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Babolat Counter Origin vs Head Vibe
The Babolat Counter Origin and Head Vibe both use a soft core in the entry price band, but they're built for different players: the Counter Origin is a round, low-balance racket for absolute beginners, the Vibe a teardrop hybrid Head positions for intermediate players in its own 'Recreational' line.
Shape and balance do the real work here. The Counter Origin's round face and low balance keep the sweet spot as forgiving as possible for someone still building basic technique. The Vibe's teardrop face and medium balance push the sweet spot slightly forward, giving it a touch more attacking bite than a pure round racket — without demanding advanced-level swing technique to use it.
Weight is close (355 g vs 350 g), so it isn't the deciding factor — level and shape are. Head's own copy states the Vibe suits 'intermediate and advanced players', not first-time buyers, despite sitting at the same accessible price as a true beginner racket.
| Babolat Counter Origin 2025 | Head Vibe | |
|---|---|---|
| shape | round | teardrop |
| weight | 355 g | 350 g |
| balance | low | medium |
| feel | soft | soft |
| € | budget | budget |
Babolat Counter Origin 2025
- shape
- round
- weight
- 355 g
- balance
- low
- feel
- soft
budgetarm-friendly
Head Vibe
- shape
- teardrop
- weight
- 350 g
- balance
- medium
- feel
- soft
budgetarm-friendly
Never held a racket before: Counter Origin. Already hitting with some consistency and want a taste of teardrop shape without an advanced price tag: Vibe.
Price links coming soon — we're finishing our comparison data.
FAQ
Should a total beginner buy the Vibe instead, since it's just as affordable?
Not ideally — the Vibe's medium balance and teardrop shape reward a swing that already has some consistency behind it. A true beginner will get on faster with the more forgiving, low-balance Counter Origin.
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