No. 1
No. 2
No. 3
No. 4
No. 2
No. 1
No. 3
No. 1
No. 2
No. 4
No. 3
No. 1
No. 4
No. 1
No. 2
No. 4
11SIX24 · Elongated
Hurache-X Jelly Bean 2 review
Get it for reach and spin in a soft elongated.
- PowerB73
- PopB73
- SpinS98
- Sweet spotC50
- ControlC54
The best control pickleball paddles
The best control pickleball paddle is the Volair Mach 2 Forza 16mm, because its control score of 100 out of 100 is higher than any other paddle I've tested, and it's $107.99 with code STSPICKLEBALL.
These are the 10 widebodies, all 16mm or thicker, that give you the most control, ranked by my control score. I stuck to widebodies because the typical widebody scores 76 for control. That's a little more than the typical hybrid, at 71 for control, and far more than the typical elongated, at 45 for control. If you want more reach, the two boxes under the list have my top three hybrids and top three elongateds for control.
By Steven Shipler · Updated October 14, 2026 · Stock and prices checked October 14, 2026Most of these paddles were sent to me free by the brands. I earn a commission when you buy through my links or codes. It never changes a rank. How I test
See all 10 at a glanceCompare No. 1 and No. 2
No. 1 · Most control of allVolair Mach 2 Forza$107.99 with my codeThe top five
Updated October 14, 2026
1Most control of allMach 2 Forza100control$107.99with my code
2Top control under $100Pegasus Jelly Bean95control$89.99with my code
3Control for the least moneyHarmony V92control$71.99with my code
4Most control in foamSLK Dauntless Widebody89control$150+ $20 gift card
5Control with real spinPegasus Jelly Bean 288control$159.99with my code
All 10 at a glance
Ranked by control score, straight from my database. Sweet spot breaks ties. Tap a pick to jump to it.
- 1Volair Mach 2 ForzaMost control of all100control$107.99with codeSTSPICKLEBALL
- 211SIX24 Pegasus Jelly BeanTop control under $10095control$89.99with codeSTSPICKLEBALL
- 3Pickleball Apes Harmony VControl for the least money92control$71.99with codeSTSPICKLEBALL
- 4Selkirk SLK Dauntless WidebodyMost control in foam89control$150plus a $20 gift card, codeINF-STSPICKLEBALL
- 511SIX24 Pegasus Jelly Bean 2UPA-A onlyControl with real spin88control$159.99with codeSTSPICKLEBALL
- 6Selkirk AMPED Pro Air EpicFirm face, quick hands86control$100plus a $20 gift card, codeINF-STSPICKLEBALL
- 7Franklin C45 TempoThe lightest swing here81control$206.99with codeSTSPICKLEBALL
- 8JOOLA Scorpeus Pro IVControl that still hits80control$149.95list price
- 9Bread & Butter Loco StandardBiggest sweet spot here79control$134.33with codeSTSPICKLEBALL
- 10Honolulu J3NFFor two-handed backhands77control$175.50with codeSTS10
Tap a column to sort.Pick a sort below. Tap a paddle for its numbers and price.
