Gearbox is back with an update to their CX14E control paddle. With this Ultimate Power series, they're hoping to fix some of the issues players had with the last paddle, such as the lack of power.

, I was very curious to see how the new one played. Read on for my full review.

This is hands down the best paddle Gearbox has ever made. It's also one of the top-performing paddles we've tested this year. Like many Gearbox paddles, it has exceptional control—especially on technical shots like drops, dinks, and resets. Unlike past Gearbox offerings, this one feels natural to me right out of the box. Most importantly, it has enough power to play a more complete, aggressive, and modern game. It's not cheap, but if you're an intermediate to advanced player who's ready to invest in your game, it's worth every penny—especially if you're drawn to the signature Gearbox feel.

At $250, this is far from a cheap paddle.

You're on a budget.

This is still more of a control paddle. Check out something like the Selkirk Power Air Invikta if you want a pure power paddle.

You want maximum power.

Mastering the CX14E Ultimate Power will likely be too much for you at this stage.

You're a beginner.

Pass if:

If you already like the feel of Gearbox paddles, you have to check this out. The best offering yet in my opinion.

You're a Gearbox fan.

This has more than enough power to complement its 10/10 control.

Your control paddle lacks power.

This is a great option if you're ready to start playing at a higher level.

You're an advancing intermediate.

Buy if:

Paddle weight

Paddle length

Paddle width

Handle length

Grip circumference

Paddle face material

Core material

Core thickness

Grip

Sweet spot

Pickleball Central

Amazon

I'll be honest. I've never been a huge fan of Gearbox paddles. They've always felt too stiff and alien to me. But I have to hand it to them—they nailed it with this one. This is the first paddle of theirs I've been really impressed by.

Right out of the box, the paddle feels natural and well built. For its price tag, it should feel premium—and it does. You know right away that this paddle will last a long time. It’s stylish too, with its edgeless design giving it an X-factor look.

During my play sessions, I could tell this is an elite control paddle. It takes Gearbox's already solid control qualities to the next level. While I found the previous model lacked control on dinks, I could accurately dink all day up at the kitchen line.

My overall accuracy was on point, especially on technical shots like topspin 3rd shot drops and resets when I was out of position. For challenging resets, I'd even say this is one of the best paddles I've tested so far.

Gearbox also went a long way toward addressing one of the biggest flaws with the CX14E: a small sweet spot. While it's not as large as some, like the 

, the CX14E Ultimate Power has a much larger sweet spot, making it a very forgiving paddle.

The Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power placed on on a pickleball court

I thought the spin on the last model was excellent, so I was delighted to find it even better here. I could hit hard topspin serves, forehand drive winners, and satisfying overhead putaways pretty easily.

It's deadly on the serve too. They go deep with pinpoint accuracy, giving me an advantage that helped me win more games.

Last but not least, Gearbox added some much-needed power. This is the first Gearbox paddle I've tested where I felt I could play an aggressive game.

That said, more power does mean less hand speed. At 0.5 oz heavier than the previous CX14E, this paddle did lag during hand battles and fast kitchen exchanges. But overall, it felt lighter than other similarly-weighted paddles like the 

At 8.5 oz, the heaviness made me feel slower than I'd like—especially in fast kitchen exchanges

I felt the extra weight most on my backhand volleys and rolls, which were a bit too slow

A little too soft at the net, giving my opponents another chance to drop, costing me some points

Cons:

More power and spin than the earlier CX14E

Much larger sweet spot than previous Gearbox paddles

Less stiff than its predecessor, with a more natural feel while keeping the unique Gearbox tech aspects

Pros:

Even hardcore fans of the earlier Gearbox CX14E (and there are many) wanted more power. So, a lot of people were waiting to see if Gearbox addressed this.

Let's take a look at some of the features carried over from previous models—and some new tech too—to see if they're improvements.

As in the last series, the CX14E Ultimate Power is the elongated version to the square-shaped CX14H Ultimate Power.

Brandon Mackie showing off the Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power pickleball paddle

SST is Gearbox's signature core technology, and it's what makes their paddles feel so unique. It feels very different to your standard honeycomb polymer core.

I didn't like this feature much on the previous model, since it made the paddle feel stiff and foreign in my hands. That said, many people love it.

As I've said, the Ultimate Power is the first Gearbox paddle I've tested that felt natural right out of the box—and I think it's because of the 'power band technology'.

