What’s the Best Pickleball Paddle? I Let 24 Players Decide
As a pickleball paddle reviewer, the question I hear constantly is: “What’s the best pickleball paddle right now?” It’s a tough one — every player has different needs, playstyles, and preferences. So instead of giving my opinion, I ran a full‑scale experiment: a random paddle tournament featuring 24 players and 24 foam pickleball paddles.
If you’re searching for best pickleball paddles 2025, foam paddle reviews, or paddle comparisons, this breakdown is for you.
How the Tournament Worked
We brought together players ranging from total beginners to 4.5 DUPR‑rated medalists from the US Open. Every match included:
A randomly assigned pickleball paddle
A random partner
A chance to test new paddle shapes and technologies
The lineup included everything from the classic Selkirk Boomstik to the brand‑new Crystal Blue Grit J2CRs, plus popular models like:
Bread & Butter Loco
Enhance Turbo
Flik F3
We also had a paddle‑customization station sponsored by Cookiegrips and Pickleball Effect, stocked with:
Overgrips
Weighted butt caps
Edge guard tape
Lead tape
Perfect for players searching for how to customize a pickleball paddle or how to add weight to a paddle.
What the Surveys Revealed
1. Widebody Pickleball Paddles Were Polarizing
Many players said:
“This paddle feels great — except for the widebody shape.”
Most preferred hybrid or elongated pickleball paddles, though a few players genuinely liked the widebody design. Overall, widebodies were the least popular paddle shape.
2. No Paddle Performed Poorly
Even without knowing the prices, players agreed that every foam paddle performed well. Some simply didn’t match personal preferences.
3. No Clear “Best Paddle” Winner
Votes were scattered across several top performers:
Chorus Coda
11Six24 Hurache X
Aireo Cyclone
This reinforced the truth: There is no single best pickleball paddle — only the best paddle for your game.
My Personal Favorite
My current go‑to is the Enhance Turbo MPP Hybrid. The flat‑top hybrid shape gives me:
Aggression
Speed
Stability
Controlled power
It’s the perfect blend for players searching for best hybrid pickleball paddles or paddles with power and control.
And for fun — the paddle that stole the show was the Gherkin G Spot Trainer. During playoffs, everyone had to use trainer paddles, and this one was the crowd favorite.
Final Thoughts
This tournament confirmed what most players eventually learn: The best pickleball paddle is the one that fits your style, not someone else’s.
Try different shapes, weights, and materials. Experiment. Have fun.
Now I want to hear from you: What’s YOUR favorite pickleball paddle? Comment on the video — one lucky commenter will win a prize.
Huge thanks to our prize sponsors: Bread & Butter, Friday, Gherkin, Mark Pickleball, Honolulu Pickleball Company, and 11Six24.
