Ronbus EV1.16 Paddle Review

Overview of the Ronbus EV1.16

Ronbus is best known for raw carbon fiber paddles. The EV1.16 is something different: a paddle with an enhanced EVA foam core instead of a traditional polypropylene honeycomb. It is an edgeless design, which together with the foam core gives it a muted, quiet sound that suits communities with noise restrictions.

Retailer listings give the EV1.16 a 16 mm core, a length of about 16.4 inches, a face width of about 7.4 inches and a weight of roughly 8 ounces. It has a firm handle with no exposed polymer. It was priced at around $180 when this review was written.

Design

The EV1.16 is built for recreational play and offers an unusual hitting experience. The foam core feels soft and plush, and the edgeless construction means there is no raised edge guard around the face. The paddle is solidly made, with a comfortable handle.

Performance

The soft core makes the paddle feel powerful and fast off the face, but that same speed takes good technique to control, especially on drives. The face texture does not add much grip on the ball, although the way the foam compresses on contact can help with spin. The quiet sound is a clear plus for noise-restricted courts.

Value and Tournament Eligibility

At around $180, the EV1.16 is expensive for a paddle that, at the time of this review, was not approved for sanctioned tournament play (check the current USA Pickleball approved paddle list, since approvals change). Ronbus offers raw carbon fiber paddles, such as the R1, for players who need a paddle for sanctioned events.

Foam-core paddles remain a niche. Players who want a tournament paddle should confirm approval status before buying.

Conclusion

The Ronbus EV1.16 is a fun, quiet, novelty-leaning paddle for casual games. If you want to try an EVA foam core and don't need tournament approval, it is worth a look. For serious competitive play, a currently approved paddle is the safer choice. As with any paddle, never swing it at another player on purpose.