I have the 3.4 version and it's been a great racket. Considering the 3.5 or potentially trying an Oxdog Pure. But so far, I haven't liked any rackets as much as I've liked the CTRL 3.4. I see people talking about the trampoline effect and it is not a problem for me. I have no problem taking off power from hard shots (like a rocket bajada for example). P.S. I use the weight either at the top or not at all. Have never tried them on the bottom.
Quick note: Some links are affiliate links. We earn a tiny commission if you buy (at no cost to you). Keeps the lights on!
Adidas Metalbone CTRL 3.4 2025
65% positive35 reviewsView price on Amazon
In shortPlayers mostly like it for a very large, forgiving sweet spot, a soft feel, solid defence and kindness to the arm. The main drawback is a strong trampoline effect on blocks and fast volleys, and several report cracking or broken plastic weights. Suits defensive, control-minded players.
- Year
- 2025
- Shape
- Round
- Weight
- 345–360
- Balance
- Medium
- Core
- EVA Soft Performance core
- Surface
- 16K Carbon
How it plays1 player
- Power3.0
- Control—
- Maneuverability—
- Comfort4.0
- Forgiveness4.0
Who's playing it
Side
Right 100%
Ratings
- 50
- 41
- 30
- 20
- 10
Reviews
Add your reviewSort: Most helpfulNewest
Bought the 2025 Metalbone CTRL on sale for about €200 after their 2026 one was broken. Finds it a little livelier than the 2026, with more trampoline effect, but more forgiving and easier on the wrist and elbow, and calls it an amazing competitive racket.
Show quote
“I picked up the 2025 for about €200 during a sale. I don’t know what your budget is but I feel like it’s a fair price for an amazing competitive racket.”
Also owns the Adipower Multiweight CTRL 3.3 and finds the Metalbone CTRL 3.4 gives even more control and a bit more spin, though it is softer with a little less power (weights on the side).
Show quote
“I also own the Multiweight ctrl 3.3 but I find the Metalbone ctrl 3.4 to have even more control and a bit more spin!”
A player who tried the Metalbone CTRL 3.4 2025 a month ago leans positive: medium-to-slightly-soft feel, a very big sweet spot, and help with speed and power.
Show quote
“Punto dulce muy grande. No está mal la pala. Te ayuda a ganar velocidad y potencia.”
Finds the Metalbone CTRL forgiving with enough power when they supply it, but the 2025 model's plastic top weights broke, so they can only use the weights in the middle.
Removed the elbow pain they had with the 3.3 and keeps the power, but is hard to control and to block in intense matches.
Show quote
“switched to the 3.4 ctrl that removed the pain, and has the same extra power. but very difficult to control because the ball will fly to the glass if your technique is not very good.”
Love-hate with the Metalbone CTRL 3.4: incredible sweet spot and enough smash power, but they couldn't stand the trampoline effect at the net.
Show quote
“The sweet spot is incredible and it has enough power for smashing, but I cannot stand the trampoline effect, especially at the net.”
Loved the huge sweet spot and control for lobs and defence, but it wasn't agile enough so they switched to the ST4.
Show quote
“I loved the Metalbone, especially the huge sweet spot, control, and ball output. The shots it excelled at for me were lobs and back of court defending.”
One big sweet spot, but very bouncy and softer than the normal Metalbone 3.4.
Show quote
“literally the face is one big sweet spot. It is quite trampolining… more than the normal Metalbone imho.”
Loves their Metalbone CTRL: aggressive when they want it, balanced, with a sweet spot when needed, like switching a car between comfort and sport mode.
Show quote
“i love my metalbone ctrl its aggressive when i want it to be aggressive and its balanced and has a sweet spot when need it its like driving a car in comfort then switching to sport mode”
Soft enough to get the ball moving when I'm defending, and the long handle is a big plusfiddling with screws before a match. Wouldn't pick it for smashing everything. For blocking, lobbing and waiting for a ball I can actually attack, it works for me
Power3Comfort4Forgiveness4
Calls the Metalbone CTRL 3.4 the best racket they've played to date, though it finally cracked after 18 months.
Show quote
“Haven’t tried the others, but the Metalbone CTRL 3.4 is the best racket I’ve played with to date. It finally cracked after 18 months”
Played the Metalbone CTRL 2025 after an Xcalion and found it soft, easy to use and bouncy, a good racket for intermediate players.
Show quote
“I played Metalbone CTRL 2025 after Xcalion. It’s soft, easy to use and bouncy. It’s good racket and I think it’s good for intermediate players.”
Their Metalbone CTRL 3.4 cracked in the middle after a light knock against their knee; they find the Carbon version's face much stronger and more controllable.
Show quote
“My 3.4 cracked in the middle after a light shock of my knee during a weird movement”
Has the 2025 Metalbone CTRL and has never had elbow pain with it, even after four hours of play.
