What padel racket do professional players use?

Professional players typically use diamond or teardrop shapes with 18K or 24K carbon faces and EVA High Memory cores. Weight is usually 360-375g.

Padel Racket Guide 2026: Shape, Carbon & Playing Style

Q: What is the best padel racket shape for beginners?

Round or teardrop shapes are best for beginners. They offer a larger sweet spot and more forgiveness on off-center hits. Diamond shapes are better suited for advanced players who prioritize power over control.

Q: What does 18K carbon mean in padel rackets?

18K refers to the number of carbon filaments per tow (bundle). 18K carbon has 18,000 filaments, making it stiffer and more powerful than 12K or 3K carbon. Higher K numbers generally mean more power transfer but less flex.

Q: What weight padel racket should a junior use?

For children aged 7-12, a racket between 280-300g is ideal. This provides enough stability for clean hits without causing fatigue.

Q: EVA Soft vs EVA High Memory: what's the difference?

EVA Soft offers more comfort and touch, ideal for control players. EVA High Memory is firmer, returning more energy to the ball for power shots.

Q: Diamond vs teardrop padel racket: which is better?

Neither is objectively better—it depends on your style. Diamond shapes concentrate weight at the top for maximum power. Teardrop shapes offer balance of power and control. Choose diamond for attacking, teardrop for all-round.

Q: How long does a padel racket last?

With regular play (2-3 times per week), a quality padel racket lasts 1-2 years before performance degrades. The core foam compresses over time.

Q: Is a heavier padel racket more powerful?

Not necessarily. Power comes from racket structure, carbon stiffness, and swing speed—not weight alone. Balance (head-heavy vs balanced) matters more than total weight.

Expert technical guides from Panda Mood™. How to choose a padel racket based on shape, carbon type, core material, and your playing style. Engineered in Dubai.

Buying Guide

Diamond vs Teardrop vs Round: Complete Padel Racket Shape Guide

Panda Mood™ · Updated December 2025

The shape of a padel racket determines where the weight sits, how large the sweet spot is, and what type of player it suits best.

Diamond Shape — Maximum Power

Weight concentrated at the top. Smaller sweet spot but devastating on overhead attacks. Best for advanced players with clean technique.

Sweet spot: High and compact
Power: Maximum
Control: Lower — requires precise timing
Best for: Attackers, advanced/expert players

Teardrop Shape — Balanced Performance

Weight distributed between head and throat. Larger sweet spot than diamond with good power. Most versatile shape.

Sweet spot: Medium, centered
Power: Good
Control: Good
Best for: All-round players, intermediate to advanced

Round Shape — Maximum Control

Weight centered low. Largest sweet spot and most forgiving. Ideal for beginners or defensive players.

Sweet spot: Large and central
Power: Lower
Control: Maximum
Best for: Beginners, defensive players

Shape	Power	Control	Sweet Spot	Level
Diamond	★★★★★	★★☆☆☆	Small	Advanced
Teardrop	★★★★☆	★★★★☆	Medium	Intermediate+
Round	★★★☆☆	★★★★★	Large	All levels

Panda Mood™ Alpha uses diamond shape for maximum attack power.

See Alpha

Materials Guide

12K vs 18K Carbon in Padel Rackets: What the Numbers Mean

Panda Mood™ · Updated December 2025

Carbon fiber is measured in "K" — the number of filaments (thousands) per tow. Higher K means more filaments, affecting stiffness and power.

3K Carbon (3,000 filaments)

Most flexible carbon weave. Good for touch but limited power. Often combined with fiberglass on beginner rackets.

12K Carbon (12,000 filaments)

Mid-range stiffness. Good balance of feel and power. The Panda Mood Pulse uses 12K for controlled, comfortable response.

18K Carbon (18,000 filaments)

High stiffness, maximum energy return. Used on power rackets for advanced players. Panda Mood Alpha and Zen use 18K faces.

Carbon	Stiffness	Power	Feel	Best For
3K	Low	★★☆☆☆	Soft	Beginners
12K	Medium	★★★☆☆	Balanced	Intermediate
18K	High	★★★★★	Firm	Advanced

Panda Mood™ uses 18K carbon for optimal power-control balance.

