Kuikma PR 990 Power Review 2026 | Decathlon Diamond Power

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If you want a Kuikma that hits through the ball rather than just getting it back, the PR 990 Power line is the one the brand has long pointed at advanced attackers. Decathlon UK no longer lists a product under the exact “PR 990 Power 2025” name; the live diamond, head-heavy successor on Decathlon UK is the Kuikma PR Power Carbon (around £129.99), with the same brief: 12K carbon face, Black EVA core, rough surface and a weight around 372 g. This page covers that power lineage from published specs, retailer data and owner feedback so you can decide whether a diamond power frame is right before you spend.

It is not a beginner bat and it is not a soft control round. Drawing on the published specification and how comparable Kuikma diamond frames are positioned, here is an honest look at who it suits, where the power comes from on paper, and what to check on Decathlon before you buy.

At a glance: Kuikma power diamond specifications

Live Decathlon UK model	Kuikma PR Power Carbon (product ref. around 8734642 / R-p-338037)
Price	Around £129.99 at Decathlon UK (check current price)
Weight	372 g, plus or minus about 5 g (listed range roughly 361 to 375 g)
Shape	Diamond
Balance	Head heavy
Frame profile	38 mm
Face material	12K carbon with high-modulus carbon reinforcements; rough surface
Core	Black EVA, medium density
Frame	Twin Tube Carbon with Air Foam / EVA in the double tube
Comfort tech	Shock Block System in the handle
Player level (brand)	Advanced / attacking
Warranty	2 years (Decathlon standard)

Older PR 990 Power generations shared the diamond, head-heavy, carbon-plus-Black-EVA idea at a lower list price. Treat current Decathlon stock and the live Power Carbon page as the buy link; do not assume a discontinued “990” SKU is still on the shelf.

Who this racket is for

This brief is for the player who already centres the ball reliably, finishes at the net, and wants the head mass and stiff face that amplify a full swing. Decathlon labels the Power Carbon for advanced players, and that label is more honest here than it is on some softer Kuikma hybrids.

It suits you if your game is built around put-aways, bandejas into space and flat drives that need to carry depth. It also makes sense as a second racket if your primary frame is a softer all-rounder and you want something firmer for faster matches.

It is the wrong racket if you are still finding the middle of the face, if your arm complains after stiff carbon sessions, or if you mainly want a large, central sweet spot for social doubles. Those players are better served by a round or hybrid soft frame such as the Kuikma PR Comfort Soft or the PR Hybrid Carbon Coki Nieto. Our guide to choosing a padel racket explains how shape and balance change the ask on your technique.

Performance from specs and owner feedback

Diamond shape and head-heavy balance

A diamond head shifts the sweet spot higher and stacks more mass toward the tip. On paper that is exactly what you want for overhead smash speed and for punching through a high ball at the net. The trade-off is predictable: off-centre hits toward the throat or sides are less forgiving than on a round control racket, so your footwork and contact point matter more.

12K carbon face and Twin Tube frame

Decathlon’s copy leans on a 12K carbon striking surface, high-modulus reinforcements and a Twin Tube Carbon frame with foam in the double tube. That stack is designed for stiffness, reduced torsion and a direct exit speed when you accelerate through the ball. It is not a trampoline soft EVA feel; expect a firmer response that rewards clean technique rather than arming every ball.

Black EVA medium core and Shock Block

The medium Black EVA is Decathlon’s stated compromise between hold at moderate pace and acceleration on a hard strike. The Shock Block elastomer in the handle is there to cut vibration on a stiff power frame. That does not turn it into an arm-friendly soft racket, but it is a useful comfort feature on a diamond carbon build. Players with existing elbow or shoulder issues should still be cautious and consider a softer core first.

Rough surface and spin

A rough face is listed to help grip the ball for cut and topspin. Power still leads the brief; spin is a support feature rather than the main selling point. Technique and a fresh overgrip will do as much for spin as the texture alone.

Weight around 372 g

At roughly 372 g with a head-heavy balance, this is a stable, solid-feeling frame rather than a whippy defensive bat. Quick reaction blocks at the net ask more of your hands than a 350 g head-light comfort racket. If manoeuvrability is your top priority, look elsewhere in the Kuikma range.

