The ACA Palladium is ACA’s power flagship — a 12K-carbon diamond with a high balance and an EVA Fusion core, built for medium-to-advanced players who want explosive smashing power at a value price.
ACA is a smaller Spanish brand that sells direct and through Amazon at sharper prices than the big names, and the Palladium is its headline power racket. A 100% carbon tubular frame and 12K carbon faces sit over a multi-density Black EVA Fusion core, with a sand/3D surface for spin — a genuine power diamond for a mid-range budget.
This review covers its build, specs and on-court feel, and who it’s for. See also our best ACA padel rackets guide, or browse all our padel gear reviews.
ACA Palladium at a glance
Why it wins: A 12K-carbon power diamond at a value price — high balance and an EVA Fusion core deliver explosive smashes with a surprisingly wide sweet spot. (~$140)
- Diamond shape — high balance, power
- 12K carbon faces, 100% carbon frame
- EVA Fusion core (multi-density)
- Sand / 3D surface for spin
Main features of the ACA Palladium
The Palladium packs flagship-style power tech at a mid-range price:
- Diamond shape with a high balance for put-away power
- 12K carbon faces for a stiff, explosive response
- 100% carbon tubular frame for rigidity and durability
- EVA Fusion core blending densities for power plus control
- Sand / 3D textured surface for spin grip
Specification of the ACA Palladium
Here are the full specs of the ACA Palladium:
- Shape: Diamond
- Weight: ~360–380 g
- Balance: High
- Core: Black EVA Fusion
- Faces: 12K Carbon
- Player level: Intermediate–Advanced
- Type of play: Power
- Pro: —
Our review of the ACA Palladium
The Palladium hits hard for the money. The diamond head and high balance load the top of the frame for explosive smashes, and the 12K carbon faces give a stiff, lively response. The multi-density EVA Fusion core is the clever bit — it keeps a usefully wide sweet spot for a diamond, so it’s a touch more forgiving than the spec sheet suggests.
It’s still a power diamond, so it rewards clean contact and an aggressive game, but for a medium-to-advanced player who wants flagship-style pace without a flagship price, it punches well above its cost.
Pros
- Explosive 12K-carbon power
- Wide sweet spot for a diamond
- Strong spin from the sand surface
- Excellent value for a power frame
Cons
- Demanding diamond at heart
- Lesser-known brand (limited resale)
- Best for stronger players
Who is the ACA Palladium for?
The Palladium is for intermediate-to-advanced attackers who want a 12K-carbon power diamond on a budget. Beginners and control players should look at ACA’s round Roqueta 2 or Wave 2 instead.
How the ACA Palladium plays
On smashes it’s the highlight — the head-heavy diamond and 12K faces deliver real pace.
On defence the EVA Fusion core keeps it more forgiving than most diamonds, though the high balance still asks for clean contact.
ACA Palladium vs the alternatives
Against the big-brand power flagships like the Babolat Technical Viper and Adidas Metalbone it offers a similar diamond profile for noticeably less money. Within ACA’s range it’s the power option next to the control-focused Wave 2 and Roqueta 2.
Is the ACA Palladium worth it?
For an attacking player happy to back a smaller brand, the Palladium is strong value — you get genuine 12K-carbon diamond power and decent forgiveness for well under flagship money. Control players and beginners should look elsewhere.
Conclusion
The ACA Palladium is a lot of power diamond for the price — 12K carbon, a high balance and explosive smashing pace, with an EVA Fusion core that keeps the sweet spot wider than most diamonds. It’s an advanced-leaning frame from a value brand, and for an aggressive player on a budget it’s a genuinely strong option.
A value-priced power diamond. See how it stacks up against the big names in our advanced padel rackets guide and the full best padel rackets roundup.
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.