The Best Cheap Tennis Rackets of 2024

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Many beginners dread the thought of shopping for new equipment, despite their love for the game, because of the wrong perception that tennis is a sport only for the rich. That’s simply not the case; you don’t have to break the bank to hit the court. To prove that it is not just talking, we came up with a selection of the best cheap tennis rackets.

We made sure to include a variety of options from different well-known brands after testing the rackets ourselves. In this guide, we’ll also explain to you everything necessary about your first racket purchase, regarding technicalities and your skill levels, so that you can make a smart choice. Are you ready to dive in? 

  1. Best Overall: Wilson Federer
  2. Best for Intermediate Player: Head Ti S6
  3. Cheapest One: HEAD Speed Kids Tennis Racket
  4. Best for Beginners: Babolat Boost Drive 2021
  5. Best under 100: Babolat Boost S
  6. Best under 50: Wilson Tennis Fusion XL
  7. Best Value: Head Microgel Radical
  8. Best Women’s: Wilson Blade Team
  9. Also Consider: Yonex EZONE FEEL Deep Blue

Best Cheap Tennis Rackets Reviewed

Here is our take on the best cheap tennis rackets on the market, based on our own research and tests. This is one of those few exceptions, where cheap equals quality! We picked these good cheap tennis rackets based on some strong, unnegotiable criteria, such as performance, playability, durability, power, spin, control, maneuverability, etc.

Best Overall
The Best Cheap Tennis Rackets Options: Wilson Federer
Photo: Amazon.com

Wilson Federer’s tennis racket is our favorite pick on this list. It has a perfect blend of all the right features and suits a wide range of beginners and intermediate players. The brand has used high-quality materials and new technology, showing off when you take this racket in your hand. It has a great design and works well all around the court. 

The Wilson Federer racket features an oversized 110 sq. in head, with an open string pattern and a massive sweet spot that is impossible to miss. It is loaded with explosive power with ease, while it’s also easy to create some serious speed. The length is slightly bigger than the standard, offering the player additional leverage on the court. 

At 11.5 ounces, this cheap but good tennis racket has a considerable weight that provides both stability and control while still remaining easy to maneuver. The frame is very comfortable for the shoulder, wrist, and arm, as it does a great job of dumping down the vibrations. 

The only downside we could find was the disappointing spin potential, which at its best could be considered average. Other than that though, this tennis racket worked perfectly fine, delivering easy playability and good performance. 

Product Specs

  • Head size: 110 sq. in  / 710 sq. cm
  • Length: 27.5 inch / 69.85 cm 
  • Weight: 11.5 oz / 326 g
  • Grip size: 1 – 4 1/8 inches

Pros

  • Explosive power 
  • Comfortable frame 
  • Good control and stability 
  • Massive sweet spot 

Cons

  • Limited spin potential 

Get the Wilson Federer on Amazon.

Best for Intermediate Player
The Best Cheap Tennis Rackets Options: Head Ti S6
Photo: Amazon.com

As the best for intermediate players, we recommend Head Ti S6 tennis racket. Its performance and playability were simply outstanding during the playtest. This racket has a great design and features a noticeably larger head, at an impressive 115 sq. in. 

Safe to say, it’s loaded with explosive power, which is easy to tap into and has a massive sweet spot. Surprisingly, it has an impressive spin potential too, which stood out the most during the groundstrokes. 

This racket falls into the lightweight category; however, most of its mass is distributed towards the head. This feature gives the player some descend levels of stability and control, making it easier to redirect the ball and hit the targets on the court. It also means that maneuvering the racket can be a little bit of a struggle, but overall it adapted well. 

What we also loved about this racket is its nice, clean feel at impact and lively response at the net. Overall, the brand has done a great job, making Head Ti S6 one of the best affordable tennis rackets on the market. 

Product Specs

  • Head size: 115 sq. in / 741 sq. cm 
  • Length: 27.75 inch / 70 cm
  • Weight: 9 oz / 254 g
  • Grip size: 4 3/8

Pros

  • High power levels 
  • Spin potential 
  • Lively response 
  • Great design 

Cons

  • Slightly hard to maneuver 

See our review and playtest.

Get the Head Ti S6 on Amazon.

