Pickleball Gear

Best pro pickleball paddles (2026)

picture of Brandon Mackie
Brandon Mackie

Updated on: May 14, 2026

The JOOLA Perseus Pro V pickleball paddle

If you want to play with a paddle the pros use, we've got you covered. I've play-tested a ton of pro pickleball paddles and not all are that great. I've picked the top five that can actually improve your game.

The best overall choice is the JOOLA Pro V series. It has the widest range of models, each built for a whole host of top pros like the GOAT Ben Johns and Tyson McGuffin. It encourages you to play a powerful attacking game, while bringing plenty of control for rec players. There are paddles used by other pros that may work better for your game, so check them all out below.

Best pro paddles at a glance

Best overall

JOOLA Pro V pickleball paddle

Our Rating:

1. JOOLA Pro V

The JOOLA Pro V is the paddle series used by more top pros than any other. Multiple shapes mean there's a model for every play style at the highest level.
Read my deep dive

Best speed

Franklin ALW C45 Aurelius pickleball paddle

Our Rating:

2. Franklin ALW C45 Aurelius

The fastest paddle in pickleball, used by the GOAT women's player Anna Leigh Waters. The Franklin C45 Aurelius is a blank canvas for pro-level customization.
Save 10% at checkout ($229.99 $206.99)
Read my deep dive

Best budget

Friday Aura Pro pickleball paddle

Our Rating:

3. Friday Aura Pro

Budget brand Friday scored a huge coup when they signed Rachel Rohrabacher. Her foam Aura Pro proves you don't need to spend $200+ to play with a pro paddle.
Save $10 at checkout with this link ($169 $159)
Read my deep dive

Which paddle is best for you?

Before buying a paddle, it’s important to make sure it fits your game. That's why I created a 30-second quiz that recommends the best paddles for your play style and budget.

Give it a try and see if any of these pro paddles make the list:

Find the perfect paddle

Find the perfect paddle

I've personally tested over 200 paddles. Take the quiz to see which ones fit your game best.

Take Our Paddle Quiz

The best pro pickleball paddles

That's the list. Now let's take a look at why I chose them as my favorites.

Why should you trust Pickleheads? I spend hours testing every product I recommend. Only the cream of the crop make it onto my lists, so you can be sure you're buying the best. Learn more about how I test and review products.

Best overall

1. JOOLA Pro V

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9/10

Power

9/10

Control

10/10

Spin

9/10

Forgiveness

Buy if:

  • You want the paddle that most pros use:

    no other series has this many pro signatures – Ben Johns, Anna Bright, and Tyson McGuffin to name just a few.

  • You want a plush, dwell-based paddle:

    the dwell time gives you some of the best spin along with a high-level balance of power and control.

  • You want to choose from multiple shapes:

    you'll find elongated, aero-curve, hybrid, and widebody models to match your game.

Pass if:

  • You want a foam-core paddle:

    JOOLA still uses polymer honeycomb, not foam – try the Friday Aura Pro.

  • You want to spend under $250:

    the Pro V is $300 so check out the Franklin C45 Aurelius, Anna Leigh Waters' paddle.

  • You want a faster paddle:

    the Franklin is one of the quickest paddles I've ever used.

No other paddle series in pickleball has this kind of pro roster. The elongated Perseus is Ben Johns and Simone Jardim's paddle. The aero-curve Hyperion is another Ben Johns model built for faster hands. The hybrid Kosmos is Federico Staksrud and Tyson McGuffin's choice. The standard-shaped Scorpeus belongs to Anna Bright and Collin Johns. There are even special models designed for tennis legends Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf. When the best players across every play style converge on one paddle family, that tells you something about the platform.
special offer