This is some interesting tech. Rather than change the core thickness, Gearbox invented a 'band' around the edge of the paddle face. They claim this creates a 'trampoline effect' to add more pop and power to your shots.

I definitely felt more power with this paddle, but I'd put some of that down to the extra weight too.

This is the fancy name for the texture Gearbox applies to the finish. While the previous CX14E was quite smooth, the Ultimate Power definitely has more texture and grit. It seems successful, as they've taken a paddle that was already great for spin and made it even better.

Brandon Mackie showing off the paddle face of the Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power

The CX14E achieved great spin on topspin drives and serves, but not so great on dinks and softer shots. But the Ultimate Power has more spin all around.

, so I'll have to watch for degradation over time, which is an issue with that paddle.

This is still a control paddle at heart, but Gearbox answered the call from the public for more power. The combination of a heavier swing weight with their new power band tech works well.

There's now more power all around, especially on hard drives and swinging volleys. While it's not quite a 9 or 10 for power, it's enough to add aggression to a more classic control and strategy game.

I scored the original CX14E 8/10 for control, but the Ultimate Power gets a perfect score for me. My dinking, which was where I felt most let down before, was hugely improved.

Drops, resets, and dinks all worked really well even when I was off-center, out of position, or resetting against a hard, aggressive shot. I loved the feel of this paddle, which gave me a lot of confidence on my touch shots.

This paddle is a spin machine, even more so than its predecessor—which is saying something. Like that paddle, hard topspin serves and drives are awesome. But I felt the grittier surface made my spin even more impressive.

This is the same dipping spin you can generate on other elite raw carbon fiber paddles like the CRBN-2X Power Series—the kind that catches and either drops at your opponent's feet or right on the baseline for a passing shot.

The sweet spot is much larger than past Gearbox paddles I've tested. So, while the elongated shape does create some dead zones near the edges, the paddle is still way better than before.

The paddle is soft and controlled enough to be forgiving even when you don't hit it quite right. The spin generation also helped with forgiveness by bringing more topspin to my shots.

I gave the previous CX14E paddle a 9/10 rating for weighting, and I'm giving the same to the Ultimate Power—despite an increase of 0.5 oz.

I just think they nailed it here. The extra weight brings power to an otherwise control-focused paddle. But it feels and plays like a lighter paddle.

No complaints here. The grip is premium quality and held up well during play sessions in the 100ºF Phoenix summer.

You can tell Gearbox paddles are going to last—pure carbon fiber paddles usually do. The only thing I'm knocking it for is the edgeless design, as it's prone to ding up around the edges.

While I didn't find any special aerodynamic features, this paddle still cut through the air pretty well.

At $250, I would expect a lot from the performance of this paddle. It's a $50 increase from the previous CX14E offering, putting it in the price range of elite paddles like the ProKennex Kinetic Black Ace and the Engage Pursuit Ultra EX.

While I don't think many other Gearbox paddles are worth the $200+ price point, the Ultimate Power does enough to justify its high cost in my opinion. It's currently one of the best on the market and will win over many fans.

You either love or hate Gearbox paddles, so I'd really recommend testing this one before dropping that kind of money.

While this paddle delivers an elite performance, there are many other 2nd-gen unibody carbon paddles out there that are on par performance-wise—and for a lower price tag. The Legacy Pro and Vatic Pro PRISM Flash are great options, both around the $150 mark.

The Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power pickleball paddle resting against a net

Who uses the Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power?

Joey Farias is the most well-known player who plays with the CX14E Ultimate Power. The current world number #6, Frank Anthony Davis, also plays with this paddle.

Check out what Joey Farias has to say about the Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power:

I've had issues in the past with Gearbox paddles. I always found they take way too much time to get used to, but I didn't have the same issue with the CX14E Ultimate Power. Right out of the box, it felt great in my hands.

Gearbox have fixed all the issues I had: a small sweet spot, a stiff feel, a lack of power. They managed to improve on the positives too: control, spin, and the unique feel.

If you're an intermediate or advanced player looking to go up a level, I'd definitely recommend checking this out. With a price tag like this, though, consider a test run before you commit to buying.

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!

The Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power is an updated version of the CX14E. While many of the specs are the same, it has new technology, including a 'power band' and a grittier texture.

It also weighs more. The CX14E was 8 oz, while the Ultimate Power comes in at 8.5 oz. Gearbox built this paddle to add more power to the previous model.

Both paddles are part of the new Ultimate Power series. The CX14E is the elongated paddle, while the CX14H is the square-shaped paddle ('H' stands for 'Hyper').

