Pickleball Gear

Best pickleball paddles under $100 (2026)

picture of Brandon Mackie
Brandon Mackie

Updated on: Jan 9, 2026

Brandon Mackie with the Vatic Pro PRISM Flash pickleball paddle

With so many competing brands producing amazing paddles right now, there's more choice than ever before. Personally, I've never seen better options at the $100 price point. From all-court gems to spin wizards, the paddles I've listed here give some of the most expensive offerings a run for their money.

I picked the Warping Point Neon as number one because it can seriously compete even at pro level, and it costs just $75 (with our discount code). Take a look at all the paddles here, though, because they all offer something different.

Best paddles under $100 at a glance

Note: our discount codes may be subject to change when products are on sale. Check the final price at checkout.

Best overall

The Warping Point Neon pickleball paddle

Our Rating:

1. Warping Point Neon

The Warping Point Neon is a game changer in the $100 range. One of the best touch paddles ever made, it works equally for beginner games and pro-level tournaments.
Save $25 when you use this link
Read my deep dive

Just as good

11SIX24 Pegasus Jelly Bean pickleball paddle

Our Rating:

2. 11SIX24 Pegasus Jelly Bean

The 11SIX24 Pegasus Jelly Bean gives you some of the best control, forgiveness, and spin, with plenty of pop. It's an awesome $100 paddle with a distinct widebody face.
Save 10% with code PICKLEHEADS

Best for power

The Ronbus Quanta R3 pickleball paddle

Our Rating:

3. Ronbus Quanta R3

The Ronbus Quanta R3 is the most powerful budget pickleball paddle. This is a super-quick, exciting, and aggressive paddle. Get it for just $100 with our code.
Save $20 with code PICKLEHEADS

Best for spin

Photo of the Friday Fever pickleball paddle

Our Rating:

4. Friday Fever

The Fever is a rare budget paddle with 10/10 spin. It has a plush, controlled feel and good power too. An excellent all-rounder.
Save $5 with code PICKLEHEADS

Best for control

Photo of the Vatic Pro PRISM Flash pickleball paddle

Our Rating:

5. Vatic Pro PRISM Flash

The Vatic Pro PRISM Flash does not feel like a $100 paddle. It's simply one of the best control paddles ever made, giving $200 rivals a run for their money.
Save $10 with code PICKLEHEADS

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 paddles under $100 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

Best paddles under $100 in 2026

That's the list. Now let's dive into why I chose them as my favorites this year.

Best overall

1. Warping Point Neon

Loading...

8/10

Power

10/10

Control

9/10

Spin

10/10

Forgiveness

The Warping Point Neon is one of the best touch paddles in the game. Its sweet spot is huge and it's almost impossible to mishit the ball. While that makes it an incredible pickleball paddle for beginners, it’s good enough to be an advanced paddle too.
Besides forgiveness and control, the best attributes are lightning-quick speed that gives you fast hands at the kitchen, and excellent spin generation from the raw carbon fiber paddle face.
While this isn’t a raw power paddle, there’s enough pop to attack in high-level games and give you a rounded game. I can’t believe it’s listed for $100 when it rivals paddles like the Six Zero Coral that are double the price. With our massive discount, you can get it for just $75!
Read our pro paddle tester Taylor Gervais’ review of the Warping Point Neon to see why he made it his main paddle.

Buy if:

  • You want a super-forgiving paddle:

    with a huge sweet spot and a face that absorbs powerful shots so well, you’ll have very few mishits with the Neon.

  • You’re more focused on your touch game:

    you’ll feel so confident on drops, dinks, and resets because this paddle is incredibly accurate.

  • You like to play a fast game:

    your hand speed and reaction time are boosted thanks to the paddle’s light weight and quick swing speed.

Pass if:

  • You want raw power:

    there’s decent power but not a ton, so check out the Ronbus Quanta R3.

  • You prefer elongated paddles:

    try the Friday Fever, another great option with top-tier control and elite spin.

  • You prefer widebody paddles:

    the 11SIX24 Pegasus Jelly Bean feels almost like a widebody version of this paddle – great control, spin, and forgiveness.

star icon
My verdict
Genuinely an elite control paddle, with great all-court attributes, I’m shocked that the Warping Point Neon is so affordable. It’s one of the most exciting paddles around, giving players a competitive edge at an insanely low price.

Today’s best deal

Warping Point logo
Save $25 when you use this link
Just as good

2. 11SIX24 Pegasus Jelly Bean

Loading...

8/10

Power

9.5/10

Control

9/10

Spin

9.5/10

Forgiveness

The 11SIX24 Pegasus Jelly Bean plays like a way more expensive paddle. It's one of the best control paddles I've ever played with, and one of the top paddles for spin too. While it has similar attributes to the Warping Point Neon, the Jelly Bean differs with its unique wide paddle face.
This gives it one of the largest sweet spots I've seen, not far off the incredible Honolulu Sword & Shield J2NF, a $200 paddle that took top spot on my list of the best overall pickleball paddles this year. Plus, it has more than enough pop for a beginner or intermediate.
It's built for control-focused players who love to dictate points with precision and spin. It's also ideal for doubles players who rely on soft shots, resets, and strategic placements to win points. Made with raw Toray T700 carbon fiber and fiberglass, which not only helps your performance by combining softness and precision with pop, but also gives you long-lasting durability for the price.
If you want a quick, widebody paddle with a long handle, this is for you.
Read our full 11SIX24 Pegasus Jelly Bean review for more.

