Racquet Social

Update notice: This article is no longer actively maintained. Some players have changed sponsors or paddle models since publication. Treat the information below as historical, and check manufacturers’ websites for current player affiliations and equipment.

Choosing a paddle for your own game? See our Pickleball Paddle Buying Guide.

Pickleball has achieved something that other racquet sports, such as tennis, squash, racquetball, and badminton, have not been able to achieve. The game has won the hearts and minds of nearly nine million Americans, many of whom have never picked up a racquet or paddle until now. The money has followed. Players happily drop hundreds of dollars on pickleball paddles, balls, peripheral gear, and associated facilities and services.

To say that the pickleball industry has grown would be an understatement. While there are conflicting numbers, one study estimates the pickleball market, valued at USD 1.5 billion in 2023, to grow to USD 4.4 billion by 2033.

Not bad for a sport that started as a backyard recreational game!

The elite world of pickleball paddles is best displayed in professional pickleball leagues such as the PPA, MLP, and APP. The pros’ favorite brands and models represent the gold standard in pickleball paddles. High-end pickleball paddles often come with price tags steeper than what you would pay for a top-of-the-line tennis or squash racquet. While most pickleball players are happy with paddles that fall in the $50-$100 range, there is a market for paddles that top the $250 price point.

If you are curious about the brands and models of pickleball paddles preferred by some of the pros, this post explores some of the leading ones.

Note: The pickleball paddles used by the pros are subject to change due to evolving preferences and sponsorship deals.

Selkirk

When it comes to high-end pickleball paddles, Selkirk is arguably the best-recognized brand. Selkirk Sport is a family-owned business headquartered in Hayden, Idaho. According to the company, they produce their entire range of pickleball paddles in-house within the United States. Selkirk offers a wide selection of designs, models, and colors, positioned towards the higher end of the price spectrum, catering more to intermediate and advanced players. The company has established a solid reputation through its effective marketing strategies and high-profile sponsorships. Three of the top professional players who use Selkirk paddles are shown below.

Catherine Parenteau: Selkirk Vanguard Power Air Invikta

Jack Sock: Luxx Control Air

Dylan Frazier: Selkirk Labs Project 002

Other Selkirk pros you may recognize include Paris Todd, James Ignatowich, and Collin Shick.

---

Paddletek

Paddletek specializes in producing a range of top-of-the-line pickleball paddles used by some of the most prominent names in the professional pickleball landscape. The company sponsors Anna Leigh Waters, the top-ranked female pickleball professional currently active. She is widely recognized as one of the most successful pickleball pros in the game. Paddletek is a family-owned business founded in 2011 in Scottsdale, Arizona, that has since relocated to Niles, Michigan.

Anna Leigh Waters: Paddletek Bantam ALW-C

Leigh Waters: Paddletek Phoenix Genesis

Christian Alshon, Irina Tereschenko, and Andrea Koop are other pros who use Paddletek pickleball paddles.

---

Joola

A well-known brand in the table tennis industry, Joola is relatively new in the pickleball paddle business. Joola made headlines when they signed Ben Johns, the world’s top-ranked male pickleball player who was the face of Franklin Paddles until then. Joola has since made significant strides on the pro circuit and among club players. Originally a German brand, Joola (pronounced Yoola) is now an American-owned business based in Rockville, Maryland.

The recent signing of Tyson McGuffin, one of the more recognized pros in the pickleball business, is a big win for Joola.

Ben Johns: JOOLA Ben Johns Perseus 3 16

Tyson McGuffin: JOOLA Tyson McGuffin Magnus 3S 16

Anna Bright: Anna Bright Scorpeus 3 14

Simone Jardim, Collin Johns, and Brooke Buckner are also part of the Joola Pro team.

---

Onix

Onix’s reputation stems from its innovative designs and the broad range of paddles suitable for players of all skill levels. From advanced to intermediate and recreational players, Onix offers a diverse selection of paddles. Their Z5 Graphite is a popular choice among club players. However, Onix also manufactures paddles used by professional players such as Lucy Kovalova, a former number-one female  Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) Tour player. Onix is based in Evansville, Indiana, crafting high-quality paddles, balls, and accessories since 2005.

Lucy Kovalova: Onix Evoke Premier Pro RAW Carbon Fiber

Shelby Bates: Onix Evoke Premier Raw Carbon Fiber

Matt Wright: Onix Evoke Premier Pro RAW Carbon Fiber

Other pros that use Onix pickleball paddles include Eli Bertram, and Matthew Boyett.

