Thrive Smoke Pickleball Paddle Review: A Power-Focused Paddle with Some Surprises
If you’re looking for a pickleball paddle that balances power and control, the Thrive Smoke might just be what you need. Thrive Pickleball has released a power-focused paddle with some standout features, but there are a few things worth considering before making your purchase. Let’s dive into my thoughts on the Thrive Smoke and see if it’s a good fit for your game.
Key Features of the Thrive Smoke
Before we jump into the pros and cons, let’s take a quick look at the key specs of the Thrive Smoke pickleball paddle:
Core: Macro Charged Performance Core with 10mm cells for extra power
Face: 5-layer face with carbon fiber and fiberglass for durability and pop
Core Thickness: 14.5mm (between the common 14mm and 16mm thicknesses)
Handle Length: 5.6 inches
Handle Circumference: 4.125 inches
Price: $220 (or below $200 with the code PickleballBlast)
With these basic stats out of the way, let’s take a deeper look at what makes this paddle stand out.
What I Loved About the Thrive Smoke
1. Customizable Swing Weight
One feature that immediately stood out to me is how Thrive allows you to personalize the swing weight during the ordering process. This is an excellent way for players to get the exact feel they want in their paddle. Swing weight affects how quickly a paddle feels in your hands, and Thrive’s approach lets you fine-tune it to match your personal preference. It’s a nice touch that sets the Smoke apart from other paddles on the market.
2. Longer Handle & Balanced Design
Another thing I loved about the Thrive Smoke was the longer handle length and overall paddle balance. As someone who tends to grip paddles higher up on the handle, I found that the Smoke’s balance encouraged me to hold it lower, which helped with my forehand whip and net mobility for backhands. If you like a longer handle, this paddle could be a great fit.
3. Power and Pop
When it comes to power, the Thrive Smoke delivers. It has an excellent combination of pop and control, especially at the net. While it doesn’t have the highest-end power, it’s more than enough for most players, and the control you get at the net is exceptional. The 14.5mm core thickness is a nice compromise, providing pop without sacrificing stability.
4. Great Spin Potential
The gritty surface of the Thrive Smoke offers excellent spin, and the paddle provides a solid feel for controlling shots like dinks and resets. While the thinner core limits the ball pocketing somewhat, the surface grit makes up for it by delivering solid spin.
What I Didn’t Love About the Thrive Smoke
1. Smaller Sweet Spot
The biggest downside to the Thrive Smoke for me was the sweet spot. While it’s not tiny, it’s on the smaller side, and the drop-off around the edges felt abrupt. Shots that didn’t hit the sweet spot came off the paddle with much less power, especially during resets and quick exchanges at the net. If you’re someone who misses the sweet spot often, this could be a bit of a challenge.
2. Price Point Concerns
At $220, the Thrive Smoke is in the higher-end price range, and while you can get it for under $200 with a discount code, it still sits in a tricky spot. The price is lower than high-end paddles from brands like Selkirk, Joola, and Paddletek, but it’s higher than many other paddles on the market. If the price were closer to $165–$175 after the code, it would be much easier to recommend as an excellent value for the performance you get.
Should You Buy the Thrive Smoke?
Overall, I’ve enjoyed my time with the Thrive Smoke and it’s a paddle I keep reaching for, especially for singles play. The power, pop, and spin are all very impressive, and the longer handle and customizable swing weight add a lot of value. If you’re someone who prefers an elongated shape and a longer handle, this paddle could be a great fit for your game.
However, if you’re someone who needs a larger sweet spot or is more sensitive to the price, you might want to explore other options. At just under $200 with the discount, the price is competitive, but it still feels a bit on the higher side when compared to other paddles.
Thrive Pickleball Discount Code
If you’re planning to buy the Thrive Smoke or any other paddles, consider using the code PickleballBlast to save 10% while helping us out as well over on the Thrive Pickleball Website
Conclusion
The Thrive Smoke pickleball paddle is a solid option for power-focused players who prefer an elongated shape and a longer handle. While it has a smaller sweet spot and a higher price point, its performance in terms of power, spin, and feel makes it worth considering for those who want to take their game to the next level.
Have you tried the Thrive Smoke or have any questions about the paddle? Drop them in the comments below! Don’t forget to like and subscribe for more reviews, and I’ll see you in the next video.