They weigh the same (8.5 oz). However, the E version is longer (16 ⅝"), with the H having a total paddle length of 15 ⅝". The CX14E Ultimate Power is also narrower at 7 ⅜", compared to the H’s 8" width.

Gearbox paddles are known to be long-lasting, and Gearbox themselves claim they last a lot longer than paddles with a polymer honeycomb core. Though you could argue this is the case for most elite paddles nowadays.

Gearbox paddles are made in China. They are designed in California and ship from there.

All paddles by Gearbox are approved by USA Pickleball.

Gearbox make carbon fiber paddles. The core material is Toray T-700 carbon fiber, while the face is made from 3K woven carbon fiber that is ribbed.

FAQs

The latest in the CX14E series, the Ultimate Power from Gearbox has a reputation as a great power paddle. But how did it hold up after hours of testing?

Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power - Pickleball Paddle Review

Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power - pickleball paddle review

The PCKL Launch Series is an affordable, all-around paddle that is the perfect introduction for beginners 

Once I got my hands on the Launch Series, I was excited to get it onto the court and put it through some rigorous testing in the Arizona sun. After several play sessions and over 10 hours of testing, I’m here to share my honest thoughts on the design, features, and overall performance.

Read on to discover why we gave it the top spot in our list of 

The PCKL Launch Series is the best entry-level paddle I've reviewed to date, with the SLK NEO 2.0 coming in at a close second. The paddle felt alive from my very first dink. It excelled in the short game and had a super forgiving sweet spot across many shot types. I wish it could deliver a touch more spin, but overall, I’m yet to play test a better paddle geared towards beginners at the <$70 price point.

This is a beginner-level paddle and won’t hold up in advanced games.

You’re an advanced player.

There’s not much texture on the face, making spin tough to generate.

You love to play with spin.

If you like to play with hard serves and 3rd shot drives, you’ll find this paddle a little lacking.

You want to play an aggressive game.

The PCKL Launch Series is the perfect companion for those just starting out.

You’re a beginner.

This is the best option in its price range, outperforming most competitors.

You want a budget-friendly paddle.

This stylish paddle makes a great present for someone who wants to start playing pickleball.

You're buying for a gift.

Color

PCKL

The PCKL Launch Series is a beginner-friendly paddle that solves many of the problems entry-level paddles often have. It’s made from quality materials and offers a really good control game and a forgiving sweet spot.

Simply put, this paddle helps beginners play a more competitive game their first time out on the courts.

While it lacks some of the more advanced features you’ll find in pro paddles, it played far better than any paddle I’ve played with before at this price point.

It was very forgiving. I had barely any mishits, and I know beginners will appreciate this aspect of the paddle. I was surprised at how good it felt in my hand. It had a great touch, holding up in long dink rallies and giving me good precision on 3rd-shot drops.

It doesn’t have a ton of power, and I did struggle to generate spin. But these aspects are far less important for a beginner paddle. You’ll win a lot more games with accuracy and control as you’re starting out—I feel like this paddle was designed with that in mind.

There's no comparison to the other paddles in its price range. The PCKL Launch Series is now my top recommendation for beginners. Whenever someone asks me for a paddle recommendation that won’t cost a fortune, this is usually the first paddle I offer.

Can be hard to generate spin. I misplayed some shots I usually get with more advanced paddles

Almost no texture left on the paddle face by the second session

Playing close to the net was difficult, as the paddle felt flat on volleys—particularly overhead smashes and swinging volleys

Lightweight with a great touch—doesn’t feel like an entry-level paddle

The face is livelier than I expected—the ball jumped right off it

The massive sweet spot makes it very forgiving, meaning almost no mishits

A relatively new player in the pickleball market, PCKL was established in 2022 to "eliminate complexity in picking a paddle". All three of their pickleball paddle lines are designed to provide great performance at a low price, and I think they’ve largely accomplished what they’ve set out to do.

The Launch Series is the entry-level version aimed at beginners, and I felt it definitely delivers on giving beginners what they need on the courts. Good control, plenty of forgiveness, and just enough power to play a well-rounded game.

Brandon Mackie showing off the PCKL Launch Series pickleball paddle

I was really pleased with how well the Launch Series performed overall. While it doesn’t have some of the high-level features of more advanced paddles, there are still plenty of positives—especially if you’re just starting out in pickleball.

Let’s take a closer look at the main features.