| Paddle | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1Widebody · $107.99 | F34 | C64 | C63 | S91 | S100 | 2,247 | 110.1 | 7.24 | $107.99STSPICKLEBALL |
| 2 | 2Widebody · $89.99 | D36 | C58 | C64 | S93 | S95 | 2,250 | 106.9 | 7.04 | $89.99STSPICKLEBALL |
| 3 | 3Widebody · $71.99 | C52 | D44 | B68 | S90 | S92 | 2,261 | 106.0 | 7.33 | $71.99STSPICKLEBALL |
| 4 | 4Widebody · $150 | C50 | B70 | D38 | A89 | A89 | 2,185 | 110.7 | 7.18 | $150INF-STSPICKLEBALL |
| 5 | 5Widebody · $159.99 | C63 | B72 | S94 | S91 | A88 | 2,375 | 112.5 | 6.92 | $159.99STSPICKLEBALL |
| 6 | 6Widebody · $100 | D42 | B71 | C59 | A81 | A86 | 2,235 | 109.2 | 6.81 | $100INF-STSPICKLEBALL |
| 7 | 7Widebody · $206.99 | D49 | F30 | D49 | A83 | A81 | 2,210 | 102.5 | 6.57 | $206.99STSPICKLEBALL |
| 8 | 8Widebody · $149.95 | A85 | C55 | B72 | A86 | A80 | 2,279 | 110.8 | 7.34 | $149.95list price |
| 9 | 9Widebody · $134.33 | B77 | A82 | B77 | S95 | B79 | 2,301 | 108.2 | 7.34 | $134.33STSPICKLEBALL |
| 10 | 10Widebody · $175.50 | B70 | A80 | B71 | A82 | B77 | 2,270 | 110.1 | 6.73 | $175.50STS10 |
1$107.99
- F34Power
- C64Pop
- C63Spin
- S91Sweet spot
- S100Control
2,247 RPMswing 110.1twist 7.24
2$89.99
- D36Power
- C58Pop
- C64Spin
- S93Sweet spot
- S95Control
2,250 RPMswing 106.9twist 7.04
3$71.99
- C52Power
- D44Pop
- B68Spin
- S90Sweet spot
- S92Control
2,261 RPMswing 106.0twist 7.33
4$150
- C50Power
- B70Pop
- D38Spin
- A89Sweet spot
- A89Control
2,185 RPMswing 110.7twist 7.18
5$159.99
- C63Power
- B72Pop
- S94Spin
- S91Sweet spot
- A88Control
2,375 RPMswing 112.5twist 6.92
6$100
- D42Power
- B71Pop
- C59Spin
- A81Sweet spot
- A86Control
2,235 RPMswing 109.2twist 6.81
7$206.99
- D49Power
- F30Pop
- D49Spin
- A83Sweet spot
- A81Control
2,210 RPMswing 102.5twist 6.57
8$149.95
- A85Power
- C55Pop
- B72Spin
- A86Sweet spot
- A80Control
2,279 RPMswing 110.8twist 7.34
9$134.33
- B77Power
- A82Pop
- B77Spin
- S95Sweet spot
- B79Control
2,301 RPMswing 108.2twist 7.34
10$175.50
- B70Power
- A80Pop
- B71Spin
- A82Sweet spot
- B77Control
2,270 RPMswing 110.1twist 6.73
UPA-A only Approved for UPA-A events such as the PPA Tour, but not on USA Pickleball's list, so not for USA Pickleball tournaments. Fine for rec play.
Compare No. 1 and No. 2 side by sideSearch every paddle I've tested
Prices are after my code.
- 1
Most control of all
Volair Mach 2 Forza
100control out of 100
$107.99with my code
list price $119.99Code STSPICKLEBALL takes 10% off, and my link applies it.
- F34Power
- C64Pop
- C63Spin
- S91Sweet spot
- S100Control
Score out of 100Rank among widebodies you can buy
- PowerF3441st
- PopC6432nd
- SpinC63tied 31st
- Sweet spotS91tied 8th
- ControlS100best
Why it's here and who it's for
If control is the whole point, this is the paddle. The Mach 2 Forza scored 100 out of 100 for control, more than any other paddle I've tested, and it's one of only seven that score 90 or more for both control and sweet spot. It's an older honeycomb paddle from December 2023, and nothing newer has caught it on control. It's soft and plush, and it takes pace off the ball easily, so resets drop short. It's also really predictable, so when you miss, it's your swing and not the paddle. Owners have reported their control, drops and resets got better with it.
Who should skip it: Skip it if you want the paddle to finish points for you, because nearly every paddle I've tested hits harder.
Only the Pink color was in stock in 16mm at Volair on October 14, 2026.
Why No. 1
It's first by 5 points of control over the original Pegasus Jelly Bean, which is a little more. Otherwise the two are close, with about the same power, sweet spot and spin, and the Forza has a little more pop for $18 more. It's $107.99 with code STSPICKLEBALL.
