Best Tennis Rackets Under £100 UK (2026)

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Key Takeaways

• The best budget rackets come from real brands (Babolat, Head, Wilson, Dunlop, Artengo) — avoid anything under £30 with no recognisable name on it.
• Head size is the single most important spec for beginners: 100–110 sq in gives you a good sweet spot without sacrificing all feel. Go bigger (110–115) if you’re a complete beginner.
• Weight matters: most beginners do best with something in the 260–290g strung range — light enough to swing easily, heavy enough to feel substantial.
• Budget rackets in the £50–£100 range will last 2–3 years of regular recreational play before you need to think about upgrading.
• The most common mistake in this price range: buying the cheapest available option rather than the best value available option. The difference in playing experience is significant.
• Once you have your racket, invest in a fresh overgrip and get it restrung if it came pre-strung more than a year ago.

Best Tennis Rackets Under £100 UK (2026)

You don’t need to spend £200+ to get a racket that’ll actually help you play decent tennis. Honestly? For most people picking up the sport or playing casually at a club, a well-chosen racket under £100 will do everything you need it to do.

The problem is there’s a lot of rubbish in this price range too. Cheap frames that vibrate like a tuning fork, oversized heads that feel like you’re hitting with a frying pan, and “pro-spec” marketing on rackets that’ll slow your development down.

So here are the five that are actually worth your money — for different types of player at different stages. We’ve picked them based on who they suit, not just what sounds impressive on a spec sheet.

See also our complete beginner’s guide to tennis if you’re just getting started.

Quick Picks

Prices fluctuate on Amazon and across UK retailers — always worth checking a few sites before buying.

1. Babolat Boost Aero — Best Overall Pick

Approx. price: ~£75–90 | Head size: 105 sq in | Weight: 265g strung

If you’re only going to read one section of this article, make it this one.

The Babolat Boost Aero is the best all-round budget racket available in the UK right now. It takes the DNA of the Pure Aero — the racket Rafael Nadal built his career on — and strips it back to a price point that actually makes sense for most people.

The 105 sq in head gives you a decent sweet spot without going full beginner-forgiving. It’s light enough that you won’t be arm-wrestling the frame on every shot, but heavy enough to give your hits some actual substance behind them. And Babolat’s aerodynamic frame shape means it cuts through the air well, which helps you generate topspin even before your technique is fully there.

Who it’s for: Committed beginners and early intermediate players who want a racket that’ll grow with them for a year or two before they need an upgrade.

What we like:
– Genuine topspin potential at a budget price
– Comfortable on the arm — no nasty vibration
– Looks the part (not obviously a beginner racket)

What to be aware of:
– 105 sq in head isn’t as forgiving as some on this list — if you’re a complete beginner, see option 2 below
– Stock can vary across UK retailers

Available from Amazon UK and specialist retailers including Tennisnuts.com — worth checking both as prices fluctuate.

2. Head Ti.S6 — Best for Absolute Beginners

Approx. price: ~£45–65 | Head size: 115 sq in | Weight: 215g strung

The Head Ti.S6 has been a go-to recommendation for absolute beginners for years — and for good reason. It’s one of the most forgiving rackets you can buy at any price.

The 115 sq in head is massive. Mishits that would fly wide with most rackets just… go in. Which, when you’re starting out and spending half your time mis-timing the ball, is genuinely useful. The titanium-graphite frame keeps the weight low at around 215g, so it’s easy to swing without your shoulder giving up after 20 minutes.

It’s not a racket you’ll be playing with in five years. It’s a racket that’ll get you hitting the ball consistently while you figure out what kind of player you are.

Who it’s for: People picking up a racket for the first time, older players who want something lightweight and easy to use, and anyone returning to tennis after a long break.

What we like:
– Genuinely the most forgiving racket on this list
– Extremely lightweight — easy on the arm and shoulder
– Very affordable — often on sale well under £60

What to be aware of:
– You will outgrow this. It’s a starter racket, not a forever racket.
– Less control than heavier frames — once your technique improves you’ll want more feedback

Widely available on Amazon UK — search “Head Ti.S6” for current pricing.

3. Artengo TR930 Spin Pro — Best Value for Money

Approx. price: ~£60–70 | Head size: 100 sq in | Weight: 300g unstrung

This one might surprise you — Artengo is Decathlon’s own tennis brand, and most people assume own-brand = budget rubbish. The TR930 Spin Pro is anything but.