More often than not, I heard a satisfying pop each time my paddle made contact with the ball. I know beginners respond well to this as they’re getting a feel for the game.

The Fiberglass face is designed for control, and it really delivers on that. However, it does come at the cost of reduced spin, which limited how aggressive a game I could play.

There’s a fantastic responsive nature to each hit, allowing for precision and excellent touch upon contact. It offers a forgiving, consistent experience that suits controlled play rather than an aggressive game.

This makes it less appealing to power hitters, but a strong contender for players who favor accuracy and finesse in their gameplay. For most beginners, control beats power almost every time.

The comfort grip felt great even during long, sweaty play sessions and it withstood the scorching heat 100ºF Arizona heat. This feature held up well throughout each test session and I’m confident the paddle itself should hold up over the long term.

The grip was really well done, reminding me of grips on paddles twice the price, like the 

Brandon Mackie demonstrates a grip on the PCKL Launch Series pickleball paddle

A feature that sets this paddle apart is the enlarged sweet spot. A paddle’s sweet spot determines its overall game performance, and this is especially true for beginner paddles.

The Launch Series performed well to the edge, providing consistent results even on off-center hits. This practically removes the worry of mishits and ensures solid contact with every swing you take.

No beginner wants to start playing pickleball with an ugly paddle. Many budget-friendly options look cheap and feel like it too, but the PCKL Launch Series is neither.

My paddle was the standard neon green design (it also comes in white), and I loved how it looked in my hand. Sure, it might not bring the sleek black design of the 

 line, but I kind of dig the bright color.

Brandon Mackie placing a hand on the face of the PCKL Launch Series pickleball paddle

As for the feel, it plays like a lightweight paddle—despite being 7.9 oz. The best way I can describe it is that it feels light without feeling cheap.

Some inexperienced players I spoke to about it expected a heavier paddle. They actually wanted a little more heft, even though I felt that would hurt their game.

The Launch Series had decent power. I could get good zip on my serve and my forehand drives—I just had to swing a little harder than I’m used to with more advanced paddles.

Aggressive players might be a little disappointed, but most beginners will have no issue generating enough power to stay competitive.

The paddle’s responsive feel helped me in my control game. I could place dinks and drops generally where I wanted them. Sometimes with cheap paddles, you really have to ‘guide’ the ball to make it do what you want. This wasn’t true for the Launch Series, which plays more like a typical mid-range paddle than a cheap beginner paddle.

Still, it does lack some touch (a bit too much pop) on the more technical shots, like a 3rd shot drop taken deep. I can see this frustrating experienced players, while beginners likely won’t see it as an issue.

The spin was the most disappointing aspect of the paddle. I couldn’t generate nearly enough spin to be consistent on big topspin forehand drives or swinging volleys at the net. The face is almost smooth and doesn’t have the grit to generate spin.

If there’s one reason players will outgrow this paddle as their game advances, it’s the poor spin. There’s no real trick to it—it’s just incapable of generating enough for the spin shots I usually play.

The Launch Series is as forgiving as paddles come, and mishits were very rare during my play sessions. There’s a very large sweet spot, so if I didn’t hit it just right, it still usually went where I aimed. I also felt a satisfying pop on many of my shots.

This is what really stood out to me. Mishitting the ball is so common for beginners that it can quickly turn them off the sport.

I’ve been to some facilities, like the 

, where they hand this paddle out to any beginner who needs a loaner. I think the paddle’s forgiveness is a big reason why this has become the default there.

The paddle is light in my hand and light during play. Even beginners who aren’t used to pickleball could have long sessions without feeling arm fatigue, and the weight helps for short game and control.

The comfortable grip was good quality and not too noticeable. It was very close to my intermediate and advanced paddles from Paddletek (Tempest Wave II + Pro). I tested it in 100ºF Phoenix weather, and it held up nicely.

The materials are of higher quality than many 

, especially at this price point. The edge guard also helps protect it and make it last.

You can’t ask for much more. The only downside for me is that the face texture does deteriorate quickly, meaning the spin will get even worse after a handful of sessions.

This is a lightweight paddle, which helps with its aerodynamics as it cuts through the air. Sure, it might not have the aerodynamic design of premium paddles like the 

 or the JOOLA Hyperion, but for a beginner paddle you won’t find much better.

The PCKL Launch Series is priced at $64.99, which puts it squarely in the budget category.

