The Babolat Air Origin 2025 suits intermediate allround players looking for a lightweight racket with a soft touch to maintain agility at the net and comfort from the back of the court. On the other hand, the NOX Equation Hard Advanced 2027 is tailored for intermediate game builders and counter players who want a heavier, round racket featuring a hard core and a generous sweet spot. While both models achieve a balanced 3 out of 5 rating on our power versus control scale, they deliver distinct playing dynamics through their different shapes, core densities, and overall weights.
| Feature | Babolat Air Origin 2025 | NOX Equation Hard Advanced 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Season | 2025 | 2027 |
| Manufacturer Shape | Not stated | Round |
| Shape (our assessment) | Teardrop | Round |
| Weight | 345 g | 355–365 g |
| Thickness | 38 mm | 38 mm |
| Face Material | Not stated | 3K Fiberglass |
| Frame Material | Not stated | Carbon |
| Core | EVA | HR3 HARD EVA |
| Manufacturer Player Level | Not stated | Intermediate |
| Player Level (our assessment) | Intermediate | Intermediate |
| Core Hardness (our assessment) | Soft | Hard |
| Power vs Control (our assessment) | 3 / 5 | 3 / 5 |
| Sweet Spot (our assessment) | Medium | Large |
| Player Profile (our assessment) | Allrounder | Builder, Counter |
Which one has more power?
Both rackets earn a rating of 3 out of 5 on our power versus control scale in our assessment, meaning neither is a pure attack racket nor a pure control racket. However, they generate power in distinct ways due to their construction.
The Babolat Air Origin 2025 features a teardrop shape in our assessment and a soft core hardness in our assessment. The soft EVA core specified by the manufacturer provides a comfortable trampoline effect on overheads such as the bandeja or vibora, allowing players to generate depth without needing maximum physical swing speed.
Conversely, the NOX Equation Hard Advanced 2027 combines a round shape with a hard core (HR3 HARD EVA) and a heavier weight range of 355–365 g. The extra mass allows players to put weight behind flat smashes, provided they hit with solid technique. The 3K Fiberglass face stated by NOX works alongside the carbon frame and hard core to create a direct impact response that suits aggressive counter-punches when stepping up to block fast attacks at the net.
Which is easier to play and handle in match situations?
Maneuverability and control depend heavily on weight, sweet spot size, and core hardness.
At 345 g, the Babolat Air Origin 2025 is noticeably light, making it remarkably easy to handle during rapid exchanges at the net or when defending low balls off the back glass. In our assessment, its sweet spot is medium, which means hit precision is important, but the soft core helps absorb vibrations to maintain arm comfort throughout long matches.
The NOX Equation Hard Advanced 2027 carries a weight of 355–365 g. While this added mass provides defensive stability against heavy incoming shots, it demands slightly more arm strength over long sets. In our assessment, its round shape offers a large sweet spot, making it forgiving on off-center contacts when lobbing or building points from deep in the court. Its hard core density offers less automatic bounce, placing the responsibility on the player to drive defensive returns with full movement.
Who should buy which?
Babolat Air Origin 2025:
- Intermediate allrounders who want an agile 345 g racket for fast reaction times at the net.
- Players seeking a soft core feel that offers arm comfort during extended rallies.
- Players looking for a teardrop racket (in our assessment) with a balanced power-to-control ratio.
NOX Equation Hard Advanced 2027:
- Intermediate game builders and counter players who prefer a round shape with a large sweet spot.
- Players who like a firm, crisp impact feel given by a hard HR3 HARD EVA core and 3K Fiberglass face.
- Players comfortable managing a heavier weight range (355–365 g) for extra stability when blocking hard shots.
Frequently asked questions
What player levels are these rackets suitable for?
NOX states that the Equation Hard Advanced 2027 is designed for intermediate players. The manufacturer does not state the target level for the Babolat Air Origin 2025, but in our assessment, we rate it for intermediate players as well.
How do their core hardness ratings compare?
In our assessment, we rate the Babolat Air Origin 2025 as having a soft core hardness due to its EVA core, providing a cushioned touch. In contrast, in our assessment, we rate the NOX Equation Hard Advanced 2027 as having a hard core hardness due to its HR3 HARD EVA core, delivering a firm response.
What materials are specified by the manufacturers?
NOX specifies a Carbon frame, a 3K Fiberglass face, and an HR3 HARD EVA core for the Equation Hard Advanced 2027. For the Babolat Air Origin 2025, the manufacturer specifies an EVA core, while the face and frame materials are not stated.