Babolat Counter Viper Padel Racket vs Nox AT10 Genius 12K Padel Racket — Padel Rackets Comparison UK 2026

Around £30-35 separates them at retail — the Nox is now the pricier of the two — and the playing experience is miles apart. The Babolat Counter Viper at £170 carries the Viper attacking DNA but with a touch more counter-punch tolerance baked in — helpful when you're absorbing pace from the back glass. The Nox AT10 Genius 12K at £199-207 is Tapia's pure attacking diamond: 365-380g, high balance, 38mm HR3 core, 12K carbon face for spin.

Decide on this:

• If your matches are 70% net play and you finish points decisively, the AT10 is the bigger weapon — and you'll pay a modest premium for it.
• If you genuinely defend half the match and counter from the back, the Counter Viper is a more rounded tool and the cheaper one.
• Neither is a beginner racket; both reward swing speed.

The AT10's premium 12K carbon face and aggressive geometry are not for defensive players — Nox themselves admit as much. The Counter Viper sacrifices a small percentage of smash power for a much friendlier defensive feel and a wider sweet spot when you're scrambling.