Racket comparison
Black Crown Gladius 2026 vs Black Crown Special Max 2026
The Black Crown Special Max 2026 scores higher for power, rebound and sweet spot.
- Season
- 2026
- 2026
- Shape
- Tear
- Tear
- Weight
- 355 - 370 gr
- 355 - 370 gr
- Touch
- Medium-Hard
- Medium
- Core
- Medium Black EVA
- Medium Black EVA
- Faces
- 18K Carbon
- 18K Aluminum
- Frame
- Carbon fiber
- Carbon fiber
- Catalogue rating
- 8.0/10
- 8.5/10
- Power
- 8.1/10
- 9.0/10
- Control
- 8.4/10
- 8.6/10
- Manoeuvrability
- 7.8/10
- 7.9/10
- Rebound
- 7.6/10
- 8.6/10
- Sweet spot
- 8.1/10
- 8.6/10
- Strengths
- Controlled back-court transitions
- Stable flat volleys at net
- Reliable *bandeja* and *víbora*
- Heavy smash power
- Firm, punchy net volleys
- Generous sweet spot
- Tradeoffs
- No free power on defense
- Punishes late off-center contact
- Demanding on sensitive arms
- Defensive blocks need preparation
- Not especially quick handling
- Firmer touch on delicate shots
Scores are editorial catalogue ratings out of 10 from the source reviews, not customer reviews. Prices and stock haven’t been checked.
Which suits whom
- Choose the Black Crown Special Max 2026 if you value power, rebound and sweet spot: its catalogue scores are higher (power 9.0 vs 8.1, rebound 8.6 vs 7.6, sweet spot 8.6 vs 8.1).
- The Black Crown Special Max 2026 has the softer touch (Medium vs Medium-Hard), which is usually more comfortable and gives easier depth; the firmer Black Crown Gladius 2026 rewards faster swings with more control at pace.