Friday Fever – the $99 paddle that's way better than it should be

I just got my hands on the Friday Fever, and after a few sessions of testing, I've got one thing to say: this paddle plays way above its price tag.

This paddle officially drops today, and I'm really excited to talk about it. With $250 paddle launches flooding the market, the Fever's $99 price tag feels refreshingly grounded. It's built for serious players who want spin, feel, and consistency – without having to spend a fortune.

The Fever isn't for everyone, though. If you want lots of pop and fast hands, look elsewhere. However, if you need a paddle you can trust to shape points, reset cleanly, and last through long rallies (like most rec and intermediate players), then this could be your new go-to.

Read on for my first impressions of the Friday Fever.

Every time I brought the Fever out at open play, players asked about it. It's not just to do with the design (which looks sharp) – it's the way it plays too.

The spin jumped out first. Heavy topspin serves and low, skidding slices make it easy to shape points from the start. I hit one looping third-shot drive that kicked so hard off the baseline that my opponent had to stop and ask, "Okay... what is that paddle?"

It's not just spin, either. This paddle feels trustworthy – I can drop, dink, and reset without worrying about the ball sailing. The sweet spot is big, the face feels consistent, and the control makes it easy to stay in points. At $99, that's rare.

This is one of the best spin paddles I've tested at this price. The gritty 3-layer carbon fiber face isn't overly abrasive, but it grabs the ball well. I can get great shape on topspin drives and sliced dinks that stayed low and awkward.

Compared to Friday's earlier Challenger model, the Fever is way more consistent across the face. Mishits don't die near the edge like they do with the Challenger. I can get playable contact, even when stretched or rushing resets.

This doesn't look or feel like a "budget" paddle. From the texture to the branding to the colorway, it's clean and modern. You'll get compliments. You might also get mistaken for using something twice the price.

At $99 (or 2 for $199), this competes with paddles in the $150-180 range. It's smoother than the Six Zero DBD Control, has spin like the Vatic Pro PRISM Flash, and is priced better than both.

If you win games with raw hand speed and aggressive counters, the Fever might feel a touch muted for you. It doesn't explode off the face like a Perseus or a Gearbox Power Pro. If you're a banger, check out our list of the best paddles for power instead.

The stock grip is thick, so I'd swap it for something thinner. While it stays dry, players with smaller hands or those who layer overgrips might find it a bit too chunky out of the box.

The 16 mm build keeps the Friday plush and forgiving, but it's not the quickest through the air. It holds up fine in doubles hands battles, but don't expect lightning speed.

The Fever is perfect for intermediate doubles players who want high spin, consistent touch, and just enough pop to stay aggressive. If you like shaping shots and playing strategic pickleball, this paddle is a solid option. It's also a great step-up from most entry-level carbon fiber paddles.

If you're a singles-first player or need maximum power, I'd recommend skipping this paddle. Otherwise, this will feel like a big upgrade for the majority of players (without the premium price tag).