# Black Crown padel rackets, the Piton and the rest of the round range

> Black Crown padel rackets compared: Piton, Genius, Special and Vento from one of the most round-shaped ranges in padel, with cores, weights and prices.

Source: https://padelaiapp.com/rackets/black-crown
Last updated: 2026-09-30

Black Crown built its reputation on the Piton, a control frame that has run through many generations. The catalogue is one of the most round-shaped in padel, which makes it a strong option for right-side players and anyone protecting an arm.

- 44 models
- 32 from 2023 on
- €130 to €350
- 1 sponsored pros

## The Black Crown lines, and what each is for

Black Crown has 44 models in the catalogue. Almost all of them belong to one of these families, so knowing the families is most of the work.

| Line | What it is for |
| --- | --- |
| Piton | The signature line and the bulk of the catalogue. Round, controlled, forgiving. |
| Hurricane | Power-leaning frames for attacking players. |
| Special | Premium builds at the top of the range. |
| Gladius | Higher-balance frames aimed at finishing points. |

## One of the most round-shaped catalogues in padel

Black Crown is a Spanish brand that built its reputation on one racket: the Piton, a round control frame that has been in the catalogue for years and is still the model most players mean when they say Black Crown. Marta Marrero is the tour player attached to the brand, and the range around the Piton has stayed small and consistent rather than chasing a new signature line every season.

The numbers make the point. Of the 44 Black Crown rackets we track, 57% are round and 36% teardrop, and only 3 models, 7%, are diamond shaped, the lowest diamond share of any brand here. Cores are named by feel (Super Soft, Super Control, Medium Black EVA) rather than by a marketing term, faces run from 3K to 18K carbon with a fibreglass option on the entry frames, and 7 of the 44 models are marked medium-hard or harder. Prices sit between €130 and €350, with a median of €250.

Black Crown is the answer to a specific question: a player who wants a premium carbon round racket without a pro's name on it. The Piton White and Piton White Soft are among the best round frames for an intermediate player, and the Genius line is the step up when you want a little more power without leaving the round shape.

## Black Crown rackets compared on specs

The most recent Black Crown models, newest first: shape, weight, balance, core, face material, price band and the level each one is built for. The name under a model is the professional who plays with it.

| Model | Shape | Weight | Balance | Core | Surface | Price band | Level |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Black Crown Special Max 2026](https://padelaiapp.com/rackets/black-crown/special-max-2026) | Teardrop | 355 to 370 g | Medium to high | Medium Black EVA | 18K Aluminum | Pro €320 | Intermediate to advanced |
| [Black Crown Piton 14 2026](https://padelaiapp.com/rackets/black-crown/piton-14-2026) | Round | 355 to 370 g | Low to medium | SC Black EVA (medium) | 3K carbon | Premium €230 | Intermediate |
| [Black Crown Piton White 2026](https://padelaiapp.com/rackets/black-crown/piton-white-2026) | Round | 355 to 370 g | Medium | Medium White EVA | 3K Aluminum | Premium €200 | Intermediate |
| [Black Crown Piton White Soft 2026](https://padelaiapp.com/rackets/black-crown/piton-white-soft-2026) | Round | 355 to 370 g | Low to medium | 3XPlay EVA (medium-soft) | 3K Aluminum | Mid €180 | Beginner to intermediate |
| [Black Crown Special Elite 2026](https://padelaiapp.com/rackets/black-crown/special-elite-2026) | Teardrop | 355 to 370 g | Medium | Soft Black EVA | 3K carbon | Premium €280 | Intermediate |
| [Black Crown Patron Kore 2026](https://padelaiapp.com/rackets/black-crown/patron-kore-2026) | Diamond | 355 to 370 g | High | 3XPlay EVA (medium) | 24K carbon | Premium €260 | Advanced |
| [Black Crown Gladius 2026](https://padelaiapp.com/rackets/black-crown/gladius-2026) | Teardrop | 355 to 370 g | Medium | Medium Black EVA | 18K carbon | Premium €200 | Intermediate to advanced |
| [Black Crown Gladius Force 2026](https://padelaiapp.com/rackets/black-crown/gladius-force-2026) | Teardrop | 355 to 370 g | Medium | Hard Black EVA | 18K carbon | Premium €200 | Intermediate |
| [Black Crown Hurricane Pro 3.0 2025](https://padelaiapp.com/rackets/black-crown/hurricane-pro-3-0-2025) Marta Marrero | Round | 355 to 370 g | Medium | SC White EVA (medium) | 12K carbon | Premium €260 | Intermediate |
| [Black Crown Hurricane 3.0 2025](https://padelaiapp.com/rackets/black-crown/hurricane-3-0-2025) Marta Marrero | Round | 355 to 370 g | Medium | SC White EVA (medium-soft) | Fiberflex | Premium €210 | Beginner to intermediate |
| [Black Crown Piton 13 2025](https://padelaiapp.com/rackets/black-crown/piton-13-2025) | Round | 355 to 370 g | Medium | Black EVA SC (medium) | 3K carbon | Premium €230 | Intermediate |
| [Black Crown Piton Epic 2025](https://padelaiapp.com/rackets/black-crown/piton-epic-2025) | Teardrop | 355 to 370 g | Medium | Black EVA SC (medium-hard) | 12K carbon | Pro €320 | Intermediate to advanced |

