Guide
Best padel rackets for beginners in Ireland
The first racket you buy should make padel fun, not make it hard. Here is what that actually means, and what we would put in your hand.
Written by the ProPadel team in Dublin. Last updated 20 August 2026.
What makes a good beginner racket
Three things, and none of them are on the front of the box. Round face so the sweet spot is where you will actually hit the ball. Under 365 g so your arm survives a full session. Soft or medium core so cold Irish evenings do not turn it into a plank.
Price should be between 79 and 150 euro. Below that you are into unbranded frames that delaminate inside a season. Above that you are buying performance you cannot access yet.
What to ignore
Carbon count. 3K, 12K, 18K describes the weave of the carbon, not the quality, and it makes essentially no difference to a beginner.
Pro signatures. Agustin Tapia is very good at padel. His racket will not make you good at padel.
Sets that come with two rackets and three balls for 60 euro. They are the padel equivalent of a supermarket guitar.
The ones we actually recommend
NOX X-Zero Red, 79 euro. Round, light, soft, and honestly better than a first racket needs to be. If you buy one thing off this page, buy this.
Adidas Drive Light 2026, 99 euro. Slightly quicker in the hand than the X-Zero and a bit more forgiving on a stretched volley.
Adidas Drive Black 2026, 99 euro. Same frame family, marginally more control, for anyone who has played racket sports before.
Adidas RX Series 2026, 120 euro. A step up in build quality that will still be fine in your second season.
LOK Easy Hype, 109 euro. Technically a diamond, which breaks our own rule, but it is soft and light enough to work for a confident beginner who wants somewhere to grow into.
Buy these at the same time
A frame protector, about 13 euro, which will save the racket the first time you scrape the ground. An overgrip three pack, about 10 euro, because the factory grip goes slick within a month. And a tube of balls, because someone has to bring them.
Common questions
Do I need padel shoes to start?
Not on day one, but soon. Running shoes grip forwards and do not release sideways, which is how ankles get turned on sand. If you are playing weekly, get court shoes before you get a second racket.
Where can I buy a padel racket in Ireland without paying customs?
From a retailer holding stock inside Ireland. We hold ours in Dublin, so there is nothing to clear and nothing to pay on the door. Ordering direct from Spain is often cheaper on the listing and rarely cheaper on the doorstep.