We recently asked members of The Kitchen Facebook Group one simple question: “What’s your favorite pickleball paddle right now?”

The response was massive. Across two community polls and hundreds of comments from rec players, 5.0 tournament grinders, coaches and gear junkies, a clear group of paddles separated themselves from the pack.

Our biggest takeaway: The big brands are still very popular among the general public. Five of the Top 10 paddles on the list were either JOOLA, Selkirk or Six Zero — brands that have been well known in the paddle industry for several years.

The other brands on the list included Honolulu, Friday and RPM — all newer companies that have released very good paddles (in our opinion) within the past 8 months.

Below you’ll find the full Top 10 and more information on the paddles that made the list this time around.

This has been among the most popular paddles at the amateur level since its release a year ago.

Players described it as explosive without feeling uncontrollable, powerful but forgiving, surprisingly stable and easy to generate pace with. The sweet spot drew constant praise, and several players noted how much more balanced it feels compared to older-generation power paddles.

This paddle has been rising in our community polls all year.

Players said they loved the feel of the J6CR, as well as its huge sweet spot, plush response, spin generation and kitchen control. This paddle truly has it all, and that’s why it’s been in our reviewers’ Top 5 since the spring.

The JOOLA Pro V Series earned huge support from players who prefer more of an all-court paddle.

The most common feedback: Buttery feel, easy access to power, better forgiveness than previous JOOLA generations, stable resets, and a cleaner feel in hands battles.

A lot of players described it as “power when you want it” rather than overwhelming pop on every shot. That balance is exactly what the market seems to be asking for right now.

This paddle wasn’t out yet the last time we did one of these community polls. The fact that it’s No. 4 on the list means that it’s quickly being adopted by a huge number of players, and for good reason — our reviewers think it’s a better fit for most players than the Boomstik because it prioritizes feel and controllability over raw power.

It also features removable/repositionable weights that let you customize swing weight, stability and power in seconds without tungsten tape or tools.

This is another paddle that has seen a steady rise since its release earlier this year. Players compared the Aura Pro to paddles costing 2x the price, while highlighting its excellent spin, big sweet spot, and balanced performance.

The most common takeaway: people genuinely feel like the Aura Pro overdelivers for the price.

🔗 Find the full Top 10 here