Wilson Defy V1 Special Edition Padel Racket (2026)

It is a diamond with a high balance at 265 mm, a carbon frame with a 38 mm profile and a 3D relief on the face, according to Padel Reference. Padelful calls the balance high but less extreme than the Defy Pro's, and the feel lively rather than dry. Padel Reference lists a hard to mid-hard touch, so the two do not describe it the same way.

Padel Reference's expert note says to reserve it for intermediate to advanced players who organise their game around net attack and spin shots. It warns that defenders and beginners will find it too power-oriented.

Padelful scored the 2025 Defy V1 at 9.0 for control, 8.4 for power and 8.5 for sweet spot. For the SE it gives 7.3 for control, 8.5 for power, 7.2 for sweet spot and 6.5 for manoeuvrability, with rebound at 9.3. The listed weight, face and core are the same on both pages, so the gap is a different reviewer's view, not a different racket we can point to.

Padel Reference rates the SE 9 for power, 8 for control and 8 for manoeuvrability, on a scale it does not state. If you are comparing the SE with the standard racket, read the two pages as opinions, not measurements.

The standard Defy V1 is the 2025 racket with the same listed build. The Defy Pro V1 Special Edition is the heavier 15K one, and the Defy LS V1 is the light version (there is a Special Edition LS too). The matching Defy V1 bag carries it.

Beginners and defenders, and anyone who plays soft touch shots, since Padelful says touch shots need a softer grip. Our diamond padel rackets page explains the shape, and the advanced padel rackets page compares more of them.

Add a racket protector, fresh padel balls, an overgrip from our padel grips range and the right padel shoes. Our guide to choosing a padel racket explains balance and weight, and the full padel racket range sits behind it.