Popular Pickleball Paddles: A 2023 Roundup

The Six Zero Black Diamond Power paddle is a paddle for pickleball players looking for an all-court option with some power. This paddle features a slightly flared shape that optimizes the sweet spot in the core hitting zone, allowing for improved reach. Six Zero says its wave technology adds power and spin.

The JOOLA Ben Johns Hyperion CFS 16 is a high-performance pickleball paddle designed for advanced players, developed in partnership with Ben Johns. It features JOOLA's Carbon Friction Surface (CFS), a textured carbon face for spin and control, on a 16mm reactive polymer core. It weighs roughly 8.2 to 8.4 oz in the standard weight, with a lighter Swift version around 7.9 oz. The Hyperion CFS 16 also has a head shape designed to be quick through the air and JOOLA's Hyperfoam Edge Wall, a foam injected into the perimeter, which is meant to add stability and a larger sweet spot. Additionally, JOOLA has a swift version of the paddle, which is designed for aggressive and offensive players who enjoy faster shots. The swift version of the paddle is designed with JOOLA's Swift technology, which makes the paddle lighter and faster in hand.

The Electrum Pro 2 pickleball paddle is an excellent choice for experienced players looking for power and control. It features an 11mm full-cell polymer core, 8-inch paddle width, 16-inch paddle length, and a 5 1/4-inch grip length. The grip circumference measures 4 1/4 inches. The paddle is balanced and slightly longer for extra reach. It also has good spin potential and control, allowing you to make accurate shots with precision.

The PROLITE Bolt Middleweight Carbon Fiber Pickleball Paddle is a budget-friendly option for pickleball players. Made with carbon fiber, this paddle is lightweight and easy to control, making it ideal for both beginners and experienced players. The tacky carbon-fiber textured surface allows for powerful hits and the paddle length (15 1/2) and width (7 3/4) provides more forgiveness on miss hits. This paddle is perfect for aggressive gameplay and comes at an affordable price point. With its combination of power and control, the PROLITE Bolt is a great entry level paddle

The Engage Pursuit MX is a premium pickleball paddle that blends power and control. The carbon fiber surface and proprietary graphite skin provide plenty of pop and power on shots, while the black core and foam edgewall technology offer stability and a large sweet spot. The generous 5-3/4" handle is comfortable and allows for double-handed backhands. The paddle is well-balanced for both attacking and control play. However, it is on the heavier side and may not be suitable for all players, and its price point may be higher than some other options on the market. It may take some time to adjust to the extra power and pop on shots if you are not used to it.

CRBN's Power Series paddles were a much-discussed release. The one-piece unibody design ensures that the paddle is sturdier than ever while maintaining a stylish and sleek look. Featuring a Toray T700 carbon fiber face with a polymer core, these paddles use a thermoforming process that strengthens the paddle (they are not indestructible). The line comes in more than one shape and core thickness. These paddles pack a mean punch with their high spin rate, providing players with the ability to deliver aggressive serves and roll volleys. Overall, the Power series offers a lot of power and spin. The Power series paddles made waves in the pickleball community after their release. There has been controversy about CRBN paddles and USA Pickleball approval, but reviewers describe a strong blend of power and control. The sweet spots are consistent across the face and provide a solid feel, with a slight drop-off on the edges. If you're looking for a blend of power and control, the 1X 16 millimeter paddle is a great option. It's easy to control and reset after aggressive shots. The 14mm 1X is stiffer and boasts more pop than the 16mm but might not be suitable for those who prefer less power. The 2X paddles offer notably less power than the 1X but have faster hand speed and can be customized with lead tape. With good build quality and high spin rates, the Power series suits players looking for an aggressive all-court paddle.

The Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro Pickleball Paddle is a Paddletek paddle with a unidirectional carbon fiber face and a polymer honeycomb core. Paddletek's Smart Response Technology is designed to improve touch and feel. The paddle is lightweight and manageable, with a decent sweet spot.

The ProKennex Kinetic Pro Flight Paddle is a highly advanced and innovative paddle designed to provide power, control and comfort during pickleball games. It combines a carbon fiber face with a Diamond Frost textured coating, ProKennex's Kinetic frame system, a Cloud Cell polymer core and a replaceable Air-O-Guard edge guard. It has a traditional rectangular shape and weighs around 7.3 to 7.6 oz. Customers have noted the impressive power and control provided by the paddle, and some report less arm fatigue. However, some customers have expressed concerns over the paint peeling off after less than a year of use, while others have criticized the customer support provided by the manufacturer.

The Legacy Pro is a power-oriented paddle with a lot of spin. With a 16 millimeter thick polymer core, injected foam, and a Toray T700 carbon fiber face, the paddle is well built. It has a low swing weight, making it easy for players to maneuver, and the large sweet spot ensures that the ball strikes the paddle accurately. The Legacy Pro is a great choice for players who want to dominate on the singles court, and some players have praised it. However, the powerful nature of the Legacy Pro may not be suitable for all players. The paddle is prone to scratches and dust, which can leave marks on the surface. Additionally, its formidable power can make it a bit of a challenge to control, particularly when playing doubles. The 5.3 inch handle may feel inadequate for those with larger hands, and players will need to be mindful of their swings to avoid overhitting the ball. Nevertheless, the Legacy Pro is a premium paddle for players who want power.

