Racquets

7 of The Best Tennis Racquets for Kids in 2023

Best Tennis Racquets for Kids 2023
Avatar photo
Written by Sienna Shapiro

Choosing the correct tennis racquet for a child can be challenging. The most important considerations when choosing a racquet for your child will be to select the proper length and weight.

Of course, style also matters as having a nice looking racquet makes playing tennis more fun. 

No need to worry, as we are here to recommend a few racquets for kids based on different age groups.

Let’s start with racquets for 3-5 year old kids.

Best Tennis Racquets for Kids 3-5 Years Old

Here is this list for 3-5 years old.

1. Babolat Nadal Rafa Junior Tennis Racquet

Our first recommendation is for the little fans of Rafael Nadal. This racquet is lightweight, easy to play with, fun looking, and available in variable sizes of 19 inches long, 21 inches long, 23 inches long, 25 inches long, and 26 inches long.

For a 5 year-old kid, the size 19 inch will typically be the best. If a kid is tall for his or her age, consider the 21 inch size. The Babolat website explains that the:

  • 19- inch racquet is best for kids approximately two foot, 11 inches to three foot, five inches tall.
  • 21-inch racquet is best for kids approximately three foot, five inches to 3 foot, 11 inches tall.

The racquet has an aluminum frame and is light. The 19-inch racquet weighs 179 grams, which is slightly more than 1/3 pound. The 21-inch racquet weights 194 grams, which is less than a half pound. Combined with a standard grip size of 3 ⅝, a child should be able to hold and swing the racquet with ease.

The large head size of 83 square inches is a confidence booster and makes it easy for a child to hit the ball.

The racquet comes pre-strung with a 16 x 16 stringing pattern for your convenience so that it can be used immediately. 

The Babolat Nadal Rafa Junior Tennis Racquet is a well-designed racquet sure to get any kid excited to play.  As one Amazon reviewer wrote, “The little guy absolutely loves the racquet, carries it around all day and I think mom’s even found it in his bed…lol. Great 1st racquet!”

Pros

  • Aluminum makes the racquet light and playing easy for beginners 
  • Allows for the generation of power and maneuverability 
  • Big-hitting surface to contact the ball
  • Delivered pre-strung 
  • Grip size allows comfortable hold
  • Vibrant colors

Cons

  •  Does not come with a cover

2. HEAD COCO 21 JUNIOR TENNIS RACQUET

The HEAD COCO 21 racquet for juniors has been inspired and endorsed by Coco Gauff who had a career-high singles ranking of # 4 in 2022 and is currently ranked #6 in the world. Its favorable features and colorful graphics make it a wonderful choice for girls aged 4 to 6.

The racquet, which is 21 inches long, is perfect for a kid who is 40 to 44 inches tall. For one, the head won’t touch the ground when it’s held down. For girls who are a bit smaller, Head also makes a Head Coco 19 Racquet, which is 19 inches long.

As with the Babolat Nadal Junior Racquet, the Head Coco Racquet also comes with an aluminum frame, which makes swinging it easy for small children. The racquet weighs only 6.3 ounces, making it easy for a child to practice developing her skills without getting tired. 

The head size is 81 square inches, which is only 3 square inches less than the Babolat Nadal 21. This is not a significant difference and the racquet provides young players with a good balance of power and control.

The grip size is 3 ⅝.  The racquet also includes Head’s Damp+ technology which reduces vibrations and provides extra comfort. 

The vibrant colors make the racquet a treat for the eyes and more fun to play.  This may increase a girl’s motivation to go out and play.  The racquet even comes with a cover bag and stickers!

To sum up, the HEAD Coco 21 Junior Racquet proves to be a good starter racquet for a young girl. With its lightweight frame, balance of power and control, and eye-catching design, it’s bound to make the game enjoyable for any girl.

Pros

  • Allows great maneuverability
  • Helps kids hit the ball with accuracy
  • Pre-strung with durable HEAD synthetic gut string
  • Comfortable grip
  • Colorful design

Cons

  • None

Best Tennis Racquets for Kids 6-8 Years Old

6-8 Years Old List.

3. HEAD Instinct Junior Tennis Racquet

The HEAD Instinct features a lightweight frame made of aluminum, which makes swinging and maneuvering the racket easy for the age group. 

