The Head Extreme One is the lightest racket in Head’s Extreme series: a diamond with a high balance of 272 mm, a 12K carbon face, a Power Foam core and a weight of 350 g. Head labels it a finisher with a maneuverability focus and calls the feel hard, and it is built on the HEAD ONE design, a hitting surface with a single hole.
It costs $299.95, the same as at Head’s US store. This review covers the build, the specs, how it should play, how it differs from the Extreme Motion and the Extreme Pro and who should buy it.
See also our best Head padel rackets guide, or browse all our padel gear reviews.
Head Extreme One at a glance
Why it wins: The lightest Extreme: a 350 g diamond with a 272 mm balance, a 12K carbon face and Power Foam, in Head’s single-hole ONE design. (~$300)
- Diamond shape and a high balance of 272 mm
- 12K carbon face and Power Foam core
- 350 g, the lightest racket in the Extreme range
- HEAD ONE design with Auxetic 2.0
Main features of the Head Extreme One
The Extreme One is built to be quick and to finish points:
- Diamond shape with a high balance of 272 mm, which adds inertia on overheads
- 12K carbon face, a tightly woven carbon that Head says gives a stiff, rigid and durable surface
- Power Foam core, Head’s most reactive and fastest foam, for power and energy transfer on smashes
- HEAD ONE design, which the US listing says gives an optimized sweet spot, better ball feel and durability, and whose photos show a face with a single hole
- Auxetic 2.0 technology for a more responsive feel and added power at impact
- Extreme Spin rough surface, Soft Cap + for cord customization and an Anti Shock Skin
Specification of the Head Extreme One
Here are the full specs of the Head Extreme One:
- Shape: Diamond
- Weight: 350 g (12.3 oz), midweight
- Balance: High, 272 mm
- Head size: 494 cm²
- Core: Power Foam
- Face: 12K carbon
- Surface: Extreme Spin
- Feel: Hard
- Player level: Advanced
- Type of play: Finisher, maneuverability
- Series: Extreme
Our review of the Head Extreme One
The Extreme One reads as a power racket put on a diet. A diamond with a 272 mm balance and a 12K carbon face is the usual recipe for smashes, and the weight of 350 g is 10 g lighter than the Extreme Motion and 20 g lighter than the Extreme Pro. Head labels it midweight and describes the series as attack-oriented.
The HEAD ONE design is the unusual part. Instead of the normal grid of drilled holes, the face has a single hole, and the US listing says it gives an optimized sweet spot, a better ball feel and exceptional durability. Auxetic 2.0 adds a more responsive feel at impact, and Power Foam supplies the ball exit on attacking shots.
We have not played it ourselves, so this is an assessment of Head’s spec sheet and descriptions. On paper it suits an advanced attacker who wants a hard, stiff diamond but finds the standard Extreme too heavy to swing quickly.
Pros
- Lightest racket in the Extreme range at 350 g
- High balance and 12K carbon face for power
- Distinctive single-hole ONE design
- US price matches Head’s own store
Cons
- Hard feel loads the arm
- High balance takes effort to maneuver
- Costs more than the Extreme Motion
- Not suited to intermediates
Who is the Head Extreme One for?
The Extreme One suits advanced players who attack and finish at the net, and who want a stiff diamond at a lighter weight than the rest of the Extreme range. It also suits smaller or lighter players who find 360–370 g diamonds tiring.
Who the Head Extreme One is not for
Skip it if you are new to padel, if your arm is sensitive or if you defend from the back of the court. A hard, high-balance diamond is demanding, and our tennis elbow racket guide lists softer options. Intermediates should look at the teardrop Head Speed Pro.
What to know before you buy the Head Extreme One
Weight and balance
Head lists 350 g (12.3 oz), which it calls midweight, and a balance of 272 mm, which it calls high. The US listing gives a head size of 494 cm². A high balance makes the racket feel heavier in the hand than its weight suggests.
