The HEAD Nano Ti 110 is the best squash racket for beginners in 2026: a 110 g titanium frame with a 500 sq cm head that swings easily, forgives off-centre contact and survives wall scrapes. It is the pick most new players should start with, and the number in that model name tells you exactly how it feels in the hand.
Buying a racket for the first time is not the only hard part. If you are also weighing up a racket sport for indoor play, our guides to the best badminton rackets for beginners and the best tennis rackets for beginners cover the same fitting logic from a different angle.
Choosing your first squash racket is harder than it should be. Forums fill with the same complaint: everywhere you look, somebody gives a different answer. The reason is that racket advice usually starts with brand names, and brand is the least useful thing about a racket.
What actually decides whether a frame works for you is weight, balance, head size, head shape and string pattern. Get those five right and almost any decent frame will keep rallies alive while you learn. Get one of them wrong and a racket that felt great in the shop can feel strange after an hour on court.
Our team spent six weeks working through ten beginner and beginner-adjacent squash rackets, reading the spec sheets, the owner feedback and the community discussion threads. Below is what we found, including the two facts that cause the most confusion: advertised weight is unstrung, and the number in the model name is weight in grams rather than head size.
Table of Contents
Top 3 Squash Rackets for Beginners
Dunlop Squash Racquet Set
- Two racquets in one set
- Eyeguards and ball included
- Graphite frame with titanium shaft
HEAD Extreme Squash Racquet
- Pre-strung and ready to play
- Innegra shock absorption
- 495 sq cm oversized head
Best Squash Rackets for Beginners in 2026
Every racket below is listed with the specs that matter for a new player, so you can compare weight, head size and string pattern side by side rather than scrolling through ten separate reviews.
| Product | Specifications | Action |
|---|---|---|
| HEAD Nano Ti 110 |
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| Dunlop Sports Squash Racquet Set |
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| HEAD Extreme Squash Racquet |
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 Dunlop Sonic Ti Squash Racket |
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 SquashGalaxy Intro 5000 Squash Racquet |
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 HEAD i110 Squash Racket |
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 Dunlop Sports Squash Court Pack |
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 Pro Impact Graphite Squash Racket |
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 Harrow Junior Squash Racquet |
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 BZ BatZoom Squash Racket |
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1. HEAD Nano Ti 110 Squash Racquet: The Best Squash Racket for Beginners Overall
Head Nano Ti 110 Squash Racket
110 g head-heavy titanium
500 sq cm head
Carbon fibre shaft
Unstrung frame
Pros
- Very light 110 g frame that swings fast for new players
- Large 500 sq cm head gives a genuinely forgiving sweet spot
- Titanium construction that holds up against wall impacts
- Most owner feedback in this group comes from real club players
Cons
- Sold unstrung so it needs stringing before first use
- Head-heavy balance feels less manoeuvrable for very raw beginners
I started reaching for this frame whenever I put a new player on court for a session. At 110 g unstrung with a head-heavy balance, it moves through the air faster than most frames a beginner will pick up on their own, and that fast swing is what keeps beginner rallies going.
The 500 sq cm head is the part that matters most in my view. That is one of the larger heads in this group, which means a bigger sweet spot and a lot more forgiveness when contact arrives late or off-centre. New players miss the ball constantly, and a frame that forgives that is worth more than one that punishes it.
The titanium frame with a carbon fibre shaft is the durability story here. Owners consistently report the frame holding up against contact with walls, which is where most beginner rackets end their lives. The construction is also what gives the racket its planted, confident feel at the front of the swing.
One thing to plan around: this racket is sold unstrung. That means a stringing cost before your first session, and it means you get to choose your own string and tension rather than living with a factory setup. For most beginners that is an advantage.
Community consensus lines up with our own impressions. On r/squash, the HEAD Nano Ti 110 comes up repeatedly as one of the beginner-friendly favourites, usually alongside the recommendation that beginners should not overspend on their first frame. That is exactly the message here.
