Professional pickleball players often have specific preferences when it comes to their paddles, choosing those that best suit their playing styles and strengths. Although there is no one-size-fits-all answer, several high-quality pickleball paddle brands and models are popular among pro players. Here are some examples:
Selkirk:
AMPED series: The Selkirk AMPED paddles, such as the Invikta, S2, and Omni, are popular among professional players. These paddles feature a thick X5 polypropylene core and a FiberFlex fiberglass face, providing excellent power and control.
Vanguard series: The Selkirk Vanguard paddles, including the Invikta and S2 models, feature a QuadCarbon face and a 7-layer X7 polypropylene core, offering a blend of power, control, and consistency.
Paddletek:
Tempest series: The Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro and Tempest Reign Pro are popular among pro players. These paddles have a Smart Response Technology (SRT) core and a graphite face, providing a blend of touch, control, and power.
Bantam series: The Paddletek Bantam EX-L Pro and Bantam TS-5 Pro are other options preferred by some professional players. These paddles feature a polymer core and a composite or graphite face, offering excellent control, power, and responsiveness.
Engage:
Elite series: The Engage Elite Pro and Elite Pro Maverick are popular among professional players. These paddles have a ControlPro polymer core and a chemically bonded liquid graphite skin, providing a combination of control, power, and spin.
Pursuit series: The Engage Pursuit EX and Pursuit MX are also used by some pro players. These paddles have a ControlPro polymer core and a chemically bonded liquid graphite skin, offering a blend of control, power, and spin.
Onix:
Evoke series: The Onix Evoke Premier and Evoke Pro are used by some professional players. These paddles feature a polypropylene core and a graphite or composite face, offering a blend of power, control, and responsiveness.
Prince:
Response and Spectrum series: Some professional players prefer the Prince Response Pro and Spectrum Pro paddles. These paddles have a thick polypropylene core and a textured fiberglass face, providing excellent power and control.
It’s essential to note that professional players may have sponsorship agreements with specific brands, which may influence their paddle choices. However, these examples showcase the variety of quality paddles that are favored by top-level players. As you develop your skills and playing style, you may find that a particular paddle works best for you, even if it’s different from the ones preferred by professional players.