Today, there are 3 major racquet categories, with several subcategories.

CATEGORY 1: Power or Game Improvement Racquets

This is the term used by racquet manufacturers for power-oriented racquets. In most cases, these racquet models feature oversize to super-oversize heads (107-135 square inches), are lightweight (8-9.5 ounces), longer (27-29 inches) stiffer and are balanced head-heavy (or evenly balanced) to retain enough weight in the hitting zone. Designed for players with shorter, slower swings and who want more power from the racquet. Here are some of the top game improvement racquets:

Babolat VS NCT Power Racquets

A powerful and light game improvement racquet. Features a large sweetspot, open 16/20 string pattern, 28 inch extended length and powerful Nano Carbon design

Dunlop 1000G I.C.E. Racquets

Offering some nice control, lots of spin and comfort, this racquet has a broad appeal. A great choice for beginners and experienced players looking for a spin friendly, all court racquet. Features a 115 sq. inch headsize and a 9.9 ounce weight

Head Flexpoint 10 Racquets

HEAD's most powerful Flexpoint offering. Very comfortable and forgiving in play. A great choice for beginners seeking a powerful and user-friendly racquet. 121 square inch headsize, 27.5" length

Prince O3 Blue Rackquets

A powerful 'tweener racquet ideal for the improving player looking to add some pace and spin to their shots. Offers more power than the O3 Red and more control than the O3 Silver. 110 sq." headsize, 27.5" frame length
Prince O3 Silver Racquets

Awarded TENNIS Magazine Editor's Choice for the ’05 Spring Gear Guide.

A powerful, comfortable and maneuverable racquet. Distinctive large O-ports designed to improve aerodynamics and sweetspot size

Volkl Catapult 1 Fire Racquets

So powerful you'll think it's turbo charged, the Catapult 1 F.I.R.E. is light, maneuverable, and forgiving in play. An appealing choice for 2.0-3.5 level players. Features: 120 sq. inch head size, 27.75" length, open 14/20 string pattern

Wilson n1 nCode Racquets

A powerful game improvement racquet with Wilson's nCode molecular technology frame construction. Features a large sweetspot, 115 sq. inch head size, extended 27.9 inch length frame, open 16/19 string pattern and a head heavy Hammer style balance

Wilson n3 nCode Racquets

Power, comfort, a large sweetspot and good access to spin make this a solid choice for beginning and improving players. 27.5" long, 113 sq. inch Oversize headsize; Used by Serena Williams

Yonex Nano Speed RQ 8 Racquets

Offering more control than most game improvement racquets, this one is ideal for the stronger, more aggressive beginner. Headsize: 110 sq. in. Length: 27.5". String pattern: 16/20

CATEGORY 2: "Tweener" Racquets

There are several models that offer a blend of features from game improvement and player’s racquets. They are often light-er (9.5-11 ounces), balanced anywhere from slightly head-light to slightly head-heavy, have midplus (95-102 square inches) heads and are usually extended length (27.5-28 inches). These racquet models offer low-medium to medium-high power and are most appealing to intermediate-advanced players, seeking enhanced maneuverability.

Babolat AeroPro Drive Racquets

Racquet choice of 2005 French Open Champion, Rafael Nadal. Offers plenty of pop, spin and good accuracy from a crisp response. 100 sq. inch headsize, 11.3 ounces

Babolat Pure Drive Team Plus Racquets

Andy Roddick's racquet of choice. Many shared attributes with the Pure Drive Team Standard but with more heft, reach, and power. 100 sq. inch head. 27.5" frame length

Dunlop M-Fil 500 Racquets

A light and maneuverable 'tweener offering some controllable power and good access to spin. A solid choice for improving 3.5+ level players. 27.25 inches long, 105sq. inch headsize, 16/19 string pattern