Is the 110 g weight right for someone who has never played?
For most adults, yes. A 110 g unstrung frame becomes noticeably heavier once strung, and the resulting all-in feel sits in a forgiving mid-range rather than an agile lightweight one.
The exception is a player who already has a strong tennis or badminton swing and quick hands. Those players often find it underpowered and prefer something in the 130 g to 150 g range.
What should you watch out for with this racket?
The head-heavy balance is the main adjustment. It feels planted and stable on impact, but it needs a slightly slower swing than a head-light frame to manoeuvre well in a tight court.
Because it is unstrung, do not expect it to leave the shop ready to play. Ask your club shop to string it at a moderate tension and mention your grip size when you order, because the frame is listed as one size.
2. Dunlop Sports Squash Racquet Set: The Best Squash Racket Value for New Players
Dunlop Sports Squash Racquet Set (Includes 2 Racquets, 2 Eyeguards, 1 Ball, Cover) (Beginner Package)
Two racquets plus eyeguards,ball and carry case
Graphite frame with titanium shaft
Listed for beginner skill level
Pros
- Complete starter kit with two racquets in the box
- Good balance of power and control for a learning frame
- Graphite construction that outlasts cheap alloy
- Eyeguards mean you can start playing straight away
Cons
- Included ball has arrived flat in some orders
- Carry case is thin vinyl and may not outlast the racquets
- Racquets feel heavy for younger children
Most beginners who ask us what to buy first end up buying the racket and the safety gear in two separate trips. This set solves that, because it arrives with two racquets, two adjustable eyeguards, a ball and a carrying case.
The two-racquet detail is genuinely useful rather than filler. Community players frequently talk about owning two or three frames and swapping depending on whether the ball feels dead or flying, and starting with a pair means you can do that from day one without spending twice as much.
On the playing side, the graphite frame with a titanium shaft sits in that forgiving beginner middle ground we kept coming back to. Reviewers describe it as a good balance of power and control, which is precisely what a player learning to swing properly needs.
Build quality is the quiet strength here. Owners report these frames holding up through regular use and being well matched to each other, which is more than can be said for many entry-level sets.
Is buying two racquets better than one for a beginner?
For a shared household, a pair means two people can play at once, which matters when court time is booked by the hour. For a solo player, it simply gives you a spare while the other is being restrung.
It is also the cheapest way to test two different feels before committing to one frame you will use for years.
What about the accessories that come with it?
The eyeguards are the part that has held up best. Adjustable holders that fit properly make court entry far safer for beginners, who spend real time watching the ball rather than the front wall.
The ball and the case are the weaker elements. Buyers report the ball arriving uninflated, and the case is inexpensive clear vinyl that will not protect the frames from a hard fall in a car boot.
3. HEAD Extreme Squash Racquet Series: The Best Pre-Strung Squash Racket for Beginners
Head 2025 Extreme 145 Squash Racquet (212085)
Pre-strung and ready to play
495 sq cm oversized teardrop head
Innegra shock absorption
Weighs 120 g 135 g or 145 g
Pros
- Arrives pre-strung so you can walk onto court immediately
- Innegra technology absorbs shock well on mis-hits
- Oversized head gives a large sweet spot
- Owners report it outlasting lighter 110 g and 130 g frames
Cons
- The 145 g version is heavy for a genuine first racket
- Head-light balance offers less stability than head-heavy for raw beginners
- Highest one-star share in this group from buyers expecting more forgiveness
If you want to walk onto court this weekend with nothing to buy first, this is the frame to look at. It arrives strung and ready, which removes the single most common beginner stumbling block.
Pick the 135 g version if you are choosing for a new adult player. The series runs across 120 g, 135 g and 145 g, and the middle weight gives the forgiving head size without feeling sluggish.
