The Adidas Metalbone Ctrl is the control-focused member of Adidas’s flagship Metalbone family — a round, 16K-carbon frame with an even balance and a soft EVA core, built for advanced players who want precision without losing the Metalbone’s bite.
Where the diamond-shaped Metalbone HRD chases raw power, the Metalbone Ctrl takes the same premium 16K carbon construction and reshapes it for control. A round head, even balance and Soft Performance EVA core centre the sweet spot for precision, while Adidas’s Weight & Balance System lets you tune the feel toward power or control.
This review covers its build, specs and on-court feel, and who it’s for. See also our best Adidas padel rackets guide, or browse all our padel gear reviews.
Adidas Metalbone Ctrl at a glance
Why it wins: The control Metalbone — round, even-balanced 16K carbon with a soft core for pinpoint precision, plus a tunable Weight & Balance system. (~$240)
- Round shape — central, precise sweet spot
- 16K Carbon Aluminised face
- Soft Performance EVA core
- Weight & Balance System — tunable
Main features of the Adidas Metalbone Ctrl
The Metalbone Ctrl brings flagship materials to a control-first frame:
- Round shape with an even balance for precision
- 16K Carbon Aluminised face for a stiff, quality response
- Soft Performance EVA core for control and comfort
- Weight & Balance System — adjust up to ~11g
- Octagonal carbon frame + Power Groove rail for rigidity
Specification of the Adidas Metalbone Ctrl
Here are the full specs of the Adidas Metalbone Ctrl:
- Shape: Round
- Weight: ~345–360 g
- Balance: Even / medium
- Core: Soft Performance EVA
- Faces: 16K Carbon
- Player level: Advanced
- Type of play: Control
- Pro: —
Our review of the Adidas Metalbone Ctrl
The Metalbone Ctrl is a control player’s flagship. The round head and even balance centre the sweet spot, so lobs, chiquitas and placed volleys feel precise and repeatable, while the 16K carbon face keeps the response stiff and high-quality. The Soft Performance EVA core adds comfort without turning it mushy.
It still carries the Metalbone DNA — there’s real bite when you step in — but the priority here is placement over put-away pace. The Weight & Balance System is a genuine bonus, letting you nudge it toward more head-heavy power if you want.
Pros
- Excellent control and precision
- Premium 16K carbon feel
- Tunable Weight & Balance system
- Comfortable soft EVA core
Cons
- Less raw power than the diamond Metalbone
- Premium price
- Advanced-level frame
Who is the Adidas Metalbone Ctrl for?
The Metalbone Ctrl is for advanced control players who want flagship materials in a round, precise frame. Pure attackers should go for the diamond Metalbone; see our advanced guide.
How the Adidas Metalbone Ctrl plays
On control and defence it’s superb — precise placement from the round head and even balance.
On smashes there’s still bite, but it’s tuned for precision over the diamond’s brute pace.
Adidas Metalbone Ctrl vs the alternatives
It’s the round, control counterpart to the diamond Adidas Metalbone, and a more premium, advanced frame than the lighter Metalbone Team Light. Against the Adipower CTRL it offers the newer Metalbone construction and tuning system.
The most aggressive frame in the range is the newer Metalbone HRD+ 3.5, and the Arrow Hit Ctrl is Adidas’s other round control racket.
Is the Adidas Metalbone Ctrl worth it?
For an advanced control player who wants Adidas’s flagship 16K carbon in a precise round frame, the Metalbone Ctrl is worth the premium — the control and the tunable balance are genuinely good. Power-first players should take the diamond Metalbone instead.
Conclusion
The Adidas Metalbone Ctrl is a refined control flagship — round, even-balanced and built from premium 16K carbon, with a soft core and tunable Weight & Balance system that make it precise and comfortable. It keeps enough Metalbone bite to attack, but placement is its strength. A control player’s premium pick.
A flagship control racket. Compare it with the rest of the range in our advanced padel rackets guide and the full best padel rackets roundup.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Adidas Metalbone Ctrl good for beginners?
Not really. At around $240 it is a flagship-priced frame, and although the round head is forgiving, the 16K carbon face is stiff and rewards a consistent strike. Improvers and above will get the most from it. Beginners should start with our beginner padel rackets guide.
What is the difference between the Metalbone Ctrl and the Metalbone 3.4?
Shape and intent. The Ctrl is a round, even-balanced control frame; the Metalbone 3.4 is a head-heavy diamond power racket built for Ale Galan. The Ctrl is the more forgiving and the cheaper of the two.
What does the Weight & Balance System do?
It lets you add weight at set points on the frame to shift the balance toward the head or the handle. In practice it means you can make the Ctrl swing heavier for power or lighter for hand speed without buying a different racket.
What is the Metalbone Ctrl made of?
A 16K Carbon Aluminised hitting face over a Soft Performance EVA core, in a round frame with an even balance point.
Is the Metalbone Ctrl a power or control racket?
Control. The round head centres the sweet spot and the even balance keeps mass out of the head, which is the opposite of what the diamond Metalbone frames do.
Is the Metalbone Ctrl comfortable on the arm?
The Soft Performance EVA core takes some sting out, but a 16K carbon face is stiff by nature. If arm comfort is the priority, a fibreglass-faced frame such as the Metalbone Team Light is the gentler choice. See also our rackets for tennis elbow guide.
Is the Metalbone Ctrl worth $240?
If you want flagship materials in a control shape and will use the tunable balance, yes. If you mainly want forgiveness at a lower price, the Team Light delivers much of the feel for around $130.
Which Adidas racket should I buy instead for power?
The Metalbone 3.4, or the Metalbone range’s diamond frames generally. Our Adidas padel rackets guide sets the range out by what each frame is best for.
Lucas Sánchez is the founder of SimplePadel. Born and raised in Spain, Lucas has been living in the US and UK for the last 20 years and currently calls Miami his home. While he’s never played professionally, the dream is still alive.
Lucas loves nothing more than playing (and talking) about padel, and he considers himself lucky to have a wife and family that share his love for the game.