Picked up the Metalbone CTRL 2026 and it’s honestly exceeded expectations. Defensively, it’s super easy to play with. Even without any weights, it feels very stable, forgiving, and gives a lot of confidence when you’re under pressure or defending low balls. What surprised me most is the attacking side. Once I added weight at the top, the racket still feels quick through the air and the ball output improves a lot. You can actually finish points without feeling like you’re missing power, which isn’t always the case with control rackets. Also a big one for me: zero arm pain so far, even after longer sessions. Overall, it’s a really nice balance, strong on defense, but still enough pop on attack when you tweak the setup. If you’re looking for a control racket that doesn’t feel dead, this is a very solid option.
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Adidas Metalbone CTRL 3.5 2026
63% positive62 reviewsView price on Amazon
#1 in Best Padel Rackets 2026#1 in Best Padel Rackets for Control 2026
In shortMost players like the large, forgiving sweet spot, easy power and control, and many add weights at the top for more punch. The soft, springy face divides opinion, with some finding it too bouncy at the net or in warm weather. A few report the weight screws breaking.
- Year
- 2026
- Shape
- Round
- Weight
- 345–360g
- Balance
- Low/Medium
- Core
- EVA Soft Performance core
- Surface
- 16K Carbon
How it plays2 players
- Power3.0
- Control3.5
- Maneuverability4.0
- Comfort4.5
- Forgiveness5.0
Who's playing it
- 51
- 40
- 30
- 21
- 10
Reviews
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I am intermediate playing for about 1 year and this is my second padel racket, Before this I played with some random cheap rackets my club had, and this is a huge jump, i like how easy it is to hit my shots, sweet spot is the all racket so even when I miss hit the ball does not die like on other rackets I tried, it doesn't have a massive power but it's enough for me as I don't really smash, i do get great deep vibora and volley with it. When I use it in defense it feels really solid on ground stokes and lobs.
Was literally about to sell it after using it once with the weights in the bottom. Decided to try it without the weights and wowwwww. I really thought I needed a “hard” racket. And this was just too soft. I was very wrong. It is literally perfect, and I’ve never felt so confident playing. Like I can finally play as I know I can, and don’t have to worry about my racket.
Loved the Metalbone CTRL 2026 after 90 minutes, a big upgrade that gave enough power, but struggled with overheads and digging balls near the glass, and returned it over a faulty weight-adjustment screw.
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“I absolutely loved the Adidas. I played with it for about 90 minutes, and toward the end, things really started clicking. It felt like a big upgrade from my previous rackets, and it gave me enough power for my game.”
I wanted to love this racket as I read lots of positive reviews but just could not get used to how much trampoline effect this racket have! the ball just bounce out of the racket and even though this is suppose to be a CTRL racket I felt like I could not get it under control at all! I guess its good for beginners who need help with ball output but it was not for me.
Bought the 2026 Metalbone CTRL two weeks ago after a year with the 2025 Metalbone CTRL Carbon, and set all the weights at the head. After two games they love it: much more power on volleys and overheads with no loss of control, though blocks and lobs are a little harder.
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“I bought 2026 Metalbone Ctrl 2 weeks Ago and put all weights on the head. Only done 2 games but I love it. Volleys and overheads have a LOT more power.”
Recently moved from the right side to the left with the Metalbone CTRL 2026 and really likes it: excellent feel and ball exit, great control in defence and at the net, and heavy, spinny bandejas and viboras. Only flat smashes lack the pop they want.
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“I've been using the Adidas Metalbone CTRL 2026 and I really like it: the feel and ball exit are excellent, and I get great control on defense and at the net.”
An aggressive high-intermediate player on the 2026 CTRL finds it has enough power to smash the ball out, easier still with heavier weights at the top, though not as easy as diamond rackets. At 100% volleys can fly into the glass, but they adjusted in 2–3 games.
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“When I am smashing on a good day I bring the ball back easily with none of the weights. Just added 1 set of the heavier weights to the center top and it's even easier.”
Tried the Metalbone CTRL 2026 and found it very stable with one of the largest sweet spots, better power than the 2024 and 2025 versions and slightly stiffer foam; less stable without the weights.
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“The Ctrl with the weights on the sides becomes a brick wall, great ball output, stability improves, and more forgiving on off center hits. It has one of the largest sweet spots imho.”
Finds the Metalbone CTRL soft and comfortable with an enormous sweet spot; even soft volleys get depth and power, it stays manoeuvrable, and without the weights it's super light.
