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Adidas Metalbone CTRL 3.5 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

Side
Left 50%Right 50%
Level
Intermediate 2
Ratings
  • 51
  • 40
  • 30
  • 21
  • 10

Showing 16 reviews mentioning easy power Show all

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.”
positiveeasy power

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.

softeasy power
Power2Control3Maneuverability4Comfort4Forgiveness5
Daniel·Intermediate·Left side·Attacking·Less than 1 month

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.”
positiveforgivingsofteasy power

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.”
mixedsoftforgivingeasy power

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.”
positiveforgivingeasy power

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”
positiveforgivinggood controleasy power

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.”
positivegreat in defenceeasy power

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.”
positiveeasy powersoft

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”
positivesofteasy power

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.

positiveeasy power

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.”
positivegood controleasy power

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.”
positiveeasy 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.”
mixedeasy power

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.”
mixedeasy power

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.

positiveeasy power

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”
positiveeasy power

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.

Adidas Metalbone CTRL 3.5 2026View on Amazon