In the first part, the  Piton 14 , The  Gladius  and  Gladius Forze  had already given us a beautiful overview of what Black Crown They know how to do things when it comes to control, versatility, and offensive precision. Now we're taking it up a notch, or rather several notches. Enter the most powerful and technologically advanced side of the 2026 collection: three racquets that fear nothing, designed for those who want to win points, not just play them.

 Special Max: the answer to the "brutes" 

If you're one of those people who aren't afraid to hit hard and are looking for a feeling of absolute compactness, the  Special Max  will talk to you. Here, we forget the frills: this high-end racket fully embraces its offensive purpose and doesn't try to appeal to everyone: it targets experienced and competitive players who demand a  maximum performance  with each strike.

La  water drop shape  The first strong signal is that we're clearly in a realm of assertive power, with a fairly high balance in this area, which favors devastating smashes and offensive shots above the shoulder. The surface in  18K aluminized carbon  coupled with a  additional layer of unidirectional carbon  It offers explosive responsiveness: the energy transmitted to the ball is direct, without loss, without compromise.  100% carbon frame with Aero technology  completes the whole: here, nothing flexes, nothing vibrates unnecessarily.

Le  Medium EVA core Black  It reacts instantly to impacts, delivering that characteristic firm and dynamic feel. It's what gives the racket that dry, metallic touch that doesn't budge an inch, even against the heaviest shots from your opponent. The technology  Extended Sweet Spot Area  is a real surprise on this offensive profile: it widens the optimal striking zone and offers some tolerance on slightly off-center shots; a welcome safety net in fast exchanges at the net.

Be warned, though: this is a demanding racket that requires real arm speed to master. If you don't have strong shoulders, it could punish you. For experienced players, however, it's a  unparalleled power reservoir  within the range.

In terms of looks, the contrast is radical: a  matte black frame  and total  imposing fluorescent orange crown  here "Pop" literally at the center of the paddle. This vibrant color accent is repeated on the deck, giving the whole thing a very aggressive dynamism. The sandy texture  Sandspin  It generously covers the faces, giving them a very professional matte and textured finish. It's a racket with an ultra-modern look, designed for those who want an aesthetic as impactful as their smashes.

“It’s dry, it’s stable, and it doesn’t budge an inch on heavy shots from the opposition.”

 Special Elite: Power without the pain 

For many players, attacking often rhymes with “bricks” rigid ones that eventually wear out the joints. The Special Elite, also teardrop-shaped, takes the complete opposite approach to what I call the  “velvet glove punch” By marrying a  3K carbon  with an eraser  Black EVA Soft , Black Crown has achieved the feat of combining shock absorption and exceptional ball exit.

You can really feel the racket working to return the ball with disconcerting ease, without ever needing to force it. The core is the key component: it dampens vibrations with an almost surprising smoothness for this type of racket, protecting your joints with every shot.  100% carbon frame with Aero Carbon technology  It ensures the stability and structural rigidity necessary so that this tolerance does not come at the expense of precision.

Sa  teardrop shape  offers a  extended sweet spot area , a well-balanced design, and versatile responsiveness at all stages of the game: equally at ease in defense as in attack, it is more maneuverable than the Max.

For players with a history of  tennis elbow  But for those who refuse to play it safe, this is a smart alternative that allows you to maintain constant pressure on your opponent while protecting your physical energy. A racket that considers the post-match period as much as the match itself.

In terms of design, the Special Elite adopts a look  "radioactive"  and decidedly fresh, which doesn't go unnoticed: a blend of  turquoise blue and neon yellow  which stands out sharply against a matte black background. The central crown sits proudly with its fluorescent yellow outline, an ultra-dynamic color echo that is found throughout the bridge structure. It is undoubtedly the most "solar" and bold of the collection — perfect for the one who wants a racket that sparkles as much as it performs.

“Thanks to its soft rubber, the racket absorbs everything and returns the ball with disconcerting ease.”

 Patron Kore: Technological Adrenaline 

The Patron Kore, in hybrid format, is the showcase, the Formula 1 of the range, the  the most technologically advanced racket  of the entire 2026 collection. Designed for experienced players who refuse any compromise on efficiency, it concentrates an arsenal of innovations that concretely change life on the track — not just on paper.

