The best pickleball paddles for players who want maximum spin
Last Edited
Jan 31 2025
Category
Gear
If you're buying a pickleball paddle, you're going to see a lot of marketing about power, control and spin. But it's important to fully understand what those elements actually mean for us as individual players.
Should I buy a spin-focused pickleball paddle?
Does spin actually matter in pickleball? Sure, it's cool to see and satisfying to pull off.
But do players need to prioritize spin in their game, or is it just a gimmick for a couple easy points when compared to power and control?
We asked Zane Navratil, one of the pros noted for his spin and innovator of the now-banned spin serve.
He says spin is only something you should strive for once you have phenomenal execution on your flat shots:
"I love my spin. But if you don’t have the fundamentals down, you’re building a house with a poor foundation," Navratil says.
But let's say you come to pickleball from something like table tennis, where spin is crucial, and you already have the motor skills to apply it consistently.
If you're still a beginner in pickleball, that skill will definitely earn you some quick points if you're playing against other beginners. Players at low levels don’t recognize spin, so they won’t adjust and end up missing the shot you've just hit at them.
This might feel exciting at first, but at some point you're going to get diminishing returns on tricky spin shots.
At the intermediate level, spin tends to be over-emphasized, so you'll have some competition, Navratil says.
"Certain players at this level tend to see spin as more valuable than it actually is. They will go for excessively spinny shots at the expense of strong execution. Often, attempting spin leads to losing more points rather than winning more points."
Then, at the highest level, every player can read and anticipate spin as well as the effect it is going to have when the ball contacts their paddle.
Navratil illustrates this point in the video below:
The verdict: Buy a spin paddle IF you know your style
While spin is the No. 1 thing Navratil looks for in a paddle because it plays to his strengths, spin-heavy paddles could help or hinder your game.
"I generally think players should pick a paddle which accentuates their strengths (or what they perceive to be their strengths)," he says.
"The problem arises when people think that they are a spin player when they are actually a control player (or some other misconception about their own game)."
If you don't have any experience with spin AND you're new to pickleball, pay attention to other elements of the game to determine your strongest point.
If you like dinking, buy a control-dominant paddle; if you're a player who likes the fast game, consider power paddles. You can check out all our favorite gear at Pickleball Central.
THE TOP PICKLEBALL PADDLES FOR SPIN
1. Proton Series One
Proton’s Series One paddles feature the cutting-edge Nanotac surface, an ultra-tacky and smooth material that grabs the ball with maximum grip.
Unlike traditional textured paddles that lose their grit, the Nanotac surface stays grippy for the long haul.
Top players like Megan Dizon and Andrei Daescu reportedly used the same paddle throughout entire tournament seasons, while others were constantly switching out for a fresh one.
With a lifetime warranty on the Nanotac surface, Proton shows they’re serious about durability.
The Series One line comes in two core options -- the Type A, which has a more plush feel, and the Type B, which is a little more poppy.
It also comes in two shapes (square and elongated) and two thicknesses (11mm and 15mm) allowing players 8 possible options within the Series One line.
And no matter which option you go with, they all deliver top-tier spin.
2. JOOLA Anna Bright Scorpeus 3S
All of the 3S series paddles from JOOLA test at the top end of the spectrum for spin, but the Anna Bright Scorpeus shape and thin profile make this paddle super maneuverable, which is great for adding spin on flicks out of the air or getting speed ups off the bounce to dip and stay in.
The widebody shape also gives it more forgiveness than elongated paddles, making this paddle an excellent choice for players who value control and shot placement.
Weight: 7.8 ounces
Handle length: 5.25 inches
Paddle length: 16 inches
Paddle width: 8 inches
Paddle face: Charged Carbon Surface
Core material: Propulsion Core
Core thickness: 14mm
UPA-A Approved (Not USAP Approved at this time)
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 great pop and spin. The Flamingo, released in January 2025, has already been adopted by several pros on the PPA Tour and the 15mm “Velocity Core” is quickly earning this paddle a reputation as one of the most aggressive on the market.
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. Engage Pursuit Pro 1
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.
For that reason this is a great option for tennis players coming over to pickleball who are used to adding topspin and slice to their shots.
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
5. Paddletek Bantam ALW-C
This paddle was designed to the specifications of Anna Leigh Waters, the No. 1 women's pickleball player in the world.
Aside from being known for her killer two-handed backhand, Waters also does a lot of damage on the court by hitting aggressive third-shot drives and drops that dip hard toward her opponents' feet.
The high spin potential of this paddle helps her execute those shots, as well as aggressive topspin dinks at the kitchen line.
Weight: 7.7 ounces
Handle length: 5.25"
Paddle length: 15.625 inches
Paddle width: 7.75 inches
Paddle face: PT-700 unidirectional RAW carbon fiber
Core material: Bantam Polymer Honeycomb
Core thickness: 12.7mm or 14.3mm
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