The Babolat Air Vertuo is the light, soft, control-friendly member of Babolat’s Vertuo line — a ~345g teardrop with a soft EVA core and fibreglass face, built for intermediate players who value comfort and forgiveness.
The Vertuo is Babolat’s soft-core, control-oriented series, aimed at beginner-to-intermediate players who want comfort and an easy, forgiving strike. In the lightweight ‘Air’ build it’s especially manoeuvrable — a teardrop that keeps a generous sweet spot while staying gentle on the arm.
This review covers its build, specs and on-court feel, and who it’s for. See also our best Babolat padel rackets guide, or browse all our padel gear reviews.
Babolat Air Vertuo at a glance
Why it wins: Light, soft and forgiving — a ~345g teardrop with a soft EVA core that’s easy to control and kind to the arm, ideal for improving players. (~$140)
- Teardrop shape — forgiving sweet spot
- Soft EVA core for comfort and control
- Light ~345g, even balance — agile
- Fibreglass face, easy to play
Main features of the Babolat Air Vertuo
The Air Vertuo is built around comfort and easy control:
- Teardrop shape with a forgiving sweet spot
- Soft EVA core for a comfortable, elastic feel
- Light ~345g with an even balance for quick handling
- Fibreglass face for flexibility and forgiveness
- 3D Spin surface for grip on the ball
Specification of the Babolat Air Vertuo
Here are the full specs of the Babolat Air Vertuo:
- Shape: Teardrop
- Weight: ~345 g (±10)
- Balance: Even (~265 mm)
- Core: Soft EVA
- Faces: Fibreglass
- Player level: Intermediate
- Type of play: Control / comfort
- Pro: —
Our review of the Babolat Air Vertuo
The Air Vertuo is all about easy control. The soft EVA core and fibreglass face give a gentle, forgiving strike, so blocks, volleys and resets feel comfortable and predictable, and the light ~345g weight keeps it quick at the net. It’s a racket that flatters consistency over power.
If you’re an improving player who wants comfort and control rather than raw pace, it’s a natural fit. The trade-off is attacking bite — there’s less explosive power here than in the firmer Veron or Viper frames.
Pros
- Soft, comfortable, arm-friendly
- Forgiving, easy to control
- Light and manoeuvrable
- Good value for the build
Cons
- Limited attacking power
- Fibreglass dampens feedback
- Not for advanced attackers
Who is the Babolat Air Vertuo for?
The Air Vertuo is for intermediate players (and improving beginners) who want a soft, forgiving, control-first racket that stays comfortable over long matches. If you want more attacking pop, step up to the Air Veron.
How the Babolat Air Vertuo plays
On control shots — blocks, volleys, resets — it’s comfortable and predictable.
On smashes power is modest; this is a frame that rewards placement over pace.
Babolat Air Vertuo vs the alternatives
It’s the softer, more control-focused sibling of the all-round Air Veron, and a lighter, more forgiving option than the round Counter Vertuo (which leans further toward control and defence). Against the Counter Origin it’s lighter and more teardrop-shaped.
Is the Babolat Air Vertuo worth it?
For an improving player who prioritises comfort and control, the Air Vertuo is good value — a light, forgiving racket from a trusted brand at a sensible price. Players chasing power should look at the Veron or Viper lines instead.
Conclusion
The Babolat Air Vertuo is a light, soft, easy-to-control teardrop that suits improving players who value comfort over power. It won’t satisfy an attacker, but for building consistency with a forgiving, arm-friendly frame it’s a comfortable, sensible choice.
A comfortable control racket for improvers. See where it fits in our intermediate padel rackets guide and the full best padel rackets roundup.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Babolat Air Vertuo good for beginners?
It is forgiving enough, but at around $140 it is aimed at improving players rather than absolute beginners. If it is your first racket, the cheaper Air Origin does much the same job for about $98.
How much does the Babolat Air Vertuo weigh?
Around 345 grams with an even balance, which makes it agile and quick to reposition at the net.
What is the Babolat Air Vertuo made of?
A fibreglass hitting face over a soft EVA core, in a teardrop frame. Fibreglass is softer than carbon, which is what gives the Vertuo its comfortable feel.
What is the difference between the Air Vertuo and the Counter Vertuo?
Shape and intent. The Air Vertuo is a light teardrop built for comfort and easy handling; the Counter Vertuo is a round frame at around $200 built for control and counter-attacking defence.
Is the Air Vertuo good for your arm?
Yes. A fibreglass face, a soft EVA core and a light 345 gram frame is about as gentle a combination as padel offers. See our rackets for tennis elbow guide.
Is the Air Vertuo a control racket?
Largely, yes. The teardrop shape offers slightly more power potential than a round head, but the soft core and light weight point it firmly at control and comfort.
Is the Babolat Air Vertuo worth $140?
If you have outgrown a basic starter frame and want comfort with better materials, yes. If you are still on your first racket, the Air Origin is better value.
Which Babolat should I move to for more power?
The Viper frames, or the Counter family if you want firmer control. Our Babolat padel rackets guide compares the range.
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.