- 2
Top control under $100
11SIX24 Pegasus Jelly Bean
95control out of 100
$89.99with my code
list price $99.99Code STSPICKLEBALL takes $10 off, and my link applies it. How the 11SIX24 code works
- D36Power
- C58Pop
- C64Spin
- S93Sweet spot
- S95Control
Score out of 100Rank among widebodies you can buy
- PowerD3640th
- PopC5834th
- SpinC64tied 29th
- Sweet spotS93tied 5th
- ControlS952nd
Why it's here and who it's for
This is the most control you can get for under $100. The original Pegasus Jelly Bean scored 95 out of 100 for control, and only three paddles I've tested have more, including the Mach 2 Forza. The Jelly Bean's sweet spot scored 93 out of 100, and only seven paddles I've tested have a bigger one. It's the older generation of the Jelly Bean, a little firmer than the Jelly Bean 2, and it doesn't have much pop, so soft shots come off the face slow and your dinks and resets stay down. It also swings light, so your hands stay quick at the kitchen.
Who should skip it: Skip it if you want spin, because the Jelly Bean 2 spins far more, 2,375 RPM against 2,250.
Why No. 2
It's 5 points behind the Forza, a little less control, for $18 less. Next to the Harmony V below, it has about the same control and clearly more pop, but it costs $18 more. It's $89.99 with code STSPICKLEBALL.
- 3
Control for the least money
Pickleball Apes Harmony V
92control out of 100
$71.99with my code
list price $79.99Code STSPICKLEBALL takes 10% off, and my link applies it.
- C52Power
- D44Pop
- B68Spin
- S90Sweet spot
- S92Control
Score out of 100Rank among widebodies you can buy
- PowerC5231st
- PopD4438th
- SpinB6827th
- Sweet spotS90tied 10th
- ControlS923rd
Why it's here and who it's for
On a tight budget, this is the one I'd get. The Harmony V is $71.99 with code STSPICKLEBALL, the cheapest on this list, and it scored 92 out of 100 for control. Only eight paddles I've tested have more. It's dense and plush, solid and quiet at contact, with no hollow ring. The response is very predictable, so you get exactly what you swing. It's very stable for a light widebody, since only eight paddles I've tested have a higher twist weight, and resets come easily and stay low. Owners have reported they like its control, touch and forgiveness.
Who should skip it: Skip it if you win hands battles with pop, because its pop scored 44 out of 100, and most paddles I've tested have more.
Pickleball Apes had it at $79.99 before my code on October 14, 2026, marked down from $179.99.
Why No. 3
It's 3 points behind the original Jelly Bean on control, about the same, and it hits clearly harder with clearly less pop for $18 less. The Harmony V is also 3 ahead of the Dauntless on control, about the same, and it spins more, while the Dauntless has far more pop for $78.01 more.
- 4
Most control in foam
Selkirk SLK Dauntless Widebody
89control out of 100
$150plus a $20 gift card with my code
Code INF-STSPICKLEBALL adds a $20 gift card, the most Selkirk gives on an order this size, and my link applies it. How the Selkirk code works
- C50Power
- B70Pop
- D38Spin
- A89Sweet spot
- A89Control
Score out of 100Rank among widebodies you can buy
- PowerC5033rd
- PopB7028th
- SpinD3841st
- Sweet spotA89tied 12th
- ControlA894th
Why it's here and who it's for
If you want a foam paddle, this is the most control you can get. The Dauntless Widebody scored 89 out of 100 for control, more than any other full foam paddle I've tested. Its sweet spot is 89, too. It's soft and dense, so the ball settles into the face instead of springing off, and it doesn't add pace on blocks, which keeps your dinks and drops low. It's also very stable, so off-center hits stay on line. Owners have reported their dinks, drops and kitchen volleys got better, and some bought one for a new player.
Who should skip it: Skip it if you put spin on your dinks and drops, because most paddles I've tested spin more.
Why No. 4
It's 3 points behind the Harmony V on control, about the same, with far more pop for $78.01 more. The Dauntless is 1 ahead of the Jelly Bean 2 on control, about the same, and the choice there is spin, because the Jelly Bean 2 spins far more for $9.99 more. The Dauntless is $150. Selkirk's code INF-STSPICKLEBALL adds a Selkirk gift card instead of lowering the price.