The Best Cheap Tennis Rackets Options: HEAD Speed Kids Tennis Racket
Photo: Amazon.com

The Head Speed kids tennis racket is the cheapest one on our list. This racket is perfect for children ages 2 to 8 plus and can be a great kick-start for everyone’s tennis journey. It features an oversized 107 sq. in with a large sweet spot and an open 16×19 string pattern. 

It can easily deliver high levels of power, making it easier for junior players to hit powerful shots across the court with minimal effort. The size and weight are perfect for kids, making the racket very light and easy to maneuver while still offering enough leverage for all angles. 

The frame is forgiving, flexible, and allows a higher margin of error. Surprisingly, this racket offers good stability levels, which is not common, considering the technicalities. Your child will be safe from injuries, too, as the rackets do a great job of reducing hard vibrations and shock impact. 

Product Specs

  • Head size: 107 sq. in / 690 sq. cm 
  • Length: 25 inch / 63.5 cm
  • Weight: 7.4 oz / 210 g
  • Grip size: 3 7/8 inch 

Pros

  • Great price
  • Easy playability 
  • Comfortable frame 
  • High margin of errors 

Cons

  • Suitable for a limited age range 

Get the HEAD Speed Kids Tennis Racket at Head’s Official Site or on Amazon.

Best for Beginners
The Best Cheap Tennis Rackets Options: Babolat Boost Drive 2021
Photo: Amazon.com

Another favorite pick on this list is Babolat Boost Drive, which we rate as the best for beginners. This affordable tennis racket has an impressive design and delivers a good performance all around the court. The oversized 105 sq. in head is loaded with high levels of power, while it can also generate some serious spin with minimal effort. 

The frame also has a large sweet spot and open string pattern, allowing the ball more dwell time. When strung, the racket weighs only 9.6 ounces, which makes it extremely easy to maneuver. It is also flexible, responsive, and delivers a nice, clean feeling. The frame is forgiving and offers the player more than enough time to switch positions, even during forced errors. 

It’s comfortable for the arm too, as the brand has used new technology to reduce shock impact and dampen down the harsh vibrations. As expected, this Babolat tennis racket offered low control and stability levels, which can make the performance erratic sometimes. However, a beginner would hardly notice or lack the lack of these features, as it is still learning the game’s basics.

Product Specs

  • Head size: 105 sq. in / 677 sq. cm 
  • Length: 27 in / 68.58 cm
  • Weight: 9.6 oz / 272 g
  • Grip size: 4 1/4 inch 

Pros

  • Explosive power 
  • Easy to maneuver 
  • Responsive 
  • Forgiving frame 

Cons

  • Sometimes delivers erratic performance 

Get the Babolat Boost Drive 2021 on Amazon.

Best under 100
The Best Cheap Tennis Rackets Options: Babolat Boost S
Photo: Amazon.com

If you are looking for the best budget tennis racket then you came to the right place. The Babolat Boost S costs under 100 dollars and delivers a great performance. During the playtest, we were impressed by the combination of power and spin this racket offers. It features a slightly oversized head and is lightweight, making it extremely easy to maneuver. 

The frame has an open strings pattern and is very forgiving, allowing more dwell time and a higher margin of error. The technological enhancements have made this racket surprisingly precise, helping the player to hit targets, and redirect the ball with more ease. 

We loved the racket’s lively response, especially at the baseline, where we could feel the racket really move through the air. The Babolat Boost S delivers a crispy touch, never feels too late or too rushed for the shots, and can generate some serious speed. There were times when we wished for more stability, but other than that, it gave us nothing to complain about. 

Product Specs

  • Head size: 102 sq. in / 658 sq. cm 
  • Length: 27 in / 68.58 cm
  • Weight: 10.4 oz / 295 g
  • Grip size: 4-inch

Pros

  • High power
  • Spead and spin 
  • Comfortable for the arm
  • Responsive frame 

Cons

  • Lacks stability 

Get the Babolat Boost S on Amazon.

Best under 50
The Best Cheap Tennis Rackets Options: Wilson Tennis Fusion XL
Photo: Amazon.com

With a price of just under 50 dollars, the Wilson Tennis Fusion XL is one of the best cheap tennis rackets on the market. This racket is made for power, and it features an impressively large head at 112 sq. in. The sweet spot is huge and impossible to miss, while the strings have an open 16×19 pattern that allows more dwell time. 

