What's the Best Squash Racket?

I’m a total squash racquet nerd. I’m probably clinically defined as obsessed by it. Or maybe traumatized by it. When I first started playing I found a Wilson racquet that I loved, and then when it broke (all squash racquets die eventually), I found out that they’d stopped making it and I couldn’t buy another. And it took me FOREVER to find another racquet I liked. Now when I find a racquet I like I buy six of them! (2 for home, 2 for the club and 2 for the car so I’m always ready.) That lasts me about 5 years (ish). And I have no brand loyalty. I just try a bunch of them and pick what I like when it’s time to decide. Over the years, after my Wilson debacle, I’ve owned six racquets from Head, Karakal, Salming and most recently Harrow. (I also own a couple of Open Squash racquets, but those are Harrow’s in disguise so I don’t think they count). We recently wrote a great article about what makes a good squash racquet and that just set me off. I mean of course I loved the article, but as someone who has been traumatized by choices, it just left me asking a whole mess of questions. I wanted (read: needed) to dig up data and more data and more data. And fortunately in our world that’s totally possible. So here’s what I found:

I looked up what the pros are playing with and analyzed it to figure out if there were any trends in that data set. It turns out that there are. I only looked at the top pros, so it’s not a ton of data, I looked at the top men (12) and women (13) professional players (as of Aug 30th, 2024) and then looked to see what they play with and the specs of those racquets. I specifically wanted to know:

• Brand & Model
• Weight
• Balance
• Head type (more on that later)
• String Pattern
• Stiffness

For those of you that just want the answer: that the average pro player plays with a teardrop shaped racquet with traditional stringing, it weights 126.1 grams (average) and is slightly head heavy. And here’s a link to the data from August 2024.  But if you want to know more, read on.

Adult or Child?

It goes without saying that no pros were playing with a kids racquet. And indeed, it’s best to move on from a child’s (smaller) racquet as soon as you can. But if your child is young (under 8 ish), small and/or cannot develop a full swing (ie is a beginner) then starting with a children’s racquet will make their life considerably easier. But once they are 8+ (ish), can swing the racquet completely or can serve effectively they are going to get more balance and control out of a full adult racquet. There are some super light ones that can help the transition. Read on!

Weight

What’s really interesting is that the weight of racquets has really started to settle into a pretty narrow range. And the range is light! The average weight of a pros racquet is 126.1 grams, and the mean is 125 grams. But the heaviest is only 135 grams and the lightest is 115 grams. For you imperial types out there, the delta between the heaviest and lightest racquet is 0.7 ounces!  So weight really isn’t the biggest factor. The balance or weight distribution (see next section) can make a much bigger difference than the overall weight of the racquet itself. And in fact in some cases the weight distribution can make a heavy racquet feel light and a light racquet feel heavy!

Lighter racquets 

Theoretically, the advantage of lighter racquets is that they are more maneuverable and can be moved faster, making them better for attacking play. They can also help you create power and control with a bigger swing, and promote quick wrist flicks and deception. Lighter racquets are often a good choice for juniors and smaller players, as they're in better proportion with their size and weight. 

Heavy racquets 

Heavier racquets on the other hand can help you add more power to your shots, and offer increased stability and smooth impact through the ball with a longer swing. The extra mass of the heavier racquet allows the player to generate pace with a slower swing speed. Heavier racquets are often a good choice for players with a slower swing who favor a more defensive traditional style of squash. 

But where that weight is makes a difference. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that most players play with a light, head heavy racquet which really gives the best of both worlds.

Weight distribution: Head Heavy vs Head Light vs Balanced

First of all, here’s the easy bit: a description of how the different racquets play:

Head light

Head light racquets are easy to maneuver, but can be harder to control at speed. 

Head heavy

Head heavy racquets make it easier to hit hard and have more control over your strokes. They can be great for players who like to have a more patient and fluid game, and/or young players who need aid in generating power. 

