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Buy the Counter Viper if you're an attacking player on a £170 budget; otherwise the Alpha Motion is the more complete £280 racket.
These two sit £110 apart and that gap tells most of the story. The Babolat Counter Viper at £170 is the seasoned attacking diamond: aggressive teardrop balance, a stiffer carbon face, and a deliberately punchy feel for players who already finish points off the smash. It's quick through the swing but unforgiving on framers, and Babolat hasn't softened the bite for casual users.
The Head Alpha Motion 2026 at £280 is the more complete tool. Head's 2026 Motion construction adds a touch more dwell time on the strings, which translates to better ball control on bandejas and chiquitas, and the medium-high balance keeps it usable defensively. You're paying for an updated platform, not a marketing refresh.
If you're a club player chasing a sharper attacking weapon and don't mind the stiffer feel, the Counter Viper saves you over £100. If you want a year-round racket that performs at the back of the court as well as the net, the Alpha Motion justifies the spend.
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 | Hybrid |
| Balance | High | Medium |
| Core | Hard 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 Hybrid. Balance: Babolat Counter has High vs Medium. Overall, the Babolat Counter Viper Padel Racket is best for advanced players while the Head Alpha Motion 2026 Padel Racket suits advanced players.
Neither is specifically designed for beginners — the Babolat Counter Viper Padel Racket suits advanced players and the Head Alpha Motion 2026 Padel Racket suits advanced players. Beginners may find both challenging.
The Head Alpha Motion 2026 Padel Racket (£280) 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 Head Alpha Motion 2026 Padel Racket can pay off.