The brand has used V-Matrix technology to add another layer to power potential, making the racket a true weapon on the groundstrokes and serves, in particular. Stop Shock Sleeves technology has been integrated into the frame as well to reduce vibration and enhance comfort. This is a very responsive and flexible racket, which allows a higher error margin. 

On the downside, it noticeably lacks control, and stability, while the spin potential is average at best; but these are features that one would expect from advanced levels rackets. Wilson Tennis Fusion XL is perfect for beginners and recreational players that are just starting out in tennis and need a racket that will help them feel comfortable on the court while they learn to master the game’s basic skills. 

Product Specs

  • Head size: 112 sq. in / 723 sq. cm 
  • Length: 27.75 inch / 70 cm
  • Weight: 9.6 oz / 274 g
  • Grip size: 1 – 4 3/8 inches 

 Pros

  • Enhanced power 
  • Flexible and responsive 
  • Large sweet spot 
  • Very comfortable for the arm 

Cons

  • Suitable only for beginners and recreational players.
  • Low control and stability levels. 

Get the Wilson Tennis Fusion XL on Amazon.

Best Value
The Best Cheap Tennis Rackets Options: Head Microgel Radical
Photo: Amazon.com

If you want to get the best value out of your money, we recommend Head Microgel Radical. This Head tennis racket delivers a great performance and offers a blend of all the right features. It is suitable for a wide range of players, mostly intermediate and advanced levels. 

The racket features a small 98 sq. in head with a dense 18×20 string pattern. It can generate high spin with ease, helping the player add more depth with each shot. During the playtest, we noticed that this racket works well all across the court but truly excels at groundstrokes and volleys. With a bit of effort, you can also generate some serious power too, but it requires skills and some physical strength. 

We loved the high precision of this Head racket; hitting the target or redirecting the ball was effortless. It offers a solid feel and a great deal of control too. It is well balanced, and the brand has integrated new technology on the frame that significantly reduces harsh vibrations. Overall, this is a great cheap tennis racket and a perfect choice for those who are serious about the game. 

Product Specs

  • Head size: 98 sq. in / 623 sq. cm
  • Length: 27 in / 68.58 cm
  • Weight: 11 oz / 312 g
  • Grip size: 4 3/8 

Pros

  • High spin potential 
  • Control and stability 
  • Enhanced feel 
  • Absorbs vibrations 

Cons

  • Stiff frame 

Get the Head Microgel Radical on Amazon.

Best Women's
The Best Cheap Tennis Rackets Options: Wilson Blade Team
Photo: Wilson.com

Another Wilson tennis racket in our list, which is not a coincidence considering the fact that these brands have some of the best inexpensive tennis rackets. This one, in particular, is from the Blade line, famous for the great quality and high performance on the court. 

The Wilson Blade Team features a midsize head at 99 sq. in, with an open 16×18 string pattern, which is loaded with both spin and power. Backhand and forehand slices were our favorite during the playtest, while we noticed that the racket worked well all around the court. The unique beam contraction makes the balls really move through the air, while it also enhances dwell time and control levels over the ball. 

The frame makes it easy to generate serious speed while simultaneously helping the players keep pace, even during hit exchanges. It is quite forgiving, allowing a higher margin of errors, and comfortable for the arm. This cheap tennis racket can work well for many players, but it is best suited for intermediate levels. 

Product Specs

  • Head size: 99 sq. in / 638 sq. cm 
  • Length: 27 in / 68.58 cm
  • Weight: 10.4 oz / 294 g
  • Grip size: 2 – 4 1/4 

Pros

  • Spin and power 
  • Enhanced dwell time
  • Good control levels
  • Arm-friendly 

Cons

  • Poor strings

Get the Wilson Blade Team on Amazon.

Also Consider
The Best Cheap Tennis Rackets Options: Yonex EZONE FEEL Deep Blue
Photo: Amazon.com

Yonex Ezone Feel Deep Blue is one of the best cheap tennis rackets on the market, so you should consider this one an option. This racket features a generous 102 sq. in head and has a standard 27 inches length. During the playtest, we loved the controllable power of this racket, which allowed for full, powerful swings without ever becoming overbearing. It can generate amazing spin and speed, too, with minimal effort. 

