Yonex Ezone 2022 vs 2025?
- Thread starter Piickle
- Start date
thenewbig3
Hall of Fame
Assuming this is about the 98
Ezone 25 is slightly softer feeling and slightly more muted, VERY playfully blue and is an incremental upgrade - also typically closer to 320SW (Last 22s were 300-310 seems like)
No arm issues so I cant comment on that.
Unless discount is massive I would get the 25 and adjust any "feel issues" with string - personally this is just a negotiable element that comes down to Familiarity.
That said I doubled down and bought 2 more 2022s primarily because of the Aqua Night paintjob.
stronzzi70
Professional
I prefer the 2022, real feel, better balance... the 2025 feels clumsy to move... better control and plush feel with 2022…
it really depends on your personal preference and what you're looking for. if you liked the 2025, i'd stick with that.
i set up a pair of 25s to the same specs as my 22s and found the 22s to be better at almost everything. at the end of the day, they're definitely both ezones, but they go about it in different ways. the 2022 provides more feedback at the expense of a more raw feel, has more power at equal specs, and swings through the air a bit faster. the 2025 has a more rubbery refined feel (think 2023 vcore 95 or 98), is more stable without lead at 3/9, pockets the ball a bit more, and is more of a control oriented stick than the 22.
in my case, i'd just use a completely different stick if i only had access to the 2025 model, but it seems split down the middle more than most updates to a generation.
i set up a pair of 25s to the same specs as my 22s and found the 22s to be better at almost everything. at the end of the day, they're definitely both ezones, but they go about it in different ways. the 2022 provides more feedback at the expense of a more raw feel, has more power at equal specs, and swings through the air a bit faster. the 2025 has a more rubbery refined feel (think 2023 vcore 95 or 98), is more stable without lead at 3/9, pockets the ball a bit more, and is more of a control oriented stick than the 22.
in my case, i'd just use a completely different stick if i only had access to the 2025 model, but it seems split down the middle more than most updates to a generation.
@thenewbig3 - Interesting notes. Haven't tried the 25 yet, but interested to confirm where it lies on the power-to-weight and feel spectrums. I personally wouldn't want any less feel than the 22, that's for sure, and depending on how the power-to-weight ratio actually is, I could see certain players moving to more firm, truer-feeling options like a 305S or Arma Pro 98. Oh well. I guess it's nice to have choices at least! Supposedly Yonex knows best, but some of these changes seem a bit questionable...
Edit: grammar/spelling.
Edit: grammar/spelling.
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thenewbig3
Hall of Fame
Racket Feel is like spice in food.. If you are used to having a lot of spicy food then you are possibly desensitized to nuaced taste and mild spices. When I turned 40 I couldnt handle as much spice anymore BUT on the flip side it really opened my pallete up.
Similarly At some point my excess thirst for feel in rackets also went away and this opened up ball and string feel in different ways. This is why I call Feel a negotiable item and can be changed via Familiarity and string selections... Our senses also literally adjust
Yes there some rackets are are very muted or feel disconnected or even lifeless BUT the Ezone 25 is not one of those, far from it.
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That's an interesting analogy, however I think it's better aligned to racquets and strings with the racquet being a person's pallet and the string being the food. Having a properly-sensitized pallet, made up of 100% healthy tissue, functioning nerves and taste buds, is akin to having a racquet with a fully connected/direct layup. Then you move to a desensitized pallet, whose tasting ability is at least partially neutered from, let's say, from having had surgery that killed some taste buds or blocked some nervous feedback. This is akin to having a muted racquet with filler material in/on it (VDM, Cortex, and all the other stuff), where at least some amount of Hz vibration transmission is reduced or blocked altogether. With a desensitized pallet, as with a muted racquet, you'd need that much more spice, salt and/or other overt flavor-drivers in the food, to have equivalent taste recognition, as you would that much more stiffness, crispness and/or vibration from the string, to have equivalent feel. In pure tennis gear consequences: one might find themselves more pigeon-holed into a higher amount of tension, material stiffness and/or crispness from strings available (or not available), than one might otherwise prefer, just to get enough feel.
Now, all of that said, I realize that I'm micro-focusing on something that most of the buying public could care less about, much less even ascertain. So while I might make a point, it's mostly moot. And I get that. For the rest of us nerds, there will be other frames and strings out there – hopefully, at least. Thus, the beauty of choice!
@Piickle - Apologies for sidetracking your thread. Back on the rails here. I would say, if you don't have a history of any arm issues, I would go '22 EZ98/100 all the way, get the paint job you like more, and if you'll planning on buying multiple frames, take some of the savings you get from buying the '22's, and invest it into TW's (or whomever's) matching service, so they can pull you two or more frames whose stock specs are as close as possible. Hope that helps!
