Best Squash Rackets UK 2026: Our Picks by Level and Weight

Quick answer: The best squash racket for most UK club players in 2026 is a 125–140g frame with a balance around even to slightly head-light, an open 14x18 or 16x17 string pattern and a graphite construction. Beginners should stay at the heavier, more forgiving end (135–150g); advanced players usually drop to 110–130g for faster racket-head speed. Below are the four rackets we currently have in stock at Central Tennis, and exactly who each one suits.

Squash rackets are one of the few bits of racket-sport kit where the numbers on the frame tell you most of what you need to know. Get the weight and balance right for your level and almost any racket from a serious squash brand will play well. Get them wrong and even a £150 frame will feel like hard work. This guide walks through what actually matters, then shows you our current in-stock picks from the squash rackets collection.

How to choose the best squash racket for you

Three things decide how a squash racket plays: weight, balance and head shape. Everything else — frame material, string pattern, grommets — fine-tunes those three.

Weight

Unstrung squash rackets run from roughly 110g to 170g. Lighter frames (110–125g) swing fastest and are easiest to flick at the front of the court, but they transfer less mass into the ball and punish off-centre hits. Heavier frames (140g and up) give you free power on the drive and a more stable feel on the volley, at the cost of a slower swing. For most club players the 125–140g band is the sweet spot, which is why so many rackets — including the Ashaway PowerKill Meta XBC at 135g — sit right there.

Balance

A head-heavy racket (balance point above about 360mm) helps generate pace with a shorter swing and suits players who like to hit hard from the back. A head-light racket brings the mass into your hand for quick reactions at the front and in the volley exchanges. Even-balance frames are the safe middle ground and what we point most improving players towards.

Head shape and string pattern

Teardrop heads (open throat) have longer main strings, a bigger sweet spot and more power. Traditional bridged heads are stiffer and more precise. Fewer strings — a 14x18 pattern, say — means more ball bite and control of pace; a denser pattern gives durability and a firmer response.

Squash rackets for beginners

If you are new to squash, resist the pull of the lightest, most expensive racket on the wall. A beginner's swing is long and often late, and a light head-light frame will simply feel unstable. Look instead for 135–150g, even to slightly head-heavy balance, a teardrop head and a graphite or graphite-composite frame in the £45–£80 bracket. Durability matters more than you might think: beginners scrape the wall and floor far more often than experienced players, so a bumper strip and a solid frame will save money in the long run.

Our honest position on stock: at the time of writing our entry-level Dunlop FX Team 130 is sold out, so the lowest-priced in-stock option is the Black Knight Hummingbird TC at £75. It is marketed at advanced players, but its forgiving Thermal Core frame makes it a very workable first "proper" racket for a committed beginner who wants something they will not outgrow in six months.

Squash rackets for intermediate and club players

This is where most of our customers sit — playing box leagues, club nights or county-league squash once or twice a week. You want a racket that rewards a decent technique without demanding a perfect one. A 125–135g frame with even balance is the default. If you are a volleyer who likes to cut the ball off early, drift head-light; if you live at the back and grind out length, a touch of head-heavy balance will give you more depth for less effort.

The Ashaway PowerKill Meta XBC (135g) is the pick here. Ashaway's Xtreme Braided Carbon layup is built for stability through the hit, so the frame stays composed on hard drives and does not twist on mishits. It also comes strung with Ashaway's own strings, which are among the best squash strings made — worth knowing if you ever need a restring in store.

Squash rackets for advanced players

Advanced players generally want two things: a fast frame for deception at the front and enough control to hit tight length under pressure. That pushes you towards 110–130g, head-light or even balance and a stiffer construction. Black Knight's Thermal Core (TC) frames are made for exactly this. The Oblivion TC is the all-court option with a firmer, faster response; the Castagnet Ion Canon PS is the tour-level frame in our range — the racket you buy when you are already good and want to remove any excuse.

Our picks at Central Tennis

Every racket below was checked as in stock on 25 September 2026. Prices are correct at the time of writing.

• Black Knight Hummingbird TC — £75.00
  Lightweight Thermal Core frame with a responsive, durable feel. Our best-value in-stock racket and the one we would hand a committed beginner or improving club player who wants speed without fragility.
• Ashaway PowerKill Meta XBC 135g — £87.99
  Xtreme Braided Carbon construction, 135g, engineered for precision and stability. The club-player sweet spot on weight, and the racket we would recommend to the widest range of players.
• Black Knight Oblivion TC — £93.72
  Faster, stiffer and more precise than the Hummingbird. For competitive players who want pace and control from the same frame.
• Black Knight Castagnet Ion Canon PS — £119.95
  The tour-level frame in our range. Advanced players only; if you are already hitting tight length and want the sharpest tool available, this is it.

If none of these is quite right, browse the full squash rackets collection — stock changes weekly — or read our short guide on how to choose your squash racket.

Strings, grips and looking after your racket

Most rackets arrive factory-strung at 25–28lbs. Dropping a couple of pounds adds power and feel; going up adds control. Squash strings are thin (17 or 18 gauge) and break more often than tennis strings, so budget for a restring every three to four months if you play weekly. Change your grip as soon as it goes shiny — a slipping grip is the fastest way to lose control of a light frame. And keep the racket out of a cold car boot: carbon frames do not like repeated temperature swings.

Frequently asked questions

Which is the best squash racket brand?

There is no single best brand. Tecnifibre, Head, Dunlop, Ashaway, Black Knight, Karakal and Wilson all make excellent squash rackets. Ashaway and Black Knight are specialist squash brands with strong reputations among club and county players, which is why they form the core of our current range.

What is the best squash racket for a beginner?

A 135–150g graphite-composite racket with even or slightly head-heavy balance and a teardrop head. Prioritise durability and a comfortable grip over low weight. In our current stock the Black Knight Hummingbird TC at £75 is the best starting point.

How do I know what squash racket to buy?

Decide your level first, then pick a weight band (beginner 135–150g, club 125–140g, advanced 110–130g), then choose balance based on whether you volley a lot (head-light) or drive from the back (head-heavy). Only then worry about brand and colour.

What is the best squash racket for an intermediate player?

Something around 130–135g and evenly balanced, like the Ashaway PowerKill Meta XBC. It is stable enough to forgive a rushed swing but fast enough to reward improving footwork.

How much should I spend on a squash racket?

£45–£80 for a first racket, £80–£120 for a club player who plays weekly, and £120+ only if you are competing and know exactly what balance and weight you want.

Conclusion

The best squash racket is the one that matches your level and your game, not the one with the highest price. Start from weight and balance, choose a serious squash brand, and you will not go far wrong. Our current in-stock picks cover committed beginners through to tour-level players, and every one links to a live product page above. Ready to choose? Browse the full squash rackets range, or drop into a Central Tennis store to hold a couple before you buy.