Buy if:

  • You're a beginner to intermediate:

    the combination of spin and control is so good, which will help newer players advance their game.

  • You want a long-lasting paddle:

    this is built to last with raw Toray T700 carbon fiber and a layer of fiberglass.

  • You want a forgiving paddle:

    the high twist weight and foam-injected edges make this paddle very consistent, with a large sweet spot that makes mishits rare.

Pass if:

  • You want an elongated paddle:

    this has a standard shape, so try the Friday or Ronbus paddles for more reach.

  • You want even more control:

    the Warping Point and Vatic Pro paddles have even higher levels of control, scoring 10/10.

  • You want more power:

    check out the Ronbus Quanta R3, the most powerful $100 paddle.

star icon
My verdict
If you want to focus on your control game first and foremost, you'll find the Pegasus Jelly Bean a highly competitive touch paddle with amazing consistency and forgiveness. Spin is awesome, and there's enough pop too. This is incredible value at $89.99 with our 10% discount code.

Today’s best deal

11SIX24 logo
Save 10% with code PICKLEHEADS
Best for power

3. Ronbus Quanta R3

Loading...

9/10

Power

8/10

Control

9/10

Spin

9/10

Forgiveness

If you want a cheap paddle with power that's one of the best lightweight pickleball paddles, get the Ronbus Quanta R3. With our $20 discount, it's just $100.
This is insane value for a foam pickleball paddle. This cutting-edge technology increases paddle longevity and performance and foam paddles usually cost upwards of $150.
If you're looking for power from the Quanta R3, there's one caveat: you have to add lead tape to this paddle. Out of the box, there's solid power, but if you weight it up (I put seven ounces on each side), it can be as explosive as the top power paddles, most of which cost over $250.
The great thing is, you don't sacrifice forgiveness because this has a large sweet spot for an elongated paddle. The foam core helps to expand the sweet spot, and mishits are very rare. It's fast and spinny too. I recommend it mostly to beginners and intermediates who want a powerful paddle without breaking the bank.
Check out our Ronbus Quanta R3 review for an in-depth breakdown.

Buy if:

  • You want an affordable power paddle:

    I’ve never seen this much power in a $100 paddle.

  • You like light paddles:

    the light weight makes this fly through the air, and allows you to customize with lead tape if you like.

  • You like elongated paddle shapes:

    the extra length gives you great reach at the kitchen, with an elongated handle to two-handed backhands.

Pass if:

  • You want a control paddle:

    the Warping Point Neon and Vatic Pro PRISM Flash are incredible budget control paddles.

  • You like hybrid paddles:

    the Warping Point Neon is an excellent hybrid paddle for anyone who usually likes elongated paddles.

  • You like widebody paddles:

    the 11SIX24 Pegasus Jelly Bean is a square-shaped (widebody) paddle with awesome control, forgiveness, and spin.

star icon
My verdict
If you want a cheap paddle that can hit as hard as the most premium paddles, try the Ronbus Quanta R3. You will have to add tape to get that power, but it's worth it if you want to play a fast, aggressive game.

Today’s best deal

Ronbus logo
Save $20 with code PICKLEHEADS
Best for spin

4. Friday Fever

Loading...

8.5/10

Power

9/10

Control

10/10

Spin

9/10

Forgiveness

The Friday Fever is an amazing budget paddle. No other paddle under $100 generates this level of spin. It’s one of the best paddles for spin overall, up there with $250+ premium paddles.
The carbon fiber surface has nice grit that grabs the ball well, allowing me to shape my drives and dinks heavily.
If you’re looking for a beginner or intermediate pickleball paddle, you’ll appreciate the super-high levels of control and forgiveness too. There’s a large sweet spot that doesn't punish you on off-center hits, and a plush feel to make your drops, dinks, and resets feel natural and easy.
At $94 (with our $5 discount), this is another great deal from Friday. The Fever has a more premium, competitive feel compared to their Original paddle. It feels like a strong step up for such a minuscule price hike.
Read our full Friday Fever review for a more detailed breakdown.

Buy if:

  • You want max spin at the lowest price:

    the Friday Fever generates the same dip and spin as elite paddles.

  • You want a controlled paddle:

    the Fever has a really plush feel with a large sweet spot, so it’s soft, accurate, and forgiving.

  • You like the reach of elongated paddles:

    this paddle gives you better reach and power than a widebody paddle like the 11SIX24.

Pass if:

  • You prefer faster paddles:

    check out the Warping Point and Ronbus if you want the most speed.

  • You want more power:

    the Fever is not far off the power levels of the Ronbus Quanta R3, but that has a little more aggression.