Get the JOOLA Pro V for $299.95 & experience the most premium feel on the market

At $300, the Pro V is at the top of the market. There's no discount code – this is full-price premium. The Selkirk Boomstik ($333) costs more but uses a foam core that may outlast the Pro V's polymer construction. What $300 buys you is JOOLA's KineticFrame technology and the most refined all-court feel on the market – paddles that cost less get you 80-90% of the way there, but the last 10% is what pros pay for.
The new KineticFrame tech is the headline upgrade over the JOOLA Pro IV. A patent-pending frame structure in the throat flexes to store momentum and release it on impact, like a kick-point in a hockey stick. In practice, you get easier access to power without swinging harder and better absorption on touch shots. The ball sits into the face on drives before launching with authority, and resets in the transition zone come off softer than you'd expect from a paddle with this much pop.
This is one of the best pickleball paddles for spin. The textured carbon face grabs the ball and lets you dip topspin serves, roll lobs over opponents' hands, and attack with speed-ups that curve at opponents' feet.
JOOLA hasn't joined the foam-core revolution, which is the one question mark. The Pro V uses a polymer honeycomb core with KineticFrame, not the Gen 4 foam tech that brands like CRBN, Bread & Butter, and Honolulu are building around. JOOLA has added layers over the honeycomb and tightened quality control, but time will tell if it holds up as well as a full-foam paddle. For players who prioritize feel and performance today over long-term durability, the Pro V delivers.
As I mentioned above, there are multiple shapes available across the Pro V series. You can compare them all on the JOOLA Pro V page, and read our full JOOLA Pro V review from when we tested the Ben Johns Perseus on the courts.
Read our full review of the JOOLA Pro V.
star icon
My verdict
The Pro V is like the iPhone of pickleball. If you're upgrading to an advanced paddle and you want the best all-court power paddle, this is it. The KineticFrame makes power feel effortless, and spin is top-tier. It costs $300, but no other paddle has this many pros behind it, this many shape options, or this level of refinement on the ball. For advanced and tournament players who want what the best players play, the Pro V is the benchmark.

Today’s best deal

PB Central logo
Best speed

2. Franklin ALW C45 Aurelius

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6/10

Power

8/10

Control

9.5/10

Spin

8/10

Forgiveness

Buy if:

  • You want the fastest paddle available:

    nothing else moves through the air this quickly – the ALW C45 is incredibly fast.

  • You like customizing your paddles:

    this is probably the most customizable paddle I've seen – it's so light that you can build it from scratch.

  • You want ALW's paddle:

    women's #1 Anna Leigh Waters oversaw this paddle's design, her first Franklin paddle.

Pass if:

  • You want power:

    this lightweight touch paddle is by no means a power paddle – try the Friday or JOOLA.

  • You want a paddle that plays well out of the box:

    without lead tape, this is an unforgiving and light paddle.

  • You want a long handle:

    5.1 inches limits two-handed backhands.

Anna Leigh Waters is the most decorated women's player in pickleball history. When she left Paddletek for Franklin in 2026, the C45 Aurelius is what she asked them to build – a paddle designed entirely around speed. It's shorter and wider than a standard widebody paddle and it comes in as low as 7.2 oz (going up to 8 oz). It's not built for power but it's the fastest paddle I've ever played with and it's a real blank canvas for advanced players to customize.
special offer

Save 10% on the Franklin C45 Aurelius ($229.99 down to $206.99)

The Franklin ALW costs $230 but our 10% discount makes it $207. It's not the paddle for everyone but it offers a big saving against JOOLA and other pro brands.
What's most interesting here is the design philosophy – Franklin didn't try to make a paddle that does everything right out of the box, like most brands. They made a starting point for players who know exactly what they want.
The one thing that absolutely shines from the get-go is spin generation. This is a top spin paddle and drives dip with heavy topspin. Lobs roll in instead of sailing. Dinks have the kind of grab that makes opponents uncomfortable.
The feel is soft and controlled – not poppy – with enough dwell to shape the ball on contact. It's definitely a control paddle over a power paddle, but Anna Leigh Waters doesn't need to overpower opponents. She wins with speed, placement, and spin, and her paddle is built for that game. If that's your style, this paddle makes sense. If you need to hit through people, grab the JOOLA Pro V.
Without lead tape, the paddle turns in your hand on off-center hits. I added weight to the sides on day one and forgiveness was boosted dramatically. The paddle stayed fast even when weighted – that's the advantage of starting at such a low stock weight. You have room to add grams and still end up lighter than most paddles.
The T700 carbon fiber face with a 45-degree peel ply texture is what generates such good spin. The "PowerFlex" polymer core is Gen 3, not Gen 4 foam. You get three core thickness options: 12.7, 14, and 16 mm with weights ranging from 7.2 to 8 oz. The 5.1-inch handle and 3.9-inch grip circumference are very small and will polarize players who prefer longer, thicker setups. The paddle dimensions are unique, with a 15.7 by 7.9 inch body – the standard is usually 16 by 8. It's another reason this paddle is so fast.
Read our full Franklin C45 Aurelius review for more.
star icon
My verdict
If you want one of the best lightweight pickleball paddles ever made, grab Anna Leigh Waters' Franklin C45 Aurelius. It won't outscore any paddle on power but it does one thing better than all of them – move through the air. For a pro or advanced player whose game is built on reaction time, hand speed, and spin placement, this is exceptional. It's just how ALW plays.