- 5
Control with real spin
11SIX24 Pegasus Jelly Bean 2
88control out of 100
$159.99with my code
list price $169.99Code STSPICKLEBALL takes $10 off, and my link applies it. How the 11SIX24 code works
- C63Power
- B72Pop
- S94Spin
- S91Sweet spot
- A88Control
Score out of 100Rank among widebodies you can buy
- PowerC63tied 25th
- PopB7225th
- SpinS942nd
- Sweet spotS91tied 8th
- ControlA88tied 5th
Why it's here and who it's for
If you want spin with your control, this is the one. The Pegasus Jelly Bean 2 scored 88 out of 100 for control, and it's the only paddle I've tested with 85 or more for control, spin and sweet spot. It measured 2,375 RPM, more than anything else on this list, and that spin lasts, because 11SIX24's HexGrit face lost about 1% of its spin over 75 games in my wear test. It's soft, dense and quiet, with low pop that soaks up pace, so dinks stay low and drops dip. Owners have reported standout touch on resets and dinks.
Who should skip it: Skip it if you play USA Pickleball sanctioned events, because it's approved by UPA-A only.
Why No. 5
It's 1 point behind the Dauntless on control, about the same, with far more spin for $9.99 more. The Jelly Bean 2 is 2 ahead of the AMPED Pro Air Epic on control, about the same, and it spins far more, hits far harder and has a clearly bigger sweet spot for $59.99 more. It's $159.99 with code STSPICKLEBALL.
- 6
Firm face, quick hands
Selkirk AMPED Pro Air Epic
86control out of 100
$100plus a $20 gift card with my code
Code INF-STSPICKLEBALL adds a $20 gift card, the most Selkirk gives on an order this size, and my link applies it. How the Selkirk code works
- D42Power
- B71Pop
- C59Spin
- A81Sweet spot
- A86Control
Score out of 100Rank among widebodies you can buy
- PowerD4237th
- PopB71tied 26th
- SpinC5936th
- Sweet spotA81tied 27th
- ControlA867th
Why it's here and who it's for
This is the firm-faced pick on this list. The AMPED Pro Air Epic has the only fiberglass face here, and it's stiff and board-like, closer to the older Selkirk Power Air than to a dense modern paddle. It still scored 86 for control, and its pop of 71 is enough to put pace on a punch volley. It's quick in the hand at the kitchen, too. Owners have reported a balance of power and control, and that it's light and quick to swing.
Who should skip it: Skip it if you miss the center a lot, because its sweet spot of 81 is the smallest on this list.
Selkirk had it at $100, down from $200, on October 14, 2026, with only 2 of its 10 colors in stock, Red and Holderness.
Why No. 6
It's 2 points behind the Jelly Bean 2 on control, about the same, for $59.99 less, though the Jelly Bean 2 spins far more and has a clearly bigger sweet spot. The AMPED is 5 ahead of the C45 Tempo, a little more control, with far more pop for $106.99 less. Selkirk's code INF-STSPICKLEBALL adds a Selkirk gift card instead of lowering the price.
- 7
The lightest swing here
Franklin C45 Tempo
81control out of 100
$206.99with my code
list price $229.99Code STSPICKLEBALL takes 10% off. Enter it at checkout.
- D49Power
- F30Pop
- D49Spin
- A83Sweet spot
- A81Control
Score out of 100Rank among widebodies you can buy
- PowerD4934th
- PopF3042nd
- SpinD4939th
- Sweet spotA83tied 21st
- ControlA81tied 8th
Why it's here and who it's for
This is the one for fast hands. The C45 Tempo has the lightest swing weight on this list at 102.5, and only five paddles I've tested swing lighter, yet it still scored 81 out of 100 for control. Its pop is the lowest on this list, so very little jumps off the face, and it's consistent and predictable from shot to shot. It's also approved by both USA Pickleball and UPA-A. Owners have reported the C45 paddles respond well to added weight.
Who should skip it: Skip it if you're watching the price, because it's the most expensive paddle here, and the Loco Standard has about the same control for $72.66 less.
