Paddle Roundup: The Best Pickleball Paddles I Tested This Month
Welcome to another edition of the Pickleball Paddle Roundup, where I take you through a wide range of paddles I’ve been testing over the past month. This roundup includes a mix of new releases, pre-launch models, and a few old favorites that made their way back into my regular rotation.
I tested a total of 12 paddles, covering different shapes, core thicknesses, materials, and swing weights. At the end, I’ll name a standout winner—a paddle that honestly surprised me in multiple ways.
Let’s dive in.
1. CRBN Trufoam Genesis 2: My Current Main
The CRBN Trufoam Genesis 2 (TF2) is the paddle that’s held the top spot in my bag since its release. Featuring a foam core, the TF2 delivers a unique feel that blends power with dense control. It also includes a fiberglass sweet spot insert that takes some getting used to but ultimately creates a really satisfying response off the face.
Why the TF2 over the TF1 or TF3? Simple: swing weight. The TF2's lower stock swing weight gave me the freedom to add custom weight and dial in my preferred balance. Foam-core paddles are becoming more common, but in my opinion, nothing else has matched the Trufoam series yet.
🛠 Pro tip: If you're customizing your paddle with lead tape, the TF2 is a great base due to its lighter swing weight compared to the tfg1 or 3.
2. Paddletek Bantam TKO-CX & ALW-C: Reliable Gen 1 Performance
While the TKO-CX and ALW-C aren’t new paddles, they still bring something special to the table. These are Gen 1 builds, which often means better durability and fewer potential quality control issues.
Each model comes in 14.3mm and 12.7mm thicknesses, allowing you to choose based on your preferred balance of control and power.
TKO-CX: Elongated with a long handle, crisp feel, and plenty of pop. I favored the 14.3mm for its enhanced sweet spot and better control.
ALW-C: Standard shape, low swing weight, and quick hands. The 12.7mm version stood out as a fast, powerful paddle that’s super fun to play with.
If you prefer an elongated, power-focused paddle: go TKO.
If you want a lighter, more customizable paddle with a larger sweet spot that hits hard: go ALW-C.
3. Vatic Pro Saga 14mm – Especially the Bloom
The Vatic Saga 14mm series comes in three shapes:
Elongated V7
Hybrid Flash
Standard Bloom
I’ve already reviewed the V7 and Flash (short handle versions), but in this roundup, the Bloom stole the spotlight.
Despite traditionally preferring elongated shapes, I was blown away by how much I enjoyed the standard-shaped Bloom. It’s quick, stable, powerful, and easy to use right out of the box. Best of all? It’s just $119 with discount code PickleballBlast—making it one of the best value paddles on the market today.
4. Diadem Icon Infinity Pro & Max: An Edgeless Experience
The Icon Infinity Pro and Max from Diadem are edgeless paddles (with a removable edge guard). At first, I wasn’t sold—especially on the Pro—but after revisiting them, I found myself playing more consistently with the Pro.
Icon Pro: Elongated, lightweight, and quick—great for hand speed.
Icon Max: More power, but I struggled to control this, in my opinion due to the head heavy feel.
The spray-on grit will wear faster than raw carbon fiber, and at $220 MSRP, these feel a bit pricey—especially considering newer models are on the horizon.
🎯 What’s next? Keep an eye out for Diadem’s upcoming Bluecore line, featuring foam-core builds in three shapes and three core thicknesses (14, 16, and 19mm). Early impressions suggest they could be game-changers.
5. Standout CF4: A Quiet Surprise
The Standout CF4 caught me off guard in the best way. I first saw this paddle in action during a drilling session with Matt from Matt’s Pickleball and didn’t recognize the brand. After testing it myself, I was hooked.
Elongated but not head-heavy
Quick in the hands
Powerful yet stable
Wide and generous sweet spot
It features a narrow cell polypropylene core, which gives it excellent consistency across the face. This one quickly became a paddle I looked forward to using again and again.
6. Franklin C45: Lightweight and Surprisingly Powerful
The Franklin C45 grew on me. Initially, I wasn’t sure about it, but with time—and some added weight—it’s become a permanent part of my bag.
This paddle is:
Lightweight
Poppy and powerful
Highly customizable (I added ~9g of lead tape)
Once adjusted, the paddle felt crisp, fast, and controlled. It’s fun to use and brings something different to a market filled with similar offerings. There are some quality control concerns, which I cover more in-depth in my full review, but performance-wise, the C45 delivers.
🏆 Paddle of the Month: Vatic Saga 14mm Bloom
Choosing a winner this time was tough, but the Vatic Bloom takes the crown for two big reasons:
It surprised me – I didn’t expect to love a standard shape this much, but the performance, control, and speed were undeniable.
Unmatched value – For $119 after code, you’re getting a fast, stable, and aggressive paddle backed by a trusted brand.
Would I still take the CRBN Trufoam Genesis 2 to a tournament tomorrow? Yes, I just have much more time on that paddle. But the Vatic Bloom made a strong enough impression to earn the spotlight today.
Final Thoughts
Have a paddle you want to see in the next roundup? Let me know in the comments!
If you found this post helpful and plan on picking up any of these paddles, using the code PICKLEBALLBLAST supports this blog and channel directly. Thanks for reading, and I’ll see you next time with another deep dive into the best paddles on the market.
