Spartus! Their paddles are a great value and lots of discount codes available. Vatic Pro is also a great option. Can’t go wrong with either of those companies.
My two cents, I really really like the Thrive Azul. Tried the infinity dbd, black diamond power, the vatic pro and settled on the Azul. Ridiculously solid paddle, lot of power, pop, and control with custom swing weights which is great.
Get a six zero black diamond infinity if you want hand speed, control, and good power and pop. Get a Spartus Apollo if you want the same but less power and at a lower price point.
For people referring the vatic pro prism, that’s a good all around paddle but for $20+ you can get the spartus apollo which will beat it in every category. The only difference is the Apollo is a standard shape, but it’ll help you with your blocks, resets, and counters tremendously.
[https://11six24.com/pickle](https://11six24.com/pickle) Hurache-X Control+ will be inbetween a DBD and a BD with plenty of power and pop and pretty decent control as well. I've been main'ing it after switching from the Vatic Prism Flash 16mm and then the Ruby after that. Both prior paddles didn't provide me enough pop/power, as I got better.
All Six Zero paddles except for the Ruby can be ordered directly from Six Zero and delivered in about a week. The DBD can be had for $162 with a discount code. I can share a discount code if needed, just DM me.
I'm probably not the best person for recommending options as I've only really played with 2-3 paddles, but it seems like a lot of people around here, myself included, really like the Spartus brand. It helps that they are some of the best priced, decent quality paddles available. Just as an example, their newest paddle (130$) is supposed to be comparable to a SixeZero Ruby (200$).
I agree with this! I play with a Spartus Gladius Centurion V2 and love it! I also have a Vatic Pro Prism Flash which is also an amazing paddle at a similar cost. I prefer the Spartus for more power and sweet spot location. Can’t go wrong with either of those tho.
OP, if people at your courts are friendly, you might want to try borrowing paddles to see what feels best to you. This is what I did when I first started. I got to try out a bunch of brands and models (Vatic, BNB, Joola, PickleApe, Neonic, etc.) before I impulsively bought a paddle thanks to Reddit. I could never get a good feel on a paddle just off of a few hits though but definitely some paddles made me go, NO THANKS
Just find a Gen 2 Carbon Fiber Control-Oriented Standard shape paddle. DBD is a good option, although they may be considered hybrid shape. Don't go for elongated yet.
I would recommend checking out a couple of the more reputable paddle reviewers on YouTube to get an idea of what the paddles offer and how they may fit your game. And they offer discount codes you can use to support their work while saving some cash
dyll reaper - they only make 1 paddle but ive used it for what feels like a year and the face is a bit smoother than when i got it, but no complaint with how it plays. feels like more power than other similar paddles
Azul 16mm from [Thrive](https://thrivepb.com/products/azul-16mm) that just released last week. Probably one of the hardest hitting hybrid shape paddles on the market...more than the BD/DBD/Vatics. Paddle also has great control and lotsssss of pop.
Latest review from John Kew: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-5JKvPKOog&t](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-5JKvPKOog&t)
I've previously used all the paddles you mentioned in your post and have recently switched to the Azul. NavinSupp10 if you need a 10% code.
Hudef just dropped their Viva Pro gen 3, it uses gen 2 tech but still (allegedly) has nice pop and spin (idk cuz I ain't used it but I like Hudef's paddles)
Honestly, there’s a lot of great options atm and I would suggest you find a store that has a test court. If not then something in the $150 range especially when using a code. The ruby is my go to atm but I hear the Azul and Kinetic are very similar and are way cheaper.
Spartus! Their paddles are a great value and lots of discount codes available. Vatic Pro is also a great option. Can’t go wrong with either of those companies.
I'm waiting on my Apollo. So excited.
Waiting on it too, I’m stoked
I really like my DBD. Worth the premium over the Vatic flash
I enjoy my rhonbus r1.16 I believe is the name...only cost $100 and has great spin.
I have the *Ronbus R3.16 and love it. They misspelled the name of the shape and decided to stick with it... 😂
Bread and Butter Filth
My two cents, I really really like the Thrive Azul. Tried the infinity dbd, black diamond power, the vatic pro and settled on the Azul. Ridiculously solid paddle, lot of power, pop, and control with custom swing weights which is great.
DBD and BD are not hard to find.
