12 Best Pickleball Paddles For Spin (2023 Paddle Reviews)

This article is a comprehensive guide for players looking to add spin to their pickleball shots. With the recent surge in interest around the topic, many major pickleball brands have released paddles designed to help players add spin to their game. The makers of pickleball practice machines have all even upgraded to add a spin feature to their products.

Our expert team has carefully researched and selected some of the best paddles for spin and reviewed them to help you make an informed decision. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a beginner, this guide includes tips, recommendations and a buyer’s guide to help you determine the best paddle for your playing style and budget.

If you’ve landed here, I’m guessing you are probably looking for a paddle that can help you put more spin on your pickleball shots.

Looking for a quick recommendation?

If we had to select one overall winner, our #1 pick for the best paddle for spin is the Oneshot Pureshot Pickleball Paddle.

If you are looking for a budget paddle, take a closer look at the Franklin Ben Johns Signature Paddle.

If you are looking for a traditional wide-body shape, I would take a look at the Epic. If you’re still trying to decide on which paddle is best, you can see our full overview of Selkirk paddles here.

However, with all the paddles on the market now, there are several other great options that we review below. The overall choice was also taking into consideration value for money since there is a wide range of prices on this list. Continue reading below for our full reviews of several other top-rated paddles for spin along with tips to improve your game to put more spin on a pickleball. We’ve also included a buyer’s guide at the end that answers frequently asked questions and what to look for in your next paddle.

If you are buying your first paddle or just want to see the best way to determine the best paddle for your grip size and playing style see our pickleball paddle buyers guide.

Best Pickleball Paddles For Spin (Summer 2023)

Electrum Pro Limited Edition

The Electrum Pro is one of the most unique and sensitive paddles on the market.

Paddle Weight	7.8 – 8.0 oz
Paddle Face Material	Super-Gritty Raw Carbon Fiber
Paddle Core Material	Polypropylene Honeycomb
Paddle Shape	Wide Body
Paddle Length	15 1/2″
Paddle Width	8 1/2″
Grip Size	4 1/4″
Handle Length	4″
Core Thickness	12mm

See our full Electrum Pro review here

Paddletek Bantam TS-5 PRO

It does swing light, but you do not lose any speed coming off of the paddle. With its light weight and power, the Paddletek Bantam TS-5 Hybrid Pickleball Paddle is perfect for any player. The sensitive Paddletek Bantam TS-5 paddle with the traditional Bantam PolyCore gives you the power you need for any shot, while still providing the responsiveness and feel of a sensative paddle. This hybrid pickleball paddle provides the perfect balance and outpaces other paddles in its class.

Head Extreme Elite 

The Extreme Elite pickleball paddle features a diamond-shaped core, touted to provide control, and a solid feel when hitting the ball hard due to its OTC honeycomb polymer shell. Its composite hitting surface is smoother than other paddles and enables better ball driving and speed. It is also enjoyable to add spin to the ball with this paddle.

Suitable for players of all skill levels, it has a universal feel. However, its surface produces a slightly louder sound than other spin options, so if a quieter play is desired, consider the Paddeltek TS-5 PRO instead.

Head Extreme Tour

The Extreme Tour pickleball paddle boasts a unique spin texture on its surface, delivering increased control and precision. This premium-feeling paddle is designed for competitive players and offers good responsiveness due to its lightweight material.

Its diamond shape is said to enhance control when hitting, but I find it doesn’t make a noticeable difference. The lightweight head, on the other hand, allows for faster swings, improving reaction time. The Extreme Tour incorporates Head’s Optimized Tube Construction technology, featuring a honeycomb polymer core and carbon graphite surface, ensuring consistent performance. Its Extreme Spin texture is tough, adds spin to the ball, and results in a comfortable playing experience with minimal vibration.

The paddle’s CST technology offers torsional stability, making it possible to construct a lightweight paddle that still offers a solid hit with no vibrations. The weight is evenly distributed, making it easy to handle and fun to use. The Ergo Grip, made of soft PU material, adds to the comfort during play. With this paddle, adding spin to the ball remains an enjoyable experience.

Gearbox GH7 

The Gearbox GH7 pickleball paddle is a real game-changer, and I’m not just saying that because it has “gear” in the name. This paddle has a unique hexagonal shape that gives it a futuristic look, making me feel like I’m playing pickleball in the year 2050. But enough about the aesthetics, let’s dive into the performance.

The GH7 packs a punch with its graphene-infused polymer core, which provides exceptional power and control. It’s like a hybrid car of pickleball paddles, giving you the best of both worlds. Hitting the ball with this paddle is like a dream come true, and you’ll be making those killer shots with ease.

