Drivers are one of the biggest investments a golfer is likely to make, particularly if you are shopping at the top end of the market. The best golf drivers on the market do not come cheap and there are many to choose from, with most of the leading brands bringing out a new range of drivers every year. Cobra is a brand that has established a reputation over recent years for producing premium, high-performance golf drivers that will not break the bank. The brand is trusted by many players on tour including the likes of Rickie Fowler.
Some of you may have fallen in love with the brand when it introduced its 'Baffler' utility wood, that boasts technology that is still used in many of the Cobra's recent releases. Since then, there's been no lack of innovation, especially where drivers are concerned. Cobra's 2024 offering is the Darkspeed which, like its predecessor the Aerojet, has three head designs available.
In this guide, we'll be walking you through the best of Cobra's driver range and what each design offers to help you determine which one is best for your game. Alternatively, if Cobra is not for you, we have also created guides for other brands too – such as the best Titleist drivers, the best TaylorMade drivers, and the best Callaway drivers.
WATCH: We run through the performance of the best drivers in 2024
The Quick List
The Darkspeed X is an outstanding all-rounder that provides competitive ball speeds coupled with comfortable levels of spin and playability, making this an ideal option for a huge range of golfers.
This is an excellent driver for anyone shopping in the low spin, better calibre of player category. The compact head shape and minimalist, dark aesthetic looks great and this driver will be a standout among high speed players in 2024.
The Cobra Darkspeed Max is one of the best draw-bias drivers we have ever tested, to the extent that we genuinelyfound it close to impossible to produce a fade or slice. If you struggle with a slice, the Darkspeed Max is a must try.
With Aerojet Cobra has once again built on its reputation for producing top performing drivers at a more affordable price than the competition. The increase in speed and distance on offer was particularly impressive to us in testing.
The LS is one for the confident ball strikers seeking added distance. It delivers both in terms of speed and on its low spin promise while producing a muted sound that we loved,.
Attention slicers. If you need to take the right side of the course out of play, this driver has the technology to help. It strikes the balance between being aspirational and user friendly while providing a nice, premium look and feel.
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Another absolute saviour for any slicers. The oversized, offset head is designed to straighten out your ball flight and it does so to great effect. It's easy to swing fast and the ball comes off the face with power and easy launch.
Best Cobra Drivers
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Darkspeed Models
Our first impressions of the Darkspeed range were excellent as the all matte black profile gives a seriously sophisticated appearance that we loved. Even the headcover is a thing of beauty, continuing the all black visual and adding a touch of class with some high quality embossed logos.
One thing we noticed from the design is that lack of accent colors and graphics makes the Darkspeed X look a little more compact than it actually is. That might be a turn off for the golfer who likes the reassurance of the larger head, but we feel that the aesthetic makes you feel you have a really premium driver in your hands.
When it comes to tech we would be lying if we said that the Darkspeed X represents a significant leap forward from the Aerojet driver. It doesn't, the performance was very similar but that's no bad thing as the Aerojet is an excellent driver. From our testing the Darkspeed X ticked a lot of boxes. Launch and spin sat perfectly in the mid-windows that we look for and the ball speed was just as impressive as the Aerojet. The main improvement from last year is in the aesthetic.
- Read our full Cobra Darkspeed X Review
Cobra Darkspeed LS Driver
In comparison to the Darkspeed X and the Max versions, the LS is slightly more compact in profile and sits very neatly behind the ball. We noted that the slightly conical shape that was synonymous with the Aerojet LS remains as part of the aerodynamic tech story, but unlike the Aerojet the head is exceptionally clean with only a subtle Cobra logo and carbon highlights breaking up the simplistic look.
We like it when brands don't try too hard to impress with fussy logos and colors, and the Darkspeed range certainly epitomises that ethos, which makes it very much to our taste visually.
What of performance though? Well we remained impressed. The ball flight was suitably aggressive with a mid-to-low launch angle and it produced good, low spin numbers that are comparable with any of the best golf drivers on the market. The Darkspeed LS produced a seriously penetrating flight which was never in any danger of climbing or being adversely affected by the wind, and it will certainly appeal to the better ball strikers out there.
We did experiment with lofting up a touch, and whilst this did raise the launch angle the spin remained steadfastly low, which is encouraging. We have to say that the R&D team at Cobra really have nailed the brief on this one in terms of producing another low-spin bomber.
