- Joan Hahn
- November 24, 2021
- Last Updated on
The earlier you introduce tennis to kids, the longer they can enjoy the sport. However, it’s often a struggle to find the best tennis racquet for kids because choosing the right size may be difficult.
We’ve let children test, review, and compare junior tennis racquets to find out the best in the market!
- Quality aluminum construction
- Available in a variety of sizes
- Reduces vibration in each swing
- Deliver stable hits
- Arm-friendly racquet
- Durable aluminum o-beam construction
- Reduces vibration in swings
- Delivers stable shots
- Aesthetically-pleasing design
- Price-friendly beginner racquet
- Includes convenient storage bag
- Quality aluminum material
- Stable and durable
- Comes in two-pack
- Easy to control
Top 10 Tennis Racquets for Kids
1. HEAD Speed Kids Tennis Racquet
The Head Speed Kids Tennis racquet features aluminum construction, making it a lightweight and stable junior tennis racquet. We think it’s one of the best junior tennis racquets in the market.
Speed Kids junior tennis racquet gives you four sizes to choose from. These are 19, 21, 23, and 25-inch.
For kids who are four years and younger, the 19-inch comes in handy. Meanwhile, the 21-inch is for 4-5 years old. The 23-inch is ideally for 6 to 8 years old, and finally, the 25-inch is for 9 to 10-year olds.
It’s a head-light tennis racquet, which means you’ll feel the weight on the handle. As a result, it enhances balance, which reduces vibration when turning the tennis ball while adding stability.
PROS
- Quality aluminum construction
- Available in a variety of sizes
- Reduces vibration in each swing
- Deliver stable hits
- Arm-friendly racquet
CONS
- Flimsy handle wrapping
2. Head Instinct Blue Racquet
The Head Instinct Blue junior tennis racquet is an excellent option for 4 to 8-year-old children. Like the HEAD Speed Kids Tennis racquet, it offers a wide variety of lengths, starting from 21, 23, and 25 inches.
The Blue racquet gives you the head-light advantage, ensuring that it reduces vibration while delivering stability in every shot, making it a great racquet for kids.
Head is known for its high-quality aluminum o-beam construction, meaning the frame will last until your kid outgrows the racquet.
On the other hand, the lightweight racquet is designed for girls, so it’s quite limiting in that aspect.
PROS
- Durable aluminum o-beam construction
- Reduces vibration in swings
- Delivers stable shots
- Aesthetically-pleasing design
- Price-friendly beginner racquet
CONS
- Design and structure for girls
3. Weierfu Junior Tennis Racquet
While it’s true that Weiferu Junior Tennis racquet isn’t a famous brand, it does meet expectations in terms of quality.
The tennis racquet is designed to keep your children engaged, and it gives you three different sizes, ranging from 17-inch to 19-inch
You’ll get a racquet with a white base color that complements its yellow and pink highlights. What’s more, it features a white grip that looks great on the tennis court.
The junior tennis racquet is made of high-grade aluminum, keeping the weight to a minimum, delivering durability.
It’s a pocket-friendly tennis racquet that comes in two-pack, making it reasonably priced.
PROS
- Includes convenient storage bag
- Quality aluminum material
- Stable and durable
- Comes in two-pack
- Easy to control
CONS
- Handle quality could be better
4. Gamma Sports Junior Tennis Racquet
Gamma Sports Junior Tennis racquet gives you maximum durability for long hours of gameplay. The manufacturer made the proportions ideal for kids.
The brand also offers junior tennis racquets in four sizes for kids, including 19, 21, 23, and 25 variants. They have different colors, such as blue, red, orange, and green, respectively.
It’s a light aluminum tennis racquet that’s easy to use, and it’s ideal for both boys and girls.
PROS
- Durable for long hours gameplay
- Available in multiple variants
- Great for both boys and girls
- Durable aluminum construction
- A wide array of colors
CONS
- Wrap material could be better
5. Wilson Youth Burn Recreational
For more experienced tennis players, the Wilson Youth Burn Recreational is ideal for advanced junior tennis athletes.
It’s one of the best junior tennis racquets that takes your child’s ability to the next level.
The adult version of this tennis racquet is one of the best-selling racquets, and it works as well as it does for older players.
The design, however, is made for girls, so that’s something to keep in mind. It features a bright pink color that stands out on the tennis court.
You have three available sizes for these junior tennis racquets, including 19-inch, 21-inch, and 25-inch to choose from.
PROS
- Aesthetically-pleasing design
- Three available sizes
- Ideal for the advanced junior player
- Gets power from the baseline
- Quality aluminum construction
CONS
- Design made for girls
6. Babolat Nadal 25 Junior
The Babolat Nadal 25 Junior features a quality aluminum construction, making it suitable for long-term gameplay.
Unlike the other ones on the list, the Babolat Nadal is ideal for older kids who just started playing tennis, around 9 to 10.
It’s a pocket-friendly purchase, which makes it a great deal in exchange for a premium brand. It features a pure color and design.
The pre-strung racquet is lightweight, so it’s easy to swing when you play tennis. What’s more, kids can control the tennis racquet comfortably.
PROS
- Quality aluminum compositions
- Rafael Nadal branding
- Ideal for a recreational junior
- Easy to control
- Long-term gameplay
CONS
- Tennis strings are strung loose
7. Babolat Nadal 26 Junior Tennis Racquet
The Babolat Nadal 26 comes pre-strung. It is a tennis racquet for older kids, aging between 7 to 13 years old. It’s a 26-inch racquet, so it’s lengthier than most of the racquets on the list.
You’ll find that the frame is made of lightweight aluminum, and it gives you a similar color scheme as Nadal’s racquet.
In addition, the pre-strung racquet gives you the right amount of power, which means it’s ideal for backhands and forehands from the baseline when you play tennis.
However, if your grip tends to keep falling off, so you may have to purchase a new grip.
At 105 inches, the 16 x 19 string pattern allows them to have a larger margin of error when you’re playing tennis.
PROS
- Delivers lightweight aluminum
- It lasts for a few years
- The large margin of error
- Ideal for baseline practices
- Power and control balance
CONS
- The grip keeps falling off
8. HEAD IG Speed Kids Tennis Racquet
The HEAD IG Speed Kids racquet is available in 23-inch to 26-inch for young tennis players. It’s an ideal tennis racquet for children who are two years old to ten years old.
It gives you a head-light advantage, making it easy on the arm as it reduces vibration when you hit the tennis balls.
The racquet gives you stability when you hit the ball when you’re playing tennis.
However, the string durability isn’t the best, so you may have to replace the strings a few more times than usual.
The tennis racquet is made with a durable, lightweight hybrid composite construction, meaning it lasts until your children can outgrow them.
PROS
- Reduces vibration
- Stability in every shot
- Hybrid composite construction
- Lightweight build
- Easy to control
CONS
- The string could be better
9. Wilson US Open Junior
The Wilson US Open Junior tennis racquet is an ideal starter racquet for kids. The construction is made from lightweight aluminum, and it gives you a colorful scheme that your children will love.
There are multiple racquets to choose from, including 19, 21, 23, and 25. The Wilson US Open junior tennis racquet is easy to swing for kids when playing tennis.
For kids who are 3-5 years old, the 19-inch racquet is recommended. Children ages 5-6 find the 21-inch more suitable. Meanwhile, the 23-inch is for children 7-8 years old.
Finally, the 25-inch is ideal for 9-12 years old. The bag features zippered compartments that can hold up to two tennis racquets without the covers.
PROS
- High-quality construction material
- Available in a variety of sizes
- Includes tennis bag
- Easy to control
- Plenty of size varieties
CONS
- Flimsy bag material
10. Babolat 2019 Pure Aero 25 Junior
The Babolat 2019 Pure Aero is the preferred option for many Nadal fans. It gives you one of the most aesthetically pleasing designs on the market with its yellow and black finish.
Babolat uses an aerodynamic frame with an optimized design, which increases the racquet head speed junior.
Another feature is its FSI spin, which makes the string pattern oblong-shaped to produce more spin.
Another feature to like is its Cortex Pure Feel, which dampens the vibration, giving the player an exceptional feel, making it one of the best kids tennis racquets in the market.
PROS
- Superior stability
- Reduces vibration
- Increase precision
- Quality graphite construction
- Exceptional feel
CONS
- Racquet is expensive
Tips When Choosing Racquets
Price
You can purchase tennis racquets for as low as $20 to $30, depending on the brand. However, there are tennis racquets that can go up to $100.
As a general rule, the pricier your junior racquets are, the better the quality.
If you plan on letting your child try out tennis first, you may opt for cheaper options. However, if your child already has the experience, investing in a more premium brand will save you money.
Weight
When you’re looking for the best kids’ tennis racquet, the material isn’t a crucial factor. Kids care more about the weight and how easy it is to swing, and ideally, these racquets weigh 0.04 ounces.
The ones on the list are made from light aluminum with a blend of graphite. As your child grows older, the weight will become heavier.
Comfort
To make sure your child is comfortable, look for tennis racquets that reduce the vibration, making them easy on the arm when your racquet gets a tennis ball contact.