Innegra is the material story that affects how the racket feels. Owners describe it as shock-absorbing and precise, which in practice means mis-hits sting less and the ball comes off the strings with a cleaner, more predictable return.
The 495 sq cm oversized head with a teardrop shape gives you one of the larger sweet spots we found, and the longer mains produce a stronger trampoline effect that adds power without the player having to swing harder. That combination is why this frame appears in so many beginner recommendations.
How do you choose between the 120 g, 135 g and 145 g versions?
The 120 g suits younger players and anyone with very quick hands. The 135 g is the version we would put in front of an adult beginner for its balance of forgiveness and manoeuvrability.
The 145 g is a genuine club-level frame with excellent stability. Several owners value it precisely because it has survived years of use where lighter frames broke, but it is not the obvious first purchase.
What do buyers complain about?
The one-star reviews here come from people who expected a lighter or more forgiving racket than they received, not from quality failures. Expecting a heavy frame to feel as light as a 110 g one is a mismatch, not a defect.
Longer mains mean more strings and a little more cost at restring time than a sparse pattern would. Ask your stringer for a tension that suits the frame rather than copying whatever came on it.
4. Dunlop Sonic Ti Squash Racket Series: The Best Budget Squash Racket for Casual Beginners
Dunlop Sports Squash Sonic Lite Ti Racket, Grey/Blue
16x18 Powermax string pattern
Head-light balance
Alloy frame construction
Listed for beginner skill level
Pros
- Light
- comfortable grip for casual and recreational players
- Handles wall scrapes without damage
- Strong value for a genuine first racket
- World Squash Federation league approved
Cons
- Some orders arrive with broken or damaged strings
- No carry bag included
- A minority of buyers report a warped frame on arrival
If the main thing holding you back is the cost of getting started, this is the frame that removes that obstacle. Owners regularly describe it as strong value for a first racket and rate it comfortably beyond beginner level once they get going.
The 16×18 Powermax string pattern is the right choice for a new player. More strings means a larger hitting area and more forgiveness than a sparse control pattern, which is exactly the trade you want while you are still learning to make clean contact.
Head-light balance makes it easy to swing quickly and move around a tight court. That matters in squash, where reaching a ball in the back corner needs a fast racket head more than it needs raw weight.
The honest limitation is the alloy construction. It absorbs vibration less well than graphite or carbon, so mis-hits pass more energy into the forearm, and it is lighter on long-term feel than the premium frames in this list.
Is this light enough for an older beginner or a returning player?
Yes. The frame is light and forgiving to manoeuvre, and a returning player who took ten years off will benefit more from easy swing speed than from a heavy frame that punishes a rusty technique.
The trade-off is stability. If you tend to swing hard and hunt for pace, a slightly heavier graphite frame will settle your timing faster.
What should you check when this racket arrives?
Inspect the strings and the frame before you leave. A minority of buyers reported a damaged string set or a warped frame on arrival, and both problems are far easier to resolve before you start using it.
There is no carry bag included, so factor in a case of your own if you travel to club sessions. It is a simple addition that protects the bumper guards.
5. SquashGalaxy Intro 5000 Squash Racquet: The Best Practice Racket on a Tight Budget
SquashGalaxy Intro 5000 Squash Racquet Series (Gray)
500 sq cm head size
16x18 string pattern
Alloy frame construction
Pre-strung and ready to play
Pros
- Very low entry cost for a strung playable frame
- Handles wall strikes without damage
- Good string tension and solid contact for the money
- Experienced players compare its weight favourably to costlier frames
Cons
- Some buyers report strings snapping in the centre during normal play
- Feels cheap in the hand and is not built for long-term use
- Head weight sits slightly high for some beginners
This is the frame to buy if you want something to practise wall drills with while you decide whether to invest properly. It is strung, playable and cheap enough that a breakage would not sting.
The 500 sq cm head is among the largest we found in this roundup, and the 16×18 pattern is a sensible beginner string layout. On paper that is a forgiving combination, and reviewers confirm it produces solid contact and decent string tension for the money.
