The HEAD One Collection: Why Padel's Most Iconic Single-Hole Rackets Are Worth the Hype

Racket Guides

Everything you need to know about HEAD's One-hole design - how it actually works, which of the three One rackets in stock at Love Padel suits your game, and why the sweet spot got bigger, not smaller.

Walk onto any padel court in Ireland this summer and you'll spot them within a rally or two: rackets with a single, unmistakable hole punched through an otherwise solid carbon face. That's HEAD's One collection - and it's become one of the most recognisable racket silhouettes in the sport, not because of clever marketing, but because the design genuinely changes how the racket plays.

We stock three of them at Love Padel right now, all significantly reduced: the flagship HEAD Speed One X, the diamond-shaped HEAD Extreme One (2023), and the more accessible HEAD Speed One. Before we get into which one suits your game, it's worth understanding why HEAD ripped out almost every hole in the first place - because the reasoning tells you exactly what you're paying for.

What Actually Happens When a Racket Has Fewer Holes?

Every padel racket face is perforated for a reason. Historically, more holes meant a lighter frame, better shock absorption, and a slightly more forgiving feel - useful for club players still developing technique. But those holes come at a cost: every gap removes carbon from the hitting surface, and less material means less rigidity and less energy transferred back into the ball.

HEAD's One design flips that trade-off almost entirely. By reducing the face to a single hole, the racket keeps far more of its carbon intact, which changes the racket in four practical ways:

The honest trade-off is flex: a stiffer, less-perforated frame absorbs slightly less vibration than a heavily-drilled one, so mishits can feel a touch harsher in the hand. HEAD compensates with its Soft Butt Cap and Damp Plus technologies, both built into every racket in the One range, which dampen vibration at the handle rather than the face. In practice, most players notice the extra power and forgiveness long before they notice the trade-off.

Meet the Three HEAD One Rackets at Love Padel

HEAD Speed One X - The Flagship

Teardrop · Advanced Players

The top of the One range, and the one most club players will recognise from the pro game. Its teardrop shape shifts weight toward the head for extra pop, while the 2D carbon hitting surface, Auxetic 2.0 touch technology and Extreme Spin surface work together to deliver explosive power without sacrificing the ability to place the ball. This is a racket built for players who want to attack from the back of the court and finish points at the net - not a first racket for someone still learning the game.

HEAD Extreme One (2023) - The Diamond

Diamond · Low Stock

Where the Speed One X leans into raw pace, the Extreme One channels that same power through a diamond mould, which concentrates weight even further toward the tip. Combined with the see-through 12K carbon face, this makes it the most power-dense racket in the collection - at just 345g, it's also the lightest, which helps with quick reactions at the net. It's a low-stock item, so if the diamond shape is what you're after, this is the one to move on quickly.

HEAD Speed One - The Accessible Entry Point

Best Value · In Stock

The lightest and strongest racket in the wider Speed line, and the most affordable way into the One family. It shares the same single-hole silhouette and dual-layer transparent carbon face as its more expensive siblings, so you're getting the core of the One design - the power, the sweet spot, the spin - without the flagship price tag. If you've been curious about the One design but weren't ready to commit at the top of the range, this is the sensible starting point.

Which One Should You Choose?

All three share the same one-hole DNA, so the decision mostly comes down to shape, weight and how much you want to spend:

• Want maximum power and don't mind paying for it? The Speed One X is HEAD's flagship for a reason - teardrop shape, biggest head size in the range, built for advanced players who attack.
• Want the most power-dense feel in the lightest package? The Extreme One (2023)'s diamond mould and 345g weight make it the sharpest tool here - but stock is limited.
• Want to try the One design without the flagship price? The Speed One gives you the same single-hole face and carbon construction at the lowest entry point in the collection, and currently carries the deepest discount of the three.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a single-hole racket actually legal to play with?

Yes. The International Padel Federation's regulations only cap the maximum hole size at 13mm - there's no minimum number of holes required, so HEAD's One design is fully approved for sanctioned play.

Will fewer holes make the racket harsher on my arm?

A stiffer face does absorb slightly less shock than a heavily-perforated one, which is why HEAD builds every One racket with its Soft Butt Cap and Damp Plus technologies at the handle to offset that. Players with existing arm or elbow sensitivity should still be mindful of racket weight and stiffness generally, regardless of brand.

Are these rackets suitable for beginners?

The One range is built for intermediate-to-advanced players who want more power and are comfortable generating their own pace. Newer players may find a more heavily-perforated, control-oriented racket easier to learn with first.

Prices were correct at the time of publishing but may change.