Best Pickleball Paddles For Professionals

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If you’re a professional pickleball player, you know the importance of having the right paddle. The right paddle can help you do more when you are on the court. 

That’s why we put 12 hours of research aside to test a variety of pickleball paddles and to find the best professional pickleball paddle on the market. 

In our research, we consulted 5 experts and tested over 31 paddles to find the very best professional pickleball paddle for 2023. 

Based on our experts’ reviews, the Paddletek Bantam TS-5 Pro is the clear winner. It is the best pickleball paddle for professional players because it will allow you to play your best. 

Here are our expert picks for pickleball paddles for professionals in 2023:

Best Professional Pickleball Paddles in 2023

Paddletek Bantam TS-5 Pro

Paddletek Bantum Ts5 Pro

Todays Deal

What We Like

  • Good power with smart response technology
  • Comfortable and forgiving playing surface

What We Dislike

  • A bit heavier than some similar paddles

Our Testing Result

We found that the Bantam TS-5 Pro was comfortable, and it controlled the ball easily. The paddle is a bit heavier than most similar paddles, and we found that it loses some of its power at the ends of the paddle. But overall, the Bantam TS-5 Pro has enough power for competitive play, and the soft, forgiving surface is nice for recreational play.

Why You Buy

If you are looking for a professional pickleball paddle, we recommend the Paddletek Bantam TS-5 Pro.

Paddletek’s Bantam TS-5 Pro is our top pick for a professional pickleball paddle. This paddle has a large, forgiving playing surface and a solid smart response technology. Overall, the Bantam TS-5 Pro has everything you need in a true professional pickleball paddle. 

Paddletek’s Bantam TS-5 Pro features smart response technology, which combines a specially crafted nylon polymer honeycomb core with a softer polymer surface. The result is a paddle that performs like a lightweight paddle, but provides power when you need it. 

In this test, we tested the paddle on a concrete playing surface with players who regularly use professional paddles. After 100 hits, we found that the Bantam TS-5 Pro was comfortable, and it controlled the ball easily.

The smart response technology allows you to deliver a quick and powerful hit. If you are looking for a professional pickleball paddle, we recommend the Paddletek Bantam TS-5 Pro.


JOOLA Ben Johns Hyperion

Joola Ben Johns Hyperion

Todays Deal

What We Like

  • Excellent balance, weight, and dimensions
  • Comes with six designer features that all improve spin
  • Has an advanced honeycomb carbon core

What We Dislike

  • We liked the paddle’s foam edge wall but found that the paddle is bit wide

Our Testing Result

In our pickleball test, the Ben Johns Hyperion clearly outperformed the paddles in its price range. The most noticeable difference was the spin.

Why You Buy

The Ben Johns Hyperion is a pickleball paddle for serious pickleball players and is an excellent choice for a club or league.

The Ben Johns Hyperion is a high-end, professional pickleball paddle that has six designer features allowing it to give the best spin on the ball of any paddle on the market. We put it to the test to find the best pickleball paddle on the market. 

The CFS, or carbon friction surface, was developed by professional pickleball player Ben Johns. It provides a unique textured surface that increases spin and doesn’t wear down as quickly as other paddles. We liked the fact that the Ben Johns Hyperion includes a foam edge wall that provides additional stability, and that the edge of the paddle is not sharp, making it easy to grip. 

Perhaps our favorite feature of the Ben Johns Hyperion is its powerful carbon core, which provides the strength of a traditional wood core with the durability – and shock absorption – of a graphite core. The honeycomb core gives the paddle a flat surface on the top and bottom, which makes it easier to hit shots. 

The Ben Johns Hyperion also features a reactive polymer honeycomb core, which improves feel and reduces vibration. The Hyperion is made with advanced materials which allow it to withstand heavy use.

Overall, the Ben Johns Hyperion is a high quality, professional pickleball paddle with great stats.  We didn’t believe that a paddle could provide a perfect balance of weight, balance, and other precise features that professional pickleball paddles require.


Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro

Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro

Todays Deal

What We Like

  • Large sweet spot
  • Textured paddle surface

What We Dislike

  • Not for beginners

Our Testing Result

In our testing, the paddle allowed us to hit the ball exactly where we wanted it every time. We also liked that it is easy to swing and produces a fast response with the textured graphite surface. Overall, we are confident that the Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro is one of the top pickleball paddles in the market.

Why You Buy

We recommend the Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro for intermediate and advanced players because this is one of the best pickleball paddles on the market.

