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Bread & Butter Filth vs Loco - how do they compare?

picture of Brandon Mackie
Brandon Mackie

Published on: Aug 19, 2024

The Bread & Butter Filth and Bread & Butter Loco pickleball paddles

Choosing between the Bread & Butter Filth and the Bread & Butter Loco? The price may be the same but these paddles play differently.

I've reviewed both the Bread & Butter Filth and the Bread & Butter Loco before. Here, I put them side-by-side so you can compare them and see which one is better for your game.

Bread & Butter Filth vs Loco comparison

The elongated Bread & Butter Filth is one of the best pickleball paddles I've ever tested. It's also my favorite all-court paddle in 2024, leaning heavily on the power side. The Loco is a similarly great all-court paddle, designed with a hybrid shape for a control-focused alternative to the Filth.

If you're spending the $140.25 (with our 15% discount code) on either of these paddles, I'd go with the Filth personally. Its 10/10 power far outshines the Loco and it's only a touch behind on control, so it appeals to more players.

That said, the Loco will still suit some people depending on their game. If you want a lighter, faster paddle and don't need help generating power, the Loco is a top choice for you.

Today's best deals

Photo of the Bread & Butter Filth pickleball paddle

Bread & Butter Filth

Save 15% with code PICKLEHEADS15
Photo of the Bread & Butter Loco pickleball paddle

Bread & Butter Loco

Save 15% with code PICKLEHEADS15

Bread & Butter Filth

To learn more, check out my full Bread & Butter Filth review.

Buy if:

  • You're a banger:

    the Filth is one of the most powerful pickleball paddles I've ever played with, and spin is 10/10 too.

  • You want the best all-court paddle of the two:

    the Filth has a better balance of all the top attributes as the Loco isn't quite powerful enough.

  • You want the heavier paddle:

    I like the 8 oz static weight—it's heavier than the Loco but still much lighter than most thermoformed paddles.

Pass if:

  • You want the lighter of the two:

    the Loco weighs 7.7-7.9 oz, making it lighter and faster than the FIlth

  • You want an aerodynamic paddle:

    the elongated shape and higher swing weight naturally make the Filth slower than the hybrid Loco.

  • You want a pure control paddle:

    I'd skip over both of these paddles and try the PIKKL Hurricane Pro instead, which scores 10/10 for control.

Paddle Weight

8 oz

Paddle Width

7.37"

Handle Length

5.5"

Paddle Face Material

T700 raw carbon fiber

Core Thickness

16 mm (0.63")

Sweet Spot

Medium

Bread & Butter Loco

To learn more, check out my full Bread & Butter Loco review.

Buy if:

  • You want the faster paddle:

    the hybrid shape of the Loco and its low 113 swing weight make it a lot more aerodynamic than the Filth.

  • You want the more forgiving option:

    the softer Loco has a more generous sweet spot thanks to its hybrid shape, so mishits are rare.

  • You prioritize control over power:

    if you don't mind losing some power, the Loco is a more controlled paddle than the Filth as it has less pop.

Pass if:

  • Power is key to your game:

    the Filth is the clear winner for you, with awesome power on your serves, putaways, and overheads.

  • You prefer elongated paddles:

    this paddle has a hybrid shape so you'll want the elongated Filth.

  • You want a paddle with 10/10 control:

    I mentioned the PIKKL Hurricane Pro above but check out the great-value Vatic Pro PRISM Flash too.

Paddle Weight

7.7-7.9 oz

Paddle Width

7.5-7.7"

Handle Length

5.33"

Paddle Face Material

T700 raw carbon fiber

Core Thickness

16 mm (0.63")

Sweet Spot

Large

How do the B&B Filth and Loco compare?

Power

Bread Butter Filth

10/10

Bread Butter Loco

7.5/10

The Filth is one of the best power paddles I've ever played with. It rips on any shot where you need power, helping you end points over and over. While I wasn't expecting a lot of power from the Loco, as it's meant to be a control paddle, I still hoped for more.

The Loco is just too soft—I struggle to get good depth on my serves, drives, and putaways. I like to play an aggressive game, so this makes me less competitive against high-level opponents. If you don't want to risk not having enough power for your game, go with the Filth instead.

