Best Squash Rackets 2026: Top 10 Picks for Power, Control and All-Court Performance

Here we look at the best squash rackets in 2026. The real separators are frame weight, balance point, head shape, construction tech and how the racket suits your playing style. Across the current 2025–2026 ranges, Tecnifibre, HEAD, Dunlop, Karakal, UNSQUASHABLE and Perfly have the strongest performance options for serious club players and tournament competitors.

Our ranking below is built around what matters on court in 2026: maneuverability, stability, power output, forgiveness and suitability for modern fast-paced squash. I also leaned toward rackets with clearly published specs and current manufacturer or retailer support.

1) Tecnifibre Carboflex 125 X-Top V2 - £134.99 — Best Overall Squash Racket for 2026 

The Carboflex 125 X-Top V2 is still the benchmark all-rounder. Tecnifibre positions it as the icon of the Carboflex range, and the spec sheet explains why: 125g weight, 500 cm² head, 350 mm balance, graphite construction, 14x18 pattern, Airshaft aerodynamics and the patented X-Top bumperless head. That gives you a rare mix of easy racket-head speed, strong power and clean control.

Key features

• Material: Graphite.
• Surface / outer-frame tech: PTFE-treated, aramid-fibre X-Top head for smoother wall contact and abrasion resistance.
• Shape: Teardrop / open-throat style, 500 cm² head.
• Design: Airshaft section with X-Arms reinforcement; aerodynamic performance frame.
• Playing style: Best for advanced or regular players who want manoeuvrability plus easy power.
• Weight: 125g.
• Balance: 350 mm / even.

Pros

• Outstanding all-court blend of speed, power and control.
• X-Top construction helps it move cleanly near side walls.
• 500 cm² head is forgiving without feeling vague.

Cons

• Premium price bracket.
• Advanced players will get more from it than beginners.

2) HEAD Speed 120 2025 - £135.99 — Best for Aggressive Front-Court Attackers

HEAD says the Speed 120 is for the aggressive power player, and the setup backs that up: 120g unstrung, 500 cm² head, head-heavy balance, teardrop shape and Auxetic 2.0 tech. The metallic champagne cosmetic also gives it one of the cleanest premium looks in the current market.

Key features

• Material / tech: Auxetic 2.0 construction technology is the headline feature; the product summary does not clearly list a separate base composite on the accessible spec pages.
• Surface / finish: Metallic champagne finish.
• Shape: Teardrop, 500 cm² head.
• Design: Fast-feeling modern Speed frame.
• Playing style: Aggressive attacking players looking for faster swing speed and extra punch.
• Weight: 120g unstrung.
• Balance: Head heavy.

Pros

• Easy to accelerate and hit hard with.
• Very attractive power-to-weight ratio.
• Premium feel from Auxetic 2.0.

Cons

• Head-heavy setup is not ideal for every touch player.
• Light frame can feel demanding if your timing is off.

3) Dunlop CX 120 - £100.79 — Best for Fast All-Court Control

The Dunlop CX 120 is one of the smartest 2026 buys for players who want a quicker, more technical control frame. Dunlop combines a 120g frame, 490 cm² hybrid head, head-light balance, Sonic Core Infinergy, Flex Touch Resin and a tapered shaft. Dunlop’s own description calls it ideal for aggressive and technical play.

Key features

• Material: Dunlop highlights premium tech materials including Sonic Core with Infinergy and Flex Touch Resin.
• Surface / outer-frame tech: Sonic Core inserts and Flex Touch Resin for feel and energy return.
• Shape: Hybrid, 490 cm² head.
• Design: Tapered shaft with longer strings.
• Playing style: Aggressive, technical, fast all-court play.
• Weight: 120g.
• Balance: Head light.

Pros

• Excellent manoeuvrability at the T and in short prep swings.
• Better control feel than many pure power frames. 
• Strong tech package for feel and rebound.

Cons

• Smaller-ish sweet spot than very forgiving 500 cm² teardrop rackets.
• Less free power than a heavier, head-heavier hitter’s frame.

