With so many new paddle companies entering the market in 2025, I get asked the same question over and over: What are the best pickleball paddles right now?
I’ve had the chance to test dozens of paddles firsthand—thanks in part to my experience helping a pro player navigate his paddle sponsorship deal with a local new company. During that process, we spoke to many paddle manufacturers, and I was fortunate to receive demo paddles from several brands to test on my own courts. Over the years, I’ve built up a deep paddle collection and regularly invite players to try them out and share feedback. In this article, I’ll walk through the paddles that truly stood out—based on real play, not marketing hype.
How to Choose the Best Pickleball Paddles for You
The #1 thing about paddles is to try them out. The “best” paddle for you is the paddle you like best. It is 100% a personal decision. There is no best weight, best style or best anything else. If you play better with a wooden paddle, use a wooden paddle. Simply because some pro uses a certain paddle is not a reason for you to buy it. It is a reason for you to try it; if you like it, then buy it.
Everything I write here about any particular paddle is opinion. I will make some recommendations, but you should try these different paddles and see what you like.
Why You Should Upgrade Your Paddle in 2025
First, I would say if you are not using a paddle made in the last year or so, then you need a paddle. Paddle technology is progressing rapidly. Paddles today are MUCH better than paddles from even just a few years ago. They have more pop, more control, more spin.
Also, don’t go by advertising. Some of the best paddles have little to no advertising. Just as the fact that a pro uses a certain paddle is not a reason to buy it, advertising is not a reason to buy a paddle. Try it, yes, buy it without trying it, no.
Some of the best paddles are made by very small companies. There are over 800 companies making paddles. Most just buy the same basic carbon paddle from China. You can go on Alibaba’s website and order 500 paddles at around $15 a paddle, put your facing on it, and you are a paddle company! So, many of the 800+ companies are nothing special, but some of them actually engineer their paddles and have some innovations
Paddle Reviews & Recommendations
let’s look at some different paddles:
1. Proton3
Proton is a good example of a new, smaller company that makes an excellent paddle. Good touch, good feel, but has a bit of pop to it. My wife has now adopted it as her favorite paddle. She’s a defensive-minded 3.5/4.0, but lacks power. The Proton gives her a little needed pop. Go to Proton Sports website to check their paddles.
2. Gearbox Pro Elongated Power
This one has received quite a bit of publicity, after Chris Haworth used it to beat Ben Johns in singles. This is a great paddle. After seeing Haworth play on TV, I wanted to use the paddle, but I thought it would be too power oriented. I don’t need power, I can supply all the power I need. I need touch/feel/spin. Also I was concerned the Gearbox paddle would be so powerful that I would pop the ball up on dinks, or have my resets fly too far. I was wrong. The Gearbox paddle has excellent feel, and can put some great topspin on the ball. Definitely an offensive-minded paddle. Has a little bit of a funny sound when hitting the ball, but you get used to it. Excellent in firefights.
3. Selkirk Luxx Control Air
Not a great paddle, IMO. Ok feel, but lacking in spin rate and pop. The hole in the paddle continues to me to be a gimmick. IMO Selkirk has been behind for a couple of years in technology. I don’t put the Selkirk paddles anywhere near the top line carbon paddles.
4. Rokne
Another newer, smaller company. Their paddles were, to me, the classic “I bought a bunch from China and started a company” paddle. Nothing special for spin or power. Checkout its signature Curve Classic Paddle.
5. Crush Freestyle
The best paddle you likely have never heard of. Small Arizona company. Fantastic paddles. Best paddle I have ever tried in terms of feel. Using it almost seems like you catch the ball in your hand before you send it back to the other side of the net. I get more balls back with this than any other paddle. Tremendous paddle for defense. They don’t have the $ to sponsor pros, so Crush is a good example of why you should try all paddles, even ones that no pro plays with.
They just came out with a paddle with a longer grip, for players who like 2 handed backhands. I don’t use a two handed backhand, but friends of mine who do say the paddle is great for them. The Crush paddles don’t have a lot of power, so I would generally say they are better for men than women, unless you are a player with a lot of inherent power.
6. ProXR Advantage Blackout Series
This is the paddle Riley Newman chose. I didn’t get any $ from ProXR (or any other company), so my opinions are unbiased. The ProXR standard is another great paddle. A lot of feel and a lot of pop—a great combination of both.
