Babolat Pure Aero Gen 9 Review 2026: Who It Suits, vs Team, 98, Pure Drive

The Babolat Pure Aero is the spin racquet, the frame that made heavy topspin the modern game. The Gen 9 is the 2026 version. This review tells you who it suits, how the standard model differs from the Pure Aero Team and the Pure Aero 98, how it compares with the Pure Drive, the Pure Strike and the Yonex Vcore 100, and how we string it. You can see the Pure Aero Gen 9 on our product page at any time, with today's price.

Babolat Pure Aero Gen 9 tennis racquet — Babolat Pure Aero Gen 9 Tennis Racquet (Unstrung). Tap the photo to open the product page.

Facts at a glance

Model: Babolat Pure Aero Gen 9, 2026 model year.
Price at Sturdy Racquets: $419.95, sold unstrung.
Unstrung weight 300 grams, strung weight about 318 grams, swing weight about 324.
Head size 100 square inches, 16 by 19 string pattern, beam 23, 26 and 23 millimetres, 4 points head light, stiffness about 67 RA, length 27 inches.
Recommended tension 48 to 57 pounds, which is 22 to 26 kilograms.
Best for intermediate and advanced players who hit with heavy topspin. Not a first racquet.
Rated 4.7 out of 5 across 40 customer reviews on our site.
Grip sizes and availability are on the product page. Stringing from $19.95 with the racquet, usually ready the next day.

The short answer

Buy the Pure Aero Gen 9 if you are an intermediate or advanced player who hits with topspin and wants a racquet that turns a fast, upward swing into a heavy, dipping ball. It costs $419.95 unstrung. We rate its spin a full 10 out of 10, the only racquet on our shelves we score that high. It is not a beginner's racquet. Flat hitters should read our Pure Drive review instead.

Price $419.95, sold unstrung. Grip sizes and availability are on the product page. Stringing from $19.95 when you buy the racquet from us, usually ready the next day.

See the Babolat Pure Aero Gen 9 on our product page

Who it suits, and who should skip it

Good for you if

You hit with topspin and want more of it. This is the racquet built for that swing.
You play on the baseline and like to push opponents back with heavy, high-bouncing balls.
You serve with kick and want the ball to jump.
You are an intermediate player with a fast swing who has outgrown a lighter frame.
You want a 100 square inch head with real forgiveness on off-centre hits.

Skip it if

You are new to tennis. Start with the Boost Aero.
You hit flat. The Pure Drive gives you more from that swing.
You want precision over spin. The Pure Strike 98 or the Pure Aero 98 suit that better.
You have arm trouble and string at high tension. At about 67 RA it is a firm frame; string it softly or look elsewhere.

How it plays

Spin 10 / 10Swing speed 9 / 10Power 8.5 / 10Control 8 / 10Comfort 7 / 10

Babolat Pure Aero Gen 9, head and string bed — Babolat Pure Aero Gen 9 Tennis Racquet (Unstrung). Tap the photo to open the product page.

Spin. We rate it 10 out of 10. The frame is shaped to cut through the air so you can swing up fast, and the open 16x19 pattern lets the strings grab and snap back. Topspin is the easiest thing this racquet does.

Power. We rate it 8.5. There is plenty of pace from the wide beam, a little less than the Pure Drive because some of the energy goes into spin instead of speed.

Control. We rate it 8. Spin brings the ball down, so you can swing hard and still keep it in. Flat shots are less predictable than from a control frame.

Comfort. We rate it 7. It is a firm frame. Most players are fine, but it is not the racquet for a sore elbow unless the string is soft.

Specifications

Babolat Pure Aero Gen 9, throat detail — Babolat Pure Aero Gen 9 Tennis Racquet (Unstrung). Tap the photo to open the product page.

Head size100 square inches

Unstrung weight300 g

Strung weightabout 318 g

Balance4 points head light

Swing weightabout 324

Stiffnessabout 67 RA

Beam23, 26 and 23 mm

String pattern16 x 19

Length27 inches, 68.5 cm

Recommended tension48 to 57 lb, 22 to 26 kg

SoldUnstrung

Model year2026, Gen 9

Grip sizesSee the product page

The Pure Aero family

Babolat makes the Gen 9 Pure Aero in three adult versions we stock. They share the spin-friendly frame. Here is what changes.

	Pure Aero	Pure Aero Team	Pure Aero 98
Head size	100 sq in	100 sq in	98 sq in
Unstrung weight	300 g	285 g	305 g
Swing weight	about 324	about 308	about 317
Balance	4 pts head light	4 pts head light	7 pts head light
String pattern	16 x 19	16 x 19	16 x 20
Stiffness	about 67 RA	about 67 RA	about 65 RA
Our spin rating	10	9	9
Our control rating	8	7.5	9
Rating on our site	4.7 (40)	4.9 (23)	4.8 (25)
Our price	$419.95	$389.95	$439.95

Babolat Pure Aero Team Gen 9 tennis racquet — Babolat Pure Aero Team Gen 9 Tennis Racquet. Tap the photo to open the product page.

The standard Pure Aero is the one most players should buy. The Team is the same frame 15 grams lighter, for players who want a quicker swing. The Pure Aero 98 is the control version for advanced players, with a smaller head and a denser pattern.

