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7 Best Babolat Tennis Rackets

Babolat has easily turned into a leader in the tennis industry over the last couple of decades. As people saw more and more top players using the brand on court, they quickly turned into a racquet the modern player craved.

The brand is known for keeping things relatively simple with its lineup of racquets, but they offer quite a few variations of each line as well.

What are the best Babolat tennis racquets right now? We take a look at those that stand out the most for all types of players.

1. Babolat Pure Aero

Consider this the flagship option from Babolat. Endorsed by Rafael Nadal and used by several different pros, this racquet is built for the modern game. The standard option is 11.2 ounces when strung, which is perfect for intermediate to advanced players looking for a great combination of spin and power.

The current version of this racquet made a few tweaks to the setup to make it the best one yet. For example, they moved the cortex dampening material in the racquet to the sides, creating a softer feel for players. They have what’s called FSI Spin, which is created by having wider string spacing for additional bite on shots.

This is a racquet built for baseliners looking to take control of the action the way they know how. The weight of the racquet makes it pretty easy to move around, but some players might want to add some additional lead to it for a bit more power. It’s the most popular racquet from Babolat right now, and that will likely remain the case until Rafael Nadal retires.

Pros

  • Excellent spin
  • Easy power
  • Lightweight enough for intermediate players

Cons

  • Could use a bit more weight behind it
  • Doesn’t play particularly well without polyester strings

2. Babolat Pure Aero VS

The Pure Aero VS is a more controlled version of what people might expect from the Pure Aero. Part of that is that the head size shrinks to 98 in.², but they also utilize a 16 x 20 string pattern. With a more closed string pattern, the ball has a better chance of going exactly where a player is aiming.

Babolat made a few different changes to this racquet over the years, and this is by far the best one yet. It borrows a lot of the same setup as the Pure Aero, but everything is altered just slightly. For example, the beam on the VS compared to the previous version provides a bit more power and stability. This racquet still feels quick, but players can swing a little bit more freely without feeling like they can’t control their shots.

Make no mistake, this is still a racquet built for baseline play. Those who do some serve and volley will find it a bit better, but it’s going to do the majority of its damage from the baseline. Players looking to take full cuts and have no issue keeping the ball in will love this option.

Pros

  • Excellent control
  • Great spin potential
  • Thicker beam provides more power and stability than before

Cons

  • Not as spin-friendly as the Pure Aero
  • 98 in.² might shrink the sweet spot too much for some

3. Babolat Pure Aero Tour

A heavier racquet is preferred by some tennis players, and that’s exactly what the Pure Aero Tour brings to the table. More weight makes it a little more challenging, but the payoff is that there’s more power and control when taking full cuts at the ball. More advanced players who can handle this will find it to be well worth the investment.

Everything virtually stays the same compared to the standard Pure Aero. It might not seem like a huge weight change, but jumping up to 11.8 ounces compared to the 11.2 ounces for the standard version does make a difference. The swingweight is up to 327, which is still comfortable enough for most players to handle.

Of course, there’s always the opportunity to add even more weight to this racquet compared to what it already brings to the table. Players looking for a more old-school type of feel to a racquet might like this. The racquet feels more comfortable swinging serves than the standard version, and those who have time will be able to crush groundstrokes as well. It takes a while to adjust to a heavier racquet, so don’t judge it off of a quick demo if possible.

Pros

  • Excellent power opportunities
  • Improved control
  • Extra action on serves

Cons

  • Too heavy for some modern players
  • Volleying has a learning curve

4. Babolat Pure Drive

The classic Pure Drive has been a bestseller from Babolat for a long time. The current generation has once again focused mostly on power, but it’s become a more well-rounded racquet as well. Average and above players will be able to take advantage of the Pure Drive setup, making it a perfect solution for players camping by the baseline.

The first shot every player messes around with when using Pure Strike is a serve. Without question, bombing serves are possible right away. Players can swing through the ball and not fear any type of issue. It’s a perfect racquet for players to learn with, since it’s very forgiving even for those who can’t find the sweet spot all the time.

With a classic-looking design, players love the maneuverability and lightness of the racquet. Players coming from something a bit heavier might want to look at the tour option and even adding lead strategically, but everyone else will be fine with the setup and the 320 swingweight with the basic model.

Pros

  • Outstanding power
  • Great spin potential
  • Easy to maneuver

Cons

  • Too powerful for some
  • Feels lightweight compared to other modern racquets

5. Babolat Pure Strike

The Pure Strike is the control-oriented racquet from Babolat. It has a hybrid beam construction that gives it not only improved control, but a little bit better feels well. Another thing the players will notice is that the racquet has great stability thanks in part to the FSI Technology they use. What this does is space strings just right so a player feels stable when they are hitting the ball and producing a combination of spin and power.

Despite all this, the Pure Strike is still a very powerful racquet. Players might not get as much free power from this one as the others in the Babolat lineup, but there are ways to enhance that. The standard option comes in at 98 in.² for the head size, but jumping up to something different can change things as well. There’s a 16 x 19 and 18 x 20 option, which allows for more control and better playability.

The user-friendliness of this racquet has made it very popular since the third generation was released. It works for all types of players, which is one of the appealing aspects of many Babolat racquets. The improved pocketing when hitting the ball off the ground makes playing feel so much more comfortable.

Pros

  • Great feel
  • Improved stability
  • Works for all levels of play

Cons

  • Might be too control-oriented for some
  • Swingweight has increased

6. Babolat Boost Drive

One of the most affordable racquets from Babolat right now is the Boost Drive. This design is for players who are just starting and want something that plays considerably better than the average option found at a department store. It retails for $99 and comes pre-strung and ready to go for a player.

The look of the racquet is much like some of the other top performers, but there are differences. For starters, it jumps up to 105 in.² for the size of the head. It’s also a bit lighter, strong at 9.6 ounces. This allows players the ability to take free swings at the ball and not feel like they are overwhelmed by any means.

Once a player reaches a certain level, they probably are too good for this racquet. It’s just not a long-lasting racquet for the player who is at an advanced level. Still, for the price, it makes a perfect first racquet.

Pros

  • Very affordable
  • Plays pretty similarly to more advanced racquets
  • Easy to learn strokes with

Cons

  • Players grow out of this racquet in time
  • Feels too lightweight for stronger beginners

7. Babolat Aero 112

Not every tennis player is comfortable with a racquet that is around 100 in.². For an oversized option that still brings plenty of playability, the Babolat Aero 112 is the way to go. Older players like this when they are playing doubles and want more coverage with their volleys, but beginners can take advantage of the generous head size as well.

Not only does the Aero 112 come with a big head size, but it also has an extended length of 27.5 inches. Players who might not be able to cover as much court as they did in the past can benefit from this type of setup. It takes a while to get used to, but most will love the head-heavy balance and a huge hitting surface to take advantage of.

Babolat has done a much better job in recent years putting out racquets that can work for all types of players. This is a perfect example of this, and the Aero112 ranks as one of the best in the industry for the style of play.

Pros

  • Excellent maneuverability for a big racquet
  • Great for volleys
  • Extended length helps players reach balls they normally can’t get

Cons

  • Too lightweight at first for some
  • Takes a while to get used to

What’s The Best Overall Racquet From Babolat Right Now?

Realistically, a player can’t go wrong with any of the three main racquets from Babolat. However, the Pure Aero seems to be the one that fits in nicely with most styles of play.

It has power, but maybe not quite as much as the Pure Drive. The spin potential is there to match any racquet on the market. It also has improved control with the latest release.

Considering the racquet comes in many different variations, players can test a few and see which one is best for them. It’s a great starting point for anyone new to the Babolat family.