Whats the best pickleball paddle for spin?
Volair Mach 1 Forza 14mm
- Spin:2,348 RPM
- Shape: Hybrid
- Construction:Thermoformed Unibody
Why We Like It ‹
The Volair Mach 1 Forza 14mm (all the Mach 1 Forzas and Mach 2 Forzas are in top if you prefer a different shape or thickness) is the best pickleball paddle for spin on the market.
Now, let’s get back to the question because that was the first question I asked when I started playing. When I came over from tennis, one of the things I kept hearing was you can’t spin the ball like you can in tennis so I wanted to know which paddle could generate the most spin in pickleball.
At the time there weren’t many articles or YouTubers talking about spin numbers, but now you can find spin numbers on just about every major paddle company’s paddles.
More Resources: Our Favorite Pickleball Paddles In 2024
Review Order
- 1st Place: Volair Mach 1 Forza
- 2nd Place: Ronbus R1.16
- 3rd Place: Diadem Edge 18K
- 4th Place: SixZero Ruby
- 5th Place: ProXR Zane Navartil “The Standard”
- 6th place: CRBN 1X 14mm
- 7th Place: Selkirk Luxx Control Air Invikta
5 Best Pickleball Paddles For Spin- Reviews
NOTE: All Pickleball Paddles meet USA Pickleball/IFP regulations. They are completely legal.
Volair Mach 1 Forza
9.9 Overall Score
Pros
- Volair puts some thought into their packaging which is a nice bonus.
- You get the Mach 1 Forza in a nice box with a paddle cover, paddle eraser, extra grip and an extra grip band.
- The Mach 1 Forza has the best spin and is priced well.
- The build is quality and it is a very stable paddle.
- The power and control are more towards the average side.
Cons
- The paddle actually measures 16.3”, so this is more of a hybrid shape than an extended one if that is a factor for you.
- It doesn’t excel at either power or control, so if you are looking to maximize one or the other, then this isn’t what you are looking for.
| Specs Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Weight: | 8.0 oz |
| Dimensions | 16.5" x 7.5" |
| Handle Length: | 5.5" |
| Grip Circumference: | 4.125" |
| Face: | T700 Carbon Fiber |
| Thickness: | 14mm |
| Swing Weight: | 111 |
| Twist Weight: | 5.99 |
| Spin: | 2,348 RPM |
The Volair Mach 1 Forza achieves the highest spin of any pickleball paddle on the market. A gritty surface and a decently low swing weight combine to create the most spin I have played with in pickleball.
The power is average for a thermoformed paddle as well as the control. The durability is high and the build quality is excellent. The Mach 1 Forza has very strong blocking drives. This great all-court paddle excels at maximizing the spin in your game at an affordable price.
Ronbus R1.16
9.8 Overall Score
Pros
- After the discount, this paddle comes in at $100, making it one of the best values and the lowest price on this spin list.
- You get great control with a large sweet spot that will keep you in the game with resets and excellent placement.
Cons
- The main con of this paddle is the low power. This paddle is so plush that the paddle does not supply the power.
- You will have a little more trouble putting the ball away, but if that isn’t your role or concern, then you will love this paddle.
| Specs Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Weight: | 8.1 oz |
| Dimensions: | 16.5" x 7.5" |
| Handle Length: | 5.5" |
| Grip Circumference: | 4.25" |
| Face: | T700 Carbon Fiber |
| Thickness: | 16mm |
| Twist Weight: | 6.2 |
| Swing Weight: | 117 |
| Spin | 2,317 RPM |
Ronbus
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The Ronbus R1.16 is a surprising paddle on the list because it is not a thermoformed paddle and proves you don’t need a thermoformed paddle to get elite spin. Another nice touch is the lower price point with this paddle of $120 before any discount.
This a pure control paddle as it has one of the largest sweet spots on the market. The power is lacking and you need to supply your own power to get the job done. The durability is great and you don’t have to worry about core crushing as much as thermoformed paddles.
Overall, this is a great control paddle for a player who relies on spin to get the job done.
Diadem Edge 18K
9.8 Overall Score
Pros
- The Diadem 18k Edge is a spin machine that will let you hit any drops, drives, serves, rolls and speedups you want.
- The control is top-notch with a large sweet spot.
- The paddle feels plush when you are hitting it.
- Blocking drives and resetting are a breeze with this paddle.
