# How to Choose a Squash Racquet: Complete Buying Guide Weight, balance, head area, string pattern, string, tension, and grip: what each number on the spec sheet changes in your game and what the official rules allow. Updated on 10/07/2026 Choosing a squash racquet comes down to getting four numbers on the spec sheet right: unstrung weight, balance, head area, and string pattern. After those come string, tension, and grip, which cost little and change the feel a lot. This buying guide explains each one with real examples from the catalog, shows what the official rules allow, and ends with a quick roadmap to help you decide. ## First of all: what the rules allow World Squash sets limits for all racquets used in official play. The main ones, published on the [federation's racquet specifications page](https://www.worldsquash.org/rackets-balls/racket-specs/), are: | Measurement | World Squash limit | | --- | --- | | Length | up to 686 mm (27 inches) | | Head width | up to 215 mm | | Strung area | up to 500 cm² | | String length | up to 390 mm | | Weight | up to 255 g | In practice, this explains why so many racquets have exactly 500 cm² and about 68.5 cm: manufacturers push right up to the limit to give maximum reach and sweet spot. Some do the opposite on purpose. The Tecnifibre Carboflex 135 X-Top V2 and the Slash 135 Power are 67.5 cm, one centimeter shorter, to offset the greater weight and make the racquet more maneuverable. Junior racquets, like the Harrow Junior 130, come in at 25 inches. The 255 g limit is far above what is used today. Even entry-level aluminum racquets come in under 200 g. ## Weight: start with the right range The weight on the spec sheet is almost always **unstrung**, and some brands also leave the bumper and grip out of the count. Harrow, for example, lists the Vapor 115 at 115 g unstrung and 140 g strung. Expect something between 20 and 35 g more once the racquet is ready to play. | Unstrung weight | Profile | Catalog examples | | --- | --- | --- | | 90 to 115 g | Ultralight, for players with technique who want maximum speed | Karakal SN-90FF 2.1 (90 g), Dunlop FX 115 | | 120 to 125 g | The most common competition range today | Carboflex 125 X-Top V2, Dunlop CX 125, Head Speed 120 | | 130 to 135 g | More stability and ball weight | Carboflex 130 X-Top V2, Head Radical 135 SB, Head Speed 135 | | 140 to 145 g | Sturdy graphite, for strong beginners | Dunlop Tristorm Elite, Head Extreme 145 | | 165 to 190 g | Entry-level aluminum | Dunlop Tristorm Pro, Head Spark Elite | A lighter racquet gets to the ball sooner and tires you less. A heavier racquet doesn't shake against a hard ball and sends the ball to the back with less effort. Unsquashable lists a "dynamic weight," a measure specific to the brand, so compare its models with caution. ## Balance: the number that changes the feel Balance is the distance, measured from the bottom of the handle, of the point where the racquet balances. On a 68.5 cm racquet, the middle is near 343 mm, which is why values around 345 to 355 mm are called even. - **Head-light (toward the handle)**: the Perfly SR 100 is 325 mm. The racquet swings around quickly and helps on volleys and reflex balls, but needs more swing to generate depth. - **Even**: 350 mm on the Carboflex 120 and 125, 345 mm on the Karakal Raw Pro 2.2. A balance between reaction and momentum. - **Head-heavy**: 365 mm on the Karakal SN-90FF and 380 mm on the Harrow Vapor 115. More mass at the top, more power with a short swing, less agility. Note that the SN-90FF, the lightest in the catalog, has a heavy head: Karakal concentrates what little mass it has at the top so the racquet doesn't lack ball weight. It is a good example of why weight and balance need to be read together. Tip Rule of thumb: players who are just starting tend to do better with a little weight in the head; players who volley a lot and play up front do better with an even or head-light balance. The beginner and intermediate guides detail this trade-off. ## Head area: forgiveness vs. precision The heads of squash racquets range from about 455 to 500 cm². It seems like a small difference, but it changes the game. - **500 cm²**: the rules maximum. A big sweet spot, more rebound, more forgiveness on