Pure Aero or Pure Drive

The most searched comparison in tennis. Same weight, same head size, different purpose. The Pure Aero is for spin. The Pure Drive is for power.

	Pure Aero Gen 9	Pure Drive Gen 11
Stiffness	about 67 RA	about 72 RA
Swing weight	about 324	about 320
Our spin rating	10	9
Our power rating	8.5	9
Our control rating	8	7.5
Our comfort rating	7	7
Rating on our site	4.7 (40 reviews)	4.3 (38 reviews)
Our price	$419.95	$395.95

Babolat Pure Drive Gen 11 tennis racquet — Babolat Pure Drive Gen 11 Tennis Racquet. Tap the photo to open the product page.

If you brush up the ball, buy the Aero. If you hit through it, buy the Pure Drive. The long version is in our Pure Aero versus Pure Drive guide.

Pure Aero or Yonex Vcore 100

The Yonex Vcore 100 is the other 100 square inch spin racquet at this price and the closest rival to the Pure Aero.

	Pure Aero Gen 9	Vcore 100 (2026)
Unstrung weight	300 g	300 g
Swing weight	about 324	about 322
Stiffness	about 67 RA	about 65 RA
Our spin rating	10	9
Our control rating	8	8
Our comfort rating	7	7.5
Rating on our site	4.7 (40 reviews)	4.8 (46 reviews)
Our price	$419.95	$419.95

Yonex Vcore 100 2026 tennis racquet — Yonex Tennis Racquet Vcore 100 (Ruby Red)(Unstrung). Tap the photo to open the product page.

They cost the same. The Pure Aero spins a touch more and feels firmer. The Vcore is a touch softer and more comfortable, with Yonex's isometric head shape. We review the Vcore in full in our Vcore 100 review.

How we string it

The Pure Aero is sold unstrung, and a spin racquet deserves a spin string. When you buy the racquet from us, stringing is added at the discounted prices below and it is usually ready the next day.

Most players: Ultra Premium, $49.95 with the racquet. Babolat RPM Blast, Solinco Hyper-G or Luxilon ALU Power at 50 to 53 pounds. A shaped or firm polyester is what the frame is built for.

Sore arm: Premium, $39.95 with the racquet. Babolat RPM Team or Yonex Polytour Spin at 48 to 50 pounds, or a hybrid with a multifilament cross.

Maximum spin and feel: Ultimate Performance, $59.95 with the racquet. A hybrid of Babolat Addixion or Tecnifibre Razor Soft with a natural gut cross at 52 to 54 pounds.

Your own string: $15.95 labour when you buy the racquet from us.

All four packages are explained on our racquet stringing page.

Try it before you buy

We have demo racquets at the Brooklyn shop, including Pure Aero frames, so you can hit with one before you commit. See the demo racquets we have available, or come in and ask.

Questions players ask

Is the Babolat Pure Aero good for beginners?

Not as a first racquet. It weighs 300 grams, it is stiff, and it is built for a fast, full swing with topspin. A beginner will find it hard to control. The right entry to the Aero family is the Boost Aero, which is 40 grams lighter and comes strung. An improving player can step up to the Pure Aero Team at 285 grams.

Pure Aero or Pure Aero Team?

Same racquet, 15 grams lighter. The Team weighs 285 grams against 300 and has a lower swing weight, so it is quicker to swing and a little less stable against pace. Choose the Team if you want speed and easy handling. Choose the standard Pure Aero if you want the extra mass on heavy balls.

Pure Aero or Pure Aero 98?

The Pure Aero 98 has a smaller 98 square inch head, weighs 305 grams, is balanced further toward the handle and has a denser 16x20 pattern. It is the control version for advanced players. The standard 100 square inch Pure Aero is more forgiving and spins more easily.

How stiff is the Pure Aero?

About 67 RA, which is a medium to firm frame. It is softer than the Pure Drive at about 72 RA and firmer than a Wilson Clash at about 60 RA. We rate its comfort 7 out of 10. A soft polyester or a hybrid keeps it comfortable.

What is the difference between the Pure Aero and the Pure Drive?

They are the same weight and head size. The Pure Aero is the spin racquet, with a frame shape made for brushing up the ball and a slightly softer feel. The Pure Drive is the power racquet, stiffer, with a faster, flatter ball. We rate the Aero 10 for spin and the Drive 9 for power.

Does the Pure Aero come strung?

No. The Gen 9 Pure Aero is sold unstrung. We string it in store, usually ready the next day, from $19.95 when you buy the racquet from us.

What tension should I use on the Pure Aero?

Babolat lists 48 to 57 pounds, which is 22 to 26 kilograms. We suggest 50 to 53 pounds with a polyester string. A shaped polyester at that tension is what most Pure Aero players run.

Which model year is this Pure Aero?

This is the Gen 9 Pure Aero, the 2026 model. We only stock the current generation, so we have not measured it against the 2023 version and we will not guess at the differences.

Our verdict

Babolat Pure Aero Gen 9, full view — Babolat Pure Aero Gen 9 Tennis Racquet (Unstrung). Tap the photo to open the product page.

The Pure Aero Gen 9 is the spin racquet, full stop. If you hit with topspin and your swing is already fast, it is the frame that gives you the most back, and it costs $419.95. Buy the standard model unless you want the lighter Team or the more precise Pure Aero 98. If you hit flat, the Pure Drive is the better Babolat for you.