A baker's dozen: The Kitchen's top pickleball paddles on the market right now

The Kitchen's Top 13 paddles on the market right now

1. JOOLA Pro V series

JOOLA has introduced a new "KineticFrame" in its new 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, and unlike prior paddles with a "diving board" neck flex, the KineticFrame uses a proprietary flex-point architecture that allows the paddle head to move 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.

JOOLA has also added a new hybrid shape to their paddle lineup called the Kosmos, which is now the signature shape of JOOLA pros Federico Staksrud and Tyson McGuffin.

Find our in-depth review of the Kosmos here.

Learn more about the development of the JOOLA Pro V series here.

2. Honolulu J6CR

We think the Honolulu J6CR is the best “full foam” paddle on the market right now. The 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.

Check out our in-depth review of the Honolulu J6CR here.

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

3. 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.

Right now the RPM Friction Pro comes in 4 options: 16mm elongated, 14mm elongated, 16mm widebody and 14mm widebody.

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

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

4. JOOLA Pro IV series

The JOOLA Pro IV series was at the top of our list for most of 2025, and it is still 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.

Find a breakdown of the entire Pro IV line here.

5. 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 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 list.

Check out our in-depth review of the Six Zero Opal here.

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

6. 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 a popular choice for many players in 2025, so it's easy to add a lot of shape on all kinds of shots.

The Peacock comes in four models: 15mm elongated, 13mm elongated, 15mm widebody, 13mm widebody. The 13mm widebody is our favorite option for doubles, while the 15mm elongated is our favorite option for singles.

Check out our full review of the Proton Project Peacock here.

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

7. Franklin C45 series

The 16mm version of the C45 Dynasty is the current paddle of choice for Hayden Patriquin, while Anna Leigh Waters (who signed with Franklin in early 2026) has been experimenting with multiple shapes in the C45 line. The entire C45 series has gotten great reviews and been a popular choice among pros and high-level amateurs since it's release.

We recently went back and re-tested it against some of the more recent releases and found that it still holds up as a great option in the modern paddle landscape. In fact, we moved it up a couple spots on our list after re-testing it.

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

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

8. Friday Aura Pro

Over the past two years Friday Pickleball has transformed from a company known for its viral videos to a legitimate player in the performance paddle market.

The brand took the next step on that journey in early 2026 with the launch of their Aura and Aura Pro paddles.

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. It features a rubber ring around the core that gives the paddle a slightly more plush/less harsh feel than a lot of other full-foam paddles, which helped us get a good feel for the ball on shots that require more touch. In that sense it is an upgrade from a lot of the foam options we saw in 2025.

Check out our full review of the Aura and Aura Pro here.

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

9. 11six24 Vapor Power 2

With the release of the full-foam Vapor Power 2, 11six24 introduced a new grit technology its calling "HexGrit." The paddle face is very gritty to the touch, and the brand claims the HexGrit is more durable than raw carbon fiber and other grit technologies on the market.

So if you're a player who likes the stiffer/poppy feel of full-foam paddles and want something with longer lasting grit (why wouldn't you want that?), then this is a great option.

Check out our in-depth review of the Vapor Power 2 here.

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

10. Gearbox GX2 Power Hybrid 16mm

The Gearbox GX2 Power Hybrid 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.

11. 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 we 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.

12. Enhance Turbo MPP

The MPP Turbo uses a full floating foam core with an MPP foam center and an EVA foam ring around the perimeter. MPP is a softer foam, which creates a more springy and smooth feel than the EPP Turbo models and many other full-foam paddles on the market. The MPP/EVA construction is very similar to the Luzz Pro 4 Inferno.

"The Turbo line focuses on one thing: maximum performance at an accessible price," according to Enhance. "Instead of chasing experimental manufacturing processes, we optimized construction to create a paddle that competes with premium models without the premium cost."

Check out our in-depth review of the Enhance Turbo MPP here.

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

13. 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.

Check out our full review of the Paddletek Honeyfoam here.

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

HONORABLE MENTION

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 2025. While we liked the hybrid shape of the GTO-C, we 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.

Use code GRP-KITCHEN for a credit toward a future purchase.