off-center hits. It is the size of the Carboflex, most Dunlop FX, and the Unsquashable racquets. - **470 to 490 cm²**: a middle ground. The Dunlop CX 120 is 490 cm², the Tecnifibre Slash Power is 485 cm². - **455 to 475 cm²**: control heads. Dunlop CX 125 (470 cm²), Head Radical 135 (460 cm²), Karakal S Pro 2.2 (455 cm²), and Tecnifibre Slash 120 Control (461 cm²). They require hitting the center, but deliver a firmer, more predictable stringbed. For most club players, 490 to 500 cm² is the safest choice. A small head only pays off when you already hit the center consistently. ## Head shape: open or closed, in brief Open-throat racquets (usually teardrop-shaped) don't have the bridge between the head and the handle; the main strings are longer, the ball comes off with more power, and the sweet spot is more elongated. Closed-throat ones have that bridge, shorter strings, and more control. There are also hybrid shapes. We explain everything, with a table and examples, in the guide on [open vs. closed throat squash racquets](https://racquetrank.com/us/guides/open-vs-closed-throat-squash-racquet/). ## String pattern The pattern says how many main and cross strings the racquet has. - **Open (12x17)**: Head Speed and Extreme. More rebound and more bite on the ball, greater string wear. - **Standard (14x18)**: most Tecnifibre, Unsquashable, and Dunlop FX. The middle ground. - **Dense (14x19, 16x19)**: Dunlop FX 128 Pro, CX 132, and Sonic Core Ultimate 132. A more predictable trajectory, less easy power. Some Head racquets use the adaptable pattern, which lets you string the same frame either straight or in a fan. It is useful for players who want to test more power or more control without switching racquets. ## String and tension The string is the part that wears out the most and the cheapest to change. Three variables count: - **Gauge**: the most common is 1.20 mm, and several racquets leave the factory with it (Unsquashable uses the Tour-Tec Pro 1.20; Karakal, the Hot Zone 120). Thinner grabs the ball more and gives more touch, but breaks sooner. Thicker lasts longer and responds less. - **Material**: synthetic multifilaments are the squash standard thanks to their combination of elasticity and comfort. Entry-level racquets usually come with basic synthetic gut, which works but loses its response sooner. - **Tension**: many racquets leave the factory near 28 lbs (as with Harrow). Lower tension makes the strings more elastic and increases power; higher tension firms up the stringbed and favors control. Change it a little at a time, one or two pounds, and feel the difference. A worn string loses elasticity before it breaks. If the racquet feels "dead" after a few months of frequent use, replace the string before blaming the frame. ## Grip: thickness, replacement, and thin handles A squash racquet's handle is much thinner than a tennis racquet's, because the stroke depends heavily on the wrist. Even so, there is variation: - **NS (narrow shaft) versions**: Tecnifibre makes the Carboflex 125 and the Carboflex NEO 125 with a smaller-circumference handle, for small hands and for players who rotate the wrist a lot. - **Oval handle**: Karakal redesigned the handle of the Raw Pro 2.2 into an oval shape, at Joel Makin's request. - **Replacement grip and overgrip**: a replacement grip substitutes for the original; an overgrip goes over it and thickens the handle slightly. If the racquet feels too thin in your hand, an overgrip solves it before you look for another model. A worn grip slips, and you squeeze the handle hard to compensate. That takes the looseness out of the wrist and tires the forearm. Replace it often. ## Material, frame, and bumper - **Aluminum vs. graphite**: aluminum is durable and cheap, but heavy and not very sensitive. Graphite (sometimes with carbon, boron, or titanium) is lighter, faster, and transmits touch better. For players who play regularly, graphite. - **Frame thickness**: thin frames, like Head's 16 mm Slimbody, get through better near the wall and cut through the air. Frames of 20 mm or more give more power and stability. - **Bumper**: the plastic cap at the top protects the frame from scrapes. Tecnifibre swaps the bumper for aramid fibers on the X-Top lines, which makes the