Control

Bread Butter Filth

8/10

Bread Butter Loco

8.5/10

With such a big gap in power levels, you'd expect the Loco to be way more controlled than the Filth. It's only a touch better, though, thanks to it being lighter and less poppy.

It won't appeal to pure control players like the Selkirk LUXX or PIKKL Hurricane Pro paddles do. This is one of the main reasons the Filth is a better overall paddle. You can still play a good touch game while having lots of power.

Brandon Mackie with the Bread & Butter Filth pickleball paddle
Brandon Mackie with the Bread & Butter Filth

Spin

Bread Butter Filth

10/10

Bread Butter Loco

10/10

Both of these paddles are spin wizards. It's the Loco's saving grace. I can hit the same dipping topspin shots that I love hitting with the Filth, which really helps on control, keeping me in many games.

With the Filth, spin connects with power to turn you into a banger. I keep catching my opponents out with hard topspin on serves and drives. Bottom line—you'll get great spin with both these paddles, so look to other factors like power and control to help you decide.

Forgiveness

Bread Butter Filth

8/10

Bread Butter Loco

9/10

This is where the Loco really outshines the Filth. The sweet spot is a lot larger and there's less pop, so you'll have far fewer mishits. Still, the Filth has a medium-sized sweet spot that is good for an elongated paddle.

If you don't mind some dead zones near the throat and edges, you can get a really nice connection when you hit the sweet spot. This will suit power players.

The Bread & Butter Filth pickleball paddle on a pickleball court
The Bread & Butter Filth on a pickleball court

Price

Bread Butter Filth

10/10

Bread Butter Loco

9/10

Bread & Butter offers some of the best value in the game. Both of these paddles are priced competitively at $165, though you can get them for $140.25 with our discount code (PICKLEHEADS15).

This is a great price for both paddles, with the Filth being the better value as it's a higher all-round performer. It's even better value when you compare that against a power paddle like the Gearbox Pro Power ($275) or a control paddle like the Selkirk LUXX Control ($250).

Bread & Butter Filth vs Loco - which is better?

The Filth performs better because it almost matches the Loco for control and forgiveness, but brings your power game way up. Any intermediate who's ready to add power and spin to their game can pick up the Filth. It has enough control and forgiveness to make it the best all-court paddle around.

That said, the Loco will appeal to you if you want a lighter, aerodynamic paddle as the elongated Filth isn't very fast in hand battles. If you like soft paddles, care more about control and forgiveness, and don't need help generating power, it could be just right for you.

Final thoughts: I'd recommend the Filth over the Loco any day. It comes close to matching the Loco's control and forgiveness but gives you way more power to play an offensive game.

Today's best deals

Photo of the Bread & Butter Filth pickleball paddle

Bread & Butter Filth

Save 15% with code PICKLEHEADS15
Photo of the Bread & Butter Loco pickleball paddle

Bread & Butter Loco

Save 15% with code PICKLEHEADS15

Alternatives to the Bread & Butter Filth and Loco

If neither of these paddles feels like they're right for you, check out some of my other top picks below:

Better overall

Photo of the Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control pickleball paddle

Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control

Check out the Six Zero DBD Control if you want the best paddle of 2024. It has an even better balance of power, spin, control, and forgiveness than the Filth.
Save 10% with code PICKLEHEADS
Save 10% with code PICKLEHEADS

Better for power

Photo of the Gearbox Pro Power pickleball paddle

Gearbox Pro Power

The Filth hits hard, but if you want the most powerful paddle in pickleball right now, check out the Gearbox Pro Power.

Better for control

PIKKL Hurricane Pro pickleball paddle

PIKKL Hurricane Pro

The PIKKL Hurricane Pro scores 10/10 on control and is even cheaper than the Loco at just $136 with our exclusive 15% discount.
Save 15% with code PICKLEHEADS

What even more options? Try my 30-second quiz and I'll recommend the best paddles for your play style and budget.

Find the perfect paddle

Find the perfect paddle

I've personally tested over 80 paddles. Take the quiz to see which ones fit your game best.

Take Paddle Fitting Quiz

This article contains affiliate links from which we receive a small commission from sales of certain items. As a brand associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Thank you!

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About the author
Brandon Mackie
Brandon is an avid writer and co-founder of Pickleheads™. Once a competitive tennis player, Brandon can now be found these days honing his dinks on pickleball courts near Phoenix, Arizona.
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