Why No. 7
It's 5 points behind the AMPED, a little less control, with a lighter swing and far less pop. The C45 Tempo is 1 ahead of the Scorpeus Pro IV on control, about the same, but the Scorpeus hits far harder for $57.04 less. The C45 Tempo is $206.99 with code STSPICKLEBALL.
- 8
Control that still hits
JOOLA Scorpeus Pro IV
80control out of 100
$149.95list price
JOOLA doesn't take discount codes, so there's no code for this paddle.
- A85Power
- C55Pop
- B72Spin
- A86Sweet spot
- A80Control
Score out of 100Rank among widebodies you can buy
- PowerA855th
- PopC5536th
- SpinB72tied 21st
- Sweet spotA86tied 17th
- ControlA80tied 11th
Why it's here and who it's for
This is the control paddle that still hits. The Scorpeus Pro IV scored 80 out of 100 for control, and it's one of only two paddles I've tested that score 80 or more for control, power and sweet spot. Its power score of 85 is also the most on this list. It's very stable, with a big, forgiving sweet spot, since only six paddles I've tested have a higher twist weight. Resets stay composed for a power paddle, and drives and put-aways finish points.
Who should skip it: Skip it if you want pop at the net, because its pop scored 55 out of 100, and about four in five paddles I've tested have more.
On October 14, 2026, JOOLA's main listing was sold out, but the Collin Johns colorway, the same paddle, was in stock.
Why No. 8
It's 1 point behind the C45 Tempo on control, about the same, with far more power for $57.04 less. The Scorpeus is also 1 ahead of the Loco Standard on control, about the same, and it hits a little harder, while the Loco has far more pop for $15.62 less. JOOLA doesn't take discount codes, so it's $149.95.
- 9
Biggest sweet spot here
Bread & Butter Loco Standard
79control out of 100
$134.33with my code
list price $149.25Code STSPICKLEBALL takes 10% off, and my link applies it. How the Bread & Butter code works
- B77Power
- A82Pop
- B77Spin
- S95Sweet spot
- B79Control
Score out of 100Rank among widebodies you can buy
- PowerB77tied 13th
- PopA8218th
- SpinB77tied 12th
- Sweet spotS954th
- ControlB79tied 13th
Why it's here and who it's for
The Loco Standard scored 79 for control, and it has the biggest sweet spot on this list at 95. Only four paddles I've tested have a bigger sweet spot. It also has the most pop here, 82, so your counters come off strong, a step below Selkirk's Boomstik. It's firm and dense for a foam paddle, and the output tracks your swing more steadily than a Boomstik. It's quick in the hand, and resets stay low for a power paddle. Owners have reported power with control and better resets, and that it became their main paddle.
Who should skip it: Skip it if your dinks tend to float, because its pop of 82 is the most on this list.
Only the Black color was in stock at Bread & Butter on October 14, 2026, at $149.25 before my code, down from $199.
Why No. 9
It's 1 point behind the Scorpeus on control, about the same, with far more pop and a little bigger sweet spot for $15.62 less. The Loco Standard is 2 ahead of the J3NF on control, about the same, with a clearly bigger sweet spot for $41.17 less. It's $134.33 with code STSPICKLEBALL.
- 10
For two-handed backhands
Honolulu J3NF
77control out of 100
$175.50with my code
list price $195Code STS10 takes 10% off, and my link applies it. How the Honolulu code works
- B70Power
- A80Pop
- B71Spin
- A82Sweet spot
- B77Control
Score out of 100Rank among widebodies you can buy
- PowerB7019th
- PopA80tied 20th
- SpinB7125th
- Sweet spotA82tied 25th
- ControlB77tied 17th
Why it's here and who it's for
If you hit a two-handed backhand, this is the control widebody for you. The J3NF has a 6 inch handle, the longest on this list, and only three other widebodies I've tested have one that long. It scored 77 for control and 82 for sweet spot, and it's USA Pickleball approved. It's a medium-plush foam paddle, softer and denser than a Boomstik or a Loco, with moderate pop for a paddle Honolulu sells as a power paddle. The response is predictable, and it's quieter than the hollow foam power paddles.
