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How To Choose A Squash Racket

How To Choose A Squash Racket

Our buying guides will give you all the information you need to ensure you find the perfect equipment to improve your game.

Our squash experts advise customers every day on purchasing squash rackets. Here are some of the key factors to take into consideration before you buy:

Racket Throat Shape

There are two types of racket throat which are referred to as Teardrop (open) and Classic (closed). Teardrop throat squash rackets have a larger string-bed area, a larger sweet spot and therefore tend to be more forgiving and offer more power. Classic throat squash rackets have a smaller string-bed and sweet spot and as a general rule will therefore suit a more experienced player looking for enhanced control. Most of the top pros use teardrop shaped rackets including Ali Farag (Dunlop Sonic Core Revelation Pro), Nick Matthew (Dunlop Sonic Core Evolution 120), Paul Coll (Head Speed 120 Slimbody) and Mohamed El Shorbagy and Marwan El Shorbagy (Tecnifibre Carboflex 125 X-Top).

Throat shape image
Throat shape
Throat shape
Throat shape video
Balance

Rackets can be head-light, head-heavy or evenly balanced and it's often a question of personal preference. Head-light rackets offer great manoeuvrability for quick volleys and flick shots but can be harder to control at speed. Head heavy rackets can be easier to control. Traditionally many pro players favoured head-heavy rackets but with the game becoming faster-paced and more attacking than ever many of the pros are opting for head-light frames.

Balance image
Squash balance
Squash balance
Weight

Squash rackets generally weigh 110 - 145g, although Karakal now produce the Karakal SN-90 2.0 which weighs only 90g. The weights marked on the racket frames are usually the unstrung weights and are often before paint, grommets and the grip are added so expect your actual racket to weigh a few grams more. The unstrung weight is often included in the product title e.g Raw 110. A lighter weight racket will suit a more attacking player as it can be manoeuvred quickly. Lighter rackets can also be great for juniors who want to play with a full size racket without being weighed down. Heavier weight rackets suit a more traditional style player with a slower swing.

Weight video
Beam

Racket beam widths tend to be between 16 and 21mm. A thinner beam racket will suit a more skilled player as it will offer greater manoeuvrability than a thicker beamed racket.

Strings

There are different types of squash racket strings and varying string tensions. We can advise you on the appropriate string type and tension for your squash racket. Most rackets come factory strung at 26-28lbs. Higher quality strings will offer more grip and feel on the ball. They are not necessarily more durable as some are finer gauge and they are effectively working harder when in play as they are gripping the ball. There is a common misconception when choosing squash racket strings that a higher string tension gives greater power; in fact, the reverse is true. A higher or tighter string tension provides less power but increases control. This is because the string works like a trampoline. When the ball hits the racket, it catches then shoots the ball back out again with greater power. Many of the factory strings are a basic synthetic gut so many customers are choosing to upgrade with a custom restring. Tecnifibre and Ashaway are two of our bestselling string brands.

string image
String image
String image
Most Popular Brands
Tecnifibre
Tecnifibre
Dunlop
Dunlop
Head
Head
Other pages

Now you have found your perfect squash racket, take a look at our 'How to choose a squash ball' buying guide page to find the right ball to suit your game. We also have guides on 'how to choose a restring upgrade' and 'how to choose a junior racket'.