The Kitchen's top 10 pickleball paddles on the market right now

1. JOOLA Pro IV series

The JOOLA Pro IV series has been at the top of this list since it was released in March, and while there have been many great paddles released since then, this one is standing the test of time (for now).

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

Check out our in-depth review of the JOOLA Perseus Pro IV or find a breakdown of the entire Pro IV line here.

2. RPM Friction Pro

This paddle -- designed by pro player James Ignatowich -- has everything a player could want: Top-tier spin, great power and effortless control. There's a real argument to be made for this paddle to be No. 1 on our list, but we gave JOOLA the slight edge because of the various shape and thickness options of the Pro IV series. Right now the RPM comes in 3 options: 16mm elongated, 14mm elongated and 16mm widebody.

Find our in-depth review of the RPM Friction Pro here.

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

3. Six Zero Black Opal

Six Zero's latest paddle is geared toward advanced players (4.5 or 5.0+), but it has an extremely high ceiling if you're willing to invest the time to get the touch dialed in. It's a true power paddle that also offers great shot-shaping ability -- particularly for players with shorter, whippy strokes. The 14mm foam core feels very satisfying when you connect with the center of the paddle, but if there is a knock on this paddle, it's that the sweet spot isn't as big as the two paddles ahead of it on this list and several others behind it. But because of its top-tier potential when in the hands of a good player, it goes high on our Top 10.

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

4. Proton Project Peacock

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 (keep scrolling) 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 will play consistently throughout its lifespan.

Find our full review of the Proton Project Peacock here.

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

5. Paddletek Reserve Honeyfoam

The Paddletek Reserve program offers "limited-release paddles" showcasing the "latest breakthroughs coming straight from Paddletek's product experts and engineers, catching attention in our labs and on the court."

The first paddle that is part of the program is the Reserve Honeyfoam, which features a "multi-foam floating core that is designed to expand the sweet spot and lengthen dwell time."

It comes in a 14mm version and a 16mm version, with the thinner model providing a bit more power and pop.

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

6. Gearbox GX2 Power Hybrid 16mm

The Gearbox GX2 Power Hybrid 16mm Paddle combines a generous sweet spot with a design focused on consistent, efficient power. Built with Gearbox’s SST 2.0 CarbonRibCore, the paddle’s suspended carbon core increases dwell time, helping the face store and release energy with greater control. Paired with a 3K Raw Carbon Fiber hitting surface and a stable 16mm profile, it’s a solid fit for players who want reliable performance on drives and volleys, but soft touch on dinks and resets.

Use code "KITCHEN" for 10% off any GX2 Power purchase.

7. Proton Project Flamingo

Proton released its Project Flamingo paddle in early 2025, featuring a more powerful core than previous Proton models and a very gritty hitting surface for maximum spin. The Flamingo was quickly adopted by several pros on the PPA Tour and the 15mm “Velocity Core” -- combined with top-tier spin -- has earned this paddle a reputation as one of the most aggressive on the market.

It also now comes in a widebody version and multiple thicknesses.

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

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

8. JOOLA 3S Dual series

One of the most popular paddles among pros and amateurs of the past two years — the JOOLA 3S Series — has now been re-released with new colorways and the stamp of approval from both USA Pickleball and the United Pickleball Association of America. The 3S paddles previously were not USAP certified. The dual-certification means that amateur players can now use the 3S paddles in any tournament setting, whether that's a PPA Tour/MLP event or a USAP sanctioned event. Even though the tech featured in the 3S Series has been around for more than a year, it is still the paddle of choice for several JOOLA signed pros and many unsigned pros -- which is how you know a paddle is very good.

9. Enhance DUO

Enhance Pickleball got started as a company making training aids and producing instructional content.

Over the years they have dabbled in manufacturing paddles, but their main focus was their Dink Master training board and several other products meant to help players work on their game. That all changed in 2025, first with the release of the Enhance Gen 4.5 paddle and then the launch of the Enhance DUO elongated and widebody models late in the year.

The DUO is a 100% foam core paddle that has turned heads in the industry, proving that Enhance is capable of producing paddles that perform at or near the top of the market.

Find our full review of the Enhance DUO here.

Use code "KITCHEN" at checkout for $20 off.

10. Franklin C45 Dynasty

The 16mm version of the C45 Dynasty is the current paddle of choice for JW Johnson and Hayden Patriquin. The entire C45 series has gotten great reviews and been a popular choice among pros and high-level amateurs all year.

The elongated shape of the Dynasty allows players to generate more power and spin than the Hybrid or Tempo shapes, which also makes this paddle a great option for singles players.

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

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

HONORABLE MENTION

Luzz Pro 4 Inferno

As the name suggests, this paddle is hot. It's 100% foam core offers big power on serves, third-shot drives and putaways. Like many power-centric paddles, though, it will take time to get resets and dinks dialed in. This is a paddle that I think is good in the hands of a good player, but hard to control for lower-level players.

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

Engage Alpha Pro

Engage's latest model was designed as a power paddle that is still controllable for most players, compared to many other modern paddles that have prioritized power above all else. That means you can end a point when you have a good opportunity to do so, but you're also not going to spray the ball all over the park.

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

Bread & Butter Loco

The Bread & Butter Loco series was one of the best paddles released in 2025, and the hybrid shape allows for a touch more control while maintaining high-end power. It feels very consistent and stable with a generous sweet spot, but doesn’t quite have the same “pocketing” effect as some of the other foam paddles we have rated higher.

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 line with an extra long handle, which is what a majority of top players want as two-handed backhands have 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.

Paddletek released a new shape of the Bantam series -- the GTO-C -- in June. While I liked the hybrid shape of the GTO-C, I still think the original TKO-CX is the better of the two paddles.

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

Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated

Selkirk, long a popular choice among pros and high-level amateurs, stayed competitive among the top brands with the release of the Boomstik in the summer of 2025. Its foam core makes it one of the most powerful paddles on the market, and the Infinigrit surface also provides good spin.

The only knock is that it feels quite firm and poppy, which takes more time to adjust to than most paddles.

Selkirk also offers a widebody version of the Boomstik.