The 4 Best Padel Rackets for Intermediate Players

Intermediate padel players are in the trickiest gear-buying spot. Beginner rackets feel mushy and don’t reward the better technique you’ve developed. Advanced rackets punish every off-centre hit and limit the variety in your game. The right intermediate racket bridges that gap — enough power to play offensive shots, enough sweet spot to keep your defensive game solid.

We’ve researched the top intermediate padel rackets on the US market — comparing what’s available across major retailers — and picked the four that consistently deliver for players ready to step up from beginner gear. All are available on Amazon US. For the full picture across every level and brand, see our best padel rackets guide.

Adidas Metalbone Pro EDT Review (Ale Galán)

The Adidas Metalbone Pro EDT 2026 is the limited-edition racket of Ale Galán: a head-heavy diamond with a high sweet spot, an aluminized 16K carbon face, an EVA Soft Performance core and a removable weight system. adidas describes it as a direct journey toward power, built for offensive play and for players who like to take the initiative.

It shares its frame and spec sheet with Ale Galán’s regular racket, the Metalbone HRD+ 3.5, and the US listings of both sit at about $455. This review covers the build, the specs, how it should play, the one spec that differs from the HRD+ 3.5 and who should buy it.

See also our best Adidas padel rackets guide, or browse all our padel gear reviews.

Adidas Metalbone HRD+ 3.5 Review (Ale Galán)

The Adidas Metalbone HRD+ 3.5 is Ale Galán’s racket for the 2026 Premier Padel season: a head-heavy diamond with a 16K aluminized carbon face, a dense High Memory EVA core and an adjustable Weight & Balance System. It is the most aggressive frame in the Metalbone family, made for advanced players who finish points with power.

It succeeds the Metalbone 3.4 that we reviewed earlier, and it sits at the opposite end of the range from the round Metalbone Ctrl. This review covers the HRD+ 3.5’s build, specs and on-court feel, and who should leave it on the shelf.

See also our best Adidas padel rackets guide, or browse all our padel gear reviews.