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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 average widebody scores 76 for control. That's a little more than the average hybrid, at 71 for control, and far more than the average 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 22, 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 I've testedVolair Mach 2 Forza$107.99 with my code

The top five

Updated October 22, 2026
  1. Volair Mach 2 Forza 16mm1Most control I've testedMach 2 Forza100control$107.99with my code
  2. 11SIX24 Pegasus Jelly Bean 16mm2Most control under $100Pegasus Jelly Bean95control$89.99with my code
  3. Pickleball Apes Harmony V 16.5mm3Control for the least moneyHarmony V92control$71.99with my code
  4. Selkirk SLK Dauntless Widebody 16mm4Most control in foamSLK Dauntless Widebody89control$150+ $20 gift card
  5. 11SIX24 Pegasus Power 16mm5Huge sweet spot, under $90Pegasus Power88control$89.99with my code
  1. 4SLK Dauntless WidebodyMost control in foam$150
  2. 5Pegasus PowerHuge sweet spot, under $90$89.99

All 10 at a glance

Ranked by control score, straight from my database. Sweet spot breaks ties. Tap a pick to jump to it.

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. 1

    Most control I've tested

    Volair Mach 2 Forza

    Widebody16mmUSA Pickleballreleased December 2023

    100control out of 100

    $107.99with my code$119.99

    Get it at Volair

    Code STSPICKLEBALL takes 10% off, and my link applies it.

    • F34Power
    • C64Pop
    • C63Spin
    • S91Sweet spot
    • S100Control

    Score out of 100Rank among widebodies you can buy

    1. F3441st
    2. C6432nd
    3. C63tied 31st
    4. S91tied 8th
    5. S100best

    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.

    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.

    Full reviewCompare with No. 2Does it beat your paddle?

  2. 2

    Most control under $100

    11SIX24 Pegasus Jelly Bean

    Widebody16mmUSA Pickleballreleased July 2024

    95control out of 100

    $89.99with my code$99.99

    Get it at 11SIX24

    Code 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

    1. D3640th
    2. C5834th
    3. C64tied 29th
    4. S93tied 5th
    5. S952nd

    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.

    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.

    Full reviewCompare with No. 3Does it beat your paddle?

  3. 3

    Control for the least money

    Pickleball Apes Harmony V

    Widebody16.5mmUSA Pickleballreleased July 2025

    92control out of 100

    $71.99with my code$79.99

    Get it at Pickleball Apes

    Code STSPICKLEBALL takes 10% off, and my link applies it.

    • C52Power
    • D44Pop
    • B68Spin
    • S90Sweet spot
    • S92Control

    Score out of 100Rank among widebodies you can buy

    1. C5231st
    2. D4438th
    3. B6827th
    4. S90tied 10th
    5. S923rd

    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.

    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.

    Full reviewCompare with No. 4Does it beat your paddle?

  4. 4

    Most control in foam

    Selkirk SLK Dauntless Widebody

    Widebody16mmUSA Pickleballreleased February 2026

    89control out of 100

    $150plus a $20 gift card with my code

    Get it at Selkirk

    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

    1. C5033rd
    2. B7028th
    3. D3841st
    4. A89tied 12th
    5. A894th

    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.

    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 Pegasus Power on control, about the same, but the Pegasus Power hits clearly harder, spins far more and has a little bigger sweet spot for $60.01 less. The Dauntless is $150. Selkirk's code INF-STSPICKLEBALL adds a Selkirk gift card instead of lowering the price.

    Full reviewCompare with No. 5Does it beat your paddle?

  5. 5
    11SIX24 Pegasus Power 16mm

    Huge sweet spot, under $90

    11SIX24 Pegasus Power

    Widebody16mmUSA Pickleballreleased February 2025

    88control out of 100

    $89.99with my code$99.99

    Get it at 11SIX24

    Code STSPICKLEBALL takes $10 off, and my link applies it. How the 11SIX24 code works

    • C64Power
    • B74Pop
    • B77Spin
    • S97Sweet spot
    • A88Control

    Score out of 100Rank among widebodies you can buy

    1. C64tied 23rd
    2. B7424th
    3. B77tied 12th
    4. S973rd
    5. A88tied 5th

    Why it's here and who it's for

    If you want the most forgiving paddle on this list, this is it. The original Pegasus Power scored 97 out of 100 for sweet spot, the biggest here, and 88 for control, and it's the only paddle I've tested with 88 or more for control and 95 or more for sweet spot. It's also very stable, since only 11 paddles I've tested have a higher twist weight than its 7.21. It's the older generation of 11SIX24's Pegasus. The newer Pegasus Power 2 hits far harder, but the original keeps clearly more control, 88 against 72, for $110 less.

