The Counter Origin is the cheapest Babolat padel racket you can buy. A forgiving round shape and head-light balance make it a textbook beginner setup, backed by Babolat's brand quality at £90.
The Counter Origin is the cheapest Babolat padel racket you can buy. At £90 it's positioned against the Head Evo Speed (£79), NOX X-Auro (£78), and Dunlop Lumina (£78) — slightly more expensive but carrying the Babolat name and build quality.
The round shape with a head-light balance is the textbook beginner setup: the centred sweet spot forgives mishits, and the low balance makes the racket easy to swing without wrist fatigue. The hybrid frame — fibreglass with carbon inserts — adds stability without making the racket harsh. The EVA core is standard soft foam: comfortable and forgiving but with a clear power ceiling.
You'll outgrow this racket within a year of regular play, but that's by design. It's the entry point into the Babolat range, and when you're ready to upgrade, the Counter Veron 2.6 (£210) or the diamond-shaped Veron Juan Lebrón 3.0 (£210) are the natural next steps.
The Head Evo Speed offers similar beginner specs at £79, or when you're ready to upgrade, the Counter Veron 2.6 is the natural next step in the Babolat range. See our full beginner racket guide for more options.
Complete beginners who want a trusted brand name and a forgiving round shape to learn on.