4) Tecnifibre Slash 130 Power - £107.50 — Best for Explosive Hitters

The Slash 130 Power is Tecnifibre’s statement power frame, developed with Mostafa Asal. It uses graphite, a 485 cm² elongated head, 130g weight, 355 mm head-heavy balance and Stabyl technology in the shaft for more control and stability. The white base with fluorescent green detailing makes it one of the most distinctive designs in the current market.

Key features

• Material: Graphite.
• Surface / finish: White base with fluorescent green pattern.
• Shape: Elongated / classic-style head, 485 cm².
• Design: Stabyl mesh fiber in the shaft for stability.
• Playing style: Powerful attackers and strong club players.
• Weight: 130g.
• Balance: 355 mm / head heavy.

Pros

• Big, easy power off a stable frame.
• Excellent option for players who like to finish rallies early.
• Distinctive modern cosmetic.

Cons

• Not as whippy as lighter head-light frames.
• Can feel a little demanding in rapid defensive exchanges.

5) Karakal Raw Pro 2.2 Joel Makin Signature - £130.00 — Best Tour-Spec Balance

This is one of the most interesting rackets in the 2026 market because it sits right in the sweet spot between control and power. Karakal built it with NEXGEN Fast Fibre Graphite, a 120g frame, 345 mm balance, 480 cm² midplus head, 14x18 pattern and a smooth oval handle to Joel Makin’s preferences.

Key features

• Material: NEXGEN Fast Fibre Graphite.
• Surface / outer-frame tech: Built-in vibration dampener.
• Shape: Midplus 480 cm² head.
• Design: Smooth oval ergonomic handle.
• Playing style: Competitive all-court players who want balanced response.
• Weight: 120g.
• Balance: 345 mm, slightly manoeuvrable/balanced feel.

Pros

• One of the best spec sheets for modern all-round squash.
• Tour-style handle and dampening should appeal to serious players.
• Strong blend of feel, balance and power.

Cons

• Less forgiving than very large 500 cm² heads.
• More of a performance racket than a beginner-friendly one.

6) HEAD Speed 135 2025 - £135.99 — Best for Back-Court Power

The Speed 135 is the heavier sibling in the HEAD Speed family. HEAD markets it for the powerful back-court player, and the accessible specs show 135g, 500 cm², head-light balance, teardrop shape and Auxetic 2.0, plus the new metallic red design.

Key features

• Material / tech: Auxetic 2.0 technology; separate base material is not clearly listed on the accessible summary pages.
• Surface / finish: Metallic red finish.
• Shape: Teardrop, 500 cm² head.
• Design: Heavier Speed frame with power bias.
• Playing style: Back-court attackers who like to drive length and hit through the ball.
• Weight: 135g.
• Balance: Head light.

Pros

• More stability and punch than ultra-light frames.
• Head-light balance helps keep it manoeuvrable for its weight.
• Great fit for strong drivers of the ball.

Cons

• Heavier overall feel than 120g–125g speed frames.
• Not the easiest choice for players who rely on ultra-fast wristy reactions.

7) Dunlop FX 128 Pro - £120 — Best Pure Power Frame

If your priority is maximum power, the FX 128 Pro deserves a spot near the top. Dunlop describes it as a power-and-precision frame with carbon fibre construction, 128g weight, head-heavy balance, 14x19 pattern and Sonic Core with Infinergy. PDH lists it as a 500 cm² teardrop racket.

Key features

• Material: Carbon fibre construction.
• Surface / outer-frame tech: Sonic Core with Infinergy; Flex Resin / Flex Touch feel tech in retailer descriptions.
• Shape: Teardrop, 500 cm² head.
• Design: Power-oriented FX frame.
• Playing style: Players who want explosive shot-making and stronger finishing power.
• Weight: 128g.
• Balance: Head heavy.

Pros

• One of the best rackets here for free power.
• Stable feel when hitting through the ball.
• Good option for advanced players with assertive swings.

