Best carbon fiber pickleball paddles in 2024 - top 6 compared

Buy if:

• You want a paddle that does it all:

  this paddle offers power and control—I gave it 9/10 for both.

• You don't want to spend over $200 for a household name:

  this outshines even the best from JOOLA and Selkirk, proving you don't need to spend a fortune.

• You want more spin in your game:

  I could load up topspin, sidespin, backspin—anything I needed, and this paddle never let me down.

• You're a beginner:

  if you're just starting out, consider the Vatic Pro PRISM Flash, which offers more forgiveness.

• You want maximum reach:

  the DBD is a hybrid shape. Try the CRBN-1X for an elongated paddle with great reach.

• You struggle with control:

  the DBD hits hard with lots of pop, so try the Vatic Pro Flash for more control.

Buy if:

• You play in long sessions:

  I used this for over 3 hours at a time. Its light swing weight kept it comfortable.

• You're a JOOLA or Ben Johns fan:

  as JOOLA's most advanced carbon paddle, the Perseus corrected the flaws of the Hyperion.

• You enjoy hands battles at the kitchen:

  this paddle's low static and swing weight makes it great for fast kitchen exchanges.

Pass if:

• You're on a budget:

  some cheaper thermoformed paddles play just as well, and even better for some play styles, like the Six Zero DBD.

• You struggle popping up balls:

  try the Vatic Pro Flash for less pop and more control.

• You're prone to mishits:

  I found the Perseus' sweet spot too small, so try the Six Zero DBD for a more generous sweet spot.

Buy if:

• You want to upgrade without spending a fortune:

  there are 100s of paddle options, but this one hits the sweet spot for price and performance.

• You prefer control paddles:

  the Vatic Pro PRISM Flash offers plenty of power and spin, but it's also noticeably soft.

• You want durability:

  the Toray T700 raw carbon fiber surface holds up well under extended play, making it a good "daily driver" paddle.

Pass if:

• Your style of play is fast or aggressive:

  this paddle might not hit hard enough, so I'd recommend the CRBN-1X instead.

• You have a two-handed backhand:

  the handle will likely be too short for you. You might prefer the JOOLA Perseus.

• You get into lots of hands battles:

  the PRISM Flash is head heavy and can play a bit slow at the kitchen.

Buy if:

• You want more power:

  I loved this paddle on hard drives and putaways—perfect for an aggressive play style.

• You want extra reach:

  I'd tie this with the JOOLA Perseus as the best performing elongated paddle in 2023.

• You hit a two-handed backhand:

  the handle is a comfortable 5.5" long.

Pass if:

• You're a beginner:

  I'd recommend the Vatic Pro PRISM Flash as a more forgiving entry option.

• You prefer soft paddles:

  the ball flies off this face and can create pop-ups.

• You're on a budget:

  at $229, this doesn't come cheap. Try the Vatic Pro PRISM Flash for a more affordable option.

Buy if:

• You want control:

  this is the softest thermoformed paddle I've played with to date—it was great for my touch shots.

• Spin is important to you:

  whether it was simple drops or low topspin drops, I hardly ever missed with this paddle.

• You can swing hard:

  there was almost no amount of swing I could put on a serve and have it go out.

Pass if:

• You're prone to injury or fatigue:

  I had to swing pretty hard to get serves and drives to go as deep as I needed them. Try the Six Zero DBD instead.

• You don't like stiff paddles:

  if the thermoformed feel isn't for you, I recommend the Vatic Pro PRISM Flash instead.

• You're a pure power player:

  this is a soft paddle, so I'd have liked more pop and power at times. Try the CRBN-1X for more power.

Buy if:

• You play with a lot of spin:

  I've seen spin tests over 1,900 RPMs, putting it in the top 5% of paddles in 2023.

• You're a tennis player:

  the huge topspin you can hit with the Legacy Pro will feel natural to you.

• You need more control:

  I found this paddle had that muted, dampening feel of the CRBN-1X that helped take pace off the ball.

Pass if:

• You're a power player:

  this paddle hit softer than I expected, so check out the CRBN-1X instead.

• You need something quick in the hands:

  the Legacy Pro is a bit sluggish in fast kitchen exchanges. Try the JOOLA Perseus.

• You want a control paddle:

  while this paddle has lots of control, the Vatic Pro Flash is better as a pure control paddle.