Best pickleball paddles for control in 2025 - top 5 compared

Buy if:

• You want a soft paddle with excellent control:

  despite being thermoformed, the PIKKL Hurricane Pro is one of the softest paddles ever made.

• You want an extra-large sweet spot:

  the sweet spot extends right to the edges, making it one of the most forgiving paddles I've used.

• You want lots of spin and aerodynamics too:

  spin generation is up there with the best spin paddles in the game, and this is a super-quick paddle in hand battles.

Pass if:

• You want a lot of power:

  the Six Zero DBD Control has the most power on this list, balanced with excellent control.

• You want to save $60:

  the 11SIX24 Pegasus Jelly Bean and Vatic Pro PRISM Flash are almost as good as the PIKKL, and both cost $99.99.

• You want an even wider paddle face:

  the all-court Volair Mach 2 FORZA plays similarly to the PIKKL Hurricane Pro but has an extra-widebody design.

Buy if:

• You don't want to spend over $100:

  this is a premium raw carbon fiber paddle for $99.99 (or $89.99 with our exclusive discount).

• You're a beginner or early intermediate:

  the soft PRISM Flash is a great starter or step-up paddle for new intermediates.

• You want an all-rounder:

  the PRISM Flash has spin and power to match its control and forgiveness.

Pass if:

• You're an advancing intermediate:

  the Six Zero DBD can take your game to the next level with a touch more power, spin, and forgiveness.

• You prefer a light and nimble paddle:

  this one can feel a little head-heavy at times, so check out the quicker Volair, PIKKL, and Six Zero paddles.

• You're prone to mishits:

  the inconsistent sweet spot may frustrate you, so give the 11SIX24 Pegasus Jelly Bean or PIKKL Hurricane a try.

Buy if:

• You like to play with spin:

  the Pegasus puts a lot of bite on the ball for heavy slices, aggressive angles, and dipping shots that keep your opponents off-balance.

• You're a beginner or intermediate:

  this has some of the best control and forgiveness I've seen, making it an ideal starter or step-up paddle.

• You're on a budget:

  for just $99.99, you're getting a long-lasting Toray T700 raw carbon fiber and fiberglass paddle.

Pass if:

• You want a hybrid-shaped paddle:

  this has a standard shape, so try the Vatic Pro PRISM Flash for a budget control paddle with more reach.

• You need more power:

  the Six Zero DBD offers the best balance of power and control.

• You have a bigger budget:

  check out the best overall pick, the PIKKL Hurricane Pro, to see if its $160 price tag is worth it for you.

Buy if:

• You want an all-court paddle:

  this is a great all-rounder with excellent control and awesome spin complemented by good power and forgiveness.

• You want a fast paddle:

  with its low swing weight, this is a fast paddle that boosts my speed in hand battles.

• You play a defensive game:

  the paddle's speed and wide face make the Mach 2 so good on defensive shots like resets and blocks.

Pass if:

• You're looking for more power:

  the Six Zero DBD Control has the most power of any paddle on this list.

• You want a softer paddle with more forgiveness:

  the Volair Mach 2 does have that stiff thermoformed feel, so try the soft and super forgiving PIKKL Hurricane Pro.

• You want a budget control paddle:

  the Vatic Pro PRISM Flash and 11SIX24 Pegasus are the best choices if you're looking for a control paddle under $100.

Buy if:

• You want power and control that match:

  you get some of the highest levels of power and control with this paddle.

• You want speed, spin, and forgiveness too:

  the DBD is fast, with 10/10 spin and a large, forgiving sweet spot.

• Your budget is around $150:

  you can get this for $162 with our discount—a huge saving against its $250 rivals.

Pass if:

• You don't need the power:

  if you're a pure control player, check out the softer, more plush, and even more forgiving PIKKL Hurricane Pro.

• You want a cheap control paddle:

  the Vatic Pro PRISM Flash and 11SIX24 Pegasus are the best control paddles on a budget.

• You want a strong defensive paddle:

  check out the Volair Mach 2 FORZA if you're really defense-minded.