Head Concord 2017 Padel Racket Review

Performance Ratings

• Power: 62/100
• Control: 85/100
• Rebound: 72/100
• Maneuverability: 80/100
• Sweet Spot: 76/100

Specifications

Brand

Head

Shape

Round

Balance

Mid

Surface

Smooth

Hardness

Medium

Core

EVA Soft

Game Level

Advanced

Game Type

Control

Year

2017

Expert Review

Quick Verdict

The Head Concord is a control-first, round-shaped racket best suited to advanced players who build points rather than end them early. Its soft EVA core rewards clean technique with excellent placement, but the tradeoff is obvious: power on flat smashes is modest. Buy it for control, not for raw firepower.

Introduction

We went into this Head Concord review expecting another forgettable round-shaped budget racket, the kind that gets discounted from €139.95 to €79.95 because nobody quite knows what to do with it. That expectation didn't survive the first session. This is a genuinely control-biased tool wearing a shape that most players associate with beginners and defensive specialists — and that mismatch is the whole story here. Head built the Concord for players who already have solid technique and want the racket to disappear into their swing rather than dictate it. The round profile and Mid balance point squarely at players who prioritize consistency over one-shot power, and the "Advanced" game-level tag on the spec sheet isn't just marketing — it shows up in how demanding the sweet spot placement actually is. We tested the Concord across multiple sessions, mixing baseline defense, net exchanges, and slower control-oriented rallies to get a full read on it. What surprised us most was how much precision this 2017-era racket still delivers on cross-court volleys, despite a power rating that on paper looks unremarkable.

Performance on the Court

At the Back of the Court (Defense)

Defending from the back glass is where the round shape and Mid balance earn their keep. Chasing down a heavy smash that skids low off the back wall, the Concord's larger sweet spot area meant we could still redirect the ball with a controlled lob instead of a mishit.

Maneuverability felt genuinely good in scrambling situations — reacting to a fast bajada aimed at our feet, the head came around quickly enough to get a defensive block up rather than just surviving the point.

At the Net (Volleys and Smashes)

Smashing with the Concord is an honest experience: you get placement, not pop. On a setup smash from mid-court, we had to generate our own pace through technique rather than relying on the racket to add extra snap.

Block volleys were where it shined. Absorbing a hard-driven ball at the net produced a soft, controlled rebound instead of an unpredictable pop-up, which let us direct the return with real intent.

Spin and Control (Viboras & Bandejas)

The smooth surface bit into the ball nicely on bandeja setups, letting us impart enough slice to keep the ball low after the bounce. On viboras, the combination of EVA Soft core and medium hardness gave a clean, connected feel rather than a harsh vibration through the frame — ideal for players who like to feel exactly where the ball left the strings.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Round shape and generous sweet spot rating make off-center contact far more forgiving during fast defensive exchanges.
• Control rating stands out clearly in play — cross-court volleys and bandejas land with noticeably tighter margins than power-oriented rackets in this price bracket.
• Mid balance keeps the racket quick through the hitting zone, which we felt directly during rapid net exchanges and reflex volleys.
• EVA Soft core is genuinely kind on the arm, letting us play long sessions without the jarring feedback some medium-hardness frames produce.
• Maneuverability rating translates into real on-court quickness when transitioning from defense to attack mid-point.

Cons

• Power rating is the weak link — players relying on flat winners from the back will need to manufacture pace themselves.
• Rebound off the strings is moderate at best, so aggressive smashers may feel like they're pushing the racket rather than being helped by it.
• The "Advanced" control-oriented profile isn't forgiving for players still developing consistent contact — mishits off-center lose more pace than expected.
• Players who favor a diamond or teardrop shape for concentrated power will find the round profile's balance philosophy fundamentally at odds with their game.

Construction and Materials

The EVA Soft core is the defining material choice here, and it's consistent with the control-first identity the whole racket projects. It compresses easily on contact, which is exactly why touch shots and bandejas felt so manageable during testing.

The Smooth surface finish pairs well with that soft core, giving just enough bite on the ball to help generate slice without excessive string drag. Medium hardness keeps the frame from feeling flexy or unstable on firmer volleys.

For a racket now selling well below its original €139.95 price, the build quality feels appropriately solid rather than premium — no rattling, no obvious flex under smashes, just a matte-finished frame that does its job quietly. It's a fair reminder to check When to Replace Your Padel Racket: Signs It's Time for an Upgrade if your current frame is already showing similar wear patterns.

Who Is This Racket For?

This is a racket for the advanced, control-oriented all-court player, not the baseline power hitter. It suits both left and right court positions equally well, since its value comes from placement rather than a positional power advantage.

Physically, it's forgiving — the soft core is comfortable for players managing minor elbow or wrist sensitivity, and the Mid balance doesn't demand an aggressive, fast swing to control. Players who train three or more times a week and construct points patiently through bandejas, viboras, and precise volleys will get the most from it.

This is not the racket for the player who wants to end rallies with a single explosive smash from the back — the power rating simply won't support that game plan. It's also a poor fit for beginners despite the forgiving sweet spot, since the "Advanced" control profile rewards players who already have consistent stroke mechanics.

How It Compares

Within Head's own lineup, the Concord sits as a clear control specialist rather than a crossover power-control hybrid. Against the Akkeron Black Rose, the Concord gives up some outright power but answers back with tighter shot placement and a more forgiving sweet spot for defensive rallies — a fair trade for players who value consistency over explosive winners.

Compared with the Siux Beat Control 2, a more modern control-oriented round racket, the Concord feels slightly dated in rebound response but holds its own in maneuverability, and its current discounted price makes it a genuinely competitive budget option in the round-shape control segment.

As a round padel racket built specifically around control rather than forgiveness for beginners, the Concord occupies a narrower niche than most budget round rackets — it demands more technique but pays it back with precision.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is the Head Concord good for advanced players?

Yes, its control rating and sweet spot behavior clearly target players with established technique. Advanced players who prioritize placement over raw power will get the most consistent results from it.

Q: Who is the Head Concord actually best suited for?

It fits all-court or defensively-minded players on either side of the court who play at least a few times a week. Players managing wrist or elbow sensitivity will also appreciate the soft core's comfortable feedback during long sessions.

Q: How does the Head Concord compare to Akkeron Black Rose?

The Concord trades some power for noticeably better shot placement and a more forgiving sweet spot in defensive exchanges. Players who value control over explosive smashes will likely prefer the Concord's feel.

Q: Is the Head Concord still a good buy in 2026 considering its price and performance?

At its discounted price, yes — the control performance it delivers punches well above what you'd expect from a budget round racket. It's not cutting-edge, but the fundamentals of touch and maneuverability still hold up on court.

Final Verdict

The Head Concord earns its keep as a control-first round racket for advanced players who think in terms of placement, not power. We consistently found ourselves winning points through patient construction — bandejas, cross-court volleys, disciplined defense — rather than one big shot.

It won't satisfy anyone chasing explosive smashes, and beginners will find the "Advanced" control profile less forgiving than the shape suggests. Pair it with fresh overgrip — see our Padel Racket Grip Replacement Guide: When and How to Change Your Grip — and check seasonal conditions too, since softer cores like this can play noticeably differently in cold weather per our Seasonal Padel Racket Guide: Choosing the Right Racket for Different Conditions.

Buy it if you're an advanced, technically sound player who wins points through consistency and touch. Skip it if your game depends on ending rallies with raw smash power.