The Babolat Boost Drive is the racquet we recommend most often to adults who are starting tennis or coming back to it. It is light, it is forgiving, and it comes strung so you can play the day you buy it. This review explains who it suits, how it compares with the Boost Aero, the Boost Strike and the Pure Drive it is modelled on, and how to look after it. You can see the Boost Drive on our product page at any time, with today's price.
Facts at a glance
- Model: Babolat Boost Drive, 260 gram version. Sold in white and in the standard Babolat blue.
- Price at Sturdy Racquets: $195.95 for the white, $188.95 for the blue. Both come strung.
- Unstrung weight 260 grams, strung weight about 275 grams, swing weight about 285.
- Head size 105 square inches, 16 by 19 string pattern, beam 23, 26 and 23 millimetres, 2 points head heavy, stiffness about 70 RA, length 27 inches.
- Recommended tension 50 to 55 pounds, which is 23 to 25 kilograms.
- Best for beginners, social players and anyone who wants easy power and comfort. Not for advanced players who swing hard.
- The blue version is rated 4.7 out of 5 across 20 customer reviews on our site.
- Grip sizes and availability are on the product page. Restringing from $19.95 with the racquet, usually ready the next day.
The short answer
Buy the Boost Drive if you are a beginner or a social player who wants a light, easy racquet that gets the ball deep without a big swing. It costs $195.95 strung and ready to play. It is the most forgiving adult racquet we sell. It is not for players who already hit hard, because the stiff, light frame will feel too lively; they should look at the Boost Strike or the Pure Drive.
Price $195.95, strung and ready to play. Grip sizes, colours and availability are on the product page.
See the Babolat Boost Drive on our product pageWho it suits, and who should skip it
Good for you if
- You are new to tennis, or you are coming back after years away.
- You play once a week for fun and want the ball to go deep without a big swing.
- You want something light. At 260 grams it is easy to swing for a full set.
- You want to buy it and play today. It comes strung.
- You want a modern Babolat look without the Pure Drive price.
Skip it if
- You already have a full, fast swing. The Boost Drive will feel too powerful and hard to control.
- You are an intermediate player who wants more feel. The frame is stiff at about 70 RA.
- You want a racquet to grow into for years. The Boost Strike at 285 grams gives you more room.
- You play a lot of doubles at a competitive level and need stability at the net.
How it plays
Power. This is the point of the racquet. The 105 square inch head and the wide 26 millimetre beam make the ball jump, so short swings still reach the baseline. We rate power 9 out of 10.
Forgiveness. A big head means a big sweet spot. Balls hit off centre still go roughly where you meant them to, which keeps rallies going while you learn.
Control. This is the trade. We rate control 6.5 out of 10. When your swing speeds up, the ball starts to fly long, and that is the sign to move to a heavier racquet.
Comfort. It is light and the head is forgiving, so it is easy on the arm for most people. The frame itself is stiff, so if you already have elbow trouble, ask us about a soft multifilament string, which is what we fit by default.
Specifications
Boost Drive or Boost Aero
These two get compared most, and the honest answer is that they are close. Both weigh 260 grams, both are stiff and lively, both come strung. The Boost Aero is the 2026 model and borrows the Pure Aero's shape.
| Boost Drive | Boost Aero (2026) | |
|---|---|---|
| Head size | 105 square inches | 102 square inches |
| Unstrung weight | 260 g | 260 g |
| Balance | 2 points head heavy | 1 point head light |
| Swing weight | about 285 | about 275 |
| Stiffness | about 70 RA | about 70 RA |
| Our power rating | 9 | 8 |
| Our spin rating | 8 | 7 |
| Rating on our site | 4.7 (20 reviews, blue) | 4.9 (69 reviews) |
| Our price | $195.95 | $185.95 |
Choose the Boost Drive if you want the biggest sweet spot and the most help with depth. Choose the Boost Aero if you want a slightly quicker swing and a slightly tighter feel. Beginners who are not sure should take the Drive.
Boost Drive or Boost Strike
The Boost Strike is the next step up in the same family. It is the one to buy if you have played before and know your swing is already fairly quick.
| Boost Drive | Boost Strike | |
|---|---|---|
| Head size | 105 square inches | 102 square inches |
| Unstrung weight | 260 g | 285 g |
| Balance | 2 points head heavy | Even |
| Swing weight | about 285 | about 305 |
| Stiffness | about 70 RA | about 69 RA |
| Our control rating | 6.5 | 7.2 |
| Our power rating | 9 | 8.5 |
| Rating on our site | 4.7 (20 reviews, blue) | 4.6 (73 reviews) |
| Our price | $195.95 | $185.95 |
The extra 25 grams in the Strike is what you feel. It is steadier against pace and the ball flies a little less, so it suits a player who has started to hit through the ball. The Drive is lighter and easier, and that is what a beginner wants.
Boost Drive or the real Pure Drive
The Boost Drive is shaped like the Pure Drive and shares its 16x19 string pattern, which is why people ask. The two are built for different players.
| Boost Drive | Pure Drive Gen 11 | |
|---|---|---|
| Head size | 105 square inches | 100 square inches |
| Unstrung weight | 260 g | 300 g |
| Swing weight | about 285 | about 320 |
| Stiffness | about 70 RA | about 72 RA |
| Our control rating | 6.5 | 7.5 |
| Our spin rating | 8 | 9 |
| Sold | Strung | Unstrung |
| Our price | $195.95 | $395.95 |
The Pure Drive is 40 grams heavier and much more stable, and it asks for a proper swing in return. If you are a beginner, buy the Boost Drive now and keep the Pure Drive in mind for your second racquet. Our Pure Drive series guide covers the whole range.
Strings and restringing
The Boost Drive comes strung from the factory, so you do not need to decide anything on day one. When the strings go dead, usually after a season of weekly play, bring it in. 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: Standard, $19.95 with the racquet. A soft synthetic gut or multifilament such as Wilson Sensation or Babolat Synthetic Gut at 50 pounds. Comfortable, lively and the right match for this frame.
A little more control: Premium, $39.95 with the racquet. A soft polyester such as Babolat RPM Team or Tecnifibre Multifeel at 50 to 52 pounds, for a player whose swing has sped up.
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 so you can hit with a frame before you commit. See the demo racquets we have available, or come in and ask.
Questions players ask
Our verdict
The Boost Drive is the best first racquet we sell for an adult. It is light, forgiving, powerful and ready to play, and it costs $195.95. Buy it, play a season, and if you find the ball flying long because your swing has grown, come back for a Boost Strike or a Pure Drive. That is a good problem to have.
Price $195.95, strung and ready to play. Grip sizes, colours and availability are on the product page.
Buy the Babolat Boost DriveBrowse the whole Babolat Boost range, or the standard blue Boost Drive.
Sources: specifications are the manufacturer's published figures as listed on our product pages. Playability ratings, prices and stringing prices are Sturdy Racquets' own, correct on 13 October 2026. Availability changes daily and is shown on the product page. Customer ratings are collected on our site.
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