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In general, investing to start a sport always brings a lot of anxiety. Specifically, with tennis, the biggest worry is in the racquet, one of the main gears of this sport.
When it comes to tennis racquets, there are several choices available with varying prices. For beginners, the differences between cheap vs expensive tennis racquets often leads to some confusion. So flip through this article to learn more about the price of a tennis racquet and how a cheap racquet differs from an expensive one.
Overview Of Tennis Racquet’s Price Range
On the market, there are many types of tennis rackets both in terms of design and price. Furthermore, after several hundred dollars of customizing, some of the most expensive rackets in the world can cost upwards of $700. However, the bulk of tennis rackets has an average cost of $15–300. Usually, people might consider about two price segments:
- Cheap tennis racquet: this kind of racquet often costs under $40.
- Expensive tennis racquet: these have a higher price, more than $100.
This price difference is due to many factors of material, design, brand, etc. Nevertheless, at first look, the lower-priced and higher-priced racquets are almost identical. In addition, it is worth investing energy and time in a suitable racquet.
Thus, the following section will delve deeper and consider the differences between cheap and expensive tennis racquets.
Differences Between Cheap Vs Expensive Tennis Racquet
Materials
The factor that makes the big difference between inexpensive racquets from expensive ones is the materials used. Indeed, the material of the lower-price one is usually aluminum or alloy. So although they can make the racquets lighter, it won’t help players create a performance as powerful as the higher-price racquets. However, alloy racquets are very flexible compared to other materials, and flexibility is a hallmark of a good-quality one.
The higher-price racquets are made from more professional and expensive materials such as carbon fiber, titanium, and high-quality graphite. For example, titanium is one of the toughest elements on earth. Hence, titanium racquets will provide the players with a very controlled grip and excellent strokes. In addition, carbon fibers are lightweight but highly durable. Thus, although people can restring alloy racquets, they are not as robust as carbon-based ones.
Stiffness And Power
On the market, there are usually two types of racquet construction: one-piece and two-piece. If you want to identify your racquet one-piece or two-piece, check its bridge and bottom (above the throat).
Most cheap racquets are two-piece, with a plastic bridge inserted to retain the strings. As a result, when a two-piece racquet makes a powerful shot, it is more likely to twist in a player’s hand, especially a pro.
Meanwhile, almost expensive racquets are one-piece. Thus, they are stiff enough to transfer the power of the player’s swing to the ball. Furthermore, they can entirely absorb shocks caused after every hit.
Strings
Generally, although strings are the only thing to contact the tennis ball, they are still an often overlooked component of a racquet. Thus, strings are worth investing in.
Cheap racquets often use a standard synthetic gut for their strings. With a pre-strung one, its strings might have lost tension, causing your strokes to be pingy or move a bit due to reduced pressure. In that case, many people choose to restring their racquets with their chosen tension and string.
As a rule, expensive racquets will have a better string material and job. Indeed, they feature polyester strings providing increased spin and durability.
Weight
Honestly, weight is also a significant consideration when choosing a racquet. Due to being made from aluminum or alloy, cheap racquets are usually light in weight, less than 250g. Meanwhile, most expensive racquets will have a heavier weight, about 250-350g.
However, there are still some more specially designed racquets. For instance, despite expensive racquets, they are light and make you feel solid in hand. Yet, some cheap ones are heavier than usual and have poor performance.
Differences Between Cheap Vs Expensive Tennis Racquet: Which One Is Better?
As with any sport, top-of-the-line gears may have a significant influence on your budget, but are these really necessary for a beginner? Before answering, let’s summarize the characteristics of these two types:
Cheap tennis racquets
- Made from aluminum or alloy.
- Two-piece racquets.
- Less power.
- Strings lose tension too soon.
- Often lightweight.
Expensive tennis racquets
- Made from carbon fiber, titanium, or high-quality graphite.
- One-piece racquets.
- More power.
- Use polyester strings.
- Often heavyweight.
Of course, racquet price is a vital factor when choosing a tennis racquet. Indeed, more expensive racquets are superior because they produce more spin and are more accessible to grip. Professional tennis players often use expensive racquets, but beginners can use cheap racquets.
At the beginner level, players frequently concentrate on developing fundamental skills or having fun. Furthermore, they frequently pay little attention to material and have difficulty distinguishing between them. Thus, it is not worth investing hundreds of dollars on a racquet while players have just started.
Meanwhile, professional players often have higher technical requirements. At this level, they can realize the different values that different racquets bring. In detail, the more expensive racquets are more durable and rougher and can help them make more powerful and controlled shots at the ball.
Conclusion
We cannot deny that an expensive tennis racquet will bring more value. However, not the most expensive one will always be the best choice for you. Therefore, when choosing a racquet, players need to consider many factors such as finance, goals of playing, the current level of tennis.
To sum up, this article has mentioned almost all the essential knowledge about the difference between a cheap vs expensive tennis racquet. So, hopefully, you’ll feel more confident in choosing a suitable tennis racquet before taking up tennis.