7. Joola Perseus
Solid paddle, I would call it a good paddle. My understanding is that they are coming out with a new one soon that I have heard will match the Gearbox paddle for pop. I’m interested in trying that one.
8. Thrive
Another smaller company. Good all-around paddle.
9. Vatic Pro
Also a good all-around paddle. Check Our Dedicated review on Vatic Pro Prism Paddle.
10. Chorus Lineup Breakdown
Chorus Pickleball is a smaller company that is fighting their way into the spot light. They have created a lineup of paddles that can fit most players with a control line, All-around, and an All-around with more pop and power. Currently developing their power line to complete the set. All series offer the same three shapes: SX – Standard/Widebody, HX – Hybrid, and EX – Elongated.
Echo Series
The Echo series would be what is considered their control line. Featuring Gen 2 technology with full carbon fiber layup in the face, these paddles play very soft compared to most Gen 2 paddles. I was very surprised by this, which makes them an easy recommendation for someone looking for a soft paddles with not much pop, that still has decent put away power.
SuperCourt Series
These paddles are the All-around category, but they have a little more pop and power. Not approaching power by today’s standards, but more than enough to be offensive. These are Gen 2 paddles with a layer of fiberglass in the face layup that accounts for that extra pop and power. With a little added weight on these paddles at the throat area, I found them to be very versatile, making it easy to execute any and all shots with ease while still maintaining a soft touch for dinking.
ShapeShifter
The ShapeShifter helped put Chorus on the map as the best example of an All-around paddle. Decent power, very easy to control, lots of spin, a soft touch, good pop in blocks and hand battles, just a great paddle that anyone could play well with. I really enjoy playing with these paddles because, other than looking cool with the 18k carbon fiber design, they just do every well. The only downside is that they only do everything well. If you’re looking for a paddle that is specifically powerful, these are not going to fit that criteria. However, if you need a paddle that plays consistent no matter what shot you are making, these ShapeShifters are an easy recommendation.
Chorus is always trying to innovate and they are currently working on a few paddles that will complete the lineup in the power category so be on the lookout for those coming soon!
Best Budget Pickleball Paddle
The new Fever paddle from Friday Pickleball is the best paddle under $100 I’ve tested. Plush Gen 3 paddle comes at 7.8 oz weight, swingweight around 112. With weight mods (FlickWeight and lead), it plays amazingly well. Low-end “power” in stock form, but very plush for a Gen 3. Great control with surprising pace on compact swings. Very poppy on counters and flicks.
(PS, if you are not a fan of the ribbed grip, they heard the feedback and are doing away with it, as well as finalizing their shapes for standard and hybrid shaped Fevers)
Honorable Mention: Aiso Centric
There hasn’t been much talk about the Aiso Centric, so I wanted to bring it to light. This paddle is one of my favorite hybrid-shaped paddles under $100.
It’s a Gen 2 raw carbon fiber paddle—thermoformed, with foam-injected edges and a unibody design. It plays like an all-court paddle but leans more toward control. It drives hard and stays soft at the net but doesn’t have much “pop” behind it.
(If you’re new to the terms: pop refers to how fast the ball comes off the paddle on quick contact like flicks or counters, while power refers to long strokes like drives or overheads.)
The Aiso Centric isn’t as powerful as the new Gearbox or Joola models, which is why I place it in the control category. But like many raw carbon fiber paddles, it gets great spin.
Specs:
- 16mm core
- 16.3” length
- 7.5” width
- 4.125” grip circumference
- Stock weight ~8.3oz
The only downside is that it feels slightly head-heavy for a hybrid shape, making it a bit slower in the hands. That tradeoff translates to more power on drives and a softer feel on dinks and touch shots.
Definitely one of my favorite budget paddles, especially if you’re after a hybrid feel and can handle a little extra swingweight.
Wrap-Up: Play What Feels Right
Paddle choice is personal. Don’t chase marketing or copy pros blindly. Try as many paddles as you can and choose the one that fits your game. At a minimum, I recommend you try the Proton3, the ProXR standard, the Crush Freestyle, and the Gearbox Pro Power. These 4 paddles will give you a chance to see power, feel and spin at the highest level. All 4 are excellent. I’d probably give the edge to Gearbox for power, Crush for feel, and ProXR for all around combination, but it’s close.
Paddle selection is a journey. What works for me might not work for you—but the fun is in the testing. Try different shapes, feels, brands—both big and small.
Enjoy the game, no matter what paddle you end up with!
