Top 10 Pickleball Paddles for 3.5 Players Who Crave Control

Pickleball is a great sport for both adults and kids. It’s a great way to get exercise, have fun, and make new friends. 

Being that it’s so fun to play, you might be looking for a new pickleball paddle so that you can play with your friends and family. The problem is, there are thousands of pickleball paddles to choose from, and it can be hard to know which ones are good and which ones are bad. 

That’s why we decided to do some research and find the best pickleball paddles for 3.5 players. We talked to 4 experts, including a former pro coach, and put together this article. 

Best Pickleball Paddles for 3.5 All-Rounders

Here is a list of the best pickleball paddles for 3.5 players:

1. Ronbus R1.16 Pickleball Paddle – Best for Overall Performance
2. Vanguard 2.0 Line Pickleball Paddle – Best for Control
3. Joola Scorpeus 16mm Pickleball Paddle – Best for Stability and Price
4. Gearbox PRO Power Pickleball Paddle – Best for Power
5. Volair Mach 1 Pickleball Paddle – Best for Spin
6. SixZero Double Black Diamond Pickleball Paddle – Best for Control and Spin
7. Gearbox GX6 Control 8.5 Pickleball Paddle – Best for Balance
8. Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro Pickleball Paddle – Best for Durability
9. OneShot ProShot Pickleball Paddle – Best for Versatility
10. Paddletek TS-5 Pro Pickleball Paddle – Best for Comfort

Ronbus R1.16

For 3.5 players looking to enhance their pickleball game, the Ronbus R1.16 stands out as the top pick for overall performance. This paddle is known for its balanced attributes, offering a blend of power and control that can cater to a versatile playing style. With a swingweight of 118, it provides a moderately high heft, which translates to more powerful groundstrokes while still being forgiving enough for a variety of shots.

When compared to other top paddles like the Selkirk Vanguard 2.0, which is best for control, the Ronbus R1.16 offers a more all-around performance. The Vanguard 2.0, with its soft, crisp feel and 16mm thick polymer core, is excellent for players who prioritize ball control and touch. However, the Ronbus R1.16’s raw T700 carbon fiber face and polypropylene honeycomb core give it a competitive edge in terms of power without sacrificing too much control.

Another competitor, the Joola Scorpeus 16mm, is touted as the best for stability and price. It’s designed for fast play and is particularly suited for doubles. The Ronbus R1.16, while also suitable for doubles, provides a more generalist approach that can adapt to both singles and doubles play.

The Gearbox PRO Power Elongated Pickleball Paddle, known for its power, offers a lively response off the face and is categorized as a power paddle. Players who are specifically looking for a boost in their offensive game might lean towards the Gearbox PRO. However, the Ronbus R1.16’s overall performance makes it a more versatile choice for those who want a balance between power and control.

In summary, the Ronbus R1.16 is a well-rounded paddle that stands out for its overall performance, making it an excellent choice for 3.5 players who want a paddle that can support a wide range of shots and strategies on the court.

Vanguard 2.0 Line

For 3.5 players seeking to improve their control in pickleball, the Vanguard 2.0 Line stands as a strong contender. This paddle is renowned for its exceptional control-oriented performance, making it an ideal choice for players who prioritize precision and touch in their game.

The Vanguard 2.0 Line is characterized by its soft, crisp feel, which allows players to feel connected to the ball in a unique way. Its 16mm thick polymer core and two-layered carbon fiber weave facing material work together to absorb and disperse energy from the ball, providing excellent touch and feel. This makes it particularly effective for absorbing pace and resetting the ball back into the kitchen.

When compared to the Ronbus R1.16, which is best for overall performance, the Vanguard 2.0 Line shines in the area of control. While the Ronbus R1.16 offers a balanced blend of power and control, the Vanguard 2.0 Line is specifically designed for players who want to focus on control and touch.

The Joola Scorpeus 16mm, known for its speed and suitability for doubles play, offers a different playing experience compared to the Vanguard 2.0 Line. While the Scorpeus 16mm is designed for fast play, the Vanguard 2.0 Line is more about control and touch, making it a great choice for players who want to improve their precision and ball placement.

The Gearbox PRO Power Elongated Pickleball Paddle, known for its power, provides a lively response off the face and is categorized as a power paddle. While it offers a high level of power, the Vanguard 2.0 Line stands out for its control and touch, making it a top pick for players who prioritize control over power.

In summary, the Vanguard 2.0 Line is a top-tier control paddle that offers unmatched feel and precision. It’s an excellent choice for 3.5 players who want to enhance their control in the game of pickleball.

Joola Scorpeus 16mm

For 3.5 players in the pickleball community, the Joola Scorpeus 16mm emerges as a standout choice, particularly for those who value stability and price. This paddle is engineered to deliver a consistent playing experience, which is crucial for players looking to maintain a steady game. Its 16mm thick core is a significant factor in its ability to absorb shock and reduce vibrations, providing a stable feel during play.

When juxtaposed with other top pickleball paddles for 3.5 players, such as the Ronbus R1.16, which is lauded for overall performance, the Joola Scorpeus 16mm holds its own by offering a more focused approach to stability. While the Ronbus R1.16 is designed to cater to a broad spectrum of playstyles with its balanced power and control, the Scorpeus 16mm is particularly adept at ensuring that players can rely on their paddle to perform consistently under various conditions.

Similarly, when compared to the Vanguard 2.0 Line, known for its exceptional control, the Joola Scorpeus 16mm offers a different kind of precision. The Vanguard 2.0 Line’s advanced technology and design are tailored for players who prioritize finesse and touch. In contrast, the Scorpeus 16mm’s stability is more about providing a reliable response, which can be especially beneficial for players who are developing their technique and require a paddle that forgives slight inconsistencies in their play.