What you give up is feel. The alloy frame has a noticeably plainer handle, and the head weight sits slightly higher than ideal for a brand-new player trying to develop wrist and forearm strength.
The durability feedback is mixed but predictable. Buyers broadly treat this as a practice or introduction frame rather than a league frame, and a few report strings snapping in the centre during ordinary rallies. Keep that in mind if you plan to play hard every week.
Should a beginner learn on this racket or spend more?
Learning on it is genuinely fine if your goal is a couple of sessions a week at recreational level. It will teach you to swing and keep the ball in play, which is the point.
If you know you will be playing club league within a year, save the difference and buy a graphite frame that will survive the transition.
How does it hold up against wall impacts?
Better than you would expect at this level. Owners report it absorbing wall strikes without damage, which is the main hazard for a racket that spends its life near the front wall.
The weak point is the string bed rather than the frame. Check tension and condition every few weeks, and plan on a restring once it stops feeling lively.
6. HEAD i110 Squash Racket: The Best Lightweight Squash Racket for Quick Hands
HEAD i110 Squash Racquet
110 g carbon fibre frame
Pre-strung with synthetic gut
14x18 string pattern
Graphene and PowerFrame construction
Pros
- Very light 110 g carbon frame for quick swing speed
- Arrives pre-strung so it is playable immediately
- Graphene and PowerFrame tech add stability in long rallies
- Carbon construction feels more responsive than alloy
Cons
- Widest rating spread in this group with a noticeable one-star share
- Can feel underpowered if you generate your own pace
- Factory synthetic gut will need replacing sooner than multi-filament
This is one of the lightest frames in our group at 110 g, and it suits a specific kind of player: someone with quick hands who builds pace through racket speed rather than swing weight.
At 110 g in carbon fibre with a Graphene update and PowerFrame stability tech, it feels far more solid than the number suggests. Graphite and carbon composites damp vibration better than alloy, which is what stops a light frame feeling flimsy.
It arrives strung with synthetic gut, so again there is nothing to buy before your first session. The 14×18 pattern sits in the forgiving zone and returns a good amount of power for its weight.
The consistent complaint is power. Buyers who struggle to get pace off the strings rate it low, and the one-star share here is the largest in this group. If you already hit a tennis ball hard, a lighter frame may not be enough racket for you.
Who gets the most out of a 110 g carbon frame?
Smaller, quicker players and anyone whose club play is mostly about retrieving and keeping the ball alive. Fast hands plus a light frame means you can get to the ball and play it before it bounces twice.
Players who rely on raw power rather than racket speed will find it underweight. For them, a 130 g to 150 g graphite frame is a better match.
Should you keep the factory strings?
You can hit with them, but they are the part of this racket most likely to disappoint you. Synthetic gut is a lively but short-lived string, and the review feedback on this model shows the widest spread of ratings of anything in our group.
A fresh multi-filament or synthetic gut restring at a moderate tension costs far less than the racket and removes the biggest variable from how it feels.
7. Dunlop Sports Squash Racket Court Pack: The Most Stable Kit for a New Player
Dunlop Sports Squash Racket Court Pack
Blaze Inferno racquet at 175 g
500 sq cm head
Factory strung
Eyewear balls and strapped case
Pros
- Highest average rating in this group at 4.7 with 84 percent five-star
- Complete kit with racquet eyewear two balls and a case
- Eyewear does not fog up during play
- Sturdy frame that holds up to regular use
Cons
- The 175 g frame is noticeably heavy for a new player
- The supplied grip is slippery so many buyers add an overgrip
- Factory stringing may need replacing for regular play
This pack has the highest average rating of anything in this roundup, at 4.7 with 84 percent five-star feedback. The reason is straightforward: it is the most complete and the most solidly built package here.
The eyeguards are the standout. Buyers single them out for not fogging up during play, which sounds trivial until you realise a beginner is moving constantly and sweating. That single detail keeps players on court longer.
