2025 Paddles Buyer’s Guide: What Matters, What’s Just Hype

Welcome to the Wild West

Remember when paddles were… just paddles? That was cute. Today, a new paddle seems to drop every other week, each promising a bigger sweet spot, more power, or endless spin. With confusing tech names, rising prices, and a sea of options, it’s easy to feel lost. This isn’t a marketing brochure, it’s a guide to help you cut through the noise, understand the tech that actually matters, and find a paddle that helps you win more. We’ll break down the key innovations of 2025 and review the paddles that have everyone talking.

New tech, new names, new promises. Prices creep up, confusion piles on, and your cart stares back like, “Pick one, champ.” This is your buy smart, understand more field guide. We’ll decode foam vs. carbon claims and show where each actually helps on court.

Our Goal

Two weeks ago, I ran a paddle lab night. One guy rolled in with a fresh full-foam paddle and sticker shock in his eyes. Another had a perimeter-foam control build. A third brought a Gen 1 honeycomb that looked like it survived a small war. We tracked blocks, counters, and dink errors. The winner wasn’t the priciest, it was the paddle that reduced the worst misses. That’s the thread we’ll pull all the way through 2025.

What we’ll Cover: A quick story • Quick Summary • What Counts in 2025 • The Tech Fork • Key 2025 Profiles • The Gen 3 Standard • The 2025 Paddle Landscape • FAQ

Curiosity Reset: So many paddles. So many claims. So little information.

We’ll show where foam helps, and where it doesn’t, so you don’t pay for tech you won’t feel.

Want to understand the 2025 paddle landscape? This guide strips away the marketing noise and focuses on the materials, technology, and specs that matter most, so your next choice is an informed one.

• This guide covers 2025 paddles tech : full-foam cores, perimeter-foam builds, and the recent Gen 3 standard.
• Yes, many new releases are foam, but not all. We explain the core concepts behind each.
• Use the Tech Glossary and Landscape Table to understand what you’re buying, not just what the brand says.

The 2025 Paddle Market Reality

Reality #1: Price ceilings are breaking. Some paddles jump past $300. We can’t buy them all, But if you can, please send me one.

Reality #2: Launch cycles feel nonstop. Beta runs, rebrands, and pre-approvals are the new norm. Your confusion is justified.

Reality #3: The smartest shoppers track outcomes and understand the tech. If a model doesn’t move the needle for your game, it’s not worth the price of admission.

Reality #4: This isn’t the first time. The market has been here before. We’ve seen trends like the “Kevlar craze” and the recent “titanium” paddles that turned out to be PET plastic. This repeating cycle of new materials and inflated claims is part of the game.

Coach’s Tech Glossary (print this)

This table defines the key terms you will encounter as you research 2025 paddles.

The Core Tech Fork – Foam vs. Not-Foam

Full-Foam Core (aka many “Gen 4” launches)

What it is: A full-foam core uses foam as the primary core material, creating a bigger sweet spot and softer feel. It often carries a higher price and early-run QC risk. This tech aims to create a more consistent rebound across the entire paddle face, reducing “dead spots.

• Why it’s used: Bigger usable face, steadier rebound, more arm-friendly feel. In addition to a bigger usable face and a more arm-friendly feel, manufacturers are also moving to foam cores to address previous issues with delamination and core crushing. It provides a steadier rebound and reduces “dead spots.
• What to watch: Price, weight balance, and first-batch durability variance.

Non-Foam Options (still strong in 2025)

What they are: Not-foam options include perimeter-foam (foam edges + honeycomb core) and classic honeycomb builds. These deliver predictable feedback, reliable QC, and kinder pricing. Perimeter foam is designed to add weight and stability to the edges for a larger sweet spot without changing the main core’s feel.

• Perimeter-Foam + Honeycomb: Honeycomb inside, forgiving edges.
• Gen 3 Standard: The benchmark for modern performance without a foam core.

Picture this: You block a body-shot drive. With a good full-foam build the ball lands deeper by a foot. With a dialed honeycomb classic, it lands shorter, but your aim is razor sharp. The tech you choose changes the outcome.

Blocks dying short? Test foam. Touch drifting long? Test a Gen 3/perimeter-foam.

Key 2025 Paddle Profiles (Foam and Non-Foam)

This list covers the most talked-about new paddles for 2025, most of which are either recently released, pre-order, or soon to be released this year. With so many being in the pipeline, we’ll focus on the specs and technology we know right now, not on reviews or on-court feel.

