Tempest has always been Paddletek's control line (Bantam is the pro line), and the new Tempest Veyra pushes that further than ever. It's built on the DNA of PIKKL, the company Paddletek acquired, so I was keen to find out whether PIKKL's trademark elite control survived the move. The Veyra launched on November 1, and I played the elongated version.
I've played a PIKKL paddle before, Tyra Black's signature model, and it had the same huge sweet spot and control but came up a little short on power. Paddletek has doubled down on that formula here. This a real candidate for the best control pickleball paddle on the market at an excellent price well below $200.
My verdict5.0
The Paddletek Tempest Veyra is my control paddle of the year. It's soft and consistent, and it feels like the whole face is the sweet spot, even on the elongated shape. While it isn't a power paddle, it has enough pop to counter speed-ups and attack when the opening is there. If you want an elite touch paddle under $165 (with our 10% discount), this is a winner.
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Buy or pass?
Buy if:
You like to drop your thirds, get to the net and out-dink people:
drops, dinks and resets land softly in the kitchen with remarkable consistency, and there's enough pop left to attack when the opening is there.
You want a forgiving paddle:
the sweet spot feels like the entire face, so off-center contact still comes out clean and controlled. I never added weight for stability.
You want real feel on resets:
it gives clear feedback at contact, so blocking a hard attack and dropping it softly into the kitchen felt buttery smooth.
Pass if:
You rely on effortless baseline power:
off-balance or on-the-run drives need a big swing to get the ball where you want it. The best power paddles give you that power effortlessly.
You want a budget paddle:
see our list of the best pickleball paddles under $100 if that's your budget – you'll find top control paddles there too.
Paddletek gave its control line a PIKKL makeover
This version of the Tempest leans fully into what PIKKL did best, and it isn't a gimmick. The consistency and control I remember from the plush PIKKL Hurricane Pro are all here, and arguably better.
The whole-face sweet spot held up in testing. Off-center contact still produced clean, controlled shots, even on the elongated shape, and it was so forgiving that I never felt the need to add weight for stability.
The feel is the other half of it. Where a lot of foam paddles feel stiff and muted, the Veyra gives you clear feedback at contact. It shines on volley resets: blocking a hard attack and dropping it softly into the kitchen felt buttery smooth.
Paddletek says the face is PTK Micro-Textured T700 raw carbon fiber over a 16 mm EPP foam core, with damping rods built into the perimeter to cut vibration and add stability on off-center hits. It lists a swing weight of 113 and a twist weight of 6.0, and the paddle comes in elongated and widebody models in Atomic Blue, Flash Green, and Rally Pink.
Retailing at $179.99, it's a great price, much cheaper than rival offerings from JOOLA, CRBN, and Selkirk. With its lack of power and strong leaning toward control, that's only fair.
Paddle Weight
7.5 to 8.0 oz
Paddle Length
16.5 inches (elongated) / 16 inches (widebody)
Paddle Width
7.5 inches (elongated) / 8 inches (widebody)
Handle Length
5.75 inches
Grip Circumference
4.125 inches
Paddle Face Material
PTK Micro-Textured T700 raw carbon fiber
Core Material
EPP foam
Core Thickness
16 mm
Sweet Spot
Extra-large
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How the Paddletek Tempest Veyra plays
| Category | Rating | Notes |
| Power | 7/10 | Enough pop to be aggressive and counter speed-ups, but this is firmly a control paddle. Driving cross-court while moving hard to my right took a big swing. |
| Control | 10/10 | Absolutely elite. My topspin drops were smooth, and even when I couldn't get my feet set I could place soft, flat drops into the kitchen every time. |
| Spin | 9.5/10 | Plenty of spin throughout testing. Rolling the ball was my main source of aggression, and the face let me put dinks and drops exactly where I wanted. |
| Forgiveness | 10/10 | A sweet spot that feels like the entire face. I played it with no added weight and never felt I needed any for stability. |
| Weighting | 9/10 | Quick and light, with a weight distribution that never felt off balance. A little lead on the sides and top could add power if you want it. |
| Grip | 9/10 | Comfortable and not too thick, and the wrap didn't get overly sweaty. |
| Durability | 9/10 | The construction feels solid and nothing seems cheap. The surface texture is the most likely thing to wear. |
| Aerodynamics | 9/10 | Even the elongated shape felt fast, with no lag getting to balls in hands battles. |
✅ Pros
Elite control and touch
Drops, dinks and resets land softly in the kitchen with remarkable consistency. Dinking felt comfortable off the forehand, the one-handed backhand and the two-handed backhand. If touch is what you're shopping for, this belongs on your list of paddles with great control.
A sweet spot the size of the whole face
It covers nearly the whole face, even on the elongated shape, so mishits still behave.
Real feedback at contact
Many foam paddles lack it. The Veyra is soft at contact but still tells you what the ball did.
Light, fast, and comfortable
It's light and easy to maneuver, with comfortable weight distribution and no arm fatigue. The grip never felt too thick, which has been an issue for me with other paddles.
❌ Considerations
Big drives take a big swing
When you're off balance or on the run, you need a big swing to get the ball where you want it. If effortless pop is what you're after, have a look at our best pickleball paddles for power.
The surface texture is the likely wear point
The build feels solid, but the textured surface is what I'd expect to wear first. If you want a paddle with built-in long-lasting surface grit, check out the Holbrook Fuze VantaGrit or Honolulu J2CR Crystal Blue.
Paddletek Tempest Veyra price – is it worth it?
The Veyra costs $179.99, which is excellent value for a paddle that's elite at control when most performance paddles sit above $200. I love finding a paddle that excels at something for under $200, and this is one of them. Power players can find more pop elsewhere, but for control at this price it's hard to beat. With our discounts with Paddletek and Pickleball Central, you can take the price below $165.
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Alternatives to the Paddletek Tempest Veyra
If the Paddletek Tempest Veyra isn't for you, here are three great alternative paddles:
Control on a budget
Warping Point Neon
Power paddle
RPM Q2
Long-lasting grit
Holbrook Fuze VantaGrit
Want even more options? Try our 30-second quiz and I'll recommend the best paddles for your play style and budget.
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