The Bullpadel Neuron 02 2026 is Fede Chingotto's racket: a hybrid shape, 365 to 375 grams and a firm 3K carbon face. It is a racket for the advanced player who likes to build points with placement, but who also wants to be able to accelerate. What stands out: it is harder than you would expect from a hybrid shape.
We test the rackets in our range ourselves on court. In this review you will read what makes the Neuron 02 2026 so distinctive, how it compares with the Vertex 05 and the NOX AT10 Genius 18K, and who it is and isn't suitable for.
The Bullpadel Neuron 02 2026 in brief
The Neuron 02 has a hybrid shape, somewhere between round and teardrop. It weighs 365 to 375 grams and the balance sits around 25.5 cm, roughly in the middle. The face is made of X-Tend Carbon 3K on a Multieva core, with a rough 3D Grain finish. The profile is 38 mm and the hitting surface 525 cm².
What does that mean on court? Thanks to the hybrid shape the sweet spot sits centrally in the face, so it is more forgiving than a diamond when you hit the ball slightly off-centre. The 3K carbon makes it hard: the ball comes off the face crisp and direct, but you also feel more of every shot. At 365 to 375 grams it is not light, which gives stability against hard balls coming at you.
Fede Chingotto and Bullpadel
The Neuron is the racket of Federico "Fede" Chingotto, and the Neuron 02 was developed together with him. There is also a Neuron 02 Edge: a geometric variant with a higher balance and a larger hitting surface, for anyone who wants more weight in the head.
Chingotto comes from Olavarría in Argentina (born in 1997) and plays on the right side. At 1.70 metres he is one of the smallest players at the top of the world game, which is why he is called "El Ratón" on tour: the little mouse. What he lacks in height he makes up for with speed, reflexes at the net and a lob that gives opponents a lot of trouble.
His career is a story of perseverance. He formed a pair with Juan Tello for more than seven years, one of the longest partnerships in professional padel. They reached several big finals, but they won their first title (Las Rozas 2020) without playing the final, because their opponents withdrew through injury. His first final actually won on court only came in December 2023, at the very last tournament of the World Padel Tour: with Paquito Navarro he beat Galán and Lebrón (6-1 6-4) to win the Master Final in Barcelona, and he was named best player of the tournament. In 2024 he became world champion with Argentina in Qatar, with Agustín Tapia, one of his biggest rivals on tour, alongside him in the final against Spain. After that he and Alejandro Galán grew into one of the best pairs in the world, and he himself reached number 3 in the world rankings.
The character of the Neuron 02
The Neuron 02 looks for the balance between power, control and hardness, leaning a little more towards control and hardness than most rackets in this price range. Three things define that character. The 3K carbon gives a firm, dry feel and a predictable ball. The PrismLock frame, a prism-shaped construction of the rim, counters twisting of the face when you hit the ball off-centre. And the balance around 25.5 cm makes it easy to steer, without feeling light in the head.
Next to the Vertex 05 2026, the Neuron 02 is the harder and stiffer of the two: the Vertex has a 12K face with a medium feel and a diamond shape. Next to the NOX AT10 Genius 18K Aluminium 2026, also a racket with a medium feel, the Neuron is likewise tighter. At the bottom of the frame there is an air channel (Air Power) designed to make the racket move through the air faster, and for your arm there is Ease Vibe in the face and Vibradrive and Hesacore in the grip.
Playing feel on court
At the net. The balance in the middle makes the Neuron 02 quick in the hand, and the hard face gives a crisp, direct ball. In fast exchanges at the net that is exactly what you want: you know where the ball is going.
Overhead. The rough 3D Grain finish helps when you want to hit the ball with slice or spin. There is plenty of power: the hard face sends a well-struck ball back fast and flat. That speed does come mainly from your own stroke, though, because the face gives little rebound. If you swing through properly, you get a fast ball; if you let the racket do all the work, you will notice that a racket with a softer face gives more.
In defence. The central sweet spot and the weight of 365 to 375 grams give stability on hard balls and balls out of the corner. The hard feel does require good technique on low, slow balls, because the face helps you less there than a softer racket would.
