Dunlop FX Start Padel Racket (2026)

Tennisnuts lists a hybrid head, a 38 mm beam, a graphite frame with a smooth graphite surface and a Pro EVA core it calls soft and responsive. The only named feature is a straight holes drilling for precision. The racket type is counter-attacking, which for a beginner mostly means the head shape sits between a round and a diamond.

The staff review calls the medium balance and light weight a good fit for volleys and defence, and says it is forgiving on off-centre shots. That is what a first racket should be.

Tennisnuts says hybrid and also describes a teardrop/hybrid head, while one retailer category calls it a teardrop. Weight is 360 g with a 10 g tolerance on the sheet and 360 to 370 g in another record, and the face is graphite on Tennisnuts and fibreglass in a seller's category. All agree on a beginner level and a Pro EVA core.

Our catalogue tags it hybrid with a medium balance and a beginner level. For a first racket the difference between those labels does not change how it feels in the hand.

The Nanomax Lite is a lighter hybrid at about 350 g (last season's Nanomax Lite 2025 is similar), the Megamax is the round option, and the FX Junior is the kids' version. When you are ready for more, the FX Hybrid Team is the next step up in the same range. Our wider choice is on the beginner padel rackets page.

Players who already hit hard or want a carbon face, and children, who need a lighter racket from our kids' padel rackets page. Our intermediate padel rackets page covers the step up.

Add fresh padel balls, an overgrip from our padel grips range, proper padel shoes and a racket protector. Our guide to choosing a padel racket covers weight and shape, and the full padel racket range has the rest.