Best Pickleball Paddles for Advanced Players (2027): 8 Picks by Play Style

Advanced players need a paddle that matches a defined style. Here are our picks for all-court, control, power and hands-battle players at 4.0 and above.

Quick Comparison

The table below summarizes our best pickleball paddles for advanced players picks. Use the buttons to check live Amazon prices, then read the detailed sections for pros, cons and who each one suits.

How we chose

Advanced players (roughly 4.0 and above) need paddles that match a clearly defined style. We focused on premium paddles from established brands with Amazon ratings of 4.2 stars or higher, then grouped them by the job they do best: all-court, control, power, speed at the kitchen line and value. Every pick below is a paddle that experienced players genuinely use and rate highly.

The best pickleball paddles for advanced players

1. JOOLA Pro V (Perseus) – Best overall

The Pro V is the most complete paddle for advanced players. Its KineticFrame construction delivers effortless power without sacrificing touch, the raw textured carbon face produces heavy spin and the elongated Perseus shape gives excellent reach. It comes from the paddle family most associated with Ben Johns, and it is the most expensive mainstream paddle on Amazon.

Choose it if: you want one paddle that does everything at a high level. Read our Pro V review.

2. CRBN TruFoam Genesis – Best for control

Advanced players who build points with drops, dinks and resets will love the Genesis. Its all-foam core gives a soft, consistent feel and is designed to avoid core crush, so it plays the same for longer. At 4.5 stars, it is one of the highest-rated premium paddles available.

Choose it if: your game is built on precision. Read our Genesis review.

3. CRBN TruFoam Barrage – Best for power

The Barrage is CRBN’s power paddle, built for advanced players. Its floating foam core adds pop while keeping foam’s durability, so you get big drives and overheads without the inconsistency that power honeycomb paddles can develop.

Choose it if: you attack relentlessly and want foam durability.

4. JOOLA 3S – Best for hand battles

The 3S is built for fast exchanges at the kitchen line. Its Aero Curve frame moves quickly through the air, and its wide-body elongated shape balances reach with forgiveness. It is ideal for players who love speed-ups and counters.

Choose it if: you live in hand battles.

5. Paddletek Bantam TKO-CX 14.3mm – Best for hard hitters

The TKO-CX’s thin 14.3mm core makes the ball leave the face fast. Drives are flat and quick, and speed-ups arrive before opponents are ready. It rewards clean contact and suits confident attackers and singles players.

Choose it if: you want crisp, fast power.

6. Selkirk LUXX Control – Best proven control paddle

With nearly 600 Amazon reviews, the LUXX Control is the most battle-tested premium paddle on this list. Its Florek carbon face gives a soft, connected feel that is excellent for dinking and resetting.

Choose it if: you want a control paddle with a long track record.

7. Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control – Best boutique control paddle

The Double Black Diamond Control has earned a strong reputation among serious players. Its raw carbon face adds spin to a precise, stable feel, and its 4.6-star rating is among the best here.

Choose it if: you want a boutique raw carbon control paddle.

8. Selkirk SLK ERA Power – Best value for advanced players

Not every advanced player needs a flagship. The ERA Power delivers lively power and Selkirk quality at a lower price, with a 4.5-star rating from 280+ buyers. It also makes an excellent backup paddle.

Choose it if: you want premium performance for less.

What paddle do pro pickleball players use?

Professional players are sponsored by brands and often use custom set-ups, such as added weight or tailored grips. Still, retail flagship models are very close to what pros use. Ben Johns is closely associated with JOOLA’s Perseus line, while Selkirk, CRBN, Paddletek and many other brands sponsor tour players of their own.

The key lesson from pros is not which brand they use, but how carefully their paddles match their style. A power player and a control player on the same tour may use completely different paddles. Choose based on your game, not a name.

How advanced players should choose a paddle

1. Define your style

Are you an all-court player, a control specialist, a power hitter or a hands-battle specialist? Your answer narrows the list immediately.

Style	Our pick
All-court	JOOLA Pro V
Control	CRBN TruFoam Genesis or Selkirk LUXX Control
Power	CRBN TruFoam Barrage or Paddletek Bantam TKO-CX
Hands / speed	JOOLA 3S

2. Choose your thickness

• Around 13–14mm: crisper, faster, more powerful
• Around 16mm: softer, more stable, more controlled
• Foam cores: soft and consistent, designed to avoid core crush

3. Choose your shape

• Elongated: more reach and leverage, better for two-handed backhands, smaller sweet spot
• Wide-body / standard: larger sweet spot, quicker hands
• Hybrid: a balance of both

4. Consider weight and swing weight

Heavier paddles add stability and plow-through; lighter paddles feel faster. Swing weight (how heavy the paddle feels when swung) affects how quickly you can react at the net. Many advanced players fine-tune weight with lead tape.

