The Babolat Technical Origin+ is Babolat’s entry-level diamond: a fiberglass face, a hybrid frame and an EVA core, made for offensive intermediate players who want power in a comfortable, simple package. At about $119 it is the cheapest route into the Technical family, and the price matches Babolat’s own US store.
Babolat calls its player type the technical striker and describes soft, flexible fibers that give effortless power with maximum comfort and forgiveness. This review covers the build, the specs, how it should play, who should buy it and who should choose a round racket instead.
See also our best Babolat padel rackets guide, or browse all our padel gear reviews.
Babolat Technical Origin+ at a glance
Why it wins: Babolat’s entry diamond for intermediate attackers: a fiberglass face and hybrid frame for easy power and comfort, at about $119. (~$119)
- Diamond shape with a balance of 270 mm
- Fiberglass face and hybrid carbon-fiberglass frame
- 355 g (+/- 10 g) and a 38 mm profile
- Same price at Babolat’s own US store
Main features of the Babolat Technical Origin+
The Technical Origin+ is built to give an attacker easy power without a stiff feel:
- Diamond shape with a balance of 270 mm, which helps ball exit and overhead shots
- Fiberglass face with soft, flexible fibers for power that Babolat says comes with maximum comfort
- Hybrid frame, which combines the sturdiness and lightness of carbon with the flexibility of fiberglass
- EVA core with a soft rubber to help ball exit velocity
- Large sweet spot for a diamond, which Babolat stresses for intermediate players
- Lightweight design at 355 g (+/- 10 g), to reduce arm fatigue
Specification of the Babolat Technical Origin+
Here are the full specs of the Babolat Technical Origin+:
- Shape: Diamond
- Weight: 355 g (+/- 10 g)
- Balance: 270 mm
- Beam thickness: 38 mm
- Face: Fiberglass
- Frame: Hybrid (carbon and fiberglass)
- Core: EVA
- Recommended grip: Syntec Uptake
- Player type: Technical striker
- Player level: Intermediate
- Type of play: Offensive
Our review of the Babolat Technical Origin+
The Technical Origin+ is a simple idea at a low price: a diamond shape for power, and a fiberglass face and hybrid frame to keep it comfortable and affordable. A diamond with a 270 mm balance puts weight in the head for smashes and overheads, while the flexible face gives the forgiveness that an intermediate player needs, which is how Babolat describes the racket.
The materials are the key trade. A fiberglass face is softer and cheaper than a carbon one and gives less direct response and less top-end power than the Technical Viper family, but it absorbs more of the impact and costs a fraction of the price. The hybrid frame adds some of carbon’s sturdiness without the cost.
We have not played it ourselves, so this is an assessment of Babolat’s spec sheet and descriptions. On paper it is a sensible first diamond for an intermediate who wants to attack without paying Technical Viper money.
Pros
- Cheapest entry to Babolat’s diamond line
- Fiberglass face and hybrid frame are comfortable
- Good weight at 355 g
- US price matches Babolat’s own store
Cons
- Fiberglass gives less power and feedback than carbon
- Diamond sweet spot is smaller than a round racket’s
- Limited US stock
- Not a long-term racket for an improving attacker
Who is the Babolat Technical Origin+ for?
The Technical Origin+ suits intermediate players who want to start attacking and smashing more, and who want a diamond without the stiffness or the price of a carbon one. It also suits a second racket for players who like a softer feel.
Who the Babolat Technical Origin+ is not for
Skip it if you are a beginner, because a diamond is harder to use than a round racket, and our Counter Origin review and beginner racket guide cover easier options. Advanced attackers will want more power and feedback from the Technical Viper.
What to know before you buy the Babolat Technical Origin+
Weight, balance and materials
Babolat lists 355 g (plus or minus 10 g), a 270 mm balance and a 38 mm profile, with a fiberglass surface, a hybrid frame and an EVA core. Babolat recommends its Syntec Uptake grip. A 270 mm balance is clearly head heavy, so the racket will feel heavier than its weight suggests.
