Wilson is better known for tennis, but its padel range has grown into one of the most complete on Amazon UK. For instance, there is a cheap round racket for beginners, a couple of carbon all rounders and a stiff, spin heavy option for advanced players. This Wilson padel racket review picks out the four worth looking at, plus Wilson’s best known ball.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Our top picks at a glance
The Short Version
- New to padel: the Optix V1, at under £60.
- Playing every week: the Carbon Force, a teardrop with a carbon frame.
- Strong player who wants spin: the Defy V1, now well below its launch price.
- Money no object: the Blade V3, although the Carbon Force does most of the same job for less.
| Racket | Build | Suits | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wilson Optix V1 | Round | Beginners | Check price |
| Wilson Carbon Force | Teardrop | Club players | Check price |
| Wilson Defy V1 | Carbon, spin face | Advanced | Check price |
| Wilson Blade V3 | Teardrop | Intermediate to advanced | Check price |
Wilson Optix V1: The Best Wilson Padel Racket for Beginners
Round head, fibreglass face, low density foam core, about £58
The Optix V1 is Wilson’s entry level racket, built for people who are new to the game.
Admittedly, there is nothing clever about it, and that is the point. The round head keeps the sweet spot big and central, while the fibreglass face and soft foam give the ball a bit of help without stinging your arm. Wilson also drill the holes at an angle, which it says adds a little grip on the ball.
It is a soft fibreglass racket, so it is forgiving on mishits and easy on the arm. The trade off is that it can feel slightly boomy, which is common with rackets built this way.
If you want a lighter alternative, the round Wilson Elevate is in our best budget padel rackets guide.
Wilson Carbon Force: A Sensible Upgrade
Teardrop head, carbon fibre with EVA, 365g, 265mm balance, about £140
The Carbon Force is aimed at recreational players who are past the beginner stage. The teardrop head gives you more punch than a round racket, yet the soft EVA foam keeps it comfortable. In addition, the textured face helps with spin, and there is a wrist loop for safety.
As with any carbon racket, it is worth fitting a frame protector, since knocks against the side fencing are the most common cause of damage.
At about £140 it is not cheap. Even so, it is a racket you could keep for several seasons as your game improves.
Wilson Defy V1: Spin and Power for Less
3K carbon face, Power Foam core, Spin2 texture, about £110 (RRP £250)
The Defy V1 is built for advanced players. It has a 3K carbon face, a stiff I-Beam section in the frame and a rough Spin2 texture that grips the ball hard. The hole pattern is also split, with bigger holes at the top for power and smaller ones lower down for control.
It launched at £250, but it now sells for around £110, which makes it one of the better deals in the range. It is built for players who like to attack, so it suits a more aggressive game.
As a result, it is a lot of racket for the money. That said, it is stiff, so it will not do a beginner any favours.
Reader offer
10% off at Padel Boost with code PADELREVIEW
UK padel shop. Free delivery over £70 and 30 day returns.
Wilson Blade V3: The Premium Option
Teardrop head, carbon and fibreglass, soft EVA foam, about £190
Finally, the Blade V3 is the top of the Wilson range on Amazon UK. It is a teardrop racket for intermediate and advanced players, mixing carbon and fibreglass with soft EVA foam for a cushioned feel. A Spin Effect texture on the face adds grip.
Even so, we struggle to see a big enough gap over the Carbon Force to justify another £50. Buy it if you love the look or you already play a Blade, otherwise save the money.
Wilson Padel Rush 100 Balls
The Rush 100 is the cheapest tube from a major brand that we have found. A tube of three usually costs around £5.
For a full comparison with other brands, see our best padel balls guide, or our pick of the best outdoor padel balls for winter.
What About the Bela?
The Wilson Bela LT V2.5 is the racket linked with Fernando Belasteguín, and it is a lighter power racket for good players. We cover it in our best padel rackets UK guide, so we have not repeated it here.
Read our full reviews of individual Wilson rackets, including the Wilson Bela Pro V3, Wilson Bela V3, Wilson Bela LS V3, Wilson Defy Pro V1, Wilson Blade LS V4 and Wilson Optix V2 Lite. You can also browse all our padel racket reviews by brand.
Wilson Padel FAQs
Is Wilson good for padel?
Yes. Wilson is newer to padel than brands like Bullpadel or NOX, but its range now covers every level, from the Optix V1 for beginners to the Blade V3 for stronger players. You can see the whole range on the Wilson UK website.
Which Wilson padel racket is best for beginners?
The Optix V1, because it is round, soft and forgiving, and it costs under £60.
Is the Wilson Defy worth it?
At around £110, yes, if you are a strong player. At its original £250 it would be a harder sell.