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“El punto dulces es enorme y si le quitas los pesos es súper ligera.”
Compared with the AT10 18K, found the Metalbone CTRL 2026 clearly softer with a trampoline effect and high ball output, still going deep on slight mishits, but a bit more top-heavy with the stock weights.
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“Adidas is clearly softer and definitely has a trampoline effect. The ball output is high.”
A 4.2 left-side player finds the Metalbone CTRL 2026 forgiving and excellent in defence after about 20 games, but too springy in attack: mild effort sends the ball long, especially against fast shots.
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“It’s excellent in defence e.g. lobs and chiquitas, but isn’t clicking for me on offensive shots like forehand volleys/smashes.”
Forgiving sweet spot with much more power than the 2025; finishes points better.
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“I feel like the sweet spot is still as forgiving as a control racket can be, but has a lot more power output compared to the 2025.”
Loves it without weights: great manoeuvrability; slightly smaller sweet spot than 2025; prefers it to the AT10 12K.
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“2025 definitely has a larger sweet spot but i took off all the weights on my metalbone control 3.5 2026, and i love it”
In love with the CTRL with two weights at the top: well balanced, sweet spot across the whole face, amazing sound and feel, lots of control and power; the best of the nine rackets they have owned.
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“Sweet spot is the whole racket, the sound and feel are amazing, super control, lots of power”
About 5 months ago I brought a secondhand (brand new condition) Adidas Metalbone CTRL and my first game with it was game changing, round shape made it feel so much more consistent and reliable and have played with it ever since. Absolutely love it and although I’m only about level 1.5 on Playtomic, I am regularly playing competitively against level 2+.
Played the 2026 Metalbone CTRL until someone else broke it, then bought the 2025 version. Finds the 2026 plays slightly more direct, with less trampoline effect than the 2025, which is more forgiving and easier on the wrist and elbow.
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“The 2026 model is still very expensive and plays slightly more direct than the 2025 model, which has a bit more trampoline effect when hitting the ball. The 2025 model is more forgiving and less hard on the wrist/elbow.”
Testing a 2026 Metalbone CTRL that weighs 362 g without weights or overgrip. Likes it overall, especially the trampoline effect, but isn't happy with its manoeuvrability; their heavier Nox Equation feels lighter in the hand.
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“I'm currently testing a metalbone ctrl 2026. Overall I like it, I like the trampoline effect, but I'm not that happy with the maneuverability.”
Calls the Metalbone CTRL 3.5 2026 easily the best racket they've used in a while: it handles like a glove in defence and has more than enough power, with the weights available for more head weight.
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“Have you tried the Addidas Metlabone Ctrl 3.5 2026? For me it's easily the best racket I've used in a while. Handles like a glove in defense and has more than enough power.”
Plays the Metalbone CTRL 2026 with the weights at the top but still feels short of power at times.
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“I currently have the ‘26 adidas metalbone control with the weights on the top but feel like I lack power at times.”
A big fan of the Metalbone CTRL 3.5 2026: like the Cross It CTRL but with a longer handle and adjustable weights, though some find it has a trampoline effect.
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“I’m a huge fan of the CTRL 3.5 (2026). It’s similar to Cross IT CTRL but has a longer handle and adjustable weight system…but some would accuse it of having that trampoline effect.”
Played the Metalbone CTRL 2026 for a few months: great, with a huge sweet spot, but the big trampoline effect makes the rebound hard to control.
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“It’s a great racket with a huge sweet spot. What I did not like is the trampoline effect.”
Bought the Metalbone CTRL 2026 and finds it too soft, especially in warm weather: the slightest movement gives the ball too much power, above all on lobs.
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“I also bought the metalbone CTRL 2026 and find it too soft, especially in warm weather. As soon as you move the racket a tiny bit, it gives the ball too much power, especially for lobs.”
Owns both the 2026 and 2025 Metalbone CTRL and has no issues with power, playing both sides: forgiving, easy to place at different paces, with power there when they put it in themselves.
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“The racket is forgiving, you are able to place shots on different kind of power levels. But does have the power if you need it, but your body needs to give it that.”
A right-side player with ulnar wrist pain tested the Metalbone CTRL 3.5 against the Wilson Endure V1 and bought the Adidas: great in defence, more intuitive and kinder to their wrist.
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“Both rackets were great defensively, but the Adidas just felt more intuitive overall, and it was also a bit kinder to my wrist.”
Moved from the Carbon CTRL to the new Metalbone CTRL: much more power and easier to generate it, though less forgiving on blocks at the net, where the ball can shoot into the glass. They call it an upgrade for players on both sides.
