As a self-proclaimed banger, I love talking about power paddles. There are so many hard-hitting options out there, so how do you pick the right one for you?
After testing over 30 paddles so far this year, I'm ready to share my thoughts on the best power paddles in 2024 to help you decide. You'll find my favorite overall power paddle, as well as my top budget choice, my top power paddle with spin, and more.
Best pickleball paddles at a glance
Best overall
Our Rating:
1. Bread & Butter Filth
Best runner-up
Our Rating:
2. Selkirk VANGUARD Power Air Invikta
Best cheap
Our Rating:
3. Six Zero Sapphire
Best for spin
Our Rating:
4. CRBN-1X Power Series
Also great
Our Rating:
5. ProKennex Black Ace Pro
Which paddle is best for you?
Before buying a paddle, it’s important to make sure it fits your game. That's why I created a 30-second quiz that recommends the best paddles for your play style and budget.
Give it a try and see if any of these power paddles make the list:
Find the perfect paddle
I've personally tested over 80 paddles. Take the quiz to see which ones fit your game best.
The best pickleball paddles for power in 2024
Read on to find out which is best for your game:
1. Bread & Butter Filth
Loading...
Power
Control
Spin
Forgiveness
Buy if:
You want awesome spin to match power:
I scored this 10/10 for both power and spin.
You need an all-court power paddle:
the Filth has more than enough control to boost your overall game.
You want something light but powerful:
at 8 oz, this plays fast and is maneuverable for a thermoformed paddle.
Pass if:
You need more forgiveness:
the sweet spot is medium-sized, so try the CRBN-1X instead for a more forgiving power paddle.
You're on a budget:
the Six Zero Sapphire is my favorite affordable power paddle.
You don't want a thermoformed paddle:
the Selkirk Power Air Invikta has almost as much power and isn't thermoformed.
Paddle Weight
8 oz
Paddle Length
16 ½"
Paddle Width
7 ⅜"
Handle Length
5 ½"
Grip Circumference
4 ¼"
Paddle Face Material
T700 raw carbon fiber
Core Material
Polypropylene
Core Thickness
16 mm (0.63")
Sweet Spot
Medium
Who it's for
Features
Design and feel
Performance
Value for money
Today’s best deal
2. Selkirk VANGUARD Power Air Invikta
Loading...
Power
Control
Spin
Forgiveness
Buy if:
You're a banger:
if you love to play with lots of spin and hard drive, this paddle was made for you.
You're an advanced player:
players at level 4.0-5.0 won't worry so much about the lack of control.
You want something really aerodynamic:
I managed to get a fast swing speed with this paddle's "air dynamic throat".
Pass if:
You're a beginner:
you'll need something more forgiving, so try the Paddletek Bantam TS-5 (my top beginner paddle in 2023).
You need control:
my soft game struggled with this. Try the CRBN-1X for a great blend of power and control.
You're on a budget:
the next paddle on this list, the Six Zero Sapphire, is my favorite cheap power paddle at just $99.
Paddle Weight
7.7-8.1 oz
Paddle Length
16 ½"
Paddle Width
7 ⅜"
Handle Length
5 ¼"
Grip Circumference
4 ¼"
Paddle Face Material
Blend of fiberglass and carbon fiber
Core Material
Polymer honeycomb
Core Thickness
½"
Sweet Spot
Medium
Who it's for
Features
Design and feel
Performance
Value for money
Today’s best deals
3. Six Zero Sapphire
Loading...
Power
Control
Spin
Forgiveness
Buy if:
You're on a budget:
this is a ridiculously good-value power paddle at only $99.
You want a lightweight power paddle:
the low swing weight helps to make this paddle maneuverable.
You want a cheap thermoformed paddle:
this is the only thermoformed paddle under $100 (that I'm aware of).
Pass if:
You want a spin machine:
spin is good, but it's nowhere near as high as the next paddle on this list, the CRBN-1X Power Series.
You're an advanced player:
the Selkirk Power Air Invikta is more powerful and loaded up with spin, better for high-level players.
You're new to pickleball:
fresh beginners will likely find this has too much pop. Try a control-focused beginner paddle like the PCKL Launch Series.
Paddle Weight
7.9-8 oz
Paddle Length
16 ½"
Paddle Width
7 ½"
Handle Length
5 ⅗"
Grip Circumference
4 ¼"
Paddle Face Material
700K Toray carbon
Core Material
Polymer honeycomb
Core Thickness
13 mm (½")
Sweet Spot
Large
Who it's for
Features
Design and feel
Performance
Value for money
Today’s best deal
4. CRBN-1X Power Series
Loading...
Power
Control
Spin
Forgiveness
Buy if:
You're a spin lover:
this is one of the best spin paddles in all of pickleball.
You need power too:
this is the most powerful offering in the CRBN Power Series family.
You want a forgiving paddle:
a large sweet spot and minimal dead zones lead to plenty of forgiveness.
Pass if:
You want an aerodynamic paddle:
I felt a bit of lag with this, so try the Selkirk Power Air Invikta instead.
You need a bigger sweet spot:
the 1X's sweet spot is still large, but the CRBN-2X and 3X are even more forgiving.
You're on a budget:
check out the Six Zero Sapphire, my top pick for cheap power paddles.
Paddle Weight
7.8-8.1 oz
Paddle Length
16 ½"
Paddle Width
7 ½"
Handle Length
5 ½"
Grip Circumference
4 ¼"
Paddle Face Material
Carbon fiber
Core Material
Honeycomb polypropylene core
Core Thickness
14 mm or 16 mm (0.55" or 0.63")
Sweet Spot
Large
Who it's for
Features
Design and feel
Performance
Value for money
Today’s best deals
5. ProKennex Black Ace Pro
Loading...
