Alexandra Ramirez
1. E-Force
Best Overall Racquetball Racquet
5/5 Product Rating
You’re also getting a total carbon head and Fiber alignment Zones. Customers consider this racquetball racquet to be a top pick because of its lightweight design and ample 22 inch length.
You can be sure that when you purchase a racquetball racquet of this quality, you’re going to see better performance out on the court, and that means faster and harder shots that help to greatly improve your game. Whether you’re a professional or someone that is new to the game, you’re going to enjoy shots on the court that you never thought possible.
– Jonathan Maxwell
2. Ektelon O3
Best Overall Racquetball Racquet – Runner Up
4.7/5 Product Rating
Customers agree that a racquetball racquet of this caliber is what is required to get more precise, even shots, while also being easy to hold in the hand for a solid grip. You can be sure that when you purchase a racquetball racquet of this quality that you’re going to start to see your game improve, and you’re going to have a better feel for the ball in no time.
Whether for you, or a gift to a racquetball-playing friend or family member, you’re going to absolutely love the feel of this racquetball racquet, and all the new shots that it is going to make possible. You can pretty much purchase any racquet from Ektelon with confidence, but you can be doubly sure of your success when you purchase this model.
– Jonathan Maxwell
3. Rebel
Best Budget Racquetball Racquet
4.5/5 Product Rating
It features a power level of 1800, so that you know that you’re going to get top performance, and at a price that you can afford. This is one of the best of the best, due to its solid construction and use of the highest quality materials that give you the edge that you need to win more matches, and execute better shots. With the purchase of this racquetball racquet, you’re going to start to see the performance that you’ve always dreamed of.
Professionals love this racquetball racquet because it’s so lightweight and easy to use, offering precision and force, and newbies love this racquetball racquet because they can get a firm grip, and the racquet grows with them, allowing them to improve their skills while still experiencing solid performance.
– Jonathan Maxwell
Racquetball Racquet Buying Guide
What is a Racquetball Racquet?
When it comes to purchasing equipment, the racquetball racquet is by far the most important purchase. This can also me the most difficult decision that a player faces. But the truth is that when you have the right information on-hand, the choice between racquetball racquets should not be a difficult one. In this buyer’s guide we’re going to go over which are the features that you should look out for, while also giving you a better understanding of how racquetball racquets work, and how the right one can improve your game.
Racquet Weight and Swing Speed
As we have established, choosing the right racquet is going to be the most important decision that you’ll make, and it’s also the most challenging decision to make. The weight of your racquet is going to determine the power, control, and maneuverability that you experience. So to be clear, if you have a slow swing, then you’re going to want a heavier racquetball racquet, of up to 185 grams or more. Those who have a slow swing are usually new to the sport, while older veterans often transition from a power heavy game to a more controlled game, and they too are in need of a heavier racquetball racquet.
For those who have a moderate swing, you’re going to want to look for a more medium weight racquet, such as those between 170 and 185 grams. Most players are going to fall into the category of having a moderate swing. No matter whether you’re an avid tournament player or a weekend warrior, you’re going to find in this category players that need a little extra response. These racquetball racquets are going to provide you with a nice balance of control and power characteristics. This is the most common kind of racquet, and therefore you’re going to find a lot of them to choose from.
For those with a fast swing, you’re going to want to find a light racquet that falls between 150 and 165 grams. This kind of racquetball racquet will maximize maneuverability, and they cater to players who generate their own power. This kind of racquetball racquet is not recommended for players who have any kind of shoulder or arm ailments, as they don’t help to weigh-down and balance your swing.
Determining Balance
The balance of the racquetball racquet is going to affect power and maneuverability. The balance of your racquet is what defines the initial feel of the equipment in your hand, before you even hit your first ball. With a head heavy racquetball racquet, you’re going to have more weight focused at the top, which increases swing weight and swing speed. These will, in turn, increase your power. With a light head, you’re going to have more weight focused towards the handle or throat of the racquet. This kind of racquetball racquet has an overall lighter feel, and it’s more maneuverable and ideal for front court play.
