Vatic Pro PRISM V7 - pickleball paddle review

The Vatic Pro PRISM V7 is the elongated version of the best-selling PRISM Flash paddle, which I recently chose as my best under $100. Vatic Pro keeps banging out incredibly high-value paddles. I also reviewed the Vatic Pro Flash and the V7 recently (both thermoformed) and rated them highly too.

I was excited to test the non-thermoformed PRISM V7 to see how it compares to its cousins. Read on for my honest Vatic Pro PRISM V7 review.

I'm a huge fan of Vatic Pro. Their paddles keep showing up on my "best of" lists, even taking the top two spots of my best intermediate paddles of 2023. The PRISM V7 plays similarly to other Vatic Pro paddles in that it has excellent control and spin. I just wish it had more power.

Let's look at this paddle's best aspect first: ball control. The PRISM V7 has the same build as the PRISM Flash, and both paddles are non-thermoformed.

This gives them a soft, plush feel that takes pace off the ball and helps my control game. For me, this paddle excels in long dink exchanges and is quite accurate on serves and drives.

The PRISM V7 uses the same T700 raw carbon fiber face that gives other Vatic Pro paddles their excellent spin. I'm able to play a strong drive game thanks to my topspin serves and hard forehands.

Watch my initial thoughts on the PRISM V7:

I was hoping to find some power in this paddle to make up for its heavier, slower feel compared to the PRISM Flash, but it just wasn't there. This was the biggest disappointment for me. I had to swing as hard as I could to make putaways, which will tire out some players.

This head heaviness also made technical shots like topspin third-shot drops a little challenging at first. I had to really take pace off my swing to keep these from popping up.

Due to the heaviness, I feel a bit sluggish at the net too. My reaction time lets me down in some fast kitchen exchanges.

Another drawback I find with this paddle is the inconsistent sweet spot. I saw this in the PRISM Flash too, and I think the PRISM V7 is even more challenging in this department. If this bothers you, a more expensive paddle like the CRBN-2X Power Series or Six Zero DBD Control is a better option.

The inconsistent sweet spot doesn't bother me so much, though. If I hit the ball dead center, I find the paddle quite forgiving. I suppose this is just one of the catches with this cheaper paddle.

In the looks department, the PRISM V7 doesn't stand out from any other plain black paddle. However, it does offer almost unbeatable value, so I'm not too worried about how it looks.

In my hands, this feels like a $200 or more paddle. I could tell straight away it was made with premium materials, so I'm really surprised it's only $100. On the court, it's solid and stable, and I'd even be confident packing it for a tournament.

Overall, despite some flaws, I think this is a good all-court paddle. It's more control-oriented but it has great spin and you can get enough power if you swing hard.

Vatic Pro is one of the most talked about brands on the market in 2023. Despite their prices, they build their paddles with features like Toray T700 carbon fiber and foam injection. You expect to find this kind of tech in the $220 JOOLA Perseus, but not so much on a $100 paddle.

Let's dive into the features of the PRISM V7.

It's amazing to find a $100 paddle with a raw carbon fiber face, let alone one that uses Toray T700 carbon fiber. This is what you'll find in high-end paddles like the Six Zero DBD and the Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power.

During my testing, the carbon fiber face generated the same kind of spin as with my CRBN-3X Power Series, a much more expensive paddle. I was expecting it to be a gimmick, but it really does work.

This is another feature often found in top-brand paddles and is designed to add stability. I'm not totally convinced by it here.

The PRISM V7 feels more stable than the PRISM Flash, but I'd put that down to its extra weight. This paddle still doesn't feel anywhere near as stable as something like the CRBN-1X Power Series.

Since this paddle isn't thermoformed, you don't get that stiff, poppy feel. However, you do still get the strong unibody design we're used to seeing in expensive offerings like the JOOLA Perseus. This should make the PRISM V7 hold up over time.

Power was a letdown for me. With the elongated shape, you know you're compromising on speed, sweet spot, and control, but you expect an increase in power to make up for it. Unfortunately, the PRISM V7 has no more power than the PRISM Flash.

On the plus side, the great spin and control give me the confidence to swing hard and make up for that lack of power. I can hit hard topspin drives and serves when I need to.

I knocked this down a half-point from the PRISM Flash, which has near-perfect control. You'd expect this with the extra weight on the PRISM V7, and it's still one of the best control paddles I've ever played with.

It's super soft and plush, and I can dink, drop, volley, and hit just about any shot with good accuracy. This was straight from my first testing session too. The more I played, my ability to control the paddle only got better.

Having tested several other Vatic Pro paddles, I was expecting the same great spin from the PRISM V7, and it delivered. I can get the same hard topspin, backspin, and sidespin I get with a high-end raw carbon paddle.

It's not going to deliver over 2,000 RPM, but I found it more than enough to play an advanced, aggressive game.

This is mostly a forgiving paddle, but just like the PRISM Flash, it has an inconsistent sweet spot. The sweet spot here is even more inconsistent in my opinion. I have to really focus on hitting the ball dead center to avoid mishits.

If you want a more reliable sweet spot, try the thermoformed models: the V7 and the Flash.

Like the thermoformed V7, the PRISM V7 plays head-heavy and is slower than the PRISM Flash. It feels a little sluggish at the net, making my reaction time slow.

The grip is the same as the other Vatic Pro paddles. Comfortable, but with nothing special to report.

I like how Vatic Pro paddles are built. For such comparatively low prices, you get really durable paddles. The edge guard is strong, which should protect against dings.

The materials throughout the paddle feel premium, and I expect them to last—especially seeing how well my other Vatic Pro paddles have lasted. The textured face is not spray-dried, so it shouldn't degrade over time.

This paddle doesn't have any real aerodynamic features built in. It does feel a little sluggish at times, which is down to its elongated shape and heaviness.

Before buying a paddle, it's important to make sure it fits your game. That's why I created a 30-second quiz that recommends the best paddles for your play style and budget.

Give it a try and see if the Vatic Pro PRISM V7 makes the list:

Vatic Pro has become famous for offering some of the best value ever found on the pickleball market. I've been one of the voices shouting loudest about this, naming the PRISM Flash my top paddle for under $100.

So, how does the PRISM V7 compare?

Once again, Vatic Pro knocked it out of the park. The PRISM V7 is another $100 offering that rivals the most elite paddles.

It gives you everything you'd want from a raw carbon fiber paddle. While the heaviness and inconsistent sweet spot are negatives, I still think this is unbeatable value.

That said, I think you really need to appreciate elongated paddles to justify buying this over the PRISM Flash.

If I had to pick, I think the PRISM Flash is a better all-round performer. Out of the box, it's so user-friendly for beginners and intermediates.

However, if you prefer elongated paddles, the PRISM V7 is incredible value for money. It suits any player who wants to elevate their game without spending a fortune.

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