Power
Control
Spin
Forgiveness
Buy if:
You're a hard hitter:
this is one of the most powerful paddles I've ever played with.
You want a lighter paddle:
While most power paddles are 8.0 oz or higher, this is the rare one below 8.0 oz.
You're injury prone:
this paddle minimizes vibrations to your hands and arms—great for players with tennis elbow.
Pass if:
You don't want to spend over $200:
the Bread & Butter Filth has similar power but is 33% cheaper.
You need more spin:
I found the spin lacking compared to paddles like the CRBN-1X.
Your game needs control:
this paddle isn't great for control. Try the Bread & Butter Filth or CRBN-1X for a more complete paddle.
Paddle Weight
7.95 oz
Paddle Length
15 ⅘"
Paddle Width
7 ⅗"
Handle Length
5 ⅓"
Grip Circumference
4"
Paddle Face Material
Toray carbon fiber
Core Material
Polypropylene honeycomb
Core Thickness
10 mm (0.39")
Sweet Spot
Small
Who it's for
Features
Design and feel
Performance
Value for money
Today’s best deals
How to choose the best pickleball paddle for power
I've tested over 100 paddles at this point—some good, some bad. While this list reflects my own honest opinions based on these testing sessions, I also made sure to consult plenty of other sources. I read reviews from both experts and customers to get a full perspective on what's available.
Here are some of the things I think are important when picking a power paddle:
Paddle size / shape
Elongated paddles (those longer than 16" and less than 8" wide) are usually the most powerful. As you'll see from my list, 4 out of 5 paddles are 16.5" in length.
Shorter paddles tend to be more control-focused but there are exceptions. Some elongated paddles don't have the best power, while the ProKennex Black Ace is an example of a paddle shorter than 16" that packs a serious punch.
Paddle weight
You'd think that the heavier the paddle the more powerful it is, but that's not always true. Let's look at the rough weight categories for pickleball paddles:
- Lightweight: 7.2 oz and under
- Midweight: 7.3-8.3 oz
- Heavyweight: 8.4 oz and over
The paddles on my power list average just over 8 oz in weight. In fact, they all fall in the midweight category. Lots of heavyweight paddles are powerful but tend to have a higher swing weight too, meaning it can be harder to swing fast (which generates power).
The paddles I found the most powerful are often ones that have enough heft but still allow you to swing hard to get lots of power.
Surface material
As you'll see from my list, most newer power paddles have a carbon fiber surface. The only one that isn't fully carbon is the Selkirk Power Air Invikta. That's one of the older paddles and even that is a blend of carbon fiber and fiberglass.
Carbon fiber helps to add spin but is also just a really strong and durable material, leading to reliable power.
You'll see fiberglass paddles out there too. This was more common before carbon fiber took over but it's still a solid, poppy material that can lead to really great power. Graphite paddles, meanwhile, are usually less powerful and more control-oriented.
Core thickness
This is one of the most important features in any paddle, so you'll often see it appearing prominently. Most paddles have a core thickness somewhere between 10 mm and 16 mm.
Usually, a thinner core means more power and pop. So, a 13 mm paddle should have more bang than a 16 mm paddle, which have a reputation for being control paddles.
That's not always the case, though, as the #1 on my list this year is the Bread & Butter Filth (a 16 mm paddle). That's why it's important to read reviews before you rush into buying a paddle.
Durability
Durability is always important. There's no point in having a powerful paddle that wears down quickly. Some paddles are known to start falling apart within months.
Make sure you're reading reviews and checking if the paddle you're about to buy is made from long-lasting materials. Durability is an important category in all of my reviews and something I factor in when making an overall assessment.
Price
The paddles on this list range from $99 up to $250. Mostly, you get what you pay for, and I've yet to see a real power paddle for under $90. The big surprise this year is the Six Zero Sapphire, my pick for the best budget power paddle. It packs a real punch at just $99.
The Selkirk Power Air Invikta and the ProKennex Black Ace cost $250, while the overall winner is the Bread & Butter Filth at just $165. So, although you often get what you pay for, it's not always the case.
Name brands, like Selkirk and ProKennex, also price at a premium, and you'll pay for that.
How to add more power to your shots
Once you've bought the right paddle, consider these tips to help you generate more power:
- Posture: most of the power in your swing comes from your legs. For starters, try standing with your feet shoulder-width apart. Make sure you're standing tall with your chin up and chest out. As you swing, push your back foot forward, transferring the weight of your body to your front foot. This kind of hip rotation will put more force behind your shots.
- Follow-through: make sure you're putting a lot of follow-through on your shots. Don't be afraid to take a big backswing too (but don't do this on your drops).
- Spin: learning how to hit with topspin will give your shots more control. This allows you to swing harder and hit with more power.
Bottom line
We're really spoiled for choice in 2024, with so many new and exciting power paddles. Newer brands keep appearing, and established brands are putting out top-quality offerings with crazy power behind them.
My favorite power paddle this year is the Bread & Butter Filth. A newcomer to the scene, it's a game-changer for its combination of drive, spin, weighting, and control. I expect we'll see a lot of brands scrambling to make something as good next year at the $165 price point.
Here's a recap of my top 5 paddles for power players:
- Bread & Butter Filth - Best overall
- Selkirk Power Air Invikta - Best runner-up
- Six Zero Sapphire - Best cheap
- CRBN-1X Power Series - Best for spin
- ProKennex Black Ace Pro - Also great
FAQs