Who should skip it: Skip it if you want the paddle to add pace, because its power scored 70 out of 100, and nearly half the paddles I've tested hit harder.
Why No. 10
It's 2 points behind the Loco Standard on control, about the same, but the Loco has a clearly bigger sweet spot for $41.17 less. The J3NF ties the Engage Pursuit Pro EX 6.0 at 77 for control and wins the tiebreak on sweet spot. It's $175.50 with code STS10.
Picks by situation
Top 3 hybrids for control
A hybrid gives you a little more reach than a widebody. These three have the most control of the 42 hybrids 16mm or thicker that I'd recommend, ranked the same way as the list.
Most control in a hybrid
The J2Ti scored 92 out of 100 for control, more than any other hybrid I've tested, and only eight paddles of any shape I've tested have more. It's soft and muted, clearly softer than the J2K, and dinks and resets come easily. With a power score of 51, you bring the pace yourself. Owners have reported they keep coming back to it over pricier paddles. It's $139.50 with code STS10.
- C51Power
- C62Pop
- D44Spin
- B78Sweet spot
- S92Control
$139.50with my codeGet it at Honolulu
Firmer, with more power
Pick the J2K if the J2Ti feels too soft. It scored 91 for control. Its Kevlar face plays medium-firm, and the pace tracks your swing. It hits clearly harder than the J2Ti, 64 to 51 for power, and its sweet spot of 80 is about the same as the typical widebody's 83, which is a lot for a hybrid. Owners have reported balanced all-court play with control that doesn't feel underpowered. It's $135 with code STSPICKLEBALL.
- C64Power
- C60Pop
- D43Spin
- A80Sweet spot
- S91Control
$135with my codeGet it at Honolulu
The steadiest of the three
The J2Ti+ scored 89 for control, and it's the steadiest of the three, since only three hybrids I've tested have a higher twist weight. Its sweet spot of 81 is the biggest of the three, and it has clearly more pop than the J2K, 70 to 60. It's a honeycomb paddle with an EVA foam insert, and Honolulu covers it with a 3 month warranty. It's $153 with code STS10.
- C63Power
- B70Pop
- C50Spin
- A81Sweet spot
- A89Control
$153with my codeGet it at Honolulu
Top 3 elongateds for control
Elongated paddles trade control for reach, and the typical elongated scores only 45 for control, far below the typical widebody's 76. These three have the most control of the 50 elongateds 16mm or thicker that I'd recommend, ranked the same way.
Most control in an elongated
The J6FC+ scored 78 out of 100 for control, more than any other elongated I've tested, and it's unusually stable for the shape, since only four elongateds I've tested have a higher twist weight. It leans soft and dense, with a solid, muted sound, and soft contact doesn't jump off the face. Its 6 inch handle has room for two hands. Owners have reported control and a large sweet spot, with power when they need it. It's $175.50 with code STS10.
- B71Power
- C64Pop
- B78Spin
- B69Sweet spot
- B78Control
$175.50with my codeGet it at Honolulu
Soft foam with reach
Selkirk SLK Dauntless Elongated
The Dauntless Elongated scored 73 for control, tied with the Shapeshifter EX, and it wins the tiebreak with a little bigger sweet spot, 68 against 63. It's soft, dense and muted, it soaks up pace, and its built-in weights keep off-center hits in play. With a power score of 50, you bring the pace. Owners have reported better control and placement in their soft game. It's $150. Selkirk's code INF-STSPICKLEBALL adds a Selkirk gift card instead of lowering the price.
- C50Power
- C58Pop
- D38Spin
- B68Sweet spot
- B73Control
$150plus a $20 gift card with my codeGet it at Selkirk
Classic honeycomb control
The Shapeshifter EX also scored 73 for control, and it ranks behind the Dauntless Elongated on sweet spot. It's the only honeycomb core of the three, with a softer, classic control-paddle feel, and it spins more than the Dauntless, 2,263 RPM against 2,185. It's $134.99 with code STSPICKLEBALL, and only the Black color was in stock on October 14, 2026.
