Decathlon's Kuikma range has spent the past few years shaking up the padel market by offering serious equipment at prices that undercut the established brands. The Control Pro is perhaps its boldest effort yet. This is a racket built for players who value precision above brute force, and in many respects it delivers exactly that.
A control racket that actually feels modern
Round-shaped rackets have often been pigeonholed as defensive tools for cautious players. The Kuikma Control Pro takes a slightly different route. It still puts control first, but there is enough responsiveness in the frame to stop it feeling dull or underpowered.
The specifications are impressive for the money. The racket uses an 18K carbon face, dual-density EVA foam and a carbon frame reinforced with Kuikma's Air Foam Frame technology. The quoted weight sits around the 365g to 370g mark, depending on the source and production batch.
That weight sounds substantial, yet the low balance changes the way the racket behaves. It moves through the air more quickly than the numbers suggest.
At the net, that becomes immediately obvious.
Volleys are one of the Control Pro's biggest strengths. The racket feels stable and predictable, particularly when blocking hard shots. It does not twist much on off-centre contact and there is a reassuring solidity that inspires confidence during fast exchanges.
Precision is the headline act
The name is not marketing fluff. This racket genuinely excels when accuracy matters.
Players who enjoy building points rather than finishing them with raw power will appreciate how easy it is to direct the ball. Chiquitas, lobs and controlled volleys can be played with plenty of confidence because the sweet spot is generous and the response remains consistent across much of the face.
Some control rackets can feel lifeless from the back of the court. The Kuikma avoids that problem. There is enough rebound from the core to help on defensive shots, particularly when digging balls out near the glass.
Can it generate attacking power? Yes, although there are limits.
The round shape and lower balance do not create the same leverage as a more aggressive teardrop or diamond racket. Players who like finishing points with huge overheads may find themselves working harder for outright speed.
That trade-off feels entirely intentional. The Control Pro is designed to keep the ball in play and place it accurately rather than launch it out of the court every few points.
Feel and comfort
The sensation at impact sits somewhere in the middle of the firmness spectrum. It is not especially soft, but neither is it excessively rigid.
There is a crisp response that better players will enjoy because the racket communicates clearly what is happening at contact. The feedback is clean rather than muted.
Vibration control is another strong point. Kuikma's Shock Block system appears to work well, and numerous users report very little discomfort even during long sessions.
The materials also feel better than many players might expect from a Decathlon product. The finish is tidy and the construction does not carry the budget feel that older Kuikma rackets sometimes suffered from.
That said, the racket is not perfect.
The overall weight may prove a little demanding for some club players. Several users have commented that Kuikma's Pro series tends to run slightly heavier than competing models. If you prefer extremely light and quick rackets, this one may not suit your taste.
There is also an interesting split of opinion regarding the feel. Some players describe the response as soft and forgiving, while others find it dry and precise. That probably reflects differences in playing style and expectations more than inconsistency in the racket itself.
Who is it for?
The Control Pro makes the most sense for intermediate and advanced players who favour a measured style of padel.
Right-side players should particularly enjoy it. The combination of manoeuvrability, stability and forgiveness makes it a very appealing option for players who spend much of the match constructing points and defending.
Beginners could certainly use it, but they may not benefit fully from its characteristics. Equally, highly aggressive left-side players may eventually want more power overhead.
What stands out most is value. Many premium rackets now comfortably exceed the £250 mark. The Control Pro sits well below that level while delivering a specification sheet and on-court performance that can compete with considerably more expensive alternatives.
That is probably why it was named the best control racket at the Testea Best Padel Awards in 2025.
Few rackets manage to blend precision, comfort and sensible pricing quite so effectively.
Verdict
The Kuikma Control Pro is not a racket for players chasing maximum power. It is for players who want to feel in command of rallies and trust the racket when the pace increases.
Its generous sweet spot, stable response and excellent manoeuvrability make it one of the most convincing control-focused rackets currently available. Add the competitive price and it becomes one of the strongest value propositions in the entire padel market.
