Best Pickleball Paddles and Pickleballs in 2025
by Pickleball Central Experts on Dec 16, 2025
PickleballCentral.com • Expert Picks
Best of 2025: Pickleball Paddles and Balls
Our Pickleball Experts here at Pickleball Central have curated a list of what we would consider the best pickleball paddles and the best pickleballs of 2025 based on sales, customer reviews and our own expert opinions. Check out our top picks—built for real-world performance, consistency, and value.
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How we picked: We prioritized playable performance (power, control, spin, forgiveness), consistency, and how each option fits a specific player style—so you can choose faster.
Fast Recommendations
Our Top 5 Picks for 2025 (Paddles + Balls)
If you're in a hurry, here are the top three paddles and top two balls you might want to consider. These products cover the most common needs—all-court paddle, power paddle, control paddle, best outdoor ball, and best indoor ball.
- Best All-Court Paddle: JOOLA Ben Johns Perseus Pro IV 16mm — balanced power + control, steady feel for most players.
- Best Power/Reach Paddle: Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16mm — extra leverage for drives, passing shots, and put-aways.
- Best Control/Touch Paddle: Six Zero Ruby 16mm — confident dinks, drops, resets, and a control-forward feel.
- Best Outdoor Ball: Franklin X-40 Outdoor Ball — a widely trusted outdoor standard for consistent play.
- Best Indoor Ball: ONIX Fuse Indoor Pickleball — controlled speed and predictable indoor response.
Expert tip: If you’re unsure on paddles, start with a stable 16mm build and pick your preferred shape (standard, hybrid, or elongated).
Best Pickleball Paddles of 2025 (Expert Picks)
From power-forward "finishers" to all-court hybrids, we made sure to include all of today's hottest paddle shapes in the list below. If you are looking for the best pickleball paddles in 2025, start here.
Quick Comparison: 2025's Best Pickleball Paddles
| Paddle | Category | Thickness | Shape | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JOOLA Ben Johns Perseus Pro IV 16mm Paddle | Best-selling | 16mm | Standard | All-court performance (balanced power + control) |
| Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16mm Paddle | Best-selling | 16mm | Elongated | Reach + put-away power from the baseline |
| Proton Series Three Project Flamingo 15mm Elongated Paddle | Best-selling | 15mm | Elongated | Aggressive all-court play (speed + drive/roll) |
| CRBN 3 TruFoam Genesis Paddle | Best-selling | 14mm | Standard (3 shape) | Plush feel + controlled placement (soft game confidence) |
| Gearbox GX2 Power Hybrid 16mm Paddle | Best-selling | 16mm | Hybrid | Fast hands + stable blocks at the kitchen |
| Holbrook Aero T Metallic 16mm Carbon Fiber Paddle | Best-selling | 16mm | Standard (T) | Control-first players who still want pop |
| Proton Series Three Project Peacock Elongated 15mm Paddle | Up & coming | 15mm | Elongated | Drive/roll players who want speed and reach |
| Six Zero Coral Hybrid 16mm Paddle | Up & coming | 16mm | Hybrid | Quick transitions + forgiving sweet spot |
| adidas ADIPOWER PRO Edition ATTK 16mm Paddle | Up & coming | 16mm | Standard | Balanced power + confident control (all-court) |
| Six Zero Ruby 16mm Paddle | Still going strong | 16mm | Standard | Control + spin-friendly shaping for all-court play |
| Paddletek Bantam ALW Carbon 14.3mm Paddle | Still going strong | 14.3mm | Standard | Pop + speedups (attack-minded players) |
| Engage Pursuit Pro1 6.0 Elongated Paddle | Still going strong | 16mm | Elongated | Two-handed backhands + aggressive counters |
Best-selling
JOOLA Ben Johns Perseus Pro IV 16mm
- Who it’s for: all-court players who want a dependable “do-it-all” feel
- Why it made the list: a confident blend of stability, pace, and touch
Best-selling
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16mm
- Who it’s for: players who love reach and extra leverage
- Expert note: elongated shapes shine for drives, passing shots, and two-handers
Best-selling
Proton Series Three Project Flamingo 15mm Elongated
- Who it’s for: aggressive all-court players (drive → drop → attack)
- Why it pops: quick swing + elongated reach for pressure ball
Best-selling
CRBN 3 TruFoam Genesis
- Who it’s for: touch-first players who win with placement
- Expert note: “plush” feel helps resets and dink accuracy
Best-selling
Gearbox GX2 Power Hybrid 16mm
- Who it’s for: players who value fast hands + stability
- Where it helps: blocks, counters, and quick kitchen exchanges
Best-selling
Holbrook Aero T Metallic 16mm Carbon Fiber
- Who it’s for: precision players who live in the soft game
- Why it works: steady feel for dinks, drops, and resets
Up & coming
Proton Series Three Project Peacock Elongated 15mm
- Who it’s for: modern topspin + pressure players
- Where it shines: speedups, counters, and passing lanes
Up & coming
Six Zero Coral Hybrid 16mm
- Who it’s for: players who want a true hybrid “middle ground”
- Why it’s trending: quick, stable, and versatile across the court
Up & coming
adidas ADIPOWER PRO Edition ATTK 16mm
- Who it’s for: all-court players who want reliable response
- Expert note: 16mm builds are often a sweet spot for control + stability
Still going strong
Six Zero Ruby 16mm
- Who it’s for: players who want control without feeling underpowered
- Where it helps: steady dinks and confident third-shot decisions
Still going strong
Paddletek Bantam ALW Carbon 14.3mm
- Who it’s for: attackers who like pop and quick point-ending speedups
- Why it lasts: trusted performance for proactive, offensive play
Still going strong
Engage Pursuit Pro1 6.0 Elongated
- Who it’s for: players who like reach and a strong counter game
- Expert note: elongated faces are great for two-handed backhands
Curious which paddles best fit your game? Take our Paddle Finder Quiz Today.
