Expert reviews of the BOOM 2026 tennis racquet series

As HEAD's most powerful racket lineup, the Boom has been redesigned from the ground up, introducing new Hy-Bor technology, an AI-driven string pattern and a refreshed cosmetic identity across five distinct models.

Whether you are a beginner looking for an accessible and forgiving frame, an intermediate player wanting to add more pop to your game, or an advanced competitor seeking a powerful yet controllable weapon, the 2026 Boom range has an option designed with you in mind.

To help you decide whether the Boom is the right racket for you, we have pulled together on court reviews and play test feedback from four independent sources – Tennis Warehouse, Tennis Express, PH Tennis and Lemuel Cassidy.

2026 HEAD Boom Pro – On Court Review Summary

Feel & Comfort

Reviewers consistently highlighted the racket's muted, dampened feel as one of its standout qualities. The sub 64 RA flex delivers a plush, arm-friendly response that makes it comfortable for extended play sessions without sacrificing performance.

Power & Control

The Boom Pro offers an impressive blend of power and precision, with reviewers noting a slight lean towards control. The 16x19 string pattern provides spin-friendly performance without being too open, while the 98 head size helps keep shots accurate and consistent.

Groundstrokes & Maneuverability

Players found the Boom Pro nimble enough to hit sharp angles while still offering excellent stability and plow through. The ability to swing aggressively and keep the ball inside the lines was a recurring theme across all reviewers.

Net Play

Volleying with the Boom Pro drew strong praise, with players reporting excellent control over depth, height and direction. The 310g weight provided the stability needed at net without feeling cumbersome.

Serving

Serving was generally well received, with players finding they could go for bigger, more consistent serves thanks to the racket's dampened response and spin-friendly pattern. One reviewer noted it was an improvement over the previous version, where they had struggled to find consistency.

Overall Verdict

The 2026 HEAD Boom Pro was described by one reviewer as their favorite Boom Pro to date. Compared to its predecessor, it offers a softer, more controlled feel while retaining the stability and maneuverability that the Boom range is known for. The only minor criticism raised was the cosmetic design, with one reviewer wishing it came in the purple colorway available on the MP version.

2026 HEAD Boom MP & Pro – Tennis Express On Court Review Summary

First Impressions & Cosmetics

Both reviewers were immediately impressed by the new colorways. The Boom MP features a striking lavender/cocoa-inspired finish, while the Boom Pro sports a refreshed cosmetic redesign. Spencer noted the colors were a highlight straight away, particularly praising the blue finish.

Boom MP – Key Takeaways

The Boom MP sits on the lighter end of the spectrum, yet both reviewers were impressed by its surprising stability for its weight. Key highlights included:

Boom Pro – Key Takeaways

The Boom Pro offers a slightly heavier, more controlled experience. Highlights included:

Who Are These Rackets For?

Overall Verdict

Both Sam and Spencer agreed that the 2026 HEAD Boom range delivers an impressive combination of power, comfort and stability that is not always easy to find in one racket. The Boom MP stands out for its accessibility and lightweight feel, while the Boom Pro appeals to the more seasoned player looking for that extra bit of control and mass behind their shots.

2026 HEAD Boom Range – In Depth Review Summary

The Range

The 2026 HEAD Boom lineup offers five racket options to suit a wide variety of players:

Key Technology

The 2026 Boom introduces several notable technologies:

Power

The Boom is HEAD’s most powerful frame, designed to compete with the likes of the Babolat Pure Drive and Yonex Ezone. However, the reviewers noted it delivers power in a slightly different way to its rivals. Rather than offering raw, effortless power, the Boom rewards players who generate their own racket head speed. The more maneuverable nature of the frame means power output is more player dependent. Hy-Bor technology was credited with improving the connected feel at higher swing speeds, making the racket easier to control when hitting hard.

Spin

Spin access was highlighted as one of the biggest surprises of the play test. Despite being a power frame, the Boom's maneuverability allows players to generate significantly more topspin than expected. Unlike more pigeon-holing options such as the HEAD Extreme, the Boom offers easy access to spin without requiring a fundamental change in playing style.

Control

The reviewers considered the Boom to be the most controllable of the power rackets currently on the market. Hy-Bor technology was credited with delivering a consistent additional power output, meaning shots never felt unpredictably wild in the way they can with frames like the Ezone 100. Players always felt in control of their power, which made the racket easy to calibrate and get comfortable with quickly.

Touch & Feel

For a power frame, the Boom impressed both reviewers with its touch and feel. While not at the level of a control-oriented racket such as the HEAD Gravity or Wilson Pro Staff, it comfortably outperformed traditional power frames like the Pure Drive and Ezone in this area. One reviewer noted that coming from those frames, the Boom almost felt like a control racket by comparison. The one caveat noted was that Hy-Bor appears to perform better at higher swing speeds, meaning touch shots and drop shots felt slightly less connected – though still better than most comparable power frames.

Cosmetics

Available in purple and blue colorways, both reviewers favoured the purple option, though acknowledged the blue grew on them over time. As confirmed in the review – there is no performance difference between the two. It is simply paint.

