Are you a high-level pickleball player, or someone who is stepping up to the advanced level? If so, you'll want a paddle designed for the most advanced players to maximize your performance.
I put together a list of the best pickleball paddles for advanced players to suit anyone with a pickleball skill rating of 4.0 or above. Read on to see what made the cut for 2025.
Best pickleball paddles 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
Our Rating:
1. JOOLA Perseus Pro IV
Best cheap
Our Rating:
2. Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control
Best for power
Our Rating:
3. Paddletek Bantam TKO-C
Best for control
Our Rating:
4. Selkirk LABS Project 008
Best for spin
Our Rating:
5. Proton Series One Type A
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 advanced paddles make the list:
Find the perfect paddle
I've personally tested over 100 paddles. Take the quiz to see which ones fit your game best.
The best advanced pickleball paddles in 2025
Why should you trust Pickleheads? I spend hours testing every product I recommend. Only the very best make it onto my lists, so you can be sure you're buying the best. Learn more about how I test and review products.
After testing over 100 paddles, I picked the JOOLA Perseus Pro IV as the best overall advanced pickleball paddle. There are other amazing paddles that will suit different players, though. Let's take a look at what makes each one special.
1. JOOLA Perseus Pro IV
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Power
Control
Spin
Forgiveness
Buy if:
You play in tournaments:
unlike the banned Gen 3 Perseus, the Pro IV is approved by USA Pickleball for tournament play.
You're a banger:
if power is your priority, the Pro IV was made for you – no legal paddle that I've tested hits harder than this.
You have a high budget:
priced at $279.95, this is a premium paddle for players who are ready to invest in their game.
Pass if:
You don't need a power paddle:
if you want a paddle that excels on soft touch shots and precision, check out the Selkirk 008.
You want the best paddle for spin:
the Proton Series One generates 10/10 spin and has a uniquely smooth paddle face that doesn't degrade like textured ones.
Your budget is under $200:
the Six Zero DBD Control is a more affordable alternative with an impressive all-court performance.
Paddle Weight
7.9 oz (14 mm) or 8.1 oz (16 mm)
Paddle Length
16.5"
Paddle Width
7.5"
Handle Length
5.5"
Grip Circumference
4.125" (14 mm) or 4.25" (16 mm)
Paddle Face Material
Carbon friction surface
Core Material
Polypropylene
Core Thickness
14 mm (0.55") or 16 mm (0.63")
Sweet Spot
Medium
Who it suits
Features
Design and feel
Performance
Value for money
Today’s best deals
2. Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control
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Power
Control
Spin
Forgiveness
Buy if:
Your budget is under $200:
this is one of the best pickleball paddles under $200, and one of the best values ever offered in the game.
You want an all-court paddle:
the DBD nails that rare balance of power, spin, control, and forgiveness.
You want a fast paddle:
the hybrid shape helps the DBD cut through the air, really helping your speed.
Pass if:
You prefer elongated paddles:
all other paddles on this list have elongated models if you need extra reach.
You're a pure banger:
if you want the most powerful paddles for advanced players, check out the JOOLA Perseus Pro IV and Paddletek Bantam TKO-C.
You’re a pure control player:
the Selkirk LABS Project 008 is an amazing control paddle for high-level players.
Paddle Weight
8.1 oz
Paddle Length
16.3"
Paddle Width
7.5-7.66"
Handle Length
5.5"
Grip Circumference
4.125"
Paddle Face Material
Toray 700K raw carbon
Core Material
Polymer honeycomb
Core Thickness
14 mm/0.55" or 16 mm/0.63" (I tested the 16 mm version)
Sweet Spot
Large
Who it suits
Features
Design and feel
Performance
Value for money
Today’s best deals
3. Paddletek Bantam TKO-C
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Power
Control
Spin
Forgiveness
Buy if:
You're a banger:
if you're all about power and spin, no paddle will excite you more than the Paddletek Bantam TKO-C.
You still want control and forgiveness:
this non-thermoformed paddle is softer than many elongated power paddles so you maintain a lot of accuracy.
You want a tournament-ready power paddle:
other advanced power paddles like the Gearbox Pro Power Elongated and JOOLA Perseus 3 were banned by USA Pickleball.
Pass if:
You want a touch more power:
if you don’t mind sacrificing a little control, the JOOLA Perseus Pro IV just edges the TKO-C on raw power.
You want a faster control paddle:
if control and speed are your main priorities, try the Selkirk LABS Project 008.
You're on a budget:
the Six Zero DBD offers 9/10 power and costs $162 with our exclusive 10% discount.
Paddle Weight
7.8-8.2 oz
Paddle Length
16.5"
Paddle Width
7.5"
Handle Length
5.25"
Grip Circumference
4.25"
Paddle Face Material
PT-700 raw carbon fiber
Core Material
Polymer honeycomb core
Core Thickness
12.7 mm (0.5") or 14.3 mm (0.56")
Sweet Spot
Medium
Who it suits
Features
Design and feel
Performance
Value for money
Today’s best deals
4. Selkirk LABS Project 008
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Power
Control
Spin
Forgiveness
Buy if:
You prefer softer paddles:
the 008 is a plush paddle made of foam – perfect if you're not a fan of poppy power paddles.
Your game is control-focused:
if you care more about speed and precise touch shots than pure power, this is one of the best control paddles ever made.
Spin is a big part of your game:
spin is also 10/10 – the foam core and raw carbon fiber face combine beautifully on touch shots.