- Read our full Cobra Darkspeed LS Review
Cobra Darkspeed Max Driver
Along with the rest of the Darkspeed family, the draw-biased Max is straight out of the top drawer when it comes to looks. Taking the “dark” theme to the extreme, Cobra has almost entirely done away with any color here, which is unusual for them but really works. Whilst the head shape of the Max isn’t quite as refined as its siblings listed above, the carbon effect crown and minimalist Cobra logo give a very sophisticated look which we appreciate.
Onto performance, and the Darkspeed Max delivered strong results for us right across the board. We tested the Darkspeed Max both on the golf course and indoors, using Trackman 4 launch monitor and Titleist Pro V1x golf balls and the first thing to note was that the ball speed was strong, producing some very pleasing carry distances.
As we expected, launch and spin were predictably a little higher but not excessively and we feel that Cobra has done a great job of finding the right balance of adding some spin and launch to help the golfer this driver is tailored for, while not adding so much that it would alienate higher speed players who might be wanting to switch to a draw bias option.
- Read our full Cobra Darkspeed Max Review
Aerojet Models
An upgrade on the excellent Cobra LTDx driver that featured on our Editors Choice Awards for 2022, the Aerojet became an immediate favorite of ours because of its consistency, distance and aesthetics. Visually, this was one of the best-looking golf clubs to hit the market in some time, even if we feel it has now been eclipsed by the Darkspeed.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and some of you may prefer the more colorful tones of the Aerojet to the classic black of Darkspeed. The stunning glossy carbon black base finish features pops of blue and red on the sole of the club on the adjustable weighting system, and this is a driver that will look great in anyone's golf bag.
When it comes to performance, again, it's impressive. The feel is very similar to what we saw in its predecessor, the LTDx, producing a powerful satisfying 'smack' through impact. As the name suggests though, this is a club designed with aerodynamics in mind to help players flush their tee shots through the air faster and push the ball further down the fairways. We found that the PWR-Bridge which is inserted behind the face helped add to the speed on offer here and this is a fine all-round driver for anyone looking for distance combined with forgiveness.
- Read our full Cobra Aerojet Driver Review
Cobra Aerojet LS Driver
One for the long hitters. The LS is the distance model of the Aerojet range and like the standard version mentioned above, it features a new ‘PWR-Bridge’, which is a 13g weight that sits low in the sole and behind the face. This is designed to move the centre of gravity forward, reducing spin while improving ball speed and distance. Having put this to the test on the golf course as well as indoors, we loved the power this offered and we feel it matches up well with some of the best drivers for distance we've tested.
The LS version is the fastest of the three models and has a 457cc clubhead, which is 3cc smaller than the other two. That’s not a big difference and yet we noticed it does have a significantly smaller footprint down behind the ball. That won't benefit those who want a larger head, but it should appeal to the experienced players who may be looking for something a bit more compact.
Interestingly, in our testing we noticed that the LS more muted compared to the other Aerojet models, while unsurprisingly it had the lowest spin of the three. It's also worth noting that the LS version is more workable, so the better player and more consistent ball strikers will particularly benefit from that.
- Read our full Cobra Aerojet LS Driver Review
Cobra Aerojet Max Driver
The Aerojet Max model is predominantly aimed at those golfers searching for added forgiveness or looking to straighten up a slice. In other words, high handicappers and beginners, this could be the club for you! As mentioned above, Aerojet drivers look great but they also offer excellent value compared to other leading brands. The Max version gives a slight offset look down behind the ball – so a fraction toed in to help with that draw, but overall the profile is generous and confidence-inspiringat address.
The Max is a great option for anyone looking for one of the best drivers for slow swing speeds, while there’s also a bigger sweet spot to help to improve your consistency. Our testing showed that the weighting system definitely adds a draw bias to the club that should keep you towards the middle or left side of the fairway, making this one of the best drivers for slicers.
- Read our full Cobra Aerojet Max Driver Review
Women's Models
Another draw bias option that could be an absolute savior for slicers. With its black crown that features pops of pink throughout its design, the Air X is a stunning option for any lady golfer. Visually it will be a big hit among many players but from our testing we also reckon it is one of the best drivers for high handicappers thanks to its large footprint. It sits nicely behind the ball and will provide a lot of confidence to players looking to get the ball up in the air. The club face is somewhat closed (pointing left) when you address the ball and we think slicers will really appreciate this set up.