Our star rating
| Category | Score |
|---|---|
| Power | ★★★★☆ |
| Control and placement | ★★★★★ |
| Volleys | ★★★★☆ |
| Sweet spot and forgiveness | ★★★★☆ |
| Defence | ★★★★☆ |
| Comfort | ★★★☆☆ |
| Spin | ★★★★☆ |
Overall score: 8.0/10. Precise, stable and quick in the hand, with a hard feel where you create the speed.
Who is this racket suitable for?
BUY IT IF
- you are an advanced player who builds points with placement and can also finish them yourself;
- you spend a lot of time at the net and want a racket that is fast and predictable;
- you like a firm, direct feel and have a good stroke of your own.
DON'T BUY IT IF
- you are just starting out or want a soft racket that spares your arm;
- you want the racket to create the speed for you: then a racket with a softer face suits you better.
The alternatives
Two rackets we have in stock that are close to the Neuron 02, but each with its own character. You will find more all-rounders in our list of the best teardrop rackets of 2026.
Bullpadel Vertex 05 2026: diamond with a medium feel
As heavy as the Neuron (365–375 grams), but with a diamond shape and an X-Tend Carbon 12K face with a medium feel. So it is less hard and stiff than the Neuron, and the diamond shape places the sweet spot higher in the face, where you hit the ball on a smash. A versatile racket for attack, defence and everything in between. Downside: the sweet spot is smaller than on the hybrid Neuron, so it is less forgiving on off-centre shots.
View the Bullpadel Vertex 05 2026
NOX AT10 Genius 18K Aluminium 2026: teardrop, power and control
Agustín Tapia's racket. A teardrop shape with an 18K Alum carbon face and an MLD Black EVA core, with a medium feel: not hard, not soft. That makes it less tight than the Neuron and gives it a little more give. With the Weight Balance system you adjust the balance yourself. Downside: if you are looking for exactly that hard, direct feel of the Neuron, you will find it less crisp. Also read our review of the AT10 Genius 18K 2026.
View the NOX AT10 Genius 18K 2026Frequently asked questions about the Neuron 02
Is the Bullpadel Neuron 02 2026 suitable for beginners?
No. It is made for advanced and professional players. The hard face and the weight of 365 to 375 grams require good technique.
Is the Bullpadel Neuron 02 hard or soft?
Hard. The X-Tend Carbon 3K face gives a firm, dry feel. Not sure what suits you? Then read hard or soft padel racket: which suits you?
Which racket does Fede Chingotto play with?
With the Bullpadel Neuron 02, which was developed together with him. There is also an Edge variant with a higher balance.
What is the difference between the Neuron 02 and the Vertex 05?
Both weigh 365 to 375 grams. The Neuron 02 is a hybrid with a hard 3K face; the Vertex 05 is a diamond with a 12K face and a medium feel. So the Neuron is harder and more forgiving off-centre; the Vertex is more supple and has its sweet spot higher in the face.
How much does the Bullpadel Neuron 02 2026 weigh?
Between 365 and 375 grams, with a balance around 25.5 cm.
How much does the Bullpadel Neuron 02 2026 cost?
At Holland Padel it currently costs €269.95 instead of €329.95.
Our honest conclusion
The Neuron 02 2026 is precise, stable and easy to steer, with a hard face that sends the ball back crisp and predictable. The downside is that same hardness: you mostly create the speed yourself, and your arm feels more of every shot than with a racket with a medium feel. That makes it a racket for a smaller group of players than the Vertex 05.
Choose the Neuron 02 if you like a crisp, direct feel and build your points with placement. Choose the Vertex 05 if you want a more supple face and a diamond shape. Want to feel it first? Come to a test session in Rotterdam.
Related blogs and news
- Stupaczuk and Sanz beat Galán and Chingotto in Rotterdam
- Tapia and Coello win the Paris Major after a comeback against Galán
- Galán and Chingotto beat Paquito and Di Nenno in Paris
- Diamond, teardrop or round: which racket shape should you choose?
- Which padel rackets do the pros play with in 2026?
Sporting regards,
Team Holland Padel
