Oct 5, 2025

Every year, I like to look back at our sales data and put together a list of the Top 5 Best-Selling Rackets. It’s one of my favourite roundups—not just because it shows what’s popular, but because it outlines broader trends in the industry and where the sport might be heading.

Now, before we dive in, a quick disclaimer: just because your racket isn’t on this list doesn’t mean it isn’t good. There are countless excellent frames out there that aren’t very popular, many of which I personally love, but this particular ranking is purely based on what we sell best.

Only current racket models are included (so if a frame was replaced earlier this year, we’re only counting the new one), and of course, this is limited to rackets we carry at Rackets & Runners. With that out of the way, let’s get into it.

#5 Babolat Pure Aero 100

Kicking off our list at number five is a racket that never seems to miss out: the Babolat Pure Aero 100. This version of the Aero first launched in 2022, yet here it is—still firmly in the top five three years later. That kind of staying power is rare in the racket industry, but it’s not surprising, the Aero is consistently an incredible racket.

Traditionally, Babolat only makes subtle changes from one generation to the next, so that players switching to the new one feel at home as soon as they test it out. But with the most recent Aero 100, they took a bit of a risk: making it significantly more controlled than the previous few. They tightened the string pattern, reverted back toward rounder, more traditional grommets rather than the really open “spin grommets” of the previous one, and they added flax inserts to the layup for a softer feel.

Some longtime Aero purists missed the extreme-spin DNA of previous versions, but the sales numbers don’t lie—this was a smart move. The update brought more balance to the racket, making it more well-rounded which has been a trend in the industry for some time now. It still swings like an Aero, still feels aerodynamic and lively, but now with improved stability, consistency, and control.

And in today’s game, where variety matters as much as heavy topspin, that shift makes a lot of sense. They may not take risks very often, but when they do, Babolat never seems to miss.

#4 Babolat Pure Aero 98

The Aero 100 is synonymous with the Babolat brand but they recently developed its sleeker sibling, the Pure Aero 98, and it’s made an immediate impact. In fact, its popularity may be one reason the Aero 100 isn’t as dominant as it once was.

This is the racket of choice for Carlos Alcaraz, who has put it front and centre on the world stage with his incredible, all-court game. While endorsements don’t sell rackets by themselves, it certainly doesn’t hurt when the most exciting player in the world is using it.

Still, the key element to the Aero 98’s success is its performance. It blends the spin-friendly DNA of the Aero 100 with the precision and stability of a 98-square-inch frame. It offers more spin than you’d expect from a “player’s racket,” while still feeling rock solid on contact. It’s actually remarkably stable for a racket with such low weight specs (305 grams, 320 swing weight) which is a byproduct of the more rigid Aero beam design.

Now while the Aero 98’s performance is top notch, it’s not going to work for everyone because it’s not the easiest racket to swing. It has a lot of mass concentrated in the upper hoop which makes it powerful and stable, but it’s also quite demanding. The sweet spot is forgiving for a 98, but still smaller than a 100’s so while I understand that it may seem like the perfect option right now, do exercise caution.

For advanced players, though, it’s a dream—a blend of precision and huge power that rewards aggressive, modern technique. I don’t think it will ever top the list because it’s not accessible enough for the average player, but as far as more advanced frames go, it will probably remain the most popular option for years to come.

#3 Babolat Pure Drive 100

Third place on this list might be the biggest surprise of all. The Babolat Pure Drive has long been Babolat’s crown jewel: it was number one two years ago, number two last year, and then they updated it for 2025. As usual with new Pure Drives, I would have expected it to reclaim the top spot, but instead, it comes in at number three.

Now, of course, if we were ranking rackets by sales over the past 15 years, the Pure Drive would be number one, and by a landslide. Babolat created a near perfect formula when they developed it back in the early 2000s, blending effortless power, a generous sweet spot, and enough control to keep players confident when hitting out. Because of that, it attracts everyone from recreational players picking up the game all the way to pros who need consistency but also a bit of extra pop off the string bed.

That’s what the Pure Drive does better than most of its competitors: it combines user-friendliness and a rewarding feel. Frames like the Wilson Ultra 100 or Head Boom MP may be easy to play with, but they don’t scale up as well for advanced players. The Pure Drive does both—which also means it can grow with your game as your level improves.

So why has it only come in at number three? Two reasons. First, there are simply more rackets on the market now that strike a similar balance of accessibility and performance (the Yonex Ezone 100, the Ezone 98, and the Extreme Pro, for example). Second, while Babolat did update the Pure Drive this year, the changes were subtle. They softened it up a little and added a new dampening material, but it’s still largely the same frame. That’s good for consistency in the long run, but it doesn’t create the same hype that fuels immediate sales.

Still, the Pure Drive isn’t going anywhere — it will always be a pillar of the racket world, and I’m sure sales will remain rock solid year after year.

#2 Yonex Ezone 100

After three Babolat rackets, we finally move onto a different brand and taking the number two spot is the new Yonex Ezone 100.

This is a bit of a watershed moment for the Ezone. It has become the Pure Drive’s closest competitor over the last several years but always struggled to win out in terms of sales, but this year, the V8 finally did.

Yonex made some notable changes with this update. They softened up the layup, squared off the top of the hoop to move the sweet spot higher, and added more stabilization technology. The result is a racket that feels more forgiving, more comfortable, and more powerful than before. It’s arguably more forgiving than the Pure Drive (especially on the arm), but still retains that big-hitting potential that’s required at a higher level.

The real x-factor with the Ezone 100 is its spin. While it is still marketed as a power racket, its aerodynamic throat and open string bed make it noticeably more spin-friendly than other frames in this category. It accelerates quickly through contact, which, for the modern baseline game, is a huge plus. The higher sweet spot has also helped in the spin game at the expense of some control, but it’s a tradeoff that many players are clearly happy to make.

Now, I’ll admit, when I first tested this version, I wasn’t completely sold. To me, it felt a bit launchy and slightly mushy, especially strung with a softer string like Poly Tour Pro. But many players have told me they don’t find this to be an issue, especially with a crisper string setup.

The Ezone 100 has carved out its place as one of the most versatile frames on the market. Whether it will keep the Pure Drive at bay next season, only time will tell, but one thing’s for sure, the Pure Drive finally has a worthy competitor.

#1 Head Speed MP (and Speed Legend MP)

And finally, coming in at number one for the second year in a row is the Head Speed MP (and the Speed Legend MP). The two rackets are identical, except for their paint jobs, so I’m counting them as one.

This racket has been absolutely dominant, outselling the Pure Drive and the Ezone by a wide margin. Yes, sales were boosted by discounts on the outgoing Legend, but even without that, the Speed MP is the clear winner.

Why? Because it is, quite simply, the ultimate all-rounder. It doesn’t lean too heavily into power, spin, or control—it offers a perfect blend of all three. That means it appeals to the broadest range of players, not just between levels but between play styles as well.

One of the key tweaks Head made a few generations ago was increasing the beam thickness from 22 to 23 millimetres. That may sound minor, but it made the frame quite a bit more forgiving without taking away from its trademark consistency and stability. The result is a racket that feels solid, controlled, and yet packs more punch than many classic “player’s frames.”

Endorsements also play a big role here. Head has managed to put the Speed into the hands of Djokovic and Sinner and both of them usually make it deep into tournaments week in and week out. That combination of marketing and excellent playability is hard to beat.

That wraps up the list! If you’d like to try any of these rackets for yourself, we’d love to see you in-store at Rackets & Runners. You can also explore all of them online.