The best paddles for spin 🌪️

Get your drives and drops to dip hard with these paddles

April 01, 2025

Generate maximum spin with these paddles

We’ve seen a huge increase over the years in the amount of spin pickleball paddles are able to generate. It’s made the game more dynamic at all levels, with serves and third-shot drives that dip hard over the net and third-shot drops that dive toward an opponent’s feet.

But even with an increase in spin across the board, there are still some paddles that stand out — check them out below.

Looking for a sweet deal on your next paddle? Pickleball Central is offering an additional 25% off their gently used paddles through midnight on Wednesday. Use code SPRING at checkout to get 25% off any used paddles or to get 30% off select new paddles.

1. Proton Series One

Proton’s Series One paddles feature the cutting-edge Nanotac surface, an ultra-tacky material that grabs the ball with maximum grip. Unlike traditional textured paddles that lose their grit, the Nanotac surface stays grippy for the long haul.

The Series One line comes in two core options -- the Type A, which has a more plush feel, and the Type B, which is a little more poppy. It also comes in two shapes (square and elongated) and two thicknesses (11mm and 15mm). No matter which option you go with, they all deliver top-tier spin.

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2. JOOLA Anna Bright Scorpeus 3S

All of the 3S series paddles from JOOLA test at the top end of the spectrum for spin, but the Anna Bright Scorpeus shape and thin profile make this paddle super maneuverable, which is great for adding spin on flicks out of the air or getting speed ups off the bounce to dip and stay in.

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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 great pop and spin. The Flamingo, released in January 2025, has already been adopted by several pros on the PPA Tour and the 15mm “Velocity Core” is quickly earning this paddle a reputation as one of the most aggressive on the market.

Check out our in-depth review here.

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4. Engage Pursuit Pro1

The Engage Pro1’s aerodynamic shape and extra long handle make it very whippy through the hitting zone, allowing players to generate tons of power and spin. For that reason this is a great option for tennis players coming over to pickleball who are used to adding topspin and slice to their shots.

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5. Paddletek Bantam ALW-C

This paddle was designed to the specifications of Anna Leigh Waters, the No. 1 women's pickleball player in the world. Aside from being known for her killer two-handed backhand, Waters also does a lot of damage on the court by hitting aggressive third-shot drives and drops that dip hard toward her opponents' feet. The high spin potential of this paddle helps her execute those shots, as well as aggressive topspin dinks at the kitchen line.

đź”— Buy it here