Cons
- The big problem with this paddle is the low power and pop that you need to fix with your own strength.
- I like this paddle because I can generate my own power but some need that extra boost from the paddle.
- The swing weight is also on the higher end so keep that in mind if you need a lower swing weight paddle.
- The price is also on the higher end but we are seeing prices creep over $200 these days.
| Specs Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Weight: | 8.1 oz |
| Dimensions: | 16.4" x 7.5" |
| Handle Length: | 5.3" |
| Grip Circumference: | 4.125" |
| Face: | 18K Carbon Fiber |
| Thickness: | 16mm |
| Swing Weight: | 122 |
| Twist Weight: | 6.25 |
| Spin: | 2,308 RPM |
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The Diadem Edge 18k is an interesting paddle because you have a very unique-looking face. The face is not just for looks, although it definitely stands out.
Those little squares are the result of a “triaxial weave,” which incorporates three interwoven yarns at 60-degree angles. This triaxial weave is unlike standard unidirectional raw carbon fiber paddles.
After all that fancy talk the result is elite spin that is up there with the other paddles in the top two spots.
The control and sweet spot on the Edge 18k are great. You will have no trouble resetting and placing shots where you want. The power is lacking and not the strong suit of this paddle. The overall build quality is solid and it better be for the lofty price tag.
SixZero Ruby
9.8 Overall Score
Pros
- The elite spin, amazing control, and stability are what make this paddle great.
- I like the red of the kevlar too as it makes it stand out in the sea of black carbon fiber paddles.
- The feel is great once you get used to it. I feel like this really shines when you are dinking, I’ve had the best placement of dinks with this paddle.
Cons
- One of the biggest cons is that the swing weight is starting to get on the higher end and the static weigh can come in on the heavier side. This can be a problem for many so you will want to test that aspect out because that is the biggest con.
| Specs Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Weight: | 8.2 oz |
| Dimensions: | 16.3" x 7.7" |
| Handle Length: | 5.5" |
| Grip Circumference: | 4.25" |
| Face: | Raw Kevlar Fiber |
| Thickness: | 16mm |
| Swing Weight: | 117 |
| Twist Weight: | 6.81 |
| Spin: | 2,295 RPM |
I’ll start by saying this is an amazing all-court paddle. The control is great and the sweet spot is very forgiving. It does take some time to get used to how the ball comes off the paddle as it feels different than carbon fiber, but after you adjust it is beautiful.
The power is average but it is enough to get the job done. The spin, of course, is top tier; otherwise, it wouldn’t be on this list. The long-term durability is supposed to be improved by going to Kevlar, but we are still unsure about those long-term results.
The overall performance of this paddle is one of the best on the market to go along with elite spin in a hybrid shape.
ProXR Zane Navartil “The Standard”
9.7 Overall Score
Pros
- You get amazing hand speed with the low swing weight, and with the height twist weight combination, this is one of the best paddles in a hands battle.
- The paddle feels stable blocking drives, and you never feel like it falters in firefights.
Cons
- Not a ton of pop and power with this paddle. That is the main place it falls down and the sweet spot is just average for a widebody 16mm paddle.
- The control could be a little bit better to hang with the competition.
| Specs Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Weight: | 8.2oz |
| Dimensions: | 16" x 8" |
| Handle Length: | 5.25" |
| Grip Circumference | 4.25" |
| Face: | T700 Carbon Fiber |
| Thickness: | 16mm |
| Swing Weight: | 107 |
| Twist Weight: | 6.92 |
| Spin RPM: | 2,284 |
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The ProXR Zane Navartil “The Standard” is one the best spin paddles on the market and it is in the standard shape for those who prefer that. The control is good, but needs some lead tape at 5 and 7 o’clock to reach its full potential.
The power is just slightly below average. The overall design is a little busy but they are always coming out with cool color combinations to keep it exciting.
The overall durability seems good but it does rely heavily on maximizing grit so expect the spin to wear down faster than other paddles in this list.
CRBN 1X 14mm
9.5 Overall Score
Pros
- One of the best power and spin combinations on this list.
- I would pick this if you are trying to maximize those two attributes with your paddle selection.
- I also like the handle quality which is an underrated feature these days.
Cons
- This is an expensive paddle. That might not be a con for you but this is breaking into the upper echelon of costly paddles.
- The paddle feels very stiff.
