The Volair CMD is top pro Dylan Frazier's new signature paddle. It comes in all three shapes with a 16 mm foam core built around a tough HexGrit surface.
Yes, this is the same HexGrit tech I've raved about on 11SIX24 paddles, licensed out specially to Volair. It's one of the best, long-lasting, spin-heavy grits on the market and the CMD is immediately one of the best pickleball paddles for spin I've played with.
It's also an incredible control paddle and it comes at a very fair mid-range price for such high-tier performance and premium tech.
My verdict5.0
The Volair CMD is an absolute standout, easily one of the best overall pickleball paddles right now. It combines plush touch, elite and long-lasting spin, and a huge sweet spot in a durable foam build, making it a top paddle for advanced players on a sub-$200 budget, or anyone looking for a premium beginner paddle or durable intermediate paddle.
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Buy or pass?
Buy if:
You want plush touch from a foam-core paddle:
the CMD offers genuine feel and court feedback, with excellent cushioning at contact.
You want elite spin and control together:
the HexGrit surface and natural ball dwell make heavy topspin third shot drops easy, with incredible accuracy for dinking and resets.
You want a forgiving, long-lasting paddle:
the sweet spot is huge, it absorbs pace on fast resets, and the durable foam core won't break down like a standard polymer honeycomb.
Pass if:
You want maximum explosive pop:
the ball doesn't launch off the face like it does on the Bread & Butter Loco 2 or the RPM Q2.
You want an elongated or widebody shape right now:
as of October 2026, the hybrid model is the only one with stock shipping – the elongated and widebody are on pre-order for December.
You want durable grit for cheaper:
the Vatic Pro V-SOL Tour Evergrit features long-lasting grit in the $100 range.
Plush foam feel with elite HexGrit spin
The first thing that stands out about the Volair CMD is the feel. Some foam-core paddles can feel harsh and give you little feedback, but the CMD has excellent cushioning and response, so you always know where the ball is on the face.
That makes it incredibly accurate for dinking into cross-court angles, resetting fast balls, and working the middle, and the lack of uncontrollable pop lets you soften up the ball whenever you need to.
The spin is where licensing 11SIX24's HexGrit surface really pays off. Combined with the paddle's natural dwell time, it produces elite spin, and it's exceptional for heavy topspin third shot drops, letting you drop the ball deeper with pace while the trajectory dives down and forces low returns.
The CMD rivals paddles like the Honolulu J2CR Crystal Blue, Six Zero Coral Pro, and Holbrook Fuze VantaGrit as the best for generating spin.
It's no slouch on power either. There's plenty of pop for hand battles, kitchen counters, aggressive baseline drives, and putaways, so you never feel held back on pace or depth. The weight and balance are comfortable out of the box, it's very fast through the air even if you add perimeter weighting, and the stock grip wrap manages sweat well.
If you want raw, explosive power, our best power paddles are a better fit. But if you want a plush, controllable all-court paddle with elite spin, the CMD is excellent value at $180, and crazy value at $162 when you use our 10% discount with Volair.
Paddle Weight
7.8 to 7.85 oz
Paddle Length
16.5 inches (elongated), 16.25 inches (hybrid), 15.88 inches (widebody)
Paddle Width
7.5 inches (elongated), 7.75 inches (hybrid), 8.12 inches (widebody)
Handle Length
5.6 inches (elongated and hybrid), 5.5 inches (widebody)
Grip Circumference
4.125 inches
Paddle Face Material
T700 carbon fiber w/ 11SIX24 HexGrit
Core Material
Full floating EPP foam core
Core Thickness
16 mm
Sweet Spot
Large
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How the Volair CMD plays
| Category | Rating | Notes |
| Power | 9/10 | Plenty of pop for hand battles, kitchen counters, aggressive baseline drives, and putaways, though it doesn't have the extreme explosive pop of raw power paddles. |
| Control | 10/10 | Excellent cushioning and response with genuine court feedback, plus incredible accuracy for dinking into cross-court angles, resetting fast balls, and working the middle. |
| Spin | 10/10 | The licensed HexGrit surface combined with natural ball dwell yields elite spin, especially on heavy topspin third shot drops. |
| Forgiveness | 10/10 | A very generous sweet spot that is highly forgiving on off-center hits and fast counters, absorbing pace smoothly instead of sailing balls under pressure. |
| Weighting | 9/10 | Comfortable, well-balanced weight distribution out of the box that isn't head-heavy or handle-heavy, and takes lead weight additions well. |
| Grip | 9/10 | The handle is long enough for comfortable two-handed backhands without hindering forehand hand speed, and the stock wrap manages sweat well. |
| Durability | 10/10 | A durable foam core that won't break down like standard polymer honeycomb, combined with the long-lasting HexGrit surface. |
| Aerodynamics | 9/10 | Very fast through the air, so you won't feel slowed down in quick hands battles at the kitchen line, even with added perimeter weighting. |
✅ Pros
Elite, long-lasting spin
The licensed HexGrit surface delivers elite, durable spin, and it was a brilliant move by Volair. If spin is your priority, this is one of the best spin paddles.
Plush foam feel
It has a soft, cushioned feel that's uncommon in foam-core construction. If you want a spin-first paddle from the same brand, compare it with the Volair Shift.
Huge, forgiving sweet spot
The sweet spot is huge, giving you ample margin for error on resets and fast counters. This makes it a reliable paddle for new pickleball players.
Great price
With many performance paddles pushing past the $200 mark, $180 (before discounts) is a great price for a foam-core, HexGrit-licensed paddle.
❌ Considerations
Not a pure power paddle
It had plenty of power for my game but it lacks the pure, explosive pop of extreme power paddles.
Hybrid shape in stock (for now)
As I write this, the Volair CMD is in stock and shipping only in the hybrid shape. The widebody and elongated are available for pre-order. If you don't want to wait, the 11SIX24 Jelly Bean 2 features a HexGrit surface and comes in four different shapes.
Volair CMD price – is it worth it?
At $180, the Volair CMD offers exceptional value. It's a true 5-star paddle for players who want high-level control, plush touch, elite spin, and reliable pop in a package that will last a long time. With our 10% discount, it's a bargain at $162 – one of the best-value pickleball paddles on the market right now.
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Alternatives to the Volair CMD
If the Volair CMD isn't quite right for you, these paddles are worth a look:
More pop
Bread & Butter Loco 2
More power
RPM Q2
Budget choice
Vatic Pro V-SOL Tour Evergrit
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