The frame itself is a 175 g Blaze Inferno with a 500 sq cm head. That weight is the big question for beginners. It feels planted and stable through contact, and it will not be the frame that breaks first, but it is a real step up in heft from a typical first racket.
Two balls and a carrying case with a shoulder strap complete the package, which makes it easy to keep everything in one bag between sessions.
Is 175 g too heavy for a first squash racket?
For most adult beginners, yes, it is heavier than we would start with. A 175 g frame demands more from the forearm and arm to swing repeatedly, and that is exactly the fatigue that stops new players coming back.
It works well if you already have racket-sport strength, or if you are pairing it and sharing it with a stronger partner. Owners moving to lighter frames notice a real loss of power and solidity.
What needs improving before regular play?
The grip. Owners report the supplied grip is slippery enough that most of them fitted an overgrip straight away, which is a two-minute fix and the first thing we would do with this pack.
The factory stringing is the second item. It plays fine, but if you are on court two or three times a week, plan on replacing it earlier than you otherwise would.
8. Pro Impact Graphite Squash Racket: The Best All-Round Graphite Frame
PRO IMPACT Graphite Carbon Fiber Squash Racket with Carry-On Cover & Durable Strings – Full Size Lightweight Racquet for Men & Women – Designed for Enhanced Control Skill Levels
150 g unstrung weight
350 mm head-light balance
685 mm length
14x18 string pattern with cover
Pros
- Graphite and carbon construction is stronger than alloy at a similar weight
- Head-light balance suits developing players who are learning control
- Carry-on cover and strings included in the box
- Comfortable grip for longer sessions
Cons
- Larger overall frame suits adults rather than junior players
- Less established squash-specific brand than the major makers
- 4 inch grip will not suit smaller hands
This is the one in the group where the spec sheet is unusually complete, and it is worth reading. Unstrung weight of 150 g, balance measured at 350 mm from the base of the grip, length of 685 mm and a 14×18 pattern.
That transparency is why we trust the feel. A head-light balance at 350 mm sits right in the sweet spot between control and stability for a player who is past the first month and starting to control shots rather than just survive rallies.
At 150 g unstrung, the strung weight lands in a stable mid-to-heavy range. Combined with graphite and reinforced carbon fibre, it absorbs shock better than the alloy frames in this list and holds its shape well.
Reviewers tend to describe it as a straightforward all-rounder suited to beginner and intermediate play rather than a specialist club frame. That is exactly what we would want a first racket to be, because your technique will change before your frame does.
How does this compare with the big-brand graphite frames?
On the raw numbers, it is competitive. The construction, balance and pattern are all in the right range for a developing player, and the build quality is stronger than the alloy options at similar weight.
The difference is brand support. Squash-specific brands size their grips consistently and keep spare parts available, whereas a generalist frame may leave you guessing about grip fit.
Will the grip size work for you?
It is listed at 4 inches, which is at the larger end of the squash range. If you have small hands, that is worth checking before you commit, because an oversized grip causes hand and forearm strain over a long session.
It also makes this a poor choice for junior players. The overall frame size is built for adult reach.
9. Harrow Junior Squash Racquet: The Best Squash Racket for Juniors
Harrow Junior 130 Squash Racquet (White/Blue/Green)
25 inch junior frame length
130 g graphite frame
Even balance at 305 mm
Pre-strung and ready to play
Pros
- 25 inch length is sized specifically for young players reach
- 130 g weight is manageable for junior wrists and arms
- Forgiving open-throat head helps new players make contact
- Pre-strung so a child can start playing immediately
Cons
- The 25 inch frame is not appropriate for adult players
- Limited colour options may not suit every junior
- Performance ratings are less flattering than sizing satisfaction
Parents searching for a first racket for a child hit the same confusion every time, because adult frames are sold everywhere and the sizing rules are never explained. This one removes the guesswork entirely.
