# Babolat Counter Viper 2.6 > Round, 365 g, head-heavy balance. Above average for forgiveness, below for power. € 184.90 delivered to the Netherlands, checked 14 Nov 2026. Score 8.5/10. - URL: https://padell.io/rackets/babolat/counter-viper-2-6/ - Last updated: 2026-11-10 - Author: [Ruud Caris](https://padell.io/about/) - Language: en - Site: padell.io (https://padell.io/) Shop links go through padell.io/go/ (affiliate links: padell.io may earn a commission, which never affects scores). Prices include shipping to the Netherlands unless stated otherwise, and change daily. --- [Rackets](https://padell.io/rackets/) · [Babolat](https://padell.io/brands/babolat/) · Counter Viper 2026 - **Shape**: Round - **Weight**: 365 g - **Balance**: Head-heavy - **Core**: X-EVA Lowest price **€ 184.90** at Padel Nuestro · In stock · € 179.95 + € 4.95 shipping · Checked on 13 Nov (2026-11-13) · 16% cheaper than usual Lowest in 52 days **€ 162.50** Today **€ 184.90** [Buy at Padel Nuestro](https://padell.io/go/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.padelnuestro.com%2Fint%2Fbabolat-counter-viper-2-6) 1. [PadelShop.com · In stock · Free shipping · Checked at 04:13 (2026-11-14) **€ 216.32**](https://padell.io/go/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fpadelshop.com%2Fproducts%2Fbabolat-counter-viper-2-6) 2. [Lardesports · In stock · Free shipping · Checked at 03:54 (2026-11-14) **€ 219.00**](https://padell.io/go/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.lardesports.com%2Fen-eu%2Fproducts%2Fraquette-de-padel-babolat-counter-viper-2-6) Prices include shipping to the country you choose. [How padell.io earns money](https://padell.io/how-we-earn-money/) The short answer The Babolat Counter Viper 2.6 is a round, 365 g control racket for advanced players who win points with placement, not pace. One court test scores it 78 out of 100, praising its control and broad sweet spot. The catch: the firm impact and head-heavy balance can tire the arm over long matches. By [Ruud Caris](https://padell.io/about/) · facts checked 5 October 2026 Choose it if - you defend patiently and turn defence into attack with placement - you bring your own power and want a racket that rewards clean technique - you already swing a heavy racket and your arm copes with it Skip it if - you want easy power on smashes, because this racket gives little of it away - your elbow or shoulder is sensitive, since the comfort meter reads Low and the court test flags fatigue - you prefer a lighter, quicker racket at the net, the Babolat Counter Veron 2.6 is no lighter either ## How it plays 8.5 **padell.io score 8.5** Play 8.5 (60%) and reviews 8.5 (40%). Based on 1 review source. [How the score works](https://padell.io/how-we-score/) - **Control**: 8.5 above average▲ - **Power**: 5.0 below average▼ - **Comfort**: 5.0 around average● - **Handling**: 5.0 around average● - **Forgiveness**: 7.5 above average▲ - **Line = the average of all rackets**: ▲ above ▼ below On paper this is a defensive racket for players who construct points rather than finish them with one shot. - **Control** The round shape and medium X-EVA core push control high, and the one court test confirms precise, stable placement from the back of the court. - **Power** The power meter reads Low, so smashes and viboras need full commitment from your own arm. - **Comfort** Comfort reads Low, and the tested review describes a firm impact that can fatigue the arm over a long match. - **Handling** Heavy and labelled head-heavy, it is not quick in the hand, so fast net exchanges ask for short preparation. - **Forgiveness** The round head gives a broad central sweet spot, which the review calls one of its strongest points. ## Specifications - **Launched**: 2026 - **Shape**: Round [Big sweet spot low in the face: control and margin](https://padell.io/guides/padel-racket-shapes/) - **Weight**: 365 g Average: not tiring, stable enough - **Balance**: Head-heavy according to the brand, 270 mm Head-heavy: more power overhead, slower to move - **Face**: 3K carbon Soft carbon: more feel and easier ball exit - **Core**: X-EVA Medium hard: the middle ground - **Thickness**: 38 mm The maximum the rules allow - **Surface**: 3D Spin+ Rough: helps with spin - **Frame**: Carbon Not published by the brand: head size, handle Specs from the brand's own site · checked 23 September 2026 · [Spotted a wrong spec? Report it →](https://padell.io/contact/?topic=correction&racket=Babolat%20Counter%20Viper%202.6) ## Video reviews 11 videos from independent channels and shops ### What 11 video reviewers say 10 played it on court, 1 discusses the specs Often mentioned **Plus points** - Good control *8 of 11* - Lots of power *6 of 11* - Large sweet spot *6 of 11* - Versatile *4 of 11* - Easy to handle *2 of 11* - Good at the net *2 of 11* **Minus points** - Demanding, needs good