Overall Verdict

The 2026 HEAD Boom range was described as the best iteration of the Boom so far. The Boom MP was highlighted as the standout pick for most players, offering an accessible blend of power, comfort and feel. The overarching conclusion was that the Boom is a uniquely versatile power racket – described as what you might get if a HEAD Speed and a Babolat Pure Drive had a baby. It suits a wide range of players, adapts to different swing styles, and delivers power, spin and control in a well-balanced and consistent package.

2026 HEAD Boom MP – On Court Review Summary

Who Is It For?

The 2026 Boom MP is aimed primarily at intermediate and beginner level players, as well as advanced juniors. It is also highlighted as a great option for social players and those who enjoy the lifestyle aspect of tennis. It could also appeal to players looking to switch from a more control-oriented frame such as the HEAD Speed or Prestige, who want to add a little more power to their game.

Groundstrokes

From the baseline, the reviewer was immediately impressed. Despite its relatively light weight, the Boom MP delivered a noticeable pop and weight through the ball that felt punchy and purposeful. The reviewer noted it felt more distinctive and rewarding than the HEAD Speed MP, which while good, did not stand out in any particular direction. The Boom MP offered extra depth, pop and spin, and allowed the reviewer to play freely and expressively – capable of hitting heavy through the court or shaping the ball with cut and angle when needed.

Volleys

At the net, the Boom MP continued to impress. The reviewer highlighted its comfort and accessibility, noting it would suit social and doubles players who want a racket that assists with volley depth and direction. The frame absorbs the ball well and does not feel stiff, making it a friendly option for players managing arm sensitivities. While it does not feel like a traditional power or control racket, it sits comfortably in a spin and comfort-oriented space with enough pop to direct volleys confidently.

Slice

The 100 square inch head combined with the 16x19 string pattern proved effective for slice shots, allowing the reviewer to dig into the ball and generate good rotation and spin. The racket felt whippy and responsive on slices, making it accessible for players still developing this shot. Compared to the heavier Boom Pro, the MP felt noticeably easier on the arm and more forgiving to swing.

Serves

On serve, the one point head light balance provided a pleasing feel through the swing, offering enough weight to get through the ball at contact without feeling cumbersome. The reviewer highlighted the large sweet spot as a real asset, giving confidence on both first and second serves. Kick serves, flat serves and slice serves all felt comfortable and controllable, with a satisfying sound and feel at impact.

Overall Verdict

The reviewer came away genuinely impressed with the 2026 HEAD Boom MP, describing it as a versatile, comfortable and enjoyable racket that performs well across all areas of the court. It was rated above the recently released HEAD Speed MP for its added pop and more distinctive character. Suitable for daily social play through to competitive matches, the Boom MP offers an accessible blend of power, spin and comfort that should appeal to a broad range of players.

Conclusion

Expert reviews of the BOOM 2024

Reviewers have been play-testing the second generation of the BOOM racquets, which have been upgraded with new Auxetic 2.0 technology.

Endorsed by Coco Gauff and Lorenzo Musetti, the explosive, fun-loving BOOM 2024 series is also popular with expert racquet reviewers.

Reviews of the BOOM 2024 series

The expert reviewer for Tennis Mentor said the BOOM 2024 series had an improved feel after the introduction of state-of-the-art Auxetic 2.0 technology, which creates the ultimate connection between player and racquet. “I love the Auxetic technology,” said the reviewer, who play-tested the racquets at HEAD’s headquarters in Austria. “If you’ve got the 2022 BOOM, you’ve got a great racquet in your hands. However, I will say that the Auxetic 2.0 is a very subtle difference. It’s not a huge difference but it’s a great difference. When I played with the new BOOM, I definitely felt it compared to the [2022 BOOM].”

With the BOOM 2024 series, you’re going to feel good on the court – the Tennis Express reviewer said players would feel more confident about their games with these new racquets: “The racquets play very comfortably, a really nice blend of firm yet flexible, and they’re going to inspire confidence in intermediate and advanced players alike.”

“Very funky,” was how the Tennis Mentor reviewer described the new, lighter colourway, with players given the choice between that and a darker colourway. “All of the racquets come with a standard colourway. But what HEAD have done with this line of racquets is introduce an alternate colourway. As you can see, it’s very funky. I think that [lighter] colourway is going to be really popular.”

Reviews of the BOOM PRO 2024

“You can absolutely annihilate the ball with the BOOM PRO,” said the reviewer for Rackets and Runners. “Going for big winners from the baseline is this racquet’s bread and butter. If you’re going big, you want your racquet to be consistent but you also want it to pack a punch and launch the ball when you tell it to.” The expert said that the “insane” racquet, which he recommended to “aggressive baseliners”, gives you “a feeling of invincibility when you’re on top of your game, and that’s pretty special”.

The expert from Rackets and Runners said the Auxetic 2.0 technology made the BOOM PRO “feel just a little bit more solid and firm on impact compared to the original Auxetic… overall, the feel is better than on the previous one.” “It takes a second to get used to the quirks of the BOOM PRO, but when you do, this is truly a weapon. I’m not going to lie, I’m pretty excited about this one,” the reviewer said.

