Babolat Pure Aero Plus 2026 Review

On groundstrokes, the Pure Aero Plus 2026 proved to be a capable weapon for producing heavy topspin and pace, and it featured a surprising amount of maneuverability for its length. For Chris, the hitting experience was defined by the racquet's speed through the air and the court. He explained, "I was impressed by the maneuverability of the Pure Aero Plus 2026. This update felt much faster through contact, and I was able to use the added length much better compared to the previous version. Even though the specs were similar, this update felt like it cut through the air better, and I was able to get more arc and spin on my shots as a result. I was hitting my forehand especially well with this racquet, and I was getting some pace and shape on it that I've not seen in a few years. I also liked the response of this racquet in the upper hoop. The previous version added some plushness to contact made higher in the stringbed, and this version seemed to add some additional responsiveness. I enjoyed hitting both topspin and slice on my backhand wing. I was getting solid pace on topspin and slice backhands, and good consistency with my slice."

Troy found that classic Pure Aero feel but with improved handling and maneuverability, which let him easily go after extra pace and spin. He said, "Coming into this test, I was wondering if the new frame geometry in the yoke of the racquet would make a big difference and if the 2026 update would stray away from the feel of previous Pure Aeros too much. As soon as I started hitting with it, I felt like I was hitting with a Pure Aero. I noticed that this racquet felt pretty fast and maneuverable for an extended-length frame. I still found that typical Aero response when hitting my groundstrokes: it's fast, sort of medium firm and packs a good punch but feels a bit less lively than the Pure Drive Plus. Like the previous version, I liked that this update kept the denser 16x19 pattern from the previous version, which helped with the control and feel, especially when hitting slice and drop shots. This racquet is known for its fast and maneuverable nature giving you that extra whip on your shots and increased topspin, but I would just like some added weight, mostly in the yoke or the handle. When I was playing aggressively and my timing was a little off, I felt like I needed some added mass to help control my swing and give me smooth plow through on my groundstrokes."

As something of an extended-length aficionado, Mark jelled with the Pure Aero Plus 2026 almost instantly. He noted, "Babolat's update to the Pure Aero Plus definitely complemented and, according to my Zenniz data, improved my groundstroke depth, spin, speed and net clearance. Although it is not uncommon for my groundstrokes to land a bit short when changing the direction of the ball, I did not have that issue (to the same degree) with the Pure Aero Plus 2026. Additionally, the density of the 16x19 pattern was open enough to deliver the topspin I need without many erratic flights, yet tight enough to make my backhand slice one of my most reliable and favorite shots to hit with this racquet."

Despite feeling the additional heft throughout his swing, Oak felt like he was able to go after his shots on either wing. He described, "Anytime I'm hitting with an extended length frame with a 100-square-inch head, I notice that larger hoop slowing down just a bit through the swing path. As such, it's definitely a more demanding experience compared to the standard Pure Aero 2026, even with both being redesigned extensively to swing quicker. This Plus version is great for hammering low balls and is excellent for shaping shots with a little more spin back down into the court. I really enjoyed the automatic nature of this racquet on my two-handed backhand. It was very easy to simplify my motion and rely on a more compact swing to bunt the ball back with authority. The frame was also obedient when I needed to step in and drive through a ball. Good stability and excellent feel, making this is a racquet that performed very consistently for me. Both my forehands and backhands worked well with the Pure Aero Plus 2026, and I liked going for extra spin whenever possible. It’s really fun to play defense with a racquet like this Pure Aero Plus 2026 because the extra reach helps me get to more balls and the extra power helps me get back into a point when I’m on my back foot. Slices are also downright silky with this racquet."

Our entire team really enjoyed how the Pure Aero Plus 2026 played up at net. Oak loved volleying with this racquet, feeling comfortable getting it in position to set up with time to spare. He said, "Volleys were a dream with this Pure Aero Plus 2026. I didn't find the maneuverability as cumbersome as I did at the baseline, and the combination of spin and reach is excellent for stretch volleys or for shaping touch shots down in the forecourt. I didn't have any issues absorbing pace while at net either, which was one of my qualms with the previous version. Overheads are plenty powerful, and the extra reach made it harder for my opponents to lob me. I tended to opt for deep, cutting volleys with some sidespin, and I felt very connected to the ball whenever I was at net."

Mark felt quite connected to his volleys with the Pure Aero Plus 2026, and he even implemented some swinging volleys from time to time. He explained, "This update to the Pure Aero Plus turned out to be an upgrade at net. I felt more connected to the ball anywhere inside the service court compared to prior editions. I also felt like the dwell time increased compared to earlier models, which afforded more decision time and better disguise of my volleys. I would say that my forehand topspin volley was more consistent and more fun to hit with the Pure Aero Plus 2026 than with my own racquet."

