Expert review of the new Franklin C45 series pickleball paddles

Just a few months after releasing arguably their best and most popular paddle ever -- the C45 hybrid -- Franklin is at it again, adding two new shapes in multiple thicknesses to the C45 lineup.

Much like the original C45 hybrid (you can find an in-depth review of that specific paddle here), the new elongated and widebody shapes generally offer low swingweights and good pop at the kitchen line. But each shape -- the Tempo (widebody), Dynasty (elongated) and hybrid -- has slightly different performance characteristics.

In this review I'll be going over those differences and offering some pros and cons of each model.

But first, some background on how the C45 paddles are constructed:

Double thermoformed: Franklin says adding a second step in the thermoforming process enhances the structural integrity of the paddle and helps reduce vibration compared to previous thermoformed paddles. They definitely succeed on the vibration dampening front with a crisp feel on contact for all of the C45 paddles. Each of these new paddles have a very solid overall feel and are not as bouncy as other thermoformed paddles that often have issues with core crushing. I've only had a few play sessions with the Dynasty and Tempo shapes, but I have played a lot with the C45 hybrid that was released in March and have had no issues with core crushing. I would say it had a slight break-in period where the paddle loosened up a little, but has played very consistently since then.

45° carbon surface: The T700 carbon fiber is applied as a peel ply texture at a 45° angle. Franklin says laying it at a 45° angle provides a true, consistent texture throughout the entire paddle face, maximizing spin potential. I found that spin with all of the C45 paddles was on par with most of the other top-performing paddles on the market right now.

Read next: The top 10 pickleball paddles on the market today

PowerFlex core: “Flex” is a hot word right now in the paddle market. Franklin has joined other companies such as JOOLA and Proton by incorporating more foam layers in the core to allow the paddle to flex more upon impact, which increases power and pop while also giving paddles a more forgiving feel. Franklin says its PowerFlex core also provides the paddle with more structural integrity.

Most notably, this week's release of the Tempo and Dynasty shapes introduces a 16mm thickness option (the hybrid shape is still only available in a 14mm thickness, and a Franklin spokesperson told me there are no plans currently to release a 16mm version of that paddle).

As with the C45 hybrid, I think all of the new models benefit from additional weight, which allows them to reach their full potential. The Tempo paddles specifically have very low swingweights, which means they have a lot of room for customization. I found with the C45 hybrid that I could add almost a full ounce of weighted tape around the entire perimeter and still swing it comfortably. The added weight adds both power and stability and takes these paddles to a new level.

Read next: Adding weight to your pickleball paddle -- the complete guide

In general I have preferred the 16mm versions of "Gen 3" paddles because they typically generate more power on serves, third-shot drives and putaway shots at the kitchen line, while still offering a plush feel on dinks and resets that you would expect from a 16mm paddle. The main benefit of modern 14mm paddles typically is more pop on short punch volleys and increased maneuverability.

Those characteristics held true for the new Franklin C45 series, and in my opinion the introduction of the 16mm versions is a big win.

With the background out of the way, let's dive into how these paddles perform.