The VANGUARD POWER AIR INVIKTA is a high-performance pickleball paddle developed by Selkirk Pickleball. It is known for its power and reach. The paddle uses Selkirk's Power Air technology, which is aimed at power and spin. It is perfect for attacking play, with its power and spin capabilities. However, it may not be the best choice for control play, especially up close. The handle is comfortable to grip, the overall look of the paddle is very professional, and it gives a great feel while playing. It is a great option for advanced players who have better technique and control over their shots.

Gearbox's CX14 Ultimate is an all-around paddle with added power compared with the original CX14, thanks to a higher swing weight. It has a textured face for spin, and its edgeless-style construction gives it a smaller sweet spot than good polymer paddles. Gearbox paddles are generally stiffer and firmer than polymer-core paddles, so players with a sensitive elbow should demo one first and may prefer a softer-feeling option from this list.

The SLK Omega Max is a mid-priced paddle for players looking to move up from a first paddle. With its standard shape 13mm edgeless polymer core and a carbon fiber and fiberglass blend surface, this paddle provides the perfect balance of control and power. Weighing roughly 7.7 to 8.0 ounces with a 4.85 inch octagon handle and 4.25 inch grip size, this paddle is also easy to swing through the air. The perimeter is injected with flex foam for a wider sweet spot, and the hole in the throat adds flex, which reviewers say adds pop. With lead tape added to the paddle, the sweet spot is enhanced, making it feel more solid and forgiving. Overall, the SLK Omega Max is a great all-court paddle that is highly recommended for those looking for an upgrade from a beginner paddle. The SLK Omega Max is marketed as having relentless power, but reviewers have noted that it is not as powerful as the Power Air paddle. However, where the Omega Max lacks in power, it makes up for in its enjoyable feel and satisfying pop and loud noise when hitting. A reviewer's spin test reported roughly 1,700 RPM, and its stock swing weight is about 103, making it a low and easy paddle to swing. While it may not be as resistant to face chipping, its price (around $120 to $140 depending on the retailer) is reasonable for a premium paddle. Overall, the SLK Omega Max paddle is a great choice for anyone looking to improve their game and have an enjoyable playing experience on the court.

The Paddle Candy Turtle Paddle is a decorative paddle made in the style of the Vulcan V520 Control Pickleball Paddle, which is aimed at control and feel. The paddle weighs an average of 7.8 oz and has a turquoise background with a sea turtle pattern.

The Nettie The Ashbury is a colorful pickleball paddle for recreational players. The midweight paddle weighs about 8.0 oz, and has a durable honeycomb core that is surrounded by a carbon fiber face, and a vegan leather handle for a comfortable grip. The listed dimensions are 15.75 x 7.75 x 0.62 inches. It is also sold in a double-pack with two paddles, two pickleballs and two sweatbands.

The Selkirk VANGUARD 2.0 Mach6 AvaLee Middleweight Carbon Fiber Pickleball Paddle is a long, middleweight carbon fiber paddle designed with Ava Lee. It features Selkirk's bi-directional, cross-weave carbon fiber face, which is meant to add consistency and a larger sweet spot. The paddle also features EdgeSentry, a low-profile, lightweight and durable edge guard technology that ensures a solid paddle. The AvaLee paddle also has a Pro-Spin Texture to give players more spin when they need it. All in all, the Selkirk VANGUARD 2.0 Mach6 AvaLee Middleweight Carbon Fiber Pickleball Paddle is a great paddle for players of all skill levels.

The Selkirk SLK Halo Max is Selkirk's first paddle with a raw carbon fiber face. Compared with other raw carbon fiber paddles, it is one of the more affordable options at around $140. The paddle comes in four varieties, allowing you to choose the model that suits your style and shape preferences: the Power and Control models, as well as the Max and XL shapes. The Power model, with a thickness of 13 millimeters, is perfect for all-court play with control and enough pop to confidently speed up and put the ball away. Meanwhile, the Control model, with a thickness of 16 millimeters, is best suited for control-oriented play. The Halo paddle provides good spin, with over 1,600 RPM in reviewer testing, and its style points are enhanced by a faux leather grip and a red Edge guard. The molded handle around the polypropylene core adds to the paddle's sleek look. It does not come with a protective sleeve or case, so consider buying one. Moreover, the paddle's surface may degrade more quickly than other carbon paddles, reducing its spin capabilities. Though the 16 mm Control model is advertised as control-oriented, it lacks pop and requires an extensive backswing to put the ball away. However, the 13 mm Power version has all-court capabilities, with control and enough pop to make confident shots. Should you desire additional customization, adding lead tape to the neck of the Power model provides relief for the sweet spot.

The Prince Response Pickleball Paddle is a high-quality option for players looking for a balance of control and power. With a thick core and a clean design, this paddle offers good control of the ball. The price is also lower than the Pro version. However, some users report that the handle may be too thin for some players' comfort.