adidas Metalbone Carbon CTRL 2026 Review: Specs, UK Price and Who It Suits

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The adidas Metalbone Carbon CTRL 2026 is the round, control-first racket in the more affordable half of adidas’s 2026 Metalbone range. It keeps the Metalbone frame technology (Octagonal Structure, Low Poly design and the longer Power Extra Grip) but uses a Carbon 6K face over an EVA Soft Performance core, which brings the UK price well below the 16K-faced Metalbone CTRL 2026. This guide sets out the listed specs, what independent reviewers report, how it differs from the Metalbone CTRL, and where UK players can buy it.

Affiliate links. Stock checked 8 October 2026. The Metalbone Carbon CTRL 2026 listing on Amazon UK had no featured offer, so the first button opens an Amazon UK search rather than a single listing. Results also show the 16K Metalbone CTRL and older Carbon CTRL 3.4 models, so look for “Carbon CTRL” and “2026” in the title. On 14 October 2026 the Metalbone CTRL 2026 listing (the step-up model compared below) was unavailable, so its button now opens an Amazon UK search too. adidas UK listed the Metalbone Carbon CTRL 2026 (KL2621) in stock at £220, price correct as of 21 October 2026.

At a glance

Specs from adidas product copy as listed by Amazon UK, Tennis Warehouse Europe, Ray’s Tennis and Pādel Nuestro. The Amazon UK listing’s “345 grams” item weight does not match adidas’s 360 to 375g range, so we use the adidas figure.

What the Metalbone Carbon CTRL 2026 is designed to do

adidas describes the Carbon CTRL as bringing control to the Metalbone line, aimed at competitive players who want precision in defence and when building points. On the spec sheet that comes down to three things:

• A round head with a central sweet spot. Round rackets keep more mass towards the handle, which helps on blocks, lobs and low volleys. It is the opposite brief to the diamond-shaped Metalbone Carbon and Metalbone HRD+ 2026.
• A stiff face over a soft core. The Carbon 6K face gives rigidity, while the low-density EVA Soft Performance rubber softens impact and gives a smooth ball output.
• Metalbone frame technology at a lower price. It shares the Octagonal Structure, Low Poly and Power Extra Grip ideas with the top Metalbone models, but with a 6K rather than 16K face.

Technology explained

Carbon 6K face and EVA Soft Performance core

The face is a 6K carbon weave. On the 2026 Metalbone range, 6K is the step below the Carbon Aluminised 16K used on the Metalbone CTRL and the standard Metalbone, and it is the main reason the Carbon models cost less. The EVA Soft Performance core is the same soft compound listed for the Metalbone CTRL. Retailers describe the combination as comfortable with a controlled, rather than explosive, ball exit.

Octagonal Structure and Low Poly

The Octagonal Structure is an eight-sided tubular carbon frame that adidas says reduces twisting on impact, so off-centre shots stay more consistent. Low Poly is a faceted, polyhedral design in the frame and core aimed at stiffness, which adidas says gives a more responsive power transfer without losing stability.

Power Extra Grip and adjustable cord

The Power Extra Grip is a longer handle that adds swing inertia for more pace on attacking shots. New for 2026 is an adjustable wrist cord, which adidas says gives a more stable and secure hold.

Spin Blade Decal

The Spin Blade Decal adds raised texture to the face for extra grip on the ball when you brush up on a lob or slice a bandeja or vibora. Retailers list the surface as rough.

What owners and reviewers report

Amazon UK shows the Carbon CTRL 2026 at 4.6 out of 5 from 24 global ratings on 8 October 2026. Independent spec-led review sites such as PadelTestLab and PadelVerdict reach broadly similar conclusions:

• Wide, forgiving sweet spot. The round head and the Octagonal Structure are credited with keeping off-centre defensive shots on line.
• Soft, controlled feel. The soft core is described as good for blocks, drop shots and cut bandejas, where you want the ball to come off slowly.
• Power is the trade-off. Reviewers note that ball exit is solid rather than explosive and that flat smashes lack the pace of a diamond, harder-core racket.
• Weight builds up. At 360 to 375g it sits at the heavier end, and reviewers warn that players coming from lighter rackets may feel it late in long matches, even though the medium balance makes it feel quicker than the number suggests.

