Prince Raptor V2 2024 Padel Racket Review

Performance Ratings

• Power: 87/100
• Control: 68/100
• Rebound: 78/100
• Maneuverability: 65/100
• Sweet Spot: 66/100

Specifications

Brand

Prince

Shape

Teardrop

Balance

Top

Surface

Rough

Hardness

Hard

Core

EVA Soft

Game Level

Advanced

Game Type

Power

Year

2024

Expert Review

Quick Verdict

The Prince Raptor V2 is a power-first teardrop racket built for advanced players who want to end points quickly from mid-court and at the net. Its biggest strength is explosive smash power off a hard EVA Soft core; its biggest weakness is a smaller sweet spot that punishes mistimed contact. Recreational all-court players should look elsewhere.

Introduction

We hit a vibora from three-quarter court during our first session with the Prince Raptor V2, expecting the usual dampened response we get from soft-core rackets at this price. Instead, the ball came off the Rough surface with a sharp, biting slice that dipped hard into the opponent's feet. That single shot told us more about this racket's identity than any spec sheet could.

Prince built the Raptor V2 for the player who wants to dominate through raw power rather than finesse. This 2024 update keeps the teardrop shape and Top balance of its predecessor but leans further into an aggressive, power-oriented identity, positioning it as an advanced padel racket rather than a beginner-friendly all-rounder. We tested it over multiple sessions, mixing competitive matches with isolated drilling on smashes, bandejas, and defensive lobs to get a full read on where it excels and where it struggles.

What surprised us most wasn't the power — that was expected given the Top balance and hard EVA Soft core — it was how much the racket rewarded precise timing over raw swing speed, punishing anything less with noticeably muted feedback.

Performance on the Court

At the Back of the Court (Defense)

Defense is where the Raptor V2's Top balance shows its cost most clearly. Chasing down a heavy smash near the back glass, we found the head-heavy weight distribution slowed our reaction time compared to lighter, more balanced frames.

Lobbing under pressure worked fine once we adjusted our swing timing, but quick half-volleys off low, skidding balls required more arm effort than we'd like. Players who spend most rallies absorbing pace rather than dictating it will feel this racket working against them here.

At the Net (Volleys and Smashes)

This is where the Prince Raptor V2 padel racket earns its keep. On overhead smashes, the combination of Top balance and hard core translated our swing into serious pace, and several put-away shots skidded past opponents before they could react.

Block volleys against fast-paced drives stayed stable thanks to the rigid construction, though we had to consciously shorten our punch volley to avoid overhitting. This is a racket built to finish points, not just neutralize them.

Spin and Control (Viboras & Bandejas)

The Rough surface texture genuinely earns its name. On viboras, we generated noticeably more bite and downward slice than we expected from a power-focused frame, making the ball die awkwardly on the bounce.

Bandejas felt controlled in terms of trajectory, though the lower control rating showed up when we tried to place the ball with pinpoint precision into the corners — the racket wanted pace and depth over surgical accuracy.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Explosive smash power thanks to the Top balance and hard EVA Soft core, ideal for players who finish points at the net.
• Rough surface finish generates real bite on viboras and slice serves, giving defensive shots extra difficulty for opponents.
• Solid rebound performance off fast drives at the net, which held up during block volleys against hard-hit balls.
• Teardrop shape balances some maneuverability with the power profile, better than a full diamond shape for advanced intermediates transitioning upward.
• Aggressive price-to-performance ratio at €54.95, undercutting many advanced padel rackets with similar power output.

Cons

• Smaller sweet spot means mishits off-center lose considerable power, which frustrated us during fast net exchanges.
• Top balance hurts quick defensive reactions; players who rely on fast hands at the baseline will feel restricted.
• Hard core transmits noticeable shock on mistimed smashes — players with elbow or wrist sensitivity should be cautious.
• Control rating trails behind its power output, making precise cross-court placement harder than with control-oriented frames.

Construction and Materials

The EVA Soft core sits on the firmer end of "soft" cores, delivering a hard, direct response rather than a plush, forgiving one. This is intentional — Prince clearly prioritized pop over comfort in the Raptor V2's design.