- D47Power
- C59Pop
- B69Spin
- C63Sweet spot
- B73Control
$134.99with my codeGet it at Chorus
How I picked them
Five rules decide which paddles make the list and in what order.
- 1
This list is ranked by my control score, which comes from the same ball machine drills on every paddle. When two paddles tie, the one with the bigger sweet spot goes higher.
- 2
Every pick is a widebody 16mm or thicker that I'd recommend today.
- 3
One exception is the original Pegasus Jelly Bean, the older generation the Jelly Bean 2 replaced. It's still sold, and it has more control than the Jelly Bean 2 for $70 less, so it's in where its control score puts it.
- 4
Prices are what each brand's own store charged on October 14, 2026, with my code.
- 5
Under the picks, you'll find all 28 widebodies that qualify, ranked by control.
Every widebody that qualifies, ranked by control
28 paddles. The ones on this list are marked. Sort every paddle in my database
Show all 28
| # | Paddle | Control | Sweet spot | Price, with code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 | Enhance DUO WidebodyWidebody · 16mm | 72 | 89 | $154.99 |
| 22 | Selkirk Boomstik WidebodyWidebody · 16mm | 70 | 98 | $333 |
| 23 | Enhance EPP Turbo WidebodyWidebody · 16mm | 70 | 88 | $99.99 |
| 24 | RPM Q2 Widebody 16mmWidebody | 64 | 81 | $224.99 |
| 25 | Vulcan White NoiseWidebody · 16mm | 58 | 72 | $179.10 |
| 26 | Gearbox Pro Ultimate HyperWidebody · 16mm | 57 | 63 | $134.99 |
| 27 | Friday Aura Pro WidebodyWidebody · 16mm | 56 | 84 | $152.10 |
| 28 | Ronbus Tenon R2.16Widebody · 16mm | 43 | 77 | $152.99 |
What makes a paddle good for control
Shape comes first. The typical widebody scores 76 for control. That's a little more than the typical hybrid, at 71 for control, and far more than the typical elongated, at 45 for control. At the very top, it's even clearer. Of the 38 paddles I've tested with a control score of 80 or more, 26 are widebodies, 12 are hybrids and none is elongated.
The core is next, and pop is the reason. Honeycomb widebodies have a middle control score of 80, a little more than the 73 foam widebodies score for control, but they have far less pop, 58 against 86. Pop is what floats a dink, and it's why 35 of those 38 top control paddles are honeycomb. This list has 6 honeycomb picks and 4 foam ones.
Power costs you control, too. Paddles I've tested with a power score of 85 or more have a middle control score of 43, far below the middle paddle's control score of 68. Spin doesn't work that way, since a grippy face just helps your topspin dinks and drops dip. So if your soft game is still coming together, stay near the top of this list, and if you want a little more pace, look at the Scorpeus Pro IV and the Loco Standard at the bottom.
Questions people ask
What's the best control paddle for pickleball?
The Volair Mach 2 Forza 16mm. Its control score of 100 out of 100 is higher than any other paddle I've tested, and it's $107.99 with code STSPICKLEBALL. If you want a little more reach, the Honolulu J2Ti leads the hybrids with a control score of 92. And if you want an elongated, the Honolulu J6FC+ leads them with a control score of 78.
Is a 14mm or 16mm paddle better for control?
I'd get 16mm. I've tested 13 models in both thicknesses, and the 16mm version had more control and a bigger sweet spot all 13 times. The Mach 2 Forza shows it best, with a control score of 100 at 16mm and 81 at 14mm, for the same $107.99 with my code. That's why this list starts at 16mm.
Should I get a control paddle or a power paddle?
If you lose points by popping up your dinks and resets, get a control paddle. If you're missing put-aways and your soft game holds up, a power paddle makes more sense. And if you want some of both, the JOOLA Scorpeus Pro IV is one of only two paddles I've tested with 80 or more for control, power and sweet spot, at $149.95.
Original Jelly Bean or Jelly Bean 2?
