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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.
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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).
“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!”
One big sweet spot, but very bouncy and softer than the normal Metalbone 3.4.
“literally the face is one big sweet spot. It is quite trampolining… more than the normal Metalbone imho.”
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
Played the Metalbone CTRL 2025 after an Xcalion and found it soft, easy to use and bouncy, a good racket for intermediate players.
“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.”
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.
One of two rackets they love: easy to manoeuvre and soft.
“The adidas is more easy to maneuver and it’s a lot softer”
Good in defence but too soft; they had to compensate with strength.
“I played/have a 2025 but didn’t liked it. Too soft for me even tho I’m a all around player.”
First impressions: too soft with no power and a strong trampoline effect on volleys.
“I found the racket to be too soft; there seems to be absolutely no power due to the excessive softness.”
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.
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.
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.
#3 in Best Padel Rackets 2025, ranked by real player reviews.
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.