Head Flexpoint 4 Racquets

A solid 'tweener offering from HEAD. Offers an attractive blend of power, control, spin and feel. Offers a larger sweetspot and a tad more power than the Liquidmetal 4. 107 sq. in., 27.3 inches long, spin friendly 16/19 string pattern. Awarded TENNIS Magazine's Editor's Choice in the 2005 September Racquet Guide

Prince O3 Hybrid Hornet Racquets

Offering more power, comfort and mobility than the Triple Threat Hornet racquets, these O3 Hybrid versions bring a lot of performance to the court for 3.0-5.0 level players. Both Midplus and Oversize feature standard length frames and open, 16/19 string patterns

Prince O3 Hybrid Shark Racquets

Midplus and Oversize racquets that offer a comfortable and slightly dampened feel thanks to the O Ports at 12 & 6 o'clock. Plenty of pop and access to spin for intermediate to advanced players. Standard length Midplus and 27.5" Oversize. Headsize: 100sq. in Midplus & 110sq. in. Oversize

Prince O3 Red Racquets

You'll find plenty of comfort, power and a lively feel from this maneuverable racquet. Offers a large and forgiving sweetspot and good access to spin

Prince O3 White Racquets

Maria Sharapova's racquet, this one offers power, control, comfort and maneuverability. Well suited to an all court game. Features a 27" frame length, 100sq. in. headsize and a 16/19 string pattern

Prince Shark Racquets

TENNIS Magazine Editor's Choice. Midplus and Oversize racquets that offer large sweetspots, a comfortable and dampened feel and good access to spin

Volkl Becker BB 10 Racquets

Boris Becker's signature racquet, the BB 10 offers a solid blend of spin, control and maneuverability. Headsize: 100 sq. in., Length: 27.6", String pattern: 16/18

Volkl DNX V1 Racquets

Two solid playing sticks that offer good maneuverability and easy access to spin. Volkl's DNX construction offers added frame stiffness in key areas. Midplus and Oversize headsizes (102 & 110 sq. in.). Midplus is standard length, Oversize is 27.6 inches long

Wilson n5 nCode Racquets

Awarded TENNIS Magazine's Editor's Choice (September, 2004). A medium power racquet available in both 98 square-inch Midplus for aggressive baseliners, and 110 square-inch Oversize for intermediate all-court players

Wilson nCode nTour Racquets

Midplus 95sq." and 105sq." racquets offering some nice power, maneuverability and stability with an even balanced feel. Both headsizes features 27.25 lengths and 16/20 string patterns. The current racquet of Justine Henin-Hardenne and Lindsay Davenport

Yonex Nano Speed RQ 5 Racquets

A classic 'tweener that offers a nice blend of power and control, good access to spin and good maneuverability. Headsize: 105 sq. in. Length: 27.5". String pattern: 16/18

Yonex RDX 300 Racquets

Two versatile racquets that will meet the needs of both the finesse net player as well as the aggressive baseline player. 98 sq. inch, 27.25" Midplus, and 103 sq. inch, 27.5 Super Mid

CATEGORY 3: Control or Player's Racquets

Denotes racquets that would be used by professional and high-level club and college team players. These models are typically heavier in weight (11.5-13+ ounces), have smaller heads (85-98), thinner, more flexible beams and are balanced head light to retain maneuverability. The result is a low-power racquet, designed for players who provide their own power and prefer a racquet that offers more control. Can be standard or extended length.

Babolat AeroPro Control Racquets

We found excellent control, spin and slightly more pop compared to the Pure Control with this one. Standard length (27 inches), 98 sq. inch headsize, 16/19 string pattern

Babolat Pure Control Team Standard Racquets

Traditional weight and balance in a standard, 27-inch length. Ideal for 4.5-7.0 level players who generate their own power and are seeking enhanced control. 11.8 ounces, 98 sq. inch head

Dunlop M-Fil 200 Racquets

A solid player's racquet with an emphasis on control and feel. Offers plenty of heft, a consistent response and a good level of comfort. Standard length, 95 sq. inch headsize, 18/20 string pattern. Used by ATP pros James Blake and Tommy Haas

