The Aura
- 1. Friday Pickleball Aura Widebody 16mm — Serve speed 60.8 mph (radar-gun tested, 84th percentile) · Spin 2289 rpm (camera-measured, 76th percentile) · Twist weight 6.6 (62nd percentile) · Static weight 7.9 oz (22nd percentile) · Swing weight 107 (7th percentile) · Core 16 mm · Price $129
- 2. Friday Pickleball Aura Hybrid 16mm — Serve speed 60.9 mph (radar-gun tested, 89th percentile) · Spin 2293 rpm (camera-measured, 82nd percentile) · Twist weight 6 (13th percentile) · Static weight 7.8 oz (17th percentile) · Swing weight 110 (20th percentile) · Core 16 mm · Price $169
- 3. Friday Pickleball Aura Elongated 16mm — Serve speed 61.1 mph (radar-gun tested, 96th percentile) · Spin 2299 rpm (camera-measured, 86th percentile) · Twist weight 5.9 (8th percentile) · Static weight 8.1 oz (73rd percentile) · Swing weight 116 (65th percentile) · Core 16 mm · Price $129
The Aura Pro ($169)
- 1. Friday Pickleball Aura Pro Widebody 16mm — Serve speed 60.6 mph (radar-gun tested, 70th percentile) · Spin 2289 rpm (camera-measured, 76th percentile) · Twist weight 6.8 (75th percentile) · Static weight 7.9 oz (21st percentile) · Swing weight 107 (7th percentile) · Core 16 mm · Price $169
- 2. Friday Pickleball Aura Pro Hybrid 16mm — Serve speed 60.8 mph (radar-gun tested, 84th percentile) · Spin 2290 rpm (camera-measured, 79th percentile) · Twist weight 6.4 (43rd percentile) · Static weight 8 oz (41st percentile) · Swing weight 116 (63rd percentile) · Core 16 mm · Price $169
- 3. Friday Pickleball Aura Pro Elongated 16mm — Serve speed 61 mph (radar-gun tested, 93rd percentile) · Spin 2295 rpm (camera-measured, 83rd percentile) · Twist weight 6 (16th percentile) · Static weight 8.1 oz (73rd percentile) · Swing weight 116 (62nd percentile) · Core 16 mm · Price $169
The Fever ($99)
- Friday Pickleball Fever 16mm — Serve speed 60.4 mph (radar-gun tested, 55th percentile) · Spin 2262 rpm (camera-measured, 53rd percentile) · Twist weight 5.7 (4th percentile) · Static weight 7.7 oz (6th percentile) · Swing weight 112 (31st percentile) · Core 16 mm · Price $99
Frequently asked questions
- Is Friday Pickleball a serious brand or just Instagram marketing?
- Both. The social presence is real, and so is the Aura Pro. It keeps up with paddles that cost $30 to $51 more.
- Which Friday paddle is best for beginners?
- The Aura Widebody. It swings light, it's the most stable Aura shape stock, and it's the easiest one to maneuver. The Fever is cheaper, but the Aura is a real step up for a newer player. More options in the beginner paddles guide.
- Aura vs. Aura Pro: what's the actual difference?
- The Aura has more dwell, and drops and resets are easier. The Aura Pro is stiffer, the ball comes off faster, and drives and counters are more immediate. The Pro Widebody is the exception, with a softer, slightly hollow feel. Pay the extra $40 if most of your points start with a drive. Otherwise stay with the Aura.
- What's the spin output on the Friday Aura Pro?
- Every Aura and Aura Pro shape I've measured lands between 2289 and 2299 RPM, above average for spin. The Aura Pro face is one of the roughest I've measured so far.
- Are Friday paddles durable?
- A couple of the Aura Pro Widebody review samples came apart near the throat. It looked like an early-run problem rather than a design flaw, but buy somewhere with an easy return.
- Friday vs. Selkirk: which one?
- If brand track record and name recognition matter to you, buy Selkirk. If you want Gen 4 foam construction for a lot less money, the Aura Pro is $169 and the Selkirk Omni is $300.
- Which paddle on this list has the highest measured spin RPM?
- Friday Pickleball Aura Elongated 16mm — 2299 rpm, camera-measured on the same protocol as every other paddle I test.
- Which paddle on this list has the fastest measured serve speed?
- Friday Pickleball Aura Elongated 16mm — 61.1 mph, radar-gun tested.
- What is the cheapest paddle on this list?
- Friday Pickleball Fever 16mm at $99.