Evenly balanced

Even balanced racquets can be a good choice for players who want a combination of the benefits of head light and head heavy racquets

However, I discovered that the definition of what makes a head heavy or head light racquet is not agreed upon in the industry. Theoretically it should be uniform as it is defined as the balance point of the racquet. Meaning that if you balance the racquet on your finger and the balance point is exactly at the halfway point, it is an “evenly” balanced racquet. Either side is by definition “head heavy” or shaft heavy which we call “head light”.  But the different manufacturers use the terms differently. For example, Harrow describes their Signature Reflex 125 (used by one of my favorite players: Tarek “The Viper” Momen) as “evenly balanced”, even though the balance point is at 370mm or 54% of the way up the racquet which technically means it’s head heavy.  So for this analysis, I wrote down in words how the manufacturer describes it, but I ignored that for analytical purposes. I only used the actual data data of where the balance point is so that we’re always measuring like with like. (Unfortunately, data was not available for every racquet, and I didn’t get my hands on the racquets to do my own measurements so this means there are some holes in the analysis)

According to the data, the most head light racquet is Joel “Golden Tiger” Makin’s Karakal Raw Pro 2.0 with a balance point of 50.36%. In other words, the most head light racquet is in fact “evenly balanced”. Or put another way, all the pros play with head heavy racquets. The most extreme version of that is Mostafa “Raging Bull” Asal who plays with the Tecnifibre Slash 120 which has a balance point of 56.20% which Tecnifibre agree is “Head Heavy”. The average is moderately head heavy at 52.43% and the mean is slightly better balanced at 51.82%. 

Special note: a couple of the women play with the Head Speed 135 Slimbody which is listed as “head light”, but I can’t for the life of me get the actual data on the racquet to see if that’s true or not. It’s interesting because it’s also the heaviest racquet we measured. But if it really is head light it’s going to feel much lighter than it really is because all the weight is in your hand not at the other end of the lever/racquet.

Head Shape

There are essentially two different types of shape. The traditional or “Open Throat” racquet and the newer teardrop shape.  And to cut to the chase, the vast majority of players appear to have switched to the teardrop shape.

Teardrop

Teardrop racquets have a larger string bed and sweet spot, and the strings run all the way down to the shaft. This allows the string bed to move more freely, which can make the racquet more powerful and forgiving. The pointed end of the racquet can also help with shot placement and spin control. Teardrop racquets can also be lighter, making them easier to swing and more maneuverable, which can be good for players who rely on quick reflexes. However, some say that the open throat can make it harder to control the ball because the strings don't always flex and snap back in the same way and the “sweet spot” is less consistent. The flip side of that is that they are technically - and literally - larger racquets. Meaning that the square inches of the racquet that you can hit the ball with is larger. There is a maximum size allowed by the sport of 500cm². And the only racquets that use every cm of that are the teardrop racquets.

Open Throat/Classic

Also known as open throat, classic racquets have a smaller string bed and sweet spot, and a beam across the throat that shortens the strings. The beam provides extra stability to the frame, and the shorter strings can make the racquet more stable and easier to control. The sweet spot is smaller than on a teardrop racquet, but it is more consistent and generally produces the same results when hit in the same place. Classic racquets might be better suited for experienced players who want more control. I play with one of these racquets, but only 24% of the top pros play with the classic racquet. 

Hybrid

Hybrid teardrop racquets combine the benefits of both teardrop-shaped and traditional racquets. The teardrop shape provides a larger sweet spot and more power, while the bridge or throat area adds stability and control. This combination can make the racquet well-rounded, allowing players to hit powerful shots with precision. But I only found one player - the up-and-coming Amina Orfi who plays with the Dunlop Sonic Core Evolution 120 who uses a Hybrid - and it’s apparently “head light” as well. So a very rare choice.

String Pattern

Fan String

The fan stringing method - also known as the 12 x 17  - allows for denser strings which in turn increase the stiffness of the string bed.  This can help players control the direction of the ball and keep it on the strings longer.  The fan pattern's longer main strings can stretch more, which can help maintain power. Some say the pattern can also help develop power by lengthening the center mains. And the spacing between the strings is greater as you approach the head of the racquet which changes the feel somewhat depending on where the ball hits the racquet. It is also more difficult to string correctly so isn’t a favorite of your local stringer.. When stringing, it's important to make sure you clamp the correct string, or you might lose tension in all the mains. Fan stringing was pioneered by Prince racquets and remains a niche choice with most players. Although there are a couple of racquets that offer choices, all the players except one that I looked at have chosen a traditional string pattern. The one exception is Mazen Hesham who plays with an Eye (that’s the brand in case you don’t know it) V.Lite 125.