technique *5 of 11* - Lacks power *4 of 11* - Vibration, hard on the arm *3 of 11* - Harder to handle *3 of 11* - Head-heavy *2 of 11* - Little feel *2 of 11* - Expensive *2 of 11* - Small sweet spot *2 of 11* Summaries by padell.io, based on what each reviewer says in the video. Tap a time to watch that moment. Tested on court This racket provides a balance of control and power for intermediate to advanced players. It offers a solid feel and is suitable for both defensive and offensive play styles. Tested on court The reviewer describes this racket as a counter-attacking tool designed for defensive play. It features a large sweet spot and provides good control, though its weight and balance can make it demanding to handle in fast situations. Tested on court The reviewer finds this racket offers a dry touch and excellent control. It is suitable for players who want a control-oriented racket that remains effective for offensive play. Tested on court The reviewer finds this racket to be a versatile option that performs well in all areas of the court. It is suitable for intermediate to advanced players who have a strong arm and good technique due to its firm feel. Tested on court The reviewer finds this racket to be the most complete and playable in the Viper line. It offers a generous sweet spot and good maneuverability, making it a suitable choice for a wide range of players. Tested on court The reviewer finds this racket offers good control and surprising power for its control format. It suits advanced players who want to play aggressively and have the technique to handle its demanding nature. ## Price history Today **€ 169.95** Lowest in 30 days **€ 162.50** vs 30-day average **-4%** Lowest price per day across the shops in your market. Checked every night. ## What reviewers say One source has played this racket: padel.how, which tested it on court and scored it 78 out of 100. On control they are clearly positive, citing strong control, defensive stability and a broad central sweet spot. On comfort they are negative: the firm impact and head-heavy balance cause fatigue over time. They also rate power positively, which does not fully agree with the Low power meter. Read that as power that exists but must be earned with full swings. With only one court test published, the picture is consistent but narrow. There are no video reviews or player threads to balance it against yet, so treat the fatigue warning as the most useful single signal. [**padel.how** 7.8 “It suits an upper-intermediate or advanced player who brings compact preparation and wants the racket to reward technique rather than replace it.” Read the full review →](https://padel.how/equipment/racket/babolat-counter-viper-2-6-review/) The Babolat Counter Viper 2.6 is a round racket built for placement, and its power meter reads Low. [Babolat](https://padell.io/brands/babolat/) labels it for advanced players, and shops list its player profile as Control. If your game is about building the point and striking when the opening appears, that is exactly the brief. ## A round Viper built for placement The [round shape](https://padell.io/guides/padel-racket-shapes/) pulls the balance point in towards the hand compared with a diamond. Babolat labels the racket head-heavy on its own site, while a retailer measures the balance at 270 mm. Both come from published sources. On court that combination reads as a stable, weighty head rather than a whippy one. What this racket does well is put the ball where you aim it. The control and sweet spot meters both read High. What it will not do is hand you free power. The power meter reads Low, and the heavy 365 g frame is the main thing lifting that meter at all. You supply the pace yourself. ## 365 g fixed, 3K carbon over X-EVA: where the firm feel comes from The weight is fixed at 365 g, with no lighter option in this model. That is heavy. The faces are 3K carbon over an X-EVA core, listed at medium density by retailers, in a carbon frame of 38 mm. Stiff carbon over a medium core gives a solid, firm contact rather than a soft, springy one. Babolat's product page adds 3D Spin+ surface texture for grip on the ball and a Holes Pattern System for the hole layout. Treat those as the brand's claims, not measured facts. What is published and consistent is the construction: firm materials, round head, one heavy weight. The Counter family Same year, from most power (left) to most control (right) [**Veron 2.6**](https://padell.io/rackets/babolat/counter-veron-2-6/) **Viper 2.6** [**Vertuo 2.6**](https://padell.io/rackets/babolat/counter-vertuo-2-6/) ## 78 out of 100 from the one court test: control praised, fatigue flagged Only one source has played this racket so far. Padel.how tested it and scored it 78 out of 100. Their positives are control and defensive stability, plus a broad central sweet spot