Padel Racket Review - Babolat Air Origin 2025

What the reviewers say

Padel Racket Lab gave the Air Origin 2025 an overall beginner score of 8.0, rating maneuverability at 8.4, sweet spot at 7.9, and comfort at 8.3. Their assessment was straightforward: "The teardrop shape and even balance provide a slightly more dynamic response, allowing players to introduce more pace while still maintaining control during rallies."

On YouTube, Xeexi1707 tested the full Origin range with Babolat representative Tony on court. Tony explained the key difference versus the higher Vertuo range: "In the Origin range we use a Soft EVA foam, which gives the softest cushion Babolat offers. It's more forgiving, the sweet spot is bigger, and it penalises you much less for off-centre contact." On court, the tester found the Air Origin surprisingly lively for its level: "The feel is very soft and it gives real ball output. The moment you put any pace into it, the ball comes off well, and it's very maneuverable because it weighs almost nothing."

EverythingPadel's review of the 2025 Babolat Air range (which shares the same mould as the Air Origin) described the Air shape as the most versatile in each line: "The air one is a hybrid teardrop shape, so it's a good mix of power and control, but it's also very maneuverable, giving you a fast swing. It suits players who want to move well at the net and transition between defence and attack."

User reviews on Racketguide (19 entries, average 3.5 out of 5) reflect a split: beginners and older recreational players consistently praised the light weight and comfortable feel; more developed players noted the limited power ceiling. One amateur summarised it simply: "Good control, little power."

Padelreference.com noted that the racket "stands out for its exceptional forgiveness and playing comfort, making it an ideal paddle to support progressing players, especially during volleys or fast defensive phases."

Our take: Lars's summary

For a developing player learning to construct points and stay consistent, the Air Origin 2025 does exactly what it should. The light frame and large sweet spot keep the ball in play during extended rallies, and the teardrop shape means it does not feel completely passive when you want to push forward or take a volley early. Right-side players who are building court sense will appreciate how easy it is to reposition. The honest caveat: as soon as a player's technique develops and they start looking for more penetration off the back wall or more bite on overheads, this racket will start to feel modest in power. It is a step on the way, not an endpoint.

The soft EVA core and smooth fiberglass surface absorb pace well, making defensive resets and lobbing straightforward. The even balance point keeps the head stable when blocking fast incoming shots, so the racket does not twist in the hand under pressure. From the back corners, the light weight is a genuine advantage for players still developing their footwork and reaction time.

Attacking with the Air Origin is comfortable within its range. The teardrop shape places the sweet spot slightly higher than a round control racket, which helps generate a bit more depth on groundstrokes without an aggressive swing. Overheads and simple bandejas come off cleanly. However, the fiberglass surface does not generate the ball speed that a carbon face would, so smashes remain limited in pace. Players who want to finish points aggressively from the air will find the ceiling arrives quickly.

At the net the Air Origin's light weight and balanced design are its strongest assets. Volleys feel quick and natural to take early, and the oversized sweet spot provides good margin when timing is slightly off. The racket does not offer a lot of feel or precision for touch shots like the chiquita, but for the level it is targeting, it handles net exchanges well and does not require advanced technique to control.

How it compares

The natural step up within Babolat's own range is the Babolat Air Veron 2025, which uses a hybrid carbon-fiberglass surface for noticeably more power while keeping the same manoeuvrability and teardrop shape. Players who outgrow the Air Origin's power output should move there.

Outside Babolat, the Head Extreme Motion 2025 is a comparable entry-level teardrop. It sits in a similar price bracket and is similarly aimed at beginners, though the Head model tends to feel slightly firmer off the face. Which to choose comes down to feel preference: the Air Origin is softer and more forgiving; the Head is a fraction more responsive.