For control, the original. It scored 95 for control against the Jelly Bean 2's 88, a little more, and it's $89.99 with code STSPICKLEBALL, $70 less. It's also approved by USA Pickleball, and the Jelly Bean 2 is UPA-A only. For spin, get the Jelly Bean 2, which measured far more, 2,375 RPM against 2,250.
Should a beginner start with a control paddle?
Most should. Six paddles on this list are also on my beginners list, including its top three, the original Pegasus Jelly Bean in first, the Mach 2 Forza in second and the Pegasus Jelly Bean 2 in third. The Dauntless Widebody, the Harmony V and the Loco Standard made it too. New players need a big sweet spot and easy soft shots more than anything.
Close, but not on the list
Five paddles people ask about, and where they are instead.
Honolulu J2NFKIt's a hybrid with a control score of 87, 2 points behind the J2Ti+, the third hybrid in the box above. It's fifth on my beginners list.
Engage Pursuit Pro EX 6.0It ties the J3NF at 77 for control and loses the tiebreak on sweet spot, where it's a little smaller, 77 against 82, so it's 11th in the full ranking.
Enhance MPP Turbo ArmorGrit WidebodyIts control score of 74 puts it 17th in the full ranking, but its sweet spot of 93 ties the original Jelly Bean's. It's fourth on my beginners list and fourth on my widebody list.
11SIX24 Pegasus Power 2Its control score of 72 puts it 20th in the full ranking, but its sweet spot of 100 out of 100 is the biggest of any paddle I've tested. It's first on my intermediate list.
Volair Mach 2 ForzaThe 14mm Forza has clearly less control than the 16mm, 81 against 100, and this list starts at 16mm.
What changed
- Rebuilt from my October 14, 2026 database after a live store check of every paddle. Paddles you can't buy anymore are gone.
- The Franklin FS Tour Tempo came off, because it's sold out at Franklin with no restock date. The C45 Tempo, the Scorpeus Pro IV and the Loco Standard each move up one spot, and the Honolulu J3NF comes in tenth.
The close calls at the top
Each pick against the one ranked just below it. Tap one to compare every number.
- Mach 2 Forza vs Pegasus Jelly Bean No. 1 against No. 2: pop 64 against 58 Mach 2 Forza +6 pop, +5 control pointsPegasus Jelly Bean nothing 5 or more points higher
- Pegasus Jelly Bean vs Harmony V No. 2 against No. 3: power 36 against 52 Pegasus Jelly Bean +14 pop pointsHarmony V +16 power points
- Harmony V vs SLK Dauntless Widebody No. 3 against No. 4: spin 68 against 38 Harmony V +30 spin pointsSLK Dauntless Widebody +26 pop points
My other best lists
Each one built for what you want more of.
- Top 10 Best of 2026 No. 1: J6CR Crystal Blue
- Top 10 Best for advanced players No. 1: Boomstik Elongated
- Top 10 Best for intermediate players No. 1: Pegasus Power 2
- Top 10 Best for beginners No. 1: Pegasus Jelly Bean
- Top 10 Best power paddles No. 1: Zen S+
- Top 10 Best spin paddles No. 1: J2CR Long Handle Crystal Blue
- Top 10 Best elongated paddles No. 1: J6CR Crystal Blue
- Top 10 Best widebody paddles No. 1: Boomstik Widebody
- Top 10 Best hybrid paddles No. 1: J2CR Crystal Blue
- Top 10 Best under $100 No. 1: MPP Turbo ArmorGrit Elongated
Latest paddle reviews
Every one starts with my verdict, then shows the numbers behind it.
11SIX24 · Widebody
Pegasus Jelly Bean 2 review
Get it if touch and spin win your points.
- PowerC63
- PopB72
- SpinS94
- Sweet spotS91
- ControlA88
11SIX24 · Hybrid
Ultré Jelly Bean 2 review
My pick for spin players who play the soft game.
- PowerB68
- PopB69
- SpinS99
- Sweet spotB70
- ControlB78
11SIX24 · Hybrid
Ultré Power 2 review
The pick for players whose drives and serves win them points.
- PowerS94
- PopA89
- SpinS95
- Sweet spotB76
- ControlC58