What to Look for in Your First Squash Racket

Buying your first squash racket should be exciting. Unfortunately, spend five minutes looking online and you’ll suddenly be confronted with head-heavy rackets, head-light rackets, string patterns, graphite percentages, balance points and enough technical language to make you wonder whether you’re buying sporting equipment or designing a small aircraft.

The good news is that choosing your first squash racket really doesn’t need to be complicated.

You don’t need the lightest racket in the shop. You don’t need the racket used by the best player at your club. And you definitely don’t need to spend £200 before you’ve worked out which end of the court you prefer standing in.

What you need is a racket that feels comfortable, gives you enough power to get the ball to the back of the court and lets you concentrate on actually learning the game.

Here’s what to look for.

1. Start with the weight

Racket weight is probably the first specification most people notice, but lighter doesn’t automatically mean better.

A very light squash racket can feel wonderfully quick through the air, but it can also demand better timing and technique. For somebody still learning how to swing properly, a slightly heavier racket can actually be much more forgiving.

As a general guide, beginners will usually be comfortable somewhere around 130–160g frame weight, although there’s no magic number that suits everybody.

A little extra weight can help the racket carry through the ball and generate power without you having to swing like you’re trying to kill a wasp.

Once your technique develops, you might decide that you prefer something lighter and quicker. For your first racket, though, comfort and stability matter more than chasing the lowest number on the label.

2. Pay attention to the balance

Two rackets weighing exactly the same can feel completely different once you start swinging them.

That’s because of balance.

A head-heavy racket carries more of its weight towards the top of the frame. That can help generate momentum and power, making it easier to hit the ball deeper.

A head-light racket carries more weight towards the handle. These generally feel quicker and easier to manoeuvre, which can be useful for volleys and fast exchanges around the middle of the court.

Then there are even-balanced rackets, which sit somewhere between the two.

For somebody buying their first squash racket, an even or slightly head-heavy balance is often a sensible place to start. You get some help producing power without the racket feeling difficult to control.

But there’s an important word there: often.

Everyone swings differently. If you pick up a head-light racket and immediately love it, there isn’t a squash policeman waiting outside the court to confiscate it.

3. Don't buy a racket purely because it's the lightest

This one deserves repeating.

There seems to be an unwritten rule among new players that an expensive 110g racket must automatically be better than a 150g racket.

It isn't.

A lighter racket can give an experienced player incredible racket-head speed, but experienced players usually already have good preparation, timing and swing mechanics.

When you're starting out, you want something that helps you rather than something that punishes every slightly mistimed swing.

Think of your first racket as something you can grow into rather than something you need to grow out of after three weeks.

4. Look for a graphite or composite frame

If you're planning to play squash regularly, one of the biggest upgrades you can make from a basic leisure-centre racket is moving away from a heavy aluminium frame.

Graphite and graphite-composite squash rackets are generally lighter, more responsive and much nicer to swing.

That doesn't mean you need OLIVER's most advanced racket on day one. It simply means spending a little more on a proper squash racket can make learning the game significantly more enjoyable.

If you've ever borrowed one of those old metal club rackets that feels as though it was forged from a railway bridge, you'll know exactly what we mean.

5. Think about how easily you can generate power

Beginners normally benefit from a racket that helps them produce depth.

When you're learning squash, getting the ball consistently towards the back corners is a much bigger priority than trying to feather inch-perfect drop shots into the nick.

That means looking for a racket with a decent-sized sweet spot and enough weight through the head to generate comfortable power.

At OLIVER, rackets such as the Dragon 3 and Racer X8 are good examples of models aimed at players developing their game without immediately jumping into the more specialised end of the range.

As your technique improves, you can start deciding whether you want more power, control, manoeuvrability or a mixture of all three.

And that's usually when buying squash rackets starts becoming dangerously addictive.

6. Don't obsess over strings yet

Strings matter. Eventually they can matter quite a lot.

Different strings and tensions can change the feel, power and control you get from your racket.

But if you're buying your first squash racket, the factory string is usually perfectly adequate while you're learning.

The bigger gains at this stage will come from improving your movement, preparation, swing and ability to actually watch the ball instead of staring hopefully at the front wall after you've hit it.

Later, changing your string or experimenting with tension can be one of the easiest ways to change how a racket feels without replacing it completely.

7. Grip size matters more than most beginners realise

Your racket needs to feel secure in your hand without you having to squeeze it to death.

A grip that's too small can feel unstable. One that's too thick can make it harder to move the racket naturally through your fingers and wrist.

Fortunately, this is one of the easiest things to adjust.

An overgrip can quickly increase the grip size, while replacing an old grip can completely change how secure the racket feels.

If you're constantly tightening your hand around the handle during rallies, don't automatically blame your technique. Your grip may simply need some attention.

8. Don't choose your racket based on somebody else's game

Your mate might swear by an ultra-light head-light racket.

The number one player at your club might use something completely different.

Neither of those things means it'll suit you.

Squash rackets are personal because squash swings are personal.

One player generates loads of natural racket-head speed and wants maximum control. Another wants the racket to provide a bit more help getting the ball deep. Someone else wants something manoeuvrable because they love taking the ball early.

There isn't one "best squash racket".

There's the racket that works best for you.

That's why we've built our Squash Racket Quiz. Answer a few questions about your game and it'll point you towards the type of racket that should suit you.

9. Set a sensible budget

Your first squash racket doesn't need to cost a fortune, but we'd also avoid automatically buying the cheapest racket available.

If you're planning on playing regularly, investing in a proper graphite racket is worthwhile.

A better racket won't magically transform your backhand overnight, unfortunately. If somebody ever invents one that does, we'll order several thousand.

What it can do is make the racket easier and more enjoyable to swing while giving you something you can continue using as your game improves.

That's much better value than buying something extremely basic and replacing it a couple of months later.

You can browse the full OLIVER squash racket range to compare the different options.

So, what should your first squash racket actually have?

If you're standing in front of a wall of rackets and just want the simple answer, look for something comfortable rather than extreme.

For most new players, we'd suggest a graphite or composite racket, a manageable weight of roughly 130–160g, and an even or slightly head-heavy balance that provides a useful combination of stability and easy power.

Most importantly, choose something that feels natural when you swing it.

You're going to spend considerably more time holding the racket than reading its specifications.

And once you've got one?

Get on court.

Because the best first squash racket is ultimately the one that makes you want to play again tomorrow.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much should I spend on my first squash racket?

You don't need a professional-level racket immediately, but spending enough to get a good-quality graphite or composite frame is worthwhile if you're planning to play regularly. It should feel noticeably lighter and more responsive than the basic aluminium rackets commonly available in sports centres.

Is a lighter squash racket better for beginners?

Not necessarily. Extremely light rackets can be very manoeuvrable but may require better timing and racket-head speed. Many beginners actually find a slightly heavier racket easier to control and more helpful for generating power.

Should a beginner use a head-heavy or head-light squash racket?

There isn't one correct answer, but even-balanced or slightly head-heavy rackets are often good options because they provide stability and help generate depth. Players who prefer a faster, more manoeuvrable feel may prefer head-light rackets.

What weight squash racket should a beginner use?

Around 130–160g frame weight is a useful starting range for many beginners. Rather than concentrating purely on the number, look at the overall balance and feel of the racket as well.

How do I know which OLIVER squash racket suits me?

Try the OLIVER Squash Racket Quiz. It takes you through your experience, playing style and what you want from your racket before recommending suitable options.