I was surprised by how good the Aiso Ryu 15 mm plays for a $100 paddle. Aiso is a newer brand that aims to make high-quality paddles at affordable prices to break down the barriers to entry for new players. They definitely nailed it with this paddle.
The Ryu is the latest paddle to weave titanium with carbon fiber for its surface. The Bread & Butter Shogun ($190) and the Neonic Flare Titanium ($150) do this but the Ryu is miles cheaper.
I liked the feel of this paddle the moment I unboxed it. I put it through a total of eight hours' intense play time. Here's what I thought.
The Aiso Ryu is the best titanium-weave paddle I've played with. I feel none of the vibrations or heaviness I usually feel with titanium-infused paddles, just a smooth and lighter swing that doesn't put strain on my elbows. It's not for power players but it's a dream for beginners and intermediates who want an outstanding control paddle with a huge sweet spot for under $100 (just $90 with our exclusive 10% discount).
A top-tier control paddle for a bargain
This is not only a great budget pickleball paddle, it's honestly one of the best overall control paddles for your touch game. It's fast and generates excellent spin, with great grip on the paddle face. The widebody shape enlarges the sweet spot to make sure you don't get punished on mishits.
All of this combines so that your resets, dinks, and drops are on point. This paddle is lacking in putaway power but it has amazing accuracy and control.
People I played with were shocked that this paddle costs so little. It reminds me of the 11SIX24 Pegasus Jelly Bean in that way, another widebody/standard-shaped paddle that's also one of the best paddles for $100.
✅ What stands out
Great sweet spot
The sweet spot is really big as the paddle face is nice and wide. My resets were so good.
Awesome spin for a cheap paddle
The titanium-carbon weave works wonders for spin generation. You get a lot of grip on the ball so you can really roll it. Newer players are going to love this – you can add proper spin to your game without being overwhelmed by a more powerful paddle.
No vibrations
This is something that really stood out to me. Other titanium paddles I've played with have felt heavy and sent vibrations into my wrist that led to problems like tennis elbow. I didn't feel any of that here, even when opponents would really drive at me.
This paddle feels light despite its 8.3 ounce stock weight. I think it's the foam they put in the core and edges. It's not slow at the net at all.
Eye-catching and long-lasting looks
This is an amazing-looking paddle. It's shiny because of the titanium infusion and it has a cool dragon imprint. Every time I pulled it out of its sleeve, people wanted to see it.
Even better, titanium paddles maintain their great looks over time. After eight hours of play, there's no wear on my paddle. Like, zero. Anyone who's played with a plain carbon fiber paddle will tell you – they can get dinged up pretty fast.
So, this is a big callout: amazing durability for a $100 paddle.
❌ What to consider
Not a lot of power
The Ryu is not a hard-hitting paddle. I found myself wishing for a little more plow through. Newer players, defensive players, and players focused on their touch game won't be perturbed.
If you need more aggression, check out our list of the best pickleball paddles for power.
Widebody shape only
I usually go for an elongated or hybrid paddle shape but this only comes in a standard/widebody option so I had to make an adjustment. The handle is shorter than what I'm used to (5.3 inches) and there's less reach as the paddle is shorter too (15.9 inches). What you gain is a huge sweet spot because the paddle face is wider (7.9 to 8.1 inches).
How the Aiso Ryu 15 mm plays
| Category | Rating | Notes |
| Power | 7/10 | Lacking any real putaway power. You'll have to rely on placement and spin to win points. |
| Control | 9.5/10 | I could control this paddle extremely well, even when I was feeling pressured. It's a top-tier touch paddle. |
| Spin | 9/10 | The titanium-carbon weave on the paddle face is excellent. It's rare to find a cheap paddle where you can really rip into the ball and make it dip. |
| Forgiveness | 9/10 | This has a really excellent sweet spot. Even when you hit near the edges of the paddle face, the ball comes off with a reliable, consistent bounce. You won't have many mishits here. |
| Weighting | 8/10 | It's a little bit head heavy. Not as bad as some titanium paddles, and it didn't hurt my arms, but you can't really add lead tape to balance it up either because the stock weight is quite high (8.3 to 8.4 ounces). |
| Grip | 8/10 | The grip is shorter than average (5.3 inches) so it's hard to get a two-hander on it. |
| Durability | 9/10 | The face doesn't show any wear and it still gets just as much spin. Excellent durability for the price. |
| Aerodynamics | 9/10 | Despite its slight heaviness, this is a quick paddle. I was surprised by how fast I could maneuver it at the net. |
Features that matter
- Titanium weave: technically, the surface is made from titanium-coated polyester mixed with Toray T700 carbon fiber. These are top-grade materials for a budget paddle.
- Foam tech: foam has been injected into the edges and the polypropylene honeycomb core. This is why the paddle feels lighter and doesn't get vibrations. It helps long-term durability too.
- Free paddle cover: comes with a complimentary cover.
Who the Aiso Ryu 15 mm is for
If anyone asks me: "Hey, do you know an affordable, spinny, touch paddle that's going to last?" I'm definitely going to recommend the Aiso Ryu. An excellent addition to the $100 pickleball paddle range.
I see this mostly as a beginner paddle or a paddle for intermediate players. If you're looking for an advanced pickleball paddle, you won't find the power that you'll need. Because it's on the heavier side, it also doesn't give higher-level players the room to add weight to the paddle to boost the power.
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