Best RPM Pickleball Paddles

Which RPM to buy? The V2 Widebody for stability, the V2 Hybrid for a bit of everything, the V2 Elongated for offense. I play the Hybrid.

Best RPM Pickleball Paddles
Matt Khoury
By Matt KhouryFounder, Matt's Pickleball
Published Sep 16, 2026Updated Oct 4, 2026Independent editorial · No brand paid for or approved this article
Methodology610+paddles tested5.2M+YouTube views
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Best RPM Pickleball Paddles — quick answer

My top 5 picks, ranked, with the measurement that sets each one apart:

  1. 1. RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Hybrid Flat-Top V2 16mm — spin 2289 rpm (camera-measured)
  2. 2. RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Hybrid Flat-Top V2 14mm — spin 2284 rpm (camera-measured)
  3. 3. RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Widebody V2 16mm — spin 2296 rpm (camera-measured)
  4. 4. RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Widebody V2 14mm — spin 2293 rpm (camera-measured)
  5. 5. RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 16mm — spin 2279 rpm (camera-measured)

How these paddles are measured

Friction Pro V2: the line I play

  1. 1. RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Hybrid Flat-Top V2 16mm — Serve speed 60.9 mph (radar-gun tested, 89th percentile) · Spin 2289 rpm (camera-measured, 76th percentile) · Twist weight 6.7 (67th percentile) · Static weight 8 oz (41st percentile) · Swing weight 116 (61st percentile) · Core 16 mm · Price $250
  2. 2. RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Hybrid Flat-Top V2 14mm — Serve speed 60.8 mph (radar-gun tested, 83rd percentile) · Spin 2284 rpm (camera-measured, 70th percentile) · Twist weight 6.4 (48th percentile) · Static weight 7.9 oz (29th percentile) · Swing weight 113 (38th percentile) · Core 14 mm · Price $250
  3. 3. RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Widebody V2 16mm — Serve speed 60.5 mph (radar-gun tested, 62nd percentile) · Spin 2296 rpm (camera-measured, 83rd percentile) · Twist weight 7.2 (91st percentile) · Static weight 8.2 oz (79th percentile) · Swing weight 111 (27th percentile) · Core 16 mm · Price $250
  4. 4. RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Widebody V2 14mm — Serve speed 60.6 mph (radar-gun tested, 70th percentile) · Spin 2293 rpm (camera-measured, 81st percentile) · Twist weight 6.8 (76th percentile) · Static weight 7.9 oz (35th percentile) · Swing weight 108 (9th percentile) · Core 14 mm · Price $250
  5. 5. RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 16mm — Serve speed 61 mph (radar-gun tested, 92nd percentile) · Spin 2279 rpm (camera-measured, 63rd percentile) · Twist weight 6.6 (63rd percentile) · Static weight 8.2 oz (79th percentile) · Swing weight 122 (93rd percentile) · Core 16 mm · Price $250
  6. 6. RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 14mm — Serve speed 60.8 mph (radar-gun tested, 83rd percentile) · Spin 2283 rpm (camera-measured, 68th percentile) · Twist weight 6.1 (19th percentile) · Static weight 7.8 oz (19th percentile) · Swing weight 114 (47th percentile) · Core 14 mm · Price $250

Friction Pro: RPM's original Gen 3

  1. 1. RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Widebody 16mm — Serve speed 60.8 mph (radar-gun tested, 83rd percentile) · Spin 2303 rpm (camera-measured, 88th percentile) · Twist weight 7.4 (95th percentile) · Static weight 8 oz (54th percentile) · Swing weight 112 (32nd percentile) · Core 16 mm · Price $250
  2. 2. RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Widebody 14mm — Serve speed 60.6 mph (radar-gun tested, 70th percentile) · Spin 2281 rpm (camera-measured, 66th percentile) · Twist weight 7 (83rd percentile) · Static weight 7.9 oz (22nd percentile) · Swing weight 108 (13th percentile) · Core 16 mm · Price $250
  3. 3. RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated 14mm — Serve speed 60.7 mph (radar-gun tested, 78th percentile) · Spin 2253 rpm (camera-measured, 47th percentile) · Twist weight 6.2 (26th percentile) · Static weight 7.9 oz (22nd percentile) · Swing weight 117 (72nd percentile) · Core 14 mm · Price $250
  4. 4. RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated 16mm — Serve speed 60.9 mph (radar-gun tested, 89th percentile) · Spin 2296 rpm (camera-measured, 83rd percentile) · Twist weight 6.1 (23rd percentile) · Static weight 7.8 oz (13th percentile) · Swing weight 115 (51st percentile) · Core 16 mm · Price $250

