Find the best kids padel rackets in Ireland, sized by age from under-10s to teenagers, with junior weights, shapes and materials explained.
Short answer: for children under 10, the HEAD Monster Kids is the best padel racket. It weighs about 300 g and is shorter than an adult racket. For kids aged 10 and up, the HEAD Speed Junior is the best all-round choice.
- Size by age, then by height Under-10s suit rackets around 300 g. Over-10s move to about 310 to 345 g. Tall children may need the next size up.
- Shorter and lighter is safer A racket that is too heavy makes play harder and raises the risk of injury.
- Adult rackets around 12 or 13 Most children move to a light adult racket once they handle a junior racket easily.
- Soft and forgiving Fibreglass faces and soft cores give kids easy power without jarring their arms.
What size padel racket does a child need?
Junior padel rackets are shorter and lighter than adult rackets, so children can swing them properly. HEAD, for example, splits its junior range into two groups:
- Under 10: around 300 g, shorter, with a thinner 33 mm profile so it is easy to swing.
- Over 10: around 330 g, about a finger's length shorter than an adult racket, with the same 38 mm profile as adult frames.
Age is a guide, not a rule. A tall nine-year-old may be ready for the older size, and a small 11-year-old may be better staying put. If your child's coach has an opinion, follow it.
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Our top kids padel rackets at a glance
When should a child move to an adult racket?
Most children move up around 12 or 13, once their junior racket feels easy and they want more power. The best first adult racket is a light one, around 340 to 355 g. Our best padel rackets for women and best padel rackets for beginners guides both include light adult rackets that suit teenagers well.
Avoid handing a young child an old adult racket. It is too long and too heavy, and that makes good technique much harder to learn.
What should you look for in a junior padel racket?
Five things to check
Junior rackets are made in size groups.
Heavy rackets tire young arms quickly.
Sets how forgiving the racket is.
Decide the feel and easy power.
Kids clip the glass and the floor a lot.
How much padel should children play?
Padel is a good fit for kids, because the walls keep rallies going and the underarm serve is easy to learn. The HSE's physical activity guidelines recommend at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity every day for children and young people, and padel is a fun way to clock some of it.
Junior programmes are growing too. The Irish Farmers Journal reports Kerry Padel Centre running junior summer camps alongside its adult sessions.
HEAD's guide to choosing a kids padel racket stresses fit over age: a racket that is too big or heavy makes the game less fun and raises the risk of injury, while one that is too small can slow progress.
Even in junior padel, a few rules apply. The FIP Rules of Padel make the wrist cord compulsory, so check it is attached and that your child wears it every time. It stops a slipping racket hitting a partner.
We chose these five by comparing weight, shape, core and face specs for junior rackets stocked for delivery to Ireland, and grouped them by age so you can find the right size quickly.
Best kids padel rackets compared
| Age | Weight | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Monster Kids
Best for under-10s
|
Up to 10 | 300 g | €54.17 | Check price |
Speed Junior
Best for ages 10 and up
|
10+ | 310 g | €74.70 | Check price |
Vertex Jr Girl
Best for girls
|
Junior | 335 to 345 g | €68.90 | Check price |
Hack Junior
Best for advanced juniors
|
Junior | 335 to 345 g | €59.90 | Check price |
FX Junior
Best for teenagers
|
Teens | About 360 g | €60.92 | Check price |
Which kids padel racket should you buy?
Each pick lists the age range, shape, weight, balance, core and face material.
Light, short teardrop made for small hands
The Monster Kids is HEAD’s racket for younger children, and it gets the size right. At about 300 g with a low 255 mm balance, it feels light in the hand and is easy to swing.
A soft foam core and fibreglass face give easy power, so young players can get the ball over the net without forcing it.
| Age | Up to about 10 |
| Shape | Teardrop |
| Weight | 300 g |
| Balance | Low (255 mm) |
| Core | Soft foam |
| Face | Fibreglass |
- Properly sized for young kids
- Light and easy to swing
- Outgrown by about 10
- Not for older beginners
Forgiving teardrop for keen juniors
The Speed Junior is built for children aged 10 and up who are starting to take padel seriously. The oversized teardrop head is forgiving, and the even balance keeps it easy to handle.
