Why Dunlop Squash Rackets?
Dunlop has been making squash rackets since the sport transitioned from wooden frames to graphite in the 1980s. They're the official racket of the PSA World Tour and the brand trusted by world number ones including Ali Farag, Tinne Gilis, and Victor Crouin. If you walk into any squash club in the world, at least a third of the rackets in bags will have the Dunlop logo.
For US players, Dunlop represents the safest bet in squash equipment — proven geometry, consistent quality control, and a model range that covers every playing style from power-hitting baseliners to touch-based drop-shot specialists. You're not gambling on an unknown brand's quality when you buy a Dunlop.
How to Choose a Squash Racket: Key Specs Explained
Weight (Frame Weight)
Squash racket weights are categorized as:
- Ultra-light (110-120g): Maximum maneuverability, faster swing speed, less power generation. Best for quick-reaction players at the front of the court.
- Light (120-130g): The sweet spot for most club players. Good balance of speed and stability.
- Medium (130-140g): More stability through impact, generates more power on drives. Preferred by baseline players who hit deep.
- Heavy (140g+): Maximum power and stability. Harder to maneuver quickly. Typically used by stronger players with developed swing mechanics.
Balance
- Head-heavy: More power on drives, more stability on volleys. Slightly slower to maneuver.
- Head-light: Faster swing, quicker at the front of the court, easier on the wrist. Less power on deep drives.
- Even balance: All-court versatility. The default choice for players who don't have a strong preference.
String Pattern
- Open pattern (14x18 or similar): More spin potential, more power, less string durability. Standard on most modern rackets.
- Dense pattern (16x19 or similar): More control, less power, strings last longer. Preferred by precision players.
Every Dunlop Squash Racket at TopCricketStore
| Model | Weight | Balance | Best For | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blackstorm TI | 135g | Even | All-court club play, beginners to intermediate | $129.99 |
| Force Rush | 140g | Head-heavy | Doubles, power baseline, hard hitters | $179.99 |
| FX 128 Pro (Ali Farag) | 128g | Even | All-court precision, advanced club players | $199.99 |
| FX 125 (Tinne Gilis) | 125g | Head-light | Quick front-court play, women and juniors | $224.99 |
| FX 125 Pro Lite (Victor Crouin) | 125g | Head-light | Fast hands, volley-focused game | $199.99 |
| Sonic Core Evolution 120 (Nick Matthew) | 120g | Head-light | Ultra-maneuverable, touch players | $219.99 |
Model-by-Model Breakdown
Dunlop Blackstorm TI — The Club Workhorse
At $129.99, the Blackstorm TI is the entry point to Dunlop's performance line. It's a 135g even-balanced racket designed for all-court play. The titanium-infused graphite frame provides a solid feel through impact without being harsh on the arm. This is the racket for club players who want reliability over gimmicks — it does everything competently without excelling at any one thing.
Best for: Beginners building their game, intermediate club players, anyone who wants a dependable racket that won't break the bank.
Dunlop Force Rush — The Power Option
The Force Rush is the heaviest racket in Dunlop's lineup at 140g with a head-heavy balance. It's designed for players who hit the ball hard from the back of the court — the extra mass drives through the ball on deep rails and cross-court drives. The head-heavy balance provides stability on volleys and makes the racket feel solid when digging balls out of the back corners.
The tradeoff: it's slower to maneuver at the front of the court. Drop shots and quick reflex volleys require more anticipation because the racket head doesn't whip through as quickly as lighter models.
Best for: Power players, doubles specialists, anyone who prioritizes depth and pace over touch.
Dunlop FX 128 Pro (Ali Farag Signature) — The All-Court Precision Tool
The FX 128 Pro is Ali Farag's signature racket and represents the pinnacle of Dunlop's engineering. At 128g with even balance, it splits the difference between power and maneuverability perfectly. The frame uses Dunlop's AeroSkin CX technology — textured surface points on the frame that reduce aerodynamic drag during the swing, giving you a fractionally faster racket head speed without reducing weight.
This is the racket for advanced club players who can appreciate the difference that premium construction makes. The feedback through the frame is more communicative than the Blackstorm — you feel exactly where on the string bed you've made contact, which helps you self-correct mid-match.
Best for: Advanced club players, all-court players, anyone who wants a professional-grade racket.
Dunlop FX 125 (Tinne Gilis) — Quick Hands Specialist
The FX 125 is 125g head-light, making it the fastest-swinging racket in Dunlop's lineup. It's designed for players who live at the front of the court — volleying, dropping, and killing loose balls before they bounce twice. The head-light balance means the racket head gets to the ball faster, which matters most in the front corners where reaction time is measured in fractions of a second.
The lighter weight means you'll need to generate your own power on deep drives — this racket won't do the work for you from the back of the court. It rewards clean technique and punishes lazy swings with weak, floaty balls that sit up for your opponent.
Best for: Quick-attack players, front-court specialists, women and juniors who benefit from lighter frames.
Dunlop FX 125 Pro Lite (Victor Crouin) — Touch and Feel
The FX 125 Pro Lite is Victor Crouin's signature model, sharing the 125g head-light spec with the standard FX 125 but using a different frame geometry for enhanced feel. The Pro Lite has a slightly thinner beam profile that increases frame flex — this gives more ball pocketing on touch shots (drop shots, lobs, boasts) while maintaining the fast swing speed of the head-light design.