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“I found the ctrl to have a lot more power and ‘trampoline’ effect versus the carbon ctrl which often sounded very flat and hard.”
Owns the Metalbone CTRL 3.5 after a Kuikma Hybrid Pro and an Electra ST4 and doesn't find it too springy: medium hardness that feels softer and gives more help, played with two weights at the top on the right side.
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“I own it now after Kuikma Hybrid Pro and Electra but I dont find it too springy, just more help from racket.”
Finds the Metalbone CTRL 3.5 more forgiving and easier to play than the ST4, and lighter, which helps on the right side.
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“I bought Metalbone CTRL 3.5 and is much easier to play with it, also it is lighter that helps me a lot in the right side.”
Has the Metalbone CTRL 2026 since the start of the year and loves it, though stock it lacks power; moving the weight screws adds power at some cost to control.
Owns the Metalbone CTRL 2026: a round control racket with enough punch, a rough surface for spin, softer and more forgiving than the Nox.
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“From my perspective it does have enough punch”
Very manoeuvrable, easy lobs, enough power and less tiring than the HRD+.
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“What I love most is how maneuverable it feels, and how easily I can hit lobs with it. I was worried I might miss some power, but honestly I don’t feel that way.”
Tried a friend's a couple of times: perfect balance and crazy control, but it lacks some power for aggressive players.
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“I have used it once or twice and can tell you the balance for me is perfect, control over the ball is crazy but it lacks a bit in power.”
One of the best control rackets they've tried: the whole face feels like a sweet spot and volleys are crisp, at the cost of power.
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“Felt like every part of that racket is a sweet spot and all my volleys felt crisp. Ofc you trade this for lack of power, but man that racket felt like I could not mis hit it.”
Delighted with the Metalbone CTRL 2026, used without any screws: super light and soft but head-heavy, and a cannon once you adjust to its ball exit.
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“Yo estoy encantado con ella, tienes que acostumbrarte a la salida de bola, pero es un cañón cuando le pillas la medida”
Their racket weighs 375 g with protector, two overgrips and strap, which they feel is above the CTRL's stated range. Compared with the much lighter Arrow Hit Light it is noticeably less manoeuvrable, but they prefer the Metalbone in most other respects.
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“Comparing against the Arrow Hit Light (admittedly a very light racket) I notice a steep drop in manoeuvrability in the Metalbone. I prefer the Metalbone in most other areas though and think a lighter version of it would be perfect.”
Agrees the regular Metalbone punishes simple shots, and says that after switching to the 2026 Metalbone CTRL with the weights at the top, about 80% of their mistakes disappeared.
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“You pretty much summed it up. I switched to the CTRL 2026 and weights on top and 80% of my mistakes just vanished!”
Compared it with other rackets they tried and found the Metalbone CTRL 2026's sweet spot significantly better, though they want something similar without its trampoline effect.
Loves their Metalbone CTRL 3.5, though it has a medium balance (about 26.5 cm) rather than a low one, and the Vertex 05 Hybrid felt easier to manoeuvre.
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“I have the metalbone ctrl 3.5 and I love it, but it's not a low balance racket.”
Has owned both the 2025 and 2026 Metalbone CTRL and rates them just behind their favourite: massive sweet spot, very manoeuvrable, and a longer handle they love.
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“Massive sweet spot, very maneuverable and I love the longer handle. Just an amazing racket.”
A few games and a tournament into the Metalbone CTRL 2026, finds it fun and better than their old racket; placement suffered when their arm tired at about 370 g, and removing two lower weights made it easier to handle, with better placement and faster overheads.
Finds the Metalbone CTRL 2026 too soft with too much trampoline, and its weight screws a gimmick that break quickly (comment in French).
Really enjoys the Metalbone CTRL with all weights removed and still gets enough power; its sweet spot sits low, which suits them at 5'6", with a nice trampoline when hit there.
Insane control with decent power even without weights; noticeable trampoline effect.
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“go for the metalbone ctrl, the control is insane and there is still alot of power in the racket.”
Very happy with the Metalbone CTRL 2026 with extra weights: placement is excellent and little effort is needed; still getting used to the trampoline.
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“I am very happy with the 2026 control not the carbon.”
Gave it about a month: great from the back but too bouncy and unpredictable at the net, so they are selling it.
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“CRTL trampoline is just too much for me. Great at the back but very bouncy and unpredictable at the net.”