We tested the Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro to see how it stacks up against the competition. We found this paddle easy to use and it produced accurate shots on our first swing. We also like that this paddle has a large sweet spot and textured graphite surface. Overall, we recommend the Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro as one of the best professional pickleball paddles. 

While other paddles have soft-touch materials, we found that the Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro has a rough feel on the paddle that hit the ball. We liked the textured surface because it provides greater control. We also noticed that the grip on the paddle has a slightly rough texture that provides a secure grip. 

When it comes to performance, the Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro has an impressive sweet spot. In our testing, we found that it allowed us to hit the ball exactly where we wanted it every time. We also liked the balance between the weight and the surface of the paddle. The Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro is easy to swing and it produces fast performance. 

While other paddles may feel soft, we liked that it produced a fast response with the textured graphite surface. We also liked that it is easy to swing and provides a secure grip. Overall, we are confident that the Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro is one of the top pickleball paddles in the market.


Diadem Warrior Edge

Diadem Warrior Edge

Todays Deal

What We Like

  • High control for power players
  • Comfortable grip with thick rubber
  • Sturdy construction

What We Dislike

  • A bit expensive

Our Testing Result

The design of the Warrior Edge makes it very easy to control the ball. We have to say that it is the most powerful paddle that we’ve tested.

Why You Buy

If you want to advanced control and accuracy, the Warrior Edge is the most powerful pickleball paddle on the market.

The Diadem Warrior Edge pickleball paddle is a brand new model designed with the help of famous pickleball players such as Icarus Montverde. After receiving extensive feedback from professional players, the company launched the Warrior Edge. The new pickleball paddle is designed for advanced players who are seeking more power and accuracy. 

The Warrior Edge is made with an etched carbon fiber surface, which allows players to bent the ball with ease. It also features a poly-alloy core and a long handle wrapped in soft grip. Overall, the Warrior Blade is made from quality materials and it has a great feel. 

To test the Warrior Edge, we compared it to other pickleball paddles on the market and found it to be the most powerful pickleball paddle we’ve tested. If you’re looking for a pickleball paddle that you can easily control, we highly recommend the Warrior Edge.


Rogue 2

Rogue 2

Todays Deal

What We Like

  • Designed to provide tournament-level performance
  • Features USAPA APPROVED fiberglass construction
  • Has a perfect balance of pop and control

What We Dislike

  • Slightly heavier

Our Testing Result

In our test, the Rogue 2 performed very well overall. It had excellent pop, making it easy to get the most out of the slice and serve. It was responsive, accurate, and easy to use, and it provided excellent control.

Why You Buy

The Rogue 2 is for experienced players who need a tournament-ready paddle with excellent pop, control, and accuracy.

The Rogue 2 is one of the best pickleball paddles on the market. It features a tournament-ready design and two layers of shock-absorbing material. 

The GEL-CORE HYBRID CORE technology in this pickleball paddle was developed through our scientific approach to pickleball paddle making and proven by double-blind tests by players at all skill levels. The GEL-CORE HYBRID CORE technology gives you the perfect balance of pop and control. 

The Rogue 2 is made with high-quality fiberglass and is USAPA APPROVED and provides the perfect pop and control for players of all skill levels. 

Overall, the Rogue 2 is a top-of-the-line pickleball paddle that’s designed for advanced players. It’s also made in the USA and has a tournament-ready design. Overall, we highly recommend the Rogue 2.


JOOLA Solaire Professional

Joola Solaire Professional

Todays Deal

What We Like

  • Lightweight carbon-forged paddle
  • Aero-Curve head reduces drag
  • Touchpoint is close to the front of the paddle

What We Dislike

  • Expensive

Our Testing Result

During our test, we found that the JOOLA Solaire Professional paddle offered a quick attack, due to its lightweight handle and aerodynamic head. However, despite its lighter weight, the paddle had good control and balance. It offered a solid catch and solid stroke action.

Why You Buy

If you’re looking for a high-quality pickleball paddle with advanced design, and you want one that offers a faster swing speed, the JOOLA Solaire Professional is an excellent choice.

For players serious about pickleball, the JOOLA Solaire Professional is the paddle to choose. This paddle offers advanced features that make it a great option for top players. 

The Aero-Curve head design reduces drag, allowing you to make more solid contact with the ball. This unique design also allows you to swing the paddle faster, helping you to move across the net faster. 

In addition to being lighter and more durable, the Hyperfoam edge wall helps to increase the sweet spot, which allows you to produce more consistent shots. The carbon-forged handle provides maximum flex and stability for greater power and comfort. 

