Best RPM Pickleball Paddles

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 (66th 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, 84th percentile) · Spin 2284 rpm (camera-measured, 71st percentile) · Twist weight 6.4 (47th percentile) · Static weight 7.9 oz (29th percentile) · Swing weight 113 (39th 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, 84th 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, 82nd percentile) · Twist weight 6.8 (75th 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, 93rd percentile) · Spin 2279 rpm (camera-measured, 64th percentile) · Twist weight 6.6 (62nd 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, 84th percentile) · Spin 2283 rpm (camera-measured, 69th 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: the original Gen 3

  1. 1. RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Widebody 16mm — Serve speed 60.8 mph (radar-gun tested, 84th percentile) · Spin 2303 rpm (camera-measured, 89th 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, 67th percentile) · Twist weight 7 (83rd percentile) · Static weight 7.9 oz (22nd percentile) · Swing weight 108 (14th 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 (25th 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, 84th percentile) · Twist weight 6.1 (22nd 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, 83rd percentile) · Twist weight 6.3 (39th 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, 79th percentile) · Twist weight 5.9 (10th percentile) · Static weight 7.8 oz (15th percentile) · Swing weight 114 (48th 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, 91st 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, 93rd 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 in 14mm and 16mm, and the V2 Widebody 14mm, all with a little weight added. The Hybrid is probably the most balanced shape RPM makes, and the Widebody gives me the most margin on blocks and resets.
Q2 or Friction Pro V2?
If power is the priority, the Q2 measures more of it. It's springy and very, very responsive. I can't play the 14mm Q2s as they're just too hard for me to control, but that's my game. I play the V2 because the Q2 is springier than I want, and the V2 pockets the ball with plenty of pop. The V2 also carries both USA Pickleball and UPA-A approval, where the Q2 is USA Pickleball only.
V1 vs V2, is the V2 better?
Feel separates them most, with the V1 playing a touch softer. The V2 adds UPA-A approval on top of USA Pickleball. Serve speed and pop sit within about half a mph across every Friction Pro I've measured, so neither one hits meaningfully harder. Happy with how soft your V1 plays? There's no reason to replace it.
Does RPM have a core crush problem?
Core crushing is possible on any Gen 3 build, the RPM paddles included, and the core can change as it breaks in. That's the main weakness of these paddles. I have played a lot of hours on V1 and V2 Friction Pro and haven't crushed a paddle, but I might not hit as hard as you.
14mm or 16mm, and which shape?
Pick the shape first. The widebody is the most stable and forgiving, the elongated hits the hardest, and the hybrid sits between them. I play the V2 Hybrid in both thicknesses.
Is $249.99 justified for an RPM paddle?
Every V2 is $249.99. It's a power Gen 3 with a softer feel than a lot of Gen 3 paddles, and that's what you're paying for. The weakness is the usual Gen 3 durability question, so if longevity is your main concern, compare it against a foam build before you buy.
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.