Here’s the thing: 100 sq in head size and 300g weight are the specs you find on rackets costing £150–250 from Wilson, Babolat, and Head. The reason Artengo can sell it at £65 is because Decathlon cuts out the middleman and sells direct. You’re not paying for the brand badge — you’re paying for the racket.

It’s a proper player’s frame. More demanding than the others on this list, which means it rewards good technique rather than compensating for bad habits. If you’ve played before and want a racket that’ll genuinely develop your game, this is outstanding value.

Who it’s for: Players who’ve been playing for 6+ months and want a proper racket without spending proper racket money. Also a brilliant option if you’re returning to the sport after years away and want something serious.

What we like:
– Specs that compete with rackets twice the price
– Decathlon’s 365-day return policy is excellent
– Available with free click-and-collect from any UK Decathlon

What to be aware of:
– Heavier and less forgiving than the other options here — not great for complete beginners
– No Amazon — you’re going to Decathlon.co.uk for this one

Available exclusively from Decathlon.co.uk — search “TR930 Spin Pro” or browse in-store.

4. Wilson Hyper Hammer 5.3 — Best for Power Players

Approx. price: ~£50–75 | Head size: 110 sq in | Weight: 240g strung

If your main problem is that you can’t hit the ball hard enough, the Wilson Hyper Hammer 5.3 is built exactly for you.

Wilson’s Hyper Hammer series has been around for years precisely because it works. The oversized 110 sq in head gives you a big sweet spot, and the head-heavy balance means the weight is where it generates pace — at the point of impact. The result is a racket that punches well above its price tag in raw power terms.

It’s not a subtle racket. You’re not going to be carving precision drop shots with it. But for someone who wants to drive the ball deep and feels like they’re pushing shots rather than hitting them, this is a proper fix.

Who it’s for: Beginners and recreational players who want more pace and power, particularly baseline players who like hitting from the back of the court.

What we like:
– Excellent power generation for the price
– Forgiving head size makes rallying feel easier
– Wilson build quality at an accessible price

What to be aware of:
– Head-heavy balance isn’t for everyone — some players find it tiring after long sessions
– Less suited to net play or a finesse game

Available on Amazon UK — search “Wilson Hyper Hammer 5.3” for current pricing.

5. Dunlop SX 300 Lite — Best for Players Starting to Improve

Approx. price: ~£85–100 | Head size: 100 sq in | Weight: 285g strung

The Dunlop SX 300 Lite is the most serious racket on this list — and if you’re already a few months into playing regularly, it’s the one that’ll serve you longest before you need to upgrade.

The “Lite” version of the SX 300 takes Dunlop’s flagship spin-focused frame and reduces the weight slightly to make it more accessible. You still get the 100 sq in head and Dunlop’s Sonic Core technology, which gives a really satisfying, dampened feel on contact — none of that harsh vibration you get from cheaper frames.

It sits right at the top of this price bracket, so it’s worth keeping an eye on sales — it regularly drops to around £85 on Amazon UK and at specialist retailers like Tennisnuts.

Who it’s for: Players who’ve been playing for a while, want a racket that’ll improve alongside their game, and don’t want to spend over £100.

What we like:
– Proper performance-level specs under £100
– Sonic Core dampening makes it very comfortable
– Spin-friendly frame rewards improving technique

What to be aware of:
– Priciest on this list — check for deals before buying at full RRP
– Demands more from the player than the forgiving options above

Available on Amazon UK and at Tennisnuts.com — keep an eye on both for deals.

Coaching principle: “The most common mistake I see from new players is buying either the cheapest racket they can find or the most expensive one they can justify. For a beginner, the sweet spot is £50–£100: enough quality to develop with, not so expensive that a natural upgrade in 18 months feels wasteful. The specs matter more than the badge.” — LTA-licensed coaching principle, widely applied in UK beginner programmes.

What to Look for in a Budget Tennis Racket

Before you buy, there are three things worth understanding — because they’ll save you from picking something that doesn’t suit you.

Head size

Bigger head = more forgiving, more power. Smaller head = more control, more demanding. As a beginner, somewhere between 100–110 sq in is the sweet spot. Go bigger if you’re really new to the game.

