The best pickleball paddles for power players

Alex Lantz
Director of Content

Last Edited

Jun 27 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 on Pickleball Central 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.

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 are being "sunset" by USA Pickleball in July.

Last updated: June 2025

1. Adidas Metalbone LP S

Adidas Metalbone LP S
$249.00 at Pickleball Central

This is truly a paddle made for players who want maximum power on serves and third-shot drives as well as great pop in hands battles and elite putaway power. We didn't ask adidas what the S in the name stands for, but it should stand for speed.

This paddle is geared toward high-level players who can adjust to those top-tier power levels and harness this paddle's potential in a controlled way. The weighting system offers customizable options at the bottom corners of the paddle face and along the top edge. More weight = more power.

Check out our in-depth review of all of the adidas Metalbone paddles.

Key Specs

Weight: 8.0-8.7 ounces (adjustable weight system)

Handle length: 5.5 inches

Paddle length: 16.5 inches

Paddle width: 7.5 inches

Paddle face: Raw Carbon Fiber, Spin Blade Max

Core material: EVA

Core thickness: 16mm

2. Adidas Metalbone LP Team

Adidas Metalbone LP Team
$209.00 at Pickleball Central

Featuring the same 100% EVA foam core as the Metalbone LP S, this paddle also gets great power on serves, third-shot drives and putaways. But it offers more maneuverability for reflex volleys and flicks out of the air because it comes in lighter at 8.0 ounces.

For that reason it feels more whippy in the hand than any of the other Metalbone paddles. This is the paddle of choice for adidas pro Mari Humberg.

Check out our in-depth review of all of the adidas Metalbone paddles.

Key Specs

Weight: 8.0 ounces (no adjustable weight system)

Handle length: 5.5 inches

Paddle length: 16.5 inches

Paddle width: 7.5 inches

Paddle face: Raw Carbon Fiber, Spin Blade Max

Core material: EVA

Core thickness: 16mm

3. JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16mm

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

JOOLA's newest offering has already produced great results for those who have switched at the pro level and in high-level amateur play. 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.

Key Specs

Weight: 8.1 ounces (16mm)

Handle length: 5.5 inches

Paddle length: 16.5 inches

Paddle width: 7.5 inches

Paddle surface: Carbon Friction Surface

Core: Propulsion + Tech Flex Power

Thickness: 16mm

4. 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, but that's true for most of the paddles on this particular list.

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

5. Paddletek Bantam TKO-CX 12.7mm

Paddletek Bantam TKO-CX
$249.99 at Pickleball Central

Designed in conjunction with top men’s pro Christian Alshon, the Bantam TKO-CX 12.7mm gives players max power from the baseline and great 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. 

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

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