Metalbone Ctrl 2026
9.0padell.io scoreSpecs + 3 review sources- Shape
- Round
- Weight
- 345 to 360 g
- Balance
- Even
- Core
- Eva Soft Performance
A round control racket that forgives a lot and gives away little. The reviews we found agree on the basics: control yes, easy power no.
RBy Ruud Caris · facts checked 23 September 2026Choose it if
- You play on the right side and win points with patience, lobs and placement.
- You want a racket that forgives off-centre hits.
Skip it if
- You play on the left and want to finish points with smashes.
- You want easy power. Look at a diamond or a teardrop with a high balance.
- Your elbow is sensitive and you cannot try it first.
How it plays
Round head, even balance, 38 mm thick, a soft EVA core and a 16K carbon face. A racket for placing the ball, not for ending the point.
Specifications
| Shape | Round |
|---|---|
| Weight | 345 to 360 g |
| Balance | Even |
| Face | Carbon Aluminized 16K |
| Core | Eva Soft Performance |
| Thickness | 38 mm |
| Head size | 485 cm² |
| Surface | Spin Blade Decal |
| Handle | Extra Power Grip |
| Frame | Octagonal Structure |
Specs from the brand's own site · checked 23 September 2026 · Spotted a wrong spec? Tell us →
Video reviews
4 videos from independent channels and shopsEvery version
Compare all versions →
adidas brings out a new Metalbone CTRL every year. The 2026 is also called the 3.5.
What changed? Less than the name suggests. From the 3.3 to the 3.4 the face went from aluminized 2-to-1 carbon to 16K carbon. From the 3.4 to the 2026: nothing in the published specs. Same shape, weight, balance, core, face and thickness.
So if you want this racket, look at the 3.4 first. Same specs, one year older. The price of every version is in the timeline above.
We started tracking this racket on 23 Sept. The chart appears after a week of prices.
What reviewers say
We found three reviews of the 2026: padel.how gives it 71 out of 100, Padelprof 8.4 and Padelzoom 8.6. They agree on two things. Control is the strong point, power the weak one.
Where they differ: comfort, and who it is for. Padelprof points it at advanced defensive players, Padelzoom at intermediate and advanced players who want consistency.
Two of the three mention an adjustable weight system. The spec page we use does not list one. Ask the shop before you count on it.
Best forPlayers seeking control with impressive ball output
Plus 1 more review from this sourceReview in SpanishRead the full review →Best forAdvanced defensive and allround players wanting premium quality
Review in DutchRead the full review →Best forIntermediate-advanced players prioritizing placement and controlled shot construction
Read the full review →Of the ten Metalbone rackets adidas has for 2026 in our index, most are diamonds for the left side: head-heavy and built to finish the point. The CTRL goes the other way. Round head, even balance, the weight low in your hand.
Its closest relatives are the Carbon CTRL and the Superlight. The Carbon CTRL keeps the round shape but gets a 6K carbon face and 15 grams more: a little softer and a little slower. The Superlight has fibreglass instead of carbon, is much softer and has hardly any punch.
Feel and your arm
16K carbon is stiff, and the soft core takes some of that away. With a healthy arm you will hardly notice. If your elbow complains after two hours, try the Carbon CTRL or the Superlight first. Same shape, softer face.
Similar rackets
Questions before you buy
Is the Metalbone CTRL 2026 the same racket as the 3.5?
Yes. The 2026 model is also called the Metalbone CTRL 3.5. padel.how, for example, reviews it under that name.
Is it a good racket for a beginner?
The racket itself is forgiving: round shape, big sweet spot. The question is the money. An older Metalbone CTRL with the same shape costs a lot less, and a first racket takes a beating.
Is the Metalbone Ctrl 2026 worth the money right now?
Today's price is labelled "Pricey today" compared with the rackets that play most alike. Which shops deliver, and what shipping costs, depends on your country. The price comparison shows it for yours.
See all pricesWhat is the closest alternative?
The adidas Adipower Multiweight Ctrl 3.3 plays most alike. Differences: comfort -1.5. Today: € 183.95.
Compare side by side →Who should not buy it?
Skip it if you want easy power for smashes (power 4.5/10).
How heavy is it really?
The brand gives 345 to 360 g. That counts as light on our scale. Each racket can differ within that range.
Why a range? →