The top 10 pickleball paddles on the market right now

Alex Lantz
Director of Content

Last Edited

Jul 25 2025

Category

Gear

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 on Pickleball Central.

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.

Last updated: July 2025

1A. JOOLA Perseus Pro IV

JOOLA Ben Johns Perseus Pro IV 14mm
$279.95 at Pickleball Central
JOOLA Ben Johns Perseus Pro IV 16mm
$279.95 at Pickleball Central

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.

Key Specs

Weight: 7.9 ounces (14mm) or 8.1 ounces (16 mm)

Handle length: 5.5 inches

Paddle length: 16.5 inches

Paddle width: 7.5 inches

Paddle face: Carbon Friction Surface

Core material: Propulsion + Tech Flex Power

Core thickness: 14mm or 16mm

1B. JOOLA Hyperion Pro IV 16mm

JOOLA Hyperion Pro IV 16mm
$279.95 at Pickleball Central

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.

Key Specs

Weight: 7.9 ounces (14mm) or 8.1 ounces (16 mm)

Handle length: 5.5 inches

Paddle length: 16.5 inches

Paddle width: 7.5 inches

Paddle face: Carbon Friction Surface

Core material: Propulsion + Tech Flex Power

Core thickness: 14mm or 16mm

2. JOOLA Ben Johns Perseus 3S

JOOLA Ben Johns Perseus 3S 16mm
$259.95 at Pickleball Central

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 – and several pros who don’t have a paddle sponsor are still using this model, which is how you know it’s good. The 3S series paddles are not USAP certified as of July 2025, but JOOLA plans to release a duel-certified 3S paddle later this year.

Key Specs

Weight: 7.8 ounces (14mm) or 8.0 ounces (16mm)

Handle length: 5.5 inches

Paddle length: 16.5 inches

Paddle width: 7.5 inches

Paddle face: Charged Carbon Surface

Core material: Propulsion Core

Core thickness: 14mm or 16mm

UPA-A Approved (Not USAP Approved at this time)

3. Proton Series Three - Project Flamingo

Proton Series Three - Project Flamingo
$280.00 at Pickleball Central

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.

Key Specs

Weight:  8 ounces

Handle length: 5.375 inches

Paddle length: 16.5 inches

Paddle width: 7.5 inches

Paddle face: Roughness-enhanced aerospace grade carbon fiber

Core material: Velocity core, polypropylene honeycomb

Core thickness: 15mm

4. Franklin C45 Dynasty

Franklin C45 Dynasty
$229.99 at Pickleball Central

The 16mm version of the C45 Dynasty is the current paddle of choice for JW Johnson, and he broke through for his first men's doubles gold medal of the season at the PPA Tour Atlanta Pickleball Championships immediately after switching to it. I don't think that's a coincidence, as the C45 series has gotten great reviews and been a popular choice among pros and high-level amateurs. Hayden Patriquin, another Franklin sponsored player, has also upped his game since switching to the 14mm version.

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.

Key Specs

Weight: 7.6-7.9 ounces

Swingweight: 114-116 (average)

Handle length: 5.6 inches

Paddle length: 16.5 inches

Paddle width: 7.5 inches

Paddle face: Toray T700 carbon fiber

Core material: Powerflex polypropylene honeycomb with dual foam perimeter

Core thickness: 14mm or 16mm

5. Paddletek Bantam TKO-CX

Paddletek Bantam TKO-CX
$249.99 at Pickleball Central

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.

Key Specs

Weight: 7.9 ounces

Handle length: 5.8 inches

Paddle length: 16.45 inches

Paddle width: 7.5 inches

Paddle face: PT-700 raw carbon fiber

Core material: Bantam Polymer Honeycomb

Core thickness: 12.7mm or 14.3mm

6. Franklin C45 hybrid

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.

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

Key Specs

Weight: 7.75 ounces

Handle length: 5.7 inches

Paddle length: 16.3 inches

Paddle width: 7.6 inches

Paddle face: Toray T700 carbon fiber

Core material: Powerflex polypropylene honeycomb with dual foam perimeter

Core thickness: 14mm

7. JOOLA Anna Bright Scorpeus Pro IV

JOOLA Anna Bright Scorpeus Pro IV 14mm
$279.95 at Pickleball Central

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.

Key Specs

Weight: 8.0 ounces

Handle length: 5.25 inches

Paddle length: 16 inches

Paddle width: 8 inches

Paddle surface: Carbon Friction Surface

Core: Propulsion + Tech Flex Power

Thickness: 14mm

8. CRBN 4 TruFoam Genesis

CRBN 4 TruFoam Genesis
$279.99 at Pickleball Central

CRBN introduced the first "gen 4" 100% foam core with the release of the TruFoam line earlier this year. Then in July they came out with a new hybrid shape -- the CRBN 4. I think the hybrid model is the best option in the TruFoam line and provides arguably the best balance between power, control and maneuverability on the market.

The TruFoam technology creates a unique feel that is crisp, poppy and offers significant dwell time. The line also includes the CRBN 1 (elongated with a long handle), CRBN 2 (widebody) and CRBN 3 (elongated with a shorter handle).

Key Specs

Weight: 8.15 ounces

Handle length: 5.25 inches

Paddle length: 16 inches

Paddle width: 7.85 inches

Core thickness: 14mm

Paddle face: T700 raw carbon fiber

Core material: TruFoam

Core thickness: 14mm

9. Holbrook Arma T

Holbrook ARMA T 14mm
$259.99 at Pickleball Central

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.

Key Specs

Weight: 8.0 ounces

Handle length: 5.5 inches

Paddle length: 16.5 inches

Paddle width: 7.5 inches

Paddle Face: Force-Tech Carbon Fiber

Core Material: Dual Density Polypropylene Core, FLX-Foam, Unibody Edgecraft Foam

Core Thickness: 14mm

10. Engage Pursuit Pro1

Engage Pursuit Pro1 Elongated
$259.99 at Pickleball Central

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.

Key Specs

Weight: 8.15 ounces (Standard), 7.75 ounces (LITE)

Handle length: 5.875 inches

Paddle length: 16.5 inches

Paddle width: 7.5 inches

Paddle Face: Raw Toray T700 carbon fiber

Core Material: MachPro Core

Core Thickness: 13mm

On the outside looking in

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

Proton Series Four -- A very popular paddle for amateur players due to its plush feel and good spin potential. Buy it here.

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

Six Zero Black Diamond Power -- An all-court paddle that will fit a wide range of players. Buy it here.

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

Gearbox GX2 Elongated -- A well-balanced paddle with a plush feel but power when you need it. 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.

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