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adchris2
Semi-Pro
I was debating picking up a 2025 E98, but based on price and the feedback I've seen on the boards I ordered a 2022. I also own a 2025 E100, and I have to echo what some others have mentioned that the feedback is really quite muted. Coming from the 2021 Vcore Pro line, I am no stranger to muted, but the 2025 E100 takes it up a notch and I can't quite tell how I *feel* about that (ha..ha). Really excited to get the 22 out on court. 
I liked the 2022 98 better, the the 2025 100 better. The trick with the 2025 100 is to use super crisp strings like Lynx Tour. I had PTP in one and hated it, but it's great with stiffer, more communicative strings.I was debating picking up a 2025 E98, but based on price and the feedback I've seen on the boards I ordered a 2022. I also own a 2025 E100, and I have to echo what some others have mentioned that the feedback is really quite muted. Coming from the 2021 Vcore Pro line, I am no stranger to muted, but the 2025 E100 takes it up a notch and I can't quite tell how I *feel* about that (ha..ha). Really excited to get the 22 out on court.
adchris2
Semi-Pro
Yeah for sure, I agree. I first tried the 25 E100 with Poly Tour Pro 1.30 and could not feel a thing. I then tried Grey Fire, which was only marginally better. After that I moved on to Poly Tour Strike, which I recall trying in my VCP 97D a couple years ago and remember being quite crisp and poppy. I have since stuck with the Strike, as it has been lightyears better than the previous two setups I tried. Planning to stick with Strike. It's a high quality product. and it's good to hear yet another person preferred the 22 98 over the 25 considering I just bought the 22 haha.
TheBoom
Hall of Fame
I went with the 2022 over the 2025, but have a few friends that like the 25 better (all the 98’s). The 2022 feels a bit more direct/connected which is just a feel I prefer. I also think the slight change to the head shape made the sweet spot feel a bit higher in the hoop than previously. Neither are reasons the 2022 is better or the 2025 is worse, it’s all personal preference, and frankly I don’t think the changes to the frames would affect the outcome of any match if you pick one over the other.
Biggest complaint for both is the paint quality… if there’s a slight breeze the paint chips
Biggest complaint for both is the paint quality… if there’s a slight breeze the paint chips
LordGulbis
Semi-Pro
The paint is terrible on the Ezone, one long match and your racquet is already difficult to sell.
Federerkblade
Hall of Fame
No issues with ezone tour
The paint with Wilson rf01 was coming when re stringing but no issues with ezone tour 25
The paint with Wilson rf01 was coming when re stringing but no issues with ezone tour 25
I didn't test them with the same string setup, and that may have been part of the issue, but I ended up switching from the 2022 98 to the 2025 100 for the extra power. I was down 1-6 with my '22 98, then I switched to the ‘22 ezone 100 and won 6-1 with much less effort. After that, I demoed the ‘25 100 for a week, and I didn’t feel like I was giving up that much control, so I made the switch
thenewbig3
Hall of Fame
I have the Ezone 98 Aqua Night as my main racket and have no unusual complaints. Maybe I dont hit the ground hard enough or maybe just dont play enough tennis
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AgTennis
New User
Hi, I’m exactly in this same situation trying to decide whether I pick the 2025 model or the 2022 at a discounted price. The difference would be AUD60 so not that big, but I was wondering which one would play better for me. I just demoed the 2025 and liked it, found it to be good at everything and liked the power from the baseline (controlled). And very stable! Gorgeous at the net.
I’ve played with Ezone 100 2022 aqua night (racquet that I started playing and learning tennis), moved on to Speed MP 2022, moved on to the Pro for a while, and now back to the Speed MP, but ready to let it go. I felt I really prefer head-light racquet (around 6pt HL), similar to the 98 ezones and Speed Pro.
I have played the Ezone 98 aqua night but I remember it was very unstable when hitting off center, which caused wrist pain. Might just be my technique at the time but I didn’t feel that with the 2025 model. Could also be that mine was under spec in swing weight.
What would you recommend? Should I just go with the new one, or give the 2022 a try given the cheaper price? Also I won’t lie that the aqua night paint job is a factor in favor for the 2022.
Thanks!
thenewbig3
Hall of Fame
Based on your message do the 2025 with spec check/adjust to your requirements of SW and Balance. Whether or not the wrist pain was caused due to the 2022 racket it will be a stain that will constantly rear its head whenever you make an error and negative thoughts lead to more errors.... And honestly 60 AUD is not even a worthy discount for you to take such a big risk.
