The Best 2027 Padel Rackets: What’s New From Nox, Bullpadel and Babolat

The 2027 padel rackets are here. The big brands release their new season ahead of the year on the box, and the first Nox, Bullpadel and Babolat models have arrived in South Africa. This guide covers what has changed, who each racket suits and whether it is worth upgrading. You can shop the whole range on our 2027 padel rackets page.

What is new for 2027

Across the brands, three themes stand out this season:

• Lighter versions of flagship rackets. Nox now offers a Lite version of the AT10 Genius at 350 to 360 g, and Bullpadel’s Vertex 05 Woman by Delfi Brea comes in at 350 to 360 g. Top-level construction is no longer reserved for players who can swing 370 g.
• Softer, more arm-friendly options. Both Nox (the AT10 Pro Cup Soft) and Babolat (the Viper Soft) offer softer-core versions of their stars’ rackets, for players who want comfort without dropping to a beginner racket.
• Bigger hitting areas. Bullpadel’s new Geo shape expands the hitting surface to 541 cm² on the Vertex 05 Geo and 535 cm² on the Neuron 02 Edge, according to Bullpadel.

Nox 2027: the AT10 Genius range

The headline racket is the Nox AT10 Genius 18K Alum, Agustín Tapia’s main racket for the new season. Nox has reworked the teardrop mould and paired it with an aluminised 18K carbon face over an MLD Black EVA core. The AT10 Genius 12K Alum XTREM uses Nox’s new XTREM weave, which Nox says makes the face flatter and more predictable than standard carbon. Attacking players should look at the diamond-shaped Genius Attack, and anyone wanting the same build at less weight should try the Genius 12K Alum XTREM Lite.

Further down the range, the AT10 Pro Cup Hard and Pro Cup Soft keep the famous Pro Cup teardrop mould with fibreglass faces, and the ML10 Pro Cup Silver is a light, round control racket from Miguel Lamperti’s line.

Bullpadel 2027: Vertex 05, Hack 05 and Neuron 02

Bullpadel has refreshed all three of its big families. The Vertex 05, Juan Tello’s racket, is a diamond-shaped power racket with a 12K carbon face, and the Vertex 05 Hybrid uses a hybrid shape that balances control and power. The Hack 05 introduces the fifth-generation Hack Core, which Bullpadel says takes mass out of the heart of the racket for faster handling. For control players, the Neuron 02, built around Fede Chingotto’s game, is the pick.

Babolat 2027: Juan Lebrón’s Viper

Babolat’s 2027 headline is the Technical Viper Juan Lebrón: a diamond shape with high balance, a 3K carbon face and a hard Black EVA core for a firm, punchy feel. The Viper Soft keeps the shape but uses a softer face for a gentler impact and longer ball contact.

2027 Nox AT10 Genius 18K Alum by Agustín TapiaShop now →2027 Nox AT10 Genius 12K Alum XTREM Lite by Agustín TapiaShop now →Bullpadel Juan Tello Vertex 05 2027Shop now →Babolat Technical Viper Juan Lebron 3.1 2027Shop now →

2027 rackets at a glance

Some 2027 models are on pre-order and ship as soon as stock lands in South Africa. Each product page shows whether it ships now.

Should you upgrade to a 2027 racket?

If your current racket is two or more seasons old, the face is losing its grip or the core feels dead, a new racket will make a real difference. If you bought a 2026 model recently, there is no need to rush: the changes are refinements, not a revolution.

On a budget? The new season means 2026 models are reduced. Adidas’s 2026 range, for example, includes the Metalbone 3.5 by Ale Galán at R5,500 (was R7,995) and the Arrow Hit CTRL 3.5 at R6,000 (was R8,495). See all Adidas padel rackets and everything on sale.

Not sure which shape suits you? Read round vs teardrop vs diamond, or take the 60-second Racket Finder on our homepage.