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Materials Guide

EVA vs Foam Core: How Core Material Affects Touch and Power

Panda Mood™ · Updated December 2025

The core determines how the ball feels on contact and how much energy returns to the ball.

EVA Soft

Lower density EVA. Softer feel and better touch. Ideal for control players. Used in Panda Mood Zen and Pulse.

Feel: Soft, comfortable
Power: Medium
Control: Excellent

EVA High Memory

Higher density EVA that bounces back faster. More power, firmer feel. Used in Panda Mood Alpha.

Feel: Firm, responsive
Power: High
Control: Good

Core	Density	Power	Comfort	Style
EVA Soft	Low	★★★☆☆	★★★★★	Control
EVA High Memory	High	★★★★★	★★★☆☆	Power

Each Panda Mood™ racket uses the optimal core for its style.

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Junior Guide

Best Junior Padel Racket 2026: Age Guide, Weight & What to Look For

Panda Mood™ · Updated December 2025

Children need rackets designed for their bodies — not scaled-down adult frames.

Age & Weight Guidelines

Age	Weight	Grip	Notes
5-7 yrs	260-280g	Grip 0	Very light
7-10 yrs	280-300g	Grip 0-1	Round shape
10-14 yrs	300-340g	Grip 1-2	Can use teardrop

Key Features for Junior Rackets

Large sweet spot: Round shape forgives mishits
Soft core: EVA Soft reduces vibration
Balanced weight: Not too head-heavy
Durable frame: Juniors drop rackets constantly

Panda Mood™ Pulse: 280-300g, round shape, EVA Soft — ages 7-12.

See Pulse

Product · Power

Alpha by Panda Mood™: Best Power Padel Racket 2026

Pre-Series · Delivery February 2026

Alpha is engineered for players who dictate rallies. Diamond shape, 18K carbon, head-heavy balance.

Spec	Alpha
Shape	Diamond — Maximum power
Face	18K Carbon
Frame	100% Carbon
Core	EVA High Memory
Thickness	38mm
Weight	360-365g
Balance	Head-heavy
Level	Advanced / Expert

Limited 50 units. Pre-series validated.

Reserve — 1,350 AED

Product · Control

Zen by Panda Mood™: Best Control Padel Racket 2026

Pre-Series · Delivery February 2026

Zen is engineered for precision and patience. Teardrop shape, EVA Soft core, balanced weight.

Spec	Zen
Shape	Teardrop — Control & precision
Face	18K Carbon
Frame	100% Carbon
Core	EVA Soft
Thickness	38mm
Weight	355-360g
Balance	Balanced
Level	Intermediate / Advanced

Limited 50 units. Pre-series validated.

Reserve — 1,250 AED

Product · Junior

Pulse by Panda Mood™: Best Junior Padel Racket 2026

Pre-Series · Delivery February 2026

Pulse is engineered for young players aged 7-12. Round shape, forgiving sweet spot, comfortable weight.

Spec	Pulse
Shape	Round — Forgiving sweet spot
Face	12K Carbon
Frame	Carbon / GFK hybrid
Core	EVA Soft
Thickness	36mm
Weight	280-300g
Balance	Balanced
Level	Beginner / Junior (7-12 yrs)

Limited 50 units. Pre-series validated.

Reserve — 450 AED

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best padel racket shape for beginners?

Round or teardrop shapes are best. They offer larger sweet spots and more forgiveness on off-center hits.

What does 18K carbon mean in padel rackets?

18K means 18,000 carbon filaments per tow. Higher K = stiffer and more powerful than 12K or 3K.

What weight padel racket should a junior use?

For ages 7-12, a racket between 280-300g is ideal — enough stability without causing fatigue.

EVA Soft vs EVA High Memory: what's the difference?

EVA Soft = comfort and touch for control. EVA High Memory = firmer for power shots.

Diamond vs teardrop padel racket: which is better?

Depends on style. Diamond = power for attackers. Teardrop = balanced for all-round play.

What padel racket do professionals use?

Pros use diamond or teardrop with 18K-24K carbon, EVA High Memory, 360-375g weight.

How long does a padel racket last?

With regular play (2-3x/week), 1-2 years before core foam compresses and performance drops.

Is a heavier padel racket more powerful?

Not necessarily. Power comes from structure, carbon stiffness, and swing speed — not weight alone.