Show quote
“I have a 2025 adidas metalbone ctrl and I’ve never had elbow pain and sometimes I play 4 hours with it”
Less flashy than the standard Metalbone, but easy on their arm.
Show quote
“im playing with the 3.4 ctrl. Less flashy but good for my arm”
Finds the Metalbone CTRL 3.4 very reactive on soft touch shots, though its sound is satisfying; prefers the Metalbone 3.4 or Pro EDT.
Show quote
“I feel the metalbone ctrl 3.4 is very reactive on the soft touch, but the sound that it produces is satisfying to hear.”
Loves the Metalbone CTRL 3.4 with the weights moved from the sides to the head for attacking leverage.
Show quote
“What about the metalbone control 3.4? I’m using it right now and love it.”
A few matches with the Metalbone CTRL 3.4: soft and hollow, very manoeuvrable, excellent in defence, but it let them down on blocks and offensive volleys.
Two months in: hard to adapt to at first, then excellent control and power.
Show quote
“It definitely took me some time to understand how to play with this racket, but boy it feel SOLID when you get used to it.”
Loves it without weights; power comes with technique, though the rebound takes adjusting to.
Show quote
“I use it without any weights and absolutely love it.”
Owned the 2025 Metalbone CTRL as well as the 2026: massive sweet spot, very manoeuvrable, with a longer handle they love.
Show quote
“Massive sweet spot, very maneuverable and I love the longer handle. Just an amazing racket.”
One of two rackets they love: easy to manoeuvre and soft.
Show quote
“The adidas is more easy to maneuver and it’s a lot softer”
Asked about the Metalbone CTRL, this player says they play the CTRL 3.4 2025 and are delighted with it.
Show quote
“Yo es la pala con la que juego, las 3.4 la del año pasado que son prácticamente iguales y estoy encantado.”
A tennis player who finds its control far better than other rackets they've owned.
Show quote
“I tend to overhit still, so the control is far superior IMO than other rackets I've owned/played with”
Good in defence but too soft; they had to compensate with strength.
Show quote
“I played/have a 2025 but didn’t liked it. Too soft for me even tho I’m a all around player.”
Their best-performing racket, but the strong trampoline effect and sudden sweet-spot drop-off frustrated them before it cracked.
Show quote
“It was by far my best performing racket, but of the 3 rackets I was fortunate enough to try”
Played the Metalbone CTRL 3.4 and ST4 side by side for 4–5 months: the Adidas had better ball output and power, and the ST4 took longer to get used to.
Easy to defend with, but too much trampoline effect on blocks and fast volleys.
Show quote
“I loved the metalbone for the ease of defending but the trampoline effect when blocking hard shots and volleying fast balls was just too much.”
First use: feels amazing and slightly harder than the AT10 12K.
Show quote
“This racket feels amazing! I used it for the first time yesterday and I honestly love it.”
First impressions: too soft with no power and a strong trampoline effect on volleys.
Show quote
“I found the racket to be too soft; there seems to be absolutely no power due to the excessive softness.”
Chose the Metalbone CTRL over the Adipower and Cross It Light and calls it an awesome racket.
Show quote
“After a lot of back and forth between the three I went with the metalbone ctrl. Awesome racket”
Amazing in defence and at the back of the court until it cracked.
Show quote
“Originally, I really liked the Metalbone CTRL, especially in defense and at the back of the court; the racket was amazing .”
Owns it and says it feels really great.
Show quote
“I have the metalbone ctrl 3.4. This rackets feels really great.”
Gave them shoulder pain soon after buying.
Show quote
“I've just bought Ctrl 2025 and experience shoulder pain.”
Common questions about Adidas Metalbone CTRL 3.4 2025
Is Adidas Metalbone CTRL 3.4 2025 worth it?
Of the 34 reviews with a clear verdict, 65% are positive, 24% mixed and 12% negative. The praise mentioned most is forgiving. The most common complaint is durability issues.
What do people like about Adidas Metalbone CTRL 3.4 2025?
The praise reviewers mention most: forgiving (9 reviews), arm-friendly (4 reviews) and good control (4 reviews). For example: Loved the huge sweet spot and control for lobs and defence, but it wasn't agile enough so they switched to the ST4.
What are the most common complaints about Adidas Metalbone CTRL 3.4 2025?
The complaints reviewers mention most: durability issues (3 reviews) and small sweet spot (1 review). For example: Their Metalbone CTRL 3.4 cracked in the middle after a light knock against their knee; they find the Carbon version's face much stronger and more controllable.
How does Adidas Metalbone CTRL 3.4 2025 rank?
#3 in Best Padel Rackets 2025, ranked by real player reviews.
Where do these Adidas Metalbone CTRL 3.4 2025 reviews come from?
34 are quotes from discussions on Reddit, YouTube and Other, each linked to the original post. 1 was written by players here. Player reviews are checked for spam before they appear, and only they count toward the star rating; quotes never do.