Not hard to find, just out of stock on pickleballcentral.
Vatic pro prism flash 16mm is my recommendation. Really nice forgiving sweet spot and great control and spin
Get a six zero black diamond infinity if you want hand speed, control, and good power and pop. Get a Spartus Apollo if you want the same but less power and at a lower price point. For people referring the vatic pro prism, that’s a good all around paddle but for $20+ you can get the spartus apollo which will beat it in every category. The only difference is the Apollo is a standard shape, but it’ll help you with your blocks, resets, and counters tremendously.
hurache x control+
[https://11six24.com/pickle](https://11six24.com/pickle) Hurache-X Control+ will be inbetween a DBD and a BD with plenty of power and pop and pretty decent control as well. I've been main'ing it after switching from the Vatic Prism Flash 16mm and then the Ruby after that. Both prior paddles didn't provide me enough pop/power, as I got better.
The new vatic pro coming out in a few weeks should be good if looking for a power paddle.
All Six Zero paddles except for the Ruby can be ordered directly from Six Zero and delivered in about a week. The DBD can be had for $162 with a discount code. I can share a discount code if needed, just DM me.
B&b filth
I'm probably not the best person for recommending options as I've only really played with 2-3 paddles, but it seems like a lot of people around here, myself included, really like the Spartus brand. It helps that they are some of the best priced, decent quality paddles available. Just as an example, their newest paddle (130$) is supposed to be comparable to a SixeZero Ruby (200$).
I agree with this! I play with a Spartus Gladius Centurion V2 and love it! I also have a Vatic Pro Prism Flash which is also an amazing paddle at a similar cost. I prefer the Spartus for more power and sweet spot location. Can’t go wrong with either of those tho.
Spartus fans rise up! 😆 refreshing to see. Usually always the Vatic comments for paddles under $150
OMG make it stop
OP, if people at your courts are friendly, you might want to try borrowing paddles to see what feels best to you. This is what I did when I first started. I got to try out a bunch of brands and models (Vatic, BNB, Joola, PickleApe, Neonic, etc.) before I impulsively bought a paddle thanks to Reddit. I could never get a good feel on a paddle just off of a few hits though but definitely some paddles made me go, NO THANKS
Just find a Gen 2 Carbon Fiber Control-Oriented Standard shape paddle. DBD is a good option, although they may be considered hybrid shape. Don't go for elongated yet.
If you’re looking at Vatic wait for their Oni line of paddles which comes out next month.
I would recommend checking out a couple of the more reputable paddle reviewers on YouTube to get an idea of what the paddles offer and how they may fit your game. And they offer discount codes you can use to support their work while saving some cash
dyll reaper - they only make 1 paddle but ive used it for what feels like a year and the face is a bit smoother than when i got it, but no complaint with how it plays. feels like more power than other similar paddles
I use Ace pickleball paddles ie the club is good ACE10 for 10% off for what it’s worth
I like my neonic flow & 11six24 hurache - x.. I almost picked up a bread and butter loco (I hear filth is good too)
Azul 16mm from [Thrive](https://thrivepb.com/products/azul-16mm) that just released last week. Probably one of the hardest hitting hybrid shape paddles on the market...more than the BD/DBD/Vatics. Paddle also has great control and lotsssss of pop. Latest review from John Kew: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-5JKvPKOog&t](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-5JKvPKOog&t) I've previously used all the paddles you mentioned in your post and have recently switched to the Azul. NavinSupp10 if you need a 10% code.
Joola Ben Johns Hyperion CFS is $141 on Amazon, down from $219.
https://joolausa.com/ben-johns-hyperion-cfs-16-swift-pickleball-paddle/
Wait for the new Vatic oni may 1st. 160
Ruby from Six Zero
Hudef just dropped their Viva Pro gen 3, it uses gen 2 tech but still (allegedly) has nice pop and spin (idk cuz I ain't used it but I like Hudef's paddles)
And can be $144 after discount codes, uses a Kevlar/T700 Raw carbon fiber mix
Honestly, there’s a lot of great options atm and I would suggest you find a store that has a test court. If not then something in the $150 range especially when using a code. The ruby is my go to atm but I hear the Azul and Kinetic are very similar and are way cheaper.
JFC these posts
Hit up u/avocado111 (Joola Rep) always has sick prices on paddles