The Most Expensive Pickleball Paddles

While Proton paddles are all known for vibrant and wild colors on their products, it's their Series 1 paddles that get the most attention of all. While it can seem hard to justify a 280 dollar price tag, the Nanotac surface used on the Series 1 is the longest lasting spin tech on the market. Instead of wearing down over time, the spin of these paddles actually improves as the paddle breaks in making this a value if you compare it to how much you would have to spend to get that much spin for that long anywhere else.

With understated graphics and a single colorway and paddle shape, the Mod TA-15 may look like nothing special, but underneath the hood of this paddle is one of the most powerful cores on the market. As a re-launch of the highly controversial JOOLA Gen 3 models that were de-listed, there are certainly some questions about whether this paddle is actually too powerful, but it currently sits as a legal option for both USAP and PPA sanctioned tournaments and events.

We hear it all the time; "aren't paddles all basically the same?". In most cases, paddles are in fact very similar to one another in construction with small changes accounting for slightly different playability, but the Gearbox Pro Series is truly in a league of its own. With their advanced SST core composed of carbon fiber rods that support the center of the paddle surrounded by different foams, carbon fiber layups, and a raw surface texture on top, these paddles look and play like nothing else on the market. Though they are thin and edgeless, they play with a smooth and luxurious feel you'd expect of a high end luxury car, so they definitely walk the walk to match their premium price tag.

Adidas most certainly did not follow the crowd with the launch of their Metalbone, and while it isn't the paddle for everyone, it certainly has a target audience. The main feature of the paddle they pulled from their top of the line Padel models is the adjustable weight system featured in the throat of the paddle. Unlike any other paddle on the market, the Metalbone has an integrated system that allows you to make adjustements to the paddle's balance and weight on the fly. While we would have liked to see different placement options in addition to the throat of the paddle, there's no doubt that Adidas pushed the envelope of innovation in the pickleball space with the launch of this beauty.

In a market that imports most of its products from China, it's hard to stay competitive with US manufacturing costs, and the product better be good to get the volume needed to run a business that way. Engage hasn't shied away from that challenge, and their top of the line Pursuit Pro series is without a doubt one of the top performing paddles in the sport. With shape and weight options for every player with US sourced raw carbon fiber on each model, the Pursuit Pro easily earns its premium price tag. Oh, and Engage's generous lifetime warranty doesn't hurt either.