Akkeron Excelsior 2025

The Akkeron Excelsior 2025 is a control-first racket with unusually easy ball exit. It is built for players who want help from the racket at the baseline without giving up precision once the point moves forward.

I found its character more composed than explosive. The soft response makes defensive shots forgiving, while the teardrop profile leaves enough punch for players who can accelerate through the ball.

It is not a racket for brute-force padel. If your game depends on finishing every short lob with a flat smash, there are more head-heavy, harder options. This one rewards placement, variation, and clean timing.

Technical analysis

Shape & balance

The teardrop shape gives the Excelsior a broad, accessible hitting area without the slower feel of a full round racket. Its sweet spot feels generous and sits high enough to support attacking volleys, but not so high that the racket becomes awkward in defense.

Balance sits in a low-to-medium area. I would call it maneuverable for its attacking potential, particularly on quick exchanges at the net. It does not feel head-heavy in the way many power rackets do, so changing from a block to a counter-volley is fairly natural.

That said, players who prefer a distinctly head-light racket may still notice some presence in the upper part of the frame. Fast wrist work is possible, but the Excelsior is more stable than ultra-quick.

Materials & construction

The 100% Full Carbon frame gives the racket a stable base, while the K12IMPACT Carbon faces add a more direct response than fiberglass would. There is enough firmness in the face to guide the ball accurately, especially when I am playing low volleys or taking pace off a fast ball.

Its EV20 Soft core is the main reason the racket feels so accommodating. This is a clearly soft setup: the ball sinks into the faces slightly, then comes off with plenty of rebound. That helps on passive blocks, off-the-wall returns, and defensive lobs when I do not have time to generate much swing speed.

The trade-off is a less crisp finish at maximum acceleration. Players who like a hard, dry impact may find the response too elastic, particularly on flat overheads.

On-court feel

Baseline play

From the baseline, the Excelsior is very friendly. The ball exit is high, and I do not need to force the stroke to find depth. On off-the-wall play, it gives me enough rebound to reset the point instead of simply surviving it.

Control remains the stronger feature. I can play a low-driven lob with confidence, and the large sweet spot reduces the punishment on slightly late contact. It is a useful racket for players who build points patiently and want to recover the net through accurate defense.

What it will not do is make a rushed swing feel precise. The soft core helps, but it cannot replace clean preparation.

At the net

At the net, the Excelsior feels stable and predictable. Punch volleys come off the face with good depth, while softer touch shots such as a chiquita are easy to keep low. I also liked the way it absorbs pace on defensive blocks before redirecting the ball.

The racket has enough bite for controlled angles, though it is not a specialist spin frame. Its real strength is letting me vary pace without losing the line of the shot.

Bandeja and víbora

This is where the teardrop shape works well. The racket moves through the overhead motion smoothly, and the soft core helps me keep the ball deep when I am not hitting with full commitment. A controlled bandeja feels particularly reliable.

The víbora has decent acceleration, but aggressive hitters may want a firmer face for a more penetrating, sharper response.

Conclusion

I would put the Excelsior in the hands of intermediate to advanced players who value control, defensive comfort, and an easy response over raw finishing power. It suits a player who constructs points and uses the net to apply pressure rather than rushing every overhead.

You gain a large sweet spot, strong rebound, and a forgiving touch. In return, you give up some of the hard-edged response and outright smash authority offered by more demanding carbon-and-hard-EVA rackets.