This is part two of our series on Mastering The Pickleball Serve for Beginners, and we're jumping right into the deep end with a thorough look ...
Brenton Cashmore
Introduction Mastering the serve is a crucial first step to becoming a legit Pb star. Literally, the first shot you will hit as a beginner is a serve. ...
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As a retired army colonel who loves pickleball, I can attest to the fact that this sport has been exploding exponentially in popularity. This is kinda good ...
What is the 3rd Shot? Hold onto your paddles, pickleball enthusiasts, because we're about to embark on a rip-roaring adventure into the exhilarating world ...
We’re all looking for the perfect pickleball paddle to help you take your game to the next level. It’s why we all immediately look at our paddle after ...
Sports fans worldwide often adapt games to fit their space and abilities to create something new. The latest example of this, pickleball, has become one of ...
Just picked up the Pro Air and gotta say—it’s a solid option for control-focused players, especially if you like a plush, predictable feel on resets and dinks. Coming from paddles like the CRBN TF2 and Six Zero Double Black Diamond, I noticed right away that the Pro Air gives up a bit of raw pop and spin potential but makes up for it in forgiveness and stability. It’s not going to blast winners, but it will keep you consistent when things speed up.
Compared to something like the CRBN TF2 (which feels more connected and offensive), the Pro Air is a bit more muted but easier to dial in defensively. I do wish the spin was a tick higher—definitely trails the raw carbon fiber face paddles in that department.
All in all, great choice if you want a reliable, easy-to-control paddle that excels in the soft game. Just don’t expect it to win the arms race at the net.
I wasn’t sure what to expect with the Gearbox GX5—I’ve mostly played with polymer core paddles like the Selkirk Vanguard and CRBN—but man, this thing is different in all the best ways. The solid carbon fiber core gives it this smooth, responsive feel that’s surprisingly addictive. It’s got a thinner profile than I’m used to, but the pop is crisp and the control?
It’s not a power paddle, but it lets you take pace off the ball with a kind of finesse I didn’t know I had. Reminded me a bit of the feel you get with the original Diadem Warrior Edge, but cleaner on contact. A few friends said it felt “dead” compared to their spin monsters, but I think it’s more about precision than flair.
And bonus: no delam worries, no foam weirdness, just a paddle that shows up every day and does its job. Great for control junkies or anyone sick of chasing the next big thing.
Took the plunge on the Halo XL and wow—this thing punches way above its price point. I’ve been testing it against the usual suspects like the Vatic Pro Prism and the CRBN 1X, and while it doesn’t quite hit their top-end power or spin numbers, it holds its own impressively well for a budget-friendly paddle.
The control is where it shines. Dinks, resets, and drops just land, even when I’m off balance or late. The spin isn’t elite-tier, but it’s solid—especially once you break in the T700 face a bit. And I love the elongated shape for reach, without feeling clunky.
If you’re a rec player or just getting serious about leveling up, this paddle gives you 80–90% of the performance of the $200+ paddles without torching your wallet. Genuinely surprised by how much I’ve enjoyed it.