Thrive Smoke 14.5mm Pickleball Paddle Review

Item: Thrive Smoke 14.5mm
Rating: 4
Author: Matt Khoury

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MATT'S VERDICT

The Smoke is built around a 5-layer face that's denser than typical 3-layer builds, and the result is a paddle that feels solid at impact without the springy unpredictability some Gen 2 paddles have. Drives carry weight when you commit, and the punch volley pop is top-tier.

GEN 3 · HONEYCOMB

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Retail Price

$179.99

Promo Code

10% off at checkout

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All measurements

Serve speed: 59.6 mph
Serve speed percentile: 29.8%
Serve speed z-score: -0.201
Punch volley speed: 37.7 mph
Punch volley speed percentile: 18.6%
Punch volley speed z-score: -0.897
Spin: 2193 rpm
Spin percentile: 23.6%
Spin z-score: -0.483
Swing weight: 119.26
Swing weight percentile: 85.5%
Swing weight z-score: 0.950
Twist weight: 6.14
Twist weight percentile: 26.0%
Twist weight z-score: -0.607
Static weight: 7.94 oz
Static weight percentile: 37.0%
Static weight z-score: -0.289
Balance point: 24.6 cm
Balance point percentile: 77.8%
Balance point z-score: 0.812
Firepower: 24/100
Control score: 61/100
Power rating: 2/5
Control rating: 4/5
Spin rating: 2/5
Pop rating: 1/5
Forgiveness rating: 2/5
Shot resetting rating: 3/5
Touch shots rating: 3/5
Feel rating: 3/5
Matt's star rating: 4/5
Balance offset from center: +3.6 cm
Core thickness: 14.5 mm
Shape: Elongated
Length: 16.5 in
Width: 7.5 in
Handle length: 5.75 in
Handle circumference: 4.25 in
Surface material: Carbon Fiber & Fiberglass
Core material: Polypropylene Honeycomb
Surface texture: Peel Ply (Coarse)
Manufacturing process: Thermoformed
Classification: Gen 3
Approval body: USA Pickleball
Punch volley rank: #420 of 522 measured paddles
Market comparison: 515 measured paddles across 9 metrics