Best Pickleball Paddles for Power

Power from your paddle comes in more than one form. And to a degree, all players need some paddle power to help maximize their own performance. A paddle’s overall weight, length, along with the level of energy return from the core and face materials are the primary sources of power from your paddle. The more powerful a paddle is, the less effort (power) is required from the player to get the ball moving.

What makes it great: The Gearbox Pro Power Elongated, compared to most other paddles, is like switching to an aluminum baseball bat after getting used to using a wood bat. Or in the words of many individuals who have enjoyed using this paddle, “The Gearbox Pro Power Elongated is perhaps one of the liveliest and powerful paddles on the market.” And not out-of-bounds power either, but manageable/ usable power, which is supplied by its 8-ounce weight, 16.5-inch length and proprietary Power Matrix Technology. Lots of paddles feature the same weight, and length, but the latter trait, which involves segmenting the core from the face and frame, is what gives the Pro Power Elongated its standalone power. Curbing all that power for point-and-shoot confidence is an extremely spin-friendly TXR high friction paddle surface.

Other standout qualities are that the Pro Power Elongated is one of the quieter paddles approved by the USAPA, and like all Gearbox paddles, they are built to last.

What makes it great: ProKennex is known to make high quality paddles that provide a bit more core-based power (pop) relative to other paddles that feature a thicker core profile. Around 7.9 ounces, the Pro Kennex Black Ace DLR delivers a manageable degree of weight-based power, and its 16.5-inch length affords even more leverage (which equals power) and extra reach. Combining those two power sources with the thin 10mm Polypropylene Core rewards a player with lots of pop for easier high volley put-aways along with increasing pressure on opponents with time-robbing groundstrokes.

And in no way is the Black Ace DLR an “all gas, no brake” paddle. It also delivers plenty of precision and long-lasting spin potential from its Raw Toray Carbon Fiber paddle surface. In addition to all of this high quality performance, Pro Kennex includes a very attractive and distinctive aesthetic to the Black Ace DLR.

What makes it great: The Evoke Premier has long been a formidable paddle for new, seasoned and professional players alike. Aside from a weight range of 7.7 to 8.0 ounces and 16-inch paddle length, at the heart of the Evoke Premier’s power is its lively 13mm Polymer Core. Increasing the Evoke Premier’s power a little more is Onix’s use of a Fiberglass Composite surface. In addition to bumping up this paddle’s level of power, this surface also adds a degree of control via easy access to developing spin on the ball. The Evoke Premier is also available in several colors and features a standard 4 1/8 grip diameter. Players who want a paddle that is ideal for delivering opponents the long end of the stick in terms of easy power on the ball but is versatile enough for plenty of finesse and touch around the kitchen (NVZ) will want to consider the Onix Evoke Premier.

What makes it great: Holbrook’s Power Pro made it on to the list of power paddles because not only is it powerful, but it's also available in three core widths. Like a volume control, one can choose either between the thinnest 12mm and slightly thicker 14mm polymer core to aim more power back to the ball, or go with the thickest 16mm honeycomb core mask it.

That said don’t let the power theme convince you that it is untamable. The Force-Tec T700 Carbon Fiber surface supplies the paddle with excellent and easy access spin on the ball and complements the versatile Power Pro with point-controlling precision. Holbrook steers clear of excessive branding on the paddle face, so there is zero disruption of the Power Pro's spin potential and comes with an option of a white, blue or pink edge guard.

What makes it great: Everything you need for adequate, and manageable power is available with the Babolat Stryker + paddle. A 13mm polypropylene core unleashes plenty of core based power, and combined with its 16.7 inch overall length, and 8.3 ounce average weight, ups the ante for easy shot depth, along with passing shot power!

We feel the Babolat Stryker + is unique for two main reasons: The first is its 16.7 inch overall length, which is not unheard of, but paddles longer than 16.5 inches are still a rarity, and literally makes the power of the Stryker + far reaching. The other unique trait relates to the distinctive head shape and somewhat narrow 7.2 inch paddle face width. The latter affords shot control and an easy time rolling or bending the ball with spin, in terms of speed-up volleys, or any shot that requires imparting spin (topspin, slice, or cork-screw).

What makes it great: Simply put, the Selkirk Power Air Invikta is aptly named. Its 16.5-inch length, edgeless design, and average weight of 7.7-8.1 ounces rewards the player with easy shot depth, great directional control and extra reach. Another unique and functional aspect of this paddle is the Aero Dynamic Throat. The air flow through the face of the Power Air Invikta allows it to remain steadier in the wind and makes shot timing easier to gauge due to how easy the paddle is to accelerate. The Power Air Invikta is constructed with a thinner "power-on-tap" 13-mm Polymer Core. To ensure the Power Air Invikta is not just a one-trick power pony, Selkirk applies its QuadFlex 4 Layer composite surface, which reins in the power via excellent spin potential. Players who like the performance of a longer paddle shape and want the option to command play with two hands on the paddle will appreciate the longer 5.25-inch handle of the Selkirk Power Air invikta as well.

What makes it great: Volair applies its magic to a non-elongated paddle shape with the Volair Mach 2! Its 15.875” x 8.125” dimension helps maximize the size of the Mach 2’s sweetspot and also affords the player additional power. A proven polypropylene honeycomb core insert converts vibration in to comfort, with the 14mm example allowing for a little extra pop. To achieve a high degree of precision and long lasting spin production, Volair uses a premium Raw T700 Carbon surface, which also filters out unwanted vibration. A 5.5-inch handle length provides ample space to control the action with one or both hands on the paddle, and the 4.25-inch grip size is suitable for most hand sizes. The Volair Mach 2 paddle is designed with enough versatility to both power the ball through the wind, from the backcourt and also test any opponent's ability and patience near the kitchen.

Are you interested in more details on what makes a paddle tick, in terms of power? Our resident paddle/racquet guru (Crawford Lyndsey) has an extensive background in physics, years of experience, along with an in-house lab to test what makes a particular paddle either more or less power oriented. Try taking a look at his ultra-deep dive on paddle materials and performance.

All of the paddles on our list of the seven Best Paddles for Power, to a degree, feature some weight-based power (7.5 ounces or more). And some, but not all, also exhibit an overall length of 16 inches or more for extra leverage (length based power). Core liveliness is what many players easily notice when they are playing or discussing power from a pickleball paddle. As a result, we used that same source of power as a main guideline for developing this article. Generally speaking, if the core is constructed with a polypropylene core, the thinner the core profile, the more energy is returned back to the ball. The opposite is true for a thicker polymer core, as it absorbs a little more energy, than it returns to the ball. Ideally you want as much power from your paddle as you can effectively handle, but you don't want the level of power to be "all gas, and no brake". As of this writing, paddle manufacturers are starting to use different core materials, but a polymer (polypropylene) honeycomb core is still the industry standard. Besides testing different paddles, having a base of knowledge, in terms of where the sources of paddle power and control are coming from is the best way to narrow down the list of potential candidates.