Short answer
Padelplay fits the vast majority of padel rackets. Whether it fits yours depends on one thing: the strap at the bottom of the handle. It fits if the strap is attached in the centre or at the side and is at most 1.5 cm wide. It does not fit rackets with a removable or replaceable strap.
A racket-mounted sensor has one job before it can measure anything: it has to sit securely on your racket. This article explains the rule, shows you how to check your own racket, and what the silicone mount does. It is part of our guide Choosing a padel sensor.
Why the strap decides
The Padelplay sensor clips into a silicone mount at the bottom of the racket handle. The mount sits between the handle and the strap, the cord you put around your wrist. So the sensor does not care about the shape of your racket head, its weight, its balance or the material it is made of. It only cares about how the strap is attached.
That is why one simple rule covers the vast majority of padel rackets.
The rule at a glance
| Your racket | Does Padelplay fit? |
|---|---|
| Strap attached in the centre of the handle, up to 1.5 cm wide | Yes |
| Strap attached at the side of the handle, up to 1.5 cm wide | Yes |
| Strap wider than 1.5 cm | No |
| Removable or replaceable strap | No |
Central strap
Fits: the strap comes out of the middle, up to 1.5 cm wide
Side strap
Fits: the strap comes out at the edge, up to 1.5 cm wide
Wider than 1.5 cm
Does not fit: a wide, flat band leaves no room for the mount
Removable strap
Does not fit: a strap you can unclip, unscrew or swap
Racket shape (round, teardrop or diamond), weight and brand do not appear in this table. They do not matter for the fit.
How to check your own racket, step by step
You need your racket and a ruler or tape measure. It takes about a minute.
- Look at the end of the handleTurn the racket so you look straight at the butt cap, the bottom of the handle where the strap comes out.
- Find where the strap is attachedDoes it come out of the middle of the butt cap, or from one side? Both are fine.
- Measure the strapMeasure the width of the strap where it leaves the handle. It should be 1.5 cm or narrower.
- Check if the strap can come offSome rackets have a strap you can unclip, unscrew or swap for a new one. If yours does, the sensor will not fit.
- Still not sure?Compare your racket with the pictures on the racket compatibility page, or contact us and we will help you check.
What the silicone mount does
The silicone mount is the part that connects the sensor to your racket. It does three things:
- It holds the sensor in place. The sensor clips into the mount, so it stays put through smashes, volleys and balls off the glass.
- It sits between the handle and the strap. The strap holds the mount against the bottom of the handle. That is why the strap's position and width matter.
- It keeps the weight low. Sensor and mount together weigh 15.6 grams. Most players stop noticing it after a session or two.
The sensor charges magnetically while it stays on the racket, so you do not have to take it off after every match. It is also waterproof, so rain and sweat are not a problem.
The box comes with two quick-swap mounts, and spare mounts are sold separately in the accessories, so you can prepare a second racket.
Installing the sensor
Once you know your racket fits, installation takes a few minutes. The installation instructions show every step with pictures.
In short: take off the old overgrip, pull the silicone mount over the handle with the logo on the marked spot, slide the sensor in with the charging points facing up, and wrap a new overgrip from the top down. You can charge the sensor without taking it out of the racket.
Common situations
"My strap is attached at the side"
That is fine. A side strap up to 1.5 cm wide fits, exactly like a central strap.
"My strap is a bit wider than 1.5 cm"
Then the mount will not sit properly between the handle and the strap. Contact us before you buy if you are unsure about a millimetre or two.
"My racket has a strap I can change"
Some rackets let you remove or replace the strap. Padelplay does not fit these rackets.
"I play with several rackets"
Check each racket against the rule above. The fit depends on each racket's strap, not on the brand.
"I use an overgrip"
The mount goes on first and the overgrip is wrapped over the handle afterwards, from the top down, so your usual overgrip is no problem.
Why a sensor on the racket and not on the wrist
A sensor on a wristband fits every racket, because it never touches the racket. The trade-off is what it can see. The ball meets the racket head, and the wrist is one step removed from that. A flat forehand, a sliced backhand and an overhead can look alike from the wrist. A sensor at the bottom of the handle measures how the racket itself moves, turns and slows down through every shot. That is why we chose the racket, and why the strap check is worth a minute of your time. Read more in Padel sensor vs smartwatch.
Before you buy
If your racket passes the strap check, you are ready to go. The Padelplay sensor costs 119 EUR, with free EU shipping over €50 and 14-day returns. The app is free on iOS and Android, with no subscription.
Frequently asked questions
Does Padelplay fit every padel racket?
It fits the vast majority of padel rackets. The rule: a central or side strap up to 1.5 cm wide. It does not fit rackets with a removable or replaceable strap. Check yours on the racket compatibility page.
Does the brand or shape of my racket matter?
No. The sensor sits at the bottom of the handle, so only the strap matters: where it is attached and how wide it is.
Will the sensor change how my racket feels?
Sensor and silicone mount together weigh 15.6 grams, at the bottom of the handle. Most players stop noticing it after a session or two.
Do I need to take the sensor off to charge it?
No. Padelplay charges magnetically on the racket, and one charge lasts up to 6 hours of play.
What if I buy it and it does not fit?
You have 14 days to return it.
