[Updated on 1 August 2020] It wouldn’t make sense to use a cheap racquet on a game you play a lot, especially when you pay a hefty gym membership fee already! You want the best squash racquet available for your game. And a lot has changed since this guy played the game!
Choosing the best squash racket to match your skill-level and gameplay can be a difficult process, especially for players just starting out. Luckily, we’ve done the work for you – let’s see what we have.
Best Squash Racquets
| Image | Squash Racquet | Type | Check Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harrow Vapor (Editor's Choice) | Singles/Doubles | Check Price | |
| Harrow M-140 (Best Doubles Racquet) | Singles/Doubles | Check Price | |
| Tecnifibre Carboflex 125 (Best Singles Racquet) | Singles | Check Price | |
| Harrow Bancroft Executive (Beginner Doubles) | Doubles | Check Price | |
| Black Knight ION Cannon | Singles/Doubles | Check Price | |
| HEAD Graphene 360 Speed 120 Squash Racquet | Singles | Check Price | |
| HEAD Graphene XT Cyano 110 Squash Racquet | Singles | Check Price | |
| DUNLOP Force Evolution 120 Squash Racquet | Singles | Check Price |
Prices and images pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
There are a lot of racquet makers who are very good and have there own specialties depending on the type of squash you are playing, specifically if you are playing singles or doubles squash. Considering that there are differences in singles and doubles squash racquets, some coaches and professionals insist that the racquet you use does not matter, as a “pure” squash player can play with any racquet. While that generalization may be true for playing leisurely, playing at a consistently competitive level requires an optimized racquet for your game and style.
Harrow Vapor – Best of Both Worlds, Premium Squash Racquet
- Redefining the way squash racquets were made since its inception, the Vapor remains our bestselling racquet of all time.
- The Vapor’s superior blend of power and control makes it the obvious choice for top PSA pros and club players of all levels. It’s a classic for a reason.
- Strung with Barrage Pro
- Weight: 140 g
- Balance: 380 mm
Overall, this squash racquet has an amazing feel, great control and a top-end option for squash players.
- Large sweet spot
- Stiff shaft for more control
- Little to no vibration
- Expensive
- Brittle racquet with durability concerns
- Harrow’s best-selling doubles frame of all time
- preferred racquet of several SDA pro tour players, and current world #2 team of Scott Arnold and John Russell
- The larger head size provides a larger sweet spot for off-center hits
- evenly-balanced which provides great touch on when playing
- It is on the lighter end of doubles racquets, which provides power through your forehand or backhand swing
John Russell here spotted using the Harrow M-140 in 2018
- Versatile racquet for singles or doubles play
- Large head for a greater sweet spot and power
- Nice blend of power and control
- Lighter doubles racquet which offers less control
- Rather than a traditional “square” handle, this racquet is more “rectangular” which can feel different in your hands.
- choice for PSA World Number One squash player Mohamed El Shorbagy
- The Carboflex 125 is especially ideal for players who favor long volleys and aggressive playstyles
- great racquet for making precise and deadly shots from any place on the court.
- heavy enough to provide powerful and controlled shots while remaining light enough to ensure that you don’t get worn out too quickly into the match
- The head weight on the Tecnifibre Carboflex 125 is perfectly balanced for both control and power
- This racquet also has an Isomorph Shaft, which increases power by around 25% as compared to the standard mono shaft
- Large sweet spot
- Head-light weighting for quick racquet head speed through the ball
- Great factory strings included
- Slightly more vibration than other comparable racquets
- Head-light weighting may take some getting used to if you play with a balanced or head-heavy racquet
- strong, sturdy, and reliable
- heavy enough to pack a punch, and while still remaining light enough where you won’t wear yourself out too quickly into the match
- Ideal for Doubles Squash
- Weighing in at 155 grams, this racquet is heavy for singles play
- Strong and sturdy to handle hardball doubles play
- Head-heavy which provides greater power
- No vibration
- Great control across the racquet no matter your grip preference
- Heavy for singles play
- The head-heavy aspect of the racquet may take some getting used to, which some players may not like
- great racquet for singles or doubles players
- well balanced and maneuverable with its large hitting surface, moderate stiffness, and lightweight construction
- Black Knight racquets are known for their durability
- factory grip on this racket is fantastic, although it is different than most because of its distinct ridges
- Teardrop design better suited for singles squash, not doubles squash
- Awesome design
- Durability – Black Knight racquets don’t break often
- Factory grip is fantastic
- Long-lasting racquet at a great price
- Teardrop design for doubles play means a smaller sweet spot
- Factory grip has ridges, which is different than most racquets
Head Extreme 120 – Best Priced Singles Squash Racquets
- stable power and maneuverability for the frontcourt club player
- particularly good for players that like to play a lot of drops and volleys
- more of a rectangle grip than a square grip
- Teardrop design is ideal for singles squash
- Great for attacking players who are great at drop shots and lobs
- Lightweight
- Durable and stiff
- MicroGel technology leads to no vibration in softball singles squash
- Not great for doubles squash as a lot of times the racquet felt like it would break hitting the ball hard
- Handle and grip. Rather than a traditional “square” handle, this racquet is more “rectangular” which can feel different in your hands.
- Weight 110 g / Beam 20 mm
- Head size 500 cm
- String pattern 12/17
- Only the racquet is included
- Lightweight
- Unique weighting
- Little to no vibration
- Stronger and less brittle than other similar racquets
- Though it has a lot of power for such a light racquet, some stronger players may prefer a heavier weight for even more power
- The head-heavy aspect of the racquet may take some getting used to, which some players may not like
- Balance: Extra Head Light
- Factory Grip: Hydramax
- Factory String: Dunlop Silk
- String Pattern: 14x18
- Weight: 120g Unstrung
- lightweight for more power
- Head-heavy for more power
- Because it is so lightweight, it requires excellent shot control
- Not ideal for doubles and somewhat brittle frame
How We Chose Our Selection Of The Best Squash Racquets
Here are a few things to consider in the process of deciding on the best squash racket:
Squash Racquet Price
A great place to start is the price range of the squash racket. They vary in price from the very cheap to the extremely expensive. Simply base your decision on how much you can comfortably afford to invest in your gear. While it benefits to go a little above the most basic options, there is no need to start out with the most expensive or highest quality racket.
