The best pickleball paddles for control players
Last Edited
Jun 27 2025
Category
Gear
While the game has trended toward power in recent years, we still think there’s room for the grinders out there – the players who love a long dinking rally and prioritize shot placement to keep their opponents off balance.
If that describes your game, we think you’ll love one of these control-oriented paddles. Below you'll find what we believe to be the best control paddles available right now on Pickleball Central.
This page will be updated regularly as new paddles hit the market.
Last updated: June 2025
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.
Weight: 7.6-7.9 ounces
Handle length: 5 inches
Paddle length: 15.9 inches
Paddle width: 8 inches
Paddle face: Toray T700 carbon fiber
Core material: Powerflex polypropylene honeycomb with dual foam perimeter
Core thickness: 14mm or 16mm
2. Proton Series One Type A Square 15mm
Proton made a huge splash in 2024 with its Series One line of paddles, which feature a unique NanoTac face that grips the ball similar to a ping-pong paddle and produces top-tier spin. The 15mm core and standard shape of the Series One Type A make it a great option for players who love to use spin and placement to put pressure on opponents.
Weight: 8.0 ounces
Handle length: 5.25 inches
Paddle length: 15.75 inches
Paddle width: 8.25 inches
Paddle face: NanoTac, Aerospace Grade carbon fiber
Core material: Proton polypropylene honeycomb
Core thickness: 15mm
3. Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta
With its 20mm “Thikset” core that was tested in the Selkirk Labs Project 003, the LUXX is one of the thickest paddles on the market and also one of the softest high-end paddles out there. It was designed specifically to boost control and delivers on that promise with consistent strikes and reliable feedback.
Weight: 7.95 ounces
Handle length: 5.35 inches
Paddle length: 16.45 inches
Paddle width: 7.5 inches
Paddle face: Florek blended carbon fiber
Core material: Thikset X7 polypropylene honeycomb with FlexFoam perimeter
Core thickness: 20mm
4. Six Zero Ruby 16mm
The Ruby has a cult following for a reason: It delivers elite spin and extreme durability, built for players who value control. A plush feel with slightly reduced pop makes it perfect for precision-focused players.
Weight: 8.2 ounces
Handle length: 5.5 inches
Paddle length: 16.3 inches
Paddle width: 7.7 inches
Paddle face: Kevlar fiber
Core material: Honeycomb polymer, foam edgewalls
Core thickness: 16mm
5. 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.
Weight: 8.2 ounces
Handle length: 5.25 inches
Paddle length: 16 inches
Paddle width: 8 inches
Paddle surface: Carbon Friction Surface
Core: Propulsion + Tech Flex Power
Core thickness: 16mm
Join Pickleball’s Greatest Community
Subscribe to our FREE newsletter to be the most well-informed pickleball fan on the court, featuring news, giveaways, and much more!