Q2: the foam power line

  1. 1. RPM Pickleball Q2 Hybrid Flat-Top 16mm — Serve speed 61.4 mph (radar-gun tested, 98th percentile) · Spin 2294 rpm (camera-measured, 82nd percentile) · Twist weight 6.3 (40th percentile) · Static weight 7.8 oz (11th percentile) · Swing weight 112 (32nd percentile) · Core 16 mm · Price $250
  2. 2. RPM Pickleball Q2 Widebody 14mm — Serve speed 60.9 mph (radar-gun tested, 89th percentile) · Spin 2289 rpm (camera-measured, 76th percentile) · Twist weight 6.8 (73rd percentile) · Static weight 7.7 oz (7th percentile) · Swing weight 105 (4th percentile) · Core 16 mm · Price $250
  3. 3. RPM Pickleball Q2 Elongated 16mm — Serve speed 61.5 mph (radar-gun tested, 99th percentile) · Spin 2290 rpm (camera-measured, 78th percentile) · Twist weight 5.9 (10th percentile) · Static weight 7.8 oz (15th percentile) · Swing weight 114 (47th percentile) · Core 16 mm · Price $250
  4. 4. RPM Pickleball Q2 Widebody 16mm — Serve speed 61.1 mph (radar-gun tested, 95th percentile) · Spin 2310 rpm (camera-measured, 90th percentile) · Twist weight 6.9 (78th percentile) · Static weight 7.9 oz (22nd percentile) · Swing weight 107 (9th percentile) · Core 16 mm · Price $250
  5. 5. RPM Pickleball Q2 Hybrid Rounded-Top 16mm — Serve speed 61 mph (radar-gun tested, 92nd percentile) · Twist weight 6.2 (29th percentile) · Static weight 7.7 oz (8th percentile) · Swing weight 108 (10th percentile) · Core 16 mm · Price $250
  6. 6. RPM Pickleball Q2 Elongated 14mm — Serve speed 61.2 mph (radar-gun tested, 97th percentile) · Spin 2260 rpm (camera-measured, 51st percentile) · Twist weight 5.8 (6th percentile) · Static weight 7.8 oz (9th percentile) · Swing weight 113 (38th percentile) · Core 16 mm · Price $250

Frequently asked questions

Which RPM paddle do you play?
The Friction Pro V2 Hybrid 16mm . I get excellent feedback on all shot types, and I also do know if I missed center.
Q2 or Friction Pro V2?
The V2, for me. The Q2 hits very, very hard, but it's very poppy and harder to control. If you can't generate your own power, the Q2 is a very good option.
V1 vs V2, is the V2 better?
The V1 came out of the box a little bit stiffer, then broke in and settled, and that's where the V2 is right out of the box. The V2 also adds UPA-A approval.
Does RPM have a core crush problem?
Not that I've seen. None of the paddles I've lent out came back core crushed, not a V1 and not a V2 . Can it happen? Sure. RPM didn't solve core crushing.
14mm or 16mm, and which shape?
If you're a tennis player, you're naturally going to gravitate toward the elongated. The widebody is the most stable, and the hybrid is the best of both worlds. The 16mm hybrid is where I feel at home.
Is the RPM Jade worth it?
I haven't played it yet. It's $269.99 .
Is $249.99 justified for an RPM paddle?
Yes, if you want arguably the best Gen 3 paddle on the market, for all the reasons on this page. James told me RPM has put paddles on sale exactly one day in the brand's history, Black Friday 2025, and he called that a mistake.
Which paddle on this list has the highest measured spin RPM?
RPM Pickleball Q2 Widebody 16mm — 2310 rpm, camera-measured on the same protocol as every other paddle I test.
Which paddle on this list has the fastest measured serve speed?
RPM Pickleball Q2 Elongated 16mm — 61.5 mph, radar-gun tested.
What is the cheapest paddle on this list?
RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Hybrid Flat-Top V2 16mm at $250.