A beginner can easily invest $30-$50 on a starter racket, but the best value is going to be a racquet around $100-$150 if you are serious about the game. The most expensive racquets are over $200.
Squash Racquet Quality
There are plenty of factors that can impact the characteristics and behavior of the squash racket, including the material, shape of the head, size, balance, and weight. Try out and handle a few rackets to see which is most effective for your gameplay.
Always go with the squash racket that matches your skill level. Also, the highest quality racquet is built with better qualities and will last longer.
Racquet Construction
There are two primary types of composition in a squash racquet, the Open throat design, and the Closed throat construction.
- An open throat will help provide control and stability due to the shorter main strings.
- A closed throat has a larger sweet spot and normally generates more power.
Racquet Balance
In Squash there are three different categories of balance in a racquet. Headlight racquets, head-heavy racquets, and evenly balanced racquets. Each plays very differently and has different benefits to the player.
- Head Light: Having less weight in the head and more weight in the handle make these racquets feel lighter and more maneuverable.
- Head Heavy: With the majority of weight in the head, these racquets give more power with less effort.
- Even: Evenly distributed weight will make these racquets provide maneuverability (faster swing) while still generating power.
Racquet Weight
Squash racquets range in weight from 110 grams to 170 grams. The appropriate weight of the racquet typically depends on personal preference. With that being said, there are advantages to both a lighter racquet and a heavier racquet.
- Lightweight (110G – 145G): A light racquet allows for quick wrist movement, quicker movement of the head, allows you to have a soft touch and good feel, aid in deception in front of the court, easier control.
- Heavyweight (145G – 170G): A heavier racquet aid in adding more power to your shots, offers stability and a smooth impact through the ball.
Grip Shape
Squash racquets come with a standard handle size, but the handle shape can change among manufacturers. The shape that you decide to use is going to come down to personal preference.
- Rounded Handle: Think of this as feeling like a baseball bat
- Rectangular Handle: Think of this feeling much more like a tennis racquet
Squash Racquet FAQ
What is a good weight for a squash racquet?
Squash racquets come in ranges from 90kg to 180kg. The average weight is 130kg. You want a lighter racquet if you a more aggressive, strong hitting player. A heavier racquet will help players with a slow or weak swing generate more power with the heavier squash racquet weight.
What are squash racquets made of?
Graphite is the dominant material squash racquets are made of. This allows the racquet to be lightweight but durable. Aluminum is another material used to make squash racquets. We do not recommend using an aluminum squash racquet.
When should I restring my squash racquet?
What consistently needs updating is your squash racquet strings, which should be replaced on an annual basis.
Can you play with a broken squash racquet?
Playing with a broken squash racquet is a bad move. You may be tempted to try and tape it back together. The best bet is to just throw the racquet away. At a club in my city, they hang broken racquets on the wall for nostalgia!
When I break my frame, I know it. I can feel the weight is off on a swing follow through and know that it is time to grab my backup racquet (always have at least 2 squash racquets)!
What if I break the racquet strings?
If you break your strings, you will want to get your racquet restrung. This will run you roughly $30 due to the cost of materials and labor. If your club restrings racquets, just drop the racquet off. Most tennis shops will also string squash racquets and are familiar with how to string them, even if they do not sell squash racquets in their tennis store.
What are the best squash racquet strings?
We like the Ashway Supernick XL or the Tecnifibre 305+. For stringing your racquet, it depends on if you are playing singles or doubles squash. You will need about 10 meters of string to restring your squash racquet strings. You can strings individually or in bulk.
- Singles Racquet String Tension: String your tension at 26-28 pounds (more power at lower tensions)
- Doubles Racquet String Tension: String your racquet tension at 27-29 pounds (more control at higher tensions)
Squash Racquet Conclusion
As you can see, there are several factors that go into making a racquet “best” for you as an individual player. As a result of your play style and physical attributes, one racquet may suit you better than the next player.
If you are just starting out, the Black Knight C2C nXS
While picking the right squash racquet is skill-specific, picking the right shoes comes down to personal preference and comfort. Picking the right shoe can be critical to longevity in playing because of the constant work your legs and joints take in playing squash.
Jonathan Harper
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7 Comments
I have Head Graphene XT Cyano 110. It is super light. This racquet delivers both power and control for an intermediate to advanced player. I’ve played with Head racquets for the past 5 years and this is by far the best one I’ve owned to date.
I think if you consider durability, harrow would not have a place on any top list. They are the most expensive racket, and they break more than 2-3 times as frequentlyi as any similarly priced models…
I’ve been coaching squash Tor 15 years and have used and seen hundreds of individual rackets (even used harrow for a few years in the 00s) and it is really a shame how easily they break. If durability and value was considered, harrow would be the worst brand in squash by far!
I’ve been playing squash for over 30 years now and have played with several squash racquets from different brands. I recently purchased the Tecnifibre CarboFlex 125 racquet and I’m impressed. Immediately I could feel more shot power and have played with it for a while thought it allowed for a controlled swing too.
Thanks for your article. I had used factory strings, although I will swap them out and hopefully it will play even better!
I m going for the harrow one
My string broke so what should I do buy a new racket or get strings changed
Just get the racquet restrung – will cost your +/- $30 to restring vs getting a new racquet.