The best pickleball paddles for power players
Last Edited
Nov 24 2025
Category
Gear
Are you a player who likes to hit big serves, drive your third shot and be aggressive with balls out of the air at the kitchen line? You’ve come to the right place.
Below you’ll find the best paddles available right now that are designed to maximize power so you can dominate your local courts.
This page will be updated regularly as new paddles hit the market. In many cases, using code "KITCHEN" at checkout will get you a discount -- using our code also helps us continue to produce this type of content.
Note: The JOOLA Mod TA-15 and Gearbox Pro Power Elongated, which were previously No. 1 and No. 2 on this list, have been removed because they were "sunset" by USA Pickleball in July.
Last updated: November 2025
1. 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.
2. 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.
Use code "KITCHEN" at checkout for 10% off.
3. Six Zero Black Opal
Six Zero's move into the foam paddle category was met with much hype, and this paddle certainly delivers when it comes to power and pop. The 14mm foam core gives off a very satisfying feel -- an upgrade over some other foam paddles on the market -- but the way the ball reacts off the paddle face will take an adjustment period for those coming from a tradition honeycomb core. When in the hands of a 5.0+ player, this paddle is a formidable weapon.
Use code "KITCHEN" at checkout for 10% off.
4. JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16mm
JOOLA's latest offering has produced great results pros and high-level amateurs throughout 2025. An added section of high-density foam inside the bottom corners/throat area of the Pro IV models -- which JOOLA is calling Tech Flex Power, or "TFP" technology -- allows the paddle to flex more, which adds forgiveness and enhances feel, power and dwell time.
Check out our in-depth review of the JOOLA Perseus Pro IV.
5. RPM Friction Pro
The paddle designed by pro player James Ignatowich and released this fall has gotten great reviews from almost everybody who has tried it. Power is not even this paddle's best attribute -- it's also elite in terms of spin and control -- and yet it still makes our power list.
Use code "KITCHEN" at checkout for 15% off.
Honorable Mention: Paddletek Bantam TKO-CX 12.7mm
Designed in conjunction with top men’s pro Christian Alshon, the Bantam TKO-CX 12.7mm gives players good power from the baseline and elite pop in hands battles at the kitchen line. It also gets great spin, so those powerful third-shot drives will have enough dip to stay in the court.
Use code "KITCHEN" at checkout for 10% off.
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