The Rough surface finish adds genuine texture we could feel and hear on contact, contributing directly to the spin performance we noted on viboras and slice shots. Build quality feels solid for the price point, with no rattling or flex issues during aggressive smashes.

At €54.95 down from €119.99, the materials punch above their price bracket, though we wouldn't expect this frame to hold up to daily competitive abuse as gracefully as premium carbon builds. Watching for frame fatigue over time is worthwhile, and our guide on When to Replace Your Padel Racket: Signs It's Time for an Upgrade is a useful reference as the season progresses.

Who Is This Racket For?

The Prince Raptor V2 suits the right-side or net-dominant player who wants to close out points with smashes and aggressive volleys rather than construct rallies from the back. It rewards a full, committed swing over compact, defensive strokes.

Physically, this racket favors players with strong wrists and forearms who can handle the shock feedback from a hard core on mistimed contact — those managing tennis elbow or wrist issues should proceed carefully. It's best suited to players training or competing 3-4 times a week who want consistent access to raw power.

• Court position: right side or aggressive net players.
• Playing style: power-first, net-dominant, point-finishing.
• Physical profile: strong wrist/forearm, tolerant of firm feedback.
• Frequency: competitive players, 3+ sessions weekly.

This is not the racket for the defensive left-side player who lives at the back glass constructing points patiently — the Top balance and smaller sweet spot will slow reaction time exactly when it matters most. Recreational players hitting once a week will likely find the hard core fatiguing over a full session.

How It Compares

Within Prince's own lineup, the Raptor V2 sits clearly above entry-level shapes, positioning itself as a genuine advanced padel racket rather than an intermediate crossover. Against budget teardrop rackets more broadly, it stands out for raw power output at this price.

Compared to the Siux Adrenaline Ibai Edition, the Raptor V2 hits harder off the smash but trails in maneuverability and sweet spot forgiveness — the Siux is easier to control for players still developing consistency. Against the Wilson Bela Team V2 Red, the Raptor V2 offers noticeably more pop and spin bite thanks to its Rough surface, though the Wilson provides a more balanced, all-court feel for players who split time between offense and defense.

For players deciding between these three, court position and playing style matter more than price. The Raptor V2 wins clearly if your game revolves around finishing points at the net.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is the Prince Raptor V2 good for advanced players?

Yes, but specifically for advanced players with a power-first, net-dominant style. Its Top balance and hard core reward committed, aggressive swings, though players who prioritize control and placement may find the smaller sweet spot limiting.

Q: Who is the Prince Raptor V2 actually best suited for?

It suits right-side or net-focused players who finish rallies with smashes and aggressive volleys, ideally with strong wrists and forearms. Competitive players training three or more times weekly will get the most value from its power ceiling.

Q: How does the Prince Raptor V2 compare to Siux Adrenaline Ibai Edition?

The Raptor V2 generates more raw smash power, but the Siux Adrenaline Ibai Edition offers a more forgiving sweet spot and easier maneuverability. Players prioritizing consistency over power may prefer the Siux.

Q: Is the Prince Raptor V2 still a good buy in 2026 considering its price and performance?

At its discounted price of €54.95, the Raptor V2 remains a strong value pick for power-oriented advanced players. It won't suit everyone, but for its specific niche, the performance-to-price ratio is hard to beat.

Final Verdict

The Prince Raptor V2 earns our recommendation for a specific type of player: the advanced, net-dominant competitor who wants to hit through opponents rather than around them. Its smash power and spin bite off the Rough surface stood out repeatedly during testing, while defensive maneuverability was the clear trade-off.

As grips wear from aggressive net play, revisit our Padel Racket Grip Replacement Guide: When and How to Change Your Grip to keep control consistent, and consider our Seasonal Padel Racket Guide: Choosing the Right Racket for Different Conditions if you play across variable climates.

Buy it if you're an advanced, power-hungry net player who wants explosive smashes at a discounted price. Skip it if you're a defensive baseliner or a player sensitive to firm, hard-core feedback.