The Bread & Butter Loco 2 keeps the foam core of the beloved original Loco and swaps in a new surface, called Space Dust Grit, built to hold spin for longer. It's available to pre-order now, with shipping from the week of October 26.
After testing this new model, I can say it does three things very well: it drives, it spins, and it's super-controlled. It takes everything players loved about the Loco and amps it up a level. The B&B Loco 2 easily goes up against rivals from Honolulu, 11SIX24, and Six Zero as one of the best pickleball paddles below $250 for intermediate to advanced players.
My verdict5.0
The Loco 2 adds longer-lasting grit to Bread & Butter's super-popular paddle. The result is an exceptional mix of power, pop, and top-tier spin. It's a high-performing, stable paddle for intermediate to advanced players who love to drive the ball from anywhere. The one thing it asks of you is some drilling to tame the pop on midcourt resets, though the big sweet spot makes up for any lack of forgiveness.
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Buy or pass?
Buy if:
You want a lethal mix of power and heavy spin:
the explosive pop off the face and the gritty surface make it elite for driving from anywhere and keeping deep balls diving inbounds.
You love aggressive kitchen-line play:
it excels in rapid exchanges, so heavy backhand flicks and put-aways are exceptionally hard for opponents to reset.
You want stability you can customize:
it keeps a comfortable feel and solid structural durability, and it handles added weight on the top corners and middle easily.
Pass if:
You prefer an ultra-muted control paddle:
the lively, poppy face needs a dialed-in touch for midcourt resets and to avoid accidental pop-ups – see the 11SIX24 Jelly Bean 2.
You struggle with high-pop responses:
if you prefer a power paddle that relies on increased dwell time to absorb heavy drives, try the Holbrook Fuze.
You're brand new to the sport:
see our top pickleball paddles for beginners to find one that's easier to use right out of the box, before you graduate to the Loco 2.
B&B gave the Loco a grit that lasts
The headline change from the last Bread & Butter Loco paddle is the surface. The Loco 2 uses Bread & Butter's new Space Dust Grit, and it feels intensely gritty, which is where the spin comes from. Underneath it is still a foam-core paddle, and the face has plenty of explosive pop.
The other thing I noticed is how well it takes customization. I added a little weight on the top corners and in the middle for extra stability, and it never felt too heavy or sluggish in hand.
This is a rare paddle that's extremely powerful but excellent on control, with the caveat that newer players will struggle to rein it in. Players with intermediate-level experience and higher will get used to the poppier feel and find it very forgiving.
The retail price is $220, in the same territory as the Holbrook Fuze and cheaper than paddles like the RPM Q2. Our longstanding 10% discount with Bread & Butter makes it a great value at $200.
Paddle Weight
7.9 to 8.2 oz
Paddle Length
16.2 inches (hybrid) / 16.5 inches (elongated)
Paddle Width
7.6 inches (hybrid) / 7.375 inches (elongated)
Handle Length
5.3 inches (hybrid) / 5.5 inches (elongated)
Grip Circumference
4.25 inches
Paddle Face Material
T700 raw carbon fiber, fiberglass layer
Core Material
Dual-density foam (EPP and EVA)
Core Thickness
16 mm
Sweet Spot
Large
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How the Bread & Butter Loco 2 plays
I've put six hours of play into both the hybrid and elongated Loco 2 so far, which meets our how we test standard of at least five hours over multiple sessions.
| Category | Rating | Notes |
| Power | 9.5/10 | Plenty of explosive pop off the face, making it one of the best options for driving with authority from anywhere. |
| Control | 10/10 | Despite the power, it keeps an impressive level of control, so you can place shots accurately once you adapt to the lively response. |
| Spin | 10/10 | The new long-lasting grit is phenomenal, with massive topspin and heavy slice that bring high-flying drives back down safely. |
| Forgiveness | 8.5/10 | It needs a dialed-in touch, because off-center hits or unrefined mechanics can turn into unwanted pop-ups. The big sweet spot keeps it forgiving. |
| Weighting | 9/10 | Very comfortable and stable, especially with a little extra weight on the top corners and middle, without making the swing sluggish. |
| Grip | 9/10 | A comfortable, standard feel that suits fast hands and reliable handling in intense play. |
| Durability | 9.5/10 | A robust build and a much longer-lasting grit texture that held up through heavy competitive testing. |
| Aerodynamics | 8.5/10 | Quick and stable in hands battles, and it handles added weight easily without feeling heavy or slow. |
✅ Pros
Massive spin and control
The new grit feels intensely gritty, and I could generate an incredible amount of topspin on serves, drives and aggressive backhand flicks that kept my shots diving safely inbounds. This is a definite contender for our guide to the best pickleball paddles for spin.
Explosive driving power
There is great pop off the face. It lets you get under low returns and rip powerful, high-pressure drives from anywhere on the court. For more options like this, see our best paddles for power.
Solid stability and comfort
Even with a little added weight on the top corners and middle for extra stability, the paddle stays comfortable and never feels too heavy. New to adding weight? Our weighted tape guide shows where to put it.
❌ Considerations
Tricky midcourt resets
The extra pop off the face can make fifth-shot resets and midcourt defense challenging until you are fully dialed in.
Less forgiving on mishits
If your mechanics are not completely locked in, the lively face can produce unexpected pop-ups, which makes it slightly harder to stay in defensive points.
A steep learning curve
Getting the best from the power takes deliberate drilling to master the trajectory and control the extra reactivity. Check out the best beginner paddles if you think you're not ready for the Loco 2 just yet.
Bread & Butter Loco 2 price – is it worth it?
The price has gone up from $200 for the original to $220 for the Loco 2. If a durable, long-lasting grit matters for your game, it is absolutely worth the money, given how well it keeps its spin and performance over time. Our 10% Bread & Butter discount sweetens the deal, taking the price back down to that $200 mark.
If you don't play often or don't care much about extended grit life, the original Loco is available at a massively slashed price right now and is a fantastic alternative.
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Alternatives to the Bread & Butter Loco 2
Value pick
Bread & Butter Loco
Premium rival
CRBN TruFoam Barrage
Beginner paddle
Vatic Pro V-SOL Tour Evergrit
Want even more options? Try our 30-second quiz and I'll recommend the best paddles for your play style and budget.
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