Ronbus Refoam (full-foam)

The Story & Hype: Ronbus has built a reputation for disrupting the market with pro-level tech at a more accessible price. The Ronbus Refoam is their answer to Gen-3 power paddles, with a goal of delivering a plush feel while maintaining a firm, powerful core. The hype is all about whether it can match top-tier performance without the top-tier price tag.

Known Tech: The paddle centers on a new MPP foam that is designed for a forgiving feel and a 3D carbon lattice, a structural grid inside the foam engineered to move mass towards the sweet spot for stability. It has a raw T700 face.

Social Media Buzz & Player Perception: Early chatter is focused on the Refoam as a potential “category-shifter.” Players are comparing it directly to more expensive sticks and are excited about the value proposition. There’s some concern about early-run consistency, but the general vibe is highly optimistic, with many calling it a standout for its price point.

Best for: The all-court player who needs deeper blocks and a more forgiving face.

What to watch: Initial quality control on first-batch paddles.

Update (08/29/2025): Ronbus released a new foam paddle at a different price point, that actually plays better than the Refoam. Check out the Ronbus Quanta.

Vatic Pro V-Sol (full-foam)

The Story & Hype: This paddle has a dramatic origin story. Its predecessor, the V-Core, was a highly anticipated beta model that had to be recalled due to reported delamination issues in high heat. The V-Sol is the redesigned successor. The hype is built on two things: a new, reinforced unibody construction that promises to solve the durability problem, and the brand’s commitment to releasing a solid paddle despite the setback.

Known Tech: The V-Sol is a full-foam, unibody paddle. Vatic has stated they have made significant progress on the structural integrity without changing the core design. The V-Sol is currently in an exclusive beta phase with a full launch expected.

Social Media Buzz & Player Perception: The buzz is a mix of cautious optimism and anticipation. Players who were burned by the V-Core recall are waiting to see if the new model lives up to its durability promises. The company’s transparency about the redesign is winning over some critics, and early beta testers are reporting a much more solid feel, with the consensus being that Vatic has “fixed the problem.”

Best for: The tech-savvy player who wants a powerful paddle from a brand committed to improvement.

What to watch: Durability and long-term delamination issues.

Read our Vatic V-Sol Review of the Pro and Power versions

Spartus GT (full-foam)

The Story & Hype: Spartus has garnered a cult following for its “Made in USA” commitment and high-performance builds. The GT is their new flagship, and the hype is all about its premium materials and craftsmanship. It’s positioned as a high-tech, uncompromising paddle for players who want the best of the best.

Known Tech: It leans on a new **Fusion Foam** core, a fully compression-molded unibody carbon handle, and PermaGrit, a proprietary surface designed to prevent texture from wearing off. It is the clearest example of how new manufacturing tech is driving up the price ceiling for an elite-tier paddle.

Social Media Buzz & Player Perception: The GT is seen as a luxury product in the pickleball world. The buzz is from elite players and tech-focused hobbyists who are willing to pay a premium for what they perceive as superior build quality. The community is watching to see if the high price tag is justified by on-court performance and durability, with early reports suggesting a very “crisp” and powerful feel.

Best for: The elite player who wants a powerful, premium paddle and is willing to pay for it.

What to watch: The high price tag and its expected swing weight.

Engage Alpha Pro • Alpha • ProFoam (mixed)

The Story & Hype: Engage is known for a long history of USA Pickleball approval and a legendary warranty program. Unlike other brands focusing on a single full-foam paddle, Engage is releasing a trio of models that split the tech. The hype is around their ability to deliver new tech with proven reliability.

Known Tech: The Alpha Pro is a power-forward thermoformed model, the Alpha is a control model with a new grit surface, and the ProFoam is a true full-foam core. All are raw carbon fiber, and their warranty is a major selling point for players who are hesitant about durability with new tech.

Social Media Buzz & Player Perception: The conversation around Engage’s new lineup is focused on the brand’s long-standing reputation. Players trust the company’s commitment to USA Pickleball approval and their warranty, which makes them a “safe” choice for those wanting to try new technology without the risk of an unknown brand. The buzz is more about reliability than pure performance.

Best for: Players who want to try new tech from a trusted brand with a strong warranty.

What to watch: On-court performance vs. the premium price.

Update (08/19/2025): Engage sent me a demo of the yet to be released Alpha control paddle yesterday. I have yet to play test it, but will be posting a review soon. If anyone would like to demo the paddle, please get in touch with me. Engage also opened preorders today for all three of their new paddles.

Project KiwiCore (full-foam flavor)

The Story & Hype: KiwiLabs is building its reputation on being a tech-first brand. The hype around the KiwiCore is its focus on comfort and consistency, not just raw power. It uses a different type of foam and is being marketed as a less jarring, more arm-friendly option in a market saturated with stiff, powerful paddles.

