The Neonic Flare Titanium stands out from the competition with its paddle surface. Titanium is weaved with carbon fiber and fiberglass to give you more grit for enhanced spin generation.
This isn't the first titanium paddle we've seen (check out the elongated Bread & Butter Shogun) but it is the first widebody paddle with titanium. Neonic is aiming for an all-court performance with power and a soft feel for control.
How does it fare on the court, and can it offer anything different in the $150 range?
I like this more than other metal paddles I've tried, which all had lots of feedback that hurt my wrist after prolonged play. The Neonic Flare is very enjoyable – I'm able to get tons of spin with it and it has good power for a widebody paddle, though not a ton of control. At $135 (with our 10% discount) it's a very affordable paddle for anyone who wants longer-lasting grit without having to pay over $200.
Decent power, great spin
Spin is the standout attribute – the titanium paddle face works wonders. The other thing I noticed is power. Widebody paddles are not known for power – they're usually control paddles. The Neonic Flare Titanium is a rare one with solid power. It's not at the highest level of power paddles, but it has a heavier weight that lends itself to putting the ball away with more force.
The flipside of that is you lose the aerodynamic qualities that widebody paddles are known for. So, you can't slice the paddle through the air like the Vatic Pro V-SOL Pro. You also don't get the same level of softness for touch and control shots that you do with a foam paddle.
✅ What stands out
Elite-level spin
The Neonic Flare Titanium gets more spin than my current main paddle, the Warping Point Neon. My opponents kept saying that my topspin drops were unreal. Every time I'd shoot one at them, they were having to take it off their shoelaces because it was dipping so much.
Super durable
This paddle is a tank. Most brand-new carbon fiber paddle faces look pretty dirty after eight hours of play, and you'll see where the ball struck. This titanium paddle face looks absolutely amazing after eight hours, without any wear on it. The grit feels good as new also.
Titanium look
The titanium weave has an orange shine to it that really turns heads, especially when it hits the light. When I walked onto the court, everybody was like, "Whoa! What the heck is that?"
I had a ton of people wanting to check it out and hit around with it. If you want to make a statement, you'll like this paddle.
❌ What to consider
Widebody shape only
I'm not a big fan of widebody paddles. They never have enough pop for me and this is no different, even though its heavier weight does give it more power. I prefer elongated paddles for reach and power, or a hybrid paddle for speed.
Heavier feel
This is heavier than most widebody paddles because of the metal infusion. I found it a little slow at the net. I wasn't the only one either – several people I handed this paddle to commented on its heftiness.
Some people like this, however. It does give you more stability and allow you to plow through the ball.
Grip needs replacing
I found the grip slippy when my hands got sweaty. It didn't seem like the best quality, showing signs of aging pretty quickly. I'd put an overgrip on this paddle for sure.
How the Neonic Flare Titanium plays
| Category | Rating | Notes |
| Power | 8.5/10 | It has power but it's more of a heavy plow-through power rather than a fast poppy power. |
| Control | 8/10 | Even when the ball was coming at me fast, I was able to hit into it nicely and control the ball. So I did like that about it. At the baseline, I really liked it for drops. It's just lacking a soft feel for more finessed control. |
| Spin | 9.5/10 | Definitely one of the spinniest paddles I've ever played with. The titanium face is great for spin. |
| Forgiveness | 8/10 | It has a pretty decent sweet spot, but nothing too impressive. It doesn't have that soft, forgiving, plush feel that foam paddles have. |
| Weighting | 6/10 | The weight distribution isn't amazing. It's an eight-ounce paddle with a heavier feel. |
| Grip | 7/10 | Too short and slippy, not that high-quality. Replace with an overgrip. |
| Durability | 9/10 | The paddle face is remarkably clean after eight hours of play. No loss of grit either. |
| Aerodynamics | 7/10 | Too heavy to glide through the air quickly. Probably the slowest widebody paddle I've played with. |
Features that matter
- Titanium weave: a strong metal that adds durability but also lots of spin. It's blended with carbon fiber and fiberglass.
- Widebody shape: this paddle only comes in the standard/widebody shape (16 x 8 inches).
- Longer handle: the 5.5-inch handle can be made a 5.75-inch handle if you add an overgrip, thanks to the narrow neck. Players who hit two-handed backhands will like this.
Who the Neonic Flare Titanium is for
I like this for anyone who wants a great spin paddle without spending $200 or more. If you like widebody paddle shapes already, but you want one with that heavier, plow-through power feel, this is also for you.
This is probably too heavy to be a beginner paddle, as it isn't light and maneuverable at the net. It's harder to react quickly when someone is driving the ball at you. Because there's more force behind your swing, new players will also have a harder time keeping the ball in.
Check out the Warping Point Neon, Ronbus Quanta R3 and Versix Vector XL if you want a lighter, easier-to-maneuver paddle in the same budget paddle range as this.
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