Top 5 Pickleball Paddles for Power (September 2024)

The power category includes the hardest hitting paddles we carry. This list represents some of our staff favorites, but there are other fantastic paddles in our Power Paddles Category that may be a better fit for your game.

Ben Johns needed a powerful paddle to keep up the with the changing pro game, and he worked with the team from Joola on the design of the Perseus to give him just that. An elongated shape paired with thermoformed construction and a raw carbon fiber surface create a well-rounded power paddle capable of competing at the highest level. 16mm thickness offers players a bit more forgiveness than the thinner options on this list, so if you need that help with consistency but still want to put pressure on your opponents, this is the paddle to try.  

Note: If you want even more access to pop and don't mind adding some weighted tape to your paddle to optimize performance, the 14mm Perseus is a fantastic alternative.

A deceptively powerful paddle from ProKennex, the new Kinetic Black Ace has a raw carbon fiber face that gives control, but the pop off this paddle is amazing. It allows you to play at 75% effort most of the game and has incredible put-away power when you go for it at 100%. Best of all, industry leading shock absorbtion "Kinetic" technology is integrated in the face and handle of the paddle to eliminate vibration and protect your elbow and wrist without sacrificing power. It takes skill to harness the full potential of this paddle, but if you can, you'll control your opponent all day while protecting your joints at the same time.

Note: Players who prefer an elongated paddle that still want the pop and shock absorbtion of the Black Ace should try the Black Ace LG, and it happens to look pretty sweet as well.

Utilizing multiple patented technologies, the team at Gearbox redesigned the pickleball paddle from the inside out. Players confident in their ability to control power levels with compact strokes AND light grip pressure will enjoy putaway power and effortless playstyle this paddle unlocks. Being such a different build, the paddle has a lower muted tone on contact that does take some getting used to, but along with that sound change is a vibration reduction that will let you play all day with ease. If you want the fastest and most powerful paddle on the market, there is a general consensus that you'll find it in the Gearbox Pro Power.

Note: If you still want a powerful paddle, but the Pro Power seems a little too much for your game, consider trying the Gearbox Pro Control (Still a very powerful paddle).

Paddletek has been a trusted brand in the pickleball business for years, but they were missing a raw carbon fiber paddle in their lineup for some time. Little did we know that they would soon drop some of the most powerful and spinniest paddles on the market. The TKO-CX model was designed for pro player Christian Alshon who has used it to earn a few medals on the PPA Tour this year. The elongated handle gives him and other players plenty of room for two-handed backhands while the thin Bantam core provides the putaway power needed to perform at the highest level. Paddletek goes above and beyond with the CX models by internally weighting the paddle at the 3 and 9 positions to give players the forgiveness usually lacking in such a thin paddle, and they have made the Bantam TKO-CX 12.7 an easy choice for our top 5 power paddles list.

Note: Players who don't want quite as much power in their game but still want the spin and construction benefits should try the Paddletek Bantam TKO-CX 14.3mm option.

The Power Air from Selkirk is just fun, and once you play one, you'll understand. The whippy, fast-through-the-air construction and incredible spin potential make bending shots and slapping counters easy. With all the good, there is the downside of a smaller sweet spot than thicker options on the market, but some weighted tape on the perimeter helped us widen it a bit. If you're looking to play a creative power game and want to try one of the most fun paddles on the market, give the Power Air Invikta a try.

Note: Want even faster hands? Try the Power Air Epic for a standard shape version of this paddle.

Still unsure?