You have to consider many things in buying the best junior tennis racket. Fortunately, we have gathered everything that you need to know in this complete buying guide. Whether you are purchasing for a kid or a teenager, you can surely find a decent all-rounder junior tennis racket here.
Top 10 Best Junior Tennis Rackets in Review
- Wilson Youth US Open Recreational
- Head Speed Kids Tennis Racquet
- Wilson Tour Slam Strung Tennis Racquet
- Head Instinct Junior Girls’ Tennis Racquet
- Street Tennis Club Tennis Rackets
- Senston 19″ 23″ Kids Junior Tennis Racquet for Kids
- Head IG Gravity Jr Tennis Racquet
- Babolat Pure Aero 2019 Tennis Racquet
- Yonex EZONE 100 LITE Deep Blue Tennis Racquet
- Babolat Nadal Junior 26″ Tennis Racquet
#1. Wilson Youth US Open Recreational – Best Overall
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Well-rounded in all aspects | Smash power is not the strongest feature. |
Super control, comfort, and feel | |
Durable aluminum construction | |
Lightweight and easy to use | |
Fast and smooth swing |
Specifications
- Length: 21 inches / 23 inches / 25 inches
- Colors: White/Blue/Green
- Construction: Aluminum Construction, Head-Light Balance
Inspired by Wilson’s high-end racquets, the Youth US Open Recreational is the most sought-after lightweight racquet for juniors who love playing tennis but are not yet ready to use a full-size frame.
At 21 inches long with 100-square-inch head size, the Wilson Youth US Open Recreational is easy and comfortable to use. It is also very light since it only weighs around 6 ounces, meaning that junior players can easily hold and swing this racquet.
According to its product description, the Youth US Open Recreational comes with the same great technology as other Wilson adult racquets. The manufacturer only condensed its size down into a 21-inch junior-friendly frame. Aside from that, it comes with a durable aluminum construction to offer more responsiveness, stability, and feel on every impact.
With this racquet, you will get the same impressive access to power and spin that you can get from a Wilson adult racquet. Thanks to its 16 x 19 string pattern, any junior players can experience the perfect combination of power and spin. According to Wilson, this Youth US Open Recreational Racquet is ideal for children ages 11 years old and above, especially those who want to transition into an adult-sized frame.
Undoubtedly, the Wilson Youth US Open Recreational Racquet is a reliable light learning frame for young and junior athletes. Since it comes with a head-light balance and aluminum construction, this equipment can maintain enough control to keep the ball inside the lines. It shares many things in common with most Wilson adult racquet, but this version is superior in ease of use, comfort, and control. Aside from that, it is very arm-friendly, so your forearms and arms will not get tired quickly.
#2. HEAD Speed Kids Tennis Racquet – Best for Kids
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Excellent defense and performance for kids | Average control only |
Does tire wrists and arms | |
Lightweight and maneuverable for toddlers | |
Pretty fast swings | |
Durable aluminum construction |
Specifications
- Length: 25 inches / 26 inches / 27 inches
- Colors: Blue/White
- Construction: Head-Light Balance, Durable Aluminum Construction, 3.87 inches Grip Size
The HEAD Speed Kids is a reliable aluminum racquet that ensures kids can learn the game comfortably. It comes with a head-light balance and durable construction that can withstand abrasions and impact. According to the manufacturer, this racquet has the same frame geometry and feel of HEAD Speed’s adult version. It comes pre-strung and weighs around 7 ounces. If you are looking for the perfect blend of power and spin for your kid, this HEAD Speed Kids can be an excellent choice. The manufacturer designed this version for modern tennis.
Furthermore, the HEAD Speed Kids Tennis Racquet provides natural and necessary spin and power to hit opponents off the court while maintaining enough control. It can also be a great learning frame for kids who love recreational tennis. According to its description, HEAD Speed Kids Tennis Racquet is suitable for two to ten years old. It comes with a head-light advantage to reduce vibration and aid stability when hitting the ball.
Regarding the construction, the HEAD Speed Kids Tennis Racquet comes with durable aluminum o-beam composition to assure that kids can use it for many years. It also offers the latest Head technology that offers a cleaner feel at impact. Kids can enjoy an excellent defensive performance and some serious power with this HEAD Speed Kids Tennis Racquet at a more affordable price.
