Vairo Columns Ultra 2025 Padel Racket Review

Performance Ratings

• Power: 72/100
• Control: 85/100
• Rebound: 74/100
• Maneuverability: 78/100
• Sweet Spot: 73/100

Specifications

Brand

Vairo

Shape

Teardrop

Balance

Mid

Surface

Smooth

Hardness

Hard

Core

EVA Soft

Game Level

Advanced

Game Type

Control

Year

2025

Expert Review

Quick Verdict

The Vairo Columns Ultra is a control-first teardrop racket built for advanced players who construct points rather than end them with brute force. Its biggest strength is precision on bandejas and volleys; its biggest weakness is limited pop on flat smashes. At €69.95, it's a legitimate steal for a competitive, all-court player.

Introduction

The clean thwack of the first vibora we hit with the Vairo Columns Ultra told us everything about how this racket wants to be played — tight, contained, and deliberate. There's no hollow rattle, no delayed feedback through the handle. Just a firm, immediate response that suggests Vairo built this frame around accuracy rather than raw pop, and that impression held up over several sessions on court.

This is a teardrop-shaped, Mid-balance racket sitting in Vairo's 2025 lineup as an Advanced/Competition option, and it's clearly aimed at players who already have technique and want a tool that rewards it. What makes the Columns Ultra stand out isn't flash — it's the combination of a Hard EVA Soft core with a Smooth glossy surface, a pairing that leans hard into control rather than trying to be a jack-of-all-trades. We tested it across defensive drills, net exchanges, and full-length matches to see if the on-paper Control rating of 85/100 actually translates to real shot-making.

What surprised us most wasn't the control — we expected that from the shape and balance. It was how forgiving the sweet spot felt during scrappy defensive gets, despite a sweet spot rating that reads as merely average on paper.

Performance on the Court

At the Back of the Court (Defense)

Chasing down a heavy smash near the back glass, the Columns Ultra's teardrop shape and Mid balance gave us just enough head presence to redirect pace without needing a full swing. It's not the quickest racket we've tested through the transition zone, but it never felt sluggish either.

On low, skidding balls that force a defensive lob, the Hard core kept the response predictable — we could aim the lob deep rather than just survive the point. Players who rely on reactive defense will appreciate that consistency more than outright speed.

At the Net (Volleys and Smashes)

Block volleys are where this racket earns its keep. Against a hard-driven ball at the net, the frame absorbed pace cleanly and redirected it with very little vibration through the hand, which matches what we'd expect from its Control-oriented Game Type.

Smashes are the one area where the Columns Ultra shows its priorities. We generated solid depth and placement on finishing smashes, but explosive, ball-busting power on flat overheads wasn't really on the table — the 72/100 power figure lines up with what we felt in hand, not below expectations, just modest.

Spin and Control (Viboras & Bandejas)

This is the racket's clear identity. On bandejas, the Smooth surface let us brush up and across the ball with confidence, generating enough slice to keep the ball low after the bounce on the opponent's side.

Vibora setups felt equally composed — the combination of a Hard core and glossy Smooth finish gave us a clean bite on the ball rather than a mushy, unpredictable response, which is exactly what you want when you're trying to paint the sideline under pressure.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• The Teardrop shape combined with Mid balance gives a genuinely versatile swing profile — quick enough at net, stable enough at the baseline.
• Control feels excellent on touch shots, and the 85/100 control rating reflects what we consistently felt when placing bandejas and volleys into tight targets.
• The Hard EVA Soft core delivers crisp, low-vibration feedback on block volleys against heavy pace.
• Maneuverability at 78/100 held up during fast net exchanges, letting us reset quickly between volleys.
• At €69.95 against an original €289.95 price point, the build quality and performance punch well above what the current price suggests.

Cons

• Power on flat smashes is modest — aggressive left-side players who want to finish points outright may feel underwhelmed.
• The sweet spot rating of 73/100 means off-center contact on rushed volleys is punished more than on more forgiving diamond or round shapes.
• The Hard core setting can feel firm through the forearm during long defensive sessions, which may not suit players managing elbow or wrist sensitivity.
• Rebound at 74/100 is solid but not explosive, so players relying on the frame itself for pace will need to generate more with technique.

