A budget-friendly racket that offers excellent control and maneuverability, perfect for beginners and improving players. The innovative Full EVA Concept and flax fiber integration provide good comfort and forgiveness, while the balanced design helps develop all-round skills without overwhelming new players.
Power
5.6/10
Control
7.4/10
Defense
6.5/10
Offense
6.0/10
Maneuverability
8.0/10
Padel Racket Review - Kuikma PR React Soft 2024
Always overperforms in the warm-up, always underperforms in the match. Such is life.
Our mission is to help you choose the right padel racket with clear, in-depth reviews that make it easy to level up your game.
We start with official specs, then break down each racket's key properties. Finally, we bring together trusted video and written reviews—summarised into one consistent, easy-to-read overview.
The Kuikma PR React Soft 2024 stands out in the budget segment with its innovative Full EVA Concept construction and flax fiber integration. This unique combination creates a racket that prioritizes control and comfort over raw power. Weighing in at just 342 grams with a balanced profile (265mm balance point), it offers impressive maneuverability without sacrificing stability. The incorporation of natural flax fiber in the surface layers is particularly interesting, as it helps reduce vibrations while maintaining good feel for the ball.
How it plays..
Control with Comfortable Feedback
On the court, the PR React Soft delivers a surprisingly refined experience for its price point. The teardrop shape combined with the soft EVA core provides excellent ball control, allowing you to place shots with precision even when on the defensive. The medium-soft touch translates to responsive feedback when making contact with the ball, without being taxing on the forearm during long sessions. The sweet spot is moderately sized, offering enough forgiveness for developing players while still rewarding proper technique.
Defense
Reliable Partner Under Pressure
In defensive situations, the racket's light weight proves advantageous, allowing quick reactions and easy positioning. The soft EVA core effectively absorbs power from incoming shots, making it easier to control defensive lobs and long balls. When pushed into a corner, you'll appreciate how the racket responds well to quick movements and sudden direction changes. The vibration-dampening properties of the flax fiber make extended defensive rallies more comfortable on the arm.
Attack
Precision Over Power
The offensive capabilities of the PR React Soft focus more on precision than raw power. You shouldn't expect explosive smashes, but the racket's control-oriented design allows for well-placed attacks and strategic shot placement. The medium-soft touch helps in generating spin and directing the ball accurately, though you'll need to supply your own power for winning shots. Players with good technique can still generate a decent amount of power when needed, but it's definitely not the racket's primary strength.
Netplay
Agile and Responsive at the Net
At the net, the PR React Soft's light weight and balanced design truly shine. Quick volleys and reactive plays feel natural, with the racket responding well to subtle wrist movements for touch shots. The vibration-dampening properties of the flax fiber make short exchanges comfortable, while the control-focused design helps with accurate placements. Volleys feel controlled and precise, though power volleys will require more player input than with a stiffer, heavier racket.
Our Advice for New Players
Ideal Starting Point for Newcomers
If you're just starting your padel journey, this racket offers an excellent introduction to the sport. The forgiving nature of the soft EVA core helps you develop proper technique without punishing mistakes too harshly. The comfortable feel builds confidence as you learn, while the control-oriented design helps you understand ball placement before moving on to power. At this price point (€74.99-€89.99), you're getting features like Full EVA construction and flax fiber that aren't typically found in budget rackets, making it an excellent value proposition.
Our Advice for Intermediate Players
Great Stepping Stone for Improving Players
For low-intermediate players focusing on improving technique and control, this racket offers significant value. You'll appreciate how it allows you to develop all-round skills with its balanced characteristics. The responsive feedback helps you understand what works and what doesn't, while the focus on precision encourages a tactical approach to the game. As you progress, you might eventually want more power, but this racket will serve you well through the developmental stages of your padel journey.
Competitive level
Limited Appeal for Advanced Competition
Advanced players will likely find the PR React Soft lacking in power and explosiveness needed for competitive play. While it maintains good control and comfort, the performance ceiling might be too limiting if you're looking to generate aggressive, winning shots consistently. Advanced players might consider this only as a training racket for sessions focused on touch and control, or as a backup option when recovering from arm injuries due to its comfortable feel.
Research & References
Our mission is to help you choose the right padel racket with clear, in-depth reviews that make it easy to level up your game. We start with official specs, then break down each racket’s key properties. Finally, we bring together trusted video and written reviews—summarised into one consistent, easy-to-read overview.
Excellent control and precision
Very light and maneuverable (342g)
Good vibration absorption from flax fiber
Full EVA Concept increases sweet spot forgiveness
Great value for money
Limited power for aggressive players
May be too limiting for competitive play
Smaller sweet spot compared to round rackets
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Skill Level
Low_Intermediate
Court Position
Both
Play Style
Control
Best at: Maneuverability (8.0/10)
Average: 6.7/10
The PR React Soft focuses more on comfort and control with its softer EVA core, while the regular PR React offers a better balance of power and control for slightly more advanced players.
Yes, it's excellent for beginners due to its forgiving nature, soft EVA core, comfortable feel, and control-oriented design that helps develop proper technique.
It's best for control-oriented players who prioritize precision and tactical play over raw power, particularly those developing their all-round skills.
The Kuikma PR React Soft weighs approximately 342g (±7g), making it a light racket that's easy to maneuver.
Kuikma is Decathlon's in-house padel brand known for offering good quality budget-friendly rackets with excellent value, particularly for beginners and improving players.
It features Full EVA Concept technology (single piece of EVA foam), flax fiber integration for vibration reduction, and 3 layers of fiberglass for comfort.
At €74.99-€89.99, it offers exceptional value with features like Full EVA construction and flax fiber that aren't typically found in this price range.
Shape
Teardrop
Weight
Light (341–355G)
Balance
Balanced (Even)
Touch
Medium-Soft
Core
Soft
Surface
Medium
Texture
Smooth
Year
2024
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