You have to ultimately choose a stick that you like AND doesnt cause pain. In terms of performance, i stand by my earlier post that the 22 is superior in almost every way at same specs. In stock form, the 22 is definitely less stable and harsher. There's no guarantee the 22 with added weight will remediate these problems for you. With lead, i found more stability, but i still had occasional wrist issues that lead me to move on from the 22 ez98 after 2 years.
If you like the 25, you should go with that. You can't play the "what if" game because you'll always be wondering about othet sticks too. I found the 25 to be too plain and not as magical as the 22, so it wasnt an option for me. If you already like it, you might as well pull the trigger.
TennisViking
Semi-Pro
I have played with the Ezone 100 since year 2020.
The 2022 version (Ezone 100) is pretty much perfect for being a “power” racquet. Mine was measured at 69 RA (unstrung) and I immediately afterwards bought another one with identical specs.
A few months ago I could not resist buying the 2025 version of the Ezone 100. Mine was measured at 71 RA. I have used both the 2022 and the 2025 version lately but I will probably get rid of the 2025 version.
For me, the 2022 version has better feel and a bit better control. The 2025 version is thicker at the upper part of the beam (head) and I don’t like the feeling. It is also a bit too powerful which leads me to hold back a little bit. It is a pretty dead feel. The 2022 version has at the least some flex and feel even though it is also a stiff and powerful racquet.
I don’t want to string stiffer as it would only lead to less feel. I think they made the 2025 version too powerful and stiff.
I recently play tested the Wilson Ultra 100 V5 and really liked it. I’ll order one and will add it to my racquet bag. Felt a bit more like my Ezone 100 (2022).
I have tried a bit too many racquets the past years. What I have learned is that for me, it does no matter what “dampening” tech is put into a racquet, if the stiffness is +70 RA it just feels too stiff and dead (no feeling).
I play best with Ezone 100 type racquets (ease of use & free power), but there seems to be a sweet spot with regards to stiffness and power. When it is too stiff, only option to tune in the power is to string it stiffer which in turn kills all feeling.
The 2022 version (Ezone 100) is pretty much perfect for being a “power” racquet. Mine was measured at 69 RA (unstrung) and I immediately afterwards bought another one with identical specs.
A few months ago I could not resist buying the 2025 version of the Ezone 100. Mine was measured at 71 RA. I have used both the 2022 and the 2025 version lately but I will probably get rid of the 2025 version.
For me, the 2022 version has better feel and a bit better control. The 2025 version is thicker at the upper part of the beam (head) and I don’t like the feeling. It is also a bit too powerful which leads me to hold back a little bit. It is a pretty dead feel. The 2022 version has at the least some flex and feel even though it is also a stiff and powerful racquet.
I don’t want to string stiffer as it would only lead to less feel. I think they made the 2025 version too powerful and stiff.
I recently play tested the Wilson Ultra 100 V5 and really liked it. I’ll order one and will add it to my racquet bag. Felt a bit more like my Ezone 100 (2022).
I have tried a bit too many racquets the past years. What I have learned is that for me, it does no matter what “dampening” tech is put into a racquet, if the stiffness is +70 RA it just feels too stiff and dead (no feeling).
I play best with Ezone 100 type racquets (ease of use & free power), but there seems to be a sweet spot with regards to stiffness and power. When it is too stiff, only option to tune in the power is to string it stiffer which in turn kills all feeling.
Jono123
Hall of Fame
I found the same thing. It's turning into more of a PD.
Tennisfan2024
Rookie
Any thoughts on how the two 98's compare for a ohbh?
_FrankTheTank_
Semi-Pro
even similar specs, the differences are marginal.
The 2022 is more raw, direct, stiffer, through that (very) slighty more spin and power, maybe a sharper slice, but something you just notice side by side.
The 2025 has a bit more dwell, I feel a bit better with that one going for a DTL finishing shot, but also marginal.
They are different, but still share the same strengths and weaknesses (it needs some active input to create some arc and opponenet-pushing spin on the OHBH).
With the mold and layup change on the 2025, it got (from the mayn published specs here for the 2022 and 2025) more polarized and the SW increased on average (which is the same epierience I have with my 2025 98 and 98L), which leads to better swinging feel and stability on the OHBH, out of the box. But it's mostly matchable with like 2g of lead, if needed at all.
fantom
Hall of Fame
For 2022 EZ 100 users: I can confirm that the bumper guard for the 2025 model will fit. The 2022 grommets have been out of stock for a few months.