The pre-strung racket comes in 21-inch, 23-inch, and 25-inch sizes. Size 23 is ideal for 6 to 8-year-old kids who are 45-49 inches tall. The racquet is light, weighing approximately a half-pound.  

The racquet comes with a 3⅞  inch grip size.

For the young player, hitting shots with the racket’s 81-inch head size that has a 16×18 string pattern will be as easy as it should be. 

Pros

  • Easy to swing
  • 16×18 string pattern proves control and power
  • Dedicated technologies make playing tennis easier for a beginner

Cons

  • Available in limited color options.
  • Limited racquet availability

4. Dunlop Nitro Junior Tennis Racket

The Dunlop Nitro racket is delivered with an open string pattern. It means your kid will get a larger hitting surface that spans 95 square inches.

The racquet comes in 19, 21, 23 and 25 inch versions. The 23 inch racquet is recommended for 6-9 year old kids who are  between 4 feet to 4 feet, 6 inches tall.  The 23 inch racquet weighs only 7.7 ounces due to its I-beam alloy aluminum construction. 

If that’s not enough, the array of different color options means there is a color every kid will love.

Pros

  • Provides power to the shots
  • A bigger face means a larger hitting surgace
  • Strong and durable
  • Available in 8 different designs and colors
  • Inexpensive

Cons

  • No vibration dampening technology

Best Tennis Rackets for Kids 9 to 10 Years Old

9 to 10 Years Old List.

5. Yonex Junior 25 Tennis Racquet

This racquet has a huge 110 square inch head size that every 9-10 year old will love.  

Couple that with the 14 x 15 string pattern and you get an open string pattern with fewer strings per square inch. This gives the racquet power and greater spin, which is great for kids. 

The 25 inch racquet is light due to its aluminum construction and weighs only 8.6 ounces. 

With its features, the racket will help your kid in learning the basics of tennis, thus, improving their technique one game at a time. 

Pros

  • Generates powerful shots
  • Generate spin
  • Large head

Cons

  • Large head may be a bit too big for some kids

6. HEAD Speed Junior Tennis Racquet

Super lightweight, the HEAD Speed Junior 25 racquet stays true to its name. With a 107 square inch head size and 16 x 19 string pattern, the racket is ideal for kids ages 8-10 who are between 50-55 inches tall. Hitting the ball will be a breeze for them.

This racquet is a junior version of the adult Speed racquet, which is used by Novak Djokovic. Head recommends this racquet for kids with a “fast game.”

The racquet also includes the new Auxetic construction which provides an enhanced feel.  With the racket weighing only 7.4 ounces, 8-10 year olds kids will handle it with ease. It comes pre-strung with a 3⅞ inches grip size.

Pros

  • Good value for money 
  • Perfect size
  • Lightweight
  • Increases player’s accuracy
  • Play like Djokovic

Cons

  • None

7. WILSON US Open 25 Tennis Racket

This racquet is inspired by the US Open.  It is made with Airlite Alloy Aluminum composition which makes it extremely light. It weights 7.23 ounces not including the strings and 7.76 ounces including the strings.  The racquet comes prestrung. 

It comes pre-string with a 16 x 19 string pattern with a large, 106 inch head size.  It is 25 inches long and comes with a 4 inch grip.

This is a fun, durable, affordable racquet for a beginner.  

Pros

  • Superior quality makes it durable
  • Lightweight
  • Easy to use
  • Inspired by the US Open.

Cons

  • Designed for beginners.

Best Tennis Racquets for Kids – Conclusion

The weight and length of a tennis racquet are what matter the most in choosing the right racket for any kid. It’s important that you choose a racquet that is the correct length and also one that is not too heavy for any particular kid.

Check the recommended height recommendations before choosing the size of racquet. Here is a chart with general guidelines for age, height and racquet size.

Most racquets come in a range of colors so that any child can find a perfect racquet that he or she will want to practice with every day.

About the author

Avatar photo

Sienna Shapiro

Sienna Shapiro is the Founder of Tennis Rage. She is a 17-year-old tennis player from Los Angeles, California who is completely obsessed with everything about tennis. She started Tennis Rage to share her love for tennis and to build a community with others who are equally obsessed with tennis.