StarVie Nyra Padel Racket

Padelful lists easy swing and recovery as the racket's first strength, then forgiveness on off-centre hits and a comfortable, soft ball exit. Handling is its best score at 7.9, and the sweet spot and rebound sit at 7.0 and control at 6.6, so it is easy to place and easy to get back into position with.

The cost is pace. Power is 5.1, the weak end of the scale, and Padelful finds limited punch on smashes and little bite on the vibora. Net play stays controlled rather than aggressive. Its own summary reads like a fair description of the racket: it is for players who put comfort, forgiveness and control ahead of attacking.

Padelgids lists a round head, low balance, an elastic X-Glass Tech fibreglass surface, an S-EVA Flex core with an Advance Core element for control and less vibration, a textured Spin Boost surface and a T-Carbon tubular frame. It says the racket is for new players looking for maximum comfort.

Padelful's metadata says a carbon frame while its review text says fibreglass, retailers describe the surface as rough 3D, smooth or textured, and one listing says beginner while another says beginner and intermediate. Weight runs 340 to 355 g on the two sheets that give it. Treat the frame and texture as unconfirmed, and look at the racket if spin matters to you.

The StarVie Arkos is the other soft round racket in the range, with the same 6.7 overall on Padelful. The Arkos scores slightly higher for power, control and rebound, and the Nyra scores higher for handling, 7.9 against 7.0. If you want the racket that is easiest to swing, the Nyra is it, and if you want a touch more pace the Arkos is the one.

StarVie's Kenta Plus is a round racket with more bite, and the Astrum Plus scores 9.4 for sweet spot on Padelful. Our best padel racket for beginners page lists more first rackets.

Players who like to finish points. With a power score of 5.1 and little bite on the vibora, the Nyra gives you nothing for free. Anyone who already hits with pace will find it soft, and the best padel racket for intermediate players page lists rackets with more in reserve.

A fresh overgrip from the padel grips page helps a soft racket feel connected, and frame tape from the racket protector range protects the head. Balls come from the padel balls page.

A bag with a shoe pocket keeps sand off the kit, such as the Babolat RH Pro, and the padel shoes page covers court shoes, including the K-Swiss Ultrashot Light for women. Our guide to choosing a padel racket explains shape and balance.