Babolat Acrab

Pros

• ✓The fiberglass face with a medium-density EVA core gives a forgiving ball exit: on bandejas and defensive shots from the back of the court, the ball comes off without you having to speed up your arm. At 320-340 g with a medium balance, quick volleys at the net and grip changes between shots take little effort, which is a big help when you're still not getting the racket into position in time. The teardrop shape spreads the sweet spot generously: off-centre hits, common among beginners, lose less accuracy and don't die in the net. The smooth surface and predictable response let you read the ball's trajectory from the very first sessions, giving a gentle learning curve on the bandeja, vibora and wall exit.

Cons

• ✗The 3-point smash and the flat smash lack ceiling: fiberglass with a medium EVA core doesn't return the energy of a racket built for hitters, so finishing hard takes more arm. The smooth surface offers little grip for adding spin: the vibora and the cut bandeja come off with less bite than on rackets with a pronounced texture, and you notice it when you try to slow the ball down. Once your technique improves and you look for heavier balls, the racket falls short on power and precision in aggressive shots; it's an entry-level model with limited room to progress.

Babolat Acrab: fiberglass, medium-density EVA, teardrop shape and medium balance at 320-340 g. It's an entry-level padel racket, designed to feel comfortable from day one and to respond to the ball without surprises.

Babolat Acrab Specs: Shape, Weight, Balance and Core

The quick read: a racket with no pretensions of maximum power, built for playing comfortably and swinging with ease.

Who Is the Babolat Acrab For?

The Babolat Acrab is built for beginners and all-round players who want a padel racket that is comfortable, predictable and easy to move. Its teardrop shape, medium balance and 320-340 g weight make it easy to hit with, without demanding polished technique, although anyone who already hits hard will soon miss extra power.

Fiberglass Face and Medium EVA Core: Why This Racket Is So Forgiving

The fiberglass face is more flexible than the rigid constructions found at the top end of the range. That flexibility gives a progressive ball entry: the racket deforms slightly on impact and returns the ball softly, without the dryness of a hard carbon face.

The medium-density EVA core completes the picture. It isn't a soft foam that sinks, but it isn't a stiff board that rattles your wrist either. The result is a racket with a comfortable feel that protects the elbow and shoulder in long sessions, something that matters to players who haven't yet mastered their hitting technique.

The smooth surface fits that approach: it prioritises comfort and consistency over extreme spin. Anyone looking for bite on bandejas and viboras will have to create it with the hand, not with face texture.

On Court: Bandeja, Vibora, Smash and Wall Exit

The teardrop shape with a medium balance puts the sweet spot at the middle of the face and makes it wide. In practice, off-centre hits, common in the first few seasons, lose little accuracy and still clear the net on a reasonable trajectory.

Ball exit is the standout feature. In defence, after the ball comes off the back wall, it comes back with help from the racket itself, which lets you play deep lobs without overswinging. The bandeja comes out comfortable and deep with a short stroke, and on the wall exit you just need to follow through.

Maneuverability is the other strong point. At 320-340 g with a medium balance, quick volleys at the net and reaction blocks come out without delay, and switching between defence and attack takes little effort. For players who get to the ball late, the racket doesn't punish you with inertia.

On the 3-point smash and the flat smash, the story changes. Control is decent, but power is moderate: the ball leaves with the pace you put into it. This is a racket for placing the ball and building the point, not for closing it out with big hits.

Where the Babolat Acrab Falls Short

Comfort comes at a price. The smooth surface offers little grip for adding spin, so viboras and cut bandejas come off with less bite than on rackets with a pronounced texture.

It also falls short once your level rises. When a player gains arm speed and looks for heavier balls, the fiberglass face doesn't respond with the same punch or precision as a more demanding construction. That's normal: this is an entry-level model, with a reference price of around 100 euros.

Don't confuse it with the Babolat Acrab Pro, a different model with a different approach, aimed at intermediate and advanced players. The feel and the demands of the two are not interchangeable.

Who Gets the Most Out of the Acrab?

• Beginners who want a racket that forgives off-centre hits.
• All-round players who prioritise placing the ball and keeping the rally going.
• Anyone with elbow or shoulder discomfort who prefers a comfortable feel.
• Partners who play the drive side and build from the back of the court.

If your game relies on the final smash and aggression, this isn't your racket.

Babolat Acrab Verdict: An Honest Entry-Level Padel Racket

The Babolat Acrab delivers what it promises: comfort, a wide sweet spot, good ball exit and a maneuverability that makes learning easier. It doesn't try to compete with high-end rackets, and that's why it works well as a first purchase.

Its limits are clear: little power on the smash and little spin from the smooth surface. If you're starting out or want a comfortable racket to play pain-free, the Acrab is a sensible choice; when your game grows, the natural next step is a racket with more room to progress.