with strong pack. That matches what the specs predict. Their negative matters just as much: the firm impact and head-heavy balance cause fatigue. According to padel.how, "It suits an upper-intermediate or advanced player who brings compact preparation and wants the racket to reward technique rather than replace it." One review is a thin base. Read it as a strong hint, not a settled verdict. ## Low comfort on the meter, Vibrabsorb System 2 on the sheet The comfort meter reads Low. The heavy weight pulls it down and the tested review pulls it down further. Babolat lists its Vibrabsorb System 2 as vibration reduction, and the page mentions a removable wrist strap you can wash or swap. Neither changes the underlying message: this is a firm, heavy racket. What can you do with that? If your arm is healthy and your technique is compact, the firmness buys you precision and a stable block in defence. If you have any history of elbow trouble, take the warning seriously and demo before you commit. That is the honest trade here. ## Counter Viper, Counter Veron or Counter Vertuo: three 2026 siblings, one choice Babolat's 2026 Counter line gives you three rungs of the same ladder. The [Counter Veron 2.6](https://padell.io/rackets/babolat/counter-veron-2-6/) shares the weight, balance, shape and 38 mm thickness. It swaps to a Black EVA core and Carbon Flex faces, and its sweet spot meter reads Medium instead of High. The [Counter Vertuo 2.6](https://padell.io/rackets/babolat/counter-vertuo-2-6/) goes further. Fibreglass faces, 340 to 360 g, an even balance at 265 mm and High maneuverability. That is the quickest racket of the three in the hand, though its comfort meter reads Medium rather than Low. So the choice is simple in principle. Want the firmest, most precise version and accept the load on your arm? The Viper. Want the same idea with a softer touch? Work your way down through the Veron to the Vertuo. Written by **[Ruud Caris](https://padell.io/about/)** Padel player and founder of padell.io Bought, played and sold more rackets than was good for him, and built padell.io to bring it all together. [About padell.io →](https://padell.io/about/) ## Similar rackets [Babolat Counter Veron 2.6](https://padell.io/rackets/babolat/counter-veron-2-6/) · 8.2 [Compare side by side](https://padell.io/compare/babolat-counter-veron-2-6-vs-babolat-counter-viper-2-6/) [Oxdog Sense Pro Classics](https://padell.io/rackets/oxdog/sense-pro-classics/) · 7.3 [Compare side by side](https://padell.io/compare/babolat-counter-viper-2-6-vs-oxdog-sense-pro-classics/) [LOK Maxx Flow Gen 2 Bea Caldera](https://padell.io/rackets/lok/maxx-flow-gen-2-bea-caldera/) · 7.3 [Compare side by side](https://padell.io/compare/babolat-counter-viper-2-6-vs-lok-maxx-flow-gen-2-bea-caldera/) [Bullpadel Ionic Power 26](https://padell.io/rackets/bullpadel/ionic-power-26/) · 7.3 [Compare side by side](https://padell.io/compare/babolat-counter-viper-2-6-vs-bullpadel-ionic-power-26/) [All rackets that play like the Babolat Counter Viper 2.6 →](https://padell.io/alternatives/babolat/counter-viper-2-6/) ## Questions before you buy **Is the Babolat Counter Viper 2.6 an attacking racket?** No. It is a round control racket with a Low power meter, built for counterattackers who win points with placement. You supply the pace yourself. **What is the difference between the Counter Viper 2.6 and the Counter Veron 2.6?** Same 365 g, same 270 mm balance, same round 38 mm frame. The Viper uses 3K carbon over X-EVA and rates High for sweet spot. The Veron uses Carbon Flex over Black EVA and rates Medium for sweet spot. **What level do you need for the Counter Viper 2.6?** Babolat labels it Advanced, and the tested review points at upper-intermediate to advanced players with compact preparation. The 365 g fixed weight and firm feel make it a poor fit for beginners. **Is the Counter Viper 2.6 easy on the arm?** Not on the evidence. The comfort meter reads Low, and padel.how's court test flags firm impact and fatigue from the head-heavy balance. Babolat lists its Vibrabsorb System 2, but a sensitive elbow should demo it first. **Is the Counter Viper 2.6 worth the money right now?** Today's price is labelled "Fair price" 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 prices **What is the closest alternative?** The Babolat Counter Veron 2.6 plays most alike. On paper the differences are under one point. Today: € 139.90. [Compare side by side →](https://padell.io/compare/babolat-counter-veron-2-6-vs-babolat-counter-viper-2-6/) **Who should not buy it?** Skip it if you want easy power for smashes (power 5.0/10), or if your elbow or shoulder complains (comfort 5.0/10). **How heavy is it really?** The brand gives 365 g. That counts as medium. Each racket can differ within that range. [Why a range? →](https://padell.io/guides/padel-racket-weight-range/)