Find My Paddle Best Pickleball Balls of 2025 (Outdoor, Indoor, Training)
Balls matter more than most people think. The best pickleball balls feel consistent off the paddle, hold shape well, and match your environment and play style. In our expert opinion, these are our top picks from 2025 picks by use case.
Quick Comparison: 2025's Best Pickleballs
| Ball | Type | Notable detail | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Franklin X-40 Outdoor Ball | Outdoor | 40-hole outdoor standard | Everyday outdoor play. |
| LT Pro 48 Pickleball | Outdoor | First-of-a-kind, 48-hole design | Players who want consistency and durability. |
| Selkirk Pro S1 Pickleball | Outdoor | Unique, 38-hole design | Cold Weather and one-year, no-crack guarantee. |
| ONIX Fuse Indoor Pickleball | Indoor | Classic indoor feel and control | Indoor play on gym floors / wood courts |
| HEAD Championship 26 Indoor Pickleballs | Indoor | 26-hole indoor style | Practice sessions + recreational indoor games |
| Franklin X-26 Indoor Ball | Indoor | Bright visibility + performance build | Players who want a consistent indoor response |
| GAMMA Two-Tone Outdoor Training Ball | Training | Two-tone visual feedback | Spin practice, tracking, and cleaner contact |
Outdoor
Franklin X-40 Outdoor Ball
A go-to outdoor ball choice when you want reliable playability across a wide range of courts and groups.
Outdoor
LT Pro 48 Pickleball
The official ball of the PPA Tour and MLP. Widely considered the most consistent and most durable ball available.
Outdoor
Selkirk Pro S1 Pickleball
A strong pick for cold weather and a one-year, no crack guarantee.
Indoor
ONIX Fuse Indoor Pickleball
A classic indoor pick that many players trust for a predictable, controlled indoor game.
Indoor
HEAD Championship 26 Indoor Pickleballs
A solid indoor option for practice and play—especially when visibility and consistency matter.
Indoor
Franklin X-26 Indoor Ball
A strong indoor performance ball when you want consistent response and easy tracking.
FAQ: Best of 2025: Pickleball Paddles and Balls
What’s the best pickleball paddle of 2025 for most players?
If you want a safe “first choice,” start with a balanced 16mm all-court paddle and pick your shape (standard vs elongated vs hybrid). From this list, the JOOLA Ben Johns Perseus Pro IV 16mm is a strong all-around starting point.
Is a 16mm pickleball paddle better than other thicknesses?
Not “better,” just different. Many players like thicker paddles for stability and control, while thinner builds can feel faster and poppier. In general, you should choose a 16mm (or higher) paddle for steadier resets and blocks, and go thinner if you want more speedups and quick put-aways.
What’s the best outdoor pickleball ball in 2025?
For everyday outdoor play, the Franklin X-40 remains the most popular, but the new LT Pro 48 has been gaining rave reviews from pro players and amateurs alike due to its consistent bounces and amazing durability.
What’s the best indoor pickleball ball in 2025?
Indoor ball choice depends on your facility and group preference and is often dependent on color. You want the ball to contrast with the walls and backdrops. All three options from this list are great choices for indoor play: ONIX Fuse, HEAD Championship 26, and Franklin X-26.
Do training balls actually help?
Yes—especially for learning topspin and cleaning up contact. A two-tone training ball like the GAMMA Two-Tone Outdoor Training Ball gives instant visual feedback so you improve faster during drills.
Note: Availability, pricing, and color options can change. Tap any product name to see the latest details on PickleballCentral.com.