Best Pickleball Paddles for Spin

The Perseus 3 is the result of a collaborative effort between the world's number one professional player Ben Johns and the good folks at JOOLA. Powering all of the JOOLA Generation 3 paddles is their Propulsion Polymer Core, which is available in a livelier 14mm, and a slightly more control oriented 16mm core. The Charged Carbon Surface Technology and updated core material, encased by JOOLA's Carbon Framed (uni-body) Design, is all new and is a game changer! This allows the P3 to flex during offensive exchanges, for penetrating groundstroke and passing shot power, and immediately firms up to render world class obedience on defensive shots that require a light, surgical touch. Like the prior model, the Perseus 3 utilizes the same 16.5 x 7.5 x 5.5 in. paddle design for additional reach and room to control the action using one or two hands on the paddle. Lastly, JOOLA pairs the Perseus 3 with an embedded NFC chip, allowing players to authenticate their P3 with a tap of a phone.

The Radical Nite hits the nail on the head (pun intended), in terms of utilizing tip-of-the-spear technology to produce an exceptional all-court performance paddle! Using the same elongated 16.5" x 7.5" x 5.5" paddle shape, 8.1 ounce weight and 15mm polypropylene core, as the Radical Raw EX, HEAD now pairs the Radical Nite with a shot bending and ultra spin friendly T700 Carbon Fiber surface. Along with the polymer core, foam injected edge walls, and Thermotech (uni-body) construction, the HEAD Radical Nite affords a player the elusive "cake and eat it too" type of performance; a predictable degree of back-court power, without sacrificing touch or feel around the mid-court and kitchen. Furthering the quality and comfort of the Radical Nite, is HEAD's octagonal handle shape and (HST) Handle Stabilizer Technology. The shape makes it easier for a player to execute mid-point grip changes, and the HST helps maximize comfort, while filtering out unwanted vibration.

Six Zero releases yet another premium paddle! The Double Black Diamond leans toward precision and control, with a measured amount of realistic power, Much of that power is derived from its 8.1 oz. average weight and 16.3 in. overall length, which provides the extra reach needed to effectively deal with an opponent’s pesky shot placement. The Double Black Diamond comes with either a 14mm or 16mm polypropylene honeycomb core. The thinner core supplies additional power, whereas the 16mm. core harnesses power with longer ball dwell time for ultimate shot predictability and obedience. Another standout trait is the multi-stage cold and hot molding process, which both strengthens the Double Black Diamond and refines the return of energy to the ball. Incredible and permanent spin potential is the result of using of a proprietary Japanese Toray 700 Raw Carbon surface. Besides easy access to spin, the combined effect of the high quality core and surface materials renders comfort plus a lower decibel footprint at impact of the ball. And lastly, the Double Black Diamond's 3D Carbon forged handle is 5.5 inches long and is available a 4 1/8 or 4 1/4 grip size.

CRBN is renowned for using friction-based materials to push the envelope for a paddle’s spin potential. They now combine Thermo-Formed construction with a Raw T700 Carbon Fiber surface. That's a recipe for taking the sting out your opponent’s shots and also allows the player to hit heavy, spin-loaded balls that drop like a rock inside the baseline. Averaging 7.8 - 8.0 ounces, the more control oriented CRBN 3X Power Series 16mm is also available with a livelier 14mm core option. Whether you are an intermediate or world-class player, the result is top-notch paddle precision and enough power to play your way to the kitchen and all the way to the podium!

Although the Triaxial Carbon Fiber surface, which consists of yarns of carbon woven at strategic 60 degree angles, is a major point of interest and performance, the Diadem Edge 18K rounds that up with plenty of other proven paddle traits. As with the prior Edge paddles, an 8-ounce weight and 16mm polypropylene core supply a blend of precision and power, while the Triaxial Carbon surface provides a shot bending, and point ending level of spin on every shot. Players who enjoy an extended paddle length minus the extra handle length will benefit from the Diadem Edge 18K’s all-court prowess.

Relatively new to the game of producing high quality paddles, the good folks at Holbrook have created a second tour level offering, the Holbrook Power Pro! This uni-body (thermoformed) paddle utilizes a Polypropylene Core, and is available in a trio of core widths (12, 14 or 16 mm), dialing up the precision, or power. A Uni-directional T700 Carbon Face, provides exceptional spin potential that allows players to target smaller areas of the court with their shots. For the intermediate to advanced level player who prefers elongated performance and handle length, the Holbrook Power Pro delivers versatile long-term performance, comfort and, did we mention, easy access to a game-controlling degree of spin on the ball?!

Made by players for players, the third generation of the Pursuit Pro MX 6.0 is the most versatile, refined and identifiable version of this paddle yet. The weight ranges from 7.5 - 8.3 ounces to complement any skill level, whether you prefer a higher degree of maneuverability or paddle stability. Aside from the MX 6.0's 16mm Control Pro Black Polymer core, Engage also offers the Pursuit Pro MX, which features a livelier 13mm core. A Raw T700 Carbon Fiber outer skin bites the ball, and delivers as-good-as-it-gets spin potential for both paddles. In addition, Engage has figured out a way to make its branding, and the strategically located bull's eye on the paddle face far more visible and attractive without disrupting the Pursuit's incredible spin potential.

Are you interested in more details on what makes a paddle tick, in terms of generating spin on the ball? 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 leans a particular paddle in the direction of either being more or less spin friendly (so to speak). Try taking a look at his ultra-deep dive on paddle materials and performance.

In what seems to be an ever-expanding menu of paddle choices, selecting a suitable paddle can be a lengthy process. Considering one’s skill set, budget, play style, frequency of play, strengths/weaknesses, and even injuries are all important when trying to locate a paddle that benefits a player in an overall sense. Total Pickleball offers a no-questions asked 30-day trial on each paddle purchased new from us. That affords 30 days of testing, from the day they arrive at your door. If for whatever reason you would like to send them back, the paddle will qualify for a 100 percent refund. In addition, a pre-paid return label is conveniently included with shipments inside the contiguous 48 states.

How to Choose a Pickleball Paddle