The name says it all:  "Patron" , he is the boss in Spanish as in French, the one who leads the exchange and dictates the pace.  “Kore” , phonetically modeled on "Core", refers to the heart of the reactor — this central engine where Black Crown has concentrated all its expertise, from 24K carbon to the 3XPlay EVA core. Together, they form the idea of ​​unbridled power: you are the boss on the field because you have the best engine in your hands.

This model is the only one in the range to retain the iconic technology  2TB Carbon , a signature already widely proven over generations at Black CrownThis is the brand's true armored skeleton: a  double tubular carbon  which encircles the paddle to stiffen the frame and stabilize the impact with millimeter precision. Beyond its raw strength, this historic chassis optimizes the sweetspot and guarantees exemplary reliability, even after months of intensive typing. A legacy of in-house expertise that makes all the difference to the equipment's lifespan.

The entire secret of this pala lies in a  combination  formidable: the faces  overlap  two layers of fiberglass with a final coating of  Pure Carbon 24K harmonized by the famous core  3XPlay EVA .
This multi-density rubber acts like an engine, changing its power depending on the situation: soft and precise when building the point, explosive and ruthless when finishing it. On slow balls in defense, it's forgiving and provides a clean, controlled ball exit; as soon as you commit your shoulder to the smash, the rubber instantly hardens, unleashing incredible responsiveness. It's a veritable catapult for launching the ball three times without even trying.

Among the exclusive innovations is the lateral system  VibroLow  does a superb job: it absorbs vibrations and actively protects the arm, preventing you from ending the game with a sore shoulder after 90 minutes of intense engagement.
Technology  Tech Boss  Meanwhile, it optimizes the internal structure: imagine a reinforced spine running through the inside of the paddle to stabilize the frame's torsion and guarantee near-total energy return. With the same effort, the ball comes out with more weight and stability, offering a decisive advantage on finishing shots.
La  finish   sandspin,   As with the Special Max and Elite, it is less abrasive than the Piton 14.  ,   displaying a more subtle roughness. The grain is there, you can feel it, but the contribution remains a little too timid for my taste to be truly decisive on impact. 

In terms of looks, the Patron Kore boasts the most futuristic style of the entire collection: an ultra-effective contrast of  black, white and neon lime green  which is a real eye-catcher. The 24K carbon weave is beautifully highlighted by a large checkerboard pattern on the upper part of the deck. The central crown sits in brilliant white, underlined by a fluorescent green outline that is repeated throughout the deck structure. A detail that sets it apart: it's the only one in the range to sport a  white grip which gives it a hyper- "chub" and distinguished himself on the track.

“A racket with two speeds: forgiving on defense, explosive on the smash. The best of both worlds.”

 At stake: the unfiltered verdict 

On the field, these three players form a trio that is as coherent as it is contrasting, each asserting a strong character from the very first warm-up ball.

 Special Max: the velvet cinder block 

She's not trying to seduce you, she's setting the pace. She's the most direct, the most blunt of the bunch, a point-killing machine. On the  flat smashes The impact is sharp, resounding, and remarkably powerful: the ball doesn't "go" into the racket, it bounces off a wall and literally flies through the air. It's the ultimate weapon for those who make power their primary language. Let's be clear, though: it demands a firm hand. A slightly "weak" arm or a risky shot, and the penalty is immediate. But for the player who knows how to stay active on their feet and solid on their stance, it offers a  surgical stability , even on the opponent's heaviest shots.

My verdict: a purist's racket. It's for competitors who have given up on forgiveness to win.  total authority at the net .

 Special Elite: The Paradox of Understated Power 

It surprises from the very first strokes. One might expect a racket that's elastic or too flexible because of its core.  Black EVA Soft But it's quite the opposite. The  3K carbon  It perfectly encircles the whole area to provide a clean response. It's the ideal weapon for placing...  trays  with incredible security, while maintaining a surprising reserve of power when it comes to finishing. That's where it truly earns its "Elite" stripes: its comfort is superb. It prioritizes total absorption, protecting your arm and elbow from even the harshest vibrations, and greatly facilitating the  defensive lobs  to remain calm during drawn-out discussions.

