If you’re a player who just wants a generous amount of power from the racquet, you have a few options of Power Racquets.
Power racquets are still relatively controlled compared to beginner racquets which can come with an oversized head size or an extended length to really max out the power. Power racquets are generally 100 sq inch racquets with a thick beam and a high stiffness rating.
This is how you achieve more power:
- Higher stiffness (more energy return, not much dwell-time in the string bed) – Downside: can lead to problems with comfort.
- Extended length (higher swing weight and leverage) – Downside: makes it less maneuverable
- More weight in the hoop (higher swing weight) – Downside: makes it less maneuverable
When you get more power, you naturally lose some control.
Easier to use
Here are some popular and balanced power racquets you can consider if you want maximum power on the strokes without compromising too much on control
Yonex Ezone 100
A nicely muted response, easy to use, good power level and large sweet spot. You can hit flatter shots and get decent control, so you don’t have to be a “top-spinner.” My review.
String recommendations:
Power&feel – Yonex Rexis Speed or gut 1.30 mains @54 lbs (24.5 kg) / Yonex Poly Tour Strike 1.25 crosses @50 lbs (22.5 kg)
Control – Yonex Poly Tour Pro 1.25 @51 lbs (23 kg)
Spin – Yonex Poly Tour Rev 1.25 @47 lbs (21 kg)
Babolat Pure Drive
“The obvious one.” A legend in the game. The only downside with this racquet for most people is that it can be a bit stiff, so string with caution. My review.
String recommendations:
Power&feel – Babolat Xcel 1.30 @55 lbs (25 kg) mains, Babolat RPM Power 1.25 @52 lbs (22.5 kg) crosses
Control – Babolat RPM Blast 1.25 @51 lbs (23 kg)
Spin – Babolat RPM Blast Rough 1.25 @49 lbs (22 kg)
HEAD Instinct MP
This racquet is often forgotten among power racquets, but it’s actually excellent offering a nice balance of big power, some spin, some control and decent comfort. My review.
String recommendations:
Power&feel – HEAD Velocity 1.30 or natural gut @55 lbs (25 kg) mains, HEAD Hawk Touch 1.25 @52 lbs (23.5 kg) crosses
Control – HEAD Hawk 1.25 @51 lbs (23 kg)
Spin – HEAD Lynx Tour 1.25 @48 lbs (21.5 kg)
Dunlop FX 500
Easy-to-swing, good power, a pretty dense pattern in the center for better directional control on flat shots. A bit stiff, but with the right string it’s a nice stick. My review.
String recommendations:
Power&feel – Dunlop Iconic Speed 1.30 (or natural gut) @55 lbs (25 kg) mains, Dunlop Explosive Tour 1.25 @52 lbs (23.5 kg) crosses
Control – Dunlop Explosive Speed @50 lbs (22.5 kg)
Spin – Dunlop Explosive Bite 1.25 @48 lbs (21.5 kg)
Prince Twistpower X100
This racquet looks like a gimmick with its twisted beam, but it actually hits a nice ball. It’s a bit more spin-oriented than the racquets above, but an interesting choice with lower stiffness. My review.
String recommendations:
Power&feel – Prince Premier Control 1.30 @55 lbs (25 kg) mains, Prince Tour XP 1.25 @52 lbs (22.5 kg) crosses
Control – Prince Problend or Prince Diablo Prism @51 lbs (23 kg)
Spin – Prince Vortex 1.25 @50 lbs (22.5 kg)
Diadem Nova FS 100
A smaller brand that has made strides in recent years. The Nova FS 100 is an excellent power frame with above average feel for the category. My review.
String recommendations:
Power&feel – Diadem Evolution 1.35 @55 lbs (25 kg) mains, Diadem Flash 1.25 @52 lbs (22.5 kg) crosses
Control – Diadem Pro X @52 lbs (23.5 kg)
Spin – Diadem Solstice 1.25 @50 lbs (22.5 kg)
Advanced power racquets
As with spin racquets, advanced power racquets drop down from a 100 sq inch head size to 98 sq inch. They also tend to have thinner beams and a slightly lower stiffness to increase the control for advanced players who generate more of their own power.