  • You want a widebody paddle:

    the 11SIX24 is the best budget widebody paddle.

star icon
My verdict
The Fever is another knockout from popular budget brand Friday. It's a reliable all-rounder that offers incredible value. There's all the control, touch, and forgiveness you want from a premium starter paddle, with good power and deadly spin to get you playing more competitive games.

Today’s best deals

Friday logo
Save $5 with code PICKLEHEADS
Best for control

5. Vatic Pro PRISM Flash

Loading...

8/10

Power

10/10

Control

9/10

Spin

9/10

Forgiveness

The Vatic Pro PRISM Flash is one of the best paddles for control at any price. At the $100 level, it matches the Warping Point for touch.
I can hit dinks, drops, and volleys with pinpoint accuracy. It's super soft and plush, which your touch game will love. The spin is impressive too. I get the same hard topspin, backspin, and sidespin I do with elite raw carbon fiber faces. Finally, there's enough power to let me play an attacking game when I need to.
Beginners and intermediates will both love it, as long as you are ready for a slightly heavier feel. The Vatic Pro PRISM Flash could easily cost over $150. If you want a control paddle under $100, you'll get a real return on your investment here.

Buy if:

  • Control is your priority:

    I scored this 10/10 for control as it excels on dinks, drops, serves, and drives.

  • You want an all-court paddle:

    not just a control paddle, the PRISM Flash has plenty of spin and power too.

  • You want a long-lasting budget paddle:

    made from high-quality Toray T700 raw carbon fiber with foam edge walls and a unibody design, this is built to last.

Pass if:

  • You want more power:

    try the Ronbus Quanta R3.

  • You want a faster control paddle:

    the Warping Point Neon is like a quicker, lighter version of this paddle.

  • You want the best spin:

    the Friday Fever is the one for you, with the best spin at $100.

star icon
My verdict
If you want one of the best control paddles ever made without breaking the bank, check out the Vatic Pro PRISM Flash. For just $100, you're getting one of the best deals in pickleball. If you're a beginner to intermediate who focuses on their touch game, you'll love this paddle.

Today’s best deals

Vatic Pro logo
Save $10 with code PICKLEHEADS

My criteria for choosing the best pickleball paddle under $100

In making this list, I didn't just rely on my own reviews of the many paddles I tested this year. I also read tons of reviews from Pickleball Central and Amazon. I tried to figure out what people are looking for most in a budget paddle before scoring them on these criteria:

  • Features: are there any features that make a cheaper paddle stand out? If a paddle that costs less than $100 is using quality tech that's something to shout about. These all help the paddle paddle to perform better and last longer.
  • Design and feel: while I do consider how a paddle looks, it's not as important to me as the feel. Along with the materials used in the build, I can tell if a paddle plays well from how it feels in my hands. A stable, premium, plush feel in a budget paddle is a sign that something extra was put into its construction.
  • Performance: this is the most important category and is based on my own multiple testing sessions with each paddle. I score each paddle on power, control, spin, and forgiveness. I also consider weighting, aerodynamics, and grip in my overall verdict.
  • Value for money: I always say value for money is very important, but it's especially important in this list. Not all paddles are equal and there are plenty of cheaper paddles that are poorly made. You don't want to spend $100 on a paddle that doesn't hold up on the court. I break down each paddle's value in my reviews so you can make an informed decision before buying.
Brandon Mackie holding the Vatic Pro PRISM Flash pickleball paddle
Brandon Mackie with the Vatic Pro PRISM Flash

Bottom line

It's an exciting time to be a pickleball player. A couple of years ago, the vast majority of budget paddles were budget quality. If you wanted anything that played at a higher level, you had to fork out a lot of money.

Now, we're seeing some of the revolutionary tech used in expensive brands being used in cheaper paddles. Lots of new brands are appearing with affordable paddles that play at a really high standard.

You can now buy a variety of paddles around the $100 price mark that will boost your game. You can easily keep advancing your level without having to spend $200 every year on a new paddle.

Here's a recap of my top five pickleball paddles for under $100:

  1. Warping Point Neon - best overall
  2. 11SIX24 Pegasus Jelly Bean - just as good
  3. Ronbus Quanta R3 - best for power
  4. Friday Fever - best for spin
  5. Vatic Pro PRISM Flash - best for control

Recent updates

January 2026

I'm always trawling for the best budget pickleball paddles for my readers. I know what a rarity it is when an actually good paddle under $100 comes out. The two that have caught our attention at Pickleheads in recent months are the Warping Point Neon, an insanely good budget control paddle that’s only $75 with our discount code, and the Ronbus Quanta R3, which gives you the most power I’ve ever seen at $100 (also with our code). I’m excited to see what else launches in this price range in 2026!

FAQs

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.
Share this article

Join the largest pickleball community in the world

...

members

Join a community of pickleball players and find new friends to play with.

...

games

Browse games and open play sessions anywhere you go.

...

locations

Find every place to play pickleball in your local area.

...

cities

Now available worldwide. Find courts & games anywhere!