The Kitchen’s top pickleball paddles on the market right now
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Welcome to your one-stop shop for comparing options and deciding on your next pickleball paddle.
We’ve tested the best paddles from the top brands in the game for hours on the court, sought feedback from pros and put together a comprehensive list to help you find the perfect paddle for your game. Below you’ll find what we believe to be the best paddles available right now.
Because there are so many good paddles in the modern landscape, in early 2026 we expanded the list to 13 spots — a baker’s dozen, if you will — to be able to showcase more great options. We’ve also included a few honorable mentions.
This page will be updated monthly as new paddles are released and we get our hands on the latest and greatest technology in the sport. In many cases, using code “KITCHEN” at checkout will get you a discount — using our code also helps us continue to produce this type of content.
Last updated: November 2026
OUR “BEST OF” LISTS
Best overall
– Our Top 13 paddles on the market + in-depth reviews for each oneBest by category
– Best power paddles
– Best control paddles
– Best all-court paddles
– Best full-foam paddlesBest by shot type
– Best paddles for dinks and drops
– Best paddles for drives and serves
– Best paddles for pop
– Best paddles for resets
– Best paddles for spinBest by price
– Best paddles under $200
– Best paddles under $150Best by skill level
– Best paddles for beginners
– Best paddles for intermediate players
– Best paddles for advanced playersGear
– Best pickleball bags
– Best pickleball shoes
– Best shoes for men
– Best shoes for women
– Best pickleball accessories
– Best pickleball training aids
– Best nets for every setting/price point
How we came up with our rankings
Below you will find our current Top 13 paddles.
Our paddle reviewers (both 5.0+ players) worked with other high-level players in their area to test the paddle on a variety of shots. This testing involved several hours of drills and 5.0+ games in an effort to determine how the paddle impacts performance in real-world scenarios.
Note: We use the Life Time LT Pro 48 pickleball for our testing.
The best pickleball paddles right now, ranked by The Kitchen’s reviewers
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JOOLA introduced a new “KineticFrame” in its Pro V models, which was inspired by kick-point engineering in hockey sticks and golf clubs.
The KineticFrame is built to flex and recover during impact while the paddle head moves parallel to its original position.
The dual-pivot design produces a motion that JOOLA engineers say delivers:
– Predictable & repeatable exit trajectory.
– Precise power (ie. the more you put in, the more you get out).
– Reduced launch-angle deviation.
– Faster snapback for rapid exchanges.
– Improved energy transfer efficiency.
Find our in-depth review of the JOOLA Pro V Kosmos here.
Learn more about the development of the JOOLA Pro V series here.
The RPM Friction Pro V2 is an updated version that offers more power and pop than the original Friction Pro while maintaining the Gen 3 feel that many high-level players prefer.
In an interview with The Kitchen, RPM Founder and pro player James Ignatowich said he has moved to China to be at the factory where RPM paddles are made, which has allowed him to be very hands-on and make small tweaks that ultimately impact performance. He compared the RPM Friction Pro V2 to an iPhone update — it’s not a complete overhaul, rather a 5-10% improvement from the original.
“With me in China I was able to really dial in the materials,” he said.
The Friction Pro V2 comes in three shapes — elongated, hybrid and widebody — as well as 14mm and 16mm options in each shape.
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The Bantam Jolt features a 16mm “FlexCore” that consists of an EPP foam core with a scored grid pattern designed to enhance the pocketing effect on contact, otherwise known as dwell time. This helps players get a good feel for how the ball is going to react off the paddle face and also helps generate more spin and power.
We really liked the widebody version for doubles — it has a low swingweight of 104, which makes it extremely maneuverable in fast exchanges at the net.
Check out our full review of the Paddletek Bantam Jolt here.
This paddle features an intricate core design with multiple layers and cutouts that allows the paddle to absorb and transfer energy to the ball in a more controlled way.
It has more of a “pocketing” effect on contact compared to many other foam paddles, which makes it a breeze to shape the ball on shots from the baseline and flicks out of the air at the kitchen line. It also maintains the top-end power that full foam paddles have become known for over the past year.
Use code INF-KITCHEN for a coupon toward a future purchase.
The Boomstik ST is a new evolution of one of the most recognizable power paddles in pickleball. The updated Boomstik model brings some major changes, including Selkirk’s Infinigrit Ultra surface, a new “Sharktooth Groove” around the outer edge of the paddle and adjustable MOI tuning weights.