But wait, there’s more! The GH7 also has a textured surface that adds a little extra spin to the ball, making your opponent think twice before returning that lob. The grip on this paddle is comfortable and secure, ensuring you won’t be dropping it during those intense rallies. In conclusion, if you’re looking for a paddle that’s out of this world, look no further than the Gearbox GH7.

Oneshot Purshot Middleweight 

The Pureshot Carbon Fiber Paddle uses a leading spin texture that still maintains the USAPA-approved status. The texture allows you to impart top/backspin with minimal effort. The Pureshot grip has a circumference of 4 3/8″ and weighs between 7.9 and 8.3 oz. The inner polymer core is (16mm) thick, which is thicker than your typical Pickleball paddle, resulting in a softer feel that reduces vibrations.

This is the first time that Oneshot has created a paddle that is carbon fiber and has a spin texture. They teamed up with Brian Ashworth to design the paddle and wanted to focus on responsiveness, balance, and control. Although it fits well in the spin category, the polymer core has plenty of kick and boasts a large sweet spot that can favor any style of play.

This family company is out of Seattle and offers a limited lifetime performance guarantee against manufacture defects if the original owner submits the paddle within 15 days of the purchase.

Engage Encore Pro Paddle

The Engage Encore Pro Paddle is the perfect blend of power and control. It’s no wonder why it’s a popular choice among provided in the professional pickleball scene. The paddle has a sleek and modern design, with a nice balance of colors that will make you look stylish on the court.

One of the most remarkable features of the Encore Pro is its textured surface, which delivers a considerable amount of spin to the ball. It’s like having a secret weapon in your arsenal, making your opponents scratch their heads in confusion. The paddle’s core is made of a high-quality polymer material, providing a comfortable and cushioned feel when hitting the ball.

The grip on this paddle is noteworthy as well. The Engage Encore Pro has a comfortable and ergonomic handle, allowing you to play for hours without any hand fatigue. It’s like holding a plush toy, except this plush toy can make you win pickleball games! The paddle’s weight distribution is well balanced, making it easy to handle and maneuver.

In conclusion, if you’re in the market for a high-performance paddle that looks good and feels great, the Engage Encore Pro is the one for you. It’s the perfect choice for players who want to take their game to the next level. So go ahead, make the investment, and become the envy of the pickleball court.

ProLite Rebel PowerSpin 2.0

Click Here to read reviews of the Rebel PowerSpin on Amazon

This might be a good choice for your first “spin” paddle or experienced pickleball players alike. It is and USAPA approved and is “green zone approved for quiet communities. The paddle handle is finished with ProLite’s Comfort Contour™ grip, quality, and comfortable grip which helps give better control.

Onix Composite Z5 Pickleball Paddle

Featuring a sleek and stylish design, the Onix Composite Z5 pickleball paddle is a top-of-the-line option for players seeking high-quality and well-designed equipment. Quickly becoming a favorite among pickleball enthusiasts, this paddle is a must-have for those who demand the best in performance and comfort.

Comprised of a composite material, the paddle’s surface provides excellent grip and control, allowing players to put a heavy spin on the ball. At its core, a high-density polymer material offers a comfortable and solid feel when hitting the ball, resulting in a well-balanced weight distribution that is easy to maneuver, even for players with less arm strength.

Designed with comfort in mind, the handle of the Onix Composite Z5 is ergonomically shaped, allowing players to grip the paddle comfortably for long periods of time, reducing wrist fatigue and enabling them to focus on their game. The balanced weight distribution makes the paddle easy to control, resulting in quick and precise shots.

With performance and style at the forefront, the Onix Composite Z5 is a bold and modern design that is sure to impress. Its top-notch performance gives players an edge over their opponents, while the durable and long-lasting surface and core materials make it a great investment for those looking for a high-quality paddle.

In conclusion, the Onix Composite Z5 pickleball paddle is a must-have for players seeking top-quality equipment. Its sleek design, superior performance, and comfortable handle make it the ideal choice for players of all skill levels.

Click Here to read reviews of the Onix Z5 on Amazon

As we said, this is a heavy-weight paddle so it might be too heavy for players who are looking for a lighter paddle and want to make fast moves while playing. If you are confident in your wrist and arm strength, then the weight of this pickleball paddle shouldn’t be a problem.

The grip is a little thicker and is similar to tennis racket grips. A few potential drawbacks to the Z5 are that the handle is on the thicker side so it might be difficult to quickly switch to a backhand. Also, the disposition of the weight combined with a thicker grip of the paddle might make it a bit more difficult to handle.

With all of this said, this paddle would be a great addition to your pickleball equipment if you are an experienced player.