Another competitor, the Gearbox PRO Power Elongated Pickleball Paddle, which is recognized for its power, contrasts with the Scorpeus 16mm’s emphasis on stability. The Gearbox PRO is built to amplify a player’s offensive capabilities, making it a go-to for those seeking to dominate with forceful shots. The Joola Scorpeus 16mm, on the other hand, is more about ensuring that each shot is stable and controlled, which can be advantageous for strategic placement and defensive play.

In essence, the Joola Scorpeus 16mm is a solid choice for pickleball paddles for 3.5 players, offering a blend of stability and affordability that can be particularly appealing for those who are honing their skills and appreciate a paddle that supports a consistent game.

Gearbox PRO Power

For 3.5 players seeking a power boost in their pickleball game, the Gearbox PRO Power Elongated Pickleball Paddle is a top pick. This paddle is renowned for its power-centric design, featuring a large sweet spot and a high swingweight that allows players to deliver powerful shots with ease.

When compared to the Ronbus R1.16, which is the best for overall performance, the Gearbox PRO Power Elongated Pickleball Paddle stands out for its power-oriented design. While the Ronbus R1.16 offers a balanced blend of power and control, the Gearbox PRO is specifically designed for players who want to dominate the court with powerful shots.

The Vanguard 2.0 Line, another top pick, is known for its control. It offers a soft, crisp feel that allows for precise ball placement. However, if you’re a player who prioritizes power over control, the Gearbox PRO Power Elongated Pickleball Paddle would be a more suitable choice.

The Joola Scorpeus 16mm, best for stability and price, is designed for fast play and is particularly suited for doubles. While the Gearbox PRO can also be used in doubles play, its power-oriented design makes it a more suitable choice for singles play where powerful shots can be a game-changer.

In essence, the Gearbox PRO Power Elongated Pickleball Paddle is a top choice for 3.5 players who want to enhance their offensive game. Its power-centric design allows players to deliver powerful shots, making it a formidable tool on the pickleball court.

Volair Mach 1

For 3.5 players seeking to add a bit more spin to their pickleball game, the Volair Mach 1 is a top pick. This paddle is renowned for its exceptional spin capabilities, thanks to its textured surface that enhances ball grip and rotation. The Volair Mach 1’s unique design and construction allow players to execute a variety of shots with added spin, making it a formidable tool on the court.

When compared to the Ronbus R1.16, which is the best for overall performance, the Volair Mach 1 shines in the specific area of spin. While the Ronbus R1.16 offers a balanced blend of power and control, the Volair Mach 1’s focus on spin can give players an edge in games where spin shots are crucial.

The Vanguard 2.0 Line, known for its control, is another top pick for 3.5 players. It offers a soft, crisp feel and a thick polymer core that’s excellent for ball control. However, the Volair Mach 1’s textured surface and spin-oriented design can provide an additional layer of strategy to a player’s game, especially for those who like to keep their opponents guessing with unpredictable spin shots.

The Joola Scorpeus 16mm, best for stability and price, is designed for fast play and is particularly suited for doubles. While the Volair Mach 1 also performs well in fast-paced games, its spin capabilities can be a game-changer in both singles and doubles play.

Lastly, the Gearbox PRO Power Elongated Pickleball Paddle, known for its power, offers a lively response off the face and is categorized as a power paddle. While the Volair Mach 1 may not match the Gearbox PRO in terms of raw power, its superior spin capabilities can help players control the pace and direction of the game.

In essence, the Volair Mach 1 is a top choice for 3.5 players who want to enhance their spin game. Its unique design and construction make it a standout paddle for those looking to add an extra dimension to their pickleball strategies.

SixZero Double Black Diamond

For 3.5 players seeking to refine their pickleball skills, the SixZero Double Black Diamond paddle emerges as a distinguished choice, particularly for those focusing on control and spin. This paddle is engineered to provide an exceptional balance between the ability to place shots with precision and to impart significant spin on the ball, a combination that can be a game-changer on the court.

When juxtaposed with the Ronbus R1.16, which is lauded for its overall performance, the SixZero Double Black Diamond offers a more specialized experience. While the Ronbus R1.16 is designed to deliver a broad spectrum of playability, the SixZero is tailored for players who have a strategic approach and rely heavily on spin to outmaneuver their opponents.

Compared to the Vanguard 2.0 Line, another top pick renowned for its control, the SixZero Double Black Diamond also emphasizes spin, giving it an edge for players who want to add more dimensions to their game. The Vanguard 2.0 Line is exceptional for its touch and finesse, but the SixZero provides that additional spin capability that can be particularly effective in high-level play.

In relation to the Joola Scorpeus 16mm, which stands out for stability and price, the SixZero Double Black Diamond paddle is more focused on enhancing the player’s ability to control the ball with spin rather than just stability. This makes it a suitable option for players who are looking to develop a more aggressive style of play while maintaining control.

Lastly, when considering the Gearbox PRO Power Elongated Pickleball Paddle, which is best known for power, the SixZero Double Black Diamond paddle holds its ground by offering a blend of control and spin rather than sheer power. This makes the SixZero an excellent choice for players who prefer a more tactical game over a power-centric approach.

In essence, the SixZero Double Black Diamond is a top-tier option for pickleball paddles for 3.5 players, especially for those who value precision and the ability to play with spin. Its design caters to a strategic style of play, allowing players to control the pace and spin of the game effectively.