Traditional String

Traditionally, the main strings run parallel to each other and go straight up and down. This pattern is also known as the 14 x 18 pattern and is common for open throat and teardrop squash racquets. Most squash racquets have a traditional stringing pattern. 

Stiffness

In general, it is better to have a stiffer squash racquet than a more flexible one. Stiff squash racquets can have several advantages, including: 

Power

Stiff frames allow energy to bounce back quickly off the strings during impact, which can generate more power. 

Accuracy

Stiffer frames are less likely to distort when they hit the ball, which can help you hit straight shots and shots that go down the line. 

Control

Stiffer racquets can help you punish mistakes more quickly and give you more control over your strokes. 

But it’s super hard to figure out if a racquet is stiff or not as there are no generally accepted measurements that are published across brands. However, in general, racquets with a thicker beam width are usually stiffer and more powerful because of the extra material in the frame. I was only able to find 9 beam measurements across the groupset which I didn’t think was big enough to draw any conclusions from. But in case you want to, the average beam was 17.7mm (the mean was 18mm) and the thickest was 20mm and the thinnest was 16mm.

Thicker strings (16 gauge) may also stiffen up your racquet and offer more control and durability, but they're less flexible than thinner strings (18 gauge).

More Flexible Racquets

More flexible racquets do have their place. It’s said that they can promote comfort - and be less hard on your arm even when you hit outside the sweet spot. This might make them a good choice if you develop tennis (or should I say squash) elbow frequently. Though working on how you strike the ball is probably a better long term solution for your hurt elbow than a flexible racquet. 

Strings

Aa it came up, it is probably worth taking a quick diversion on strings. Your string choice will make a BIG difference to your racquet. We’ll write a blog about this separately. But in general, the looser the string, the more power. The tighter the string the more control. But string width, and interestingly whether the string frays or not can impact your control. There are certain brands/types of strings that are designed to fray and some players swear this gives them more control - even though they have to replace the strings more often. So once you have picked up your racquet you may need to experiment with string and string tension!

Brand

There is about a one in three chance that if you are testing racquets from different brands they were made in the same factory. Most composite fabrication has moved to China and there are 3-5 factories there that produce almost all the racquets for all the brands. (There are probably some exceptions but I don’t know who makes what where so I can’t call them out.) Therefore brand is more about the choices they made in weight, weight distribution, string pattern, stiffness, and fashion choices like design and color, than it is in some intrinsic construction difference. Trivia fact: the color of the racquet affects the weight! And of course different brands have different players sponsoring them, so you might like to play with one of them based on the personality of the players using them. I’ve put together a little blurb about each brand that sells squash racquets - listed in alphabetical order. The biggest brands on the Pro Squash Tour (again listed alphabetically) are Dunlop, Harrow, Head, & Tecnifibre. With honorable mentions going to Eye Rackets, Karakle + Unsquashable. But just because a top pro isn’t being paid to play with your racquet doesn’t mean it is’t a perfect match for you. 

Artengo

Parent Company: Decathlon. 

Location: Villeneuve d'Ascq, Nord-Pas-de-Calais, France.

Brand Statement: Humility, Responsibility, Authenticity, Generosity

Example Pro Player: Camille Serme

Ashaway

Parent Company:. Ashaway Line & Twine Manufacturing Co.

Location: Terre Haute, Indiana, USA

Example Pro Player: none. Though many, including Amanda Sobhy use their strings

Brand Statement: An American Family Business for Six Generations

Black Knight

Parent Company:. Intercontinental Exchange

Location: Atlanta, Georgia, USA

Example Pro Player: David Palmer 

Brand Statement: inspire competition and camaraderie

Dunlop

Parent Company:. Sumitomo Rubber Industries (SRI)

Location: Kobe, Japan

Example Pro Player: Ali Farag

Brand Statement: We're driven by an all-consuming passion for the game

Eye Rackets

Parent Company:. Eye Racekets

Location: Oslo, Norway & Amsterdam, Netherlands

Example Pro Player: Paul Coll

Brand Statement: Dare to be different. (Note: company was founded by ex pro squash players)

Feather

Parent Company:. Feather Racket Shop

Location: Beverly Hills, California, USA

Example Pro Player: - - - -

Brand Statement: We consider it an honor to manufacture the highest quality squash racquets and accessories

Gearbox

Parent Company:. Gearbox Sports

Location: California, USA

Example Pro Player: Rafael Filippini - the founder and a professional racquetball player!