In our testing we were impressed with the high launch, effortless height and super fast speed we were able to get off the face. The hitting experience certainly placed it among the upper ranks of the best golf drivers for women. It is a lightweight but well-balanced driver which is easy to swing through the air and will really suit women who lack physical strength and swing speed. The weight-saving made by using a carbon crown material paired with Cobra’s own Women's Ultralite 40 (46.5 gram) shaft and lightweight Lamkin grip was very evident in our testing. The sound at impact was quite loud but the resulting propulsion off the face was very impressive, translating into favorable distances.
- Read our full Cobra Air-X Women’s Driver Review
How We Test
When it comes to product testing, our reviews and buyers' guides are built upon a rigorous testing procedure as well as the knowledge and experience of the test team. The driver section is headed up by Joe Ferguson, who is ably assisted by Joel Tadman. Both have been testing golf clubs for years and are very accomplished golfers who are also able to efficiently test the vast majority of the biggest product releases and convey the pros and cons eloquently.
Getting into specifics for drivers, we first attend product launches and speak to manufacturer's to understand the technology. We then hit the golf clubs indoors, usually at Foresight Sports and test the products with premium golf balls on a launch monitor. Outdoor testing is the next port of call and this usually takes place at West Hill Golf Club, a course in Surrey with top-notch practice facilities. Ultimately, we aim to be as insightful and honest as possible in our reviews so it is important to acknowledge that no manufacturer can buy a good review. This is because our team tells it how it is.
How To Choose
There are plenty of things to consider when purchasing a brand new driver. Some of the top models on the market right now come with a whole ton of design features and technology that can make buying a new driver a very complicated thing to do. But don't fret. We've put together a list of key considerations that you should keep in mind when buying your next Cobra driver.
1. Size
The first thing to think about is how big your driver should be. In order to conquer this conundrum we recommend heading down to a club fitting session to get the right size and length of driver for you. You're also going to want to think about the size of the clubhead on your potential new driver. Do you want a larger head to help you feel more confident over the ball, akin to some of the models on our best drivers for high handicappers guide, or are you a more experienced player looking for something a little more compact?
Forgiving drivers tend to be slightly larger than other models for the basic reason of giving them a larger clubface and larger footprint. When hitting, try and take note of where you are striking the golf ball with the face of the club and see if there is any performance drops. Many forgiving drivers these days are designed to perform regardless of where you strike them off the face and you being able to see and understand that in person will help you be more confident with one model over another.
2. Forgiveness
On that note, it is vital to consider how much playability each driver offers. Some of the most forgiving drivers on the market help you consistently strike the ball right down the middle of the fairway no matter where you hit the ball on the clubface. That can also be helped by buying a driver that has a built-in draw bias, that'll help you eliminate a slice.
3. Style
Confidence can come from the equipment you're playing with, so, if you're using a driver that looks and feels the business then, more often than not, that can help put you in the right mindset to play better! There are plenty of drivers out there that offer bags of shelf appeal, with some of the best golf drivers offering glossy and matte finishes that look stunning behind the ball.
4. Weight
Weight has become a big factor when it comes to forgiving drivers, with most brands making models that have a weight towards the back of the head to aid forgiveness and launch. When it comes to whether you want a forgiving driver, it is worth acknowledging whether this is important to you because if not then manufacturers usually make a model without a weight there. If you're looking for better launch angles and longer carries, look for clubs that have the weight pushed towards their heel, a design feature that moves the center of gravity lower, helping you to hit upwards on the golf ball.
5. Adjustability
Often this weight is moveable too and adjustability has become a huge part of modern golf. Being able to tinker and change loft, lie, and many other factors, has become all the rage and if you like to try new things then plenty of the models above, like the Titleist TSR2, will cater to that. However if that doesn't interest you one bit, there are also models which keep things more simple, like the Ping G430 Max.
While there are plenty of fantastic options on this guide, we have been hard at work testing some of the top driver models in the game right now. We have come up with some definitive walkthroughs on the best golf drivers for distance, best budget golf drivers, and best golf drivers for beginners, which you should check out if you're in the market for a new club!
FAQs
Which Cobra driver is the best?
That depends what type of golfer you are. If you're after more forgiveness, the Cobra Darkspeed Max will be best. If you're after more distance, the Cobra Darkspeed LS will be the best. If you're somewhere in the middle of these two, the standard Darkspeed X will be the best.
What pros use Cobra drivers?
The biggest names using Cobra drivers on Tour are Rickie Fowler, Gary Woodland and Lexi Thompson.
Are Cobra drivers good?
Cobra drivers regularly make it into our list of the best golf drivers. They easily compete with the likes of TaylorMade, Callaway, Titleist and Ping for the best driver crown.
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