Spartus Spitfire Review: The Best $100 Paddle of 2026?
The Spartus Spitfire is the newest foam‑core paddle from Spartus, following the popular P1. After extensive testing, here’s how it performs and how it stacks up against premium paddles like the Boomstik, RPM Q2, and Joola Pro IV Perseus.
Construction & Specs
The Spitfire is currently offered only in an elongated shape. Our measurements came in at:
Swingweight: 114
Twistweight: 6.30
This twistweight is lower than the elongated P1, and the swingweight sits below average, giving players plenty of room for customization. Even so, the paddle plays well in stock form — and in my testing, I preferred it without any added weight.
On‑Court Feel & Performance
Compared to the P1, the Spitfire has a noticeably different feel.
The P1, once broken in, leans into that classic stiff, hollow EPP feedback with heavier plow‑through.
The Spitfire still has a hollow sensation, but it’s more toned down, smoother, and lighter in ball feel.
This results in a paddle that’s easier to control than many EPP‑based power paddles. I’d classify the Spitfire as midrange power: controllable pop, average plow‑through, and the option to weight it up if you want more drive power.
How It Compares to Premium Paddles
The Spitfire retails for $100 with a discount code, which is wild considering its durable grit and overall performance. To see how it stacks up, we compared it to three popular high‑end paddles:
Boomstik
RPM Q2
Joola Pro IV Perseus
Boomstik & RPM Q2
These two paddles feel extremely similar: stiff, hollow, and packed with pop and power. The Boomstik’s MOI gives it more stability, while the Q2 offers higher raw spin.
Key differences vs. Spitfire:
Spin: Nanogrit on the Spitfire matches the Q2’s spin and outperforms both in durability.
Power: Boomstik and Q2 both hit harder. You can weight up the Spitfire to close the gap, but stock form is less explosive.
Feel: Boomstik/Q2 have crisp, lively surfaces that reward advanced hands but can be harder to control.
Joola Pro IV Perseus
The Pro IV is the only non‑foam paddle in the comparison.
Durability: Core crushing is a concern, and its surface texture is the least aggressive of the group.
Power: Still a power paddle, but I’d rank it below the Spitfire.
Feel: Classic Gen 3 — lighter, softer, and more muted.
Which Paddle Performs Best?
On paper, the Spitfire actually outperforms the others in several raw metrics — especially spin and durability. But performance isn’t just numbers; it’s how well you connect with the paddle.
My personal results:
Spitfire – Best overall performance for my game
Pro IV – Second best
Q2 & Boomstik – I struggled with both despite their higher skill ceiling
Players with elite touch may get more out of the Boomstik or Q2 thanks to their crisp feedback and livelier faces. But for players who want controllability, durability, and balanced power, the Spitfire is the easiest to dial in.
Final Verdict: The Best $100 Paddle Right Now
If all four paddles cost the same, I’d still pick the Spitfire as the best overall performer. But at less than half the price of the others, it becomes a no‑brainer value pick.
The Spartus Spitfire is currently the best $100 paddle — and the best value paddle — on the market.
Buy from here to get a discount from Joola paddles Pickleball Central Discount Link: https://pickleballcentral.com/tmp
Spartus Code: DMVPBALL https://bit.ly/47JRb3H
Selkirk Boomstik Code: INF-DMVPBALL
RPM Q2: Code TMP15 https://rpmpb.com/TMP15
