10 Best Beach Tennis Rackets for Beginners in 2026

To start out in beach tennis, the right racket has a 3K carbon or fiberglass face, a soft EVA core and a weight between 310 and 340 g. With that combination, the ball comes off easily even when you miss the center, and your arm doesn't suffer in the first few weeks. In this selection of the best beach tennis rackets for beginners, the Mormaii Sunrise 3K is our top pick, and we explain below the reasoning behind each choice.

Every racket mentioned is in the beach tennis catalog with a full spec sheet and today's price on the cards.

What a beginner beach tennis racket needs

Beginners often miss the center of the racket, haven't calibrated their smash motion yet, and tend to play longer than their body is used to. The ideal racket makes up for all three.

3K carbon or fiberglass face

The face is the outer skin that covers the core. For beginners, the two sensible options are:

• Fiberglass: more flexible, absorbs more impact and is usually found on the cheaper rackets. It gives up precision and durability under heavy use.
• 3K carbon: the finest-weave and most flexible carbon used in beach tennis. It offers a bit more precision than fiberglass, without the stiffness of 12K, 18K or 24K faces.

The number before the K tells you how many thousand filaments each strand of the carbon fabric has. The full explanation, with myths and examples, is in the guide on 3K, 12K, 18K and 24K carbon.

Soft EVA core

EVA is the foam inside the racket. In the soft version, it compresses a little more when the ball hits and returns the energy with a spring effect. For someone who doesn't generate arm speed yet, that means the ball clears the net without forcing it. The soft foam also filters out some of the vibration that would reach your elbow.

Hard EVA does the opposite: it returns the ball quickly and precisely, but only works with a clean hit. For a beginner, it's a recipe for balls in the net and a sore arm.

Weight between 310 and 340 g

A very light racket (under 310 g) is unstable: a hard shot from your opponent pushes the head back and your return comes out crooked. A heavy racket (over 340 g) tires the shoulder and slows your reaction at the net. The 315 to 330 g range holds most of the catalog and is where nearly all of our picks sit.

Watch out for weight listed as a range: some brands advertise "310 to 335 g," and the difference between units is real. If you can, weigh it before you take it home.

Hole pattern and sweet spot

The holes in the face reduce air resistance and the weight of the racket. Entry-level models usually have between 14 and 35 holes. There's no magic number, but rackets with more holes tend to be faster through the air, and those with fewer holes feel a little more solid on impact.

The sweet spot is the area of the face where the ball comes off with the most control and the least vibration. For a beginner, a wide sweet spot is worth more than any other technology. Brands enlarge this area with hole patterns (like Drop Shot's Smart Hole), specific molds (Vision's Focus) and reinforcements in the heart of the racket.

Rough factory surface

Almost all entry-level rackets already come with microgranules, sand or a 3D texture. This helps the ball "grip" the face and makes it easier to learn the slice serve. If your racket comes smooth, you can apply an adhesive treatment later.

The 10 best beach tennis rackets for beginners in 2026

Side-by-side comparison of the top five

In the table, compare the face material and weight first. Then the length: the Sandever BTR 190 is the only one at 47 cm, which changes your reach quite a bit. The others follow the standard 50 cm, the maximum allowed by the ITF.

Fiberglass or 3K carbon: which one should you start with?

If you don't know yet whether you'll stick with the sport, fiberglass is a low-risk bet. If you already have lessons booked twice a week, go straight to 3K carbon: it will take you longer to feel the need to upgrade.

What to avoid in a first beach tennis racket

A frescobol paddle or a wooden paddle

It sounds obvious, but it happens. A frescobol paddle is made for another sport, another ball and another motion, with no EVA core or hole pattern designed for a beach tennis ball. The hit transmits a lot of vibration, control is poor and you'll learn the wrong motion.

18K and 24K faces right away

High-grade carbon usually comes in rackets built to be stiff. With them, the ball only comes off well when you hit the center at speed, something a beginner doesn't do consistently yet. The result is short balls and a complaining elbow. Save those faces for when you have the technique, as we explain in the guide to rackets for intermediate players.

A racket that's too heavy

Some rackets sold as entry-level go over 350 g, like the Sexy Sirf. It has good selling points, such as the factory grit, but the weight calls for a conditioned arm. For most adult beginners, it's best to stay under 340 g.

Choosing by the athlete's name

A pro-signature racket usually has a thin profile (20 mm), a stiff face and firmer EVA. It's great for someone with the athlete's game, and only for them.

A racket without a spec sheet

If the listing doesn't state the face material, core and weight, be wary. Without those three details, you can't know what you're buying.

How much to invest in your first racket

You don't need to buy a top-end racket to start. The right question is how often you'll play over the next six months:

• Once a week or less, still testing the sport: entry-level range, with fiberglass. The Adidas BT 3.0 and the Shark Tour 2025 do this job well.
• Twice a week, with lessons: mid-range, with 3K carbon. Here you'll find the Mormaii Sunrise 3K, the Compass Aura 3K and the Drop Shot Explorer 7.0. They last longer and keep up with your progress for longer.
• Three times a week or more, already thinking about amateur tournaments: it's still worth starting with 3K and soft EVA. A top-end racket can wait until after the first year.

Each model's price of the day appears on the cards. Since stores change prices often, it's worth comparing offers before you commit.

A racket for kids, teens or shorter players

The standard 50 cm length can get in the way for people with shorter arms: the racket feels heavy at the tip and is harder to control on volleys. The Sandever BTR 190, at 47 cm and 315 g, was designed for this audience and for beginners. For adults of average or tall height, the loss of reach outweighs the gain in handling, so 50 cm remains the best choice.

Whatever your age, the core criterion doesn't change: soft EVA, to protect your arm and make the ball come off easily.

What to buy along with your racket

• Balls: beach tennis uses ITF stage 2 (orange) balls, which are slower than tennis balls. A regular tennis ball bounces and travels too much for the game on sand.
• Overgrip: the original grip gets slippery with sweat and sunscreen. Keep a few spares.
• Edge guard: a strip of tape on the rim prevents chips from balls hit close to the sand.
• Thermal cover: many rackets already come with a simple cover. If you leave your gear in the car, a thermal cover helps protect the EVA from heat.

When to replace your beginner racket

You'll know it's time to switch when three things happen together: your smash starts coming out hard and you miss having a firmer hit; the ball goes where you aim most of the time; and you start playing with tactical intent, choosing between a deep ball and a short one. That's when it's worth looking at 12K faces and slightly firmer EVA.

Before that, switching rackets doesn't speed up your progress. Lessons and repetition do.

Care that makes your racket last

• Always use a cover. Sand and direct sun dry out the paint and the face treatment.
• No hot trunks. Heat deforms the EVA and reduces its elasticity.
• Edge guard. Clear tape on the rim prevents chips when the racket scrapes the sand.
• Overgrip. Replace it when it gets slick. A firm grip keeps the racket from twisting in your hand on off-center balls.

To understand all the technical buying criteria, including balance, thickness and grip, read the guide how to choose a beach tennis racket. If you want a personalized suggestion, take the find your racket quiz or use the beach tennis comparison tool to cross-check spec sheets. You can also browse by brand, such as Mormaii and Drop Shot.

Frequently asked questions