Lok Easy Hype 2024 Padel Racket Review

Performance Ratings

• Power: 58/100
• Control: 78/100
• Rebound: 65/100
• Maneuverability: 82/100
• Sweet Spot: 76/100

Specifications

Brand

Lok

Shape

Teardrop

Balance

Mid

Surface

Smooth

Hardness

Soft

Core

EVA Soft

Game Level

Intermediate

Game Type

Control

Year

2024

Expert Review

Quick Verdict

The Lok Easy Hype is a control-first teardrop racket built for intermediate players who rally more than they smash. Its soft EVA core and Mid balance deliver excellent maneuverability and a forgiving sweet spot, but power hitters chasing finishing smashes will find it lacking. At €79.95, it's a smart budget pick for control-oriented club players.

Introduction

We expected the Lok Easy Hype to feel like most sub-€80 teardrop rackets: soft, forgiving, and a little lifeless on anything hit with real pace. Halfway through our first session, that assumption cracked. The racket's Mid balance and Soft EVA core didn't feel cheap so much as deliberately tuned for players who want to direct the ball rather than overpower it.

Lok built the Easy Hype for intermediate players stepping up from entry-level gear without wanting to commit to a stiff, power-oriented frame yet. In the 2024 lineup, it sits as the control-and-comfort option, a teardrop shape with a Smooth surface designed to reward clean technique over raw swing speed. We tested it across multiple sessions covering defense, net play, and spin shots to see if that positioning holds up on court.

What surprised us most was how competent the sweet spot felt on off-center contact during fast defensive exchanges, something budget rackets in this segment often get wrong.

Performance on the Court

At the Back of the Court (Defense)

Defending from the back glass is where the Easy Hype's Teardrop shape and Mid balance earn their keep. Chasing down a heavy smash and getting the racket face square in time felt easier than expected, largely because the head doesn't feel weighted forward.

Lobbing under pressure was consistently reliable. The Soft core absorbed pace on defensive blocks without the ball ballooning off the frame, which mattered when we needed a controlled lob rather than a panicked one.

Low balls near the glass exposed the racket's limits on power, but not on placement. We could redirect the ball cross-court even when stretched wide.

At the Net (Volleys and Smashes)

Volleys are where this racket feels most at home. Block volleys against hard-hit balls stayed stable, with the Soft EVA dampening shock rather than kicking the ball back unpredictably.

Punch volleys had good directional accuracy, letting us close out points at sharp angles instead of relying on pace. Smashes, however, confirmed the modest 58/100 power rating; we had to generate our own racket speed to finish points, since the frame doesn't add much on its own.

Spin and Control (Viboras & Bandejas)

The Smooth surface bit into the ball nicely on bandeja setups, letting us hold the slice through contact instead of the ball skidding flat. On vibora attempts, spin generation felt honest rather than exaggerated, rewarding technique over brute wrist snap.

This is a racket that asks you to execute the shot properly, and when you do, the control rating shows up in how consistently the ball lands where you aimed it.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• The Teardrop shape combined with Mid balance keeps the racket quick through defensive transitions, which shows up in the 82/100 maneuverability rating during fast net exchanges.
• Soft EVA core reduces vibration on off-center hits, making mishit block volleys far less punishing than on stiffer frames.
• Control rating of 78/100 translates into genuinely reliable placement on bandejas and cross-court volleys, not just theoretical accuracy.
• A generous sweet spot (76/100) forgives late contact on defensive lobs, buying time during scrambling rallies.
• At €79.95 down from €180, it delivers control-oriented performance well above what we'd expect at this price point.

Cons

• Power output (58/100) means players relying on finishing smashes will need to generate pace themselves, which can be tiring over long matches.
• Rebound rating of 65/100 makes fast-paced, aggressive net battles feel slightly muted compared to stiffer, more reactive frames.
• Players transitioning from a diamond-shaped power racket may find the head-light sensation takes adjustment before smashes feel natural.
• Aggressive attacking players who play multiple times a week may outgrow the ceiling on power fairly quickly.

