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 Ultimate Elongated takes the theme of a great power paddle to a more refined level. An elongated shape and extended handle makes this paddle ideal for players hungry for power, extra reach and/or those who prefer the versatility of using one or two hands on the paddle. This update to the Gearbox Pro series of paddles is still just as quiet and spin friendly, but instead of the large cell 14mm SST core, the Pro Ultimate Elongated utilizes a more precision oriented 16mm version of the same core, with each honeycomb cell being slightly smaller. This variation on the core affords longer ball dwell time, which along with Gearbox's high friction TXR surface technology, delivers power taming and point controlling levels of spin on the ball.

What makes it great: Substantial paddle power is on tap with the JOOLA Perseus Pro IV. And compared to previous versions of the Perseus this update features a larger and more uniform sweet spot for an extremely consistent response at contact of the ball. Top tier spin potential is tied into the Perseus Pro IV's high friction surface along with the ball pocket and increased dwell time that JOOLA's Propulsion Core affords. The combination makes it easy to shape your shots with spin along with plenty of pace as well. Overall paddle durability has also been improved, so its performance remains consistent whether you play once per week, or everyday! Without a doubt, the Perseus Pro IV offers turnkey power and control. And for intermediate to advanced players who prefer a high degree of both the new Perseus Pro IV will not disappoint!

What makes it great: The Diadem Edge 18K Speed Pro is a premium power oriented pickleball paddle in every sense. The elongated shape, combined with thermoformed construction and its 14mm core are the primary sources of the Edge 18K Speed Pro's substantial power. Harnessing that power with a crisp, responsive feel and top tier spin potential is the use of premium 18K Carbon Fiber for the surface material. The Edge 18K Speed Pro tips the scales around 8 ounces, and together with the its core and length based power makes it a great option for anyone with a racquet sport background along with entry and elite level players alike who enjoy generating potent shots without an excessive level of effort.

What makes it great: Boasting a huge sweetspot, the JOOLA Collin Johns Scorpeus 3S combines the agility of a compact shape with the power and durability of unibody construction. The shorter paddle length ensures that both Colin Johns and recreational players alike will feel connected to their shots and also benefit from the Scorpeus 3S' high degree of all-court maneuverability. In addition the wider paddle face produces a nearly edge-to-edge sweet spot plus a very manageable level of power. Complementing that power with plenty of comfort is JOOLA's 16mm Propulsion Honeycomb Core. The core along with their Charged Carbon Fiber Surface Technology helps hold the ball on the paddle face, which results in shot shaping and point controlling levels of spin on the ball.

What makes it great: The Paddletek TKO-C 12.7 is not just a great all-court capable power paddle for a world class player like Christian Alshon. It also packs the same realistic and easy access to power for up and coming players who like the performance extended paddles provide. The build quality of this elongated design's first generation construction is top notch and delivers both great feel and performance that lasts. Paddletek's use of a 12.7mm High Grade Composite Polypropylene Core gets the ball moving without much effort from the player. And the PT-700 Raw Carbon Fiber issues top tier and long-term spin potential.

What makes it great: Premium paddle power, feel and long-term performance pretty much sums up the Six Zero Black Diamond Infinity pickleball paddle. Meticulous thermoformed construction, an 8-ounce average weight and the Black Diamond Infinity's elongated shape are the main surpluses of power. Six Zero's edge foam injection around the perimeter of its 16mm polypropylene core serves to broaden the sweetspot and cushion the impact of every shot. Besides being durable and delivering top tier access to spin, the Proprietary Japanese Raw Carbon Fiber Composite surface also enhances the overall power of the Six Zero Black Diamond Infinity.

What makes it great: For players who thrive on a high degree of paddle power with enough precision to keep the game plan inside the lines, the Engage Pursuit Pro 1 Hybrid is sure to please! A central part of its power is derived from the thinner 12.7 mm polypropylene core, which delivers plenty of pop. Its sleek core profile also allows the Pursuit Pro 1 Hybrid to cut through the air with the greatest of ease, enhancing maneuverability. For the option of either more paddle agility or stability the Pursuit Pro 1 Hybrid is available in a range of weight from 7.8 - 8.2 ounces. And harnessing the Pursuit Pro 1 Hybrid's substantial power, with precision and easy access to spin, is Engage's use of ultra high friction Raw T700 Carbon fiber surfaces. Although the Pursuit Pro 1 Hybrid leans towards power, its range of weight options, incredibly easy access to spin and great feel makes it a solid option for any skill set or style of play.

Are you interested in additional details on what makes a paddle tick, in terms of power, control, or how swingweight affects performance? 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 the different aspects of paddle performance.

All of the paddles on our list of the Best Paddles for Power, to a degree, feature some weight-based power (7.8 ounces or more). And some, but not all, also exhibit an overall length of 16 inches or longer for extra leverage (length-based power). Core liveliness or "pop" is what players easily notice when they are playing with or discussing the power of 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 polypropylene, 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 such as foam, but a polymer (polypropylene) honeycomb core is still the industry standard. Besides testing different paddles knowing where the sources of paddle power and control are coming from is great way to narrow down the list of potential candidates.