Ranking the best new paddles

See where the new JOOLA, Proton and CRBN paddles fall on our top 10 list

March 18, 2025

There’s a new No. 1 on our Top 10 paddles list

There have been several high-profile paddle releases already this year from some of the game’s top brands. Now that our reviewers have had several weeks to test them on the court, we’ve made some big changes to our ranking of the top 10 paddles on the market.

While the list gets updated monthly, this month’s update was especially notable because there’s a new king at the top. Spoiler alert: The JOOLA Mod TA-15 is out because it won’t be legal for much longer, and the new No. 1 has a fresh look to it.

And in case you missed it, we’re offering 30% OFF The Kitchen merch all week to celebrate St. Patty’s Day! Use code STPATTYS30 at checkout or click here to have the discount automatically applied to your purchase. 🍀

Now let’s talk about these new paddles:

1. JOOLA Perseus Pro IV

JOOLA's newest offering has already produced great results for those who have switched at the pro level and in high-level amateur play. An added section of high-density foam inside the bottom corners/throat area of the Pro IV models allows the paddle to flex more, which adds forgiveness and enhances feel, power and dwell time.

đź”— Buy it here

2. JOOLA Ben Johns Perseus 3S

The JOOLA 3S series paddles were the first to ever be UPA-A certified in the summer of 2024. While they have slightly less power than the Mod TA-15, they feature more control and still pack plenty of pop. With the release of the Pro IV, the price of the 3S paddles has dropped.

đź”— Buy it here

3. Proton Series Three - Project Flamingo

The updated Series Three model from Proton features a more powerful core and a very gritty hitting surface for maximum pop and spin. The Flamingo, released in January, has already been adopted by several pros on the PPA Tour and the 15mm “Velocity Core” -- combined with top-tier spin -- is quickly earning this paddle a reputation as one of the most aggressive on the market.

đź”— Buy it here

4. Paddletek Bantam TKO-CX

A great choice for singles players and those who want to utilize the two-handed backhand. The TKO-CX stands out in Paddletek’s new line with an extra long handle, which lets players whip through the hitting zone faster, generating more power & more spin.

đź”— Buy it here

5. Engage Pursuit Pro1

A thin profile, aerodynamic shape & extra long handle make the Pro1 very whippy through the hitting zone. This paddle also plays consistently over time, while others can have a very noticeable break-in period.

Engage also offers a widebody and hybrid version of the Pro1 series.

đź”— Buy it here

Rounding out the top 10:

  • JOOLA Anna Bright Scorpeus 3S (#6 on our list) — A control shape that still packs plenty of pop for hands battles and putaways.

  • CRBN 2 TruFoam Genesis (#7) — The first "gen 4" 100% foam core creates a unique feel that is crisp, poppy and offers significant dwell time.

  • Franklin C45 (#8) — Franklin’s latest release is extremely maneuverable and offers good pop.

  • Proton Series Four (#9) — Hybrid core for more power and pop; exposed Kevlar fibers for ultimate durability.

  • Six Zero Black Diamond Power (#10) — An all-court paddle that will fit a wide-range of players.

đź”— Find our best paddles list here