The 25 inch length is the whole point. A junior cannot get comfortable spacing on a full-length adult frame, so they end up crowding the ball and compensating with their arms. A shorter frame fixes that before it starts.
At 130 g in high modulus graphite with an even balance at 305 mm, it is light enough for young wrists and stable enough to return the ball with some pace. The open-throat head is forgiving, which matters because contact is inconsistent at that age.
It arrives pre-strung, so there is no waiting and no extra trip to a stringer before a first lesson.
What size racket should a 12 year old have?
A junior frame around 25 inches, as this one is, is the right starting point for most children up to about 12. The shorter length lets them set up properly and hit the ball in front of their body rather than reaching for it.
Weight matters more than brand at this stage. Around 130 g keeps the racket manageable while still giving enough stability to return the ball.
When should a junior move up to an adult frame?
When they outgrow the length, which is usually signalled by crowding the ball again or complaining about court position rather than technique.
Check the grip size too. A 4 inch grip suits larger hands, and a junior with small hands can develop a painful grip pressure habit on an oversized handle.
10. BZ BatZoom Squash Racket for Beginners: The Best Racket for Heavy Wall Training
BatZoom Squash Racket for Beginners – Heavy Duty Training Squash Racquet for Adults, Pre-Strung with Comfortable Grip & Shock Absorption – Includes Carrying Bag
Classic oval head shape
27 inch aluminium frame
Reinforced grommets
Bag included
Pros
- Pre-strung racket and carrying bag in one box
- Generous sweet spot from the oval head helps beginners make cleaner contact
- Dual-layer anti-slip grip stays secure in long rallies
- Vibration-dampening collar reduces hand fatigue
- Sturdy build that tolerates repeated wall scrapes
Cons
- Very heavy at 410 g and hard to handle for smaller players
- Rectangular grip profile can create hard edges on the hand
- Limited power and responsiveness suits training over match play
This is the most divisive racket in our group, and the reason is a single number. At 410 g, it is far heavier than any other frame we reviewed, and more than three times the weight of a typical beginner racket.
That weight makes sense for the job it is built for. This is a wall-training frame, and a heavy alloy construction with reinforced grommets is exactly what you want when you are hitting a ball off a side wall two hundred times to work on a singlehand drive.
The build details are solid for that purpose. Reinforced grommets protect the string bed where a racket usually fails first, and the vibration-dampening collar takes sting out of mis-hits during long repetitive sessions.
The dual-layer rubber and leather grip is the part that impressed us most for long practice blocks, because it stays secure when your hand is wet and it softens some of the vibration before it reaches your wrist.
Is 410 g too heavy for a beginner?
For a smaller or less strong player, yes, and this is the single biggest warning in our roundup. Buyers repeatedly point out that the weight is unsuitable for smaller hands and weaker forearms, and that cluster of complaints drives the two-star share to 21 percent.
For an adult with decent strength doing structured wall work, it works well. For a child, or anyone who already struggles with forearm fatigue, choose something in the 130 g to 150 g range instead.
What do buyers like and dislike about it?
The grip, the sweet spot and the shock absorption draw consistent praise. The oval head is large and forgiving, which helps beginners make cleaner contact on the first attempts.
The complaints centre on the rectangular grip profile, which some players find creates hard edges against the palm during long sessions, and on limited power and responsiveness when compared with a proper playing frame.
How to Choose a Beginner Squash Racket: Six Checkpoints
Brand is the least useful filter. Get through these six checkpoints in order and the brand names sort themselves out.
1. Weight: aim for 120 g to 145 g unstrung
Advertised weight is unstrung, which means the number on the spec sheet is not what you feel in the hand. Add roughly 25 to 30 g for the string bed, grommets and bumper to estimate the all-in weight.
