GoSports GS1 - pickleball paddle review

If you're just starting out in pickleball but don't want to spend over $50 on a paddle, the GoSports GS1 was made for you. Despite costing just $25, it doesn't feel cheap with its textured fiberglass face, edge guard, and 13 mm honeycomb core.

With these specs, it should have better spin, durability, and pop than the cheap paddles flooding Amazon at this price point. I took this lightweight paddle out on the courts to see how it holds up for entry-level players. Read my in-depth GoSports GS1 review to find out.

The GoSports GS1 is my recommendation for newcomers to pickleball looking for an entry-level paddle that's cheap but also gives you decent power, spin, control, and forgiveness.

While it doesn't have the forgiveness of the SLK NEO 2.0 or the control of the Vatic Pro PRISM Flash or Friday Original, it's only $25. There's no way you'll find a better paddle this cheap.

With its thin 13 mm core, I get a satisfying pop every time I hit the ball and I'm able to get good power behind my serves and drives. I can even put balls away like I can with more expensive carbon fiber paddles.

Paddles in the $50-100 range rarely generate spin, but this $25 paddle can. I can actually get real topspin going, which has helped me win games against higher-level players. While the spin isn't much, it's more than enough to introduce most newcomers to spin.

Watch my first thoughts on the GoSports GS1:

I have slow hands but this paddle really helps my hand speed, weighing in at a super-low 7 oz. I've had some blocks and resets that my opponents couldn't believe I returned. If you're a newcomer, this will help you improve your reaction time.

Just watch out if you're injury-prone. That same light weight means you have to swing harder, which can tire you out. The Grüvn RAW-16S or Vatic Pro PRISM Flash might be a better place to start because they have shock-absorbing tech.

Overall, you have to remember that this paddle only costs $25. I've never got such a high all-court performance from a paddle at this price point, so if you want to hit the courts without spending a lot of money, this is worth checking out.

The GoSports GS1 might not be anything fancy, but you can't expect much more from a $25 paddle. While it unsurprisingly feels like a cheap paddle, given the price point, it doesn't feel junky.

Let's take a quick look at the features of the GS1.

The GS1 has a standard square shape, which is the norm for beginner pickleball paddles. It gives you a wide 8" playing face with lots of room to connect with the ball while you're still learning how to play pickleball.

I did hope this would lead to more forgiveness but I was a little disappointed here. The sweet spot just isn't as large as many square-shaped starter paddles like the SLK NEO 2.0.

Even though I have to ramp up my swing speed, I like how light this paddle is. I have slow hands so this lets me play a lot faster at the net and my reactions are good.

If you struggle with tennis elbow or other arm injuries, you'll want a paddle that's a little heavier like the Vatic Pro PRISM Flash. This paddle also has shock-absorbing inserts in the handle to reduce vibrations.

The textured face feels more premium than some of the best cheap paddles I've tested at this price point, like the niupipo graphite paddle. It's what brings decent spin to the performance, and that's exciting for new players.

Thanks to the 13 mm core, the GS1 has decent enough pop for me to put away drives. Even more impressive, I can hit a swinging topspin volley with real depth, and that's an advanced technical shot!

When it comes to proper follow-through power, the GS1 is lacking, though that's what you'd expect at this price point. As it's a very light paddle, you have to amp up your swing speed to get any power.

Still, it's more than enough for most beginner players who don't want to be overwhelmed with a pure power paddle.

For a $25 paddle, this is surprisingly controlled. It's inconsistent for sure—it's a little flimsy and unstable when dinking at the kitchen, and drops are difficult to hit consistently. However, the light weight helps this by preventing pop-ups and allowing you to find your rhythm (with some practice).

I wasn't expecting much spin so I was pleasantly surprised when I felt the textured face. It works, and I can see real topspin on my returns—especially on swinging topspin volleys.

I have had a few hard drives go into the net because the spin didn't catch like it would with a carbon paddle like the PIKKL Hurricane Pro. However, you can't expect that from a budget paddle.

The light weight and toned-down power mean you won't pop the ball up easily. Still, you don't get the large sweet spot of an SLK NEO 2.0, and I've had more mishits here compared to that paddle. I'm calling the GS1 a moderately forgiving paddle.

At 7 oz, this paddle has a good weight for beginners. It's nice and light, so you can learn how to play a fast game before you graduate to a heavier intermediate level paddle with more power.

The grip feels right for the price point. It's nothing fancy but not uncomfortable. Just note that the handle is super short (4.5"). If you like using two-handed backhands, note that the short handle does make these almost impossible.

At $25, this was never going to score very high on durability. There are no high-end materials like raw carbon.

That said, compared to other $25 Amazon paddles (which are super flimsy), it has a sturdier feel. The edge guard will provide some protection against damage, which puts it up a point straight away.

I was happy with the speed of this paddle. It doesn't have any aerodynamic tech so it's just the light weight that makes it quick. I'm able to play fast up at the kitchen and I think new players will like that. You'll learn how to defend pretty quickly.

Rating:

For a long time, you could only get wooden paddles at the $25 mark, and they were never good quality. So, it's exciting to see the GoSports GS1 at this price point offering so much: a fiberglass paddle with texture on the face, an edge guard, and a 13 mm honeycomb core.

This is great for pickleball. It means that any newcomers just wanting to try the sport can get a way better feel for the speed, spin, and power of the game.

If you want to spend the bare minimum but not waste your time with something terrible, the GS1 is an absolute bargain. I find it plays comparably to the SLK NEO 2.0 ($40 a paddle but you have to buy as a set). I'm calling this one of the best budget beginner paddles ever made.

If the GoSports GS1 isn't the right paddle for you, here are some other paddles I recommend:

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