Metalbone Carbon CTRL 2026 vs Metalbone CTRL 2026

These two names cause the most confusion, and Amazon search results often show them side by side. They share a round shape, medium balance, 38mm profile, EVA Soft Performance core and the 2026 adjustable cord. The differences are:

• Face: the Carbon CTRL uses Carbon 6K; the Metalbone CTRL uses Carbon Aluminised 16K.
• Weight: the Carbon CTRL is listed at 360 to 375g; adidas lists the Metalbone CTRL at 345 to 360g plus its Weight & Balance System, which adds up to 11.2g.
• Price: on 8 October 2026 UK specialists had the Carbon CTRL 2026 from about £169 to £180, while the Metalbone CTRL 2026 was £250.95 on Amazon UK.
• Look: check the printed name. The Carbon CTRL says “METALBONE CARBON CTRL” on the throat; the Metalbone CTRL says “METALBONE CTRL”.

Our take from the data: if you want a round adidas control racket and the price matters, the Carbon CTRL gives you most of the Metalbone recipe for considerably less. If you want the stiffer 16K face and adjustable weights, or you would rather buy from an in-stock Amazon listing today, the Metalbone CTRL 2026 is the alternative. Our adidas Metalbone CTRL 3.4 2025 review covers that line in detail, including what changed for 2026.

Metalbone CTRL 2026: £250.95 on Amazon UK, in stock, 8 October 2026. The Carbon CTRL 2026 search shows live marketplace offers; check the seller and delivery before you order.

Do not confuse it with the 2025 Carbon CTRL 3.4

adidas also sold a Metalbone Carbon CTRL 3.4 in 2025, in a black and gold colourway with a white throat. It still turns up in Amazon results and on clearance. If you want the 2026 model, look for the black face, white frame and orange accents shown in the photos above, and “2026” in the listing title.

Who the Metalbone Carbon CTRL 2026 suits

• Good fit: strong intermediate and advanced players who play from the back, defend a lot and win points through placement and spin. It also suits players moving from a diamond to a round racket who want Metalbone frame technology without paying for a 16K face.
• Think twice: beginners, who will get more value from our best intermediate padel rackets UK guide; players who want a light racket, given the 360 to 375g range; and power players, who should look at the diamond-shaped Metalbone HRD+ 2026.

Alternatives worth comparing

• adidas Metalbone CTRL 3.4 2025 and CTRL 2026: the 16K-faced round Metalbone with adjustable weights.
• NOX ML10 Pro Cup: a long-running round control racket that usually costs less.
• HEAD Radical Pro 2026: a HEAD alternative to compare at a similar level.
• adidas RX Series 2026: a far cheaper adidas option for developing players.

For the wider market, see our best padel rackets 2026 guide, or start with how to choose a padel racket.

Looking after a carbon racket

A frame protector reduces chips from wall and floor contact (see our racket protector guide). A fresh overgrip such as the Wilson Padel Pro Overgrip keeps the extended handle secure, and good balls help any racket play as designed (see best padel balls UK).

Frequently asked questions

Is the adidas Metalbone Carbon CTRL 2026 a round or diamond racket?
Round, with a medium balance and a central sweet spot. The diamond-shaped model in the same price band is the Metalbone Carbon.

How heavy is the Metalbone Carbon CTRL 2026?
adidas lists 360 to 375g, with a 38mm profile and 455mm length.

What is the difference between the Metalbone Carbon CTRL and the Metalbone CTRL?
The Carbon CTRL has a Carbon 6K face and is listed at 360 to 375g. The Metalbone CTRL has a Carbon Aluminised 16K face, is listed at 345 to 360g and adds the adjustable Weight & Balance System. Both are round with an EVA Soft Performance core, and the Carbon CTRL costs considerably less.

Is the Metalbone Carbon CTRL 2026 good for beginners?
It is marketed at intermediate to advanced players. The round shape is forgiving, but the weight and price mean most beginners will get better value from a lighter, cheaper racket.

How much does the Metalbone Carbon CTRL 2026 cost in the UK?
On 8 October 2026, UK specialist padel shops listed it from about £169 to £180, against a listed RRP of £225. The Amazon UK listing had no featured offer, so check marketplace sellers and delivery details before buying.

What should I check in an Amazon listing?
Look for “Metalbone Carbon CTRL” and “2026” in the title and “METALBONE CARBON CTRL” printed on the throat in the photos. That rules out the 16K Metalbone CTRL and the 2025 Carbon CTRL 3.4.

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