Aside from the technologies used, your child is going to need the ideal racquet length, grip material, and grip size that fits their play.
Head Size
A junior or tweener tennis racquet has a big head size that gives the kids a larger margin of error. The large head size is considered a power racquet to practice shots from the baseline and overpower competitors.
Kid’s Age
Kids 4 to 6 Years Old
Most tennis brands have different racquet lengths designed for younger kids to fit their height and gameplay.
If your kid is around the age of 4 to 6 years old, you need to opt for the 21-inch racquet length. However, if you are planning on letting your child play at a younger age, go for the 19-inch.
Kids 6 to 10 Years Old
For kids who are 6 to 10 years old need a 23-inch tennis racquet. At this age, they may have already outgrown the 21-inch racquet length.
However, it may differ from one child to another. Make sure to ask their tennis coach before changing the length or go to your local tennis shop.
10 Years Old and Above
Children who are ten years old above need a 25-inch tennis racquet. In a few years, they’re going to transition to the adult-sized tennis length, which is 27 inches.
For kids who are 10 years old and above, you can let your child join the street tennis club.
Length
Manufacturers categorize the length of the racquet proportionate to the age of the children. The length of these kids’ tennis racquets usually begins at 19-inch, and it goes up to 25-inch for a junior tennis racquet.
As mentioned earlier, it’s best to consult your child’s coach first and testing racquet length ensures you’re buying the right one. Depending on your child’s height, reach, and skill level, it may vary.
String
The best kids’ tennis racquets are usually pre-strung by the manufacturer. The reason why is because strings aren’t an essential factor when they’re learning tennis.
As soon as your child has enough tennis skills in the tennis world to detect the differences between quality and low-quality strings, then they’re normally ready for a 27-inch tennis racquet.
Junior players can join the street tennis club, so they can work to becoming as skilled as Roger Federer.
Balance
Head Heavy racquets
These are referred to as power racquets, meaning the weight is concentrated at the racquet’s head, which gives momentum in your swing.
Head Light racquets
These are ideal for aggressive players who enjoy pressing their competitors with their swift swings and quick volleys.
However, it’s mainly for more experienced players as they need to produce enough power in their shots.
Balanced racquets
These racquets are popular among tennis doubles players as the weight is distributed fairly throughout the frame.
Grip Size
Manufacturers make it easy to choose the right grip size for kids by producing mostly 4-inch grip sizes, which is simpler than the full-size tennis racquet hat has broader selections.
There may be cases that the grip may be too large or too small for your child, so you have to make necessary adjustments.
Keep in mind that making the grip smaller makes it more challenging, so it’s best to talk to the coach when finding the best kids tennis racquet for your child.
Materials
Graphite
Most manufacturers use graphite as the base ingredient because of how strong and light it is. It gives you an excellent feel of the tennis balls as well as great control.
These graphite-composite tennis racquets are ideal for beginners and advanced players because they reduce vibration to the arm and shoulders.
Aluminum
Most of the best kids’ tennis racquets on the list use aluminum because it’s one of the less expensive models. They produce decent power and a good feel to your shots.
Aluminum is a good option for beginners. It’s lightweight and delivers a sturdy construction for long-term gameplay.
Boron/Kevlar
These are similar to graphite. However, Boron and Kevlar are lighter and stiffer. Kevlar is used to create bulletproof vests because of how stiff it is. (1)
Unless Kevlar is blended with other materials, it may come off as too stiff and can transmit a lot of shock to your arm. For beginners, they should stay away from Boron or Kevlar.
FAQS
The ideal age to introduce your training is between 5 to 6 years old. It’s good to start training your child young as it helps develop visual-motor coordination.
Your child needs to switch to an adult racquet when they reach 55 inches. Normally, the age is between 12 – 13 years old.
The difference between junior and adult racquets is that the proportion between muscular strength and a junior racquet size is too large for adults.
Adults swinging with a junior-sized racquet aren’t enough to control the strokes, and it transfers more vibrations to the arm.
And the #1 Tennis Racquet for Kids is…
After testing and comparing tennis racquets for kids, the best junior tennis racquet is HEAD Speed.
It’s constructed from an aluminum o-beam mate for long-term gameplay. What’s more, it’s an affordable tennis racquet that delivers stable shots.
The tennis racquet gives you the head-light advantage, which helps in balance while eliminating vibration. The model also has several sizes available, making it suitable for kids from 4 to 10 year-olds.
OUR # 1 Recommendation
HEAD Speed Kids Tennis Racquet
- High-quality aluminum construction
- Ideal for long-term games
- Easy on the arm
- Eliminates vibration
