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If you're new to the game, choosing your first squash racket can be a daunting task. With so many options in the market, it can be tough to decide which one is right for you.
To make things easier for beginners, we've compiled a list of the best squash rackets below.
Your first racket dictates how quickly you groove solid technique. A head-heavy cannon might feel fun for a week but punish your forearm later; a feather-light flyer can hide foot-work flaws. Keep these four checkpoints in mind:
Tecnifibre Cross Power (2024)
Full-graphite “mono-shaft” build, 155 g, 500 cm² head and an even 350 mm balance give a plug-and-play mix of pop and forgiveness. Pre-strung in synthetic gut so you can hit the court immediately.
Why you’ll love it
Karakal X-Slam
A cult classic back in the mix: 140 g frame weight, 480 cm² head and a solid 360 mm balance built from Fast Fibre graphite. Great if you want a racket that plows through the ball yet soaks up vibration.
Dunlop FX 115 (2024)
A 115 g extra-head-light rocket with a 500 cm² tear-drop head and 14 × 18 pattern. The thicker aero-beam carries serious punch for short, wristy swings.
Prince Phoenix Pro 750 2.0 (2025)
TeXtreme Gen Z fibres stiffen the hoop; 130 g, 484 cm² head and 16 × 17 pattern feel solid yet forgiving. Sits around €160 and strings come cheap.
Tecnifibre Carboflex Junior X-Top V2
Scaled to 150 g / 500 cm², even balance and pre-strung — perfect for 8- to 11-year-olds learning correct swing mechanics.
Restring every 30 – 40 court-hours — factory strings slacken fast.
Use a padded cover in the car; extreme heat cooks grommets.
Rotate grips weekly to stop sweat-rot and maintain a secure hold.
Inspect bumper strips each season; €10 in parts can save a €100 frame.
What weight should a beginner choose?
Stick between 125 g and 140 g unstrung. Lighter frames feel fast but expose timing flaws; heavier ones boost power but can tire the arm.
Is an even-balance or head-heavy racket better for starters?
Even or slightly head-heavy gives the best mix of power and manoeuvrability. Extreme head-heavy models are harder to control when learning volleys.
Does head shape matter?
Yes. Tear-drop heads (no bridge) create larger sweet-spots and easy power—great for beginners. Traditional bridged heads give more precision once you’re consistent.
How often should I restring?
About every 30–40 hours of play, or at least twice a season if you’re on court weekly.
Can I use tennis string in a squash racket?
Technically yes, but dedicated squash multifilaments offer more bite on the smaller ball and feel better at lower tensions.
What grip size is standard?
Most factory grips are medium. If you have smaller hands, over-grip once; if larger, add an extra layer.
How do I know when to move up to a pro-level frame?
When you play 3+ times a week, consistently hit the sweet-spot, and want finer control over tension and balance, it’s time to upgrade.
What ball should beginners use?
Start with a blue or single-yellow dot ball—the extra bounce keeps rallies alive while you learn timing.
Are vibration dampers worth it?
Only if you’re very sensitive. A fresh, tacky grip usually reduces more vibration than a rubber damper.
How do I protect the frame from wall damage?
Replace bumper grommets when they look flat and consider a strip of clear head-guard tape for extra insurance.
Demo if you can, but don’t over-think it: any racket above will let you groove fundamentals while still giving room to improve. Keep strings fresh, nail your foot-work, and that beginner label will disappear sooner than you think. See you on court!
