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The Babolat Counter Viper is the top racket in Babolat’s Counter family: a round-headed, 3K carbon frame for “counter strikers”, the patient players who absorb pace, place the ball and pick their moment to attack. The current edition is the Counter Viper 2.6 (Babolat’s 2026 range), which keeps the round shape but adds a head-heavy 270 mm balance and an X-EVA core for more punch than a typical control racket. This page replaces our older Counter Viper 2024 write-up and covers the published specs, how the Viper compares with the Counter Veron and Counter Vertuo, and which Amazon UK listings were live on 15 October 2026.
Affiliate links. Stock checked 15 October 2026 (Europe/London). The Counter Viper 2.6 listing (ASIN B0GD3DPFPZ, black/yellow) showed a Buy Box at about £181.08 sold by Amazon EU, with scarce stock (only a handful left). Older 2024 and 2025 Counter Vipers did not show a live Amazon UK listing on the day, so use the search link if you want a previous generation and check the year on the listing photos.
At a glance
- Edition covered: Babolat Counter Viper 2.6 (2026), with notes on the 2024 and 2025 editions
- Player type (Babolat): Counter striker, high competition level
- Shape: Round
- Weight: 365 g (±10 g)
- Balance: 270 mm (±10 mm), listed as head heavy
- Thickness: 38 mm
- Face / frame / core: 3K carbon face, carbon frame, X-EVA core
- Other tech: 3D Spin+ rough face, Holes Pattern System, Vibrabsorb System² (SMAC), Smart Buttcap strap system
- UK price note: about £181 on Amazon UK, scarce stock, 15 October 2026
What the Counter Viper is designed to do
Babolat splits its adult range into three playing styles: Technical (diamond power), Air (light, fast teardrop) and Counter (round, precision first). Within each family, Viper is the top competition tier. On the manufacturer and retailer sheets, the Counter Viper 2.6 brief is:
- Precision first. The round head and what Babolat calls an isometric construction are marketed for a wider sweet spot, so placement and consistency come before raw pace.
- More power than a typical round racket. The 3K carbon face, X-EVA core and 270 mm head-heavy balance give it more weight in the head than most control frames. That helps on counter-attacks and flat smashes, but it is not as easy to manoeuvre as a balanced beginner round.
- Spin on a control shape. 3D Spin+ adds raised patterns and a rough finish so slices, chiquitas and topspin lobs can grip the ball.
- Comfort features. Vibrabsorb System² uses SMAC elastomers to damp vibration, and the Smart Buttcap lets you resize or remove the wrist strap.
It is still a high-competition racket. If you want a forgiving first carbon frame, start with our best intermediate padel rackets UK guide or how to choose a padel racket. Newer players should look at our best beginner padel rackets roundup.
Technology explained
3K carbon face and carbon frame
3K carbon is a stiffer weave than the soft fibreglass found on entry-level rackets. On a round shape it gives a direct, responsive feel: the ball comes off quickly when you strike cleanly, while the round head keeps the sweet spot central for blocks and resets.
X-EVA core
Babolat lists an X-EVA rubber core for the 2.6. It is marketed for responsiveness rather than a soft trampoline feel, which fits the “control with a punch” brief.
Head-heavy balance on a round shape
This is the unusual part. Most round rackets keep the balance low for easy handling. The Counter Viper’s 270 mm listed balance puts more mass in the head, which adds stability and power on overheads but asks a little more of your wrist and shoulder in fast net exchanges.
Vibrabsorb System², Holes Pattern System and Smart Buttcap
Vibrabsorb System² is Babolat’s vibration-damping layer. The Holes Pattern System adjusts the size and spread of the holes for each head shape. The Smart Buttcap lets you change strap size or take the strap off entirely.
What owners and reviewers report
Themes that come up repeatedly in English-language reviews and retailer feedback (not first-hand Padel Mad testing) include:
- Control and consistency from the back of the court, with a round sweet spot that forgives slightly off-centre blocks.
- More attacking potential than expected for a round frame, thanks to the head-heavy balance and carbon face.
- A firmer feel than soft fibreglass rackets, so improving players who want comfort above all may prefer the Counter Vertuo.
- Not the quickest racket at the net compared with lighter, evenly balanced Air models.
