--- title: "Babolat Air vs Counter Viper 2.6: weight and balance" url: "https://padeltrue.com/compare/babolat-air-viper-2-6-vs-babolat-counter-viper-2-6" description: "Air or Counter Viper 2.6? Compare exact model references, overlapping weight ranges and balance. A round head does not mean a head-light racket." language: en date_modified: 2026-10-10 source: "PadelTrue, every specification links to its source on the HTML page" --- # Babolat Air Viper 2.6 vs Babolat Counter Viper 2.6 ## Direct answer Air or Counter Viper 2.6? Compare exact model references, overlapping weight ranges and balance. A round head does not mean a head-light racket. This page answers: - Air or Counter Viper 2.6: which belongs on your demo list? - Which has more power, the Babolat Air Viper 2.6 or the Babolat Counter Viper 2.6? - Which is easier on the arm, the Babolat Air Viper 2.6 or the Babolat Counter Viper 2.6? - Which is better for an improving player, the Babolat Air Viper 2.6 or the Babolat Counter Viper 2.6? - Which is cheaper, the Babolat Air Viper 2.6 or the Babolat Counter Viper 2.6? - Is every Air Viper 2.6 lighter than every Counter Viper 2.6? - Is the Counter Viper 2.6 head-light because it is round? - Which exact references does this comparison cover? Side by side # Babolat Air Viper 2.6 vs Babolat Counter Viper 2.6 Start with weight and balance, not the Air or Counter name. The Air has a lower nominal weight; the round Counter is explicitly described as head-heavy. These are published specifications, not our play-test results. Babolat ## [Air Viper 2.6](https://padeltrue.com/rackets/babolat-air-viper-2-6) Weight 345 to 365 g (12.2 to 12.9 oz) Shape Teardrop Balance 265 mm (10.4 in) ### Recorded price: €320 11 November 2026 · Price source: babolat.com Check the current total at the store. Babolat ## [Counter Viper 2.6](https://padeltrue.com/rackets/babolat-counter-viper-2-6) Weight 355 to 375 g (12.5 to 13.2 oz) Shape Round Balance High, 270 mm (10.6 in) ### Recorded price: €320 11 November 2026 · Price source: babolat.com Check the current total at the store. ## Ratings Calculated from published specs, not a play test. Ratings closer than 8 points are called level. The model is not more precise than that. | Rating / 100 | Babolat Air Viper 2.6 | Babolat Counter Viper 2.6 | | --- | --- | --- | | Power | **47** | **46** | | Control | **50** | **58** | | Handling | **58** | **30** | | Forgiveness | **42** | **60** | | Comfort | **42** | **32** | | Value | **9** | **10** | **Control:** This is a model estimate, not a measured difference: the Babolat Air Viper 2.6 has no published balance category (low, medium or high), so a neutral midpoint was used. **Handling:** This is a model estimate, not a measured difference: the Babolat Air Viper 2.6 has no published balance category (low, medium or high), so a neutral midpoint was used. **Comfort:** This is a model estimate, not a measured difference: the Babolat Air Viper 2.6 has no published balance category (low, medium or high), so a neutral midpoint was used. ## Published specs, with sources | Spec | Babolat Air Viper 2.6 | Babolat Counter Viper 2.6 | | --- | --- | --- | | Shape | **Teardrop**SourcesHead Shape: Teardrop [babolat.com](https://www.babolat.com/us/air-viper-2.6/150176.html) | **Round**SourcesHead Shape: Round [babolat.com](https://www.babolat.com/us/counter-viper-2.6/150177.html) | | Weight | **345 to 365 g (12.2 to 12.9 oz)**Sources355 g +/- 10g / 12.5 oz [babolat.com](https://www.babolat.com/us/air-viper-2.6/150176.html) | **355 to 375 g (12.5 to 13.2 oz)**Sources365 g +/- 10g / 12.88 oz [babolat.com](https://www.babolat.com/us/counter-viper-2.6/150177.html) | | Balance | **265 mm (10.4 in)**Sources265 mm [babolat.com](https://www.babolat.com/us/air-viper-2.6/150176.html) | **High, 270 mm (10.6 in)**Sources270 mm \| head-heavy balance [babolat.com](https://www.babolat.com/us/counter-viper-2.6/150177.html) | | Core | **X-EVA**SourcesCORE: X-EVA [babolat.com](https://www.babolat.com/us/air-viper-2.6/150176.html) | **X-EVA**SourcesCORE: X-EVA [babolat.com](https://www.babolat.com/us/counter-viper-2.6/150177.html) | | Face | **16K Carbon**SourcesSURFACE: 16K Carbon [babolat.com](https://www.babolat.com/us/air-viper-2.6/150176.html) | **3K Carbon**SourcesSURFACE: 3K Carbon [babolat.com](https://www.babolat.com/us/counter-viper-2.6/150177.html) | | Frame | **Carbon**SourcesFRAME: Carbon [babolat.com](https://www.babolat.com/us/air-viper-2.6/150176.html) | **Carbon**SourcesFRAME: Carbon [babolat.com](https://www.babolat.com/us/counter-viper-2.6/150177.html) | | Thickness | **38 mm (1.5 in)**Sources38 mm / 1.5 in [babolat.com](https://www.babolat.com/us/air-viper-2.6/150176.html) | **38 mm (1.5 in)**Sources38 mm / 1.5 in [babolat.com](https://www.babolat.com/us/counter-viper-2.6/150177.html) | | Textured face | **Yes**Sourceswe have added an extra rough finish that will help you impart spectacular spins to the ball [babolat.com](https://www.babolat.com/us/air-viper-2.6/150176.html) | **Yes**SourcesRaised patterns on the racquet surface combined with a rough finish allows you to hit with more spin and increase control. [babolat.com](https://www.babolat.com/us/counter-viper-2.6/150177.html) | | Price | **€320**Sources€ 320,00 [babolat.com](https://www.babolat.com/es/air-viper-2.6/150176.html) | **€320**Sources€ 320,00 [babolat.com](https://www.babolat.com/es/counter-viper-2.6/150177.html) | ## Air or Counter Viper 2.6: which belongs on your demo list? **Try the Air first if you are seeking a lower nominal weight. Include the Counter if you prefer a round head and want to test a head-heavy setup.