Weight is the manufacturer's stated range. Balance is where the mass sits: low means towards the handle, high means towards the head. Price band is the recommended retail price in euros (entry under 120, mid 120 to 200, premium 200 to 300, pro over 300); UK street prices are usually lower. Level is our reading of the shape, balance and core, not a rule.

## Which shape do you need?

### Round: Black Crown Piton 14 2026

Black Crown has 25 round models. This shape suits the right side, players who build points, anyone still developing their timing, and anyone protecting an arm. Our current pick from the range is the Black Crown Piton 14 2026, at around €230.

### Teardrop: Black Crown Special Max 2026

Black Crown has 16 teardrop models. This shape suits the largest number of club players, because it gives some power without shrinking the sweet spot. Our current pick from the range is the Black Crown Special Max 2026, at around €320.

### Diamond: Black Crown Patron Kore 2026

Black Crown has 3 diamond models. This shape suits advanced attacking players who finish points with the smash and hit the middle of the strings consistently. Our current pick from the range is the Black Crown Patron Kore 2026, at around €260.

## Buying a Black Crown without buying the wrong one

Brand is the last thing that should decide a padel racket, and the first thing most people decide. Once you are inside a range, three specs settle the question.

### Shape decides forgiveness

Round puts the sweet spot in the middle of the face where you actually hit the ball. Diamond moves it up towards the tip, which buys power and costs you every off-centre shot. Teardrop sits between the two and is the right answer for most club players. Black Crown covers round, teardrop, diamond, so you do not need to leave the brand to change shape.

### Core decides comfort

Soft cores hold the ball longer, forgive a slow swing and transmit less shock to the elbow. Hard EVA cores are more powerful and more precise but punish poor timing. If you have ever had tennis elbow, this single spec matters more than shape, weight and brand combined.

### Your side matters more than your level

The left side finishes points and usually wants a higher balance. The right side builds points and covers the middle, so it usually wants a larger sweet spot. Two players of the same level on opposite sides should not buy the same racket.

### Then let the data narrow it

The table above is the fastest filter: read down the shape, balance and core columns before you look at a single price, and the level column tells you who each frame was built for. Our [racket finder](https://padelaiapp.com/features/padel-racket-finder) does this across all 1,418 rackets in seven questions, and if you have run a [match analysis](https://padelaiapp.com/features/padel-video-analysis) it uses your real technique scores instead of your own estimate of your level. If you are still choosing between brands, start with our guide to the [best padel rackets](https://padelaiapp.com/rackets/best-padel-racket) or, for a first racket, the [beginner picks](https://padelaiapp.com/rackets/best-padel-racket-for-beginners).

## Questions about Black Crown rackets

### Is the Black Crown Piton good for beginners?

It is one of the better premium options for a developing player, because the round shape puts a large sweet spot in the centre of the face. There are cheaper ways to get the same shape, but the Piton is a racket you will not outgrow quickly.

### What is the Black Crown Piton known for?

Control and forgiveness. It has been a reference round-shaped frame for years, and successive generations have kept the same character rather than chasing power.

## Other tools worth using

- [Padel racket finder](https://padelaiapp.com/features/padel-racket-finder): Seven questions, 1,400+ rackets, matched to how you actually play.
- [AI video analysis](https://padelaiapp.com/features/padel-video-analysis): Upload a match video and get scored on six techniques in minutes.
- [Padel level test](https://padelaiapp.com/features/padel-level): Find your real level on the 1.0 to 7.0 scale, from match video not self-assessment.