Counter Viper vs Counter Veron vs Counter Vertuo
All three Counter rackets share the round, precision-first brief. The difference is the level they are pitched at and how much carbon and stiffness you get:
- Counter Viper 2.6: top tier for high-competition counter strikers. 3K carbon face, X-EVA core, 365 g, 270 mm head-heavy balance. About £181.08 on 15 October 2026, scarce stock (ASIN B0GD3DPFPZ).
- Counter Veron 2.6: the step below the Viper in Babolat’s tiering, for advanced club players who want the Counter feel at a slightly lower level of stiffness and price. About £177.75 on 15 October 2026, scarce stock (ASIN B0GHX95DWF).
- Counter Vertuo 2.6: the most accessible Counter racket, aimed at players who want comfort and easy control. In stock at about £137.34 on 15 October 2026 (ASIN B0GHWSN58R).
Check the model name printed on the frame and the year (2.5 or 2.6) in the listing title before you order. Counter, Air and Technical Vipers are different shapes with different briefs.
Lower-cost option: Counter Vertuo 2.5
If the Viper price is too steep, the previous-generation Counter Vertuo 2.5 (ASIN B0DXCRMBZ6) was in stock on 15 October 2026 at about £104.95 from a third-party seller (OFERTASDEPADEL). The listing specifies a round shape, fibreglass face, carbon frame, EVA core, about 350 g and a 265 mm even balance. It is softer and more forgiving than the Counter Viper, so it suits improving club players more than competition counter strikers. The Amazon listing title just says “Babolat”, so confirm the model in the photos and description before you buy, and check the seller’s delivery and returns terms.
Counter Viper vs Air Viper vs Technical Viper
The three Vipers are Babolat’s competition rackets, but they suit very different players:
- Counter Viper (round): precision, defence and counter-attack. The easiest of the three to control.
- Air Viper (teardrop): lighter and faster for net players who take the initiative early. The Air Viper 2.6 was out of stock on Amazon UK on 15 October 2026; the previous Air Viper 2.5 (ASIN B0DTT4RYLR) showed about £220.99 with scarce stock.
- Technical Viper (diamond): maximum power for attackers who finish points overhead. See our Babolat Technical Viper 3.0 review and the Viper Juan Lebrón 3.0 review.
Who the Counter Viper suits
- Good fit: advanced and competition players who build points patiently, defend well from the back glass and want a round racket that still has some bite on the counter-attack.
- Think twice: beginners, players who want the lightest and quickest frame at the net, and anyone with arm trouble who needs a soft fibreglass face. Look at the Counter Vertuo, the options in our best padel rackets 2026 guide, or our best padel rackets for women list for lighter picks.
Alternatives worth comparing
- Adidas Metalbone CTRL: another round, control-first racket from a big brand.
- Wilson Bela Pro V2: if you want to move towards an attacking diamond.
- Best intermediate padel rackets UK: if the Counter Viper looks too demanding.
Looking after a premium racket
A carbon racket at this price is worth protecting. A frame protector reduces chips from the glass and floor (see are padel racket protectors worth it?), fresh overgrips keep the handle secure (best overgrips guide), and fresh balls help any racket play as designed (best padel balls UK). If you already buy Babolat, the Babolat Jet Viva is the brand’s padel shoe option.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Babolat Counter Viper a round or diamond racket?
Round. Babolat’s Counter family is the round, precision-first line; the Technical Viper is the diamond and the Air Viper is the teardrop.
How heavy is the Counter Viper 2.6?
Babolat lists 365 g (±10 g), a 270 mm head-heavy balance and a 38 mm thickness.
Is the Counter Viper good for beginners?
Not really. It is pitched at high-competition counter strikers. Beginners and improving players will usually get on better with the Counter Vertuo or a lighter, softer round racket.
What is the difference between the Counter Viper and Counter Veron?
Both are round Counter rackets. The Viper is the top competition tier with a 3K carbon face; the Veron sits one step below for advanced club players and costs a little less.
How much does the Counter Viper cost in the UK?
On 15 October 2026, Amazon UK showed the Counter Viper 2.6 (B0GD3DPFPZ) at about £181.08 with scarce stock. The Counter Veron 2.6 was about £177.75 (scarce) and the Counter Vertuo 2.6 about £137.34 (in stock). Prices change quickly, so confirm the live offer.
Can I still buy the Counter Viper 2024?
We did not find a live Amazon UK listing for the 2024 or 2025 editions on 15 October 2026. Use the search link above and check the year on the frame before ordering an older model.
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