Fischer M Speed Pro Number One Racquets

Now available in two headsizes, 98 and 105 sq. in. Both are very spin friendly, comfortable and control oriented racquets. These flexible racquets will appeal to purists and advanced players of all types. The 98sq. in version is the racquet of choice for Marcos Baghdatis, 2006 Australian Open Finalist

Head Flexpoint Prestige Racquets

The Prestige is available again with three models to choose from with Mid, Midplus and Midplus XL versions. These three offer plenty of classic Prestige heritage but bring some extra pop and stability to the court. A must demo for Prestige fans and players seeking control, stability and the utmost racquet feedback

Head Flexpoint Radical Tour Racquets

The Tour offers great stability, spin and a head-light balance for advanced players who prefer a bit more heft and an open (16x19) string pattern. Weight: 12 ounces. 27" standard length

Head Liquidmetal Prestige Racquets

The Prestige line gets updated with Liquidmetal and Twin Tube technology. Mid (93 sq. inch) and Midplus (98 sq. inch) headsizes available. Standard 27 inch length frames. Mid used by Marat Safin and Gustavo Kuerten

Prince O3 Tour Racquets

Three player's racquets that offer good access to spin on groundstrokes and serves. Very mobile from all areas of the court and perfect for aggressive players. Headsizes: 95, 100 & 107 sq. inches. Length: Mid and MP 27", OS 27.5". The Midplus is the current racquet of choice for Guillermo Coria

Prince Tour Diablo Racquets

Jennifer Capriati's racquet, the Tour Diablo comes in two headsizes with an emphasis on control. Standard length Mid with a 93 sq. inch head size and 16/20 string pattern, and a 27.25 length Midplus with a 100 sq. inch head size and 16/18 string pattern

ProKennex Core1 No. 6 Racquets

Pro Kennex's first player's Core racquet, the Core1 No. 6 offers traditional weight, balance, headsize and flex for players with full, fast swings

ProKennex Heritage Type C Racquets

Control oriented racquets that are solid yet maneuverable. Thin beam, 93 sq. inch and 98 sq. inch head sizes, the Type C racquets are best suited to advanced players looking for a classic feeling racquet

ProKennex Heritage Type C

Redondo Racquets Two control oriented racquets ideally suited to advanced, aggressive players. Both offer exceptional feel on shots from all areas of the court. Mid & Midplus headsizes. Composition: 100% Graphite. Standard length

Tecnifibre TFight 325 Racquets

A solid player's racquet that offers exceptional feel and control. Well suited to a variety of player styles at the 4.5+ level. 98 sq. inch headsize, 21 mm beam width, 12.2 ounces, 27.4 inches long

Volkl Tour 10 MP Generation II Racquets

Offering lots of comfort, control, touch and the classic Volkl feel, this is one serious player's racquet and a quality update to the Tour 10 MP and C10 Pro. 98 sq. inch headsize, 16/19 string pattern, standard length

Volkl Tour 10 V-Engine Mid Racquets

A true player's racquet with a generous sweetspot and a classic Volkl feel. 12.2 ounces strung, 8 points head light, 18/20 string pattern, standard length

Wilson nSix-One 95 nCode Racquets

A classic head light balance combines with a 95 sq. inch head for a racquet that's as happy at net as it is at the baseline. Standard length, 16/18 string pattern, and a 22mm flat beam construction

Wilson nSix-One Tour 90 nCode Racquets

Racquet choice of ATP #1 Roger Federer, the nCode Six-One Tour is a stable, control oriented racquet for advanced players. Features a 90 sq. inch head, standard length frame, traditional head light balance, and open 16/19 string pattern

Yonex RDX 500 Racquets

Mid and Midplus, standard length racquets, offering control, comfort and good access to spin. Generous sweetspots make both play bigger than the 90 sq. inch and 98 sq. inch respective headsizes imply.