Technical Origin+ versus the other Origin rackets
The Origin line is Babolat’s entry range. Our Counter Origin and Air Origin reviews cover the round and lighter versions, and the Technical Origin+ is the diamond with the most power.
Price
Babolat’s US store lists the racket at $119, reduced by 30% from $170, and the US listing we link matches that price. The listing can be down to a few units, so check availability before you plan around it.
How the Babolat Technical Origin+ plays
Smashes and the vibora: The diamond shape and the 270 mm balance give head weight, and the soft face makes power easy to find. Our guides to the kick smash and the vibora cover the technique.
Volleys: Comfortable on contact, with less stiffness than a carbon racket, so you supply more of the pace.
Defense: The head-heavy balance is harder to defend with than a round racket’s, although the flexible face is forgiving.
Comfort: The flexible fibers and the lightweight design are aimed at reducing arm fatigue over a long session.
Babolat Technical Origin+ vs the alternatives
Inside Babolat, the Technical Viper Soft is the carbon step up with a softer face, the Technical Viper is the standard power diamond and the Air Origin is a lighter entry racket. Outside Babolat, the Bullpadel Indiga Power is another cheap diamond. Our best rackets for intermediate players guide compares the wider field.
For a very light round racket from Babolat, see the Babolat Alkes.
Is the Babolat Technical Origin+ worth it?
At about $119, the same as Babolat’s own discounted price, the Technical Origin+ is good value for an intermediate who wants a first diamond. It is poor value for a beginner or an advanced attacker, who will get more from a rounder or a carbon racket.
Conclusion
The Babolat Technical Origin+ is a comfortable, affordable diamond with a fiberglass face and a hybrid frame. Its strengths are easy power, comfort and price. Its weaknesses are less feedback than carbon, a smaller sweet spot than a round racket and a short useful life for an improving attacker.
Choose it if you are an intermediate who wants to attack. If you want more power, see the Technical Viper Soft, and browse our best padel rackets roundup for every level.
Frequently asked questions about the Babolat Technical Origin+
Is the Babolat Technical Origin+ good for intermediate players?
Yes. Babolat designs it for intermediate offensive players, with a fiberglass face and a large sweet spot for a diamond that make it more forgiving than a carbon diamond.
How heavy is the Babolat Technical Origin+ and where is the balance?
Babolat lists 355 g (plus or minus 10 g) with a balance of 270 mm and a 38 mm profile. That balance is clearly head heavy.
Is the Babolat Technical Origin+ good for beginners?
Usually not. A diamond is harder to use than a round racket, and a beginner will learn more on a round racket from our beginner racket guide.
How does the Babolat Technical Origin+ compare with the Technical Viper?
The Technical Origin+ has a fiberglass face and a hybrid frame and costs about $119, while the Technical Viper has a carbon face and targets advanced players. Our Technical Viper review covers the carbon racket.
What is a hybrid frame?
A hybrid frame combines carbon and fiberglass. Babolat says it gives the sturdiness and lightness of carbon with the flexibility of fiberglass, which also helps reduce arm fatigue.
What is a technical striker in Babolat’s range?
Technical striker is the player type Babolat gives to this racket and to the Viper. It means an offensive player who wants power with control, and the Technical line is Babolat’s range for that style.
Is the Babolat Technical Origin+ comfortable?
It is built to be. The soft fiberglass face, the flexible hybrid frame and the lightweight design are all aimed at comfort and forgiveness, although a head-heavy balance still loads the arm a little.
Is the Babolat Technical Origin+ worth about $119?
Yes for an intermediate who wants a first diamond, since the price matches Babolat’s own discounted store price. It is less suitable for beginners and advanced attackers.
Patricia Nguyen is a former pickleball player who joined SimplePadel as a Content Writer in late 2022. She lives in Texas with her two dogs and is an avid fan of the sport. Her favorite player is Ale Galán, whom she believes to be the best defensive padel player that ever played the game.