Proton pickleball: Your guide to each of the brand’s popular paddles
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Proton pickleball paddles have been the talk of the courts in the past year.
If you were able to get your hands on one in 2024, you probably got asked about it by your friends and playing competitors.
So why are they in such high demand? And which Proton is right for you?
Proton: New player, deep roots
Proton might seem like a newcomer, but the brand’s roots run deep in the sports industry.
Charles Darling, Proton’s founder, made waves in the softball world by solving a major problem: fragile bats that couldn’t stand the test of time.
Armed with experience from the aerospace and defense sectors, Charles built a bat that could take a beating. When he discovered pickleball in 2022, he saw familiar issues — equipment that just didn’t last.
The result? Proton Pickleball, born after a year of intense R&D, bringing bold designs and innovative tech to the court.
Proton Project Flamingo
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The updated Series Three model from Proton features a more powerful core and a very gritty hitting surface for great pop and spin. The Flamingo, released in January 2025, has been used by several top pros this year and the 15mm “Velocity Core” has earned this paddle a reputation as one of the most aggressive on the market.
Proton Project Peacock
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Proton developed a 100% foam core in its latest paddle, giving it a softer and more responsive feel without sacrificing top-end power. It also features the same gritty carbon fiber surface that made the Project Flamingo a popular choice for many players in 2025, so it’s easy to add a lot of shape on all kinds of shots.
The Peacock comes in four models: 15mm elongated, 13mm elongated, 15mm widebody, 13mm widebody. The 13mm widebody is our favorite option for doubles, while the 15mm elongated is our favorite option for singles.
Check out our full review of the Proton Project Peacock here.
Proton Series Four – Project Roadrunner
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The Proton Series Four – Project Roadrunner makes it easy to control pace and spin on dinks because of its plush feel, while it has good pop in faster exchanges because of the Nomex layer in the core.
The edgeless design is a big plus in terms of hand speed and maneuverability, so you’re more likely to get the paddle where you need it in order to make good contact.
