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Counter Viper for steady defenders; Hack CTRL for attackers who need control without sacrificing carbon-face response.
Picking between these two is largely a question of how you want your control: French engineering or Spanish heritage. The Babolat Counter Viper at £170 is a round-shape control frame with a soft EVA core and a fairly low balance, designed to keep the ball in front of you when defending the back glass. The Bullpadel Hack CTRL at £190 is Paquito's control variant, slightly heavier in the head, with a carbon face that bites into the ball more aggressively on slices and chiquitas. Buy the Counter Viper if you're a defensive baseline player who hates surprises, plays a lot of mixed doubles, and wants the most predictable bounce off the strings. Otherwise go for the Hack CTRL if you're an attacking player who happens to need control, especially if you finish points with cut volleys and want a slightly more responsive frame on the second bounce. The £20 buys you bite, not forgiveness.
Hand-written editorial — not auto-generated. By Gary, RacketRise.
| Product | ||
|---|---|---|
| Category | Padel Rackets | Padel Rackets |
| Sport | Padel | Padel |
| Skill Level | Advanced | Advanced |
| Weight | 365-380g | 360-375g |
| Shape | Diamond | Round |
| Balance | High | Low |
| Core | Hard EVA | Soft EVA |
| Surface | Carbon fibre | Carbon fibre |
| Thickness | 38mm | 38mm |
| Pros |
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| Cons |
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The main differences are: Weight: Babolat Counter has 365-380g vs 360-375g. Shape: Babolat Counter has Diamond vs Round. Balance: Babolat Counter has High vs Low. Overall, the Babolat Counter Viper Padel Racket is best for advanced players while the Bullpadel Hack CTRL Padel Racket suits advanced players.
Neither is specifically designed for beginners — the Babolat Counter Viper Padel Racket suits advanced players and the Bullpadel Hack CTRL Padel Racket suits advanced players. Beginners may find both challenging.
The Bullpadel Hack CTRL Padel Racket (£190) costs more than the Babolat Counter Viper Padel Racket (£170). Whether the premium is worth it depends on your skill level — if you are advanced players, the extra investment in the Bullpadel Hack CTRL Padel Racket can pay off.