PIKKL Hurricane Pro - pickleball paddle review

Are you moving from beginner to intermediate level and looking for a step-up paddle? Maybe you want a new control paddle that will elevate your touch game. If this sounds like you, the PIKKL Hurricane Pro should be on your radar.

After putting this paddle through rigorous on-court testing, I'm really impressed. Read on for my in-depth PIKKL Hurricane Pro review and find out what makes it such great value.

If you're a control player and want the best control paddle in 2024, the PIKKL Hurricane Pro is my recommendation to you. Even though it's thermoformed, it doesn't have the excess pop that many paddles have nowadays, like the Six Zero Ruby and Proton Series One. It's light and fast, and its spin is up there with the best spin paddles.

It also has enough power for me to call it a solid all-court paddle, skewing heavily on the control side. It gives me faster hands and more accuracy on drops—two things I usually struggle with.

Watch my initial thoughts on the PIKKL Hurricane Pro:

While this is a lighter, softer paddle, it has enough power for my game. If you play with lots of power like me, it'll be enough for you because, while soft, it's still a thermoformed paddle. Just don't expect the same aggression you can get with a pure power paddle like the Gearbox Pro Power.

The square shape also requires some adjustment. Early on, I had a couple of awkward overheads that mishit because I was used to the extra reach of elongated and hybrid paddles.

Overall, this is a great defensive paddle. It's perfect if you're a right-side player or playing with a partner using an elongated power paddle, like how Collin and Ben Johns complement each other.

It's one of the best intermediate paddles, especially if you're stepping up from beginner level. At $159.99, it's just below the $165 Bread & Butter Loco. With our exclusive 15% discount taking it down to $136, this is great value for money and an excellent investment in your game.

The PIKKL Hurricane Pro has a standard square shape (16 x 8") which gives it a wide face for a big sweet spot. Interestingly, it has a 5.5" handle which you usually find on elongated paddles, so you can hit two-handed backhands.

It's on the lighter side—too light for some players. The 14 mm model weighs 7.76 oz, while the 16 mm is just under 8 oz. There's room for lead tape customization, which is a plus for me, though most rec players won't want to bother.

The replaceable "Pro Skin" is what makes this paddle so unique. I haven't had to use one yet, but this is a game-changer if they work as advertised. Instead of replacing your whole paddle when the surface wears down after 6-12 months, you can simply peel the face off and replace it with a new skin that costs $19.99. Good as new!

T700 raw carbon is really good-quality carbon fiber that's found in paddles like the Bread & Butter Filth. It's what gives the PIKKL Hurricane Pro such good spin.

This is one of those rare thermoformed paddles that doesn't have a stiff feel. It's super soft and plush, so you'll love it for your touch game. You still get the durability benefits that come with thermoforming, including a bonded unibody construction that should hold up well over time.

I always like seeing this tech because it extends the sweet spot and adds a little heaviness. In the Hurricane Pro, it works extremely well. The sweet spot is one of the largest I've seen, making this a super-forgiving paddle. I've had very few mishits so far.

With its light weight and standard shape, this isn't a power paddle and it doesn't pretend to be. If you're like me and you can generate a lot of power naturally, you'll find enough to complement your on-point touch game. I can still put away overheads and mix up my game with hard drives.

Just don't expect power like you get from the Engage Pursuit Pro1 6.0 or the now-banned JOOLA Gen 3 paddles.

The PIKKL Hurricane Pro scores a rare full mark here. My accuracy on drops is one of the highest I've ever seen. From my first game, I could land drop after drop, barely ever hitting the net or popping them up. That's unusual for me so it gave me a big advantage.

Since it's super soft, plush, and responsive, I feel connected with my touch game. I'm able to play an accurate, high-percentage game.

If you're a rec player, you'll get all the spin you'd ever need with this paddle. I can load up a crazy amount of topspin to hit hard drives and serves with control. I've seen fellow reviewers clock spin tests over 2,400 RPM, which is unheard of.

The grit on this paddle is amazing and a big reason why it's so good for control. If you apply lots of topspin, you can dip balls right on the line that might have gone out with other paddles.

I can feel that dipping topspin on any shot I try spin with. This not only helps me to play a high-percentage game by keeping serves and drives in, but it also keeps my opponents on defense because shots dip at their feet.

Forgiveness is another of this paddle's best attributes. It has a huge, generous sweet spot, which is very rare for a performance paddle. I've hardly had a single mishit so far. I can't remember the last time I played with a paddle this forgiving. If you're an early intermediate, this will really help with your confidence as you start introducing more advanced shots.

This is a light paddle, with my 16 mm model clocking in at just under 8 oz. While it could do with a touch more weight (to boost the power), it's not unstable—as is sometimes the case with lighter paddles.

Some players will find it too light, but I really like the weighting. It's lightning-quick but it doesn't sacrifice too much power. I don't mind customizing with lead tape either.

The grip feels premium and is very comfortable to play with. The white handle might get dirty over time, but I don't mind that personally.

Standard-sized paddles like the Paddletek Bantam ALW-C and Engage Pursuit Pro EX 6.0 usually have 5" handles, but the Hurricane Pro is unique here. It has a 5.5" handle, which you'd expect from an elongated paddle. If you like to hit two-handers, you'll appreciate this.

This paddle is built to last, with the T700 raw carbon, thermoformed and unibody build, and an edge guard for protection. I'm confident it'll hold up under months (or even years) of heavy play.

While the replaceable "Pro Skin" tech could boost its longevity too, I haven't had a chance to try those out yet. If anything, this shows how durable the pre-installed grit is.

I have slow hands but the 7.9 oz weight, 108 swing weight, and curved top make this a very fast paddle. These features help my defensive game and boost my hand speed. I can easily block hard drives and resets with the Hurricane Pro.

Who uses the PIKKL Hurricane Pro?

Hurricane Tyra Black uses the 14 mm version of the PIKKL Hurricane Pro. She's a former tennis pro making a name for herself in pickleball, winning singles and doubles tournaments on the ITF Tour.

Rating:

There's no question here: the PIKKL Hurricane Pro is definitely worth it. It retails for $159.99 but you can get 15% off with our exclusive code, which takes the price down to $136.

That's $26 cheaper than the Volair Mach 2 FORZA, the next closest paddle in terms of control/spin performance. It's a little cheaper than the Bread & Butter Filth too, another great-value all-court paddle for intermediates (though skewing more toward power). If you want control, check out the PIKKL Hurricane Pro. If you want power, you'll prefer the Bread & Butter Filth.

If you're a new intermediate, or any control player, you won't be disappointed with the performance at this price point. If you were considering a $200 JOOLA Scorpeus, I highly recommend starting with the Hurricane Pro instead. You'll save money and likely play better with the Hurricane too.

Last but not least, it's endorsed by top pickleball pro Hurricane Tyra Black. If she uses it, that's some seal of approval.

If the PIKKL Hurricane Pro isn't for you, check out some other paddles I recommend:

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