#3. Wilson Tour Slam Strung Tennis Racquet – Best for Teenagers
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Suitable for beginners, juniors, and recreational player | Slightly big for smaller athletes |
Arm and wrist-friendly | |
A larger sweet spot for increased power | |
Volcanic Frame Technology for enhanced stability and spin |
Specifications
- Length: 27.5 inches
- Colors: White/Green/Black
- Construction: Volcanic Frame Technology, Power Strings, Stop Shock Pads, Larger Sweet Spot
Modern-day tennis requires junior teenagers to have a racquet that allows for powerful and spin-friendly shot-making. Fortunately, that is what the Wilson Tour Slam Strung Tennis Racquet delivers, making it the best junior tennis racket for teenagers. With its unique Volcanic Frame Technology, power-oriented strings, and larger sweet spot, this racquet feels quick on the hand. Undoubtedly, the Wilson Tour Slam Strung Tennis Racquet can offer junior and intermediate players easy depth on groundstrokes.
Aside from that, the manufacturer also claims that the Wilson Tour Slam Strung Tennis Racquet can effortlessly put away volleys thanks to its crisp and powerful response. When it comes to serving, this model still stood out thanks to its excellent spin and speed.
Since the Wilson Tour Slam Strung Tennis Racquet’s best features are power and spin, it is very suitable for teenage junior players. We can assure you that this racquet plays very well and has a more controlled and precise feel.
Furthermore, the Wilson Tour Slam Strung Tennis Racquet impressed us with its easy access to powerful, speedy swings. Many critics have proven that it swings big from the baseline and can give users more feel and precision. When it comes to comfortability, junior players can use the Wilson Tour Slam Strung Tennis Racquet without experiencing strains.
Plus, the easy power and maneuverability can help rising intermediate players rip winners with their forehands and dictate the play. If you are one of those players who has low confidence in big swings, you must consider this product.
#4. HEAD Instinct Junior Girls’ Tennis Racquet – Best for Young Girls
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Easy power and spin-friendly | Not very durable for teenagers |
All-around racquet, easy to use | |
Excellent playability, especially for four to ten-year-old kids | |
Improved feel and comfort | |
Outstanding groundstroke and serve performance |
Specifications
- Length: 21 inches, 23 inches, 25 inches
- Colors: White/Blue
- Construction: Head-Light Advantage, Durable Aluminum, O-Beam Construction
Head introduced the Instinct Junior Girls’ Tennis Racquet for young girls, specifically four to ten years olds. According to its product description, this version comes with a head-light balance that helps reduce vibration and enhance stability when hitting the ball. It also uses durable aluminum materials to ensure its longevity. We included the HEAD Instinct Junior Girls’ Tennis Racquet on this list for its excellent playability, making younger girls more confident at the court. It has also been appreciated by many amateur athletes for its low stiffness levels.
According to the manufacturer, the HEAD Instinct Junior Girls’ Tennis Racquet has an enhanced design to reduce vibrations. This way, younger girls can better feel and comfort while allowing them to perform groundstrokes and serve impressively.
Undoubtedly, many people love HEAD Instinct Junior Girls’ Tennis Racquet for its easy playability. In groundstrokes, users will find similar power and spin level to an adult Head racquet. Plus, the sweet spot is more defined, allowing users to feel crisper shots when striking the ball.
Unlike the previous version, the HEAD Instinct Junior Girls’ Tennis Racquet knifed through backhand slices impressively. If you want your kid to enhance some techniques conveniently, do not hesitate to choose this version. Surely, she can quickly generate spin that she needs for greater depth and net clearance without the fear of the ball bouncing out.
Like all Head tennis racquets, the stability here is very impressive for its weight class. Thanks to its larger sweet spot, younger girls will feel fewer vibration on their off-center shots.
#5. Street Tennis Club Tennis Rackets – Best Design
Outstanding maneuverability, power, and design | Slightly more expensive online |
Comes in three different sizes | |
Easy depth on groundstrokes | |
Lively and crisp response | |
Suitable for kids and smaller teenagers |
Specifications
- Length: 17 inches / 19 inches / 21 inches
- Colors: White/Pink, Black/Yellow
- Construction: Top-Quality Aluminum, Easy-Grip Handle, Thick Gauge Strings
The Street Tennis Club Tennis Racket offers the best design for junior players. This racquet became famous since it comes in three different sizes that fit younger junior athletes very well. Although it does not offer the most powerful shots, its top-quality aluminum construction and thick gauge strings can maintain a junior’s most optimal hitting performance.