head lighter and the swing faster. If you scrape your racquet on the floor a lot, a traditional bumper may be more practical. ## Examples of each profile ### A squash racquet for each spec sheet profile · Squash ### Extreme 120 2025 HEAD RR Score 63 out of 100, RR Score - Weight: 120 g - Head: 76.7 in² - Strings: 12x17 - [HEADSee price](https://racquetrank.com/go/01M45XH8S3RJMR7S6DGPGX531C) · Squash ### Carboflex 125 X-Top V2 Tecnifibre RR Score 67 out of 100, RR Score - Weight: 125 g - Head: 77.5 in² - Strings: 14x18 - [Holabird SportsSee price](https://racquetrank.com/go/01M45XH8SN4E9Z2XHHW2J7DY1T) · Squash ### CX 125 2025 Dunlop RR Score 79 out of 100, Good - Weight: 125 g - Head: 72.9 in² - Strings: 14x18 - [AmazonSee price](https://racquetrank.com/go/01M49QVSGNKF4T7TD7H8Z6RQEG) - [Holabird SportsSee price](https://racquetrank.com/go/01M45XH8RMXQYEY4GP6FE9AZ3H) · Squash ### SN-90FF 2.1 Karakal RR Score 62 out of 100, RR Score 5.0 (2) - Weight: 90 g - Head: 70.5 in² - Strings: 14x19 - [SquashGear.comSee price](https://racquetrank.com/go/01M45XH8SB2FGE20S5NKFAJYT4) ## Comparison: the extremes of the spec sheet side by side The table below puts together racquets with very different spec sheets so you can see the effect of each number: heavy aluminum, entry-level graphite with a heavy head, the even 125 g benchmark, a control racquet with a small head, and the ultralight with a heavy head. ### From aluminum to ultralight: how weight, balance, and head change | Racquet | Extreme 145 2025 HEAD RR Score 71 out of 100, Good | Carboflex 125 X-Top V2 Tecnifibre RR Score 67 out of 100, RR Score | CX 125 2025 Dunlop RR Score 79 out of 100, Good | SN-90FF 2.1 Karakal RR Score 62 out of 100, RR Score | Carboflex 135 X-Top V2 Tecnifibre RR Score 65 out of 100, RR Score | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Best price | See price at HEAD | See price at Holabird Sports | See price at Amazon | See price at SquashGear.com | See price at SquashGear.com | | RR Score | 71 | 67 | 79 | 62 | 65 | | Weight unstrung | 145 g | 125 g | 125 g | 90 g | 135 g | | Head size | 76.7 in² | 77.5 in² | 72.9 in² | 70.5 in² | 77.5 in² | | Balance point | Lighter head | Even balance | Lighter head | More head weight | Even balance | | Length | – | 27 in | 27 in | – | 26.6 in | | String pattern | 12x17 | 14x18 | 14x18 | 14x19 | 14x18 | | Frame thickness | 19.5-21.5 mm | 13-18 mm | – | 18-16 mm | – | | Material | Graphite with Innegra | Graphite | Carbon fiber | NEXGEN graphite Fast Fibre | Graphite | Highlighted: what differs between the racquets. In bold: the best value in the row. ## A five-step choosing roadmap - **Define the material.** First lessons or occasional use: aluminum. Plays every week: graphite. - **Choose the weight range.** Beginner in graphite: 120 to 140 g. Intermediate: 120 to 130 g. Advanced: 110 to 135 g, depending on style. - **Adjust the balance to your game.** Need help sending the ball to the back: head-heavy. Live at the volley: even or head-light. - **Choose the head.** Still miss the center: 490 to 500 cm². Hit it and want precision: 455 to 475 cm². - **Finish with string and grip.** 1.20 mm string at medium tension is the starting point. A new grip, always. To skip the steps, [Find Your Racket](https://racquetrank.com/us/racquet-finder/) asks these questions and filters the [squash racquet catalog](https://racquetrank.com/us/squash/). If you already have two or three models in mind, the [squash comparison tool](https://racquetrank.com/us/compare/squash/) shows the spec sheets side by side, and the pages for [Tecnifibre](https://racquetrank.com/us/squash/tecnifibre/), [Dunlop](https://racquetrank.com/us/squash/dunlop/), and [Head](https://racquetrank.com/us/squash/head/) gather each brand's lines. If you prefer to go straight to recommendations, see the [best squash racquets of 2026](https://racquetrank.com/us/guides/best-squash-racquets/), the selection for [beginners](https://racquetrank.com/us/guides/best-squash-racquets-for-beginners/), and the selection for [intermediate players](https://racquetrank.com/us/guides/best-squash-racquets-for-intermediate-players/). How do I choose a squash racquet? Start with unstrung weight (120 to 140 g for beginners in graphite, 120 to 130 g