The ACA Wave 2 is ACA’s 3K-carbon control racket — a round frame with carbon faces, a soft EVA core and a low-medium balance, built for control players who want a forgiving pala with a touch more response than fibreglass.
The Wave 2 sits a step above ACA’s fibreglass Roqueta in materials. It keeps the round shape and control focus but swaps in 3K carbon faces for a crisper, more responsive strike, over a soft Black EVA core with a sand finish for spin — a control racket that’s a little more lively than a pure entry frame.
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 Wave 2 at a glance
Why it wins: A round control racket with 3K carbon faces — a forgiving sweet spot and soft EVA core, plus a crisper response than fibreglass, all at a value price. (~$140)
- Round shape — large, central sweet spot
- 3K carbon faces for a crisper response
- Soft Black EVA core
- Low-medium balance — manoeuvrable
Main features of the ACA Wave 2
The Wave 2 pairs a control shape with a carbon-face upgrade:
- Round shape with a large, forgiving sweet spot
- 3K carbon faces for control with a livelier response
- Soft Black EVA core for comfort and forgiveness
- Low-medium balance for easy handling
- Sand finish for spin grip
Specification of the ACA Wave 2
Here are the full specs of the ACA Wave 2:
- Shape: Round
- Weight: ~350–365 g
- Balance: Low-medium
- Core: Soft Black EVA
- Faces: 3K Carbon
- Player level: Intermediate–Advanced
- Type of play: Control
- Pro: —
Our review of the ACA Wave 2
The Wave 2 is the control racket to pick from ACA if you want a bit more from the strike. The round head keeps the sweet spot big and forgiving, while the 3K carbon faces add a crisper, more responsive feel than the fibreglass Roqueta — you get more feedback and a touch more pop without losing the control focus. The soft EVA core keeps it comfortable.
It’s still a placement-first racket rather than a weapon, but the carbon faces make it a more rewarding option for an improving control player. The sand finish gives useful spin grip.
Pros
- Forgiving, large sweet spot
- 3K carbon — crisper than fibreglass
- Comfortable soft EVA core
- Good value control racket
Cons
- Still modest on power
- Lesser-known brand
- Not for pure attackers
Who is the ACA Wave 2 for?
The Wave 2 is for intermediate control players who want a forgiving round racket with a carbon-face upgrade. Beginners can start with the fibreglass Roqueta 2; attackers want the Palladium.
How the ACA Wave 2 plays
On control and defence it’s excellent — precise, forgiving and easy to place.
On smashes the carbon faces add a little more pop than fibreglass, but power is still modest.
ACA Wave 2 vs the alternatives
It’s the carbon-faced step up from ACA’s Roqueta 2, and the control counterpart to the power Palladium. Against a big-brand round control racket like the Babolat Counter Origin it offers a similar profile with 3K carbon for less money.
Is the ACA Wave 2 worth it?
For a control player who wants carbon faces and a forgiving round shape on a budget, the Wave 2 is good value — the 3K carbon lifts it above pure entry frames while keeping the price sensible. Power players should take the Palladium.
Conclusion
The ACA Wave 2 is a well-judged round control racket — the 3K carbon faces give it a crisper, more responsive feel than fibreglass, while the round shape and soft core keep it forgiving and comfortable. It’s a placement-first frame rather than a power tool, and for a control player on a budget it’s one of ACA’s most rewarding options.
A value 3K-carbon control racket. See where it fits in our intermediate 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.