Squash Racket Buying Guide

Everything you need to know to choose the right squash racket — from weight and balance to strings and head shape.

By Racketlon Sports

Before You Buy

Consider your budget, playing style, level of play, brand preference, and what you’d like to achieve — more power, more control, or a mix of both. Once you’ve answered these questions, you’ll be closer to choosing your ideal racket.

💰 Budget

Prices vary across brands, models and shops. Shop around — not all are created equal. Choose a store that specialises in racket sports and can give you the best advice. Service during and after your purchase is vital. More expensive doesn’t always mean better — we’re all individuals with different needs.

🏅 Level of Play

Are you a beginner, intermediate or advanced? Do you play once a week or five times a week? Socially or competitively? If you’re not going to play often, don’t waste too much money — but if you’re playing regularly, get the best racket to suit your game. No expense spared, you’re worth it.

🏷️ Brand Preference

We all have them. Good experiences stick with us, and bad ones steer us away. Stick with what you know, or trust the experts. A good store stocks quality items and stays away from brands that don’t meet their standards. At Racketlon we know from experience, customer feedback and extensive research what NOT to buy. We only stock the best Wilson, Prince, Tecnifibre and Dunlop rackets so you can be sure of your choice.

🎯 What Are You Looking For?

Arms not as strong? — Choose a lighter racket with a head-heavy balance to swing through the ball more efficiently. Easier on the arms with added power.
Arms strong but want more power? — A heavier racket is best suited for you.
Got power but lack control? — Choose a medium weight, even balance racket.
Don’t forget: Strings and string tension also make a difference. More on that below.

The Four Key Specs

We’ve standardised the categories for each racket model:

1. Weight

Measured in grams (excluding strings, which add 5–8g). Weights range from 110g to 165g.

Light (110–120g) — More control, less fatigue. Volley players love this range. Beginners should also consider lighter rackets until technique is perfected.
Medium (125–145g) — The sweet spot for most players. Good balance of power and control.
Heavy (140–165g) — More power through the ball. For players who want to hit hard.

2. Size (Racket Face)

Refers to the square surface area of the racket face, measured in sq cm. The head shape (round vs teardrop) affects the face size.

Head Size	Area (sq cm)	Best For
Small	464 – 470	Advanced players. Better manoeuvrability for delicate drops, flicked lobs and corner retrieval. Smaller sweet spot — takes getting used to.
Mid	470 – 490	Intermediate players. Good balance of sweet spot and manoeuvrability.
Large	490 – 505	Beginners and big hitters. Bigger sweet spot, more forgiving on off-centre hits.

3. Balance

Balance refers to where the weight of the racket sits:

Balance Type	Balance Point	Effect
Head Heavy	36 – 37cm	More power through the swing with less effort
Even Balance	35 – 36cm	Balanced mix of power and control
Head Light	34 – 35cm	More control and manoeuvrability

4. String Pattern

Not a major deciding factor for most, but worth knowing:

Closer pattern (e.g. 14×18) — More “bite,” grip and spin on the ball. Can be strung tighter.
Open pattern (e.g. 16×19) — More power and a slightly larger sweet spot.

Other Factors

Head Shape

Round (closed throat) — Strings are of even length and tension, giving more control.
Teardrop (extended) — Strings can stretch further, giving more power.

Technology & Materials

Racket development has come a long way in 20 years. Materials have evolved from wood and aluminium to graphite and advanced composites including:

Graphite — lightweight and stiff, the standard for modern rackets
Basalt & Boron — added stiffness and vibration dampening
High Modulus Graphite — premium stiffness-to-weight ratio
Titanium & Kevlar — strengthens the frame and diffuses vibrations

Strings

Strings aren’t just there to hit the ball — as you play more, you’ll develop preferences for how your strings feel and perform.

Gauge (Thickness)

Thinner (18 gauge) — More power (strings stretch further). Less durable.
Thicker (17 gauge) — More durable, more control and feel on the ball.

Tension

Higher tension = More control
Lower tension = More power
Longer rackets can stretch strings further, so tighter tensions are often preferable — but it’s ultimately a matter of personal preference.

Material

Nylon — relatively stiff, durable, affordable
Multifilament — more flexibility, feel and variety

Quick Reference Table

I Want…	Choose This
More power	Heavier racket, head-heavy balance, teardrop head, lower string tension, thinner strings
More control	Lighter racket, head-light balance, round head, higher string tension, thicker strings
Best of both	Medium weight (125–145g), even balance, mid-size head (470–490 sq cm)
Easy on my arms	Light racket (110–120g) with head-heavy balance for added swing power
More spin	Closer string pattern (14×18), thinner strings
Beginner-friendly	Light weight, large head (490–505 sq cm), even balance, durable thicker strings

One Last Tip

Pick up the racket — without looking at the label — feel it in your hands and give it a couple of swings. Your basic instincts should not be ignored. And give yourself time to get used to your new racket. In no time you’ll feel at ease and one with your new weapon of choice. 🏆

Our Squash Brands

We stock squash equipment from the best brands in the game:

Wilson — trusted performance across all levels
Prince — innovative designs with excellent feel
Tecnifibre — premium French engineering for serious players
Dunlop — legendary squash heritage, reliable and proven
Head — quality rackets with modern technology
Salming — lightweight performance shoes and apparel
Oliver — German-engineered squash rackets with excellent precision
Joma — affordable, high-quality court shoes

Need Help Choosing?

Not sure which racket is right for your game? Our team can help match you with the perfect setup based on your level, playing style, and budget.

📧 [email protected]
📞 083 231 6858
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