Buying guide for Best racquetball racquets

Combine a high-intensity aerobic workout with fast-moving action and the thrill of competition, and you get racquetball, a game that’s played on an enclosed court and combines many elements of tennis, paddleball, and handball. While no longer at its peak of popularity — that was back in the late 1970s through early 1980s — racquetball is still enjoyed by millions of players both young and old.

One of the great things about racquetball is that it doesn’t require a great deal of expensive or elaborate equipment, just a racquet, a ball, eye protection, an enclosed racquetball court, and, of course, one or three other players, depending on whether you’re playing singles or doubles.

Racquetball is a great way to get a vigorous workout while having fun with one or three other players.

Key considerations

There are several factors to consider when choosing a racquetball racquet, including its weight, shape, balance, grip, and strings.

Weight

While just about every racquetball racquet is a standard 22 inches long, there are three standard weight ranges to choose from. 

Light racquets weigh between 150 and 165 grams. This makes them easy to swing at the highest speeds while maintaining control, but it also means that the player needs to use more energy to hit the ball as forcefully as possible. As a general rule, light racquets are best for experienced players.

Medium racquets weigh between 170 and 185 grams, giving them a good balance between the energy required to swing them and the force with which they hit the ball. A medium-weight racquet is a good choice for players with a moderate level of experience.

Heavy racquets weigh over 185 grams. That makes them slower to swing, but it also means that they strike the ball with more force. This is the best choice for a player who is new to racquetball.

Shape

While all racquetball racquets have a somewhat teardrop-shaped head, there are two basic variations on the shape: quadraform and triangular.

Quadraform racquets are a little wider than triangular racquets, which provides more surface area for hitting the ball but reduces the power of the strike. This is the most common type of racquet, and it’s especially good for beginners or average players.

Triangular racquets have a smaller stringed area, making it a little harder to hit the ball but providing much more power. These racquets are best for advanced players.

Balance

Most racquetball racquets, particularly those favored by new or average players, are evenly balanced in weight between the head and the bottom of the racquet’s stringed area. Some more experienced players favor racquets that are top-heavy, for a more powerful swing, or bottom-heavy, which allows for more maneuverability.

Grip

The grip of the racquet is the portion you hold. Typically, it’s lightly padded and wrapped to provide a secure grip and protect your hands and wrists from soreness caused by the impact of the ball. There are three standard grip sizes. The most common and used by the majority of players is 3 5/8 inches in circumference. If your hands are very large, you might find an oversize grip of either 3 7/8 inches or 3 15/16 inches to be more comfortable.

Strings

Tension: String tension is simply a measurement of how tightly the strings are attached to the racquet frame. The higher the tension, the better the control over the swing. Lower tension provides more power. Typically, newer players do best with lower tension, while advanced players appreciate the superior control of strings with higher tension.

Gauge: This is a measurement of string thickness. The lower the gauge, the thicker the strings. Newer players generally do best with lower-gauge strings because they are sturdier. Advanced players tend to favor thinner strings, which have a little more “play.”

Accessories

You don’t need an extensive array of equipment to play racquetball, but there are a few essential items besides your racquet.

Eye protection: HEAD Racquetball Goggles
Racquetball is a very fast-moving game, and while the ball is rubbery, it can strike with tremendous impact from any direction. That means eye protection is essential while getting your game on, and most racquetball centers and courts won’t allow you to play without it. Goggles, like these from HEAD, cover the entire eye area and fasten behind the head with a strap. They are antifogging, slip-resistant, and adjustable for a comfortable fit.

Racquetballs: Wilson 20/20 Racquetballs
You can’t play racquetball without a ball, and it’s always a good idea to have a few extras on hand. Racquetballs are made of firm and bouncy rubber and measure 2 1/4 inches in diameter. While black or gray are traditional colors, there are many bright hues available as well. But the bright colors aren’t just for style: many players prefer them because the bright tones make it easier to keep an eye on the ball while it whizzes around the court. These bright pink balls are highly visible and the three-pack is reasonably priced.

Equipment bag: Python Deluxe Racquetball Bag
No one wants to juggle multiple pieces of equipment from the parking lot to the racquetball court, so most players use an equipment bag to safely tote racquets, balls, gloves, goggles, water bottles, towels, and a change of clothes. This large bag can hold four racquets as well as all your other gear. The padded shoulder strap makes it easy to carry the bag comfortably.

Eye protection is essential when playing racquetball, so don protective goggles before hitting the court.

Racquetball racquet prices

Inexpensive: Below $50, you’ll get a racquet best suited to beginners or those who only expect to play infrequently. The racquet technology won’t be cutting edge, the strings won’t be high quality or durable, and the frame might be aluminum or even plastic.

Mid-range: For most casual players, between $50 and $100 is the sweet spot in terms of price. In this range, you’ll get a good racquet with quality strings, a comfortable grip that may have a damper to further reduce potentially damaging vibrations in your hand and wrist, sturdy yet lightweight materials in the frame, and up-to-date technology.

Expensive: For professional players and others who are serious about racquetball, paying more than $100, or even over $200, is money well spent. You’ll get the most cutting-edge technology, the highest-quality strings and materials, and a perfectly balanced racquet that feels powerful and agile in your hands.

Tips

• Store your racquet in a dry, temperature-controlled spot. Never store your racquet in the trunk of your car. Likewise, hot attics, freezing garages, or humid basements are not suitable spots for stashing your gear. The temperature extremes can loosen the strings. The best spot to store your racquet is where it won’t be exposed to any extreme temperatures or moisture.
• Don’t set anything on top of your racquet.
• Use the cover. Most racquetball racquets come with a protective cover to keep dust and dirt off the strings. Use the cover whenever you aren’t playing.
• Keep the racquet clean. Periodically wipe the grip with a damp cloth and a couple of drops of mild dishwashing soap. This removes sweat, dirt, and oils that can wear away the grip material.
• Have your racquet restrung periodically. Even with proper care, the strings will loosen over time. Most racquetball centers and sporting equipment shops provide this service. As a rule of thumb, your racquet should be restrung as many times per year as you typically play in a week. So, if you play two times per week, your racquet should be restrung two times per year.

Racquetball is played in an enclosed court. The ball can bounce off any of the four walls, the floor, or the ceiling.

FAQ

Q. What’s the best material for the racquet frame?

A. The vast majority of racquetball racquets today have frames made from aluminum, a graphite composite, or fiberglass. Typically, aluminum frames are less expensive than the other two materials but not as durable or sturdy. If you’re just starting out and not sure you’re going to take to the game, an aluminum frame is sufficient, but if you plan on making racquetball a regular part of your life, it’s worth buying a higher-quality racquet.

Q. Can I use a squash racquet or tennis racket to play racquetball?

A. While there are similarities between the three games, they each use different racquets, so you can’t substitute one for another. Squash racquets are similar to racquetball racquets but have a much longer handle. Tennis rackets are much longer than racquetball racquets and have a much larger head.

Q. Where can I play racquetball?

A. While there aren’t many clubs devoted solely to racquetball these days, as there were during the sport’s heyday of the 1970s and 1980s, there are still many places to enjoy the game. You’ll find racquetball courts in many health clubs, usually available for a nominal charge or free to members. Many colleges have racquetball courts, too.