Today’s best deal

PB Central logo
Save 10% at checkout ($229.99 $206.99)
Best budget

3. Friday Aura Pro

Loading...

9/10

Power

9/10

Control

9/10

Spin

9/10

Forgiveness

Buy if:

  • You want a pro-level paddle without paying pro-level prices:

    you can get the Friday Aura Pro for just $159 with our exclusive discount.

  • You want a balanced all-court paddle:

    this paddle literally scores 9 out of 10 in every single category.

  • You want foam-core tech and T700 carbon fiber:

    Friday is bringing the best tech at the lowest price.

Pass if:

  • You want a super-lightweight paddle:

    the Franklin ALW C45 is the lightest, fastest pro paddle.

  • You want the prestige of a top-tier brand name:

    Friday is a newer brand competing with established names – JOOLA has more long-term clout in pickleball.

  • You have a big budget:

    if you're able to spend $300, the JOOLA Pro V is a more premium pro paddle.

Friday is a very popular brand but they're more associated with great pickleball paddles for beginners and some of the best paddles under $100. When they signed their first pro player in 2026, taking 9-times PPA Tour gold medallist Rachel Rohrabacher from pickleball giants Selkirk, it was a statement of intent.
special offer

Save $10 on the Friday Aura Pro ($169 down to $159)

Most pro paddles cost at least $200, often much more. The Friday Aura Pro comes in at $169, with our $10 discount bringing it to $159. It might not have the same premium build as a $300 JOOLA but it gets you 90% of the way there for 60% of the price.
This paddle really does everything well. The power is dwell-based. The foam core holds the ball on the face before releasing it with controlled pace – serves land deep with topspin, drives carry weight, and attacks out of the air dip with enough spin to keep opponents pinned. It's Friday's hardest-hitting paddle and a big step up from their older models that were too springy for competitive play.
The Aura Pro mutes that energy and turns it into something you can steer. Control means you can shape the ball on contact, and the large sweet spot catches off-center hits without punishing you.
One small adjustment: on soft dinks, the foam can grab the ball and pull it down slightly. It took a few sessions to calibrate, but once you get used to it, touch shots feel natural.
The paddle comes in three shapes – elongated, hybrid, and widebody. There's a cushioned 16 mm dual-foam core with a T700 raw carbon fiber face. It's a comfortable weight at around 8 oz – not too light, not too heavy.
Rachel Rohrabacher plays with it on tour. A pro player choosing a $169 paddle when she could play with anything says something about what Friday built here. The scores back this up – 9 out of 10 in literally every category we test. No paddle we've reviewed has done that before.
Read our full Friday Aura Pro review for more.
star icon
My verdict
The Friday Aura Pro proves that pro paddles can be affordable for the masses. Rachel Rohrabacher competes at the highest level with this paddle, and its all-court attributes show why. It has no glaring weaknesses, a reliable paddle across power, control, spin, forgiveness, and speed. For anyone who wants pro-level performance without the pro-level price, the Aura Pro is for you.

