We found the best pickleball paddles for advanced players

If you’re ready to show everyone at the local pickleball court what you’re capable of, you need a pickleball paddle that’s up to the task. The best pickleball paddles for advanced players are durable enough to hold up to more frequent and more intense games. They’re also precision-crafted for specific playing styles. Whether you’re a spin doctor or you’re secret weapon is your killer serve, there’s a paddle out there designed to enhance your game.
So, if you’re ready to upgrade your pickleball gear but not sure what to look for in your next pickleball paddle, we’ve rounded up our favorites here. From versatile hybrid models to specialized designs that emphasize power or spin, these are the best pickleball paddles for advanced players in 2024.
Designed for both spin and power, the CRBN-3X is one of the most versatile pickleball paddles you can get. The all-court paddle weighs 7.8 ounces and features a 14 mm thick paddle with a durable carbon fiber face.
The midweight, hybrid pickleball paddle is surprisingly good at just about everything: heavy enough to generate serious power, light enough to maneuver fast kitchen exchanges and capable of creating tons of spin.
With that said it can be a little difficult to control with its longer handle and stiffer feel. However, for advanced players, a few practice matches should be enough to give you a feel for the paddle so you can swing it confidently.
For skilled players with the technique needed to control it, the ability to get incredible power and spin out of the same paddle makes this one of the most enjoyable pickleball paddles you could play with.
Get the premium hybrid pickleball paddle for $230.
Top features of the CRBN-3X Power Series:
The Selkirk Vanguard Invikta has all the hallmarks of a high-end power paddle. The elongated shape, edgeless design and four-layer face featuring a blend of fiberglass and carbon fiber help you build up tons of power and speed in your swing.
Alongside those standard specs of a power paddle, the unique air dynamic throat at the bottom of the paddle improves the aerodynamics for even more speed, so you can drive the ball fast and far with less effort.
While you won’t get as much spin out of it, the power-focused paddle is great for aggressive players whose best asset is their killer serve. Sturdy and durable, this pickleball paddle is also built to withstand that kind of aggressive playing style without losing its edge — figuratively speaking, since this paddle is edgeless.
Get the paddle built for power players at Amazon for $250.
Top features of the Gearbox Pro Power:
Carbon fiber is already a great choice for players who want tons of spin, but the Diadem Edge 18K takes it to a new level with its triaxial weave 18K carbon fiber face. With carbon fiber yarn woven at 60-degree angles, the paddle can generate spin at every angle of contact.
For players, that means consistent spin on every shot, no matter what angle you approach from. To balance out that spin-focused design, Diadem built the rest of the paddle for maximum control. The 8-ounce weight and 16 mm thick paddle make it easier to maneuver and help create a larger sweet spot.
Overall, it’s great for finesse players or counterpunchers who focus on court placement and keeping their opponent on the move. The paddle offers enough control to keep up in fast-paced exchanges at the net with enough spin to keep your opponent constantly chasing after the ball.
Get the spin-focused paddle at Amazon for $220.
Top features of the Diadem Edge 18K:
You’re ready to level up from the cheap, flimsy paddle you picked up when you first started playing, but you’re not a serious enough picklehead to commit to a super specialized or super pricey model? The Vatic Pro Prism Flash is for you.
Weighing in at 8 ounces, it’s a midweight paddle that offers a good balance of power and control. Adding to that power and control is the carbon fiber face and standard 7.7-inch width. That balanced design is versatile enough to accommodate a wide range of playing styles, allowing you to use this paddle for hard drives and lobs, as well as dinks and spins.
It’s also durable and well-built thanks to the carbon fiber material and one-piece construction, so this paddle will serve you well for years. You’ll immediately feel the difference compared to the cheaper, older paddle you started with.
At $100, it’s also much more affordable than the more specialized, high-end paddles on this list. So you get comparable durability and quality without the $200 (or higher) price tag.
Top features of the Vatic Pro Prism Flash: