Looking for your first tennis racket? In this Head Ti S6 review we’ll be putting one of the most popular entry level rackets to the test and explaining what makes it the perfect tennis racket for a beginner.
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Head Ti S6 Racket Specs
| Length | 27.75 inch / 70 cm |
| Head Size | 115 in² / 742 cm² |
| String Pattern | 16 Mains / 19 Crosses |
| Unstrung Weight | 8.0 oz / 225 g |
| Strung Weight | 8.9 oz / 252 g |
| Balance | 8 pts Head Heavy / 385 mm |
| Composition | Titanium Graphite Composite |
| Beam Width | 28.5 mm |
| Swingweight | 318 |
| Stiffness | 75 |
| String Tension | 57 – 66 pounds |
Head Titanium Ti S6 Design Features
Extra Racket Length
The Head Ti S6 is every so slightly longer than most other tennis rackets on the market. It measures in at 27.75 inches or 70 cm, compared to the standard 27 inch tennis racket.
That may not seem like much, but the extra 3/4 inches just gets you that little bit closer to the ball on contact and can really make a difference if you’re new to tennis.
Larger Head Size & Sweet Spot
Perhaps the most important feature of the Head Ti S6 is just how big it is. With a racket head size of 115 sq inches, it’s one of the biggest tennis rackets on the market, which is ideal for players picking up a racket for the first time.
In tennis, a larger head size on a racket usually means it will have a larger sweet spot. So naturally, the Head Ti S6 has a huge sweet spot, which means your shots will still feel comfortable even if you hit slightly off-centre. A larger head size also provides more power. So naturally, with a head size of 115 sq inches, the Head Ti S6 is a very powerful racket.
As you’d expect, it also just makes it easier to get a racket on the ball.
Lightweight Frame & Head Heavy Balance
Weighing in at 255 grams when strung, the Head Ti S6 is built using a weave of titanium and graphite fibres making it a very light racket even when compared to other beginner level rackets. It’s also a head heavy racket (8 points head heavy), which means the racket’s balance is shifted towards the head of the racket.
The low frame weight and head heavy setup makes the Head Ti S6 really easy to swing. It also makes it a very comfortable racket to play with and is easy on the arm, which can be particularly useful if you suffer from any wrist or arm injuries. That’s ideal for players who might struggle a bit with their technique.
Racquet Testing Setup
As an entry level racket, the Head Ti S6 usually comes pre-strung from factory with Head Synthetic Gut at around 61 lbs, which is exactly how we tested it. Just keep in mind that tennis strings lose tension over time, so there’s a good chance the string tension was a bit below the original 61 lbs.
Pro Tip: synthetic gut strings are softer strings that lose tension fairly quickly, which just enhance the power the Head Ti S6 provides. If you need your racket restringing, ask the stringer to use polyester strings rather than synthetic gut. Poly strings are stiffer and last much longer than synthetic gut, so they’ll hold their tension better and will offer a little extra control.
Overall Test Results - Head Titanium Ti S6
Here’s a quick overview of the ratings we awarded the racquet in our test:
Groundstrokes - Score: 87
Groundstrokes are where this racket excels. The lightweight frame makes the racket super easy to swing and thanks to its large head size, it also packs quite a punch. It also performed well from a spin perspective thanks to the 16×19 string pattern. While it won’t give you crazy amounts of touch or feel, we didn’t have any trouble adding a bit of topspin or slice to our shots.
That combination makes it the ideal racket for playing from the baseline and really favours players with a full and slower swing looking for the extra power.
Volleys - Score: 83
It’s also great when you’re at the net. Thanks to the low frame weight, manoeuvring the racket is easy enough and the extra racket length and head size just makes getting a racket on the ball that little bit easier. Again, the racket offers plenty of power when putting away volleys, though we did feel that it lacked a bit of control.
That can be an issue when playing against more advanced players who might hit the ball harder, but we’d say it’s less of a problem when you’re starting out.
Serves - Score: 85
On serve, the racket packs plenty of power and really suites players using flat or slice serves, which is usually the case with most entry level and senior players. The extra racket length also helps you hit the ball at a slightly higher point after the ball toss, again making it slightly easier to serve.
Returns - Score: 82
This is where the lack of control is more noticeable. Particularly when facing larger and faster serves, we did notice that we often struggled to keep the ball in the court. However, you’ll rarely find yourself up against huge servers at the early stages of your tennis life and won’t really notice an issue until you start playing competitive tennis.
When facing slower serves, we had no problem at all on return and would actually say the racket performed really well. Having such a powerful racket made it easy to attack early and the opponent under pressure right away.
Limitations
While it’s one of the best tennis rackets for beginners, there is one key limitation. The huge head size and light weight means the Head Ti S6 is a relatively powerful racket. That’s great for entry level players, but you may quickly find yourself wanting more control over the ball as you progress and become more of an intermediate player.
Unfortunately, there isn’t much you can do at that point other than upgrade your racket. That being said, it will usually take new players a while to reach that stage and the Head Ti S6 will certainly be a fantastic first racket.
Compared To Other Rackets
As one of several rackets in the Head Titanium rackets line-up, the Ti S6 is most often compared to the Head Ti S5 and the Ti S7 (which has now been discontinued). This rackets sits somewhere between the two and offers more control than the Head Ti S7, but more power than the Ti S5.
As for comparing it to other beginner level rackets on the market, the thing that stands out the most about the Head Ti S6 is the racket head size. At 115 sq inches, it’s one of of the largest frames out there, which makes it fairly unique. It’s also extremely light, even when compared to the more modern rackets.
For example, it’s a significantly bigger and lighter racket than the Head Graphene XT Instinct S, which is a more modern alternative to the Ti S6.
FAQs About the Head Ti S6
Which is better the Ti S5 or Ti S6 Head tennis racket?
Well, it depends on your game. The Head Ti S6 is a more powerful racket with a bigger head size, which makes perfectly suited to entry level players. It’s also very slightly heavier than the Head Ti S5, which has a smaller head size and offers a little more control, which is better suited to intermediate level players.
When did the Head Ti S6 first come out?
The Head Ti S6 was first released in 1996. Nevertheless, it’s still one of the most popular rackets on the market today, particularly amongst beginners and senior players.
Is the Head Ti S6 a good racket for junior players?
Honestly, we’d say no. While it’s a great racket for beginners, it doesn’t quite suit junior players because it’s such a power oriented racket. Particular for juniors, we’d suggest going for more of a control oriented racket with a slightly smaller head size.
Overall Score: 85
Overall, the Head Ti S6 is a really forgiving racket that’s easy to swing and offers plenty of power. It makes a great entry level racket and is without a doubt one of the best tennis rackets for beginners. It’s also an ideal fit for senior players looking for a comfortable yet powerful racket. It’s definitely one of the best rackets for under $100.
Pros:
- Great Value for Money
- Really Easy to Swing
- Very large Sweet Spot
- Lots of Power
- Easy On The Arm
Cons:
- Too Light for Intermediate Level Players
- Lack of Control
We hope you’ve found this Head Ti S6 review useful. If you have any questions at all or fancy leaving a comment, let us know in the comments section below.
