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The Counter Viper is the proper upgrade for committed players; the Rocket Ultra remains a starter racket only.
Babolat's Counter Viper is the control-shifted version of the Viper line, near-spec to what some Babolat tour players use as a defensive option, with a slightly rounder head than the standard Viper, full carbon faces, soft EVA core and a target weight around 360g. It's a legitimate tournament-grade racket designed for players who play the back of the court and value touch over raw punch. The Dunlop Rocket Ultra is fibreglass over foam at £50 and isn't trying to compete in this bracket. Three sessions a week and the Rocket starts to feel cheap at the throat; the Counter Viper holds up for years and the carbon construction keeps its response consistent rather than softening with use. Buy the Dunlop Rocket Ultra if you're brand new and want to confirm padel sticks, otherwise go for the Babolat Counter Viper because the carbon construction and tuned 360g weight are what an improver-to-intermediate player actually wants once their game starts forming and they need a racket that doesn't fight them.
Hand-written editorial — not auto-generated. By Gary, RacketRise.
| Product | ||
|---|---|---|
| Category | Padel Rackets | Padel Rackets |
| Sport | Padel | Padel |
| Skill Level | Advanced | Beginner |
| Weight | 365-380g | 355-375g |
| Shape | Diamond | Round |
| Balance | High | Low |
| Core | Hard EVA | Soft EVA |
| Surface | Carbon fibre | Fibreglass |
| Thickness | 38mm | 38mm |
| Pros |
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| Cons |
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The main differences are: Weight: Babolat Counter has 365-380g vs 355-375g. 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 Dunlop Rocket Ultra Padel Racket suits beginners.
The Dunlop Rocket Ultra Padel Racket is the better choice for beginners thanks to its forgiving design and accessible price point. The Babolat Counter Viper Padel Racket is aimed at advanced players and may be more demanding to use effectively.
The Babolat Counter Viper Padel Racket (£170) costs more than the Dunlop Rocket Ultra Padel Racket (£50). Whether the premium is worth it depends on your skill level — if you are advanced players, the extra investment in the Babolat Counter Viper Padel Racket can pay off.