---

Engage

Engage, a pure-play pickleball company is a prominent sponsor of professional players. The company proudly states that its entire paddle lineup undergoes start-to-finish production in the United States, though certain lower-priced Omega paddles from Engage might be produced overseas. Jessie Irvine, a highly-ranked player in the sport, is perhaps the most recognized pro who plays with Engage paddles. The other pickleball pros sponsored by Engage include Mitch Hargreaves, Eric Oncins, and Alix Truong.

Jessie Irvine: Engage Pursuit Pro MX Raw T700 Carbon Fiber

---

Franklin

Headquartered in Stoughton, Massachusetts, sporting goods company Franklin Sports has been manufacturing high-quality sports equipment for over 75 years. Franklin has a well-established presence in various sports, such as boxing, football, basketball, and baseball. In recent years, Franklin Sports has gained recognition for producing superior-quality pickleball paddles. Their “Signature” series was popularized by the number one-ranked pickleball professional Ben Johns before he switched sponsors.

JW Johnson, a top pickleball professional with demonstrated success in Pro Men’s Singles, Doubles, and Mixed Doubles, uses Franklin paddles.

JW Johnson: Franklin Signature Carbon STK 17MM

Hayden Patriquin: FS Tour Paddle Series Dynasty 14MM

---

ProXR

Sports-grip technology company ProXR LLC is based in St. Louis, Missouri. ProXR has branched out into the rapidly growing sport of pickleball from its MLB and NHL roots. In its short history with pickleball, ProXR has managed to win over some of the top professional players in the world. No. 3 ranked men’s pro singles player Zane Navratil and the No. 1 Women’s Senior Pro Doubles player Beth Bellamy are now sponsored by ProXR.

It’s worth noting that ProXR is one of the few paddle manufacturers that produces pickleball paddles with 6-inch handles.

Zane Navaratil: Zane Navaratil Signature Carbon 6” handle.

Connor Garnett: Connor Garnett Signature 6” handle.

ProXr’s Pro Corner includes Riley Newman, Mari Humberg, Andre Mick, and Carlos Di Laura.

---

Vulcan

Vulcan is an Arkansas-based company that has been in business since 2015 and manufactures baseball, softball, tennis, and pickleball products. In case you weren’t aware, effective January 2024, Vulcan has become the official ball supplier of the PPA Tour. Vulcan sponsors several professional players, including Jay Devilliers, a top-10 pickleball pro with a tennis background.

Tyler Loong and Corrine Carr are also Vulcan’s pro team members.

Jay Devilliers: Vulcan V740MAX

---

CRBN

Garrett Gosselin, an American pickleball pro turned entrepreneur, founded CRBN in 2020. CRBN paddles have gained popularity among pros and club players. Typically used by advanced players, CRBN paddles are on the higher end of the price spectrum. CRBN appears to have overcome past setbacks that saw USAPA banning some of their paddle brands for not conforming to approved specs. CRBN sponsors Thomas Wilson, a top-5 mixed doubles pro pickleball player.

Thomas Wilson: Paddle: CRBN 1X Power Series

---

Volair

Volair, the Texas-based company, is another entrant in the pickleball paddle business. Julian Arnold, a college tennis player who switched to pro pickleball, is a promoter and uses Volair paddles. You can see the list of pros sponsored by Volair here.

---

Gamma

Perhaps best known for their tennis strings, grips, and ball hoppers, Gamma Sports is a Pittsburgh-based company that produces pickleball paddles designed for players of all levels. Gamma makes high-quality paddles with materials such as graphite and fiberglass. Gamma paddles are available in various shapes and sizes to suit different playing styles and skill levels. Brendon Long, a top-30 pickleball pro, plays with Gamma paddles. Other Gamma Pros include Jillian Braverman and Sarah Ansboury.

---

You can see Gamma’s Pro Team here.

Head

Initially launched as an alpine ski-manufacturing company, Head is headquartered in Austria. Head is a major supplier of racquets, sports accessories, and pickleball paddles and markets paddles for players of all levels. Head pickleball paddles are popular with the pros and club players since they are a well-recognized brand readily available in most sporting goods stores.

Canadian Steve Deakin, a top-30 singles player, is sponsored by Head.

Steve Deakin: Head Gravity Tour

The boom in the number of pricey pickleball paddles would indicate that some players believe that the right equipment can make a difference to their game. While higher-priced paddles may offer small advantages in performance, the player’s skill remains the most critical factor in the game.

If you are going to splurge on a pickleball paddle, why not pick one of the pro favorites? If you are concerned about overspending, check out this post titled, Pickleball Paddles: How to Find the Right One Without Overpaying.

Please share your experiences in the comments below, if you have used any of these pickleball paddles. Also, are there other paddles that should make this list? Let us know.