The top 10 pickleball paddles on the market today

1. JOOLA Perseus Pro IV

We removed the JOOLA Mod TA-15 from the list in March because it's being "sunset" by USA Pickleball in a few short months, but it's replaced at the top by JOOLA's newest offering -- the Perseus Pro IV, which has already produced great results for those who have switched at the pro level and in high-level amateur play.

An added section of high-density foam inside the bottom corners/throat area of the Pro IV models allows the paddle to flex more, which adds forgiveness and enhances feel, power and dwell time.

Check out our in-depth review of the JOOLA Perseus Pro IV.

2. JOOLA Ben Johns Perseus 3S

The JOOLA 3S series paddles were the first to ever be UPA-A certified in the summer of 2024. They have slightly less power than the Mod TA-15, but more control and still plenty of pop for big serves, powerful third-shot drives and strong counters at the kitchen line. The Perseus 3S was the paddle of choice for Ben Johns, Dekel Bar and several other JOOLA sponsored pros in 2024 – as well as several pros who don’t have a paddle sponsor, which is how you know it’s good. The 3S series paddles are not USAP certified as of February 2025, but JOOLA plans to release a duel-certified 3S paddle later this year.

3. Proton Series Three - Project Flamingo

The updated Series Three model from Proton features a more powerful core and a very gritty hitting surface for maximum pop and spin. The Flamingo, released in January, has already been adopted by several pros on the PPA Tour and the 15mm “Velocity Core” -- combined with top-tier spin -- is quickly earning this paddle a reputation as one of the most aggressive on the market.

Check out our in-depth review of the Series Three - Project Flamingo.

4. Paddletek Bantam TKO-CX

Paddletek made a huge splash with its updated Bantam paddles in 2024 after going over a year without a new release. The TKO-CX stands out in the new line with an extra long handle, which is what a majority of top players want as two-handed backhands become more prevalent. The long handle also lets players whip through the hitting zone faster, generating more power and more spin. This paddle is a natural choice for singles players.

5. Engage Pursuit Pro1

Engage, long a popular choice among pros, stayed competitive among the top brands with the release of the Pro 1 in 2024. Its thin profile, aerodynamic shape and extra long handle make it very whippy through the hitting zone, allowing players to generate tons of power and spin. According to Engage, this paddle tests at the top end of the maximum allowable power limits set by USA Pickleball and the United Pickleball Association of America and plays consistently over extended use, while other paddles can change drastically after a “break-in” period.

Engage also offers a widebody and hybrid version of the Pro1 series.

Check out our in-depth review of each shape.

6. JOOLA Anna Bright Scorpeus 3S

The 3S series from Joola offers slightly less power than the Mod TA-15, and the Anna  Bright signature square version gives it a bit more forgiveness, making this paddle an excellent choice for players who play more of a control game. But make no mistake, this paddle still packs plenty of pop for hands battles and putaways, and the square shape and thin profile make it more maneuverable in the hand.

7. Franklin C45

The latest release from Franklin is the king of hand speed. This paddle is extremely lightweight -- it has a static weight of 7.75 ounces and a swingweight of 104, which is lower than almost anything on the market right now.

It also has very good pop at the kitchen line, which makes it a great paddle for hands battles when combined with its maneuverability.

Check out our in-depth review of the Franklin C45.

8. CRBN 2 TruFoam Genesis

CRBN introduced the first "gen 4" 100% foam core with this release. That technology creates a unique feel that is crisp, poppy and offers significant dwell time. The CRBN 2 square shape offers more forgiveness than the CRBN 1 and CRBN 3 shapes while still giving players more power than the popular X series paddles that the company released two years ago. The square shape also has more pop than the other shapes and feels more maneuverable in the hand thanks to a lower swingweight.

9. Proton Series Four

Nicknamed Project Roadrunner, Proton incorporated tons of new tech into this paddle. The hybrid core gives it more power and pop than traditional polypropylene core paddles, while the high-quality carbon fiber face and exposed Kevlar fibers mean the grit won’t wear down as fast as traditional carbon fiber paddles. And the edgeless design makes it feel fast in the hand.

Check out our in-depth review of the Series Four.

10. Six Zero Black Diamond Power

Designed with pro player Jaume Martinez Vich, this version of the Six Zero Black Diamond Power is truly an all-court paddle that will fit a wide-range of players. The proprietary paddle face provides plenty of power for big serves, third-shot drives and putaways, but the hybrid shape and 16mm thickness give it plenty of forgiveness and control as well.

On the outside looking in

Gearbox Pro Ultimate Hyper -- A paddle for kitchen control freaks. Buy it here.

Proton Series One -- The king of spin. Buy it here.

Pro XR Signature Series – An all around good paddle. Buy it here.

Holbrook Aero T Metallic 16mm Carbon Fiber – Very gritty. Buy it here.

Volair Mach 1 Forza – A very solid Gen 2 paddle. Buy it here.