The Maverix Havik 2 is one of those paddles that stops you in your tracks. After a full week of testing it on the court, I can safely say this is one of the best paddles I've reviewed in months. It's good at everything, and exceptional at three things: spin, pop, and speed.
At $148.50 (with our exclusive 10% discount), it's up against paddles that cost significantly more and, frankly, don't always keep up.
The Maverix Havik 2 is a top-tier Gen 4 foam paddle that punches well above its price. The combination of elite spin, explosive pop, and outstanding swing speed makes this one of the most well-rounded paddles I've tested at any price. It's not a pure control paddle – the 15 mm build and lively face make that clear. However, if you want a paddle that helps you play faster, more aggressive pickleball without sacrificing the ability to dink, drop, and reset, the Havik 2 delivers. I'll be using this as my main paddle going forward, picking it over paddles that cost $100 more.Today's best deals
Buy or pass?
Buy if:
You want quick hands at the kitchen:
to counter its elongated shape, the Havik 2 has a cut-corner design that reduces air resistance dramatically – it's one of the fastest paddles I've tested.
You want elite pop off the face:
the ball launches quickly off the paddle, keeping you aggressive and competitive.
You want high performance at a great value:
at $148.50 (with our 10% discount), this is a fantastic alternative to $250+ paddles – it excels across the board.
Pass if:
You want a pure control paddle:
while this has better control than I expected from a 15 mm paddle, I'd recommend the Six Zero Coral for a paddle that's built around cushion and dwell time.
You struggle with pop-ups:
if you're prone to popping dinks up too high, you might find this too lively – try the FLiK F3 for a dwell-based paddle instead.
You're a beginner:
start your pickleball journey with something that's easier to rein in – check our best beginner paddles list for ideas.
A complete paddle at a great price
I don't say this lightly, but the Maverix Havik 2 is a complete paddle – it has power, spin, speed, and more than enough touch. This is definitely a contender for the new best pickleball paddle. What jumped out immediately (besides the striking shape) was how aggressive it was.
It's so easy to generate power. On counters, all I have to do is get the paddle in the way and let the face do the work. The ball comes back down at my opponent's feet with strong pace and spin.
Surprisingly, the control is great – even for more advanced pickleball players. I have no trouble dinking cross-court, rolling topspin dinks, or hitting backhand dinks with shape. Third-shot drops land where I want them – at the returner's feet as they come in – and resets on fast-driven balls feel manageable.
The cut-corner shape is a big callout. While most elongated paddles have heavier swing weights that slow you down, the Havik 2 has an interesting design with sharp corners. This makes it one of the fastest paddles I've ever tried, even with weight added.
It's too lively for beginners, but if you want a competitive paddle that gets you 90% of the performance of a pro-level pickleball paddle at a fraction of the cost, this is worth considering. At under $150 (with our discount code), it's one of the best values in the sport right now.
Paddle Weight
7.9 to 8 oz
Paddle Length
16.5 inches
Paddle Width
7.5 inches
Handle Length
5.33 inches
Grip Circumference
4.125 inches
Paddle Face Material
Raw T700 carbon
Core Material
Quad foam (EVA, EPP)
Core Thickness
15 mm
Sweet Spot
Large
How the Maverix Havik 2 plays
| Category | Rating | Notes |
| Power | 9.5/10 | There's easy power here. For players who want reliable, consistent pop without having to swing too hard, the Havik 2 is amazing. |
| Control | 9/10 | For a 15 mm paddle with this much pop and aggression, the control is impressive. I have no trouble placing all kinds of dinks, third-shot drops, and resets. |
| Spin | 9.5/10 | The grit generates elite spin, and the foam core gives the ball enough dwell to let you shape it before it leaves. |
| Forgiveness | 8.5/10 | The sweet spot is great for an elongated paddle – the cut-corner design seems to focus the energy toward the center. I rarely have mishits. The only drawback is that the lively face can cause pop-ups if you're a lower-level player. |
| Weighting | 9/10 | Incredibly light in the hand. I added 5g of lead tape to each side without the paddle feeling heavy or sluggish. Even with that added weight, it moves faster through the air than comparable stock paddles. |
| Grip | 9/10 | Solid grip with a good length. Comfortable and doesn't get sweaty during extended play. It's the kind of grip that stays out of your way and lets you focus on the point, which is exactly what you want. |
| Durability | 9.5/10 | After 12-15 hours of play, the grit shows no meaningful wear, and the foam core is performing exactly as it did on day one. Foam cores don't crush like polypropylene honeycomb ones over time, so I'd expect this paddle to hold up. |
| Aerodynamics | 10/10 | For an elongated paddle, the Havik 2 moves through the air like a hybrid or widebody. The unique shape reduces drag dramatically, resulting in a paddle that reacts immediately in fast exchanges at the kitchen. |
✅ Pros
Tons of power
Easy power. Backhand snaps and wrist-driven flicks produce so much pace with so little effort. Whether you're poking balls out of the air, finishing overheads, or countering speed-ups, the ball flies off this paddle face.
Spin to match
The grit on the face grabs the ball. I can hit quick, wristy topspin speed-ups at opponents' hips and through the middle that just rip downward after they clear the net. The dip on my drives is so consistent that I'm hitting into the net more often than out of bounds. For a power paddle, this is a great problem to have.
Insanely fast
If hand speed and quick reaction times are essential for your game, this is one of the best paddles for you. The aerodynamic design is genius. It speeds the paddle up massively compared to others.
I played with the elongated Vulcan Kyrgios lately and that paddle feels heavier and slower despite having the same stock weight.
❌ Considerations
Not for beginners
If you're just starting out, you might prefer a more forgiving and less poppy paddle. I'd recommend the 11SIX24 Pegasus Jelly Bean or Vatic Pro V-SOL Pro instead.
Power edges control
Higher-level players like me will have no trouble controlling this paddle. It does have some dwell time behind the pop. If you want a more cushioned feel, though, check out our list of the best control paddles for better options.
Maverix Havik 2 price – is it worth it?
At $165 (or under $150 with our discount code), the Havik 2 is one of the best pickleball paddles right now in terms of value.
On performance, it easily competes with the Bread & Butter Loco ($200) and even the JOOLA Pro V ($300). This is a Gen 4 foam paddle, the latest in pickleball tech, that will last you a long time and keep delivering performance-wise for significantly less money.
Put it this way: if I had to buy any paddle with my own money right now, I would pick the Havik 2 because it gets me the closest to paddles that are $100 more expensive.
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Alternatives to the Maverix Havik 2
The Havik 2 is a strong paddle, but it won't be for everyone. Here are three alternatives worth considering based on what matters most to your game:
Best premium paddle
JOOLA Pro V
Better for beginners
11SIX24 Pegasus Jelly Bean
Best budget alternative
Vatic Pro V-SOL Pro
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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