Squash is a popular sport in the UK, played at all levels from club to professional. The most commonly used rackets come from a handful of leading brands. These brands, based in Europe, North America or the UK, offer advanced graphite frames in lightweight head-heavy or head-light balances. Dunlop, HEAD and Tecnifibre lead sales and pro endorsements, while UK-based Karakal, the England Squash partner Oliver, and the boutique brand Unsquashable also feature among top choices. Below is an overview of each brand, its popular models, and why UK players favour them.
Dunlop
Dunlop has long been a squash powerhouse. Its Sonic Core and FX series, which replaced the older Hyperfibre line, are widely sold in UK retailers. The FX 128 Pro (128g, head-heavy) was the racket of choice for Ali Farag, the former world No.1 who retired in 2025, and is engineered for power. Dunlop also sponsors England Squash and is an official ball and development partner in Britain.
On the women's tour, Dunlop rackets are used by leading pros. England's Sarah-Jane Perry plays the Dunlop Sonic Core Revelation Pro Lite, which carries her name. British players Millie Tomlinson and Katie Malliff are among those who use the FX 125 Pro Lite. In short, many UK players, from club level to PSA pros, choose Dunlop for its mix of power and control.
Popular models: Dunlop's FX 128 Pro, FX 125 Pro Lite and Sonic Core Revelation Pro Lite are among the latest top models. The FX 128 Pro (128g) is head-heavy for drive, while the FX 125 Pro Lite (125g) is head-light for manoeuvrability. Dunlop rackets are readily available at UK shops such as Direct Squash and Sports Direct, and often appear among best-seller lists. Flagship frames typically sell in the region of 150 to 200 pounds.
Why players like it: Dunlop frames are known for an accurate, stable feel. The Sonic Core carbon and resin construction reduce vibration, giving confidence on fast shots. UK club players often praise Dunlop for its durability and balance of power and control. The Revelation Pro Lite is described as lightweight and easy to manoeuvre while still delivering impact. The brand's pro links, including Farag and Perry, also reassure buyers.
HEAD
HEAD, originally a tennis brand, has a strong reputation in UK squash. Its Speed and Radical series are especially popular. Paul Coll, a former world No.1 and British Open champion, played the slim-body Speed before switching to the heavier Radical 135 SB in 2024 to gain more power and control. The Radical range is favoured by many attacking players.
HEAD's UK presence is reinforced by England's top women. Georgina Kennedy, a leading England player who reached world No.5 in 2024, uses HEAD rackets, typically the Speed 135 Slimbody. UK retailers carry the full HEAD line, and reviews often praise the brand's frame and stringbed technology.
Popular models: HEAD's Speed 120 SB and Speed 135 SB remain top choices, along with the Radical 135. The Speed 120 SB has an even balance, suiting versatile players. HEAD also makes junior and intermediate versions. Most flagship frames fall in the 150 to 200 pound range.
Why players like it: HEAD rackets are known for quick handling and aerodynamic frames. UK amateurs and pros appreciate the Speed series' blend of speed and control, with a teardrop head for power. The Radical series offers a mix of control and ball feel and remains popular among club players who like its responsive feel. HEAD's pro roster, including Coll and Kennedy, helps make it a top brand choice.
Tecnifibre
French brand Tecnifibre is extremely popular among UK players, especially those seeking power. Its Carboflex series is well established: the Carboflex 125 X-Top V2 is used by Mohamed ElShorbagy, a two-time world No.1, and the line has been one of the most widely sold ranges among players worldwide.
The Carboflex range is backed by champions including ElShorbagy, Nour El Sherbini and Nouran Gohar. UK players often cite the Carboflex frames for their smooth power and large sweet spot. In online reviews, many UK amateurs report that Tecnifibre rackets deliver strong drives without sacrificing control.
Popular models: Tecnifibre's flagship is the Carboflex 125 X-Top V2 (125g, even balance), now built with an all-graphite frame in place of a plastic bumper. Other models include the Carboflex 125 NS (the Nour El Sherbini version), the Carboflex 135 and the newer Slash 120. The Slash 120 (120g) is the signature racket of Egypt's Mostafa Asal and offers a smaller head for extra precision. UK shops report that the Tecnifibre line sells briskly, with top frames generally priced from about 150 to 200 pounds.
Why players like it: Players praise Tecnifibre for its power-to-weight ratio. The Carboflex is often described as a weapon for power and control. Its stiff, thin shaft and teardrop head let players swing fast. Many UK club players also note the racket's durability. While beginners may find the Carboflex demanding, advanced UK players seeking a proven pro-level racket frequently choose Tecnifibre.
Karakal
Karakal is a British-based brand known for lightweight, head-light frames geared toward control. Its profile has grown through its association with Wales and UK No.1 Joel Makin. The current Karakal Raw Pro 2.1 (120g) was developed with Makin, a PSA world top-10 player, and is marketed as his tour-spec racket. Karakal describes it as the Joel Makin signature squash racket, developed in partnership with him.
