Buying Guide · 2026
What paddle should I get?
It's the question everyone asks first — so here's my straight answer. This is my personal take after playing and testing a lot of paddles: a simple set of principles that gets you a great paddle without overthinking it (or overspending).
The short answer
Get a paddle that's under $130, Gen 4, and dual-foam — with a newer durable grit surface and internal weighting.
That's it. If you just want a recommendation and want to skip the reasoning, filter the catalog to paddles under $130 and start there.
1Stay under $130
You do not need to spend $200+ to get a genuinely excellent paddle. I personally buy paddles under $130 and I've never felt held back by that ceiling. The technology that used to be premium-only has trickled down — you can get modern construction at a sane price.
And honestly, even when money is no object, I'd apply the same principles below. Spending more mostly buys you a more durable, longer-lasting grit surface — not a fundamentally different paddle. So set a budget you're happy with and don't sweat the ultra-premium tier.
2Go Gen 4 — dual foam (foam ring + foam core)
The paddle style I'd choose in 2026 is a dual-foam paddle: a foam ring around the edge plus a foam core. That combination is basically what people mean by Gen 4.
The foam perimeter expands the sweet spot and adds forgiveness on off-center hits, while the foam core gives you that lively, controllable pop. It's the current sweet spot for feel and performance — and it's where the newest paddles are headed.
3Pick a newer durable grit — not old carbon fiber
Spin and control come from the paddle's surface texture (its “grit”). I'd steer toward the newer, more durable grit surfaces rather than the traditional carbon-fiber face (the classic Toray T700 weave).
Older surfaces can lose their bite as they wear, and your spin drops off with them. The newer durable grits hold their texture longer, so the paddle keeps performing the way it did on day one. This is also the main thing you're paying for when you spend more — a grit that lasts.
4Look for internal weighting
Newer paddles increasingly use internal weights built into the frame rather than asking you to add lead tape around the edges. It's a cleaner, better-balanced way to tune swing weight and stability, and it's a good sign a paddle is using current design thinking.
Put it together
A paddle under $130 that's Gen 4 dual-foam, with a newer durable grit and internal weighting, is a paddle you'll be happy with for a long time. Spend more only if you specifically want a longer-lasting grit — the principles don't change.
This is my personal opinion and buying philosophy — not sponsored advice. Play styles differ, so use it as a starting point and try before you buy when you can.