Really liked their Metalbone CTRL 2026, especially its sound and play from the back, but found it has a ramp effect with no free power; looking for something with a drier rebound and easier handling.
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“My wife took my Metalbone CTRL 2026. Now I'm looking for something to buy. I really liked the Metalbone, but it really has a ramp effect and no free power.”
Tried it coming from an ML10 Pro Cup: slightly firmer and more powerful, but still with a trampoline effect.
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“Tried the Adidas Metalbone CTRL 26. It was slightly firmer (med hard), more powerful, but the trampoline effect still there.”
Their favourite racket so far, but the weight screws or mounts broke very quickly.
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“Mine broke really fast. It is such a shame because the racket is really good.”
One of the best: huge sweet spot, enough power, manoeuvrable; bought a second as backup.
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“The metalbone ctrl is one of the best rackets in my opinion, huge sweet spot, good enough power, good maneuverability, better quality than nox.”
Played the Metalbone CTRL 3.5 but as it got warmer in Belgium it felt far too bouncy, so they went back to Siux.
Tried the 2026 Metalbone CTRL in a training session and was so taken with it that he wanted to buy one at once; found the sweet spot much larger and lower and the racket more manoeuvrable than his Kombat MM3.
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“The sweet spot is much larger and lower, and I felt it was more manoeuvrable. My mmm 3 is more difficult to move”
Tried the CTRL 3.5 coming from the ST4: much more trampoline even at low speed and effortless power.
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“The adidas has much more trampoline effect than the st4 and even at low speed. It gave power effortlessly.”
Used the 2026 Metalbone CTRL for a few months and hates its trampoline effect.
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“I was using metalbone ctrl 2026 for the past few months but i hate its trampoline effect”
A low-intermediate right-side player tested the Metalbone CTRL 2026 and hated its trampoline effect.
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“I’ve tested the adidas metalbone ctrl 2026 but hated the trampoline effect.”
An improving intermediate player found the Metalbone CTRL 2026 slightly too bouncy, especially for volleys at the net.
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“I found the metalbone ctrl 2026 slightly too bouncy especially for net volley play.”
After trying the Nox AT10 and Neuron/Edge, finds the Metalbone CTRL the best for them: light and powerful with great feedback and sound, though the stock protective tape is poor.
Moved from the 2025 to the 2026 version and calls it brilliant.
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“I have the 2025 and now use the 2026 one. Absolutly a brilliant racket.”
Owns both the Metalbone CTRL and a Nox AT10 and struggled with the Nox as an intermediate; with the Adidas everything became much easier straight away.
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“Tengo ambas palas y me costó bastante jugar con la Nox.”
Loves their Metalbone Control 2026, but the trampoline effect is too much.
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“i currently have the Metalbone Control 2026, i love it but the trampoline is too much..”
Plays the CTRL with the weights at the top and finds it has insane power in that setup.
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“The ctrl with weights on top has insane power. I play with it with that config”
Tried the new CTRL: loves how it holds the ball, and weights at the top add pop.
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“for me the ctrl is amazing with that. The weights add that sort of pop when added to the top.”
Has tennis elbow issues and finds the Metalbone CTRL 2026 perfect for them.
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“I have tennis elbow issues and the metalbone ctrl 26 has been perfect.”
Common questions about Adidas Metalbone CTRL 3.5 2026
Is Adidas Metalbone CTRL 3.5 2026 worth it?
Of the 59 reviews with a clear verdict, 63% are positive, 27% mixed and 10% negative. The praise mentioned most is forgiving. The most common complaint is durability issues.
What do people like about Adidas Metalbone CTRL 3.5 2026?
The praise reviewers mention most: forgiving (17 reviews), easy power (16 reviews) and good control (11 reviews). For example: Finds the Metalbone CTRL 3.5 more forgiving and easier to play than the ST4, and lighter, which helps on the right side.
What are the most common complaints about Adidas Metalbone CTRL 3.5 2026?
The complaints reviewers mention most: durability issues (2 reviews). For example: Finds the Metalbone CTRL 2026 too soft with too much trampoline, and its weight screws a gimmick that break quickly (comment in French).
How does Adidas Metalbone CTRL 3.5 2026 rank?
#1 in Best Padel Rackets 2026, #1 in Best Padel Rackets for Control 2026, ranked by real player reviews.
Where do these Adidas Metalbone CTRL 3.5 2026 reviews come from?
60 are quotes from discussions on Reddit and YouTube, each linked to the original post. 2 were written by players here. Player reviews are checked for spam before they appear, and only they count toward the star rating; quotes never do.