Executive Summary
The Head Instinct MP is Head's primary power-comfort offering for intermediate players. At 300g unstrung and ~68 RA, it delivers effortless depth and accessible pace — stiffer and more powerful than the Radical MP, but easier and more forgiving than a Prestige or Speed.
Key Characteristic: The Instinct's Graphene 360+ construction amplifies string bed energy for accessible power without requiring a full, aggressive swing. It's confidence-inspiring — moderate effort produces good depth, which benefits players building technique or playing with reduced physical capacity.
Key Positioning: The Instinct targets intermediate players (3.5–4.5 NTRP) who want accessible power and a comfortable, forgiving feel. It was most famously associated with Maria Sharapova, whose aggressive baseline game and exceptional serve demonstrated what the Instinct platform can achieve at elite level.
Performance Profile
The Instinct MP leads the Instinct S in power, control, and stability. The lighter S offers more maneuverability for players who need a more mobile swing.
Performance Comparison: Instinct Models
Instinct MP leads in control and stability · Instinct S leads in maneuverability and comfort
On-Court Playtest
We took the Head Instinct MP through a full hitting session strung with a co-poly in the low 50s. Here's how Head's power-and-comfort platform plays, shot by shot.
Groundstrokes
Off the ground the Instinct MP is all about accessible, easy power: the 100 sq in head and lively response give effortless depth, so intermediate players can hit a heavy ball without a big swing. It is forgiving and comfortable rather than pinpoint, with a smooth, friendly feel. The ball flies easily, so you add topspin to keep aggressive shots in.
Serve
Serving is easy and free: the frame is simple to swing and gives good pop on flats, with enough spin access for serviceable kick and slice. A confidence-inspiring serving frame for the intermediate player.
Volleys & Net
At net the large, forgiving sweet spot makes volleys easy and reassuring, with enough stability for club-level pace. Comfort and ease are the themes rather than crisp, surgical feedback.
Return & Defence
On the return the easy power lets you block deep with a short swing, and on defence the lively frame helps you flick the ball back with depth. Against heavy hitters it is less planted than a heavier control frame.
Comfort & Feel
Comfort is a core strength — the Instinct has a smooth, dampened, arm-friendly feel that suits players who want easy power without harshness. A soft poly or multifilament at a sensible tension keeps it very comfortable.
Pros & Cons
The quick scannable summary of what we liked — and what to be aware of.
Pros
- Easy, accessible power and effortless depth
- Large, forgiving sweet spot
- Smooth, comfortable, arm-friendly feel
- Easy to swing and serve with for intermediates
- Confidence-inspiring all-court ease
Cons
- Limited pinpoint control — built for ease, not precision
- Flies easily, so needs topspin to rein in
- Less stable than heavier frames against big pace
- Advanced players may find it too easy and want more feedback
Model Context
The Instinct family spans competitive intermediate to beginner recreational. The MP is the benchmark — choose lighter variants only if the standard weight feels genuinely difficult to swing.
Instinct MP
The flagship Instinct for competitive intermediate play. Accessible power, comfortable feel, forgiving 100 sq in sweet spot. The standard recommendation for players considering the Instinct family who play competitive club tennis.
Instinct S
Lighter version with the same Instinct identity. At 285g it's more manageable for players who find the MP fatiguing — ideal for juniors transitioning to full frames or older players managing physical capacity. Slightly less stable than the MP on heavy incoming pace.
Instinct PWR
Maximum power and forgiveness. The oversized 105 sq in head and 270g weight make it extremely accessible for recreational players and beginners. Excellent for social tennis and club play where consistency and comfort are prioritised over precision.
Technical Must-Knows
Who Plays With This?
The Instinct's most iconic ambassador was Maria Sharapova, whose aggressive, flat-hitting baseline game and elite serve defined the frame's character.
Sharapova's aggressive flat groundstrokes and exceptional serve were the defining demonstration of the Instinct platform. Her heavily customised tour version was significantly heavier and stiffer than retail, but the style profile — flat, penetrating, high-paced — maps perfectly onto what the Instinct enables at club level.
Players who hit flat and hard from the baseline and want a frame that provides depth without requiring maximum effort. The Instinct MP's power assist means moderate swings produce competitive depth — a significant advantage in long matches where conserving energy matters.
String Setup Guide
The Instinct MP rewards setups that complement its power character. Avoid overly powerful strings that make control difficult. Reference range: 50–60 lbs (22.7–27.2 kg).
Quick Start (Most Players)
- Standard setup (soft poly, 1.25mm): 53–55 lbs — balances the Instinct's power with enough string control.
- If the ball is flying long: Try a firmer co-poly at 55–58 lbs or switch to a 1.27mm gauge for more control.