While Troy had a good time going after more aggressive volleys, he didn't have as much success when it came to his touch-based net shots. He noted, "Fast and forgiving are the two terms that stood out when I was volleying with this Pure Aero Plus 2026. For doubles, it was easy to get the racquet behind the ball and block it back nice and deep. It also felt very fast when I needed to flick the racquet and make little adjustments with my wrist to get the ball back in play. With that said, I would have liked a bit more weight added to this racquet's handle or yoke to give it that extra plow through and to help absorb hard-hit incoming shots. I played my best when I was going for put-away volleys and sticking the volley with pace and depth. I didn’t feel all that connected to the ball when it came to hitting softer volleys, touch shots and drop shot. I was able to adjust and find my touch and placement, but I don't think that is really the Pure Aero Plus' strong suit."

The volleying experience for Chris proved effective no matter what he asked of the Pure Aero Plus 2026. He described, "I volleyed well with the Pure Aero Plus 2026. It was easy to get the ball away thanks to the pace I could generate even on such a compact stroke. The racquet felt comfortable, but it had enough feedback to let me feel connected to my shots. I liked that I could relax and let the Pure Aero Plus 2026 do most of the work. The racquet was solid enough to handle heavy incoming pace, yet fast enough for rapid-fire doubles exchanges."

As our playtesters expected, serving with the Pure Aero Plus was a rewarding experience, highlighted by the easy power and plentiful spin the frame provides. Troy's serving experience was emphasized by the easy power he had access to and the heavy spin he consistently generated. He explained, "This is where I felt like I could use this racquet to give me an edge. The extra half inch, combined with easy maneuverability, helped give me some added power on my serves. When I wanted to unload on a flat first serve, I found that I got some high speed numbers that broke into the 100-plus mph range, which is pretty good for me. I also noticed that even when my speed numbers were in my normal range, it felt like the power came easier. I found it easy to get the ball to curve and to get my opponent out of position when I hit a slice serve. Spin also came with ease on my kick serves, and I could get the ball to jump off the court with a lot of height and action. If I had a knock, my precision wasn't quite as good as it is with a smaller head size such as the Wilson Pro Staff Six.One 95 v14. However, I would still say this Pure Aero Plus 2026 is a pretty big weapon for power and spin on serves."

Chris found increased velocity and excellent spin access. He said, "The Pure Aero Plus 2026 is a weapon on serves. I consistently saw faster speeds displayed on our Zenniz smart court machine. With this racquet, I was averaging 3 to 4 more miles per hour on both first and second serves. Getting spin was easy, and I was able to go for the corners and use the spin to get the ball to drop inside the lines."

Despite easier power, Mark noticed a drop-off in his ability to hit angled serves with the Pure Aero Plus 2026, so he had to opt for safer targets. He said, "As with most extended-length frames I play with, the trade-off is that it is harder for me to hit angled serves out wide. That said, my serves aimed to the body and the T were effective enough to prevent my opponent from hitting many offensive returns."

Oak also found increased power and spin on his serves, noting a higher bounce than he's accustomed to. He said, "As mostly expected, serves with the Pure Aero Plus 2026 are authoritative and spin-heavy. I really liked shaping serves out wide on either side of the court with this racquet, and I was surprised to find my shots jumping up more after they bounced. Power, control and placement all felt reliable. Second serves were great to load up with spin and shape. This Pure Aero Plus 2026 had me leaning into my flatter first serves because they had good spin and action in addition to heavier pace."

Our team found a good blend of depth and maneuverability when returning with the Pure Aero Plus 2026. The racquet's inherent spin and reach helped Oak stay in points against bigger serves. He described, "Returns were pretty decent, and I generally like returning with anything extended. I found good spin and reliable enough targeting to go after my spots, and the extra reach helped if I was pulled super wide on either side. The Pure Aero Plus 2026 is a tad slower through the air and wasn't always the fastest racquet to get into position, but it didn't feel too detrimental on the whole. Thankfully, the racquet is super stable and solid throughout contact, so I felt comfortable both absorbing and redirecting pace. I enjoyed trying to be a little more aggressive than usual, focusing on depth to keep my opponents on their back foot."

The updated Pure Aero Plus 2026 helped Mark hit loop shots and slices with confidence. He said, "The Pure Aero Plus 2026 featured a nice blend of stability and maneuverability, leaning slightly toward stability, which complemented the directional control of my return of serve. That said, the new Pure Aero Plus 2026 was still agile enough to give me enough time to apply an effective level of either topspin or slice to my returns."

Troy appreciated the easy pace the Pure Aero Plus 2026 provided his returns, though he would have preferred just a bit more mass. He explained, "I liked this Pure Aero Plus 2026 for the easy power and depth on my returns. I felt like I could really attack serves and hit the ball deep at my opponents to push them back. As I mentioned previously, I would like to add some weight to this racquet, mostly in the handle, and I think that would enhance my ability to return even more because I could get a bit more plow through behind the ball. Overall, I liked this Pure Aero Plus 2026 on returns, I just think it would be better if it had more mass built in, maybe like 315 grams unstrung."

Chris leaned into the Pure Aero Plus 2026's handling to accelerate quickly through contact on his returns. He said, "I returned better with the Pure Aero Plus 2026 than I did with the previous model. When switching between the two, this new version made the old version feel slow. I liked how much easier it felt to accelerate the Pure Aero Plus 2026 through contact. I also felt like I had my usual return options without any adjustment needed, whereas with the previous model I tended to hit the ball a little later in my swing, and it required me to make some adjustments.”