5. Check USA Pickleball approval

If you play sanctioned tournaments, confirm the exact model and version is on the approved list.

Comparison of our picks

Paddle	Style	Rating
JOOLA Pro V	All-court	4.4 (162)
CRBN TruFoam Genesis	Control	4.5 (135)
CRBN TruFoam Barrage	Power	4.4 (74)
JOOLA 3S	Hands / speed	4.4 (182)
Paddletek Bantam TKO-CX 14.3mm	Power	4.3 (45)
Selkirk LUXX Control	Control	4.4 (598)
Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control	Control	4.6 (26)
Selkirk SLK ERA Power	Value power	4.5 (283)

Why advanced players should invest in a premium paddle

At the advanced level, small differences decide matches. A paddle that adds a little more spin to your roll, a little more stability to your block or a little more consistency over months can change close games. That is why premium paddles are worth it for advanced players far more than for beginners. Read Are Expensive Pickleball Paddles Worth It? for the full argument.

Signs you have outgrown your current paddle

If you have improved to an advanced level with the same paddle you started on, it may be holding you back. Common signs include:

• Your topspin drives and rolls do not dip the way you expect
• Hard drives at your feet are difficult to block cleanly
• Your drops float too high even when your technique feels right
• The paddle has started to feel dead or inconsistent
• You find yourself wishing for more reach, more pop or more control

If two or more of these sound familiar, a premium paddle tuned to your style will likely make a noticeable difference.

Tuning a paddle with lead tape

Many advanced players customize their paddles with lead tape. Adding a little weight at the top of the paddle increases swing weight and plow-through for more power and stability. Adding weight at the sides (around 3 and 9 o’clock) can enlarge the effective sweet spot. Start with very small amounts, because even a few grams change how a paddle feels.

Keep a backup paddle

Many advanced and tournament players carry two identical paddles. If one cracks or develops a dead spot mid-event, you can switch without adjusting to a new feel. Alternating between two paddles also spreads wear.

How long will a premium paddle last at the advanced level?

Advanced players hit harder and more often, so paddles wear faster. Watch for dead spots, lost spin and changes in sound. Foam-core paddles are designed to stay consistent longer. See How Long Does a Pickleball Paddle Last?

Key takeaways

• Advanced players should choose a paddle by play style first.
• The JOOLA Pro V is our best all-round pick.
• The CRBN Genesis and Selkirk LUXX Control lead for control.
• The CRBN Barrage and Paddletek TKO-CX lead for power.
• Thickness, shape and swing weight fine-tune the feel.
• Carry an identical backup paddle for tournaments.

The bottom line

For most advanced players, the JOOLA Pro V is the best all-round choice. Control specialists should look at the CRBN TruFoam Genesis or Selkirk LUXX Control, power players at the CRBN TruFoam Barrage or Paddletek Bantam TKO-CX, and hands-battle specialists at the JOOLA 3S. For premium performance at a lower price, the Selkirk SLK ERA Power is hard to beat.

See all of these paddles ranked by price in our list of the 10 most expensive pickleball paddles, or explore our best paddles under $300.

Advanced paddle checklist

Before buying, confirm the paddle matches your style, your preferred thickness and your shape. Check its weight and swing weight against your current paddle so the transition is smooth, verify USA Pickleball approval for tournaments and read long-term reviews for durability. Advanced players also benefit from testing a paddle in practice sessions before using it in matches, giving their timing time to adjust.

Power vs control at the advanced level

At the advanced level, the balance between power and control becomes a strategic choice. Power paddles help you finish points and pressure opponents, while control paddles help you win the long dinking exchanges and resets that decide many high-level rallies. Many advanced players choose an all-court paddle like the JOOLA Pro V precisely because it avoids forcing that trade-off.

How often advanced players upgrade

Many advanced players replace their main paddle every six to twelve months because heavy use wears faces and cores faster. Upgrading is also a chance to reassess your style and try newer technology, but switching too often can disrupt your timing, so change paddles deliberately rather than chasing every new release.

When you do switch, play a few practice sessions before a tournament so your timing is fully adjusted.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best pickleball paddle for advanced players?

The JOOLA Pro V is our top all-round pick; the CRBN Genesis is best for control and the CRBN Barrage for power.

What paddle do pro pickleball players use?

Many pros use JOOLA Perseus paddles; others play Selkirk, CRBN, Paddletek and other sponsored brands, often with custom set-ups.

Should advanced players use a 14mm or 16mm paddle?

14mm (or thinner) for more speed and power; 16mm for control and stability.

Do advanced players need expensive paddles?

Premium paddles offer more spin, consistency and stability, which matter most at advanced levels.