Best Pickleball Paddles for Advanced Players (2025)
Updated Jul 2025
If you’re an advanced player, your pickleball paddle can either unlock your full potential, or hold you back. At higher skill levels, small details in paddle design make a massive difference in spin, power, shot placement, and responsiveness. This guide breaks down the best paddles for advanced players, including pro endorsed models and hidden gems that deliver high performance results on the court.
What Advanced Players Should Look For
- ✅ Spin potential: Raw carbon fiber or gritty surfaces provide elite-level topspin and slice control.
- ✅ Power + control balance: Look for midweight paddles with thick cores or elongated shapes.
- ✅ Shape preferences: Elongated or hybrid shapes offer extended reach and torque on drives.
- ✅ Sweet spot consistency: Higher end paddles have tighter quality control and optimized feel.
- ✅ Advanced core design: 16mm-20mm cores with honeycomb polymer for better resets and touch.
Top 5 Pickleball Paddles for Advanced Players (2025)
#1 Best Overall — JOOLA Ben Johns Perseus
JOOLA Ben Johns Perseus
- Why It’s Here: Pro endorsed paddle built for elite level play. Features Charged Carbon surface for power and precise spin control.
- Specs:
- Weight: 8.4 oz
- Core: 16mm Reactive Polymer Honeycomb
- Surface: Fiberglass
- Grip: 4 1/4 inches
#2 Runner Up — CRBN-1X Power Series
CRBN-1X Power Series
- Why It’s Here: Raw T700 carbon fiber face and unibody construction. Exceptional spin and plow through. Very popular among 4.0+ players.
- Specs:
- Weight: 8.1 oz
- Core: 16mm Polymer
- Surface: Carbon Fiber
- Grip: 4 1/8 inches
#3 Soft Game and Reset Focused Players — Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta
Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta
- Why It’s Here: Blends power and plush feel with a unique 20mm core. Exceptional touch at the kitchen with solid baseline drives. Incredible for soft game experts and reset focused advanced players.
- Specs:
- Weight: 8.0 oz
- Core: 16mm Polypropylene
- Surface: Fiberglass
- Grip: 4 1/4 inches
#4 Best Overall — Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control
Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control
- Why It’s Here: Aussie engineered control paddle with elite spin rating and thermoformed edge. One of the hottest paddles in 2025. Sweet spin/control blend with pro level build quality
- Specs:
- Weight: 8.2 oz
- Core: 16mm Polypropylene
- Surface: Carbon
- Grip: 4 1/8 or 4 1/4″
#5 Great Value— Electrum Model E Elite
Electrum Model E Elite
- Why It’s Here: High end build with a textured Toray carbon surface and polymer core. Well balanced for precision and punch. Ideal tournament level players and 4.5+ doubles
- Specs:
- Weight: 8.3 oz
- Core: 16mm Honeycob
- Surface: Carbon Fiber
- Grip: Sure-Grip perforated
Quick Overview
|
Paddle |
Weight |
Core |
Shape |
Best For |
|
8.4 oz |
16mm Polymer |
Elongated |
Power + Spin | |
|
8.1 oz |
14-16mm Polymer |
Elongated |
Spin + Versatility | |
|
8.0 oz |
20mm Honeycomb |
Elongated |
Control + Touch | |
|
8.2 oz |
16mm Polymer |
Hybrid |
Spin + Resets | |
|
8.3 oz |
16mm Polymer |
Elongated |
Tourney Play |
How to Choose Your Paddle Based on Play Style
- Aggressive Singles Player: Choose a power focused, elongated paddle like the JOOLA Perseus.
- Defensive or Reset Specialist: Go for thick core control paddles like the Selkirk LUXX or Six Zero.
- Spin Centric Doubles Player: CRBN-1X or Electrum gives max spin with good hand speed.
- All Around Threat: If you do it all, pick a midweight, balanced paddle with solid spin and sweet spot coverage.
Final Thoughts: Invest in What Matches Your Game
At the advanced level, every edge counts. Don’t pick a paddle based on hype…pick based on your play style, shape preference, and performance needs.
We’ve tested dozens of paddles and these are the ones that consistently deliver elite results. Choose smart so you can level up in a way that’s comfortable and fitting for you.