Karakal is readily available in UK pro shops and online, with retailers such as PDH Sports and Stringers' World carrying its full line. UK consumers often comment that Karakal rackets feel very manoeuvrable due to their head-light balance. A UK review of the earlier Raw Pro 2.0 gave it high marks for manoeuvrability and control, noting that players who enjoy the feel of the Tecnifibre Carboflex would get along well with it.
Popular models: The flagship is the Raw Pro 2.1 Joel Makin Signature (120g, even balance), with an updated Raw Pro 2.2 following for the 2025/26 season. Karakal also makes other Raw-series models and entry-level rackets such as the Stratos and S-Pro. Karakal rackets use the brand's own Hot Zone strings, and signature frames typically cost in the region of 120 to 170 pounds.
Why players like it: UK players appreciate Karakal's British base and the fact that its top signature racket is tailored to a UK champion. The Raw Pro 2.1 offers a head-light feel for quick volleys and deceptive shots. Club players cite its touch and control, with reviewers praising its light manoeuvrability without giving up power. Karakal fills the niche of a premium, precision-focused racket made and played in Britain.
Oliver
Oliver is a German brand, founded in 1938, that is now the official racket partner of England Squash. The multi-year partnership aims to make high-quality equipment more accessible and gives England Squash members discounts on Oliver products. Oliver rackets emphasise modern materials such as carbon and are often lightweight, and the brand has a long reputation in racket technology.
Oliver sponsors several professionals, including Baptiste Masotti and former world No.3 Simon Roesner. Popular Oliver models for advanced players feature mid-plus head sizes and various flex profiles, at mid-range prices that suit clubs. The range is widely available online and at UK racket shops, and is often promoted to beginners and intermediates as well as club players. The England Squash affiliation gives amateur players added confidence in the brand.
Unsquashable
Unsquashable is a boutique brand, founded in 1977 by Rahmat Khan, coach and mentor to squash legend Jahangir Khan, and now owned by the UK-based internationalSPORTgroup. It has several signature rackets named after its pro players. British great James Willstrop has the Y-Tec Pro Autograph (even balance, 120g), and British talent Nick Wall has a Tour-Tec signature racket (125g, even). Both models emphasise control, with Willstrop's tuned for light, controlled power and Wall's for precision.
Unsquashable rackets are produced in limited runs and are available in the UK through specialist retailers, including the brand's own site and PDH Sports. Many UK players admire the brand for its frame technology and the cachet of Willstrop's signature line. While not as common as Dunlop or Tecnifibre, Unsquashable holds a niche following in the UK among enthusiasts who want something different or who support Willstrop. Signature frames generally sell from around 120 to 180 pounds.
Harrow (Honourable Mention)
Harrow is an American brand that has grown on the international market, with an emphasis on extremely light, head-light frames. In a recent best-rackets roundup it placed three models in the top five: the Vapor 110 (110g), Spark 115 (115g) and Reflex 120. The Reflex was developed with former world top-10 player Tarek Momen, who used Harrow before retiring in 2025. These rackets are sold in UK stores and often recommended to players seeking ultra-light gear.
Harrow's thin shafts and heads give fast swing speeds, and UK players report that the frames feel very light and easy to volley with. Harrow remains more prevalent in the United States and is still a secondary choice in the UK, but its presence on best-of lists points to rising popularity.
Comparison of Popular Models
Tecnifibre Carboflex 125 X-Top V2: Tecnifibre, 125g, even balance, used by Mohamed ElShorbagy (two-time world No.1).
HEAD Speed 120 SB: HEAD, 120g, even balance, from the Speed range played by Paul Coll before his 2024 switch to the Radical 135 SB.
Dunlop FX 128 Pro: Dunlop, 128g, head-heavy, used by Ali Farag (former world No.1).
Karakal Raw Pro 2.1: Karakal, 120g, even balance, signature racket of Joel Makin (British No.1).
Tecnifibre Slash 120: Tecnifibre, 120g, signature racket of Mostafa Asal.
Harrow Reflex: Harrow, light head-light frame, developed with Tarek Momen.
Each brand above offers multiple models across weights, typically 110 to 135g, and balances. The Dunlop FX 128 Pro is heavy and head-heavy, making it powerful. The HEAD Speed 120 SB is moderate weight and balanced, optimised for speed. Tecnifibre's Carboflex 125 X-Top is even balance for a mix of power and control, and Karakal's Raw Pro 2.1 is also even balance, tuned to Joel Makin's specifications. These models show how each brand tailors its string pattern, frame stiffness and materials to player needs.
Dunlop, HEAD and Tecnifibre are the most widely used racquet brands in UK squash, embraced by amateurs and endorsed by top professionals. UK-based Karakal and Unsquashable also enjoy strong followings, each with a British tour player on its roster. Oliver, England's official racket partner, and the American brand Harrow are growing in visibility. All these brands are widely available in the UK through retailers such as Pro Direct, SquashGear, Decathlon and specialist shops, and their top models regularly feature in best-seller lists. Player reviews consistently cite the Dunlop FX series for power, the HEAD Speed for speed and feel, the Tecnifibre Carboflex for smooth power, and Karakal for agility. With squash continuing its resurgence in the UK, these leading racquet brands remain central to players' choices.