This is an unbeatable price for a beginner player looking for a quality paddle. It’s only ~$20 more than the cheapest options on Amazon (like the Niupipo graphite pickleball paddle), but I’d estimate it provides over twice the performance specs.

Compared with other budget options I’ve tested, this one has a larger sweet spot, superior feel, and better all-around consistency and control.

The PCKL Launch Series paddle placed at the edge of a pickleball court

PCKL has really changed my opinion of budget-friendly paddles. The Launch Series is an affordable option—great if you're looking to buy a gift for a picklehead that'll carry them through the early part of their pickleball journey.

For anyone looking to start playing pickleball, I recommend putting this high on your list. This'll last you into the intermediate level, provided you're not playing a strong power or spin game.

This paddle is well-rounded, beginner-friendly, and well-priced—all reasons why it landed on our list of the best pickleball paddles for 2023. When I'm asked for an affordable paddle, this is the one I’ll recommend just about every time.

Choosing the right paddle weight primarily relies on your strength and playing style. Light paddles (less than 7.3 oz) offer quick wrist action for fast kitchen exchanges but may lack drive for deep court shots.

Midweight paddles (7.3–8.4 oz) balance power and control. Meanwhile, heavy paddles (over 8.5 oz) are better for power hitters but can strain your arm during extended play. Try testing a few paddles in different conditions to find your ideal weight.

The PCKL Launch Series has a core thickness of 0.55” (14 mm), which is not considered thick or thin.

Though beginners will benefit more from the large sweet spot and forgiveness, the PCKL Launch Series is suitable for intermediate players. Its balance between control and power means players can hone their skills while adjusting to stronger gameplay.

PCKL might be new to the pickleball scene, but their Launch Series paddle is already a favorite among beginners. We put it to the test to see how it holds up.

PCKL Launch Series - Pickleball Paddle Review

PCKL Launch Series - pickleball paddle review

Here at Pickleheads, it doesn’t take much to convince us to throw a party. Any excuse to celebrate is fine by us. So, when the wonderful sport of pickleball got its own national day, we couldn’t resist jumping on the bandwagon. It's now a firm staple in our social calendar.

 and do you know what day it is? We’re here to answer these questions so you’ll be fully prepared for this year’s festivities.

In this article, we’ll explain more about National Pickleball Day, and give you some great ideas of how you can get involved in the celebrations.

What and when is National Pickleball Day 2023?

National Pickleball Day is a day dedicated to celebrating and promoting our beloved sport of pickleball. The date is easy to remember: August 8th.

Just think: the 8th day of the 8th month. This year, the day falls on a Tuesday and marks the 58th anniversary of pickleball’s invention.

Learn more about the history of pickleball:

So now you know, it’s time to plan how you’ll commemorate this remarkable day.

The idea of a National Pickleball Day was dreamed up in 2021 by pickleball instructor and advocate, Deirdre Morris. The idea was to get the message out about pickleball, encourage new players, and celebrate our passion for this magnificent game.

This August marks the third National Pickleball Day. With 

 now airing on our TV screens, this year's celebrations are set to be the biggest yet.

All across the US, pickleball clubs, court facilities, and pickleball-themed restaurants will be holding events to mark the day. Let's take a look at how you can get involved and celebrate in style this year.

If you’re looking for something to do on National Pickleball Day, the best place to start is with your local pickleball group or club. Check out one of the 

 to see what the local pickleheads are planning.

Alternatively, why not plan an event yourself? Planning a pickleball tournament is a great way to bring a big group of pickleheads together. Make sure to keep it fun rather than an overly competitive format.

Music, food, and a cooler full of drinks help to keep the atmosphere light and sociable. Take advantage of our 

, which lets you send group messages to your whole circle of contacts with all the details of your planned tournament.

Graphic showing features of the Pickleheads.com organizer tool

Speaking of socializing: why not host a pickleball party? You can do this at your local court facility, in the neighborhood park, or even at home (if you don’t mind cleaning up afterward).

This party could be held after your pickleball tournament. You could even make it a pickleball-themed fancy dress party for extra amusement.

Whatever you decide, it's always rewarding to give back to the community in some way. Why not make it a fundraiser to raise money for a good cause? Whether it’s for new pickleball amenities or a local charity, you’ll be sure to attract a crowd and create a buzz.

Does the location of the celebration matter?

Did you know about National Pickleball Day? Read our comprehensive guide to find out everything you need to celebrate our beloved sport.

Brandon Mackie

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