Wilson Optix V1 Padel Racket Review (2026)

REVIEWS

2/20/20264 min read

Overall Rating

8.2 / 10

The Wilson Optix V1 scores strongly for comfort, manoeuvrability, and ease of use. It’s built to help beginners keep more balls in play rather than generate maximum power.

Quick Summary

Best for: Beginners and casual players
Strengths: Forgiveness, comfort, easy handling
Playing style: Control-focused, recreational padel
Not ideal for: Advanced players seeking power and precision

Key Details

Wilson Optix V1 – Specifications

Racket Shape: Round
Weight: ~360–370 g
Balance: Low to medium
Core: Soft EVA foam
Face Material: Fibreglass
Frame Material: Carbon composite
Skill Level: Beginner
Playing Style: Control and comfort-focused

Who Is This Racket Best For?

The Wilson Optix V1 is ideal for players who are:

Completely new to padel
Playing socially or occasionally
Still developing timing and consistency
Looking for a forgiving, arm-friendly racket

The round shape and softer materials make this racket very approachable. If you’re still learning clean contact and basic positioning, the Optix V1 helps reduce frustration.

Players already competing regularly may outgrow it fairly quickly.

Performance Breakdown

Control

Control is one of the Optix V1’s strongest areas. The round head shape creates a generous sweet spot, helping beginners keep the ball in play even on slightly off-centre hits.

Shot placement feels predictable rather than sharp, which is exactly what newer players need while building fundamentals.

For rally-focused padel, the control level is very solid.

Power

Power is modest and clearly not the main focus of this racket. The fibreglass face and soft core prioritise comfort and ball output over explosive hitting.

You can still finish points at the net and play controlled overheads, but players looking for heavy smashes will find it limited.

For beginners, however, this is actually a positive — too much power early on often leads to unforced errors.

Manoeuvrability

Thanks to its manageable weight and lower balance, the Optix V1 feels quick through the air and easy to position.

At the net, reaction volleys and defensive blocks feel comfortable rather than rushed. This makes it particularly suitable for doubles play, where quick hands are important.

Beginner players will appreciate how forgiving the swing feels.

Sweet Spot & Forgiveness

Forgiveness is where the Optix V1 really delivers.

The round shape produces a large sweet spot that helps reduce mishits — one of the biggest pain points for new players. Even when contact isn’t perfect, the ball still travels with reasonable control.

If your priority is simply keeping rallies going longer, this racket supports that very well.

Comfort & Feel

The soft EVA core combined with a fibreglass face gives the Optix V1 a comfortable, slightly cushioned feel on impact.

Vibration absorption is good, making it a sensible option for players who:

Are prone to elbow or wrist discomfort
Play longer recreational sessions
Prefer a softer touch at the net

The feel is more muted than premium carbon rackets, but that’s expected at this level.

Build Quality & Durability

Wilson’s overall build quality is reliable for the price point. The carbon composite frame adds structural stability, while the fibreglass face keeps the racket comfortable and forgiving.

It’s not designed for heavy competitive use, but for recreational and club play the durability should be more than adequate.

As with most beginner rackets, frequent high-level play may lead players to upgrade within 12–18 months.

Value for Money

The Optix V1 sits firmly in the beginner-value category and offers solid performance for the price.

You’re getting:

A trusted global brand
Beginner-friendly playability
Comfortable materials
Easy handling

For players just starting their padel journey, it represents sensible, low-risk value.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Very beginner-friendly
Large sweet spot
Comfortable, arm-friendly feel
Easy to manoeuvre
Good control for new players

Cons

Limited power for attacking players
May be outgrown by improving intermediates
Less precision than higher-end carbon rackets

Final Verdict

The Wilson Optix V1 is a straightforward, confidence-building padel racket that does exactly what beginner players need: make the game easier, more forgiving, and more enjoyable.

If you’re new to padel and want a comfortable racket that helps you develop consistency and basic technique, the Optix V1 is a sensible and reliable starting point.

More advanced or power-focused players will eventually want to upgrade, but as a first racket, it ticks the right boxes.

Final Score: 8.2 / 10

Wilson Optix V1 Padel Racket Review (2026)

The Wilson Optix V1 is a beginner-friendly padel racket designed for new and recreational players who want an easy-to-handle racket that prioritises comfort, control, and forgiveness.

Wilson is one of the most recognisable racket sports brands globally, and the Optix range is aimed squarely at players who are still building confidence on court. In this review, we’ll break down how the Optix V1 performs, who it’s best suited for, and whether it’s worth buying as your first padel racket.

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