7 Best Lightweight Tennis Racquets
Using a heavy tennis racquet is not going to fit the game style of every player out there. In fact, beginners tend to gravitate towards lightweight racquet options, while older players will love using them as well.
What are the best lightweight tennis racquets on the market right now? All the top brands have easy to maneuver options, but these are the best currently for those who still want a good amount of performance out of them.
1. Head Ti.S6
- Weight: 8.8 oz / 249g
One of the all-time best-selling lightweight racquets and tennis is the head titanium TI.S6. Known for having an extended length, a head heavy wide body, and weighing under 9 ounces, players who want something lightweight have enjoyed using this option. It is certainly not for everyone, but it is an affordably priced solution for all-court players.
It is a very lively frame overall, as one would expect, with a head size of 115 in.² and a very open string pattern overall. The large sweet spot allows players to tap into power and spin, even if they do not naturally have that much of it.
Head recommends players with fairly compact strokes to use this racquet in singles or doubles. At the net, it is going to perform well with all that opportunity to hit the sweet spot and put a shot away.
Pros
- Extended length and reach
- Gigantic sweet spot
- Spin potential
Cons
- A little tough for some to maneuver properly
- Might be too powerful for some players
2. Wilson Hyper Hammer 5.3
- Weight: 9.2 oz / 261g
Another solid oversized model that is very lightweight is the Wilson Hyper Hammer 5.3. A 110 in.² head size allows players to utilize that leverage and really power through balls. Also helping players out is that it is 27.5 inches, so there is a little more reach involved.
The 301 swingweight is definitely a plus for players who do not want to feel like they are lugging around a club. Despite being lightweight, the power is not overwhelming like some of the others out there.
There are some control-oriented features that are good to see for players trying to make sure that they have everything in control. It is more of a doubles racquet than a singles racquet, but some players have been using the same option for years and years.
Pros
- Stays true to the classic
- Very control-oriented for the head size
- Easy to maneuver at the net
Cons
- Too big for some
- Hard to play with in singles
3. Wilson Triad Three
- Weight: 9.8 oz / 278g
A fairly new release from Wilson is the Wilson Triad Three. It is a lightweight option that is meant to be extremely arm-friendly, and beginner and intermediate-level players will be able to take advantage of quite a bit of comfort and power.
Using the Triad technology that Wilson has relied on in the past, this is an excellent racquet in reducing impact vibration. Players can learn with a large 113 in.² head size, and the added length that goes up to 27.5 inches helps out as well.
Learning the baseline game is pretty solid with this head-heavy racquet. Players can take advantage of a good amount of stability, and as long as they can produce medium-length strokes, they will be able to add more and more depth to shots.
The pace is definitely there for players looking to make strides in that regard. Since it is new, it is a little more expensive than most of the other racquets on this list, but it should be considered for many different types of newer players.
Pros
- Triad technology helps with comfort
- Extra length fits the racquet well
- Power holes add more power to the mix
Cons
- A little expensive
- Swingweight jumps up to 331
4. Babolat Boost AW
- Weight: 9.8 oz / 278g
Players starting out and trying to get a feel for the game of tennis should give the Babalot Boost A W a try. It looks a lot like a standard player’s racquet, but it is designed specifically for those who want to have very quick handling and outstanding overall maneuverability.
Weighing in at 9.8 ounces and a swingweight of 306, this makes for a perfect learning racquet. Easy swings can generate a good amount of power, and it has a lot more control than the average racquet in this category. This means that beginners will not be spraying the ball all over the court and hoping for the best, which can be frustrating for those starting out.
Serving with the racquet is solid as well, as players can start to gain confidence the more they get used to the smooth feel and lively response. The only negative to the racquet is that it does not have the same type of stability that other players’ racquets would, but the trade-off for beginners is well worth it.
The 102 in.² size might seem a little small for beginners, but it makes it so much easier for players to transition to a slightly smaller racquet when they go to a player option.
Pros
- Easy acceleration
- Improved control
- Woofer grommet system
Cons
- Head size is a little small for some beginners
- Stability could be better
5. Head Graphene 360+ Extreme Lite
- Weight: 9.8 oz / 278g
Staying in the same family as some very popular player racquets, Head extends the head size a bit to 105 in.² to give beginners and intermediate players a better feel overall. They also decided to drop the weight to 9.8 ounces, and the swingweight is 310.
All of the technology that is in the more advanced racquets remains in this lite version. That means players get the opportunity to take advantage of a new Spin Shaft for added stability, as well as improved grommets to assist with string movement.
Head wants to make the learning experience very comfortable for new players, and the racquet is very fast with maneuverability so that players can start to develop power and spin.
Since the racquet is packed with a lot of high-end technology, players should not expect a discount. The price of the racquet indeed stays about the same as the performance models, but the good news is that it will last a very long time. When it is time to upgrade, players can opt to sell off their old one and go with a brand new option in the family.
Pros
- Added stability from the previous model
- Very comfortable
- Plays very much like the top model in the line
Cons
- Expensive
- Might not be a great singles racquet for more advanced players
6. Yonex VCORE Ace
- Weight: 9.7 oz / 275g
The VCORE line from Yonex is very popular for all types of players. The Ace is meant to be a lighter version of those racquets, and it does a great job of providing value for those learning the game. They are one of the only companies that decide to stick with a smaller head size instead of extending it for beginners. That can be a good or bad thing, depending on who is playing.
The good news is that if a player gets used to a 98 in.² head size, they will progress much easier. The bad news is that there can be a lot of mishits in the beginning, even if the weight is down to 9.7 ounces, and the swingweight is just 303.
Groundstrokes, in particular, feel very nice with the VCORE Ace. Players can develop great shot mechanics and develop confidence along the way thanks to easy acceleration and some of the best control out there for beginner racquets. In fact, it is such a dependable option that some older players are using this as their racquet every day, even if they have been playing for years.
Pros
- Outstanding control
- Trademark isometric head shape from Yonex
- Easy acceleration
Cons
- 98 in.² is not the best for all beginners
- Can get pushed around a bit at the net
7. Prince Textreme Tour 100L
- Weight: 9.8 oz / 278g
The latest member of the Tour family from Prince is meant to offer beginner players a great blend of power and spin. There is a lot of mass at the racquet head, which adds the stability that most beginners need. With a weight of 9.8 ounces and a swingweight of 314, players can feel very confident that they can handle a racquet that has plenty of power.
One of the best things about the Textreme Tour 100L is that they keep the head size at 100 in.². This makes it more than just an option limited to beginners. Some advanced players will opt for this lighter racquet if they are starting to slow down a bit, or they are playing a lot of doubles and want to control things at the net.
Pros
- Stays true to the Textreme Tour line
- Feels even lighter than the specs
- Excellent power
Cons
- Small head size for beginners to learn
- Might be too head heavy for some
How Long Can a Lightweight Racquet Last?
At some point, most people who get to a certain level will upgrade to something a little heavier overall. They will be able to hit with more power, put more spin on the ball, and not get pushed around the court as much.
With all that said, there are plenty of players who stick with a lightweight racquet for the rest of their tennis career. Maybe they are coming off an injury where they can’t use a racquet that is too heavy, or they just prefer the feel in general.
There will always be a market for lightweight racquets, and players looking for something new should never completely overlook them. Some pack the technology power to hold up well in competitive matches.
Also Read:
- Best Lightweight Tennis Shoes
- 14 Best Ways To Prepare For a Tennis Match
- 10 Countries Where Tennis Is Most Popular
- 17 Life-Changing Benefits of Playing Tennis
- 25 Beginner Tips To Improve Your Tennis Game (From a Coach)