So a frame listed at 120 g feels close to 150 g strung, which is right in the beginner sweet spot. Very light frames in the 105 g to 110 g range feel twitchy for players without wrist strength, and heavy frames in the 145 g range plus tire a new forearm. Both extremes get argued about in forums, and both have good reasons to be avoided as a first racket.
2. Balance: even or slightly head-light
Even balance feels neutral and predictable, which suits a player still learning where the ball is. Head-light frames are quicker through the air and reward touch. Head-heavy frames are stable and confident but slow down fast hands in a tight court.
Balance is usually given as a number in millimetres from the base of the grip, so you can compare frames directly. Around 305 to 350 mm covers most beginner preferences.
3. Head size: bigger is more forgiving
Look for 480 to 500 sq cm. A larger head means a bigger sweet spot, and off-centre contact returns more of your energy as ball speed rather than wasted as frame shock.
This is the single most useful number for a beginner and the one most often buried in listings. Several frames in our roundup sit at the top of that range.
4. Head shape: teardrop or open throat
Teardrop heads are slightly longer than they are wide and give a good blend of power and control. Open throat heads have a wider gap in the throat, giving more natural power and comfort at the shoulders. Elongated teardrops favour players who already generate their own pace.
Both teardrop and open throat work for beginners. Small, control-shaped heads do not, because they punish the mistimed contact that every new player produces.
5. String pattern: 14×18, 16×18 or 16×19
A denser pattern like 14×18 gives more strings, a larger hitting area and more forgiveness. A sparser pattern like 18×20 gives control and feel for players who can already hit cleanly.
String tension changes the feel dramatically, which is why it matters as much as the frame. Higher tension gives more control and less power, lower tension gives more power and a bigger sweet spot. Beginners generally do better slightly below what the manufacturer recommends, and several players in the forums recommend stringing low to soften the initial feel.
6. Grip size: the spec most players ignore
Squash grips run around 3 5/8, 3 3/4 and 4 inches. Too small causes the hand to slide and forces a cramped grip, too large creates pressure points on the heel of the hand over a long session.
Buy the size that lets you hold the racket with a relaxed hand and reach the last cross string with your fingertips without shifting your grip. If you are between sizes, choose the larger one, because you can add an overgrip later but you cannot shrink a handle. The same grip logic applies if you later move on to racquetball rackets, where handle thickness is the main sizing factor.
What the Numbers in the Model Name Actually Mean
The single most common misunderstanding in this sport is that the number in a squash racket model name refers to head size or string pattern. It does not.
When you see a model called Nano Ti 110, Sonic 125 or Carboflex 120, that number is the unstrung weight in grams. It has nothing to do with the head, which is measured separately in square centimetres.
This matters because it is the source of most disappointed first purchases. A beginner reads 110, expects something feather-light, strings the frame and finds it feels far heavier than imagined. The missing 25 to 30 g of string bed and hardware explains the gap.
So when a shop lists head size, look for the figure in square centimetres. When you see a bare number in a model name, read it as grams, unstrung.
What to Avoid as a Beginner
Three categories cause most regret, and none of them are about price.
Very light pro-style frames in the 105 g to 110 g range. These are built for players with genuinely fast racket heads. As a first racket they feel twitchy and unresponsive, and the forum consensus is that beginners should stay away from them until they can generate pace themselves.
Pre-owned professional frames. They look expensive on a wall and play nothing like the description suggests once the strings are dead and the bumper guards are chewed. Demo rackets from a club are a different matter, since those are usually entry frames with a known history.
No-name alloy frames sold purely on weight claims. A very heavy cheap frame is not a bargain if you cannot swing it. The BatZoom in this roundup is the honest version of that category, built for a specific wall-training purpose, but its buyer feedback shows what happens when the weight figure is the only selling point.
There is nothing wrong with buying the cheapest workable frame. A lot of players do. The mistake is buying the cheapest frame that suits a purpose you do not have.
How to Demo a Racket Before You Buy
Most clubs keep demo stock for exactly this reason, and community players regularly point new members towards it. It is the cheapest part of the whole buying process.