To make this version better, the manufacturer decided to employ an easy-grip handle to this Street Tennis Club Tennis Racket. This way, users can feel better while keeping the arms and wrists comfortable for many hours.
Furthermore, the Street Tennis Club Tennis Racket comes with easy power and maneuverability to help junior athletes stay ahead of their opponents. Meanwhile, thanks to its thick-gauge string, this Street Tennis Club Tennis Racket can easily generate ball speed.
Aside from that, you will find plenty of bits, especially when you strung it up in full bed. Regarding the tension, it is good enough for kids and teenagers to control the power with string. According to the manufacturer, users will have no issues since its sweet spot is very forgiving.
If you are looking for a reliable tennis racquet with the best design and reliable performance, do not hesitate to purchase the Street Tennis Club Tennis Racket. It offers a larger sweet spot to help teenagers go from full defense back to one stroke offense. Besides that, you will surely feel an increased maneuverability level thanks to its 16 x 19 string pattern.
When it comes to volleys, the Street Tennis Club Tennis Racket is very crisp. Since this racquet has outstanding maneuverability, it conveniently delivers firm and lively response. It is fun enough for doubles and attacking the net.
#6. Senston 19″ 23″ Kids Junior Tennis Racquet for Kids – Most Stable
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Outstanding stability, power, and spin | Hindered control in super-fast games |
Forgiving sweet spot | |
Fast, smooth, and easy swings | |
A super-slim racquet that cuts through the air | |
Excellent maneuverability |
Specifications
- Length: 19 inches / 23 inches
- Colors: White/Pink/Purple
- Construction: Aluminum Integration Molding Technology, Vibration Dampener, High Density
Junior tennis players looking for the most stable tennis racquet should go for this Senston racquet. Most people don’t know that it’s aluminum integration molding technology and high-density construction can make you feel like hitting the ball precisely while remaining steady. However, it mainly targets kids between five to ten years old. Therefore, if your kids always undergo tennis training, this product is a must-have.
In 2019, this Senston Tennis Racket received many positive reviews due to its user-friendliness. It seems as though Senston took some of the best traits from their adult racquet and loaded them into this version. Here, the dampened response and frame shape is more convenient for kids. It is also slightly firmer so younger athletes can conveniently remain stable.
According to its product description, this Senston tennis racquet has a higher flex rating to offer kids easy plow-through power. Its smaller length also makes the frame more maneuverable and firmer than other junior tennis racquets.
When it comes to hitting groundstrokes, the Senston has nothing but high praise. Many amateur players love their swing weight since it can easily hit big, and the sweet spot is very massive. Besides that, some claimed that they noticed improved slices on their kids’ performances.
Overall, Senston feels well-balanced, and it is very easy to accelerate through contact. It offers the best stability, plows through, and returns to heavy shots. Even when your kid is scrambling to hit the ball, he or she can still pop it back up deep into the court with added feel and precision, making your child feel more confident going after his or her targets.
#7. HEAD IG Gravity Jr Tennis Racquet – Most Versatile
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Versatile and user-friendly design | Might be slightly bigger for smaller juniors |
Faster and easier swings | |
Great in defense, groundstrokes, and volleys | |
Comfortable grip | |
Excellent maneuverability |
Specifications
- Length: 25 inches
- Colors: Black/Blue Green/Orange
- Construction: Composite Material, Head-Light Advantage, 3.87 Grip Size
The HEAD IG Gravity Jr Tennis Racquet is the most versatile equipment on this list and mainly targets junior athletes aged eight to ten. According to its product description, the manufacturer designed this equipment for all play styles. Whether the user loves groundstrokes, volleys, or returns, the HEAD IG Gravity Jr Tennis Racquet has got him covered.
In 2019, this version sparked its popularity among amateur players. It quickly generates easy power and spins on all court areas. Aside from that, you will find plenty of depth with just an easy swing. Many parents purchase this racquet for their kids since it feels smoother on contact than its competitors. It also feels more responsive with stable power delivery.
With the HEAD IG Gravity Jr Tennis Racquet, all junior athletes can find ample control over their shots. They don’t have to work hard since its versatile construction can move the ball around the court at different angles. Besides that, its 25-inch length will give your kid some useful leverages on backhand slices. It will put the leverage to good use, regardless if your kid is hitting the ball deep or the slice aggressively.