Construction and Materials

The Easy Hype pairs a Soft EVA core with a Smooth surface finish, a combination clearly chosen to prioritize comfort and touch over stiffness. On contact, the frame doesn't feel harsh even after extended rallies, which matters if you're logging back-to-back sessions.

Build quality feels solid for the price bracket, without the rattling or flex inconsistency we sometimes see in budget teardrop frames. The Smooth surface texture grips the ball well enough for slice shots without needing an aggressive rough finish.

Given the current €79.95 price against an original €180 tag, the materials punch above their weight. It won't match premium carbon layups in outright pop, but for a control-focused intermediate racket, the construction feels appropriately matched to its purpose.

Who Should Buy This Racket?

• Best suited to intermediate players who've been on court for at least six months to two years and are refining shot placement over raw power.
• Ideal for players who split time between mid-court and net, using bandejas and controlled volleys rather than relying on smashes to win points.
• Physically, it suits players with moderate swing speed; the Soft core is kind on the arm, making it a solid option if you've dealt with elbow discomfort before.
• Works well for players hitting the court one to three times a week who want consistency over the ability to end points with one shot.
• Skip it if you're an aggressive power player who wants to dominate through smashes, or a highly competitive player needing maximum rebound for fast net exchanges — the 58/100 power and 65/100 rebound ratings will feel limiting.

If you're a club-level player still developing your vibora and getting caught out by heavy defensive lobs, the forgiving sweet spot here will save more points than a stiffer, power-oriented frame. It's also worth checking When to Replace Your Padel Racket: Signs It's Time for an Upgrade if you're unsure whether your current setup is holding you back.

How It Compares

Within Lok's own lineup, the Easy Hype occupies the control-and-comfort slot rather than the power end, and against other budget teardrop rackets it holds up well on consistency. Compared to the Softee Phantom, the Easy Hype offers a noticeably more generous sweet spot and better maneuverability at the net, though the Phantom edges it slightly on outright pop for players who want more from their smash.

Against the Softee Jackal, the Easy Hype feels softer and more arm-friendly, which matters over long sessions, while the Jackal leans harder into a stiffer, more aggressive feel for players prioritizing power.

In this budget teardrop segment, the Easy Hype's main edge is touch and forgiveness rather than firepower. If you're deciding between these three, your choice should come down to whether you value placement or pace more in your game.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is the Lok Easy Hype good for intermediate players?

Yes, it's built specifically for that level. The control-oriented design, soft EVA core, and generous sweet spot suit players developing consistency over raw power, which is exactly where most intermediates need the most help.

Q: Who is the Lok Easy Hype actually best suited for?

It's best for control-minded intermediates who play one to three times a week and split time between mid-court and net. Players with moderate swing speed who prefer placing bandejas and volleys over finishing with smashes will get the most out of it.

Q: How does the Lok Easy Hype compare to Softee Phantom?

The Easy Hype offers a larger, more forgiving sweet spot and feels quicker through net exchanges, while the Phantom generates slightly more power on smashes. If control and comfort matter more than pace, the Easy Hype is the stronger pick.

Q: Is the Lok Easy Hype still a good buy in 2026 considering its price and performance?

At €79.95, it remains a strong value pick for control-focused intermediate players, even years after its 2024 release. Just be aware of grip wear over time — our Padel Racket Grip Replacement Guide: When and How to Change Your Grip is worth a read if you're buying used or extending its lifespan.

Final Verdict

The Lok Easy Hype earns its place as a genuinely solid intermediate control racket, not just a budget placeholder. Its Soft EVA core, Teardrop shape, and Mid balance combine to make defense and net play feel manageable, even if smashes never become a weapon. For players prioritizing placement over power, the value here is hard to argue with.

It's also worth pairing your setup choice with conditions — check our Seasonal Padel Racket Guide: Choosing the Right Racket for Different Conditions if you play year-round and want to know how a soft core performs in colder months.

Buy it if you're an intermediate player who values consistency, comfortable arm feel, and precise volleys over outright smash power. Skip it if you're chasing a power-first frame to end points quickly at the net.