You need spin to play a complete pickleball game, and you can't advance your level without it. So, how do you choose a paddle that'll give you the spin you need to play competitively? Whether you're a spin wizard or looking to add spin to your game for the first time, I'm here to help.
I love to play with spin. After testing over 40 paddles in the past year, I wanted to make a list of the best pickleball paddles for spin. Read on to see which one fits your game.
Best pickleball paddles at a glance
Best overall
Our Rating:
1. Diadem Edge 18k
Runner-up
Our Rating:
2. Legacy Pro
Best cheap
Our Rating:
3. Bison Summit
Best for power
Our Rating:
4. CRBN-1X Power Series
Best for control
Our Rating:
5. Vatic Pro PRISM Flash
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 spin paddles make the list:
Find the perfect paddle
I've personally tested over 80 paddles. Take the quiz to see which ones fit your game best.
The best pickleball paddles for spin in 2024
Those are my favorites. Now let's dive into why I picked them:
1. Diadem Edge 18k
Loading...
Power
Control
Spin
Forgiveness
Buy if:
Topspin is key to your game:
this is true for me, and the Edge is the best paddle for topspin I've ever played with.
You want spin on all shots:
the 18k carbon weave really does generate spin on all angles, no matter how you hit the ball.
You want control:
this is a high-performance control paddle with a large sweet spot.
Pass if:
You're a power player:
you'll like the CRBN-1X on this list. It's powerful without sacrificing spin.
You want a thermoformed paddle:
the Legacy Pro is a top thermoformed paddle that's great for spin.
You want a budget-friendly paddle:
check out the $100 Bison Summit, my favorite cheap paddle.
Paddle Weight
8 oz
Paddle Length
16 ⅖"
Paddle Width
7 ½"
Handle Length
5 ⅓"
Grip Circumference
4 ⅛"
Paddle Face Material
3D 18k carbon fiber
Core Material
Honeycomb polymer core
Core Thickness
16 mm (0.63")
Sweet Spot
Large
Who it's for
Features
Design and feel
Performance
Value for money
Today’s best deals
2. Legacy Pro
Loading...
Power
Control
Spin
Forgiveness
Buy if:
You're a big spin player:
the Legacy Pro has a carbon weave (a bit like the Diadem Edge) that helps this paddle generate 10/10 spin.
You're at intermediate level:
you'll love how this paddle performs on control and forgiveness.
You don't want to spend $200 or more:
this is a Toray T700 raw carbon fiber paddle that costs just $150.
Pass if:
You're a hard hitter:
this is more of a control paddle, so check out the CRBN-1X for the best power and spin combo.
Your budget is $100:
the next on this list, the Bison Summit, is my favorite cheap paddle for spin players.
You want the filthiest spin money can buy:
if you've got $230 to spend, check out my new favorite spin paddle: the Diadem Edge 18k.
Paddle Weight
8.0-8.4 oz
Paddle Length
16 ½"
Paddle Width
7 ½"
Handle Length
5.3"
Grip Circumference
4.125"
Paddle Face Material
Carbon fiber
Core Material
8 mm polymer honeycomb cells
Core Thickness
16 mm
Sweet Spot
Large
Who it's for
Features
Design and feel
Performance
Value for money
Today’s best deal
3. Bison Summit
Loading...
Power
Control
Spin
Forgiveness
Buy if:
You're adding spin to your game:
the textured paddle face generates good spin for a step-up paddle.
You want a fast paddle:
at just 7.8 oz, the Summit is speedy in hand battles.
You want a well-made budget paddle:
this is built from way better materials than other cheap paddles you'll find on Amazon.
Pass if:
You're looking for a lot of power:
while this has decent pop, the Bread & Butter Filth is better if you want a really powerful paddle.
You're an advanced player:
you'll want a more premium paddle like the CRBN-1X.
You need more control:
the Vatic Pro PRISM Flash is a 16 mm control paddle that's also just $100.
Paddle Weight
7.8 oz
Paddle Length
16 ½"
Paddle Width
7 ½"
Handle Length
5 ½"
Grip Circumference
4 ⅛"
Paddle Face Material
Toray T700 raw carbon fiber
Core Material
Honeycomb polymer core
Core Thickness
14 mm (0.55")
Sweet Spot
Medium
Who it's for
Features
Design and feel
Performance
Value for money
Today’s best deal
4. CRBN-1X Power Series
Loading...
Power
Control
Spin
Forgiveness
Buy if:
You need power and spin:
the CRBN-1X has the best combo of power and spin from my testing in 2024.
You want a premium paddle:
this is made from the best materials and will last a long time.
You like elongated paddles:
you'll get extra reach with this model.
Pass if:
You don't want to spend over $200:
you can find great alternatives like the Bread & Butter Filth ($165), my top power paddle of 2024.
You need something aerodynamic:
I found this a bit head-heavy. Check out the Diadem Edge 18k for a light paddle with spin.