The expert reviewer for Tennis Mentor said he could fall in love with the BOOM PRO 2024: “I felt as though this was an improvement on the previous BOOM PRO. Lovely racquet. I had a lot of pop on my serve… and I felt as though I could rip my forehand. If I played with this for a bit longer, I could fall in love with it.”

A reviewer for Tennis Express said playing with the BOOM PRO 2024 made him feel more assured of himself on court. “It’s equal parts power, control and comfort. The string bed is accurate. You feel dialled in. You can make the ball do what you want to do, and that always inspires confidence, especially from the baseline,” the reviewer said. “I would recommend the BOOM PRO to a player who is refined in their strokes, has solid technique on all their shots, and to someone who is looking for an ideal blend of power with control and a little bit of a firmer, connected feel to the ball.”

Reviews of the BOOM MP 2024

“I really liked it. I really enjoyed it. It’s a powerhouse, for sure, but one thing that surprised me was how much control and accuracy you get on the serves – the slice serve, kick serve, flat serve,” said a reviewer for Tennis Express. “If you’re a player who likes to hit really big and really flat balls, and who stays at the back of the court, this would be a really good racquet for you. Power is the name of the game with this racquet. If you like to hit hard balls, check this one out.”

A second reviewer for Tennis Express had fun play-testing the 2024 BOOM MP. “This is probably my favourite version to play with. It’s a very fun model to use. It’s user-friendly, spin-friendly, plenty of power and it’s a nice blend of firm but still comfortable,” the reviewer said.

“One of my favourite things with the playtest was scrambling with this racquet. Even when I was [at the back of the court], I felt as though could defend and get myself back into a winning position. I also enjoyed the surprising stability up at the net for such a lightweight frame. I would recommend the BOOM MP to a player who’s looking for a racquet that is very broad in terms of its strengths, that is powerful, comfortable and spin-friendly and, maybe most importantly, it’s lightweight so it can used by a lot of different ability levels.”

Expert Reviews of the HEAD BOOM 2022

Living up to its name, our new BOOM tennis racquet series has had a big impact on expert reviewers across the tennis world.

Players don't have to think about anything other than enjoying the moment and hitting tennis balls with the BOOM. That’s why we're thrilled that, in many of the first video reviews of the BOOM MP and BOOM PRO, the word that kept coming up was “fun”. Reviewers noted how it's easy to play with the first two racquets in the BOOM series, which offer power as well as comfort and feel. When you've got all that in a racquet, how can you not enjoy yourself on the tennis court?

Reviews for BOOM MP

Tennis Nerd:

“This one was really exciting, really fun to use actually. I found that straightaway this one was really forgiving, really easy to use, especially on the groundstrokes. It was actually quite powerful but one thing that really stood out for me was its stability for its weight. I hit some bombs when serving.”

Another reviewer had a blast with the BOOM MP. “I had a lot of fun testing the new BOOM MP. I was comfortable with this racquet after just a few shots.

The racquet is very easy to play with as it has a large sweetspot and it’s very forgiving. With the large head and open string pattern, I get a lot of power and spin in my groundstrokes.

It also helped me to return aggressively from close to the baseline. The BOOM helped me to get more spin on the ball when serving. The BOOM MP is a great option for anyone looking for a racquet with plenty of spin and power with great manoeuvrability.”

One reviewer was particularly taken by the softness.

“The first thing I noticed when I started hitting balls with this BOOM MP was how soft it felt. It felt really comfortable in all areas of the string-bed, inside and outside of the sweetspot. Mishits weren’t too jarring,” according to the expert. “I was also very impressed by the amount of power I was getting.

Often racquets that are that comfortable don’t offer free power like this BOOM MP was from the baseline. Good power off my volleys. I really enjoyed the free power when serving. Overall, if you’re a player who wants an easy-to-use, powerful, spin-friendly racquet with loads of comfort, you should check this out.”

Reviews for BOOM PRO

Tennis Warehouse:

“Let your tennis game explode with the new BOOM PRO. As the heaviest member of the BOOM family, this PRO version will allow players to swing with confidence. The feel at contact is forgiving. If you're an all-court intermediate or advanced player looking for controllable power, this might be your perfect match. From the very first hit this racquet falls right into the guilty pleasure category for me. Really great plush feel at contact, large sweetspot and I was rewarded with super-easy depth, and there's something magical as there were several times when I thought my balls were going out and the ball just kind of [landed] right inside that baseline. I loved hitting with this racquet. Really fun to tee off on returns.”

Another reviewer “loved the feel and connectivity” of the BOOM PRO. “Just a really plush feel to it. I can really control the placement of my shots. Really enjoyed this one at net, hitting some nice touch volleys with it. It's fast, it's easy to get around, but there's just enough mass there to keep it rock solid. For me, the standout feature is the feel I had from all areas. Really fun play test, really nice racquet, definitely recommend it.”

Tennis Spin:

Another reviewer spoke of the “really solid overall feel throughout the whole racquet”. “It's got easy power and great feel. Give it a shot. If you're looking for a stick with more power, this is definitely a good racquet to try.”