# Black Crown Gladius 2026 specs and who it suits

> Black Crown Gladius 2026: teardrop shape, 355 to 370 g, medium balance, €200 RRP. See who it suits, similar rackets and your AI match score.

Source: https://padelaiapp.com/rackets/black-crown/gladius-2026
Last updated: 2026-09-29

The Black Crown Gladius 2026 is a teardrop padel racket with a medium-hard-feel Medium Black EVA core, weighing 355 to 370 g with medium balance. It plays as a control racket and lists at €200 RRP. Our match engine rates it best for intermediate right-side players, at 83 out of 98.

By [Ruzgar Yesil](https://padelaiapp.com/about), Padel AI. Updated 29 September 2026.

- Teardrop
- 355 to 370 g
- Medium balance
- €200 RRP
- 2026 season

## Who the Black Crown Gladius 2026 is right for

Our match engine scores every racket for six player types, the same engine as the [AI racket finder](https://padelaiapp.com/features/padel-racket-finder). 98 is the ceiling. The rank is its position among all rackets for that player.

| Player | Score /98 | Verdict | Rank |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Beginner | **68** | Poor fit | #502 of 862 |
| Intermediate all-rounder | **85** | Workable | #536 of 1214 |
| Intermediate, left side | **81** | Workable | #544 of 1214 |
| Intermediate, right side | **83** | Workable | #406 of 1214 |
| Advanced attacker | **78** | Workable | #555 of 1214 |
| Elbow or arm trouble | **64** | Poor fit | #933 of 1165 |

## Black Crown Gladius 2026 specs

Manufacturer specifications. Price is the euro RRP; UK street prices are usually lower.

| Spec | Black Crown Gladius 2026 |
| --- | --- |
| Shape | Teardrop |
| Weight | 355 to 370 g |
| Balance | Medium |
| Core | Medium Black EVA |
| Feel | Medium-Hard |
| Face | 18K Carbon |
| Frame | Carbon fiber |
| Playing style | Control |
| Season | 2026 |
| RRP | €200 (premium band) |

## What the specs mean on court

On the numbers, the Black Crown Gladius 2026 is a niche pick: it is not in the top fifth of rackets for any of our six player types. It is a weaker choice for beginners and players with elbow or arm trouble.

A teardrop head is the middle ground: a little more reach and power than a round frame, a bigger sweet spot than a diamond. The harder core rewards a fast, clean swing with pace and precision, and punishes late contact.

These scores assume the answers of a typical player of each type. The [free racket finder](https://padelaiapp.com/features/padel-racket-finder#finder) scores it for your own answers, and the Padel AI app goes further: film one match and it scores your real technique, then re-ranks all 1,418 rackets for the way you actually play. Compare the rest of the range on our [Black Crown rackets](https://padelaiapp.com/rackets/black-crown) page.

## Rackets similar to the Black Crown Gladius 2026

The closest current rackets in our catalogue by shape, feel, weight, price and how they play.

| Racket | Shape | Weight | Feel | RRP |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Vibora Black Mamba Elite 3K 2.0 2025](https://padelaiapp.com/rackets/vibora/black-mamba-elite-3k-2-0-2025) | Teardrop | 350 to 370 g | Medium-Hard | €230 |
| [Enebe Response 3K EVO 2026](https://padelaiapp.com/rackets/enebe/response-3k-evo-2026) | Teardrop | 355 to 370 g | Medium-Hard | €229 |
| [Black Crown Patron Xtrem 2025](https://padelaiapp.com/rackets/black-crown/patron-xtrem-2025) | Teardrop | 355 to 370 g | Medium-Hard | €260 |
| [Nox AT10 Pro Cup Hard 2025](https://padelaiapp.com/rackets/nox/at10-pro-cup-hard-2025) | Teardrop | 360 to 375 g | Medium-Hard | €175 |
| [Enebe Aerox 7.1 V2 2025](https://padelaiapp.com/rackets/enebe/aerox-7-1-v2-2025) | Teardrop | 355 to 370 g | Medium | €189 |
| [Black Crown Gladius Force 2026](https://padelaiapp.com/rackets/black-crown/gladius-force-2026) | Teardrop | 355 to 370 g | Medium | €200 |

## Check it against 1,417 other rackets

Seven questions. If this racket fits you, it will show up in your top five.

Try the free racket finder: [seven questions, every racket scored](https://padelaiapp.com/features/padel-racket-finder#finder).

## Questions about the Black Crown Gladius 2026

### Is the Black Crown Gladius 2026 good for beginners?

It scores 68 out of 98 for a beginner in our match engine, which is poor fit, ranking #502 of 862 eligible rackets. A rounder, softer racket will forgive more while your timing develops.

### Is the Black Crown Gladius 2026 a power or a control racket?

It plays as a control racket. The teardrop shape and medium balance sit between round and diamond, trading a little forgiveness for some extra power.

### How heavy is the Black Crown Gladius 2026?

The manufacturer lists it at 355 to 370 g. Most padel rackets sit between 350 and 375 g; this one is in the middle of that range.

### Is the Black Crown Gladius 2026 good for tennis elbow?

For a player with arm trouble it scores 64 out of 98, poor fit. A softer core would absorb more of the impact. See a physio if the pain persists.

### How much does the Black Crown Gladius 2026 cost?

The recommended retail price is €200. UK shops usually sell below RRP, and the price drops further once the next season's model arrives.