Best Pickleball Paddle Reviews and Comprehensive Buying Guides by Matt

Element 6 Surtr 16mm review: discover a fast, powerful Gen 3.5 raw carbon paddle with tuned control and balance—no tape or mods needed. In this test-based breakdown, I evaluate swing weight, twist weight, power stats, spin, and real on‑court performance. I compare it directly with the Ronbus Ripple V2 and Gearbox GX2 Power to help you decide if the Surtr belongs in your bag.

I tested nine of the newest foam core pickleball paddles—side-by-side—in this live, no-BS playtest. You’ll see shot-by-shot footage, real-time paddle feel commentary, and rankings for power, drops, resets, and overall playability. My top 3 picks for drives, drops, and control surprised even me. Paddles tested: Honolulu Pickleball J2NF, Gearbox GX2 Power, Vatic VCore, Ronbus Ripple R5, Body Helix TerraCore XC, Element 6 Surter, Selkirk Project 008, TrueFoam Genesis, Diadem Warrior Blue Core

$99 vs $280 – Can the Vatic Pro V-Core really compete with the new TruFoam Genesis 4 Hybrid? In this review, I test six new pickleball paddles that are shaking up the game in 2025. From foam-core tech to thermoformed Gen-3 builds, I share real on-court results and which ones are actually worth your money. This is episode 17 of the Matt's Pickleball Podcast (formerly, "Paddle of the Week!")

The Bantam GTO-C delivers Gen 1 explosiveness in a faster, more balanced hybrid build. In this review, I test all four models—including both Kyle Yates editions—and break down how they perform, who they’re for, and what makes them stand out. Use code MPB to save 10% at checkout.

In this review, I break down the Honolulu Pickleball J2FC+—a full foam core paddle with Gen 3-style perimeter foam and a CFC (carbon–fiberglass–carbon) surface layup. I cover tested performance metrics like swing weight, twist weight, static weight, spin RPM, and subjective ratings for power, control, pop, and sweet spot performance. I also compare it directly to the J2NF, J2K+, and other leading foam core builds. Use code MPB to save 10% on your purchase, or MPBK to save $20 on Kevlar versions.

Creator. Competitor. Culture shaper. In this full-length interview, Pickleball Will gets real about his family’s refugee story, quitting his job at 31, finding pickleball during COVID, and building a voice in the sport through honest gear reviews, podcasting, and building a community of pickleball in Oklahoma. We go deep on burnout, brand deals, identity, and what’s next. If you’ve followed Pickleball Will—or you’re curious about the grind behind content creation, the state of pickleball paddles, or what it means to shape community from the inside—this is the episode. 0:00 Introduction & Setting the Stage