- For arm-sensitive players: Multifilament at 54–57 lbs — preserves comfortable feel across long sessions.
- For spin: Shaped poly (Hyper-G, RPM Blast) at 51–54 lbs to amplify the 16×19 pattern's natural snapback.
Setup Reference
| Player Type | String | Tension | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flat Hitter | Babolat RPM Blast 1.25mm | 54–56 lbs | Control + spin, complements flat game |
| Arm-Sensitive Player | Tecnifibre Razor Soft 1.25mm | 52–55 lbs | Comfortable soft poly for long sessions |
Top 3 String Recommendations
Best for: Players wanting spin and control alongside the Instinct's accessible power.
RPM Blast's octagonal profile generates solid spin in the 16×19 pattern and provides reliable directional control. In the Instinct MP at 53–56 lbs it creates a balanced setup — the frame provides power, RPM provides precision. A safe, proven choice for most intermediate club players considering the Instinct family.
Best for: Players prioritising arm comfort who want a full poly setup.
Razor Soft's triangular profile and soft co-poly formula provide excellent spin with a comfortable, dampened feel. In the Instinct MP it creates a particularly comfortable setup — suitable for players who train frequently or have mild arm sensitivity. Tension maintenance is good for a soft poly, making it a reliable long-term pairing.
Best for: Players who want natural feel and comfort with adequate durability.
Head Velocity MLT's multifilament construction delivers a comfortable, natural feel at contact. In the Instinct MP it produces a lively, comfortable setup suitable for players with arm concerns or those who prefer the softer, more natural response of multifilament over polyester. Good durability for a multifilament makes it practical for regular club play.
Full Specifications
| Specification | Instinct MP | Instinct S | Instinct PWR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Head Size | 100 sq in (645 cm²) | 100 sq in (645 cm²) | 105 sq in (677 cm²) |
| Weight (Unstrung) | 300g / 10.6oz | 285g / 10.1oz | 270g / 9.5oz |
| Length | 27 in | 27 in | 27 in |
| Balance | ~330mm / 3 pts HL | ~335mm / 2 pts HL | ~340mm / 1 pt HL |
| String Pattern | 16x19 | 16x19 | 16x19 |
| Stiffness (RA) | ~68 | ~67 | ~67 |
| Swingweight | ~315–322 | ~300–308 | ~280–290 |
| Beam Width | 23–26mm | 23–26mm | 25–27mm |
| Technology | Graphene 360+ | Graphene 360+ | Graphene 360+ |
| Target Player | Intermediate (3.5–4.5) | Club / Lighter Swing | Recreational / Beginner |
Our Verdict
The Instinct MP is Head's easy-power-and-comfort frame — effortless depth and a forgiving, arm-friendly feel for intermediates who want pace without working for it.
It's the frame we'd recommend to intermediate players (3.0–4.5) who want easy power, a big forgiving sweet spot and a comfortable feel for all-court club tennis. You trade pinpoint control and stability for that ease, so advanced players who want feedback and precision should look at the Speed, Radical or Prestige, but for accessible, comfortable power the Instinct MP is a friendly, dependable choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Head Instinct MP good for beginners?
Yes — improvers and advancing beginners are a natural fit. The Instinct MP offers easy power, a large forgiving sweet spot and a comfortable feel that flatters a developing game. Complete beginners may want an even lighter frame, but it is one of the more accessible performance racquets.
Who is the Head Instinct MP best for?
It suits intermediate club players who want effortless depth, easy power and a comfortable, forgiving frame for all-court tennis. It is ideal for players who prefer the racquet to supply pace rather than having to generate it all themselves.
Is the Head Instinct MP arm-friendly?
Yes. Comfort is one of the Instinct's strengths — it has a smooth, dampened response that is gentle on the arm. Pair it with a soft poly or a multifilament at a sensible tension and it stays very comfortable over long sessions.
What string and tension is best for the Head Instinct MP?
A soft co-polyester or a multifilament in the low 50s lbs works well. Use a multifilament or a soft poly for maximum comfort, go a touch tighter or thicker for more control if the ball flies long, and use a shaped poly if you want more spin.
Is the Head Instinct MP a power or control racquet?
It is firmly a power-and-comfort frame: built to deliver easy, accessible depth and a forgiving, arm-friendly feel rather than the pinpoint precision of a control racquet.
Head Instinct MP vs Head Boom — which should I buy?
Both are accessible power frames. Choose the Instinct MP for the easiest, most comfortable power and forgiveness aimed at intermediates; choose a Boom for a slightly more refined, all-court feel with a touch more on tap. The Instinct is the easier, more comfort-first option.