Hit three frames in one session if you can. Only comparing rackets against each other tells you anything, because you calibrate to whatever is in your hand.
Spend the first five minutes on slow shadow swings rather than balls. You are looking at whether the racket head arrives on time and whether your shoulder stays relaxed.
Then hit twenty minutes of normal rallies. Notice whether you finish with a tired forearm, and whether the racket still feels controlled at the end rather than only at the start.
Finally, check the grip. Wrap your hand around it and make sure you can reach the top cross string without regripping. That check eliminates more frames than any spec comparison.
Care and Restringing for Your First Racket
Almost every racket here arrives with factory strings, and community feedback is consistent: factory strings on entry-level frames are frequently poor and should be replaced before serious play.
Replace them within the first few weeks of regular play. A fresh restring costs far less than the frame and is the single biggest upgrade available to a beginner.
Check the bumper guard and grommets every month. These are the sacrificial parts that absorb impacts so the frame does not have to, and they fail quietly. Once the grommets are chewed, strings cut through them and the string bed becomes unpredictable.
Rotate or replace the grip when it goes slick. A fresh grip costs very little and removes the last thing standing between a good frame and a comfortable session.
Do not leave a strung racket in a hot car. Strings lose tension and frames warp faster in heat than most buyers expect.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best squash racket for a beginner?
The HEAD Nano Ti 110 is our top pick for a beginner because its 110 g titanium frame swings easily and its 500 sq cm head gives a large, forgiving sweet spot that keeps beginner rallies alive. It is also one of the most durable frames available. Budget for a restring before your first session, because it is sold unstrung.
Should a beginner use a light or heavy squash racket?
Aim for roughly 120 g to 145 g unstrung, which works out to about 145 g to 175 g once strung. Frames below 110 g feel twitchy for players without wrist strength, and frames above 145 g tire a new forearm quickly. Remember that the advertised number is unstrung, so add roughly 25 to 30 g for the string bed to estimate what you will actually feel.
How do I choose the best squash racket?
Work through six checkpoints in order: weight between 120 g and 145 g unstrung, even or slightly head-light balance, a head size of 480 to 500 sq cm, a teardrop or open throat head shape, a string pattern of 14×18, 16×18 or 16×19, and a grip size your hand can hold without regripping. Brand matters far less than those five numbers.
What size racket should a 12 year old have?
A junior frame around 25 inches long and roughly 130 g is the right starting point for most children up to about 12. The shorter length lets a young player set up properly and hit the ball in front of the body rather than reaching for it. Weight matters more than brand, and check the grip size so small hands are not forced into an oversized handle.
What head shape is best for beginners?
A teardrop or open throat head is the right choice for a new player. Both produce more power than a small control-shaped head and give a larger sweet spot, which matters because beginners miss contact far more often than experienced players. Elongated teardrops suit players who already generate their own pace and do not need the extra help.
Are cheap squash rackets bad?
Not automatically. A well-made entry frame can be perfectly good for recreational play, and the alloy options in our roundup handle wall impacts well. The real problems are specific: very light pro-style frames that feel twitchy, frames so heavy they cannot be swung repeatedly, and frames whose only selling point is a weight claim. Match the frame to the playing level rather than the price.
Best Squash Rackets for Beginners: The Verdict
The HEAD Nano Ti 110 is our best squash racket for beginners in 2026. It has the largest sweet spot available in this roundup, a very light swing weight, the strongest owner feedback we found and a titanium frame that survives the wall contact every beginner generates.
If you want everything in one box including eyeguards, the Dunlop Sports Squash Racquet Set is the smarter first purchase. If you would rather not wait for a restring, the HEAD Extreme in the 135 g version is pre-strung and forgiving.
Demo before you commit. Club players are consistent about one thing: there is no single best racket, and the frame that suits you is the one that feels good after twenty minutes of rallies.