Yonex Ezone 98
This is the leader of advanced power racquets. Good-sized sweet spot for a 98, surprising control, solid pace. Just a brilliant racquet that is easy to love. Yonex Ezone 98 Review.
String recommendations:
Power&feel – Yonex Rexis Speed or gut 1.30 mains @54 lbs (24.5 kg) / Yonex Poly Tour Strike 1.25 crosses @50 lbs (22.5 kg)
Control – Yonex Poly Tour Pro 1.25 @51 lbs (23 kg)
Spin – Yonex Poly Tour Rev 1.25 @47 lbs (21 kg)
Babolat Pure Drive 98
This one potential on paper, but it felt a little bit stiff for my taste. If you customize and string it with a hybrid it’s not a bad racquet, but not quite up to Ezone 98 levels in terms of comfort. Babolat Pure Drive 98 Review.
String recommendations:
Power&feel – Babolat Xcel 1.30 @55 lbs (25 kg) mains, Babolat RPM Power 1.25 @52 lbs (22.5 kg) crosses
Control – Babolat RPM Blast 1.25 @51 lbs (23 kg)
Spin – Babolat RPM Blast Rough 1.25 @49 lbs (22 kg)
HEAD Boom Pro
Is this a controlled power racquet? The comfort and control is excellent, but the string bed can be a bit lively and unpredictable. HEAD Boom Pro Review.
String reommendations:
Power&feel – HEAD Velocity 1.30 or natural gut @55 lbs (25 kg) mains, HEAD Hawk Touch 1.25 @52 lbs (23.5 kg) crosses
Control – HEAD Hawk 1.25 @51 lbs (23 kg)
Spin – HEAD Lynx Tour 1.25 @48 lbs (21.5 kg)
Dunlop FX 500 Tour
Easy-to-swing, good power, a pretty dense pattern in the center for better directional control on flat shots. A bit stiff and light, but like with the Pure Drive VS, this could be arranged with some customization. Dunlop FX 500 Tour Review.
String recommendations:
Power&feel – Dunlop Iconic Speed 1.30 (or natural gut) @55 lbs (25 kg) mains, Dunlop Explosive Tour 1.25 @52 lbs (23.5 kg) crosses
Control – Dunlop Explosive Speed @50 lbs (22.5 kg)
Spin – Dunlop Explosive Bite 1.25 @48 lbs (21.5 kg)
Tecnifibre Tempo IGA 298
This racquet is also featured in the spin category, but I think it can exist in both. Despite its low weight, this racquet packs a punch. It’s also a good platform for some customization. Tecnifibre Tempo IGA 298 Review.
String recommendations:
Power&feel – Tecnifibre X-One-Bi-Phase 1.30 @56 lbs (25.5 kg) mains, Tecnifibre Black Code 1.24 @52 lbs (23.5 kg) crosses
Control – Tecnifibre Black Code 1.25 @51 lbs (darker colors are stiffer, lighter colors livelier)
Spin – Tecnifibre Razor Code 1.25 @48 lbs (21.5 kg)
My favorites
When it comes to the power category, I’m a bit of an Ezone fanboy. I think both the Ezone 100 (more power, easier to use) and the Ezone 98 (better control) are winners in the category. Honorary mentions go to the Dunlop FX 500, which is stiff, but very fun to use with the right string setup, and the Diadem FS Nova, which playability took me by surprise.
I also want to shoutout the IGA 298, which is an excellent frame at a lower weight, which plays a lot more comfortable than its stiffness rating.
Longer power racquets
Many power racquets are offered in extended versions. If you struggle to generate power on serve and have a two-handed backhand (these racquets tend to work less well for players with single-handed backhands), you should demo a plus-racquet. Links go to Tennis Warehouse, as I haven’t reviewed these models in-depth.
Babolat Pure Drive Plus – There is also the Aero Plus for more spin
Yonex Ezone 100 Plus – There are also more spin-oriented VCORE Plus racquets
Solinco Blackout 100 XTD – Up-and-coming brand more known for strings