The Z5 has been one of Onix’s best selling paddles for years. The paddle also comes in a graphite finish, if you are looking for spin make sure you get the composite version, not the graphite.

We covered the differences between the two Z5 models here. 

FAQs About Spin In Pickleball:

What’s the big deal about pickleball spin?

Pickleball spin is a crucial aspect of the game that can help players enhance their shot accuracy and keep their opponents guessing. It adds a level of strategy and complexity to the sport, making it more exciting and challenging for players of all skill levels. Understanding how to apply and anticipate spin can greatly improve a player’s game and give them an edge over their opponents.

Spin is particularly useful for players looking to extend rallies or to make the ball harder to return, as the ball’s rotation changes its flight path, making it more challenging for opponents to hit accurately. By using different types of spin, players can vary their shots, keeping their opponents on their toes and making it more difficult for them to anticipate the trajectory of the ball.

From what I see, there seem to be two main reasons for this growing trend:

1) The sport continues to evolve. Compared to the game’s early days, pickleball has progressed from a slower dinking game to a much more athletic sport, and players are more technically skilled than before. More athletes are being attracted to the sport and companies have responded with high tech paddles to meet this demand.

This combination of skill and better paddle technology continues to push the level of play. Advanced skills – like putting spin on the ball – have become mainstream. It’s pretty clear that pickleball equipment makers have taken notice of this trend by launching paddles that are optimized for the style of play we are seeing on the court…with new textured surfaces to maximize spin.

2) As the sport continues to grow, pickleball is attracting an increasing number of former tennis players. Most advanced tennis players are skilled at putting different effects on the ball (topspin, backspin, side spin) and most are able to put some pretty decent spin on their serve.

You’d be hard-pressed to find a seasoned tennis player that isn’t able to put spin on the ball. Most veteran players have a strong topspin serve, can place a well-targeted drop shot with backspin and are able to handle returning a serve with a lot of “junk” on it. If you watch pro tennis you’ll see forehand topspin as a dominant weapon in the sport.

Why Are Composite Paddles Best For Spin:

If you look closely at the face of a composite paddle you can see the texture of the material (normally fiberglass) compared to the glossy finish of a graphite/carbon fiber paddle face. You can also feel it (and probably hear it) if you scratch your fingers back and forth over the face of a composite paddle. That texture is what gives the paddle some “bite” or “grab” so when you slice it across the ball it gives it spin.

On a tennis racket, the player (or a Pro shop) can enhance the “bite” factor on their racket by using rougher, textured, or tacky strings to “grab” the ball by modifying the space between the strings (more space between strings for the ball to sink into). So while in tennis you can modify your strings to help increase spin, with a pickleball paddle you are stuck with the paddle face you buy, so no real way to increase texture or “grab” after you’ve bought the paddle.

Why Graphite Paddles are not the best pickleball paddles for spin.

Graphite paddle paddles are known for being lightweight and strong, are. The one feature they have been missing (up until now) was texture. Graphite/carbon fiber are high gloss and slippery surfaces and lack surface roughness we just discussed that composite materials are known for. Things changed when Engage Pickleball released what they call “liquid graphite”, a chemically bonded surface that lays over the surface of the paddle and enhances the texture to give it extra touch and feel.

Engage has added the new technology to its line of Encore paddles. In addition to enhanced touch and “playability”, the bonded “skin” gives it the bite you would get from a composite paddle. This new material could be a major milestone since it would deliver the benefits of graphite paddles (lightweight, durable) with the paddle surface grab that was lacking up until now.

Why Pickleball Paddles Alone Don’t Put Spin On Your Shots!

While high-quality sporting goods can definitely help improve your game but many players overestimate how much impact the equipment has. Just as buying a $400 titanium golf driver won’t make you hit hole-in-ones, buying a paddle marketed as a “paddle for spin” doesn’t automatically add effect to your shots as soon as you pick it up!

While the paddle face surface does help, there’s no doubt that a high-end composite paddle with a textured face or a new “liquid graphite” face will make it a lot easier to spin the ball – compared to a slippery face of a cheap wood paddle- buying a new paddle is not a magic wand!

To put lots of spin on your shots, first, you need to develop pickleball skills and practice your shots- A LOT! The combination of skill plus a quality paddle that is designed for spin can take your pickleball game to the next level. Below you’ll find several tips to add spin to your game.

Video- How to Put More Spin on Your Serve:

Here’s a great video by pickleball coach Deb Harrison (AKA “Ping Pong Deb”) teaching how to do the “Snap Serve”. She is a long-time player and teaches pickleball in The Villages (FL). Harrison runs her “Intense Pickleball Workshops” around the country and is a Pro-Lite Pro (sponsored by Pro-Lite, one of the leading paddle makers. I love her videos because they are concise and full of great tips, lots of valuable nuggets in just a few minutes. You can learn more about Deb Harrison here on her website.

