98 sq in | 305 g | 315 mm | 16x20 |
What This Is
This isn't a lab test or a ranking, and it's in no particular order. Let me take you behind the curtain first, so you get a little peek at how the sausage gets made.
When you are a sponsored coach or athlete for a brand, they say to you, "Which racket do you want?" That is the racket you have to use for the contract, usually for a year. So for each brand, I asked myself the same question. These are the rackets I'd like to use. I'd like to think they're the best, but they are my particular favourites, and I'll explain why I like them and who they're for.
This is something you can do for yourself too. Go through each brand and ask, "What would I actually use?" You never know, you might find something you like.
My Verdict
Every brand on this list makes more than one very good racket, which is what made this so hard. But if each one gave me a single choice, it's the Tecnifibre T-Fight 315, the Head Speed Tour, the Wilson Blade 98 16x19, the Yonex VCORE 98 and the Babolat Pure Aero 98.
The Yonex VCORE 98 is maybe the best racket ever made. I cannot speak highly enough of it. The only reason it isn't my actual racket is the Babolat Pure Aero 98, which is the one I've chosen to use. Not only is it the best racket Babolat makes, I think it's the best racket for me.
My favourite racket by brand, arguably the best. I'm sure many of you will disagree.
The Tech That Matters Here
None of these picks comes down to a headline technology. What separates them in this list is weight, head size and string pattern.
Weight. Heavier rackets are usually more powerful than lighter ones. That's why I go for the 315 g version of the Tecnifibre T-Fight.
String pattern. On the Wilson Blade, the pattern makes quite a significant difference. The 18x20 has a denser string pattern that makes you work a little harder, and you lose a bit of power and a bit of spin. The 16x19 adds power to a control frame.
Head size and pattern together. On the Head Speed Tour, it's the 97 sq in head, the open string pattern, everything working together that creates a really nice racket.
Yonex lists ISOMETRIC, 2G-Namd SPEED, Silicone Oil Infused Grommets, Aerodynamic Tech, a New Throat Design and V.D.M. among the technologies in the VCORE 98, with a HM Graphite / 2G-Namd Flex Force / VDM construction.
How It Plays: Brand by Brand
Tecnifibre: Tecnifibre T-Fight 315
Tecnifibre was relatively easy. They only make one really good racket, and this is it. I particularly like the 315 g. The T-Fight is a beautiful control racket, and you could argue it's slightly underpowered. Go up to the heavier weight and you get some of that juice back.
It's a perfectly balanced mid-range racket that sits almost perfectly in the middle of power, control and spin, a really good all-rounder. But I want a little bit of extra weight. It helps my single-handed backhand, and it helps me take control of the point and start to dominate a little bit more.
Head: Head Speed Tour
The relatively new Head Speed Tour, the 97 sq in version, is one of the best rackets I think has ever been made. I absolutely love it. There is one drawback, and that is it's quite difficult to use.
At PH Tennis we run coach demo sessions. Players come down, we bring a load of rackets, they test them all out and walk away with the racket that's right for them. Interestingly, they're very popular with very good players. I recently did a session with an ex-top 10 UK junior, and he was enamoured with the Head Speed Tour. That's kind of the point of this racket. If you are a really good player, this is the racket for you.
It's got a beautiful amount of stiffness and solidity at contact, despite being a 97 and despite having quite thin beams. It has this really surprising feel at impact. You're still really in touch with the game, but you've also got this perfect control and precision. You've just got to be good enough to use it. I'm nearly there. I wish I could. It's not the racket I use, but if I was going to use a Head racket, it's the one I would pick.
Wilson: Wilson Blade 98 16x19
From Wilson, it's the brand new Blade 98 in the 16x19 version. I like the 16x19 pattern and I like the extra power. The 18x20 is not for me.
I was fortunate enough to speak to the designer of this racket, and he said that's what this version is all about: adding a little bit of power to a control frame. It's really noticeable. It plays so sharp. You feel so connected. You get a lovely amount of pop, a bit of spin, a bit of power, and all of it makes it feel easy to use despite being a control frame. It looks really nice too.
All of the Blades are good. This is the one I would choose. Wilson was a little bit difficult, because the new Wilson Defyer range is fantastic too. All of the Wilson rackets are really good. It's just that if I had to pick one and only use one, this is what it would be. Me and Sabalenka on the same page.
Yonex: Yonex VCORE 98
Maybe the best racket ever made. It is absolutely perfect. A brilliant all-rounder with loads of surprising power, incredible control and amazing feedback. It's so comfy.
There are different versions. The 100s are a bit too powerful for me, and I don't really like the heavier ones. The 98 just sits perfectly for my game. The Yonex EZONE (version 8) and Yonex PERCEPT (version 1) are great rackets. But there is something about this VCORE 98.
