Starvie, a brand with 23 years of experience in paddle racket manufacturing, has launched its most revolutionary collection yet for 2026. After changing factories and revamping their designs, Starvie aims to rise prominently in the paddle sport market. This article provides a detailed review of the top five rackets from their new collection, tested by Pablo, a seasoned player and reviewer.
The five rackets tested are:
- Black Titan
- Raptor
- Astrom
- Trion Power (hard core)
- Trion Balance (softer core)
All rackets weigh between 350 and 366 grams, making them relatively light. Notably, the Black Titan and Raptor feature the innovative Dynamic Starface weight and balance customization system, allowing players to adjust the racket's weight and balance by removing a 12-gram metal piece.
Technical Specifications
Weight and Balance
- Three Tons (Trion Power and Balance): Highest balance point at 27 cm.
- Black Titan: 26.3 cm with Dynamic Star, 26.6 cm without.
- Raptor: 26 cm with Dynamic Star.
- Astrom: 25.5 cm.
Carbon Fiber Types
- Black Titan: 24K carbon.
- Trion Power and Balance: 18K carbon.
- Astrom: 12K carbon.
- Raptor: 3D carbon.
Core Types
- Black Titan and Trion Power: Hard EVA Power core.
- Raptor, Trion Balance, and Astrom: Softer MVA Balance core (less hard, but not truly soft).
Hardness Test Results
- Hardest: Black Titan
- Followed by: Trion Power, Raptor, Trion Balance, Astrom
Starvie rackets tend to be stiffer than average, and this collection maintains that trend.
Grip and Surface Texture
- Dome models (Black Titan and Raptor) have longer grips (12.5 cm).
- Others have 11.5 cm grips.
- All feature 3D roughness; Trion models have the most noticeable wavy texture.
Pricing
- Black Titan: €288
- Raptor: €283
- Astrom: €269
- Trion Power and Balance: €266
Discounts and worldwide shipping are available with the code "foret".
Defense
- Astrom: Easiest to handle, most comfortable, forgiving, with a lower balance and more ball output.
- Raptor: Maneuverable with a solid sweet spot, less ball output than Astrom, offering more control but requiring better technique.
- Trion Power and Balance: Similar defensive performance; high balance (27 cm) and smaller sweet spots make defense challenging. Trion Balance offers more ball output, aiding defense.
- Black Titan: Heaviest (377 g with Dynamic Star), harder to move but offers excellent control. Not ideal for defense.
Net Play and Volleys
- Black Titan: Heavy weight benefits solid blocks and flat volleys but can be a disadvantage in quick exchanges. Offers great control but requires good technique.
- Trion Power: More reactive and faster than Black Titan but can be harder to control.
- Trion Balance: Softer and more forgiving than Trion Power.
- Raptor: Best maneuverability but dry and less reactive; requires good technique to generate power.
- Astrom: Smooth, comfortable feel, not the most offensive but very user-friendly.
Bandejas (Overhead Shots)
- Black Titan: Preferred for solid impact and feel, though roughness may feel short.
- Raptor: Also favored, shares dry feel with Black Titan.
- Trion Models: Highly reactive and explosive; Trion Power is the fastest but requires skill to control.
- Astrom: Balanced in feel and reactivity, suitable for less aggressive play.
Power Tests
- Trion Power: Most powerful due to reactivity, high balance, and hard core.
- Black Titan: Slightly less powerful due to lower balance but excellent control.
- Trion Balance: Good power with more ball output and a larger sweet spot.
- Raptor: Breaks stereotypes with solid power and control.
- Astrom: Least powerful but easy to maneuver and requires less physical effort.
Final Recommendations
- Black Titan: For players seeking a very hard hybrid racket with customizable weight and balance, low ball output, and a dry feel. Best for those with good technique.
- Raptor: Ideal for those wanting a hard, dry hybrid racket with customizable weight and balance, low ball output, and a solid sweet spot.
- Astrom: Suitable for players desiring a medium feel and reactivity, low balance, medium ball output, and comfort.
- Trion Power: Best for pure power seekers with a hard diamond shape, high balance, and high reactivity.
- Trion Balance: Great for players wanting a diamond shape racket with medium hardness, good power, more ball output, and a larger sweet spot.
Conclusion
Starvie's 2026 collection offers a diverse range of rackets catering to different playing styles and preferences. Innovations like the Dynamic Starface system provide customization options that enhance player experience. Whether you prioritize power, control, comfort, or maneuverability, this collection has a racket to match your needs.
For more information or questions about the Starvie 2026 collection, feel free to reach out or explore further reviews.
Thank you for reading and enjoy your paddle game!