The Jade is RPM’s first paddle built with an MPP floating foam core, and it delivers elite spin thanks to the brand’s new SICmatrix silicon carbide surface, a durable grit that is touted to hold up even after several months of heavy play. The predictable response off the face lets you be extremely precise with the pace and shape of your shots, and in our early time with it we’ve been extremely impressed.
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The Jelly Bean 2 features a softer, denser EMA foam core with sneaky power, wrapped in the brand’s popular “HexGrit” surface. The Jelly Bean 2 comes in four shapes and three incredible colorways that set this paddle apart from almost everything else on the market.
Check out our full review of the 11SIX24 Jelly Bean 2 Series here.
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The Temptest Veyra paddles — available in elongated and widebody options — feature patent-pending “dampening rods” along the edges that add perimeter weight to expand the sweet spot and create more of a plush feel. The paddles are also designed using a single foam core that creates a smooth, comfortable response off the face.
Pro players JW Johnson and Jorja Johnson have been using this paddle in competition since the middle of 2026, and both have had great results since making the switch.
Check out our full review of the Paddletek Tempest Veyra here.
The Proton Project Coyote was released this summer and has generated a lot of buzz among paddle reviewers and players in the weeks since. It’s a “Gen 3” build that delivers great power and a predictable response off the paddle face, making it a good option for a wide variety of play styles.
It has a relatively low swingweight compared to other elongated paddles on the market, so it’s very maneuverable in fast exchanges, and Proton also introduced a slightly different throat taper with the Project Coyote, which is something a lot of Proton players had been asking for. We think this is the best Proton paddle yet and could still move up our list as we spend more time with it.
Check out our full review of the Proton Project Coyote here.
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The Holbrook Fuze VantaGrit kept the “dual-density” foam core of the original Fuze and added a new grit surface that generates elite spin and is designed to hold up over time. The added grit also softens the pop coming off the paddle face, delivering more overall control than the original Fuze.
Learn more about how the Holbrook Fuze VantaGrit was developed here.
10% off with code KITCHEN
The original Bread & Butter Loco was one of the most popular paddles of the past several years, and the Loco 2 keeps the same core construction while adding the brand’s durable Space Dust Grit for serious spin that lasts. If you were a fan of the original, we think you’ll like this one even more.
The Six Zero Coral Pro took everything that made the original Six Zero Coral an extremely popular paddle and made it even better. The Coral Pro features Six Zero’s new “Double Diamond Tough” surface, a gritty texture that delivers exceptional spin and long-lasting durability. It also maintains the plush feel, stability and all-court control that made the Coral a favorite for many players.
$20 off with code KITCHEN
The MPP Turbo has been our No. 1 ranked budget paddle since its release, and now it’s grittier without a price increase. Enhance’s ArmorGrit combines a peel-ply carbon fiber surface with a proprietary abrasive coating that protects the texture and maintains spin over time, on the same full floating MPP foam core.
HONORABLE MENTION
Volair CMD HYB: Currently pro player Dylan Frazier’s signature paddle. Shop here ($179.99).
Friday Aura Pro: The Aura Pro is a full-foam paddle that delivers great pop in hands battles and big power on full swings like drives and overheads. Shop here ($169).
11SIX24 Power 2 Series: The Power 2 Series is very solid and loved by many. Shop here ( $209.99).
Selkirk Omni: The Omni prioritizes feel and controllability over raw power and features removable/repositionable weights that let you customize swing weight, stability and power in seconds without tungsten tape or tools. Shop here ($300).
RPM Q2: The RPM Q2 was designed in collaboration with popular paddle reviewer John Kew. It delivers everything we’ve come to expect from full-foam paddles: Big power, a consistent sweet spot and a firm feel on contact. Shop here ($249.99).
JOOLA Pro IV: It’s more than a year old at this point, but we still think this is a great paddle. Plus, JOOLA has been offering some seriously good deals on the Pro IV Series. Shop here ($149.95).
JOOLA POWER FX: JOOLA’s first full-foam paddle delivers great pop in hands battles at the kitchen line. If that’s a focus for you, this is a good option. Shop here ($179.95).
Thrive Ignite: This paddle features Thrive’s new Clear Fusion Grit Technology, which delivers great spin with long-lasting durability that won’t wear down after extended play. Shop here ($219.99)
