Our *NEW* Top 5 Control Paddles For December 2024 | Rackets & Runners

Rackets & Runners' Luca Berg shares his thoughts on the top 5 best control paddles in December 2025.

Honolulu Pickleball J2K : SOLD OUT

[metal_bloo]

Surprised the Ripple isn't this guy's #1 control paddle

[duanehensley]

I wish you guys sold the Gruvn Line of pickelball paddles so you would do a review of them. Their quality is top tier and the Gruvn Muvn and Lazr series being as good as anything out there and better than most. The Lazr being my favorite. It could easily contend for top 5 all-court paddle.

[greenbox]

The Luxx is amazing. I still use one from the original launch release window (13 months old), and even though the grit has worn off quite a bit, I dominate with it. Still get great spin and placement, reset everything from anywhere, consistently absorb shots from all these Gen 3 paddles, and put away the right ones. It is a paddle that requires more skill, effort and patience, but the payoff and satisfaction is phenomenal.

[hartfordwolfpack]

Luca how do you feel about titanium face sheets for control as opposed to kevlar? Personally I've felt a bit more plushness from titanium that helps me reset and drop. Easiest comparison is the J2k vs J2Ti

[TheRicoco]

The Volair Mach 2 forza is not there because not available in your store?

[experientialtennispickleball]

Luca, I think you should consider commenting on the grip shape and size on the paddles.

Coming from tennis background, I started Pickleball two months ago. I got 6 paddles from the same brand, but immediately there are some important differences about the grips:

- Slim and round-bevelled ones feel much more maneuverable at the kitchen, since 1) you can switch faster from a forehand to a backhand grip and 2) you can flick-volley (flick the wrist) easier

I got a paddle that has a grip shape a la Head's TK82 / Tecnifibre rectangular shape (like an L2 tennis grip size) and this one feels the least maneuverable at the kitchen.

Since, the incoming forces of impact are much lower than tennis, I don't see the need for rectangular grip shapes in Pickleball paddles.

Slim and completely round or at least square grip shape but still small circumference, do the job great.

There's minimal twisting forces in Pickleball and if any, can be fixed with some lead tape.

[Syndrome]

The luxx is hard to recommend due to the spray on grit

Luxx control air with the infinigrit. from the 007.

[yummybong]

I wish I could demo paddles at the store, can we get an Ontario store though lol perferably southern Ontario not in Toronto but south of it would be amazing.

[ArianaWilson-]

Thanks for your list. Hudef Mage Pro Gen2 is also a good choice.

[lazyhusband]

Get the Monarch Jellybean and save yourself some money. Trust me.

[gkl]

Weird I feel like Kevlar is stiffer than Carbon fiber to me. And Titanium is softer and more plush than both.

[JimFe-jf]

I’ve tried most of the control paddles that you mentioned but I think you missed the boat by not including the Volair Mach 2 Forza. Your company sells the M2F and I would rate it as the very best in control. Very curious why you never included it??

[MstlyHarmless]

I don’t get why the pulse v keeps landing in control. Mine broke in and I have a bit of weight at the throat and it’s one of the most powerful paddles I’ve hit. Getting comments on my drives every game

[spaznickermeyer]

I wonder where the J3Ti will land on this list....

[markomarin]

Need a power paddle for people who love to drive .

[userb]

Would have bought a luxx IF the grid would last.

[LukasLwM]

Hmmm, I thought J2K is all court instead of control paddle lol