The best pickleball paddles for control players

1. Franklin C45 Tempo 16mm

This is a great paddle for players who prefer to play a patient style and rely on resets and moving dinks around to win points. I felt like I would rarely miss a third-shot drop or reset in the transition zone with this paddle, but it still gave me good pop in hands battles and enough putaway power to end a point when I had a good opportunity.

You can find our complete breakdown of the different C45 shapes here.

2. RPM Friction Pro 16mm widebody

This might be a bit of a controversial pick because all of the RPM paddles test quite high in terms of power and pop, but arguably the biggest attribute of this paddle is its consistency in the transition zone. Resets feel effortless and it's also easy to control spin and pace on dinks at the kitchen line.

Use code "KITCHEN" at checkout for 15% off.

3. Proton Project Peacock

Proton developed a 100% foam core in its latest paddle, giving it a much 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. Proton says third-party testing has also shown that the foam core is more resistant to breakdown over time than traditional honeycomb cores and other similar paddles, so this paddle should play consistently throughout its lifespan (because it was just released, it's still too early to say whether that's the case in reality).

Check out our in-depth review of the Proton Project Peacock here.

Use code "KITCHEN" at checkout for 10% off.

4. JOOLA Collin Johns Scorpeus Pro IV

Who’s a better example of a control player than Collin Johns? His signature paddle comes in at No. 5 on this list because it’s quite poppy for a “control” paddle. However, the 16mm core and wide-body shape still profile as control focused, while the power is there when you need it.

Check out our breakdown of the entire Pro IV line here.

5. Engage Pursuit Alpha 16mm

In a world of power paddles, Engage specifically built this model to excel in the control and spin categories. It still has enough juice to end a point when you have a good opportunity, but its gritty surface and responsive feel make it a breeze to put the ball exactly where you want it for those who value placement over power.

Use code "KITCHEN" at checkout for 10% off.

Honorable mention: CRBN 4 TruFoam Genesis

CRBN was the first company to release a 100% foam core in early 2025, and then released the hybrid version a few months later. This paddle delivers top-tier dwell time and spin, which gives player tons of control over the direction and shape of their shots. In other words: The ball goes where you want it to.

Use code "KITCHEN" at checkout for 10% off.