At $199.99, it's $25 less than the standard FX 125 — the price reflects different construction rather than a quality downgrade.
Best for: Touch players, anyone who values feel over raw power, players transitioning from heavier rackets who want to develop a more varied game.
Dunlop Sonic Core Evolution 120 (Nick Matthew) — Ultra-Light Speed
At 120g, the Sonic Core Evolution is Dunlop's lightest performance racket. It's endorsed by Nick Matthew, the three-time world champion known for his athletic, retrieving style. The racket is designed to be swung fast from any position on court — defensive retrievals from the back corners, reaction volleys at the T, and snap drops from the front are all easier with 120g in your hand.
The tradeoff is stability through impact. At 120g, the racket can feel "buzzy" on off-center hits — you'll feel vibration through the handle that heavier rackets absorb. Players with wrist or elbow issues should consider the slightly heavier Blackstorm or FX 128 instead.
Best for: Fast retrievers, players who cover a lot of court, anyone who wants the lightest possible racket.
Why Buy from TopCricketStore?
We're a real cricket store in Edison, New Jersey — not a drop-shipper. Every product on this page ships from our warehouse, which means real inventory, real availability, and real humans you can call when you have questions. We stock over 2,000 cricket and multi-sport products from 15+ authorized brands including SS, SG, Gray-Nicolls, Kookaburra, Shrey, and Dunlop.
Free shipping on orders over $100. Seven-day returns if something doesn't fit or isn't what you expected. And if you're local to New Jersey, you can pick up your order in person at our Edison warehouse — walk in, see the gear, and walk out ready to play.
Need Help Choosing? Talk to a Real Person
Buying sports equipment online is hard — you can't feel the weight, check the grip, or test the bounce through a screen. That's why we make it easy to talk to a human. Call or WhatsApp us during business hours and we'll answer your specific questions. We've been fitting cricketers, squash players, and table tennis enthusiasts for years — we know the gear because we use the gear.
No upselling. No script-reading. Just honest advice from people who play the same sports you do. If a $30 option does 90% of what the $150 option does for your level, we'll tell you. Our repeat customers come back because we gave them the right recommendation the first time.
Restringing Your Dunlop Racket: Tension Guide
All Dunlop rackets at TopCricketStore come pre-strung with factory strings at mid-range tension (typically 25-27 lbs). When you restring, you can customize the tension to your playing style:
- Lower tension (22-24 lbs): More power, larger sweet spot, more forgiving on off-center hits. Recommended for beginners and intermediate players who want easier depth on their drives. The tradeoff: less control on touch shots.
- Mid tension (25-27 lbs): Balanced power and control. The factory default and the right choice for most club players who don't have a strong preference.
- Higher tension (28-30 lbs): Maximum control, smaller sweet spot, more demanding on technique. Recommended for advanced players who generate their own power and want precision on drops and lobs.
String type matters too. Tecnifibre 305 (1.10mm) is the most popular squash string in the world — good durability, good feel, reasonable price. Ashaway SuperNick XL is slightly more durable and preferred by hard hitters who break strings regularly. Both are available at any squash pro shop. Expect to pay $25-35 for a restring including labor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Dunlop racket is best for a beginner?
The Dunlop Blackstorm TI at $129.99. It's an even-balanced 135g racket that does everything well enough to let you develop your game without forcing you into a specific playing style. Heavier rackets (Force Rush) will tire your arm, and lighter rackets (Sonic Core) will punish poor technique. Start with the Blackstorm and upgrade to a specialized model once you know your preferred playing style.
What's the difference between the FX 125 and FX 125 Pro Lite?
Both are 125g head-light rackets. The standard FX 125 (Tinne Gilis) has a stiffer frame for more power transfer. The FX 125 Pro Lite (Victor Crouin) has a slightly more flexible frame for better touch and feel. The standard FX 125 is better for attacking players who hit hard; the Pro Lite is better for touch players who use variety — drops, lobs, boasts, and holds.
Do I need different rackets for singles and doubles?
Some players have separate rackets, but it's not necessary for club level. If you play both formats regularly and want to optimize, use a lighter racket for doubles (more volleys, faster exchanges) and a heavier racket for singles (more deep driving, more time to set up). The FX 125 (125g) works well for doubles; the Force Rush (140g) excels in singles.
How often should I restring my squash racket?
Club players: every 3-6 months depending on frequency (playing 2-3 times per week = restring every 3 months). Strings lose tension gradually — you won't notice the drop in performance until you hit with a freshly strung racket and realize how much pop you've been missing. Dunlop rackets come pre-strung with decent factory strings, but upgrading to Tecnifibre or Ashaway strings when you restring will noticeably improve feel.
Can I use a squash racket for racquetball?
No. Squash rackets are longer (27 inches maximum vs 22 inches for racquetball) and the frames are not designed for the heavier, faster racquetball. Using a squash racket for racquetball risks frame damage and poor performance. The sports require different equipment despite the visual similarity.
Ready to upgrade your squash game? Browse all squash equipment including rackets, balls, and accessories. Free shipping on orders over $100.