Rackets › Compare

Babolat Air Viper 2.6 vs Babolat Counter Viper 2.6

Add a racket

The verdict

Choose the Air Viper 2.6 if you want more power, the Counter Viper 2.6 if you want more forgiveness.

Air Viper 2.6Highest score
Pick this one for
  • Power+3.0
Counter Viper 2.6
Pick this one for
  • Forgiveness+2.5

The Air Viper 2.6 plays better on paper (8.9 against 8.5), the Counter Viper 2.6 costs € 24.10 less in Netherlands. Pick the Counter Viper 2.6 if the price matters more than that difference.

Still in doubt? The racket finder checks both against your level, side and arm. Open the racket finder →

How they play

From the Air Viper 2.6 to the Counter Viper 2.6: less power, more forgiveness.

Controla bit more control8.08.5
Powerless power8.05.0
Comfortabout the same5.05.0
Handlinga bit less handling5.55.0
Forgivenessmore forgiveness5.07.5

Air Viper 2.6Counter Viper 2.6Line = the average of all rackets

Where the specs differ

Shape
Teardrop
Round
Weight
345 to 365 g
365 g
Balance
Even according to the brand, 265 mm
Head-heavy according to the brand, 270 mm
Face
16K carbon
3K carbon
Handle
Syntec Team
Not published
Show all specs (5 the same)
Launched
2026
2026
Core
X-EVA
X-EVA
Thickness
38 mm
38 mm
Surface
3D Spin+
3D Spin+
Frame
Carbon
Carbon

Reviews and videos

padel.how

Rates both about the same: 7.9 and 7.8.

Air Viper 2.67.9Best for: Full-intermediate to advanced players generating pace through head speedRead the review
Counter Viper 2.67.8Best for: Advanced counterattackers preferring firm control and defensive precisionRead the review

Often mentioned in video reviews

Said about both: easy to handle, good control, demanding, needs good technique, lacks power.

Air Viper 2.66 videos
  • Easy to handle 5×
  • Good control 4×
  • Good in defence 2×
  • Forgiving 2×
  • Demanding, needs good technique 2×
  • Lacks power 2×
  • Feels heavy 2×
Counter Viper 2.611 videos
  • Good control 8×
  • Lots of power 6×
  • Large sweet spot 6×
  • Versatile 4×
  • Easy to handle 2×
  • Good at the net 2×
  • Demanding, needs good technique 5×
  • Lacks power 4×
  • Vibration, hard on the arm 3×
  • Harder to handle 3×
  • Head-heavy 2×
  • Little feel 2×
  • Expensive 2×
  • Small sweet spot 2×
Air Viper 2.6: reviews and videos →Counter Viper 2.6: reviews and videos →

Or a third racket in between

StarVieRaptor + 2026

Sits between the two on paper: more forgiveness than the Air Viper 2.6, more power than the Counter Viper 2.6.

€ 159.95Compare all three →

Was this page useful?