I got my hands on the Franklin C45 Aurelius, star player Anna Leigh Waters' first paddle for the famous American sports brand. Franklin nailed the type of paddle that matches ALW's play style – it's super-light, insanely quick, and very controllable.
Anna Leigh Waters is the best-known and most-decorated women's pickleball player. Her switch from Paddletek is a huge coup for Franklin, so this launch is big news. Right now, I'm calling this the fastest paddle on the market and it's going straight into our guide to the best pickleball paddles.
If you want speed first and foremost, this is the paddle for you. I love playing with fast hands and I've made the Franklin C45 Aurelius my new main paddle. I took this into my semi-pro league games and it did wonders for me, boosting my game with its crazy aerodynamics. I'm able to get into position in rapid time. Be aware that this is not a power paddle – it's a control paddle for advanced players. I wouldn't recommend it to beginners because it needs customization to get it right. If you're a 4.5+ player who wants awesome spin, touch, and quick reactions, it's a gem.Today's best deals
Buy or pass?
Buy if:
You want the fastest paddle:
this is quicker than any other paddle I've tested – it's insane in hand battles.
You want a controllable paddle with elite spin:
if you're looking to hit angles, drop shots, and dinks under pressure, this paddle is excellent.
You want to fully customize your paddle:
because it's so light, it's super customizable – you can weight it exactly how you want.
Pass if:
You're looking for a power paddle:
this paddle is much more control-focused, so try one of the best paddles for power instead.
You're a beginner:
you really need to tinker with this paddle, customizing it to match your play style, so it's better to start with a pickleball paddle for beginners.
You want a long handle:
this is a very short handle (5.1 inches) so anyone who likes to hit two-handed backhands should look elsewhere.
The fastest paddle on the market
Franklin is taking a big step into the pro pickleball paddle market by signing the #1 women's player in the world, Anna Leigh Waters. Her first signature Franklin paddle, the C45 Aurelius, is exactly what ALW wants out of a paddle – deadly fast, spinny, and controlled.
This is the fastest paddle I've played with, hands down. It's ridiculous in hand battles. I always felt like I could get the paddle in the right position to get the ball back. It's an amazing spin paddle, too. While you can't power through your opponents, you sure can get that ball to dip. My drives dipped a lot and I was also able to keep lobs in so well, because I could just roll the ball so effectively.
The drawback is a lack of power. It was hard to hit deep serves and, on drives, you weren't going to power through your opponents. What it does instead is give you that dipping ball – drives that sink on your opponents, lobs you can roll in, angles you can attack with precision. It's a different kind of weapon.
Because this is such a lightweight paddle, it can turn in your hand, leading to mishits. I needed to add lead tape to shore up the forgiveness. I don't mind doing that, and a lot of advanced players like customizing their paddles anyway. It's something to note for lower-level players, though. That's the design philosophy here: a blank canvas for advanced players who know exactly how they want their paddle to feel.
At $207 (with our exclusive discount), it's well priced. Yes, there are great alternatives in this price range from brands like 11SIX24, Honolulu, and Bread & Butter. For a professional-level paddle, though, it's cheap. JOOLA and Selkirk paddles regularly cost $300 and even more.
Paddle Weight
7.2 to 7.7 oz (12.7 mm) / 7.5 to 8 oz (14 mm) / 7.6 to 8 oz (16 mm)
Paddle Length
15.7 inches
Paddle Width
7.9 inches
Handle Length
5.1 inches
Grip Circumference
3.9 inches
Paddle Face Material
45 degree T700 carbon fiber peel ply texture
Core Material
PowerFlex polymer
Core Thickness
12.7 mm / 14 mm / 16 mm
Sweet Spot
Medium
How the Franklin ALW C45 Aurelius plays
| Category | Rating | Notes |
| Power | 6/10 | This is a softer paddle built for control and spin. You won't be able to overpower your opponents with it. |
| Control | 8/10 | It's not super poppy and it has a little bit of a dwell to it, so if you are pushing through the ball you're not going to pop it up. Because it's so light, it can turn in your hand if you haven't put weight on it, but for hitting angles, drop shots, and dinking under pressure, it's very good. |
| Spin | 9.5/10 | Because it's so light and has a small widebody shape, you can get such good spin. I was able to roll the ball wherever I wanted on drives. |
| Forgiveness | 8/10 | Caveat: without added weight, I'd score this a 4 on forgiveness because it turns in your hand when you hit off-center. Once I customized it, it was much more forgiving. |
| Weighting | 9/10 | I scored this highly for advanced players who want to customize. It's a blank canvas and I love that. I added weight and it's still super fast in my hands. |
| Grip | 5/10 | This handle is very short and thin, which will be polarizing. The actual grip is comfortable and doesn't slip, but I prefer longer handles. |
| Durability | 7/10 | Not a Gen 4 foam paddle. This is a Gen 3 paddle with a polymer core. I don't see why it won't be as durable as other Gen 3s but it won't last as long as a Gen 4. |
| Aerodynamics | 10/10 | You cannot get faster than this paddle. It is built for speed. Even if I came onto the ball a little too slow, I always felt like I could get the paddle in the right position to get that ball back. |
✅ Pros
The fastest paddle on the market
It's a 10 out of 10 on aerodynamics. I loved how quick I was in hand battles. The softness means no pop either, so I can play so fast and keep the ball in.
Elite spin that bends the ball
Franklin's carbon fiber face generates awesome spin. The lightness, speed, and paddle shape all contribute, too. You get a paddle that just wants you to hit fast and spinny shots.
Made for customization
Not a paddle that's meant to be playable out of the box. I think Franklin designed this for higher-level players to create the paddle they want.
❌ Considerations
Not a power paddle
It's rare nowadays to find a more advanced paddle that's not powerful. I actually like that – Franklin has found a niche in the market for players who want speed and a softer touch.
Check out the likes of the Holbrook Fuze, JOOLA Pro V, and Honolulu J6CR if you want more power.
Short, widebody shape
This is even shorter than a standard widebody paddle, which is usually 16 by 8 inches. The ALW C45 comes in at 15.7 by 7.9 inches. That's why this paddle is so fast. Widebody paddles are usually the most aerodynamic and this one is even more aerodynamic than any other.
Players who want more reach should try a hybrid or elongated paddle instead. Check out paddles like the Bread & Butter Loco or Volair Shift that offer multiple shapes.
Needs weight to reach full potential
Without weight the forgiveness is a 4 – it's so light that if you off-hit it, it's going to turn in your hand. If you want a paddle that you can play with out of the box, it's not for you. You need to customize this paddle to get more forgiveness out of it.
Franklin ALW C45 Aurelius price – is it worth it?
At $207 (when you use our discount), it holds its own against some of the other paddles in this price range. It does something different too – giving more advanced players the most speed and a softer feel. That makes it worth it, especially when you consider it's the paddle of choice for the top women's pro.
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Alternatives to the Franklin ALW C45 Aurelius
If Anna Leigh Waters' Franklin paddle isn't for you, here are three alternatives worth considering:
Better power
Holbrook Fuze
Ben Johns' paddle
JOOLA Perseus Pro V
Better for beginners
11SIX24 Pegasus Jelly Bean
What even more options? Try my 30-second quiz and I'll recommend the best paddles for your play style and budget.
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