- The swing weight is on the higher end and the control is average, but sometimes hard to control with hard resets.
| Specs Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Weight: | 8.0 oz |
| Dimensions: | 16,5" x 7.5" |
| Handle Length: | 5.5" |
| Grip Circumference: | 4.25" |
| Face: | Raw Carbon Fiber |
| Thickness: | 14mm |
| Swing Weight: | 116 |
| Twist Weight: | 5.78 |
| Spin: | 2,229 |
CRBN
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Pickleball Central
The CRBN 1x brings spin for days. It has a sleek design and will have you hitting all of your spin shots at an elite level. The power is a big feature for this paddle as it slaps hard. I would rate the power in the elite tier.
Now you do have to sacrifice control to get that power but it isn’t bad as you would think after an adjustment period. Durability is a huge concern for CRBN as they have had a lot of paddles with core crushing and delamination.
Their customer service has a good reputation, however, so the risk is more just the time waiting for a replacement. Overall, this paddle is a quality build but for a costly price.
Selkirk Luxx Control Air Invikta
Pros
- Great quality build with a lifetime warranty for a high price. I’ll let you decide if it is a pro or con.
- Depending on who you ask this is the best control paddle in the game, for me it is at least in the top 3.
- The spin being elite as well helps you establish a great control game.
Cons
- The power and pop are some of the lowest you can find on thermoformed paddles. This I’ll attribute to the monster 20mm thicnkeness that I’m not sure exists on any other paddles. How thick can they go? I don’t know.
| Specs Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Weight: | 8.0 oz |
| Dimensions: | 16.5” x 7.5” |
| Handle Length: | 5.35" |
| Grip Circumference: | 4.25" |
| Face: | Raw Carbon Fiber |
| Thickness: | 20mm |
| Swing Weight: | 114 |
| Twist Weight: | 5.75 |
| Spin: | 2,198 RPM |
The Selkirk Luxx Control Air has elite spin. It also has elite control. When you combine those two you can hit drops and hybrid drives from all over with ease. If you find hitting thirds is the hardest part of the game then this would be a perfect paddle to step up your game.
The power is lacking as it is 20mm and it just doesn’t translate to a powerful paddle. This is also an edgeless paddle, so the durability will be a factor because it is easier to chip. The paint grit also wears down faster than the traditional peel ply that is applied to many carbon fiber paddles.
Key Factors To Consider When Choosing A Pickleball Paddle For Spin
Spin can come from many different factors of a paddle. It could come from extreme grit (probably the case of the ProXR Zane Navartil) or it can come from the overall construction of the paddle.
Face Material
You generally have three main materials that you’ll commonly see. Graphite, Composite, Carbon Fiber, and the latest addition is Kevlar Fiber. Composite, Carbon fiber and Kevlar fiber are going to usually generate the most spin. Composite is lighter and more maneuverable so you can generate more speed. Furthermore, it has a grittier surface.
Carbon Fiber and Kevlar Fiber are a lot softer, which allows the ball to stay on the face for a fraction longer and create more friction to generate spin. Either one is great and we mention both carbon fiber and composite paddles in this review.
Handle Length
A longer handle means more leverage, which makes it easier to create that “swipe” motion for a spin.
Paddle Weight
A lighter paddle allows you to generate more speed through the ball and create more spin. Carbon fiber is usually lighter so it’s easy to generate spin. A heavier paddle will give you more control and power, but it’s harder to generate spin. You have to find a good sweet spot for your game.
Also Check Out: Top 5 Pickleball Paddles For Control
Technique
The pickleball paddle will only work if your technique is good. You could give a pro the worst pickleball paddle and they could still spin it. You could also give a complete beginner the best pickleball paddle for spin, and they won’t be able to spin it.
The paddle can only improve spin by maybe 10%, your technique and form account for 90%. However, that 10% can be a day and night difference if you have your form down.
So here are the best pickleball paddles for spin.
Conclusion
When I was getting into the best spin paddle search there wasn’t a lot of information coming out. A lot of the information was incorrect and became outdated fast because the paddle industry was moving so quick with technology. We are still moving fast but the spin numbers aren’t drastically increasing like they were 2 years ago. Now it is a safe time to get a top tier spin paddle and know it won’t be passed by next month.
There are so many options for elite spin paddles whether you want a power paddle, control paddle or an all court paddle. You can have your pick of the shape, thickness and handle length you want and still achieve elite spin.
Which paddle will you choose?