Her videos also have great quality footage and show you the drill or shot from multiple angles, and the same is true in this video where you see her hitting the serve but also the ball coming at the camera so you can see the spin effect or “junk” as she calls it 🙂 coming off the bounce. She goes over how to keep your spin serve legal and as a bonus, in this video, she also goes over the return of serve applying under-spin. So in one video you learn how to do a spin serve and hit a return with spin on it. She also explains you can easily tweak the angle of the spin (side-spin, top-spin) by adjusting the angle of your stroke.

I’ve noticed in her videos that Deb is always wearing a pickleball glove.

Many players find that a glove (as in racquetball) helps get absorb sweat, gives better grip and reduces hand fatigue. We wrote about pickleball gloves here and gave some recommendations here.

Why you shouldn’t try to spin every shot:

Once you learn to put different kinds of spin on your shots, it’s tempting to put spin on every shot. The problem is that although novice players are often at a loss on how to handle spin, experienced players can read the spin on a pickleball pretty easily and will be able to take advantage of your shots. Advanced players can predict the bounce by visual clues: the angle of the paddle during your swing and the spin on the ball in flight- the large holes on pickleballs makes a spinning ball is easier to read than other racket sports.

Is it legal to put spin on a pickleball serve?

More than once, I’ve seen a game come to a complete stop while players from both sides debate whether or not a player’s serve is legal or not. As more tennis players migrate to pickleball I think this is going to be a more common dispute since they are used to putting spin on the ball…and a lot of pickleball players (especially beginners) may not be used to seeing so much effect coming off the ball. So, can you put spin on a pickleball serve and still keep it legal?

You can definitely put spin on your serve and be legal but there are a few important factors to consider about the general pickleball serving rules to make sure your serve is legal. Here is the official rule from the USA Pickleball Rulebook (2023).

Section 4– Service Rule #4.A:

Serve Motion. The serve must be made with an underhand stroke so that contact with the ball is made below the waist level (waist is defined as the navel level).

4.A.1 Underhand Defined. The arm must be moving in an upward arc and the paddle head shall be below the wrist when it strikes the ball (paddle head is that part of the paddle excluding handle. The highest point of the paddle head cannot be above any part of the line formed where the wrist joint bends). Click here to open the official Pickleball Rule Book in PDF.

So based on the rules, there are three main criteria to keep your serve legal: 1) your arm must be moving in an upward arc. or, the paddle needs to be going in an upward motion, (2) contact with the ball must occur below the waist and (3) the highest part of the paddle cannot be above the wrist.

Here is a good video by Mark Renneson of Third Shot Sports where he breaks down how to put more spin on your serve. Toward the end of the video, he shows a slo-mo video of his serve mechanics. Although some people in the comments have the opinion that he is doing an illegal serve, if you watch the end and pay attention the contact is made below his waist and the paddle is below his wrist so it is legal based on the IFP rules.  He is putting some pretty wicked serve on his serves so it’s a good example proving you can perform a legal serve.

Conclusion:

As the sport of pickleball evolves, the intensity of play and overall skill level of the average player is on the rise. That, compounded by the huge influx of experienced tennis players that have migrated to pickleball, have made spin a bigger part of the game that it was just a few years ago.

Intermediate and advanced tennis players use ball spin as one of their many weapons on the court and more players are now selecting their pickleball paddles with spin in mind. When looking for a new paddle to replace their used paddle or a new convert choosing their first paddle, many players are now taking a closer look at composite paddles and/or paddles that have some kind of enhanced surface texture to give them some extra “bite” on the ball.

We’ve talked to many crossover tennis players looking for paddles and many have said that spin is one of the top priorities for them. Having played tennis for years I understand where they are coming from- for a veteran tennis player, spin is a major part of their game and a very important skill to have whether it’s having a wicked topspin serve or a surgically placed backspin drop shot just over the net. For an informative look at how to deal with an opponent’s topspin vs backspin see this answer by national pro-level player Michael Shinzaki.

So the idea of relinquishing their ability to put spin on the ball with a glossy graphite paddle with little to no surface texture most players is not an appealing option and will gravitate towards a paddle designed, at least in part, for pickleball spin.

Pickleball companies are obviously aware of this trend and have stepped to the plate to deliver what the players want. In 2017-2018 we saw a “spin paddle” (paddles marketed specifically for spin) released by almost every major pickleball manufacturer and looking forward to will bring in the pickleball market and how much the spin factor will continue to influence the development of paddle technology.