The Spartus P1 is a denser, heavier-feeling, hard-hitting paddle with good pop. It stands out for its long-lasting PermaGrit™ and its durable Gen 4 foam core that resists crushing. If you don't want to keep replacing your paddle every few months, this is worth keeping in mind.
At just under $200 (with our exclusive 10% discount), it offers a good return on your investment over time. However, it's not for everyone. Let's dive into the review.
The Spartus P1 has a clean poppy feel, but it's a little bit niche. The heavier feel makes it most suitable for upper intermediate to advanced players (level 4.0 and above) who like a weighty paddle. However, while it has decent power, it's not at the level of the best power paddles. There are a lot of great competitors in the $200 to $220 price range that give you more power and control. The main thing that differentiates the P1 is its great-quality grit and long-lasting, durable Gen 4 foam core. If that's important to you, you won't have to replace your paddle anytime soon. For anyone who suffers from tennis elbow like me, the strain on your wrists might be too much.Today's best deals
Buy or pass?
Buy if:
You like a heavier paddle:
the head-heavy feel and poppiness let you move through the ball powerfully – especially good on serves.
You want really long-lasting grit:
if you don't want to keep buying a new paddle every few months, keep this one in mind – the PermaGrit™ is super long-lasting.
You want a durable paddle:
you'll get your money's worth here – this is a battle axe, built to last and made with a Gen 4 foam core that shouldn't get crushed.
Pass if:
You're prone to tennis elbow:
the heavier, denser feel can put a strain on anyone who suffers from joint fatigue. If that's you, check out the best paddles for tennis elbow.
You're below level 4.0:
the P1 might be too heavy and unforgiving, so check out the best beginner paddles or the best intermediate paddles
You want a raw power paddle:
the Holbrook Fuze scores a 10 on power and control and sits in the same price range.
A paddle that's built to last
Durability is the Spartus P1's best quality. The grit is among the best I've seen and the Gen 4 floating foam core should last a long time. If you're tired of buying new paddles, this one is for you.
I've had plenty of free points on my serves thanks to how poppy and head-heavy this paddle is. You can really swing through the ball, especially if you keep a loose wrist when you grip the handle. I liked doing this on ground strokes to get good topspin.
Overall, though, I have to be honest: the P1 isn't the best match for me. I'm more sensitive to paddles like this that don't have a balanced weighting. While some players will prefer the heavier plow-through feel, it puts a strain on the tendons in my hands.
$200 is a tough price range right now. In the last year, I've seen great paddles like the Volair Shift (best spin), the Honolulu J6CR (awesome power), and the FLiK F3 (best all-court). These are all cheaper than the Spartus. That said, if you want a heavier feel and greater longevity, the P1 is worth considering over those.
Paddle Weight
8.1 to 8.5 oz
Paddle Length
16.5 inches (elongated) / 16.25 inches (hybrid) / 16 inches (widebody)
Paddle Width
7.4 inches (elongated) / 7.7 inches (hybrid) / 8 inches (widebody)
Handle Length
5.5 inches (elongated) / 5.3 inches (hybrid and widebody)
Grip Circumference
4.25 inches
Paddle Face Material
Toray T700 carbon fiber & fiberglass
Core Material
Dual-density floating foam (EPP/EVA)
Core Thickness
16 mm
Sweet Spot
Small-medium
How the Spartus P1 plays
| Category | Rating | Notes |
| Power | 9/10 | The fiberglass gives it a more poppy feel. You can feel this in hand battles – when you get a clean counter back at your opponents, it's very hard for them to return it. If you keep a loose wrist when you serve, you can get a lot of free points. |
| Control | 6/10 | I have a hard time keeping drives in. I've missed a few more serves than I usually do, and I struggle with the control aspect of returns. |
| Spin | 9/10 | This grit is going to last. You'll be able to keep spinning and gripping the ball longer than with other paddles. While it's not as spinny as some of the best spin paddles, it's at the same level as other foam models. On drives, I can get a lot of topspin. |
| Forgiveness | 5/10 | I struggle with forgiveness here. It has a slightly smaller sweet spot and I have a hard time resetting from the middle of the court when somebody attacks out of the air. If I mishit the ball, it's not going back over the net, no matter how hard I try to push it. |
| Weighting | 8/10 | Some people might like the heavier plow-through feel, but it causes me a lot of issues in my hand. |
| Grip | 8.5/10 | The grip feels a little more rectangular than most paddles. I personally don't like a ribbed grip either. It's a stylistic choice – some will like it, some won't. |
| Durability | 10/10 | This paddle shines on durability. It's a battle axe that'll hold up. The grit and foam core are premium-grade. |
| Aerodynamics | 8/10 | It's not very quick through the air because of the heavier weighting. |
✅ Pros
Long-lasting grit
If you want grit that keeps its strength so you don't have to keep buying new paddles after two to three months, then the Spartus P1 is worth keeping in mind.
Poppy power on hand battles
The fiberglass gives it a more poppy feel. When you get a nice, clean counter back at your opponents, it is very hard for them to get that back.
Read about the difference between pop-based power and dwell-based power.
Free points on serves
If I keep a loose wrist as I'm serving, I get a lot of free points. Thanks to the paddle's poppiness and head heaviness, you can move through the ball pretty well.
❌ Considerations
The weighting
If you're prone to tennis elbow like me, you need to be careful with the P1 – this is a head-heavy paddle. It's not quite up there with the best power paddles, so you still have to swing hard to get more power. That's what has caused me some strain.
Not that easy to control
This reminds me of an older-style power paddle that relies on heavy weighting for force, at the expense of touch. Other foam paddles, like the Bread & Butter Loco, have nailed the balance of power with a plush, controlled feel.
Spartus P1 price – is it worth it?
It all depends on what you're looking for. If you want a more rounded performance, there are better options in the same price range, like the Holbrook Fuze.
If you want a head-heavy paddle that'll outlast almost any other, then it's definitely worth it. At $198 (with our code), you won't have to buy another paddle for a long time.
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Alternatives to the Spartus P1
If the Spartus P1 isn't for you, here are three other paddles I recommend:
Better spin
Volair Shift
More power
Honolulu J6CR
Better control
Holbrook Fuze
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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