You don't want an elongated paddle:
the 1X is elongated, while the 2X is square-shaped and the 3X is a hybrid. All hit and spin hard.
Paddle Weight
7.8-8.1 oz
Paddle Length
16 ½"
Paddle Width
7 ½"
Handle Length
5 ½"
Grip Circumference
4 ¼"
Paddle Face Material
Carbon fiber
Core Material
Honeycomb polypropylene core
Core Thickness
14 mm or 16 mm (0.55" or 0.63")
Sweet Spot
Large
Who it's for
Features
Design and feel
Performance
Value for money
Today’s best deals
5. Vatic Pro PRISM Flash
Loading...
Power
Control
Spin
Forgiveness
Buy if:
You're in the market for a step-up paddle:
this is ideal for new intermediates, with lots of spin for a control paddle.
You need some power too:
You need some power too:
You're on a budget:
the PRISM Flash is probably the best value in all of pickleball at just $100.
Pass if:
You want a thermoformed paddle:
check out the Vatic Pro Flash, this paddle's thermoformed cousin.
You want more power:
this is not a power paddle, so try the CRBN-1X instead.
You want a light, quick paddle:
I found some head heaviness here, so take a look at the Bison Summit.
Paddle Weight
7.7-7.9 oz (14 mm paddle) / 7.9-8.2 oz (16 mm paddle)
Paddle Length
16 ⅓"
Paddle Width
7 ⅔"
Handle Length
5 ⅓"
Grip Circumference
4 ⅛"
Paddle Face Material
Raw Toray T700 Carbon Fiber
Core Material
Polymer honeycomb
Edge Guard
Edge Guard
Core Thickness
14mm or 16 mm (0.55" or 0.63")
Sweet Spot
Medium
Who it's for
Features
Design and feel
Performance
Value for money
Today’s best deals
How to choose the best pickleball paddle for spin
Finding the right spin paddle can be hard. Trust me—I've played with lots of paddles in the past year, so picking the right one is not easy. It depends on what you need most from it, whether it's control, power, forgiveness, or durability.
Here are some of the things I think are important when picking a spin paddle:
- Surface: for spin paddles, the surface is key. Paddles with a textured surface put spin on the ball. Most spin paddles used to have grit applied, but this wears down over time. That's why you'll see raw carbon fiber as the most common surface type now. It's textured but built into the paddle face, so it lasts for way longer.
- Design and feel: a paddle that remains durable over time is important, so I factor in the design and build in my reviews. I always look at the materials used in making a paddle. I also place a lot of importance on the feel of a paddle. You can tell a lot from how it feels in your hands when playing on the court.
- Performance: most importantly, I play-tested every paddle on this list and paid close attention to how it performed. I look at spin, as well as power, control, forgiveness, aerodynamics, and more.
- Value for money: while performance is key, value for money definitely matters. If you can get a paddle for $150 that plays as good as one for $250, I want you to know about it.
Why spin matters in pickleball
Once you advance to the intermediate level, you need more than just accurate touch shots to win games. Spin is the next thing you can add to your skill set. It takes your game up a big notch by putting more velocity and unpredictability into your shots.
You can start swinging harder and keeping your opponents off the kitchen line more often. That compounds to a big advantage that'll win you more games.
Spin also improves your serves, giving you the confidence to swing harder and place the ball deeper. Once you've added spin to your game, you'll need to keep progressing it all the way to the highest level.
Spin vs control in pickleball
You might think that playing with a lot of spin will lead to less control, but that's not always the case. While some spin paddles focus more on power at the expense of control, some offer an excellent blend of spin and control.
Check out the ratings in each review above to see how the paddle scores on spin and control. If you want a paddle with a great combo of both, try the Vatic Pro PRISM Flash, the Legacy Pro, or the Diadem Edge 18k.
Bottom line
It's a really exciting time in pickleball. With improved tech appearing all the time, there's never been a better time to buy a new paddle. There are so many quality new brands popping up that make paddles that rival the best in the game at much more affordable prices.
Spin is always on top players' minds, so paddle manufacturers keep finding new ways to load more spin onto their paddles. My favorite this year is the Diadem Edge 18k. I get great spin with it, time after time. It's a little pricier at $230, but it's well worth it in my opinion.
Here's a recap of my top five pickleball paddles for spin:
- Diadem EDGE 18k - Best overall
- Legacy Pro - Runner-up
- Bison Summit - Best cheap
- CRBN-1X Power Series - Best for power
- Vatic Pro PRISM Flash - Best for control
Have a read of each of the reviews and see which one best suits you. You can't go wrong with these paddles as each one does what it's supposed to do so well.
Recent updates
February 2024
I've named my new favorite pickleball paddle for spin in 2024: the Diadem Edge 18k. Originally the runner-up, I swapped it with the Legacy Pro. After more testing on the courts, I realized it's a better paddle in many ways so it deserved the top spot.
FAQs