Pros and cons

Pros

• Clear attacking brief: diamond shape and head-heavy balance aimed at smash and finish pace.
• 12K carbon face plus Twin Tube carbon frame for a stiff, direct response on paper.
• Rough surface and medium Black EVA support a modern power-plus-spin attacking style.
• Shock Block handle damping is a sensible comfort add-on on a firm power racket.
• Decathlon UK stock, two-year warranty and straightforward returns when the Power Carbon is listed.
• Strong value versus many branded diamond frames at similar construction levels.

Cons

• Demanding sweet spot for anyone still centreing inconsistently.
• Head-heavy ~372 g feel is slower for frantic defence than a light round racket.
• Firmer carbon-plus-medium-EVA ride is less arm-friendly than soft fibreglass Kuikmas.
• Exact “PR 990 Power 2025” naming is not the live Decathlon UK SKU; always confirm the Power Carbon (or current power diamond) listing.
• Amazon UK often has no clean exact-model ASIN for this Kuikma, so Decathlon is the primary buy path.

How it compares

Versus the Kuikma PR Hybrid Carbon Coki Nieto (around £109.99). The Hybrid is the more versatile club upgrade: even balance, hybrid head, more forgiveness. Choose the Power Carbon when you want more tip mass and a clearer attacking bias.

Versus the Kuikma PR Comfort Soft (around £40). Completely different job. Soft round fibreglass for learning and arm comfort versus stiff diamond carbon for finishing. Do not buy a power diamond as a first racket.

Versus other diamond power frames. Branded attackers from Adidas, Bullpadel or Babolat often cost more for a similar shape brief. Kuikma’s pitch is Decathlon pricing and warranty with genuine 12K carbon construction. Compare live prices rather than assuming the cheapest diamond wins.

For a wider UK shortlist, see our best padel rackets buyer’s guide and the best intermediate rackets roundup. Pair any new pala with sensible footwear from our best padel shoes UK guide and a tube from the best padel balls for UK courts feature.

Verdict

The Kuikma PR 990 Power idea, now sold on Decathlon UK as the PR Power Carbon, is a research-based pick for advanced attackers who want diamond shape, head-heavy balance and a stiff 12K carbon face without stepping into three-figure branded RRP territory beyond Decathlon’s own list. Around £129.99 with a two-year warranty is a serious amount of attacking construction if your technique can use it.

Buy it for the right reasons. If you need forgiveness, a large central sweet spot or a soft core for a sore arm, look at Comfort Soft or Hybrid Carbon instead. If you already smash with intent and want the live Decathlon power diamond, check current stock and price on the Power Carbon page before you commit.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Kuikma PR 990 Power the same as the PR Power Carbon?

They sit in the same Decathlon attacking diamond lineage (head-heavy, carbon face, Black EVA). On Decathlon UK today the live buyable SKU is the PR Power Carbon. Older “PR 990 Power” generations may still appear in reviews and second-hand listings. Always match the product page you are buying from.

Is it good for beginners?

No. The diamond shape, head-heavy balance and firmer carbon construction ask for consistent centreing. Beginners and early improvers should start round or hybrid soft.

How heavy is it?

Decathlon lists about 372 g with a tolerance roughly spanning the mid-360s to mid-370s. Combined with head-heavy balance it will feel more tip-loaded than a 350 g head-light comfort racket.

Does it help with tennis elbow?

It is not an arm-friendly soft racket. Shock Block helps with vibration on a stiff frame, but players with elbow or shoulder issues are usually better on soft EVA fibreglass. That is not medical advice; see a clinician if you are in pain.

Where should I buy it in the UK?

Decathlon is the primary retailer for Kuikma. Use the Decathlon product link above for live stock. Amazon UK search is included for comparison, but we do not invent ASINs when a clean exact-model listing is not confirmed.

Prices and availability correct as of 25 September 2026 and may change. Always confirm the current price and stock on Decathlon before purchasing. Playing outdoors in British weather? Our guide to the best padel balls for UK courts and the best padel shoes for UK players will finish the kit off.