Head One Ultralight 2025
The Head One Ultralight 2025 is built around one idea: take as much weight out of a padel racket as possible without making it feel cheap. At around 300 g it is far lighter than a typical adult racket, which usually sits between 355 and 375 g, and Head bills it as the lightest adult padel racket on the market.
What makes it interesting is that the lightness doesn’t come from budget materials. You get a 12K carbon face with a rough Spin Surface, a carbon frame with Graphene Inside and a soft Comfort Foam core — premium construction in a round racket designed for players who want comfort, control and a racket that never tires the arm.
Verdict
The One Ultralight is the most arm-friendly racket in this price range. The round head puts the sweet spot low and central, the soft Comfort Foam core cushions every impact, and the very low weight makes it effortless to prepare, block and redirect. For players coming back from elbow or shoulder problems, for juniors moving to an adult racket, and for women and lighter players who find standard rackets tiring, it changes how long you can play comfortably.
The trade-off is power and stability. With so little mass, the racket can’t add pace to your shots, and it can feel light against very hard balls. If you hit hard and rely on the smash, look elsewhere. If you play a control game and want something that stays comfortable in the third set, it is a genuinely smart choice.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Exceptionally light at around 300 g — less load on the shoulder and elbow over long matches.
- Round head with a low, central sweet spot gives easy, consistent control.
- Soft Comfort Foam core cushions impact and keeps the feel gentle.
- Premium materials: 12K carbon face, carbon frame and Graphene Inside for stability.
- Rough Spin Surface gives real grip on slices and topspin.
- Soft Buttcap and Integrated Protector System add comfort and protect the frame.
Cons
- Very limited power — the racket adds little pace on its own, especially on smashes.
- Can feel unstable against very hard, fast balls because of the low mass.
- More expensive than lighter fibreglass rackets with a similar comfort focus.
- Strong adult players will likely find it too light.
On-court performance
From the back
Comfortable and predictable. The round head and soft core make defensive lobs and balls off the glass easy to control, and the light weight means you are rarely late on low balls. Placement is good: the 12K face gives a clearer response than you might expect from such a light racket.
Depth is where you notice the missing mass. To push the ball long from the back you need a complete swing; the racket won’t do it for you the way a heavier, softer-faced model might.
At the net
Lightning quick. At around 300 g, preparation at the net is almost instant, which makes reflex volleys and fast exchanges much easier for players who usually feel a step behind.
The flip side is stability. Against a hard, flat ball aimed at the body, the racket can twist slightly if you don’t meet it in the centre. Firm wrists and a compact block solve most of it.
Overheads
Bandejas are controlled and easy to place, helped by the Spin Surface. Víboras get decent rotation if you accelerate through the ball.
Smashes are the clear weakness: with this little weight there is no inertia to help you, so flat put-aways rarely finish the point. Think of the One Ultralight as a racket for building and placing, not for winning points above the net.
Comfort & vibration
This is the reason to buy it. The low weight, the soft Comfort Foam core and the Soft Buttcap combine to take load off the wrist, elbow and shoulder. It is one of the most comfortable rackets we can recommend to players with a sensitive arm.
The 12K carbon face is firmer than fibreglass, so the touch is not mushy; the softness comes from the core and the weight rather than a spongy surface.
Spin
Good. The rough Spin Surface on the 12K carbon face grips the ball well, so slices stay low and topspin lobs drop in. Spin is one of the racket’s quiet strengths given its price.
Who is it for / not for
Good choice if…
- You have, or are recovering from, elbow or shoulder problems and want the lightest possible load.
- You are a lighter player, a junior moving up, or a woman who finds standard rackets heavy.
- You play a control game and win points with placement rather than power.
- You want premium materials in a very light racket.
- You play long sessions and want a racket that never tires the arm.
Avoid if…
- You rely on your smash or want a racket that adds power.
- You are a strong adult player who needs stability against hard balls.
- You want the cheapest comfortable option — a fibreglass round racket costs less.
Is an ultralight racket right for you?
Most adult rackets weigh 355–375 g. Dropping to around 300 g changes the game more than the number suggests: the racket becomes much easier to move, but it also stores less energy, so power and stability fall. That is a great trade for players whose limit is fatigue or an injury, and a bad one for players whose limit is finishing the point.
A simple test: if you often feel late at the net or your arm is sore after two hours, a lighter racket like the One Ultralight will help. If you are rarely tired and want more pace, a 345–360 g racket such as the Babolat Air Vertuo 2.6 or the Adidas Cross It Light 2026 is the better middle ground. Note that Head also sells a black One Ultralight colourway at a different price; check the exact specifications of the version you buy.
Specifications
| Shape | Round |
|---|---|
| Weight | approx. 300 g |
| Balance | Low–medium |
| Thickness | 38 mm |
| Face | 12K carbon, rough Spin Surface |
| Core | Comfort Foam (soft) |
| Frame | Carbon with Graphene Inside |
| Technology | Smart Bridge, Auxetic 2.0, Soft Buttcap, Integrated Protector System |
| Level | Beginner / Intermediate |
Small unit-to-unit variations in weight and balance are normal.
Alternatives
| Babolat Air Vertuo 2.6 | Light 345 g teardrop with more help on volleys — and cheaper | Less comfort-focused and less light |
| Adidas Cross It Light 2026 | Round, light 345–360 g, premium 24K carbon — more stable and precise | Firmer and more expensive |
| StarVie Raptor 2026 Plus | Round, very comfortable, more stability | Clearly heavier |
| Kuikma PR990 Hybrid Soft | Soft, comfortable and very affordable | Heavier and less premium in materials |
In 30 seconds
- A round, ultralight racket at around 300 g with premium 12K carbon and a soft Comfort Foam core.
- Exceptionally comfortable and fast — one of the best options for sensitive arms.
- Trade-off: very little power and less stability against hard balls.
- Good control and spin thanks to the round head and rough Spin Surface.
- Best for lighter players, juniors and women who want comfort and control above all.