Overall, we think that the JOOLA Solaire Professional is a great option if you’re looking for an advanced pickleball paddle. It’s loaded with features that makes it a great paddle for competitive players.


What To Look For When Buying The Pickleball Paddle For Professionals?

When looking for a pickleball paddle to buy, there are 5 important factors you should take into consideration:

1. Feel:

One of the most important choices you will have to make when buying a new paddle is whether you prefer something that feels soft and spongy or thin and springy.

The thin and springy paddles are the most popular choice among pros because they give them more control over the ball compared to soft and spongy paddle that bounces off the paddle easily.

Also, if you want a heavier paddle, you will have to go with the thinner ones because thicker paddles are much heavier than thinner ones.

2. Weight:

Pickleball paddles are usually very light, but the weight of your paddle can make a huge difference in your game.

If you want to be able to move around the court faster and play for longer without tiring out, you will need a lighter paddle (around 7 ounces or less).

The problem with lightweight paddles is they don’t provide as much power and control as heavier paddles, so you will have to find the right balance between weight and performance.

3. Off-Center:

Many reviews we looked at suggested that most professionals prefer pickleball paddles that are more off-centered than others.

But what exactly does “off-center” mean?

These paddles have a larger surface on one side, but they are still balanced enough to create a good lift and spin.

Therefore, the off-centered pickleball paddle will make it easier for you to play an off-center shot because it will be more forgiving to less than perfect contact.

4. Pop:

In order to have a successful pickleball game, you need to be able to hit the ball with good speed and power, but this can only happen if you have a high-quality pop on your paddle as well.

The pop of the paddle is directly related to its surface area so you will have to find a paddle that has enough surface area without being too big and bulky.

If you’re an experienced player, you can go with a larger size because it will offer more power and control.

5. Grip:

The grip is an important part of any standard pickleball paddle because it helps enhance your performance by allowing you to hit the ball with more precision and power.

The grip of your pickleball paddle can make a huge difference in terms of feel and durability as well, so you should choose a grip that is easy on your hands without slipping too much.

A Few More Things You Should Consider:

There are few more aspects of a pickleball paddle that you need to take into consideration, such as the material it’s made of and where it was manufactured.

Both graphite and fiberglass are popular materials for pickleball paddles because they offer the right combination of speed, power, durability and feel.

Pickleball paddles made in USA tend to be more durable than those made in China, but there are some Chinese paddles that are high-quality as well.

There is no such thing as the “best pickleball paddle on the market” because we all have different preferences and requirements, so be sure to check out our list of top 10 best pickleball paddles and find something that meets your needs.

Just keep in mind the key aspects of a pickleball paddle (weight, size, balance, grip) and you should make an informed decision in no time.

FAQs

What are the differences between professional and recreational pickleball paddles?

 Professional pickleball paddles are typically made of higher-quality materials and are designed to provide more power and control than recreational paddles. In addition, professional paddles often have smaller sweet spots and are designed for more advanced players.

What are the benefits of using a professional pickleball paddle?

Using a professional pickleball paddle can help you take your game to the next level. Professional paddles are typically made of higher-quality materials and are designed to provide more power and control than recreational paddles. In addition, professional paddles often have smaller sweet spots and are designed for more advanced players.

How do I choose the right professional pickleball paddle for me?

When choosing a professional pickleball paddle, it’s important to consider your playing style and skill level. If you’re a recreational player who is just starting out, you may want to choose a paddle that is designed for beginners. However, if you’re a more advanced player, you may want to choose a paddle that is designed for more experienced players.

What Is A Good Weight For A Pickleball Paddle?

The perfect weight of a pickleball paddle will depend on your height and strength so there is no definite answer to this question.

If you are a beginner or intermediate player, we would recommend you to get a lightweight pickleball paddle (weighs around 8 ounces) because it’s easier to handle and control.

If you are an experienced player, go for heavier paddles (weighs 10-11 ounce) because they offer more power, pop and spin.

What Is The Best Material Of Pickleball Paddle To Choose?

Pickleball paddles can be made out of either graphite or fiberglass. Both materials will allow you to play with speed and power while still offering a good feel and responsiveness.

The advantage of choosing a pickleball paddle that is made out of fiberglass is that it’s more durable than paddles made out of graphite.

Composite paddles are also popular but they are more expensive than either graphite or fiberglass models so it’s up to you to decide if that extra feel and pop is worth the higher price.

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