Babolat Counter Vertuo 2.6 Padel Racket

Babolat's UK page lists a round head with an even balance, a 38 mm profile, a fibreglass surface over a carbon frame and a Black EVA core, with Syntec Evo as the recommended grip. The Holes Pattern System spreads impact energy, the Vibrabsorb System uses an elastomer in the core and handle to cut vibration, and raised 3D Spin patterns are meant to add spin.

Two small disagreements. Babolat says even balance while our catalogue tags it medium, and Padelful lists the weight as 340 and 360 without units against Babolat's 350 g give or take 10. We use Babolat's figures.

Soft, steady and comfortable. Padelful's reviewer found a large, forgiving sweet spot, easy defensive blocks and an arm-friendly impact, which is what a round frame with a Black EVA core should deliver. Rebound at 9.2 means balls come off the face with some life without much effort.

The weak side is attack. Smashes are limited, there is little extra bite at the net, and you supply most of the pace yourself. It suits players who build points patiently, and it asks beginners and early intermediates for nothing except consistency.

The Air Vertuo 2.6 is the same recipe in a teardrop head. On Padelful's scores the Counter has the better sweet spot (9.1 against 7.3) and control (7.9 against 6.9), and the Air has a little more power (7.5 against 6.6). If you play from the back, take the Counter; if you like to move forward and volley, take the Air.

The Counter Origin is Babolat's cheaper entry round racket, and the Counter Veron is the step up for intermediates who want a bigger, firmer frame.

Players who attack. A power score of 6.6 and a soft fibreglass face give you little at the net, so look at the teardrop padel rackets page if you volley a lot. If you want a firm, precise round racket, the control padel rackets page has carbon options.

Babolat recommends Syntec Evo. An overgrip such as the Babolat VS overgrip adds tack, and our padel grips page explains when to replace instead. Frame tape from the racket protector range is worth fitting before the first match.

A racket that adds little pace wants live balls, so a tube of Babolat Court balls is a sensible start, and the padel balls page explains how fast they fade. The padel bags page and the padel shoes page (try Babolat's Movea 2 for stability) complete the kit, and the full padel racket range and our guide to choosing a padel racket put it in context.