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

1A. JOOLA Perseus Pro IV

The JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 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.

1B. JOOLA Hyperion Pro IV 16mm

The JOOLA Pro IV Hyperion is a cousin of the Pro IV Perseus, with slight differences that appeal to a different type of player. It has a lower swingweight than the Perseus, which (combined with the curved top edge) makes it feel faster in the hand. The power is also dialed back ever so slightly, making this a great paddle for players who want good power but also want to prioritize shot placement.

Check out our breakdown of the entire Pro IV line here.

2. JOOLA Perseus 3S Dual 16mm

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.

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, 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.

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

4. Franklin C45 Dynasty

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

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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

Selkirk also offers a widebody version of the Boomstik.

7. 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.

8. JOOLA Anna Bright Scorpeus Pro IV

The updated Pro IV version of the Anna Bright Scorpeus gives this popular paddle even more forgiveness while maintaining good power and pop at the kitchen line. It is also extremely maneuverable in hands battles due to its low swingweight of 110.

Check out our breakdown of the entire Pro IV line here.

9. Franklin C45 Parris Todd 13.25mm

This model of the C45 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.

10. Holbrook Arma T

The latest release from Holbrook is firmly in the "power paddle" category and produces great serves, third-shot drives and pop at the net. The 14mm Dual Density Polypropylene core creates unique performance by situating high-density cells at the top and around the edges, with low-density cells in the center and near the throat. This increases energy return on off-center strikes, while boosting feel and control when striking in the already-powerful sweet spot. When combined with the foam perimeter, this core provides good dwell time, pop, a smooth feel, and a big sweet spot.

The one knock on it is that the soft game can be tricky to get dialed in.

On the outside looking in

CRBN TruFoam Waves 4 Hybrid -- A full-foam core that offers a slight power upgrade from the original TruFoam Genesis line. Buy it here.

JOOLA Anna Bright Scorpeus 3S -- A widebody paddle that offers great pop at the kitchen line. Buy it here.

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

11SIX24 Hurache-X Power -- A Gen 3 paddle at a relatively low price point. Buy it here.

Honolulu J2K+ -- A good hybrid shape option. Buy it here.