Ronbus R2 PULSAR FX - pickleball paddle review

Are you looking for a premium control paddle? At $180, the Ronbus R2 PULSAR FX offers great value compared to some $220+ paddles from brands like JOOLA, CRBN, and Paddletek. So, does it offer enough performance to stand out from the crowd?

This is my first time playing with a Ronbus, but I've heard lots of good things. While they're a lesser-known brand, they make paddles with top specs at discounted prices. Read on to see if the R2 PULSAR FX really is a good deal or if you should spend your money elsewhere.

If you're a non-aggressive player looking for one of the best control paddles, the Ronbus R2 PULSAR FX should be on your radar—especially if you're at the beginner or intermediate level.

Aggressive players will struggle to generate enough power here. I recently tested the Paddletek Bantam TKO-C, one of the best paddles for power, and the R2 PULSAR FX lacks in comparison. I have a hard time generating the putaway power I need against high-level players, no matter how hard I swing.

I also miss the reach of elongated paddles like the JOOLA Ben Johns Perseus. I'd love to see a 14 mm version of the R2 PULSAR—this will add more power without losing the control that I grew to love during my testing.

Watch my initial thoughts on the Ronbus R2 PULSAR FX:

This paddle is made for control-focused players. If that's you, you'll love how soft and forgiving this paddle is thanks to the 16 mm core and wide body shape. Plus, the sweet spot runs throughout the paddle and it's so consistent.

Spin is fantastic too—the raw Toray T700 carbon fiber tech works just as you'd hope. This is handy on serves as I can hit them with lots of topspin.

If you prioritize speed over power, you'll like how fast this paddle is. The light static weight (7.8 oz) and really low swing weight (105) make this faster than the Bantam TKO-C (116-117) and JOOLA Perseus (121). This is the advantage of a standard-shaped paddle over an elongated one.

If you're a beginner, intermediate, or control player, you'll like how soft the R2 PULSAR FX is. It also suits an advanced player with a defensive play style who is looking for more touch—especially if you want to save money against paddles like the Engage Pursuit Pro EX 6.0 ($260).

This is a standard, square-shaped paddle with a wide body (16 x 8") like the JOOLA Collin Johns Scorpeus, which gives it a large sweet spot. It has a thicker 16 mm core for more control. I like to hit two-handed backhands so I'm happy with the longer handle (5.5").

Let's look at some of the other features Ronbus put in this paddle:

This is one of the newer Gen 3 paddles that still use thermoforming but try to solve the "crushed core" issues of Gen 2 thermoformed paddles. Basically, during the thermoforming process, air pockets are built into the carbon to release pressure. This helps to avoid the paddle getting crushed later on.

You might notice "Gen 3" mentioned in Ronbus' marketing and think of the banned JOOLA Gen 3 paddles. Just be aware you won't get JOOLA's propulsion core or anywhere near the power with this Ronbus as we got with the JOOLA Gen 3 paddles.

This is what I call "paddle talk". Basically, the paddle should be soft when you want it to be and hit hard when you swing faster. Based on my testing, this is more marketing jargon than reality. Control is great but pop is seriously lacking, no matter how hard I swing.

Ronbus put a "flexible carbon fiber grid" underneath the raw textured carbon fiber surface for more control and spin. This works well for me. I can generate awesome spin on any shot I try, whether it's sliced dinks, topspin drops, or sidespin around the posts (ATPs).

This is the softest paddle I've played with at this price point. Generating power for drives at the baseline isn't too bad, especially since most high-level players are going for a 60% drive right now. However, the putaway power at the kitchen line is frustrating.

I struggle to counter speed-ups or poach higher balls in the air. On overhead attacks, power is almost non-existent for me. Whenever I play against players who are good at resetting, I feel like I need several overheads to put balls away, rather than 1-2 with a paddle like the Paddletek Bantam.

If you're like me and you struggle to generate your own power, this paddle will tire you out. When I play outside in the warm weather (when the ball slows down), it feels like I have to exhaust extra energy to generate any power—especially on volleys.

This paddle is best for players who like a high level of control, as well as beginner/intermediate players who want more consistency. In every scenario (except overhead putaways), this paddle makes shots feel comfortable and consistent.

Drops feel natural and easy from any spot on the baseline. Dinks are easy to keep low and targeted, no matter how long the rally goes. Resetting the ball when in a defensive position or hands battle feels easier than with a thinner paddle.

Whatever your skill level, you'll enjoy the spin you can generate with the Ronbus R2. The topspin means you can serve deeper and push your opponents back further in their returns.

You have more room for error on the high end when it comes to third-shot drops because the ball dips down so quickly. I use a lot of slices when I dink and the backspin with this paddle makes it hard for my opponents to stay in dink rallies with me for too long.

If you're a beginner or intermediate who struggles with the ball bouncing in all directions off your paddle, you'll like how forgiving this paddle is. This is largely down to the wide body and 16 mm thickness boosting the sweet spot.

It's as if the sweet spot runs throughout the entire paddle. I'm able to drop my error rate on serves and returns while hitting the ball more aggressively thanks to the spin.

The weighting throughout the paddle is very even and it feels quick at the kitchen line during hand battles. That said, I'd prefer some more weight near the end of the paddle to help add some pop. I might add some lead tape so I can have the control I love with a little more power.

I like how soft the grip is. It's a standard 4.12" size, which I prefer more than the 4.25" of the Paddletek Bantam TKO-C. I don't come from tennis (unlike many pickleball players) so I'm not used to a thicker grip. This one feels just thick enough to be comfortable and soft in my hands.

A small thing to note is the white grip gets dirty over time. If that bothers you, you can always use an overgrip.

The paddle feels really sturdy and I doubt it'll wear down quickly. It's not meant to be a power paddle so I'm not concerned with it delaminating.

My only concern is with the carbon fiber surface. If that starts to wear down, it will be disappointing to lose the spin. However, after 10+ hours of play testing, I haven't seen any spin decay or any other inconsistencies.

The R2 PULSAR FX swings quickly through the air when I'm at the kitchen line. There have been times when I didn't think I'd be able to hit a ball in time, only for my paddle to appear. That's how fast it is. You might lose power, but it's worth it if you value speed over power.

Rating:

The Ronbus R2 PULSAR FX is $180. When you compare it to a control paddle like the Selkirk LUXX Control ($250), the PULSAR is a bargain. It has the same spin and control for $70 less.

I recommend this to any intermediate player looking to buy their first premium paddle. You'll get way more control than cheaper starter paddles like the GoSports GS1—even better than the Friday Original, one of the best beginner paddles on the market.

If you struggle with pop-ups and sailing balls out of bounds and you need more consistency, this paddle is for you as well. You'll like how forgiving it is thanks to the wide-body shape.

Bangers should look elsewhere, even if you're trying to add more touch to your game. You'll get frustrated with how much you need to swing to generate power with this paddle. I'd recommend the Bread & Butter Filth or Six Zero DBD instead.

The only advanced players I recommend this to are defensive players who typically play on the right side and are more responsible for being consistent than putting balls away. If that's you and you want a mid-range paddle, this is worth considering.

It's 100% worth the price tag because it's a Gen 3 paddle built with the same tech and materials as many top-range paddles. It should last you a long time.

If the Ronbus R2 PULSAR FX isn't the right paddle for you, check out some other pickleball paddles I recommend:

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