When you’re no longer a newbie but also not fully over the learning curve, Head Radical Elite Pickleball Paddle is the corresponding intermediate price that seems exactly right. Elite is a Special release of the Head lineup. Features a revolutionary fiberglass hitting surface inspired by how we ski and play tennis. This innovative edge-less design creates Dynamic Tension when the ball is hit, producing an extra large sweet spot and providing a whole new level of control, drive, and touch.
It’s easy to see why they’re popular, with a massive sweet spot that feels forgiving even when you miss your mark. If you want to hit the ball hard, you’re going to need to swing hard, as this paddle does offer the kind of extra poppy drive you find on some other carbon paddles.
Other feedback from the players’ community echoed that sentiment:
“As in pickleball, we shouldn’t power through our stroke, take a controlled swing and let the paddle provide the power…this is incredibly exactly how this paddle plays…it makes all the power you need, without the effort. I like the soft game with it also…dinks, resets, blocks. It did take some getting used to of course. Best balance of power and spin with plenty of control. I really would say Head Radical Elite is a power paddle. It’s a balanced paddle. Has it all. No bulky edgeguard. No arm pain. Sweet spot and plush feel different than what I’m used to but doesn’t bother me or affect my shots. whenever I try to play with a Head Radical Elite paddle again, it just feels so soft, and I feel like it steals all of the enjoyment of hitting the ball! The spin in the power of the elite is unreal. My serves and return of serves are hitting near the baseline, on the other side, about 90% of the time, with a level of spin that I couldn’t achieve with other paddles as a beginner.” User review
Key Features & Specs:
| Material | Polymer |
| Skill Level | Beginner & Intermediate |
| Frame Material | Graphite |
| Shaft Material | Graphite |
| Item Weight | 14 Grams |
Head Radical Elite Pickleball Paddle Review
I started playing pickleball in 2022 and was using an inexpensive
Onix Z5 pickleball paddle that I bought on Amazon. It was a good paddle to start learning with. Then a friend let me use his Head radical elite pickleball paddle. Wow, that made a big difference in my serve and my game improved greatly. I Have had mine for 10 months.
At first, I thought it was giving me “paddle wrist shock” which is what I call it, and got a tight wristband and fixed that. I play with many different balls and it plays very well with indoor balls, however outdoor balls playing inside them seem super hard. And it takes a few points to get comfortable from one court (ball) to the other. Overall I’d give it a 7 of 10 for those reasons. I’ve tried other paddles and found it does take a few hits or points to really get used to one. Maybe even games. No reason to change mine out until my game gets better.
What I Really Like About Head Radical Elite?
I wanted a paddle that generates much power or pace on the ball. As being a tennis background I want to be more of a power player. So I’m in the habit of looking for those powerful return shots that some of my friends who played tennis try and do.
➜. It increased my hitting power. I am a senior fellow in pretty good shape, but I was lacking the power to make fast hits. This paddle gives me so much more power – I immediately felt a difference and one of the main reasons I love this paddle.
➜. The sweet spot is pretty much the whole paddle. I don’t always hit right in the center, but with this paddle, even if I hit outside the center, I still get in a great, solid hit!
➜. The grip is fantastic. I was having trouble holding my paddle solidly because my previous paddles were too large for my hands. I love this Grearhead grip because I can wrap my fingers around it without having to hold it tight. It is very comfortable to hold but has also really helped with my hits and direction.
➜. It has a great texture. I am not at the point where I can spin the ball very often, but I think the texture will eventually make me a better player.
➜. No edge which I really think makes a difference if you do hit on the edge of the paddle. And it looks so nice too!
➜. I love the black handle and the overall look of the paddle is really nice. And, I didn’t want something too flashy. I love the simple, unique graphics.
➜. It is soft like a pillow and I rarely have an errant hit with a battle at the net as the paddle absorbs all the power and puts it nicely back on the other side. My paddle absorbs a lot of the power from shots if I get my paddle in the right place.
It is not an expensive paddle, but as a dedicated beginner who plays 3-4 days a week, it was totally worth the money. I love this paddle and worth every penny!!!
What I don’t love:
I’m a fast, athletic man with experience playing tennis, so I would have loved to engage in placement wars all around the court and force my opponent to use every angle possible. But having some control over the ball would be good. Since my placement pace makes it possible for them to get there, it doesn’t matter if my game is power over control and my placement shots aren’t getting better.
And in doubles, the lack of power is not as noticeable but still noticeable, especially on the 3rd shot return or when I’m trying to drive them back it seems the pillow of a paddle just doesn’t have that extra oomph I’m hoping for.
P.S. Also my dinking hasn’t improved much with the paddle but I am pretty sure that is just the weakest part of my game and needs the most work.
So saying all that.
My Thoughts on the Head Radical Elite Paddle
Considering a few drawbacks were not dealbreakers for me. I made the investment for several reasons and I am so over the top happy that I ordered this paddle. So upgrading my paddle while staying on a budget was key for me which Is what drew me to Head Radical Elite. Looked like a great paddle at a great price point so I pulled the trigger.
If your game is more geared towards dinks and touch, the paddle like Joola is much softer and heavier in the head and facilitates this type of play better. However, if you hit a lot of drives or come from tennis, the Head Radical Elite is much better for hard, fast topspin shots. It is also whippier at the net and better for quick hand battles than the Joola. This is not to say you can’t dink and drop with the head elite, it just takes more of your own personal control and feelings.
Most traditional pickleball players won’t care for the feel of the head radical elite (at least initially) because it bridges the gap between something like a Gearbox that is very slim and hard and a traditional Franklin. You may need to play with it some more to get a good idea if you can adapt your game to it or not, even Franklin says there is a transition period if you’re coming from a thicker and less powerful paddle. But don’t get the wrong idea, you still have the ability to control and place the ball with it, it just requires you to dial in your own sense of touch.
For what it’s worth, I do come from tennis and play fast/hit hard and I much prefer the head radical elite. Better spin and the head weight doesn’t slow down your strokes or force you to take the ball late. As someone said though, to each their own.