Cons

• Less nimble than head-light control frames.
• Can feel too punchy for touch-first players.

8) UNSQUASHABLE James Willstrop 120 Signature - £69.99 — Best for Touch and Controlled Power

UNSQUASHABLE’s James Willstrop 120 Signature is built around CarbonWeave construction, a 500 sq cm head, 120g DynamicWeight, head-light balance and a 14x18 pattern. The brand also highlights a unique concave cross section around the hitting area to maximize sweet spot size.

Key features

• Material: CarbonWeave.
• Surface / outer-frame tech: Unique concave cross section and Y-Type bumper/grommet set.
• Shape: Teardrop, 500 sq cm head.
• Design: Signature James Willstrop frame tuned for manoeuvrability.
• Playing style: Controlled power, all-round performance, touch players.
• Weight: 120g.
• Balance: Head light.

Pros

• Very attractive spec profile for players who value feel.
• Head-light balance helps quick preparation.
• Sweet spot-focused design should appeal to accurate hitters.

Cons

• Not the most naturally powerful frame on this list.
• Better suited to players with sound technique.

9) Dunlop CX 125 - £94.99 — Best for Precision Players

The CX 125 is the specialist’s choice. Dunlop gives it a 470 cm² head, 125g weight, extra head-light balance, 14x18 pattern, premium carbon fibre construction and Sonic Core with Infinergy. In plain terms: this is for players who win with placement, pace change and accuracy rather than pure frame-assisted power.

Key features

• Material: Premium carbon fibre.
• Surface / outer-frame tech: Sonic Core with Infinergy at 2 and 10 o’clock.
• Shape: Classic, 470 cm² head.
• Design: Compact precision frame.
• Playing style: Advanced players seeking absolute control.
• Weight: 125g.
• Balance: Extra head light / head light.

Pros

• Superb for line-and-length players.
• Very fast in hand.
• Compact head rewards clean striking.

Cons

• Less forgiving than 500 cm² options.
• Can feel underpowered if you rely on the racket for depth.

10) Perfly Speed 125 - £49.99 — Best Value Performance Racket

For players who want a serious spec without premium-brand pricing, the Perfly Speed 125 is a genuine value play in 2026. Decathlon lists a 125g frame, 340 mm grip-biased balance, 500 cm² head, hybrid shape, 14x16 pattern, and a carbon frame with 55% carbon fiber / 45% resin composition.

Key features

• Material: Carbon frame; composition listed as 55% carbon fiber and 45% resin.
• Surface / outer-frame tech: Grip-biased design focus; standard carbon composite finish.
• Shape: Hybrid, 500 cm² head.
• Design: Lightweight speed-focused frame.
• Playing style: Advanced players wanting maneuverability and forgiveness on a budget.
• Weight: 125g.
• Balance: 340 mm / head light / grip biased.

Pros

• Excellent spec-to-price value.
• Easy to handle and forgiving.
• 500 cm² head makes it more accessible than compact control frames.

Cons

• Lacks the prestige and top-end finish of flagship tour models.
• Players wanting maximum punch may prefer a head-heavy frame.

Final verdict: which squash racket should you buy in 2026?

If you want the best overall squash racket for 2026, buy the Tecnifibre Carboflex 125 X-Top V2. It is the most complete package here for serious players.

If you want the best power racket, go for the Tecnifibre Slash 130 Power or Dunlop FX 128 Pro.

If you want the best control-focused option, the Dunlop CX 125 is the standout.

If you want the best value performance buy, the Perfly Speed 125 is hard to ignore.

FAQ

What squash racket weight is best?
Recent buyer guides put typical squash racket weights roughly in the 110g to 145g range, with lighter frames favouring speed and heavier frames generally giving more stability and power.

Head light or head heavy?
Head-light rackets are usually better for fast volleys, quick reactions and manoeuvrability, while head-heavy rackets tend to help players generate more power and depth.

Teardrop or classic head shape?
Teardrop/open-throat frames usually prioritize power and longer strings, while classic or compact heads often suit players who want more precision and tighter control.