Deep comparison vs your current rackets • User reviews • Transition guide
Best sweet spot and ball exit of all four rackets. Trades some power and maneuverability for comfort and forgiveness. Ideal if you build points with patience and spin.
The premium round-shape racket from the Metalbone family.
All four rackets side by side. Metalbone CTRL 2026 highlighted.
Green = category leader. Red = weakest. Metalbone CTRL column highlighted.
| Attribute | Metalbone CTRL 2026 | Adipower MW CTRL 2023 | Cross It Light 2024 | Metalbone HRD 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shape | Round | Round | Round | Diamond |
| Weight | 345-360g | 345-360g | 345-365g | 345-360g |
| Balance | Low | Medium (265mm) | Even / Head Light | High |
| Core | EVA Soft Performance | EVA High Memory | EVA High Memory | EVA High Memory |
| Face | 16K Aluminized | 18K Carbon | 24K Aluminized | 16K Aluminized |
| Touch | Medium (soft) | Medium-Hard | Medium-Hard | Stiff |
| Power | 8.0 | 8.4 | 6.3 | 10.0 |
| Control | 8.3 | 9.1 | 8.6 | 9.7 |
| Sweet Spot | 9.1 | 9.0 | 9.1 | 8.1 |
| Maneuverability | 7.9 | 8.4 | 9.5 | 8.1 |
| Ball Exit | 9.3 | 8.5 | 8.9 | 8.1 |
| Price | €312 | €249 | €300 | €390 |
How the Metalbone CTRL 2026 handles each game situation.
What changes when you switch from each of your current rackets.
EVA Soft Performance vs EVA High Memory. Less crisp punch, more cushioned feel. Great for long sessions and arm health.
9.3 vs 8.5. Balls leave the racket more easily, especially at medium-low speeds. Defense from the back becomes noticeably easier.
Octagonal Structure, Smart Holes Curve, Carbon Aluminized 16K — three years of refinement over the 2023 model.
8.0 vs 8.4. The softer core and 16K (vs 18K) carbon give less direct power feedback. You'll need more arm speed for the same pace on smashes.
8.3 vs 9.1. Counterintuitive: the Adipower actually scores higher on pure control despite the CTRL having more comfort. The crisp feedback of the Adipower gives more precision at speed.
7.9 vs 8.4. The lower balance changes the swing feel. Slightly slower on quick reactions.
Plates + washers (11.2g) vs 13 screws (12g). Less total adjustment range but similar concept. You'll need to experiment again.
The generous rebound means your defensive lobs may fly longer than expected. Dial back swing power until you recalibrate.
9.3 vs 8.9. Easier defense and more generous rebound on every shot.
8.0 vs 6.3. A significant jump — smashes and volleys will have noticeably more punch.
EVA Soft Performance is the most arm-friendly core in your collection.
7.9 vs 9.5. This is the biggest trade-off. The Cross It Light is a weapon in fast exchanges — the CTRL will feel noticeably slower to whip around.
Even at similar listed weights, the weight distribution makes the CTRL feel more substantial. Prepare for shots earlier.
Spin Blade Decal vs Spin Blade Mold. Practice bandejas and viboras to recalibrate the feel.
9.1 vs 8.1. Far fewer mishits and much more forgiveness on off-center shots.
The HRD's stiff core is the harshest in your bag. The CTRL's EVA Soft Performance is the gentlest. If you had any arm discomfort, this is night and day.
Ball exit 9.3 vs 8.1. The CTRL excels exactly where the HRD struggles. Defense goes from fighting the racket to the racket helping you.
8.0 vs 10.0. Your smashes will have significantly less penetration. Flat winners from the air become much harder.
Low balance (CTRL) vs High balance (HRD). The racket head carries less weight into overheads and smashes.
This is the biggest transition. Diamond-to-round, stiff-to-soft, power-to-control. Focus on placement and spin rather than raw power. Consider alternating in practice before committing.
Things to be aware of if you decide to switch.
Flat smashes lack the penetration you get from the HRD or even the Adipower. If you rely on power to end points, you'll need to change your game — build points with spin and placement instead.
The 9.3 rebound is generous. Coming from rackets with 8.1-8.9 ball exit, your defensive shots may fly longer than intended for the first few sessions. Dial back swing intensity until recalibrated.
If you play fast exchanges regularly, the 7.9 vs 9.5 difference is significant. You'll need to prepare earlier for quick volleys. This is the biggest downgrade vs any of your current rackets.
Multiple reviewers note the racket "requires commitment." The softer core rewards full swings with good technique but doesn't generate pace for you on lazy preparation.
The Weight & Balance System (11.2g range) is different from the Adipower's 13-screw system. Budget time to find your preferred configuration — top-weighted for power, bottom for more control.
If you've had any elbow, shoulder, or wrist discomfort, the CTRL's EVA Soft Performance core is the most arm-friendly in the entire Adidas lineup. Zero vibration complaints in any review.
Bandejas and viboras work well. The Spin Blade Decal adds genuine bite to cut shots. This is where the CTRL shines over the Adipower which scored poorly on spin (5/10).
If you find yourself defending a lot or want to improve your back-court game, this is objectively the best choice. The sweet spot + ball exit combination is unmatched in your collection.
Expert and user reviews from padel review sites and retailers.
Overwhelmingly positive among control-oriented players. The racket is still relatively new (2026 collection launched Dec 2025), so user review volume is limited. No durability complaints or known issues found across any source.
Sources checked: Padelful, PadelRacketReviews, PadelZoom, Padel.fyi, Padel Racket Lab, Tennis Warehouse, Racket Central, Zona de Padel, SoloPalasDePadel, ThePadelTrainingCamp, BestPadelLife, Reddit r/padel