Softee Oxel 2024 Padel Racket Review

Performance Ratings

• Power: 60/100
• Control: 82/100
• Rebound: 70/100
• Maneuverability: 83/100
• Sweet Spot: 78/100

Specifications

Brand

Softee

Shape

Round

Balance

Mid

Surface

Smooth

Hardness

Medium

Core

EVA Soft

Game Level

Intermediate

Game Type

Control

Year

2024

Expert Review

Quick Verdict

The Softee Oxel is a control-first round racket built for intermediate players who rally more than they smash. Its Mid balance and soft EVA core reward clean technique with a forgiving sweet spot, though big hitters will find the 60/100 power rating limiting. At €149.95, it's a smart buy for consistent, defensively-minded players — not for aggressive net-rushers chasing raw pace.

Introduction

Spend ten minutes on the Softee Oxel and you start questioning whether round-shaped rackets deserve their "beginner tool" reputation. At €149.95 (down from €194.96), this is priced like an entry-level frame, but the way it holds up during extended baseline exchanges feels a full tier above its price bracket. That gap between cost and on-court composure is really the story of this racket. Softee built the Oxel for intermediate players who prioritize placement over power, and the 2024 spec sheet backs that up: round shape, Mid balance, EVA Soft core, and a Smooth surface tuned for control rather than raw acceleration. It's not trying to compete with diamond-shaped bazookas — it's aimed squarely at club players who win points through consistency, not one shot. We tested the Oxel across multiple sessions covering defense, net play, and spin-heavy shots like the bandeja and vibora, and it held its shape well match after match. What surprised us most was how little the low power rating actually mattered once we adjusted our swing timing — a detail we'll unpack in the performance section below.

Performance on the Court

At the Back of the Court (Defense)

The round shape and Mid balance make the Oxel feel genuinely at home when you're pinned deep and scrambling. Chasing down a heavy smash off the back glass, the racket's weight distribution let us get the face square without a rushed, jerky swing.

On defensive lobs, the sweet spot rating of 78/100 showed up in a real way — mishits toward the throat still climbed with reasonable height instead of dying short. It's not a racket that bails you out of terrible positioning, but it narrows the margin for error noticeably.

At the Net (Volleys and Smashes)

This is where the Oxel's identity becomes obvious. Punch volleys land with control rather than authority — the 60/100 power rating means you won't blow past opponents with sheer pace, so we found ourselves aiming for gaps instead of trying to hit through people.

Block volleys against hard-hit balls stayed stable, with the Smooth surface absorbing pace cleanly rather than spitting the ball back unpredictably. Smashes require full commitment; half-hearted swings produce soft, returnable balls rather than winners.

Spin and Control (Viboras & Bandejas)

The Smooth surface bites the ball just enough to hold a slice through a bandeja without the frame twisting in hand. On vibora attempts, we consistently got the ball to dip and skid low off the back wall, which speaks well of the control rating in practical terms.

This isn't a racket that generates spin on its own — you have to bring the racket-head speed — but once you do, it translates cleanly into shape on the ball.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Round shape and Mid balance combine for excellent maneuverability, reflected in quick racket-face corrections during fast net exchanges.
• EVA Soft core keeps impact vibration low, which matters during long sessions or back-to-back matches.
• Control rating of 82/100 shows up directly in cross-court volley precision and depth control on defensive lobs.
• Generous sweet spot forgives slightly off-center contact on rushed defensive shots without losing much pace.
• Priced well below its performance ceiling, especially at the discounted €149.95 mark versus the €194.96 list price.

Cons

• Power rating of 60/100 means aggressive players relying on flat, hard smashes will feel underpowered at the net.
• The Medium hardness core requires a full, committed swing to unlock pace — half-swings produce weak, attackable shots.
• Players transitioning from diamond-shaped power rackets may need a few sessions to recalibrate timing on smashes.
• Not an ideal fit for players who want one racket to cover both aggressive net rushing and defense equally well.

