The Adidas Match Light is one of the best true-budget starter rackets you can buy — a light, round, forgiving frame with a glass-fibre face and soft EVA core that’s easy on the arm and the wallet.
Here’s our full review of its build, specs and feel, and who it suits. For the rest of the range, see our best Adidas padel rackets guide.
Adidas Match Light at a glance
Why it wins: Adidas’s best true-budget starter — a light, round, forgiving frame with a glass-fibre face and soft EVA, easy on the arm and ideal for your first racket. (~$90)
- Round shape — control and forgiveness
- Glass-fibre face + soft EVA core
- Light (~345–360 g), arm-friendly
- Great value for beginners
Main features of the Adidas Match Light
The Match Light is built to make starting out easy — light, forgiving and affordable:
- Round shape with a central sweet spot for control
- Glass-fibre face for a soft, flexible response
- Low-density EVA core for comfort and easy ball return
- Light build (~345–360 g) that’s kind on the arm
- Smart Holes and reinforcement for durability
Specification of the Adidas Match Light
Here are the full specs of the Adidas Match Light:
- Shape: Round
- Weight: ~345–360 g
- Balance: Low / medium
- Core: Soft EVA
- Faces: Glass fibre
- Player level: Beginner
- Type of play: Control
- Series: Adidas Match
Our review of the Adidas Match Light
The Match Light does exactly what a first racket should: it gets out of your way. The round shape and light weight make it easy to swing and forgiving on mishits, and the soft glass-fibre face is gentle on the arm — important when you’re building technique and playing longer than your body is used to.
There’s little here for an advancing player — the power and feedback are modest, and you’ll outgrow it. But as an affordable, comfortable way into the sport, it’s one of the safest beginner buys around.
Pros
- Very forgiving and easy to use
- Light and arm-friendly
- Genuinely affordable
- Durable for the price
Cons
- Underpowered as you improve
- Basic feel and feedback
Who is the Adidas Match Light for?
The Match Light is for complete beginners and casual players who want an affordable, comfortable racket to learn on. If you’re already improving fast, size up to a mid-range frame instead.
How the Adidas Match Light plays
On groundstrokes it’s forgiving and controlled, helping you find the middle of the face while you learn.
On power shots it’s gentle — you won’t get free pace, but you also won’t jar your arm, which matters most early on.
Adidas Match Light vs the alternatives
Against Adidas’s pro frames like the Metalbone, the Match Light is the polar opposite — all forgiveness and comfort, none of the power (or the price). It’s a natural first step before moving up.
Is the Adidas Match Light worth it?
At around $90 it’s one of the best-value ways into padel. If budget is the priority, also see our best budget padel rackets and best beginner rackets guides.
Conclusion
The Adidas Match Light is a smart, low-risk first racket — light, forgiving and cheap. When your game outgrows it, our best padel rackets guide has the next step up.
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.