Power Foam, a fibreglass face and Innegra fibres add soft power and absorb shock, and the frame has protection against chips and scratches.
| Age | 10 and up |
| Shape | Teardrop, oversized |
| Weight | 310 g |
| Balance | Medium, even |
| Core | Power Foam |
| Face | Fibreglass with Innegra |
- Forgiving oversized head
- Frame protection
- Pricier than some junior rackets
- Too light for strong teenagers
Junior version of Bullpadel’s best-known racket
The Vertex Jr Girl gives young players a junior take on Bullpadel’s famous Vertex. It suits beginner and intermediate juniors who want a racket that looks and feels like the pros’ version.
An Evalastic EVA core and Polyglass fibreglass face keep it soft enough for growing arms.
| Age | Juniors |
| Shape | Diamond |
| Weight | 335 to 345 g |
| Balance | Medium |
| Core | Evalastic EVA |
| Face | Polyglass (fibreglass) |
- Pro-style design kids love
- Soft core
- Diamond shape is less forgiving
- Heavier than the HEAD juniors
Attacking junior racket for confident players
The Hack Junior is for juniors who already play regularly and like to attack. The diamond shape adds power on smashes, while the medium balance keeps it manageable for younger players.
Like the Vertex Jr, it uses an Evalastic core and Polyglass face for a soft feel.
| Age | Advanced juniors |
| Shape | Diamond |
| Weight | 335 to 345 g |
| Balance | Medium |
| Core | Evalastic EVA |
| Face | Polyglass (fibreglass) |
- Extra power for keen juniors
- Good price
- Not for beginners
- Less forgiving on mishits
Near-adult weight for teens ready to step up
The FX Junior is a bridge between junior and adult rackets. At around 360 g it is close to adult weight, so it suits taller teenagers who have outgrown a 310 to 345 g racket.
A soft EVA core and graphite frame give a comfortable but solid feel.
| Age | Teenagers |
| Shape | Hybrid |
| Weight | About 360 g |
| Balance | Medium |
| Core | Soft EVA |
| Face | Fibreglass, graphite frame |
- Easy step towards adult rackets
- Comfortable soft core
- Too heavy for under-12s
- Stock can run low
Where can kids play padel in Ireland?
New courts are opening all the time. The Irish Examiner reports more than 50 courts in operation, according to the Padel Federation of Ireland, with more planned around the country. Peak evening slots fill fast, so weekend mornings are often the easiest time to book a family game.
Some venues also offer cheaper singles courts, which are handy for a parent and child hitting together. Padel LK in Limerick lists singles court hire from €25 to €30 an hour, against €40 to €48 for a doubles court. Our guide to where to play padel in Ireland lists more venues.
What else do kids need to play padel?
Court shoes matter as much for children as adults. Running shoes slide on sandy turf, so look for a clay, omni or padel sole. Our best padel shoes guide explains what to look for, and our padel starter kit covers balls, bags and grips.
Buying for the whole family? Our best padel racket sets guide includes ready-made sets and pairs of branded rackets.
Kids padel racket questions
What age can kids start padel?
HEAD says children can try their first strokes from about three. Most enjoy proper games once they can control a short, light junior racket.
What weight padel racket should a child use?
About 300 g for under-10s and about 310 to 345 g for older juniors. Teenagers often move to light adult rackets around 340 to 355 g.
Can a child use an adult padel racket?
Not until around 12 or 13. Adult rackets are longer and heavier, which makes good technique harder for younger children.
Are junior padel rackets shorter?
Yes. Junior rackets are shorter than the 45.5 cm adult maximum, so children can control them.
How often should kids replace their racket?
Usually when they outgrow it, roughly every two or three years, or sooner if the face cracks.