Weight

Heavier rackets generate more power but take more effort to swing. Lighter rackets are easier to move but feel less substantial. Most beginner rackets are 240–280g strung — anything under 240g is going to feel quite light once you start improving.

Balance

Head-heavy rackets generate more power (good for beginners). Head-light rackets give more control and are easier to manoeuvre at the net. Even-balanced frames do both reasonably well.

For more detail on each of these specs and how they apply to your game, see our complete beginner’s guide to tennis.

FAQ

What is a good tennis racket for under £100 in the UK?

The Babolat Boost Aero is the best all-round option under £100 in the UK. For absolute beginners, the Head Ti.S6 is more forgiving and costs less. If you want the best value for proper specs, the Artengo TR930 Spin Pro from Decathlon is exceptional.

Is a cheap tennis racket worth buying?

Yes — if you choose wisely. A well-chosen racket under £100 will be perfectly good for beginner to early-intermediate play. Avoid anything under £30 with no brand name on it — those frames genuinely will hold you back. The rackets on this list are all legitimate options you can develop with.

What size tennis racket do I need?

For adults, a standard 27-inch length racket is the right choice. Head sizes between 100–110 sq in suit most recreational players. If you’re buying for a junior, choose based on their height — Babolat, Head, and Wilson all have size guides on their websites.

Should I buy a tennis racket on Amazon UK?

Amazon UK is a perfectly good place to buy — you get strong consumer protection, fast delivery, and easy returns. Just make sure you’re buying from a reputable seller and not an unverified marketplace listing. We’d also recommend checking Tennisnuts.com and Tennis Warehouse Europe for UK-specific stock and specialist advice.

How long will a budget tennis racket last?

A decent budget racket, properly maintained, will last 2–3 years of regular recreational play. The thing that usually degrades fastest is the string — expect to restring once or twice a year if you’re playing weekly.

Do I need to get my racket restrung before I start playing?

If you bought a new racket that came pre-strung, you’re fine to start playing on it. But if you bought second-hand, or the racket has been sitting in a cupboard for more than a year, it’s worth getting restrung. Strings lose tension over time even without being played on — a restring typically costs £15–30 at a local club or specialist and makes a significant difference to how the racket feels and plays.

What grip size should I choose?

Most adult tennis rackets come in grip sizes 1 through 5 (sometimes shown as L1–L5). For adults in the UK, grip size 2 (4¼ inches) or 3 (4⅜ inches) fit the majority of hands. A rough test: hold the racket in an eastern forehand grip — there should be a finger’s width of space between your fingertips and your palm. Too small and the racket twists; too large and it’s hard to change grips quickly. When in doubt between two sizes, start smaller and add overgrip to build it up.

Should I choose a lighter or heavier racket?

For beginners, lighter is almost always better. A lighter racket (260–275g strung) is easier to swing, generates adequate pace, and puts less strain on your arm during the learning phase. As your technique develops and you want more stability and control, you can move to something slightly heavier. The rackets on this list are all in the sensible beginner-to-intermediate weight range.

What is string tension and does it matter at beginner level?

String tension is how tightly the strings are pulled in the frame, measured in lbs. Lower tension (50–54 lbs) gives more power and a larger sweet spot — good for beginners. Higher tension (55–60+ lbs) gives more control and spin potential — better for advanced players with consistent technique. Most budget rackets come pre-strung at reasonable tension for beginners. When you get to the point of restringing, ask your stringer to stick to the manufacturer’s recommended range, which is printed on the frame.

Our Pick in Summary

If you want one recommendation: go with the Babolat Boost Aero. It’s the racket on this list that gives you the best balance of performance, comfort, and room to improve. If you’re a complete beginner and want something as forgiving as possible, the Head Ti.S6 is the one. And if you’ve played before and want proper specs without the price tag, the Artengo TR930 Spin Pro from Decathlon is quietly one of the best value rackets available in the UK.

Got questions about which one’s right for you? Drop a comment below — we’ll help you work it out.

Once you’ve sorted your racket, make sure the rest of your kit is ready:

• Best Tennis Bags UK (2026) — carry everything properly
• Best Tennis Overgrips UK — keep your new racket feeling fresh
• What to Wear on a Tennis Court: The Complete UK Guide — sort the rest of your kit
• The Complete Beginner’s Guide to Tennis — if you’re just starting out

While you’re here, browse the Tennis Blog store for performance apparel designed for players who take their game seriously.

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