When it comes to volleys, the HEAD IG Gravity Jr Tennis Racquet comes with easy put-away power. Its lower swing weight and length generates enough stability and maneuverability. According to some critics, the HEAD IG Gravity Jr Tennis Racquet reacts quickly and helps junior players get to more volleys.
Furthermore, your kid will surely have a lot of fun with this racquet since it offers a great blend of power and feel. His or her touch and drop volleys will feel more dialed-in, and precision and shots will become deeper. Several younger athletes did not find the HEAD IG Gravity Jr Tennis Racquet too difficult to maneuver. Thanks to its head-light advantage, users can have a more stable feel and hit effective volleys.
#8. Babolat Pure Aero 2019 Tennis Racquet – Most Speedy
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Suitable for beginners, juniors, and intermediate players | Too big for smaller kids |
Faster speed and seamless transition | |
Very manageable and convenient to use | |
Easy to create angles | |
Speed does not sacrifice consistency |
Specifications
- Length: 27 inches
- Colors: Black/White
- Construction: Aeromodular Technology Construction, Babolat Pure Feel, 11 ounces Strung Weight
If you are looking for a speedy and junior-friendly tennis racquet, the Babolat Pure Aero 2019 is the best junior tennis racket to get. This version features a unique Aeromodular Technology Construction and balanced frame that helps the strings to react quickly and generate more speed upon impact.
Aside from that, its massive sweet spot allows for better precision and accuracy when hitting the ball. Indeed, the Babolat Pure Aero 2019 is a top performer for speed. It favors junior athletes and helps defensive teenagers to enjoy their favorite shots to the fullest.
Thanks to the racquet’s outstanding speed, teenage junior players will find the Babolat Pure Aero 2019 expressly reliable in producing lethal and smooth swings. Over the years, it has sown an impressively great performance in groundstrokes, volleys, and returns.
Typically with a junior tennis racquet, players will not notice a boost in power. Fortunately, the Babolat Pure Aero 2019’s unique technology gives added leverage, maneuverability, power, and speed. With this product, junior players can easily mix up their serves with slice and spin while remaining fast and accurate. If you have been struggling to work on your speed and want to take some stress off your shoulders, the Babolat Pure Aero 2019 can be an excellent option.
Many junior players have appreciated this Babolat Pure Aero 2019 since it conveniently creates angles and gets the ball to kick off the court during serve with spin. Aside from that, you can hit spin second serves faster without sacrificing consistency. Thanks to its 11-ounce strung weight, junior players can find enough control to dial in their targets. Its lower swing weight can also help in generating more spin and pop with a good pace.
Unlike the other version, the Babolat Pure Aero 2019 has faster speed and seamless transition on serves. Maybe it’s not as powerful as the Babolat Pure Drive Tour Plus, but its speed and control give users enough confidence to locate their spots.
#9. YONEX EZONE 100 LITE Deep Blue Tennis Racquet – Most Comfortable
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Comfortable and convenient to use | Outstanding precision and accuracy |
Increased stability and maneuverability | |
Suitable for players honing some skills | |
Sufficient support and security in the hands | |
Outstanding precision and accuracy |
Specifications
- Length: 27 inches
- Colors: Blue/White
- Construction: HM Graphite, Nanometric DR, Head-light Balance, Yonex Super Cushion Grip
The YONEX EZONE 100 LITE Deep Blue Tennis Racquet is the most comfortable and easy to use junior players’ equipment. If comfort is what you’re looking for, this may be the best junior tennis racket for you.
According to its product description, the YONEX EZONE 100 LITE Deep Blue Tennis Racquet is a lightweight model that comes with a massive sweet spot, offering plenty of comfort and convenience to its users. We are big believers that this tennis racquet is suitable for intermediate and junior players since it can balance control, power, and control, instead of focusing too much on a particular feature. This way, juniors can develop their games equally.
Furthermore, we consider the YONEX EZONE 100 LITE as the most comfortable since its grips feel very soft and convenient to hold. Its aerodynamic qualities also ensure the most stable balance and power in the court.
Regarding the frame, the YONEX EZONE 100 LITE has a thin yet durable shaft that gives a better hitting area. Yonex upgraded the frame so it can perform faster and more comfortably in the court. When it comes to string tension, it allows juniors to have sharp and powerful shots every time they hit the ball.
With its enhanced comfort and feel, this YONEX EZONE 100 LITE took a bit of an adjustment. You could surely feel the increased maneuverability level, and the sweet spot is pretty easy to hit relative to other Yonex racquets.