In the right hands of a skillful player, this Yonex tennis racket can transform into a true weapon on the court. This is a light racket and very easy to maneuver, but simultaneously provides enough control levels to successfully hit all of the targets and redirect the ball throughout the game. 

It has a clean feeling at impact and greatly reduces vibration due to technological enhancement. At times it might feel unstable, which was our only complaint about this racket. Other than this, it worked perfectly well, and we were impressed by the easy playability. It mostly suits intermediate levels, but other levels can take advantage of all the great features this racket offers. 

Product Specs

  • Head size: 102 sq. in / 658 sq. cm 
  • Length: 27 in / 68.58 cm
  • Weight: 9.4 oz / 266 g
  • Grip size: 4 3/8 inches

Pros

  • Controllable power 
  • Spin and speed
  • Easy to maneuver 
  • Forgiving frame 

Cons

  • Not very stable 

Get the Yonex EZONE FEEL Deep Blue on Amazon.

What to Consider When Choosing the Best Budget Tennis Rackets

Buying your first-ever tennis racket can be a stressful experience for many. By now, you might have heard that not all tennis rackets are the same, but do you really know what factors set them apart? There are a few actually which are important to consider when picking the best budget tennis rackets. Here is all the information you’ll ever need, made simple. 

tennis racket head size chart

Head Size

The tennis racket’s head size is one of the most important factors that directly impact performance. Depending on how large the frame is, rackets can fall under any of these categories; 

  • Power rackets: Beginners and recreational players should always go for rackets with a head size that is 104 square inches or more and classified as oversized. The reason is simple; these types of rackets provide a more “user-friendly” experience. Overall, larger head sizes offer four big advantages: explosive power, a bigger sweet spot, easy maneuverability, and more comfort. 
  • Tweeners: or midsize rackets fall into intermediate sizes varying from 98 to 100square inches. They provide a blend of everything; power, spin, maneuverability, control, and stability, but without actually excelling on any of these features. Tweeners are best suited for all ranges of intermediate players. 
  • Players’ rackets: feature a smaller head size, varying from 85 to 97 square inches. Professional and advanced players use these rackets as they provide heavy spin and high levels of stability and control. However, their frame is usually very stiff and low-powered, meaning that the player should compromise on comfort and maneuverability and provide enough physical power for each shot. 
tennis racket size length chart

Length

The standard length of a tennis racket is 27 inches, which provides enough leverage on the court to reach even the most difficult angles. Anything smaller than this size classifies as a children’s racket. While most of the adult players’ models stick with the standard, there are some rackets with an extended length. 

According to ITF guidelines, the maximum length of a tennis racket for official tournaments is 29 inches. The added length increases power and swingweight while offering more easy reach on groundstrokes and serves, making the racket more beginner-friendly. 

Tennis Racket Weight Chart

Weight and Balance

The tennis racket’s weight and balance are very important factors to evaluate when choosing your tennis racket. Both of these feature impacts performance, playability, and feel, but also the way you connect with the racket. 

For most beginners, understanding how this stuff works might seem complicated, so the best thing you can do is learn the basic concept that will help you make a smart choice. Here is what you should know: 

Based on how much they weigh, rackets classify as; 

  • Lightweight rackets: these tennis rackets usually have high levels of power and are extremely easy to maneuver on the court. Mostly suitable for beginners, recreational, and junior players. 
  • Midweight racket: provide average maneuverability, control, and stability levels. They suit the best intermediate players. 
  • Heavy rackets: are the hardest to maneuver but provide excellent levels of stability and control, allowing the player to hit the target with precision. These rackets are suitable for advanced levels only. 

Now that you know all about weight, it’s time to explain balance. Hang in there; it’s not hard at all. Balance refers to the way how the racket’s weight it’s distributed on the body. 

Here are the three main categories of the rackets’ balance

  • Head heavy: the racket’s weight is more concreted on the head. These rackets provide more power and maneuverability but lack control.
  • Balanced: the weight is distributed equally between the head and the handle. These rackets combine power, control, and stability. 
  • Head light: the racket’s weight is distributed towards the handle. These rackets are made for control and stability. 
Tennis Racket Grip Size

Grip Size

A tennis racket’s grip size refers simply to the circumference size across the handle and can vary from 4 inches to 4 3/4 inches at max. Picking the right measurement is personal because it depends on the player’s hand size. That’s why learning how to measure a racket grip size is one of the most useful skills, which will save you a lot of trouble in court. 

