Best Cheap Tennis Racquets For 2024 – Our Reviews and Comparisons

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Many activities require substantial investment to get into playing them and cost money in time and equipment. For example, if you want to learn to play guitar and start out with a cheap one, the steel strings will be too stiff to press easily for chords, the guitar will not hold its tune, etc.

These can make for a bad experience and may deter you from continuing. However, getting into playing tennis is not the same case.

Very affordable tennis racquets are available on the market that are reasonably priced pieces of equipment. Just a look at the manufacturers of these racquets and it will give you a clue about what to expect.

Cheap racquets are not manufactured by Billy Bob Bumpkins Whackin Paddles, Inc. but mainstream companies such as Wilson, Head, Babolat, and Prince. The entry-level equipment they offer is quality products meant to provide an avenue to the sport and to build brand loyalty.

These same manufacturers also make top-notch professional-grade equipment as well. Name and reputation mean everything, so they do not make junk even in their “discount” equipment lines.

Bear in mind that a cheap racquet will not perform like a mid-grade or professional racquet, even if made by the same manufacturer. Top shelf equipment is better and will give you a distinct advantage in play.

Below are our picks for affordable racquets to get you into the game.

Comparison Table

IMAGE	PRODUCT
EDITOR’S CHOICE	1. Wilson Federer Affordable Pre-strung Absorbs ball shock well Good control	Check Price
RUNNER UP	2. Wilson Tour Slam Durable aluminum frame Oversized head Lightweight Stop Shock pads for vibration	Check Price
	3. Wilson Energy XL Lightweight Oversized head and sweet spot Longer length Tight and pre-strung	Check Price
	4. Head Ti.Conquest Lightweight alloy frame O-beam design reduces vibration Large sweet spot Good balance	Check Price
	5. Head Tour Pro Lightweight frame Large sweet spot O-beam design reduces vibration Good balance	Check Price

Our Best Cheap Tennis Racquets For 2020 Reviews and Comparisons

1. Wilson Federer

Product Highlights

The Wilson Federer is an aluminum frame racquet co-designed with Roger Federer to provide a reliable entry-level tennis racquet. This is a mid-weight, slightly headlight (3 HL) balanced racquet with a medium grip (4 3/8 inch).

The Federer is a control frame racquet, which works well for power players.

Features

• Aluminum frame
• 110 in2 head
• 11.5 oz strung (pre-strung)
• 16 x 19 string pattern

What We Like About Wilson Federer

Users are very impressed with the performance of this racquet. For those who have used professional equipment, there is a noticeable difference, however, the performance is rather good.

The racquet is light, meets the ball firmly allowing for a good amount of control, and absorbs ball shock well to reduce wrist strain (racquet has stop shock pads). The Federer uses proprietary Arch Technology which strengthens the frame and gives more spring to the string bed.

What We Don’t Like About Wilson Federer

Some users find the racquet too heavy for their tastes.

2. Wilson Tour Slam

Product Highlights

The Wilson Tour Slam is an aluminum frame racquet with an oversized head that has some features in common with the Wilson Federer, mainly design aspects for control and vibration dampening. However, the Tour Slam is a power racquet and with the same headlight (3 HL) as the Federer.

Features

• Lightweight aluminum frame (10.2 oz strung)
• Oversized head (112 in2) with loner main strings
• Proprietary Power String bridge
• Stop Shock pads for reduced vibration

What We Like About Wilson Tour Slam

Users report the racquet as balanced and easy to swing. The grip is very comfortable and the weight is good for driving power and speed.

What We Don’t Like About Wilson Tour Slam

Some users claim the racquet is too heavy and cannot keep up with a fast play, although it is a light racquet. Some racquets were received by customers with broken or miss-strung stings.

3. Wilson Energy XL

Product Highlights

The Wilson Energy XL is an oversized aluminum racquet (hence the XL) that is slightly longer than standard to compensate for the larger head. It comes very tightly strung and can deliver solid strikes.

Wilson uses its proprietary V-Matrix technology (special grommets) to create a broad sweet spot just above mid-head. If you are a beginner, it’s hard to miss a solid hit with this racquet.

Features

• Air-lite aluminum frame
• Oversize head (112 in2)
• 27.5-inch length
• 10.3 oz strung weight

What We Like About Wilson Energy Xl

Users report this racquet as well-made and sturdy. The head size is very forgiving towards novice players.

What We Don’t Like About Wilson Energy XL

Some users find the racquet is strung too stiffly for their liking. There are a few reported issues with the grip shifting on the racquet after short-term use.

4. Head Ti.Conquest

Product Highlights

The Ti. Conquest by Head is a featherweight aluminum-titanium composite frame racquet. It is surprising to find a racquet in the “discount” category that has an alloy frame, but Head provides one at a very reasonable price.

The head is oversized (108 in2), has a large sweet spot, and is very light (9.7 oz unstrung).

Features

• Aluminum-titanium alloy frame
• Oversized head (108 in2)
• 18 x 19 String pattern (pre-strung)
• Balanced (0.7 HL)

What We Like About Head Ti.Conquest

Many users are extremely satisfied with the build quality and performance of this racquet. The design features are unusual for a racquet in this price category.

The grip size is the right size for most adult players (there are choices of 4 ¼, 4 3/8, and 4 ½ inch grip). Users report excellent ball control and shot placement.

What We Don’t Like About Head Ti.Conquest

The pre-strung strings are not high-quality strings and tend to break with aggressive play. Simply having the racquet restrung with better strings fixes the problem.

5. Head Tour Pro

Product Highlights

Like the Ti. Conquest, this is another aluminum-titanium alloy frame racquet that is light and durable. Its oversized head (109 in2) provides a very large sweet spot.

The Tour Pro has a slightly larger head than the Ti. Conquest, so swing speed will be slower but also will prevent the player from over-hit. This racquet has more power than the Ti but also balances comfort in the grip.

Features

• Aluminum-titanium alloy frame
• Oversized head (109 in2)
• Lightweight (9.7 oz unstrung)
• Balanced (0.7 Hl)

What We Like About Head Tour Pro

The racquet is favored by users for its lightweight and balance. The design also allows players to apply spin to the ball.

What We Don’t Like About Head Tour Pro

Strings that come with the racquet are not high quality.