Construction and Materials

The Columns Ultra pairs a Hard EVA Soft core with a Smooth, glossy surface, a combination that historically favors touch and directional control over raw trampoline effect. In hand, the build feels dense and purposeful rather than light and forgiving, consistent with its Advanced/Competition classification.

The glossy Smooth finish held up well across our testing sessions without noticeable wear on the hitting surface, and the Black/White colorway looks genuinely premium rather than budget. Given the current €69.95 price against an original €289.95 tag, the materials feel disproportionately good — this doesn't feel like a racket that was cost-engineered down to hit a price point. It feels like a racket that's simply being sold well below its original positioning, and the quality reflects that better price tier.

Who Is This Racket For?

The Vairo Columns Ultra suits a right-side player who thrives on bandejas, viboras, and precise cross-court volleys rather than one who wants to end every rally with a flat smash. Its control profile and Mid balance make it equally comfortable for an all-court player who mixes offense and defense within the same point.

Physically, it favors players with reasonably solid technique — the Hard core rewards clean contact but can feel unforgiving on mishits, so it's better suited to players without significant wrist or elbow sensitivity. It's built for competitive players training or playing 3-4 times a week, not the once-weekly recreational hitter who wants a racket that does the work for them.

Players who should look elsewhere: the left-side smasher who wants explosive finishing power will find the 72/100 power rating limiting, and total beginners will likely find the Hard core and Advanced/Competition tuning too demanding before their technique catches up. If you're wondering When to Replace Your Padel Racket: Signs It's Time for an Upgrade, a control-focused upgrade like this is worth considering once your current frame starts feeling inconsistent on touch shots.

How It Compares

Within Vairo's own range, the Columns Ultra sits as a control-forward option rather than a power play, and in the broader budget teardrop segment its current €69.95 price makes it an outlier in terms of value. Against the Akkeron Oro 23, the Columns Ultra edges ahead in precision on touch shots like bandejas, though the Akkeron Oro 23 can feel slightly more forgiving on off-center hits thanks to a more generous sweet spot.

Compared with the Bullpadel Flow Woman, which leans toward a softer, more accessible feel suited to lighter swing speeds, the Columns Ultra is a firmer, more demanding racket that rewards technical players rather than accommodating developing ones. If you're deciding between the two based on conditions, our Seasonal Padel Racket Guide: Choosing the Right Racket for Different Conditions is worth a read, since the Hard core in the Columns Ultra behaves differently in cold versus warm conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is the Vairo Columns Ultra good for advanced players?

Yes, it's specifically tuned as an Advanced/Competition racket, with a Control-oriented design that rewards clean technique on bandejas, viboras, and net play. Players still developing consistent contact may find the Hard core less forgiving than a softer, beginner-friendly frame.

Q: Who is the Vairo Columns Ultra actually best suited for?

It's best suited to a right-side or all-court player who builds points through touch and placement rather than raw power, playing at least three times a week. Physically, it fits players without wrist or elbow sensitivity who can handle a firmer, Hard-core response.

Q: How does the Vairo Columns Ultra compare to Akkeron Oro 23?

The Columns Ultra offers tighter control on touch shots, while the Akkeron Oro 23 provides a slightly larger margin for error on off-center contact. Players prioritizing pinpoint bandejas and viboras will likely prefer the Columns Ultra; those wanting more forgiveness may lean toward the Akkeron Oro 23.

Q: Is the Vairo Columns Ultra still a good buy in 2026 considering its price and performance?

Absolutely — at €69.95 against an original €289.95, the performance-to-price ratio is hard to match in the current teardrop racket market. As long as your grip is fresh (see our Padel Racket Grip Replacement Guide: When and How to Change Your Grip), this racket still competes with frames priced well above it.

Final Verdict

The Vairo Columns Ultra earned its place in our rotation as a control-first teardrop racket that genuinely performs like an advanced, competition-ready frame. Its strength lies squarely in touch shots — bandejas, viboras, and block volleys all felt precise and predictable during testing, backed up by what we saw in the 85/100 control rating.

Its main trade-off is power: players who define their game by explosive smashes will want to look elsewhere or pair this racket with a more aggressive technique adjustment. For everyone else building points methodically, this is one of the strongest value plays we've reviewed this year.

Buy it if you're an advanced, technically sound player who wants precision on touch shots at a price that feels almost unfair. Skip it if your game revolves around finishing rallies with raw smash power from the back of the court.