If you want the best padel racket under £100 in the UK, focus on comfort, forgiveness, and value — not hype. Every racket on this list is stocked at CORTA right now, and every one is suitable for real beginner or casual play.
Whether you are buying your first racket, choosing one for a partner, or picking up a spare, these are the budget padel rackets worth looking at before you spend.
What actually matters under £100
- Shape: Round is usually the best choice for beginners — bigger sweet spot, easier control, less punishment on mishits. Teardrop and diamond shapes offer more power, but they are less forgiving if your technique is still developing.
- Core: EVA Soft is exactly what most players should want at this price. It feels comfortable, absorbs off-centre hits, and makes the racket easier to use from the start.
- Face: Fibreglass is standard under £100 and that is completely fine. It is durable, forgiving, and ideal for beginner and casual players. Carbon is a bonus, not a requirement.
- Weight: Most budget rackets sit around 360–375g. Lighter feels quicker at the net. Slightly heavier can give you more drive from the back. For most beginners, either works well.
Not sure which shape to go for? Read our padel racket shapes guide first.
Adidas Match 2026 - £59.99
Available in Black/Lime and Black/Orange, the Adidas Match 2026 is one of the easiest ways to get started with padel. It is affordable, recognisable, and a strong first racket for players who want a trusted brand at the lowest price point.
Specs at a glance
- Shape: Diamond
- Weight: 360-375g
- Core: EVA Soft Performance
- Face: Fibreglass
- Touch: Medium-Soft
- Best for: First-time buyers who want a known brand at the lowest entry price
The diamond shape gives it a slightly more attacking feel than a classic round beginner racket, but it is still easy enough for most new players to handle. If your budget is tight and you want a simple, low-risk first buy, this is a smart place to start. Both colourways are identical in spec, so pick the one you prefer visually.
Adidas Drive Blue/Lime 2026 - £65.99
The Drive is Adidas's most beginner-friendly racket — round shape, soft core, maximum forgiveness. If you want the safest first padel racket on this page, this is it.
Specs at a glance
- Shape: Round
- Weight: 360-375g
- Core: EVA Soft
- Face: Fibreglass
- Touch: Soft
- Best for: Complete beginners who want the most forgiving option
The round shape places the sweet spot where beginners tend to make contact most often, which makes this racket easier to control and more forgiving on mishits. If you want a beginner padel racket under £100 that is easy to recommend without caveats, choose this one.
Buy Adidas Drive Blue/Lime - £65.99 →
Adidas Radogar Pink - £65.99 was £99.99
The best-value racket on this list. Originally £99.99, now £65.99 — a £34 saving on a racket that already sat at the top end of the budget category. If you want the most racket for your money, this is one of the strongest buys here.
Specs at a glance
- Price: £65.99 (was £99.99)
- Best for: Players who want stronger value than the price suggests
- Note: Limited stock at this price
You are getting a racket that originally sat near the £100 mark for much less. If your budget goes up to £100 but you want to spend smarter, this is one of the easiest recommendations in the guide.
Buy Adidas Radogar Pink - £65.99 →
Serve Pastel Range - £89.99
Serve make rackets designed for lifestyle and casual play — and they are genuinely good. The Pastel range comes in multiple colours including Pastel Blue, Pastel Peach and more. Every colourway is the same racket underneath, so you can choose on look without changing performance.
Specs at a glance
- Shape: Teardrop
- Weight: 350g
- Core: EVA Pro 17
- Face: Carbon
- Frame: Carbon
- Touch: Soft
- Best for: Players who want a lightweight, forgiving racket with standout design
At 350g, the Serve Pastel is the lightest racket on this list, so it feels quicker at the net and less tiring over longer sessions. The carbon face and frame are impressive at this price, and the overall package makes it a strong option for players who care about both feel and aesthetics. Great as a gift too.
Wilson Optix V1 White - £89.99 was £119.99
Wilson's entry into the budget category and one of the cleanest-looking rackets we stock. Round shape, fibreglass weave face, foam core — everything a beginner needs in a design that looks more premium than the price suggests.
Specs at a glance
- Shape: Round
- Weight: 365g
- Core: Core Foam
- Face: Fibreglass Weave (Smooth)
- Touch: Beginner
- Best for: Players who want easy performance in a cleaner-looking design
Originally £119.99, now £89.99. The round shape keeps it beginner-friendly, while the smooth fibreglass weave gives it a more premium finish than most budget rackets. If you want something easy to play with that also looks sharp, this is one of the strongest options here.
Buy Wilson Optix V1 White - £89.99 →
Head Coello Vibe 2026 - £99.99 was £115.99
The most advanced racket on this list and the one that best bridges budget and intermediate level. If you know you are going to play regularly, this is the racket under £100 that gives you the most room to improve.
Specs at a glance
- Price: £99.99 (was £115.99)
- Best for: Players who have had a few sessions and want something they can grow into
- Note: The top end of this guide — above this and you are moving into intermediate territory
If you already know padel is going to become a regular thing, it makes more sense to start here than buy too cheap and upgrade later. The Coello Vibe offers better long-term value for players whose technique and playing frequency are both likely to improve over the next few months.
Buy Head Coello Vibe 2026 - £99.99 →
Quick Comparison
| Racket | Price | Shape | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adidas Match 2026 | £59.99 | Diamond | Best low-cost first racket |
| Adidas Drive Blue/Lime | £65.99 | Round | Most forgiving for beginners |
| Adidas Radogar Pink | £65.99 | - | Best value on the list |
| Serve Pastel Range | £89.99 | Teardrop | Lightest racket on the list |
| Wilson Optix V1 White | £89.99 | Round | Best-looking budget racket |
| Head Coello Vibe 2026 | £99.99 | - | Best racket to grow into |
Frequently Asked Questions
Every racket on this list is in stock at CORTA now. Free UK delivery on orders over £100.
