Friday paddles have always had a unique, springy feel that I love, but that usually makes them hard to recommend for advanced players. The Friday Aura Pro changes that, giving many pro-level paddles a run for their money.
Coming in at $159 (with our 10% discount code), I can already say they've hit it out the park. By dialing back the springiness a touch, the Aura Pro is the brand's most competitive paddle.
The Friday Aura Pro does everything really well. Literally, 9 out of 10 across the board. Everyone who tested this paddle with me highlighted the long dwell time and how "muted" it feels. This means you can really control where your shots go, putting it up there with some of the best control paddles. This is a rare paddle that's suitable for any skill level, too. It's approachable for beginners, while advanced players can add weight for more power and still play a high-level game. If you want raw pop-based power, check out the Luzz Pro Cannon instead (around $109). Otherwise, this is a great option for controlled power at the $159 price point.Today's best deals
Buy or pass?
Buy if:
You want power without the premium price tag:
this hits like it costs $50-100 more – definitely Friday's hardest-hitting paddle so far.
You want a balance of power, control, and spin:
this is a rare all-court paddle that excels in everything, scoring 9 out of 10 across the board.
You're ready to upgrade from your starter paddle:
this will carry you from the beginner level up to advanced games. It's very forgiving, but has the specs for high-level pickleball.
Pass if:
You have a bigger budget:
if you want to spend a bit more, try the very best pickleball paddle (the Honolulu Sword & Shield J2NF) for $175.
You prefer pop-based power:
the Aura Pro gets its power from the long dwell time. If you prefer a poppier paddle, check out the Bread & Butter Loco for a similar price.
You want a specialist paddle:
while this paddle does everything well, it's not 10 out of 10 in any category. Check our list of the best pickleball paddles for more options.
Friday's first pro-level foam paddle
I've always been a fan of Friday paddles. Their 2023 Friday Original paddle is still one of the best paddles for beginners (and one of the best paddle sets at two for $99).
While the Original doesn't quite offer enough to play competitively at higher levels, Friday has finally nailed it with the Aura Pro. I'm recommending this to beginners, intermediates, and even as a pickleball paddle for advanced players.
One improvement over the Original is that the Aura Pro isn't quite as "springy". They've muted the energetic feel and improved the dwell time (i.e. how long the ball stays on the paddle face), making this the best control paddle Friday has ever made.
The Aura Pro is more well-rounded across the board, inches away from a perfect score in every test. While it's not a specialist in any category, the fact it does everything really well makes the Aura Pro great value for money over similar paddles in the $159 range.
Paddle Weight
7.9-8 oz
Paddle Length
16.5 inches (elongated), 16.2 inches (hybrid), 16 inches (widebody)
Paddle Width
7.5 inches (elongated), 7.6 inches (hybrid), 8 inches (widebody)
Handle Length
5.5 inches
Grip Circumference
4.25 inches
Paddle Face Material
T700 Raw Carbon Fiber
Core Material
Dual-foam core
Core Thickness
16 mm
Sweet Spot
Large
How the Friday Aura Pro plays
| Category | Rating | Notes |
| Power | 9/10 | This is Friday's most powerful paddle. I can easily land my serves deep at the baseline and hit hard without tiring myself out. |
| Control | 9/10 | This is way more controllable than the standard Friday Aura thanks to its "muted" feel. I can push the ball to the baseline and play with less margin for error. Dinks are still a struggle – the face grabs the ball and can pull it down. |
| Spin | 9/10 | Not quite as spinny as the standard Friday Aura, but the trade-off is you get more control. Attacks out of the air are my favorite – more power than the Aura with enough grab to get the ball to dip. |
| Forgiveness | 9/10 | This is very forgiving – rare for an advanced-level paddle. It's less springy and energetic than the standard Aura, and I hardly have any mishits. |
| Weighting | 9/10 | I really like the weight. As someone who struggles with pickleball elbow injuries, I've had zero problems with it. |
| Grip | 9/10 | While I prefer the thicker grip compared to the standard Aura, the Aura Pro does feel a tiny bit slippier from sweaty hands. |
| Durability | 9/10 | This shows average wear and tear after 10+ hours of playing. It should hold up well over time based on similar foam carbon fiber paddles. |
| Aerodynamics | 9/10 | This is a very fast paddle. I can easily get to shots when I'm being attacked without feeling slowed down. |
✅ Pros
They've fixed the control
The improved dwell means you can really shape the ball and decide where it goes. I can almost feel the foam grabbing the ball on contact. Friday paddles often struggle with control because of their unique "springy" feel, but this is more muted here. I don't worry about the ball popping up and flying off the paddle.
I'm able to push the ball more to the baseline and play with less margin for error. That said, I have a harder time with dinks as the paddle can grab onto the ball and bring it down.
Very powerful for a $159 paddle
This is Friday's most powerful paddle. It hits harder than the Luzz Pro Cannon ($109), one of the best power paddles if you're on a budget. Given the power level, I would expect this to cost $50-100 more. It's also much more powerful than the standard Friday Aura.
My serves are insane – plenty of topspin and power. In one session, I got three points in a row after unloading with this paddle. I haven't found anything at this price point ($159) that hits as hard as the Aura Pro.
The power comes from the dwell rather than pop, so it's not quite as explosive. If you'd prefer 10 out of 10 power, I'd recommend the Selkirk LABS Project Boomstik instead.
Learn more about dwell-based vs pop-based power.
❌ Considerations
The unique feel isn't for everyone
Friday paddles are known for their unique, slightly "energetic" feel that can make them a bit unpredictable and springy. This can make it harder to control, as happened with the Friday Original.
Friday managed to get this under control with the Aura Pro paddle by muting some of that springiness. However, it still has that distinctive Friday feel that not everyone will like.
Good at everything, but not perfect
This is barely a criticism, but the Friday Aura Pro falls short of perfection, just barely missing out on full marks in every category. So, while it's great at everything, it doesn’t beat the Selkirk LABS Project Boomstik for power or the Volair Shift for spin.
Personally, I like a balanced paddle that does everything well. I can play a well-rounded game without any major weaknesses. However, if you want the best of the best in any category, check our list of the best pickleball paddles.
Friday Aura Pro price – is it worth it?
At $159 (with our exclusive discount), the Aura Pro sits in an interesting spot. It's not quite a budget paddle, but it offers some of the specs of a $200-plus paddle from brands like CRBN and Selkirk. Considering you can play competitively with this paddle at the advanced level, this is incredibly good value for money.
It's priced below the current best paddle in the game – the Honolulu Sword & Shield J2NF ($175). If you have the budget and you want even better spin and forgiveness, that's worth checking out. Otherwise, you'll save on the Friday Aura Pro and get 90% of the performance.
In terms of durability, I've only noticed minor wear and tear after five games on the court. It should hold up well thanks to the foam carbon fiber build. That makes it even better value for money if you're not having to buy a replacement in six months.
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Alternatives to the Friday Aura Pro
If the Aura Pro isn't for you, check out these alternatives:
Even better control
Bread & Butter Loco
Paddle set deal
Friday Original
Best all-court paddle
11SIX24 Vapor Power 2
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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