Known Tech: The paddle uses a comfort-first EPU (Expanded Polyurethane) double-foam core, which is designed to be more vibration-dampening than other foam types. It is paired with a 12K carbon fiber face. It’s currently in a pre-approval phase with an estimated USA Pickleball approval timeline of 3-5 months.

Social Media Buzz & Player Perception: The buzz for KiwiCore is among players looking for something different from the standard power-focused paddles. The conversation often centers on its comfort and “feel.” The pre-approval status is a key topic, with players eager to see if this new tech will be sanctioned for tournament play.

Best for: The player who prioritizes comfort and vibration dampening over raw power.

What to watch: Its final USA Pickleball approval status.

Volair Mach 1 Forza (perimeter-foam + honeycomb)

The Story & Hype: Volair’s reputation is built on being a market leader in perimeter-foam technology at a reasonable price. The Forza is a well-known, available paddle that is a benchmark for what this class of paddle can do. The hype is in its role as a proven, reliable alternative to the full-foam craze.

Known Tech: It uses a traditional honeycomb core with perimeter foam injected into the edges, which creates a larger sweet spot and adds stability. This is a crucial distinction from full-foam cores and makes it an essential reference for anyone comparing new tech.

Social Media Buzz & Player Perception: The Forza is a known quantity, so the buzz is more established and less speculative. It’s often recommended on social media as a reliable, high-performance paddle that “just works.” It’s a go-to comparison for new foam paddles, often with the question, “Is this new foam paddle really better than the Forza?”

Best for: The player who wants a proven, predictable paddle with a forgiving sweet spot.

What to watch: If the newest full-foam paddles can out-perform it.

The Gen 3 Standard (Benchmark)

The Story & Hype: Gen 3 paddles represent the gold standard of modern pickleball until the Gen 4 releases. They are defined by their thermoformed construction, which fuses the paddle’s components into a single, rigid, and powerful unit. They offer a significant leap in power and spin over older designs and are what many players are currently transitioning from. A great example of a Gen 3 benchmark is the CRBN 1X Power Series.

Known Tech: A standard polymer honeycomb core wrapped in a carbon fiber or fiberglass face. These paddles are widely available and represent the foundation of the market.

Social Media Buzz & Player Perception: Gen 3 paddles are the current benchmark, so the conversation around them is less about hype and more about the consensus. They are a reliable reference point in any paddle discussion, with players recommending them as a solid, proven option for those who don’t want to experiment with the newest, unproven tech.

Best for: The player who wants a proven, all-around performer without paying a premium for experimental tech.

What to watch: Whether Gen 4 foam can truly displace it as the market standard.

The 2025 Paddles Landscape (Scan & Understand)

Last Updated: August 15, 2025

Stare at this table. Use it to quickly understand what each new paddle brings to the market from a technology standpoint, and when it will be available.

*Street prices shift. Verify current promos and bundles.

FAQ About 2025 Pickleball Paddles

“Knowledge is a weapon. Arm yourself with information.”

The Play-Test Protocol

Use this simple routine to test any new paddle and see if it actually works for you.

Since you may only get an hour with a new paddle, here is a simple head-to-head protocol to see if it actually works for you.

Your goal is to perform a direct A/B test. First, hit 20 balls with your current paddle, then immediately hit 20 with the demo paddle and note the differences. Repeat this process for each of the following scenarios:

1. 15 crosscourt third-shot drops. Note how many land in the kitchen vs. floating high.
2. 10 hard drives from the baseline. Note the depth and pace on both.
3. 20 dinks in a row with your partner. Note the consistency and touch.
4. 5 serves from the same spot. Note the spin and speed.

Buy rule: If the demo paddle helps you land more drops, stay more consistent, and generate more pace with less effort, it’s a keeper.

Stay Informed: This market is moving fast. The best way to win is to stay on top of new releases and data.

• Bookmark this page and check back for updates.
• Find reviewers and early adopters on social media to follow their findings.
• Share this guide with your pickleball group so you can all discuss the tech you see on the court.

Stay up to date with the 2025 USAP Approved Pickleball Paddles.

Ready to talk paddles?

Drop a comment below with your thoughts on the paddles mentioned, which ones you’re excited about, or any questions you still have! Let’s build this conversation together.

We invite you to submit your own test data, we’ll feature the best submissions in a future update!

About the Author: Coach Sid writes for PickleTip and works with beginner to 3.5 players who want gritty, test-driven improvements. Which paddle on this list are you most excited to try?