Brand Statement: Gearbox wants players of all levels to experience first-hand how its quality products can improve their game

Gracelyne

Parent Company:. Gracelyne

Location: West Virginia, USA

Example Pro Player: - - - - 

Brand Statement: Partner with racquet professionals to minimize inventory worries, limit online competition, and streamline purchases

Gray’s

Parent Company:. Gray’s

Location: Cheltenham, Victoria, Australia

Example Pro Player: Paul Price and Mark Chaloner

Brand Statement: Quality & craftsmanship

Harrow

Parent Company:. Harrow Sports

Location: Denver, Colorado, USA

Example Pro Player: Tarek Momen

Brand Statement: Founded in 2000, Harrow revolutionized the racquet industry by offering unprecedented customization

Head

Parent Company:. Head Sport GmbH

Location: Kennelbach, Vorarberg, Austria

Example Pro Player: Paul Coll

Brand Statement: Give athletes and players at every level, exactly what they need to win.

Karakal

Parent Company:. Karakal (Worldwide) Limited

Location: Shirehampton, Bristol, England

Example Pro Player: Joel Makin

Brand Statement: Superior quality racquet sport products and the very best in innovative ideas, design and technology.

Mantis

Parent Company:. Mantis USA

Location: Alpharetta, Georgia, USA

Example Pro Player: Curtis Malik

Brand Statement: Don’t fight it, feel it

Oliver

Parent Company:. Oliver Sport

Location: Auckland, New Zealand

Example Pro Player: Jack Oliver 

Brand Statement: Different racquets for different people

Pointfore

Parent Company:. Pontfore International 

Location: Easton in Gordano, Bristol, England

Example Pro Player: Our very own Peter Creed uses their grips! 

Brand Statement: Pointfore are continually searching for the ultimate quality and perfection

Prince

Parent Company:. Authentic Brands Group

Location: Atlanta, Georgia, USA

Example Pro Player: Ramy Ashour

Brand Statement: Elevating the game, both on and off the court since 1970

ProKennex

Parent Company:. Kunnan Enterprise LTD

Location: Taichung, Taiwan

Example Pro Player: - - - - 

Brand Statement: Let’s be inspired by evolution

Salming

Parent Company: Salming. 

Location: Askim, Sweden

Example Pro Player: - - - - 

Brand Statement: No nonsense attitude, unrivaled feel - note: Salming may have got out of the squash racquet business

Slazenger

Parent Company:. Frasers Group

Location: Nottinghamshire, UK

Example Pro Player: 

Brand Statement: Slazenger is one of the longest established sporting brands in the world

Stellar

Parent Company:. Employee owned with commercial ties to the Australian firm that launched it

Location: Florida, USA

Example Pro Player: Nele Gilis 

Brand Statement: Backing legends since 1972

Tecnifibre

Parent Company:. Lacoste

Location: Feucherolles, France

Example Pro Player: Nour El Sherbini

Brand Statement: Create and sell products that combine high performance with elegance

Unsquashable

Parent Company:. Unsquashable

Location: Cheadle Hulme South Ward, Cheshire, England

Example Pro Player: Miguel Rodriguez 

Brand Statement: Engineering equipment for professional competition makes for a better product for the everyday player

Victor

Parent Company:. Victor Rackets Industrial Corporation

Location: Taipei, Taiwan

Example Pro Player: Raphael Kandra

Brand Statement: Our passion belongs to sport

Wilson

Parent Company:. Amer Sports

Location: Helsinki Finland

Example Pro Player: Nicolas Muller

Brand Statement: Empower every human to live like an athlete

Xamsa

Parent Company:. Xamsa Racquets

Location: Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Example Pro Player: - - - - 

Brand Statement: Cooperative to support grassroots squash movements