Extreme One versus Extreme Motion and Extreme Pro
The One is the lightest at 350 g, the Extreme Motion is 360 g with a unidirectional carbon face and the Extreme Pro is the heaviest at about 370 g with a hybrid woven face. The One has a 12K carbon face and the single-hole design.
Single-hole face
The HEAD ONE rackets have a face with a single hole, which looks very different from a normal padel racket. It takes some getting used to on the court, but the listing says it gives an optimized sweet spot and exceptional durability.
How the Head Extreme One plays
Smashes and the vibora: A diamond with a 272 mm balance and a stiff 12K face gives head weight and a direct response. Our guides to the kick smash and the vibora cover the technique.
Volleys and net play: The 350 g weight is the selling point, and it helps reaction speed at the net.
Defense: A hard, head-heavy diamond is never the easiest racket to defend with, although the lower weight helps.
Spin: The Extreme Spin surface adds traction on topspin and the bandeja.
Head Extreme One vs the alternatives
Inside Head, the Extreme Motion is the 360 g version with a unidirectional carbon face, the Extreme Pro is the heavier diamond and the Speed One X is the heavy teardrop. Outside Head, the Bullpadel Hack 04 and the Adidas Arrow Hit Light are comparable attacking diamonds. Our best rackets for advanced players guide compares the wider field.
For a lightweight teardrop with the same single-hole face, see the Head Speed One.
Is the Head Extreme One worth it?
At $299.95, the same as Head’s own US store, the Extreme One is fair value for an advanced attacker who wants a light, stiff diamond. It costs about $45 more than the Extreme Motion, so it is worth it only if you want the lowest weight and the ONE design.
Conclusion
The Head Extreme One is a light, hard, high-balance diamond with a 12K carbon face and a single-hole design. Its strengths are weight, power and a fair US price. Its weaknesses are the hard feel and a price above the Extreme Motion.
Choose it if you attack and want the lightest Extreme. If you want a little more weight and a lower price, see the Extreme Motion, and browse our best padel rackets roundup for every level.
Frequently asked questions about the Head Extreme One
How heavy is the Head Extreme One?
Head lists 350 g (12.3 oz), which it calls midweight, with a high balance of 272 mm. It is the lightest racket in the Extreme range.
What is the difference between the Head Extreme One and the Extreme Motion?
The One weighs 350 g, has a 12K carbon face and a single-hole design, while the Extreme Motion weighs 360 g and has a unidirectional carbon face. Both are high-balance diamonds for attackers.
Can an intermediate player use the Head Extreme One?
Usually not. Head targets advanced players who attack, the feel is hard and the balance is high. Intermediates will be more comfortable on a teardrop from our intermediate racket guide.
What is HEAD ONE technology?
HEAD ONE is a design with a single-hole hitting surface instead of the usual grid of holes. The US listing says it optimizes the sweet spot and improves ball feel and durability.
What is 12K carbon?
12K carbon has 12,000 filaments in each tow of the weave. Head says it is a more tightly woven carbon that gives a stiff, rigid and durable hitting surface.
Is the Head Extreme One a power racket?
It leans toward power. Head labels it a finisher, and the diamond shape, the high balance, the 12K face and the Power Foam core are built for attacking shots.
Is the Head Extreme One hard on the arm?
It can be. Head rates the feel as hard, although the 350 g weight is lighter than the rest of the series. Our tennis elbow racket guide lists rackets chosen for comfort first.
Is the Head Extreme One worth $300?
Yes for an advanced attacker who wants a light, stiff diamond, because the price matches Head’s own US store. Players who do not need the lowest weight can save about $45 with the Extreme Motion.
Kevin Anderson is a Content Writer for SimplePadel. He joined the company during summer 2022. For SimplePadel, he spealizes in testing rackets and writes a lot of our padel racket reviews.
Kevin loves to own the net position and considers himself an attacking-minded player. He often claims that he has the reach of a monkey – thanks to his 6’5″ stature. In his spare time, he enjoys cooking and following the USPA closely.