Adidas Metalbone CTRL 2026
The Metalbone CTRL 2026 is a round control racket with a lively edge: a roomy sweet spot, crisp response and enough punch to keep pressure on opponents, aimed at high-level players with a defensive-minded, precise style.
The technical sheet explains the personality: 16K aluminized carbon faces with a Spin Blade texture, a Soft Performance EVA core, a 38 mm profile and a base weight of 345–360 g. The Weight & Balance system lets you add up to 11.2 g, so you can keep it light and fast or shift it towards a slightly more powerful setup.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Genuinely roomy sweet spot for easy, clean ball access.
- Weight & Balance System lets you adjust the racket to your style.
- Octagonal Structure and Low Poly geometry add real rigidity.
- Crisp response that never feels passive despite being control-focused.
Cons
- Not built for players who want maximum outright power.
- Round shape trades some finishing punch for placement.
- Adjustment system adds cost over simpler round rackets.
On-court performance
Back of the court
This is the CTRL 2026’s home turf: easy, reliable ball access and consistent depth thanks to the large sweet spot.
Defence is where it shines. The round head and medium balance give you a large, centred sweet spot, so lobs, chiquitas and blocks stay accurate even under pressure. It lets you defend for long stretches and wait calmly for the right ball to attack.
At the net
Precise and dependable, with the Extra Power Grip handle helping generate a bit more inertia than you’d expect from a round shape.
At the net it is quick and precise. The lighter base weight makes reflex volleys easy, and the Extra Power Grip adds a little leverage when you want to push a volley rather than just place it.
Overheads (bandeja, víbora, smash)
Power is solid rather than explosive — enough to finish points without turning the racket into a pure power frame.
Bandejas and víboras are its strongest overheads, accurate and low thanks to the Spin Blade texture. Flat smashes have honest power, and if you add weight with the Weight & Balance system, you can squeeze out a little more pace.
Comfort & vibrations
The Soft Performance EVA core ensures comfortable, consistent ball output, making this a genuinely arm-friendly control option.
The Soft Performance EVA core and the low base weight make it one of the most comfortable rackets in Adidas’ 2026 range. It is a sensible choice if you play often or need to look after your arm.
Spin
The Spin Blade texture on the 16K faces grips the ball well. Slices from the back and cut overheads come off with plenty of rotation, which is an advantage for a control player who builds points with the ball low.
Who it’s for / who should skip it
Good fit if…
- You’re a high-level player with a precise, placement-first style.
- You want to fine-tune weight and balance to your game.
- You value a big, forgiving sweet spot.
Skip it if…
- You need maximum power to finish points from the back.
- You want the cheapest possible round control racket.
- You already play a diamond and want to stay purely aggressive.
Metalbone CTRL 2026 vs Metalbone CTRL 3.4 (2025)
The 2026 CTRL is the successor of the 2025 Metalbone CTRL 3.4, which has its own review on PadelCritic. The idea is the same: a round, comfortable control racket with enough punch to keep opponents honest, built around the Soft Performance EVA core and the Weight & Balance system.
If you want the newest version, the 2026 is the obvious choice. If you find the 2025 CTRL 3.4 at a good price, you will get a very similar experience: both reward patience, placement and good positioning more than raw power.
Specifications
| Shape | Round |
|---|---|
| Faces | 16K aluminized carbon, Spin Blade texture |
| Core | Soft Performance EVA |
| Weight | 345–360 g (+ up to 11.2 g with Weight & Balance) |
| Balance | Medium / adjustable |
| Level | Advanced / Competitive |
| Segment | Premium control |
| Thickness | 38 mm |
Note: small unit-to-unit variations in weight and balance are normal.
Alternatives
| Model | Why pick it | Trade-offs |
|---|---|---|
| Adidas Adipower Multiweight CTRL 3.4 2025 | Even more elite control and a larger sweet spot. | Significantly higher price. |
| Adidas Metalbone CTRL 3.4 | The previous generation of the same control concept. | Slightly less refined rigidity. |
| Siux Diablo Pro 4 2025 | Hybrid alternative with a bit more attacking upside. | Less pure control than a round shape. |
Verdict
The Metalbone CTRL 2026 proves that a control racket can still feel alive: the roomy sweet spot and Weight & Balance System give you real customisation, while the crisp response keeps opponents honest.
It won’t satisfy players chasing maximum power, but for high-level players who want precision with genuine punch, it’s one of Adidas’ more complete round rackets for 2026.
For players who build their game from the back and want comfort, precision and a little extra punch when they need it, the Metalbone CTRL 2026 is one of the most complete control rackets of the season.
In 30 seconds
- A lively round control racket with real Weight & Balance adjustment.
- Roomy sweet spot, crisp response, solid (not explosive) power.
- A strong pick for high-level, precision-first players.