There is nothing worse than an ill-fitted grip size on the court. It doesn’t matter if it’s too small or too big; in both cases, it will make you feel exhausted while trying to get a good hold of the racket. It will also cause you to underperform and feel disconnected from the racket, even though you’ll probably spend much more energy and effort trying to control it. 

Skill Level 

Last but not least, you should always consider your skill levels when picking up a tennis racket. As you have already figured out, specific technical features significantly affect the racket’s performance and playability. You want a racket that will feel like an extension of your arm and not like a burden that you roughly carry around the court. 

Generally speaking, there are three main types of players based on their skill levels:

  • Beginners: are still learning the basics of the game. They should choose power rackets with oversized heads, which are light in weight and easy to manage.
  • Intermediate: players that have already mastered the basics techniques and are actively trying to improve their athletic performance on the court. Twieenerr rackets are the best choice for this category, as they provide a good blend of every feature. 
  • Advanced: players with a well-developed game strategy and technique that can compete at a professional level. Almost every time, they chose a “player’s racket” with smaller head size and heavy weight, which can provide spin, stability, and control. 

The table below is a general description of racket size based on the players’ skill levels.

Skill levelsWeight Head Size
Beginners 8 - 9.5 oz / 226 -269 grams100-108+ sq. in / 645 – 697 sq. cm
Intermediate 9.6 - 11.5 oz / 272 -326 grams98-100 sq. in (632 – 645 sq. cm)
Advanced 11.6 - 12.6 oz / 328 -367 grams95-100 sq. in (613 – 645 sq. cm)

How We Chose the Best Cheap Tennis Rackets

When choosing the best cheap tennis rackets, the first key factor we consider was obviously the tennis racket price. Our maximum limit was 150 dollars, but none of our rackets that made it to the final list even reached this sum. They all come at incredibly affordable prices while also delivering great quality. 

We bought and tested these rackets ourselves to evaluate their performance. We based our reviews on a few important elements, such as power, spin, touch, comfort, control, stability, and maneuverability. To make sure that players of all levels have at least one suitable option and we made sure to include a few different categories. 

Our Verdict 

While we are a fan of all the options in this list, we rate the best overall the Wilson Federer racket. It comes at a great price and delivers easy playability. This racket is loaded with power, features a very forgiving frame, and works well all around the court. 

The Wilson Blade Team, which we featured as the best for women players, is also a great option. This racket does everything right, delivering a great performance and an excellent blend of power, spin, and control. 

FAQs

Cheap tennis rackets are a great affordable way to get you started with the sport. But if you’re new to the game, you may have a few more questions. Read on for answers to some frequently asked questions about the best cheap tennis rackets.

Q: Can you play tennis with a cheap racket?

Yes, you can most certainly play tennis with a cheap tennis racket. Every professional tennis player has started out by playing with cheap rackets. The important thing is to find a racket that suits your playing style and level.

Q: Are cheap tennis rackets worth it?

If you’re just starting out, cheap tennis rackets are a great way to get into the sport without breaking the bank. However, if you’re a more experienced player, you may want to invest in a higher-quality tennis racket

Q: What is the best tennis racket under 100?

The Wilson Federer racket is our top pick for the best cheap tennis racket. It comes at a great price and delivers easy playability. This racket is loaded with power, features a very forgiving frame, and works well all around the court.

Q: How often should you change tennis racket?

As a tennis player, you should change your racket every year to take advantage of the new technologies used in the latest tennis rackets that are designed to improve your game. With each new generation of rackets, there are usually innovation in design and materials that can help you increase your power and accuracy.

You may not notice much difference with the first few swings of a new racket, but over time, it will make a big difference in your performance. So don’t be afraid to change up your racket every year!

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I am Mario, a tennis player passionate about encouraging others to join the sport.

Here at TennisRacketBall, we strive to set ourselves apart from other review sites by making an effort to purchase and test the products whenever possible. We do not allow ourselves to be bribed! We are 100% honest with our reviews even when manufacturers do not like it.

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