I implore everybody reading this: you need to try it at least once. Some players pick it up and go, "This is the racket I've always wanted." It really does seem to do everything for everyone. If you want a really nice tennis experience where the racket is helping you out but not dominating the experience, the VCORE 98 from Yonex is the one.
Babolat: Babolat Pure Aero 98
I've saved this till last because this is the racket I actually use. If Babolat said, "What would you want?" I have said, "I want one of these."
It is way underpowered compared to the incredibly popular last version, and it's actually becoming a bit of a Marmite racket. Quite a lot of people don't like this new version, but I do, for one incredibly specific reason. I think it might be the most fun racket that's ever been made.
You cannot play boring tennis with this racket. The lack of power means you are given this freedom to just play as much as you want. If you miss a ball with this racket, it is 100% your fault. But interestingly, you kind of know why. "Oh, I was leaning back a little bit." "Oh, I swung a little bit too flat." The racket is a really good feedback mechanism. It doesn't add. It doesn't take away. It just sits there alongside you going, "Go on, hit it harder. Try something else." And it's really good fun.
Who Each Racket Is For
Tecnifibre T-Fight 315: players who want a control-first all-rounder but want some of the power back from extra weight. It helps my single-handed backhand and helps me dominate the point.
Head Speed Tour: really good players. If you're good enough to use it, the control, precision and feel at contact are exceptional.
Wilson Blade 98 16x19: players who love the Blade's control but want a little extra power, pop and spin, and want a control frame that feels easy to use.
Yonex VCORE 98: almost anyone. If you want the racket helping you out without dominating the experience, this is the one.
Babolat Pure Aero 98: players who want an honest racket that doesn't add or take away, and who want to take full ownership of every ball. If you loved the power of the last version, be aware this one is way underpowered by comparison.
Try Them Before You Buy
You've got to put these rackets in your hand. There is nothing like using them and testing them. We're fortunate that we get to do this every week, and you can too.
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
FAQ
What is the best tennis racket from each brand?
PH Tennis's picks are the Tecnifibre T-Fight 315, Head Speed Tour, Wilson Blade 98 16x19, Yonex VCORE 98 and Babolat Pure Aero 98. Each is the racket I would choose if that brand offered me a sponsorship contract.
Which of these rackets does PH Tennis actually play with?
The Babolat Pure Aero 98. It's the racket I use, and I think it might be the most fun racket ever made.
Is the Yonex VCORE 98 a good all-round racket?
Yes. It's maybe the best racket ever made, with surprising power, incredible control, amazing feedback and a comfortable feel. Every player should try it at least once.
What are the Yonex VCORE 98 specs?
The Yonex VCORE 98 has a 98 sq in head, 305 g weight, 315 mm balance and a 16x19 string pattern.
Is the Head Speed Tour good for intermediate players?
It's quite difficult to use and best suited to really good players. In PH Tennis coach demo sessions it has proved very popular with high-level players, including an ex-top 10 UK junior.
What are the Head Speed Tour specs?
Head publishes a 97 sq in head, 305 g weight, 315 mm balance and a 16x19 string pattern.
Should I choose the Wilson Blade 98 16x19 or 18x20?
The 18x20 has a denser string pattern that makes you work harder and costs some power and spin. The 16x19 adds power to a control frame. At PH Tennis, we prefer the 16x19.
How heavy is the Wilson Blade 98 16x19?
Wilson publishes an unstrung weight of 305 g.
Why choose the Tecnifibre T-Fight 315 over lighter versions?
The T-Fight is a control racket that can feel slightly underpowered. Heavier rackets are usually more powerful than lighter ones, so the 315 g version gets some of that power back.
Is the new Babolat Pure Aero 98 less powerful than the last version?
Yes. It's way underpowered compared to the previous version, which has made it a bit of a Marmite racket.
What string pattern does the Babolat Pure Aero 98 have?
Babolat publishes a 16x20 string pattern.
Can you compare balance figures across these brands?
Only with care. Not every brand says whether its balance is measured strung or unstrung, so small differences between brands shouldn't be read too closely.
Where can I demo these rackets 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.
Book a Racket Demo with PH Tennis
Final Thoughts
So there you have it. The T-Fight from Tecnifibre, the Speed Tour from Head, the Blade 98 16x19 from Wilson, the VCORE 98 from Yonex, and the Babolat Pure Aero 98. My favourite racket by brand, arguably the best.
I'm sure many of you will disagree, and I would love to see your list. Go through those brands, put your rackets in the comments on the video, and we can have a nice debate.
Remember, you have got to put these rackets in your hand. Get on court, try these rackets out and see if any of them are the ones for you. Thank you very much for reading, and subscribe to the channel so you never miss a thing from Josh, Joe or myself at PH Tennis.