When it comes to volleys, this version is very crisp and smooth. Many playtesters have examined it in both singles and doubles, and it maintained the firm and lively response.
#10. Babolat Nadal Junior 26″ Tennis Racquet – Most Flexible
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Well-rounder in all aspects | Only for 13-year-old junior players and above |
Superior flexibility, maneuverability, and control | |
Fast and smooth swing | |
Lightweight and comfortable to use | |
More solid and stable frame |
Specifications
- Length: 26 inches
- Colors: Black/Yellow
- Construction: Aluminum Construction, Graphite Composition
The Babolat Nadal Junior 26″ Tennis Racquet is a flexible racquet suitable for teenage junior players. It’s certainly amongst the best junior tennis rackets out there if you’re optimizing for flexibility. Its durable aluminum construction brings easy handling, lightness, and flexibility, resulting in improved overall performance.
According to Babolat, they designed this racquet to increase dwell time and offer enhanced comfort and flexibility. It has a modernized feel that is very appealing to younger tennis athletes. On groundstrokes, you will feel very connected to your shots and achieve easy depth with optimal control.
Moving towards the net, the Babolat Nadal Junior 26″ Tennis Racquet’s reaction time is quick and stable. It allows users to punch volleys back with confidence. Besides that, its spin-friendly nature gives juniors enough advantage on serves while its control capabilities perform very well on returns.
Many teenagers prefer to use the Babolat Nadal Junior 26″ Tennis Racquet since it has a more updated feel and stability than other Babolat racquets. Its lightweight frame also comes with outstanding flexibility and spin.
We all agreed that this Babolat Nadal Junior 26″ Tennis Racquet outperformed other tennis racquets when it comes to flexibility. Its ease of use and flexibility makes everything convenient and fast. You could generate lots of paces and spin on groundstrokes without sacrificing consistency. With this product, you will find enough depth even when pushed into defensive positions. You will also notice ample power in hitting all of your shots. On aggressive swings, teenage junior players can generate a cleaner and crisper response to accurately place the ball.
Top Pick: Wilson Youth US Open Recreational
We are pleasantly surprised by how well the Wilson Youth US Open Recreational Racket complemented junior players. That’s why it’s our pick for the best junior tennis racket. It is a faster-swinging racquet that is very stable and controllable. Aside from that, the Wilson Youth US Open Recreational offers the feel necessary for juniors to remain confident when moving forward. This update is the most recommended option for its user-friendliness and excellent performance.
Overall, the Wilson Youth US Open Recreational is the well-built for modern tennis. It comes with durable power and provides natural spin and power that can surely keep your opponent off the court. With this version, junior and intermediate players can conveniently transition from entry-level to adult-sized racquets.
Features to Look for When Buying a Junior Tennis Racket
Balance
Balance is the trickiest part of finding the best junior tennis racket. Always remember that a Head-Light Balance has less weight and is much easier to control and swing. It means that this type is suitable for kids and other younger players. It also offers more speed than the Head-Heavy Balance.
Head-Heavy Balance is suitable for competitive juniors, specifically teenagers who want to become a pro. This type is suitable for a more powerful game and a reliable weapon for rallies.
Size
Junior players should always choose tennis racquets with 100 to 110 square inch head size. This way, they can have a larger sweet spot that can generate more power and an easier chance to hit the ball accurately. On the other hand, smaller head size is only suitable for a powerful player.
Conclusion
With our complete buying guide and a little effort, you can surely find the most reliable junior tennis racket for your child. With the top ten products listed above, you can guarantee the best security, performance, and durability. Our guide can also help you prevent buying an inappropriate racquet that might lead to injuries and keep juniors from having fun at the court.
In purchasing a reliable junior tennis racquet, always go for trusted brands, such as Wilson, Babolat, and Head. These companies have decades of experience in producing junior-friendly tennis racquets.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What age are junior racquets for?
A:
Age | Size |
4 to 6 years old | 23 inches or less |
6 to 8 years old | 23 inches or less |
7 to 10 years old | 23 to 25 inches |
11 to 17 years old | 25 to 27 inches |
Q: Can adults use junior tennis racquets?
A: Juniors racquets are usually 26 inches long at most, and the grip sizes are smaller. Thus, these racquets may not fit adult hands perfectly, which might lead to discomfort and issues.