My verdict: this is the racket for intelligent players. Those who prefer to build patiently and last on the court without ever sacrificing their finishing ability—and especially without ending the match with the  elbow on fire .

 Patron Kore: the conductor 

We're entering a category of our own. The feeling of “ double trigger brought by the core  3XPlay EVA  is simply brilliant: at high intensity, the heart stiffens to deliver phenomenal power. On the  vipers  sharp or the  skillful smashes architecture  Tech Boss  It makes itself felt — it's as if you have an invisible assistant multiplying the arm's energy. At low speeds, however, it proves predictable, smooth, almost friendly, allowing you to build the stitch cleanly. Its  sweetspot  Generous, it provides a lot of security when the shots aren't perfectly centered.

My verdict: an engineering marvel. It demands skill to master, but it rewards you a hundredfold by adapting to all your gameplay intentions. It's the  shovel  well-rounded players who want both the final blow and watchmaker-like precision.

Ergonomics and handling: comfortable, but feels unfinished

In terms of finishes, all three models in this 2026 collection feature a  fleece strap  High quality. It's a real pleasure for the wrist, providing the comfort and security one expects from rackets of this caliber. But the real debate lies elsewhere.

The main drawback, in my opinion, remains the  handle length . Sadly, Black Crown persists with sleeves that I judge  too short remaining stuck on codes that no longer really correspond to  current market standards .

 We saw it with both models   Gladius   The engineers took the plunge by proposing a handle   longer  , perfectly adapted to current market standards.  This success with these two references proves that it is possible and that Black Crown knows how to do it!

So why insist on maintaining a “ court "And outdated on the rest of the collection (Piton, Special, Patron)? Today, players are looking for space for a two-handed backhand or maximum leverage on the smash. By remaining stuck on these old-fashioned codes for its flagship models, the brand risks..."  frustrate some modern players  who are eagerly awaiting this development. There is a feeling of incompleteness: if we know how to achieve excellence with the Gladius, why not apply it to the entire Crown?
It's a shame, because all the other elements are, however,  perfectly in tune with the times .

 Final verdict: the Black Crown has never been so firmly on its throne. 

Before closing this matter, I would like to express my immense gratitude to  Jordi Rovirosa , the boss from  Black Crown Thank you for trusting me by sending me these six wonderful products. It's a privilege to be able to test the entirety of such a coherent range and to delve into its Catalan soul.

After thoroughly testing these six rackets on the track, the conclusion is undeniable: Black Crown has delivered a collection of 2026 models, structured around a segmentation of surgical precision. Here, we are far from marketing gimmicks and empty technological jargon. Each racket has its own identity and, above all, it delivers on its promises from the very first throw.

 To summarize this 2026 vintage: 

  •  Piton 14  remains the absolute safe bet for strategists: an icon of control that transcends ages without aging a bit, but with a touch of extra softness.
  •  The Gladius  establishes itself as the ideal companion, the Swiss Army knife for those who refuse to choose and want to shine in every corner of the track.
  •  The Gladius Force  is the tool of the technical aesthete, the one who wants a scalpel in hand to impose his game with precision and nervousness.
  •  The Special Max  is a block of power just waiting to be unleashed: it will richly reward those who have the arm and the commitment to tame its compactness.
  •  The Special Elite  is the smart compromise par excellence: it preserves your elbow and your physical capital while maintaining constant pressure on the opponent.
  •  The boss Kore At the top of the pyramid, is the culmination of in-house engineering: it is the racket for those who demand everything, right away — raw power and striking comfort — provided they have the technical skills to take it into battle.

In short, with this 2026 vintage, the Black Crown isn't simply seeking the limelight. It's seeking efficiency. It's seeking victory. And on a padel court, between two high-intensity rallies, that's precisely what makes all the difference. The King is back, and he has a well-honed sword.

Stay tuned! We'll be back very soon to break it down.  two new models  whose surname alone is enough to lay the foundations for performance:  Iconic A name that says it all… The rest is already shaping up to be legendary.

Stéphane Penso

Padel fan, Stéphane has become the official tester of the padel planet in Europe. Everything goes through his expert hands. Thanks to his extensive experience in the world of rackets, he is able to scan your equipment from head to toe!

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