Best Pickleball Paddle Reviews and Comprehensive Buying Guides by Matt

Ronbus’ new Refoam series is built with a dense microcellular foam core and 3D carbon lattice reinforcement—designed for control-first players who still want crisp feedback. In this review, I compare it head-to-head with paddles like the Ripple, Boomstik, and Thrive Fury, breaking down performance, shape differences, and value. Code MPB drops the price from $199 to $179.

The Selkirk Boomstik is a $333 full foam-core power paddle with fixed MOI Tuning System side weights and a durable Infinigrit surface. I’ve been testing both the elongated and widebody versions to find out if the perimeter-weighted design truly delivers the speed, stability, and long-term spin performance to justify its premium price. Use code INF-MPB to get a kickback from Selkirk on this purchase. In this review, I break down the Boomstik’s build, tech, and measured performance — from dwell time and spin retention to swing weight and torsional stability. We’ll also cover early QC issues, who this paddle is best for, and how it stacks up against alternatives like the JOOLA Pro IV, 11SIX24 Alpha Pro Power, and SLK ERA Power.

Live playtest and in-depth breakdown of four top-tier full foam core pickleball paddles: the Selkirk Boomstik Elongated, Enhanced Gen 4.5, Honolulu Pickleball J2NF, and J2FC+. Watch as I test and talk about power, feel, launch angle, and drop consistency. Find out how these paddles compare in terms of crispness, plushness, and overall playability.

The Pickleball Apes Harmony Series offers a unique Gen 3 build—plush feel, quick rebound, strong pop, and dependable stability across all three shapes: V, S, and X. In this review, I break down how it compares to the Pulse, what’s changed in the construction, and who it’s best suited for. You'll get test-backed performance data including swing weight, pop speed, and spin RPM. If you're looking for a paddle that blends maneuverability, feedback, and above-average pop—without compromising feel or consistency—this is worth a closer look.

The Enhance Gen 4.5 might be the plushest foam-core paddle of 2025—and it costs under $175. In this in-depth review, I break down the tech, play feel, and performance of Enhance Pickleball’s full foam-core build, including comparisons to the CRBN TruFoam Genesis and Honolulu J2NF. Is this the best all-court paddle for players who want control, spin, and quiet pop without giving up stability?

First impressions of Selkirk’s new Boomstik power paddle, plus deep dives on the GX2 Power, CRBN Genesis 4, Enhance Pickleball Gen 4.5, Wild Thang, and two standout pickleball shoes from Solase and PB5Star.