If you want a more even balance, then you’re going to want to look for weight that is more focused towards the middle of the racquet, as this will give you more power and control. This is great for customization.
Determining Swing Weight
To determine the swing weight, you need to first define the weight and balance that you’re looking for. The easiest and most efficient way is to compare racquetball racquets side by side.
- Power vs Control and High Swing Weight: Do you favor one of these over the other? When you have a high swing weight, then you’re going to get high power. Higher swing weight racquets are going to generate the most power with the least amount of effort or stress. With someone who plays with power, they like to hit pass, kill, and down the line shots, often hitting from the backcourt. New players will often fit into this category because they do not yet know about ball control and court angles.
- Low Swing Weight: When you have a lower swing weight then you’re going to have better control. These kinds of racquetball racquets carry less momentum in the swing, so that they’re easier to adjust quickly and make tough shots. A control player is going to attack the front wall more often and they rely more on strategic ball placement to defeat their opponent. A low swing weight player is going to use more lobs, ceiling balls, and well placed pitches to keep their opponent off-balance and guessing.
- Medium Swing Weight: A medium swing weight player uses a racquet that is the easiest to pick up and use. This style of racquetball racquet gives you an even balance of head-light and head-heavy. The balanced player understands and uses both passing power and touch placement to their advantage at any point in the match. This is basically the goal for any competitive player.
Determine your Price
It’s important to determine what price range you’re interested in, and then stick with that. It’s smart to choose models from a previous year, as this will save you some money while still providing you with a high-end racquet. Buying the latest model is by far going to be the most expensive, but if you’re a professional player than this might be a great option for you. The latest racquetball racquets will have the most cutting edge technology, and for advanced players you’re really going to feel the difference. For someone who is just getting into the sport, it’s going to make more sense to find something that is more economical, but also durable, so that you won’t have to replace it for a while.
Determine your Brand Options
Every manufacturer of racquetball racquets has their own technologies that are going to change how the racquet feels and plays, and the best way to find what works for you is to use a demo racquet. When you can try various different brands, then you’re going to get a much better sense of what feels good in your hand, and what works with your shot speed. Testing racquetball racquets is really the only way to go when you want to find something that suits your unique skill set and style of playing.
Determine your Grip Size
There are really only two options when it comes to grip size: there is a large grip and a smaller grip. The majority of players choose the smaller grip, and this is for matters of performance. A Super Small grip is just about 3-5/8”, and this smaller grip size allows for maximum wrist snap, and this translates into increased power potential based on skill level. The Extra Small grip is going to run from 3-7/8” to 3-15/16”, and this bigger size is for players with larger hands. Sometimes, when the grip is too small, it can cause elbow pain, and this is from over-clenching the handle.
Determine your String and Grip
Every racquetball racquet comes pre-strung and gripped from the factory. There are a number of factory options to choose from, and of course, you could opt to customize these down the line. With strings, you can replace them, and this will make a big difference in how the racquet feels and plays. Some players don’t realize that just because their strings have not broken, they have still perhaps lost their tension, and this reduces the power, response, and feel.
In terms of tension, the higher tension will give you a stiffer string bed which results in more control. Lower tension gives you more power thanks to the trampoline effect that comes from the string bed.
Pertaining to grip, a new grip is going to increase control, durability, and the overall feel of the racquet, and it also adds a bit of style as well. The dampener is not required on your racquetball racquet, but it does help reduce vibration and gives your string bed a more solid feel.
Conclusion
Purchasing a racquetball racquet can be daunting, because there is so much out there to choose from, and each one has a lot of unique characteristics that you need to take into account. With the top rated racquetball racquets, you’re getting durable pieces of equipment that are going to work for many different skill levels. You can be sure that when you buy one of the top rated racquetball racquets you’re getting something that will stand the test of time, and will also allow you to customize it to suit your needs.
Resources
- http://e-force.com
- http://catalog.ektelon.com/Power-Ring-Rebel.aspx
- http://catalog.ektelon.com/03-Tour-165.aspx