Today’s best deal

Friday logo
Save $10 at checkout with this link ($169 $159)

How to choose the best pickleball pro paddle

I've written before about choosing a pickleball paddle, but this time I want to write tips specifically directed at high-level players and those looking to become a professional pickleball player.

Here are some ways you can pick your paddle:

  • Test paddles by attending demo days, renting them, or using the trial periods that some companies offer.
  • Get expert advice by talking to a pro or a coach.
  • Read reviews. There are tons of review sites like Pickleheads, and you can read customer reviews online too.
  • Buy a paddle that suits your playing style (power, control, or all-court).
  • Decide what you like in a paddle. Many pro players know what type of grip size and design they prefer, so make sure to read the paddle specs before purchasing.
The Franklin ALW C45 Aurelius pickleball paddle
The Franklin ALW C45 Aurelius pickleball paddle

Extending the lifespan of your pro pickleball paddle

Looking after your paddle is especially important if you have a pro paddle. They tend to cost more, and you'll need your paddle to be in top shape if you end up competing.

Here are some maintenance tips on protecting your paddle so it continues to deliver the high standard you need:

Cleaning and storage

Never use cleaning products on the paddle face. After every match, simply clean it with a damp cloth using water only. Wipe away dirt from the face and edge guard.

For storage, make sure your paddle is not kept in temperatures that are too hot or too cold. You can even buy a paddle cover and/or a pickleball bag so it's not exposed to direct sunlight.

Protecting the paddle face

Buying a paddle cover is the best way to protect your paddle face. Plus, if you need extra protection at the edges, you can buy extra edge guards to apply for more reinforcement.

Replacing grips

When your grip starts to wear down, you can easily replace it. Do this as often as needed to preserve the life of your paddle.

  1. Remove the tape at the top of your grip, by the paddle neck.
  2. Unwind the grip.
  3. Look for the tapered end of your new grip. If it's tapered, this end goes at the bottom of your handle.
  4. Remove the adhesive sticker from your new grip.
  5. Starting from the bottom of your handle, stick the grip adhesive on the tapered side to a bevel at the bottom of your handle.
  6. Start to wrap the grip, keeping it as taut as possible.
  7. When you've wrapped the whole handle, cut any extra grip with scissors.
  8. Apply the tape provided with your new grip at the top of your handle to finish the job.

Checking for damage

Regularly check your paddle face and edges for damage like cracks, dents, tears, and wearing down of the surface. These may seem insignificant at first, but they can snowball into major issues that affect your game.

Check the handle and neck to make sure they aren't flexing or near snapping. The last thing you want is your paddle breaking during a big match.

The sound of your paddle can also tell you if there's any damage. If there are any odd hollow sounds from specific points on your paddle, there may be some internal damage affecting your performance.

Bottom line

Everyone's game is different. That's why I picked three pro paddles to suit different types of players. Even if you don't agree with my top choice, I think you’ll find the right paddle for you on my list.

I chose the JOOLA Pro V as my top pro paddle because it has the most premium feel. It's one of the best all-court paddles ever made.

Here's a recap of my top three paddles for professional players:

1. JOOLA Pro IV - Best overall

3. Friday Aura Pro - Best budget

Whichever one you choose, I hope it takes your game to the next level. Maybe I'll see you winning matches at tournaments soon!

Recent updates

May 2026

I’ve done a full revamp of this list. So many new paddles have been released in the last year, and paddle technology has advanced massively.

I could easily have included three separate paddles from JOOLA’s Pro V series but I chose instead to feature the whole series and let you pick your favorite shape, from the elongated Perseus to the widebody Scorpeus, and even more.

For speed demons, I included top women's pro Anna Leigh Waters' first-ever paddle for legacy sports brand Franklin. For anyone on a budget, I picked the impressive Friday Aura Pro, Friday's first pro paddle, made for Rachel Rohrabacher.

FAQs

picture of Brandon Mackie
About the author
Brandon Mackie
Brandon is an avid writer and co-founder of Pickleheads™. Once a competitive tennis player, Brandon can now be found these days honing his dinks on pickleball courts near Phoenix, Arizona.
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