Pass if:
You're a banger:
this is too soft for aggressive power players, so check out the JOOLA Perseus Pro IV or Paddletek Bantam TKO-C.
You want the longest-lasting spin on a paddle:
the Proton Series One also scores 10/10 on spin, but its face won't wear down over time like most paddles.
You're on a budget:
this is in the highest price range, so check out the Six Zero DBD Control instead.
Paddle Weight
7.9-8.3 oz
Paddle Length
16.45"
Paddle Width
7.5"
Handle Length
6"
Grip Circumference
4.25"
Paddle Face Material
T700 raw carbon fiber
Core Material
Foam
Core Thickness
16 mm (0.63")
Sweet Spot
Medium-large
Who it suits
Features
Design and feel
Performance
Value for money
Today’s best deals
5. Proton Series One Type A
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Power
Control
Spin
Forgiveness
Buy if:
Spin is your priority:
the Proton Series One is the best spin paddle of 2025.
You're tired of your paddle surface degrading:
the Proton's smooth nanotech face won't wear down—even after years.
You want an all-court paddle:
the Series One is an all-rounder skewing on the power side, with lots of forgiveness and good control.
Pass if:
You're on a budget:
you can save up to $100 by going with the Six Zero DBD Control.
You want more control:
I find enough control here, despite this paddle's poppiness, but control-oriented players will prefer the Selkirk 008.
You want the most powerful paddle:
nothing beats the JOOLA Pro IV right now when it comes to raw power, with the Paddletek TKO-C close behind.
Paddle Weight
8.2 oz (11 mm) or 8.5 oz (15 mm)
Paddle Length
16.75" (elongated) or 15.75" (square)
Paddle Width
7.25" (elongated) or 8.25" (square)
Handle Length
5.25"
Grip Circumference
4.25"
Paddle Face Material
Aerospace-grade carbon fiber
Core Material
Polypropylene honeycomb
Core Thickness
11 mm (0.43") or 15 mm (0.59")
Sweet Spot
Large
Who it suits
Features
Design and feel
Performance
Value for money
Today’s best deals
Alternative paddles for advanced players
There are plenty of other premium paddles that will suit different types of players. Here are some that almost made this list:
All-court
Engage Pursuit Pro1 6.0 Elongated
Power & speed
JOOLA Agassi Pro
Heavy power paddle
Engage Pursuit Pro1 Innovation
How to choose the best advanced pickleball paddles
At the highest levels of pickleball, modern paddles are designed with very similar attributes. However, there are a few characteristics to keep in mind when choosing the right paddle for your unique needs.
Size & shape
Almost all pros used to play with elongated paddles, and most still do, but you'll notice a couple of exceptions on this list. While the majority of paddles are elongated, the hybrid Six Zero DBD and Proton's square-shaped models offer strong exceptions.
Elongated paddles tend to have more power, and many advanced players like the extra reach. You sacrifice forgiveness as the narrow body makes the sweet spot smaller, but most advanced players don't mind this.
Weight & balance
Advanced pickleball paddles generally weigh between 7.8 and 8.5 oz. Modern paddles are the result of years of fine-tuning to find the perfect weight-to-power ratio.
Grip size
The paddles on this list have grip sizes of 4.125" or 4.25", so it's clear that advanced players have settled on a standard grip circumference. If you have larger hands, or you come for a tennis background, you can use an overgrip to increase this measurement.
Material
These days, most advanced pickleball paddles use raw carbon fiber in their construction. This is because it's super lightweight, as well as stiff and durable. Newer materials are coming onto the market, like titanium and Kevlar, but raw carbon still dominates and all the paddles on this list use it.
Price
With all the high-end materials and cutting-edge design going into pickleball paddles, it's no surprise that prices have increased. Most new advanced paddles cost upwards of $250.
What to consider when buying an advanced pickleball paddle
As well as physical attributes, there are some personal elements—unique to each player—to keep in mind when choosing your paddle.
Playing style & skill level
Your unique playing style is probably the most important factor to consider when choosing a paddle. The right one can complement your skills and help you to keep improving.
Once you're an advanced player, you'll have mastered the use of control, spin, and power. You'll also know what style of player you are. So, whether you're a banger, spin-junkie, or master of the soft game, find a paddle that's designed for your play style.
Popularity & brand name
Some brands have more "court cred" than others. With new paddles and paddle brands popping up all the time, I recommend keeping an open mind and not letting brand loyalty get in the way of trying out something new.
Bottom line
That's my breakdown of the top five paddles for advanced players on the market today. The JOOLA Perseus Pro IV takes the top spot as it's the most exciting power paddle right now, and it doesn’t sacrifice too much control. Try it out for yourself and let me know what you think of it.
Just to recap, here's my top five again:
- JOOLA Perseus Pro IV - Best overall
- Six Zero DBD Control - Best cheap
- Paddletek Bantam TKO-C - Best for power
- Selkirk LABS Project 008 16 mm Tour - Best for control
- Proton Series One Type A - Best for spin
Recent updates
April 2025
I've added two new paddles in this update. Firstly, the JOOLA Perseus Pro IV is the new best overall for advanced players, replacing the Engage Pursuit Pro1 6.0 Elongated. Next is the Selkirk Project 008 – one of the best control paddles I've tested. If you value control over power as an advanced player, the 008 fills a niche in the market.
FAQs
