advanced pickleball player hitting a shot with paddle on outdoor sunny court

Best Pickleball Paddles for Advanced Players (2025)

Updated May 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 in 2025, 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. JOOLA Ben Johns Perseus

Pro-endorsed paddle built for elite level play. Features Charged Carbon surface for power and precise spin control.

  • Weight: 8.4 oz
  • Shape: Elongated
  • Core: 16mm Reactive Polymer Honeycomb
  • Best for: Power hitters and aggressive singles players

2. CRBN-1X Power Series

Raw T700 carbon fiber face and unibody construction. Exceptional spin and plow through. Very popular among 4.0+ players.

  • Weight: 8.1 oz
  • Shape: Elongated
  • Core: 14mm or 16mm
  • Best for: All court advanced players needing control and spin

3. Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta

Blends power and plush feel with a unique 20mm core. Exceptional touch at the kitchen with solid baseline drives.

  • Weight: 8.0 oz
  • Shape: Elongated (Invikta)
  • Core: 20mm X7 Thikset Honeycomb
  • Best for: Soft game experts and reset focused advanced players

4. Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control

Aussie engineered control paddle with elite spin rating and thermoformed edge. One of the hottest paddles in 2025.

  • Weight: 8.2 oz
  • Shape: Hybrid/Elongated
  • Core: 16mm Polypropylene
  • Best for: Spin/control blend with pro level build quality

5. Electrum Model E Elite

High end build with a textured Toray carbon surface and polymer core. Well balanced for precision and punch.

  • Weight: 8.3 oz
  • Shape: Elongated
  • Core: 16mm Polypropylene
  • Best for: Tournament level players and 4.5+ doubles

Quick Overview

Paddle

Weight

Core

Shape

Best For

JOOLA Ben Johns Perseus

8.4 oz

16mm Polymer

Elongated

Power + Spin

CRBN-1X Power Series

8.1 oz

14-16mm Polymer

Elongated

Spin + Versatility

Selkirk LUXX Invikta

8.0 oz

20mm Honeycomb

Elongated

Control + Touch

Six Zero DBD Control

8.2 oz

16mm Polymer

Hybrid

Spin + Resets

Electrum Model E Elite

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.