for intermediate players), then balance (head-heavy for players who need power, even or head-light for players who volley), head area (500 cm² for more forgiveness, 455 to 475 cm² for precision), and string pattern. String and grip finish the setup. What is the maximum size of a squash racquet? Under World Squash rules, up to 686 mm in length, 215 mm in head width, 500 cm² of strung area, and 255 g in weight. Most adult racquets are about 68.5 cm and 500 cm², pushing right up to the limit. Is squash racquet weight listed with or without string? Almost always without string, and some brands also exclude the bumper and grip. Strung and ready to play, the racquet usually weighs 20 to 35 g more. The Harrow Vapor 115, for example, is 115 g unstrung and 140 g strung. What is the ideal tension for squash string? There is no single number. Many racquets leave the factory near 28 lbs. Lower tension gives more power and comfort; higher gives more control. Adjust one or two pounds at a time and judge the difference in your game. Is a squash racquet with a thin handle better? For small hands and for players who use the wrist a lot, yes. NS (narrow shaft) versions, like the Carboflex 125 NS, have a smaller-circumference handle. If the handle feels too thin, an overgrip thickens the grip a little. What is the difference between aluminum and graphite squash racquets? Aluminum is heavier (165 to 190 g), durable, and cheap, good for lessons. Graphite is lighter (90 to 145 g in the catalog), transmits touch better, and allows a faster swing. Players who play regularly improve faster with graphite. ## Where to buy the racquets in this guide - [Extreme 120 2025 HEAD](https://racquetrank.com/us/squash/head/extreme-120-2025/)120 g · 76.7 in² · 12x17 [See price](https://racquetrank.com/go/01M45XH8S3RJMR7S6DGPGX531C)HEAD - [Carboflex 125 X-Top V2 Tecnifibre](https://racquetrank.com/us/squash/tecnifibre/carboflex-125-x-top-v2/)125 g · 77.5 in² · 14x18 [See price](https://racquetrank.com/go/01M45XH8SN4E9Z2XHHW2J7DY1T)Holabird Sports - [CX 125 2025 Dunlop](https://racquetrank.com/us/squash/dunlop/cx-125-2025/)125 g · 72.9 in² · 14x18 [See price](https://racquetrank.com/go/01M49QVSGNKF4T7TD7H8Z6RQEG)Amazon - [SN-90FF 2.1 Karakal](https://racquetrank.com/us/squash/karakal/sn-90ff-2-1/)90 g · 70.5 in² · 14x19 [See price](https://racquetrank.com/go/01M45XH8SB2FGE20S5NKFAJYT4)SquashGear.com - [Extreme 145 2025 HEAD](https://racquetrank.com/us/squash/head/extreme-145-2025/)145 g · 76.7 in² · 12x17 [See price](https://racquetrank.com/go/01M45XH8S43SPNZ84Z17HDADY2)HEAD - [Carboflex 135 X-Top V2 Tecnifibre](https://racquetrank.com/us/squash/tecnifibre/carboflex-135-x-top-v2/)135 g · 77.5 in² · 14x18 [See price](https://racquetrank.com/go/01M45XH8SPV553A8W6Q1TZTVNH)SquashGear.com The prices above are checked automatically at each store and may have changed since the last check. The price that counts is the one shown on the store's website at checkout. We may earn a commission on purchases made through store links, at no extra cost to you. ## More squash guides - [Best Squash Racquets 2026: The Best Picks by Playing Style](https://racquetrank.com/us/guides/best-squash-racquets/) - [7 Best Squash Racquets for Beginners in 2026](https://racquetrank.com/us/guides/best-squash-racquets-for-beginners/) - [10 Best Squash Racquets for Intermediate Players in 2026](https://racquetrank.com/us/guides/best-squash-racquets-for-intermediate-players/) - [Squash Racquet: Open or Closed Throat?](https://racquetrank.com/us/guides/open-vs-closed-throat-squash-racquet/) - [5 lightweight squash racquets for quick volleys and fast reactions at the T](https://racquetrank.com/us/guides/5-lightweight-squash-racquets/) - [Squash racquet string and tension: gauge, material and restringing](https://racquetrank.com/us/guides/squash-racquet-string-and-tension/) - [7 Best Squash Racquets for Advanced Players in 2026](https://racquetrank.com/us/guides/best-squash-racquets-for-advanced-players/) - [7 Best Squash Racquets for Competition in 2026](https://racquetrank.com/us/guides/best-squash-racquets-for-competition/) [All squash guides →](https://racquetrank.com/us/guides/squash/) --- Fonte: https://racquetrank.com/us/guides/how-to-choose-a-squash-racquet/