Stiff face with a soft core: great control and manoeuvrability, better for them than the HRD.
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“I'd say carbon control is perfect; it has a stiff surface but a soft core, which helps with control, and the maneuverability is really good!”
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Adidas Metalbone Carbon CTRL 3.5 2026
50% positive16 reviewsView price on Amazon
In shortPlayers mostly praise it for control, with a firm, stable feel and good manoeuvrability. Some find it a little short on power or too dead on blocks, and a few say it feels demanding. A couple of earlier owners found the 2026 firmer than past versions.
What players keep saying
Loved for
Complaints
- Year
- 2026
- Shape
- Round
- Weight
- 360–375 g
Reviews
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An intermediate who switched from an ML10 Pro Cup: surgical, millimetre-precise control after one session, but much firmer and possibly too demanding for them.
Feels great and snappier than the 3.4, with a smaller sweet spot; the long handle still allows powerful overheads.
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“Just bought the 3.5 (2026) and it feels great! It’s fairly balanced but the sweet spot is smaller than the 3.4 and as others have mentioned it feels more ‘snappy’ and refined.”
Has tried the AT10 18K and 12K and the Metalbone Carbon. Finds the 2026 Metalbone Carbon CTRL more powerful than the AT10 18K, and prefers it to the diamond-shaped Metalbone Carbon because their control suffers with diamonds.
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“The Metalbone carbon ctrl has more power than an At10 18k and i like it more than thr Metalbone carbon, because my contol with diamonds suffers.”
Coming back from a wrist issue, found the Metalbone Carbon CTRL 3.5's stiffness just right, but missed the power and spin of the regular Metalbone.
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“I tried the MB Carbon Control 3.5 and I find it perfect with the stiffness but lacking the power and spin that I want compared to the normal Metalbone.”
Has played the Metalbone Carbon CTRL 2026 for about six months, 3–6 times a week, and is very happy with it, though lately it has started to feel a bit too soft and spongy.
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“Lately, though, it’s started to feel a bit too soft and spongy. Other than that, I’m very happy with the racket.”
An intermediate 18 months in who moved from an Adipower CTRL to the '26 Carbon CTRL: a balanced racket that has lifted every part of their game and their confidence.
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“It has been a game changer for me and elevated my game in every respect.”
Six months in, finds it light, comfortable and good at absorbing shock; a little short of smash power.
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“Racket might lack a bit of power for smashes but that’s not what I am looking for in my game. It feels very light and comfortable. It’s very good at shock absorbing.”
After four months improving fast with the Metalbone Carbon CTRL 2026, finds it too dead: blocks die off the face and every shot is less powerful than expected.
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“I feel like my racket is too dead and doesn't have enough power.”
Bought the 2026 Carbon CTRL after testing the 2025: very firm and precise, nothing like the soft 2025, but it has given them some tennis elbow.
Prefers it to the regular CTRL: superb control and much less trampoline, though it could use more power.
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“I also have Carbon CTRL '26 and I like it much better then CTRL. Superb control, much less of trampoline effect.”
Two sessions with the Carbon CTRL, their first Adidas: stiff but not dry, less ball feel than a Counter Viper, and very easy to accelerate the ball at medium pace.
Replaced a broken CTRL 3.4 with the 2026 Carbon CTRL: a drier, more 'planky' contact with much less trampoline that needs more arm speed, but they really like it.
Four or five sessions with the Carbon CTRL: definitely more control, though still a medium trampoline; chiquita returns travel further than expected.
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“Definitely more control but there is the trampoline effect”
Loved the 2024 and 2025 Carbon CTRL but can't find the same control with the 2026.
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“Loved the 2024 and 2925 model but somehow I don't like the 2026 model cannot find the same level of control.”
Tried the Carbon CTRL: not too heavy, great volley length and overheads, surprisingly good in defence, a medium-hard touch much firmer than most Adidas.
Common questions about Adidas Metalbone Carbon CTRL 3.5 2026
Is Adidas Metalbone Carbon CTRL 3.5 2026 worth it?
Of the 16 reviews with a clear verdict, 50% are positive, 38% mixed and 13% negative. The praise mentioned most is good control. The most common complaint is demanding.
What do people like about Adidas Metalbone Carbon CTRL 3.5 2026?
The praise reviewers mention most: good control (6 reviews), arm-friendly (1 review) and fast at the net (1 review). For example: Feels great and snappier than the 3.4, with a smaller sweet spot; the long handle still allows powerful overheads.
What are the most common complaints about Adidas Metalbone Carbon CTRL 3.5 2026?
The complaints reviewers mention most: demanding (2 reviews). For example: After four months improving fast with the Metalbone Carbon CTRL 2026, finds it too dead: blocks die off the face and every shot is less powerful than expected.
How does Adidas Metalbone Carbon CTRL 3.5 2026 rank?
#4 in Best Padel Rackets for Control 2026, ranked by real player reviews.
Where do these Adidas Metalbone Carbon CTRL 3.5 2026 reviews come from?
16 are quotes from discussions on Reddit, each linked to the original post. Player reviews are checked for spam before they appear, and only they count toward the star rating; quotes never do.