Puma Solar Blink CTR 20237.6

Conclusion

The Solar Blink CTR 2023 does its best work in defense: the soft EVA core absorbs hard balls and the round head forgives off-centre contact. It suits beginners and intermediates who win points with placement. Players who finish with flat smashes will miss power, and advanced players may find it too basic.

Power6.3/10
Control8.0/10
Defense8.0/10
Offense7.0/10
Maneuverability7.8/10

Padel Racket Review - Puma Solar Blink CTR 2023

Puma · 2023

Reviewed & Researched by Lars Kloezeman

Lars Kloezeman

Tactical right-side player who builds points and reads the game

Tactical right side player who is not afraid of using every trick in the book to "disturb the rhytm" of the opponent.

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The Puma Solar Blink CTR 2023 is an entry-level control racket with a round head, an even balance and a medium-soft touch. Puma builds it on a twin-tube carbon fiber frame with a low-hardness EVA core, so comfort and control come before raw power. At this price, the 3K carbon fiber faces and the vibration dampening system are features you usually find on more expensive models.

How it plays..

Our take: Lars's summary

The Solar Blink CTR plays calm and predictable. Its medium-soft touch gives clear feedback without feeling dead, and the large sweet spot keeps rallies consistent when contact drifts off-centre. At 356–370g with an even balance, it moves quickly enough at the net and stays stable on blocks. Right-side players who build points get a racket that keeps the ball in play and puts it where they want, but it will not finish points for them.

Defense

Defense

This is where the racket is strongest. The low-hardness EVA core takes the pace out of hard-hit balls, and the rough surface gives enough grip for controlled counter-shots. Lobs leave the face on a predictable line, which makes it easier to stay calm under pressure.

Attack

Attack

Power is below average. The carbon fiber frame is stable enough for a committed smash, but you need good technique to get real pace from it. In attack it rewards placement over pace, which suits players who construct a point before they try to end it.

Netplay

At the net

The even balance and medium-soft touch work well in fast exchanges at the net. Reactions feel quick, and the forgiving sweet spot keeps volleys accurate when the pace goes up. The touch is not the crispest for advanced net technique, but it covers what most intermediate players need there.

Our Advice for New Players

Beginners

A good entry point. The racket is forgiving, comfortable and fairly priced, and the round head with its large sweet spot does not punish small mishits hard. That helps you build a consistent stroke.

Our Advice for Intermediate Players

Intermediate players

If you focus on control and placement, this racket rewards good technique and gives you clear feedback to learn from. It is stable enough for more advanced shots and stays consistent in the basic patterns of play.

Competitive level

Advanced players

Advanced players will likely miss power and a crisper feel for advanced technique. The racket can handle a high level of play, but at that level there are better options.

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.

Written by Padelguru from the expert reviews listed above, with Lars Kloezeman's playing profile as an editorial lens. Not play-tested.

Pros & Cons

Strengths

  • Excellent control and precision
  • Large, forgiving sweet spot
  • Absorbs pace well in defense
  • Comfortable medium-soft feel
  • Good vibration dampening

Considerations

  • Limited power on flat smashes
  • Needs good technique to finish points
  • Too basic for advanced players

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Perfect For

Recommended for

Beginner and intermediate players who build points with control and placement and want a forgiving, comfortable racket at an entry-level price.

Skill level

Beginner, Intermediate

Court position

Right

Play style

Control, Balanced, Defensive, Tactical, All-court

Best at: Control (8.0/10)

Average: 7.4/10

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. The round head, large sweet spot and medium-soft touch make it forgiving, and the entry-level price makes it a sensible first racket.

Full Specs

Shape

Round

Weight

Medium (356–370g)

Balance

Balanced (Even)

Touch

Medium Soft

Core

Soft

Surface

Medium

Texture

Rough

Year

2023

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