** Neither criterion establishes which will improve your shots. Confirm the exact Air Viper 2.6 or Counter Viper 2.6 before comparing reviews or prices. ### The differences to check with the seller We checked Babolat's US pages for the [Air Viper 2.6, reference 150176](https://www.babolat.com/us/air-viper-2.6/150176.html) and [Counter Viper 2.6, reference 150177](https://www.babolat.com/us/counter-viper-2.6/150177.html) on 29 September 2026. | Published field | Air Viper 2.6 | Counter Viper 2.6 | | --- | --- | --- | | Racket shape | Teardrop | Round | | Nominal weight and tolerance | 355 g, plus or minus 10 g | 365 g, plus or minus 10 g | | Balance figure | 265 mm | 270 mm; description says head-heavy | | Face | 16K carbon | 3K carbon | | Core | X-EVA | X-EVA | ### Why the 10 g difference is not a guarantee The stated ranges work out to 345 to 365 g for the Air and 355 to 375 g for the Counter. They overlap from 355 to 365 g. A particular Air could therefore weigh more than a particular Counter within those tolerances. Ask the shop to weigh the actual unit and tell you which grips and protector are fitted. These ranges are arithmetic from the listings, not measurements of stock. ### Round does not mean head-light The Counter's description explicitly pairs a round head with head-heavy balance. Shape alone cannot establish how easily you will move it. The listed balance figures differ by 5 mm, but we have not measured either sample's swingweight. The Air's checked US page supplies a number without a low, medium or high category. Our model substitutes a midpoint for that absent category; it is not a measurement proving the Air's handling advantage. See [the rating method](https://padeltrue.com/methodology). ### A demo that answers your buying question Pick two shots you want to improve and one you already trust with your current racket. Alternate short blocks with each candidate under the same conditions, including defensive returns and volleys. Record clean contact, depth control and how often you are late. Repeat the exercise instead of deciding from one successful smash. Then compare the current delivered prices for the exact references, the return conditions and the actual unit weights. The 16K and 3K labels alone do not establish which complete racket feels firmer. Our comparison does not supply a measured sweet-spot size, durability ranking or guarantee that either racket will suit you better. ## Which one ### Choose the Babolat Air Viper 2.6 if you prefer its actual weight and response in your own trial. Its lower nominal weight is a reason to shortlist it, not a guarantee about every unit. Check the supplied setup before ordering. [Full Babolat Air Viper 2.6 page](https://padeltrue.com/rackets/babolat-air-viper-2-6) ### Choose the Babolat Counter Viper 2.6 if you like a round head and have tried its head-heavy setup successfully. Decide from your defensive shots and volleys as well as your overheads, then compare the delivered price. [Full Babolat Counter Viper 2.6 page](https://padeltrue.com/rackets/babolat-counter-viper-2-6) ## Questions ### Which has more power, the Babolat Air Viper 2.6 or the Babolat Counter Viper 2.6? On published specs they are level: Babolat Air Viper 2.6 rates 47 and Babolat Counter Viper 2.6 rates 46 for power. ### Which is easier on the arm, the Babolat Air Viper 2.6 or the Babolat Counter Viper 2.6? The Babolat Air Viper 2.6 rates 42 for comfort against 32 for the Babolat Counter Viper 2.6. The difference comes from weight: 355g against 365g. This is a model estimate, not a measured difference: the Babolat Air Viper 2.6 has no published balance category (low, medium or high), so a neutral midpoint was used. This describes feel and physical demand, it is not medical advice. ### Which is better for an improving player, the Babolat Air Viper 2.6 or the Babolat Counter Viper 2.6? Our model rates the Babolat Counter Viper 2.6 as the more forgiving build, 60 against 42. That is calculated from published specs. ### Which is cheaper, the Babolat Air Viper 2.6 or the Babolat Counter Viper 2.6? They were the same price when checked: Babolat Air Viper 2.6 €320 on 11 November 2026, Babolat Counter Viper 2.6 €320 on 11 November 2026. ### Is every Air Viper 2.6 lighter than every Counter Viper 2.6? No. The published tolerances produce overlapping ranges: 345 to 365 g for the Air and 355 to 375 g for the Counter. Ask for the actual unit weight and fitted accessories. ### Is the Counter Viper 2.6 head-light because it is round? No. Babolat describes it as round and head-heavy, with a 270 mm balance figure. Racket shape and balance are different specifications. ### Which exact references does this comparison cover? Air Viper 2.6 reference 150176 and Counter Viper 2.6 reference 150177. Check those identifiers with the retailer rather than applying an older-model review to your purchase. [Open this pair in the compare tool](https://padeltrue.com/compare/#a=babolat-air-viper-2-6&b=babolat-counter-viper-2-6)