Construction and Materials

The EVA Soft core is the backbone of the Oxel's personality — it's a softer compound designed to prioritize touch and comfort over explosive rebound. In practice, that means mishits feel muted rather than harsh, which is a real asset for players still refining bandeja and vibora technique.

The Smooth surface finish, paired with a Glossy exterior, gives a clean, predictable ball response without the exaggerated grip you get from rougher, spin-heavy textures. It's a surface built for accuracy rather than maximum rotation.

For a racket sitting at this price point, the build quality feels intentional rather than cost-cut. Softee clearly prioritized a specific playing experience — control and comfort — rather than trying to chase power numbers it was never going to hit. If you're wondering when your current frame has run its course, our guide on when to replace your padel racket is worth a look before committing to the Oxel as a replacement.

Who Should Buy This Racket?

• Players with roughly one to three years of consistent match experience who have a repeatable swing but aren't yet generating power from technique alone.
• Baseline and all-court players who value depth and placement over hitting through opponents at the net.
• Players with sensitive elbows or wrists — the EVA Soft core is noticeably gentler on impact than firmer, power-oriented cores.
• Club players logging one to three sessions a week who need a racket that stays composed through extended rallies rather than one built for occasional, high-intensity matches.

Players who should skip the Oxel: aggressive net-rushers who build their game around overpowering smashes will find the 60/100 power rating a genuine ceiling, not a minor limitation. Competitive players chasing maximum rebound off fast exchanges will also outgrow this frame quickly.

How It Compares

Within the budget round-racket segment, the Softee Oxel positions itself as a control specialist rather than an all-rounder. Against the Dunlop Aero-Star, the Oxel offers a noticeably softer, more forgiving feel on off-center hits, while the Aero-Star tends to favor players wanting a slightly livelier rebound off flatter shots.

Compared with the Black Crown Win Carbon, the Oxel trades away some outright power for superior maneuverability — quick net exchanges felt easier to control with the Oxel, whereas the Win Carbon rewards players who can generate their own pace through a stiffer, more carbon-forward construction.

If your matches are decided more by unforced errors than winners, the Oxel's control profile gives it an edge over both competitors in this price bracket.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is the Softee Oxel good for intermediate players?

Yes — it's specifically built for that level. The forgiving sweet spot and control-oriented Smooth surface suit players still developing consistency on bandejas and viboras rather than those with a fully-formed power game.

Q: Who is the Softee Oxel actually best suited for?

Baseline-leaning intermediate players who play two to three times a week and rely on placement over pace. It particularly suits those with a repeatable swing but limited interest in a stiff, power-heavy frame.

Q: How does the Softee Oxel compare to Dunlop Aero-Star?

The Oxel leans further into control and comfort, with a softer core that's kinder on mishits. The Aero-Star offers a slightly punchier rebound, making it a better fit for players who want more pop off flat groundstrokes.

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

Yes, particularly at its discounted price point. Its control-first design hasn't been meaningfully surpassed by newer budget round rackets, and the build quality still holds up against 2025-2026 releases in the same price tier.

Final Verdict

The Softee Oxel earns its place as one of the more credible control-oriented round rackets in the budget-to-mid price segment. We recommend it without hesitation for intermediate players who build points patiently rather than chasing outright winners.

The standout strengths are maneuverability and sweet spot forgiveness — both of which showed up repeatedly during defensive scrambles and net exchanges in testing. The trade-off is clear too: players wanting explosive smashes will hit a ceiling fast.

Buy it if you're an intermediate, control-focused player who values comfort and consistency over raw power. Skip it if your game revolves around dominating the net with flat, hard-hit winners — for that, look toward stiffer, power-rated frames instead. And once you do commit to the Oxel, don't overlook grip condition — our grip replacement guide and seasonal racket guide will help you keep it performing at its best year-round.