    Skip it if you want pace on your drives, because its power scored 64 out of 100, and about half the widebodies I've tested hit harder.

    Why No. 5

    It's 1 point behind the Dauntless on control, about the same, and it hits clearly harder, spins far more and has a little bigger sweet spot for $60.01 less. The Pegasus Power ties the Jelly Bean 2 at 88 for control and wins the tiebreak on sweet spot, 97 against 91, for $70 less, though the Jelly Bean 2 spins more. It's $89.99 with code STSPICKLEBALL.

    Compare with No. 6Does it beat your paddle?

  6. 6

    Control with the most spin

    11SIX24 Pegasus Jelly Bean 2

    Widebody16mmreleased August 2026UPA-A only

    88control out of 100

    $159.99with my code$169.99

    Get it at 11SIX24

    Code 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

    1. C63tied 25th
    2. B7225th
    3. S942nd
    4. S91tied 8th
    5. A88tied 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.

    Skip it if you play USA Pickleball sanctioned events, because it's approved by UPA-A only.

    Why No. 6

    It ties the Pegasus Power at 88 for control and loses the tiebreak on sweet spot, 91 against 97, but it spins more, 2,375 RPM against 2,301, for $70 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.

    Full reviewCompare with No. 7Does it beat your paddle?

  7. 7

    Firm face, quick hands

    Selkirk AMPED Pro Air Epic

    Widebody16mmUSA Pickleballreleased May 2024

    86control out of 100

    $100plus a $20 gift card with my code

    Get it at Selkirk

    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

    1. D4237th
    2. B71tied 26th
    3. C5936th
    4. A81tied 27th
    5. A867th

    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.

    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. 7

    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.

    Full reviewCompare with No. 8Does it beat your paddle?

  8. 8

    Lightest swing for touch

    Franklin C45 Tempo

    Widebody16mmUSA Pickleball and UPA-Areleased June 2025

    81control out of 100

    $206.99with my code$229.99

    Get it at Franklin

    Code STSPICKLEBALL takes 10% off. Enter it at checkout.

    • D49Power
    • F30Pop
    • D49Spin
    • A83Sweet spot
    • A81Control

    Score out of 100Rank among widebodies you can buy

    1. D4934th
    2. F3042nd
    3. D4939th
    4. A83tied 21st
    5. A81tied 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.

    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. 8

    It's 5 points behind the AMPED, a little less control, with a lighter swing and far less pop. The C45 Tempo is 2 ahead of the Loco Standard on control, about the same, but the Loco has a clearly bigger sweet spot and far more pop for $72.66 less. The C45 Tempo is $206.99 with code STSPICKLEBALL.

    Full reviewCompare with No. 9Does it beat your paddle?

  9. 9

    Control with the most pop

    Bread & Butter Loco Standard

    Widebody16mmUSA Pickleballreleased August 2025

    79control out of 100

    $134.33with my code$149.25

    Get it at Bread & Butter

    Code 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

    1. B77tied 13th
    2. A8218th
    3. B77tied 12th
    4. S954th
    5. B79tied 13th

    Why it's here and who it's for

    The Loco Standard scored 79 for control, and its sweet spot of 95 is second only to the Pegasus Power's on this list. 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.

    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 2 points behind the C45 Tempo on control, about the same, with a clearly bigger sweet spot and far more pop for $72.66 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.

    Full reviewCompare with No. 10Does it beat your paddle?

  10. 10

    For two-handed backhands

    Honolulu J3NF

    Widebody16mmUSA Pickleballreleased August 2025

    77control out of 100

    $175.50with my code$195

    Get it at Honolulu

    Code 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

    1. B7019th
    2. A80tied 20th
    3. B7125th
    4. A82tied 25th
    5. B77tied 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.

    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.

    Full reviewDoes it beat your paddle?

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.

  1. Most control in a hybrid

    Honolulu J2Ti

    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

  2. Firmer, with more power

    Honolulu J2K

    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 average 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

  3. The steadiest of the three

    Honolulu J2Ti+

    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 average elongated scores only 45 for control, far below the average widebody's 76. These three have the most control of the 50 elongateds 16mm or thicker that I'd recommend, ranked the same way.

  1. Most control in an elongated

    Honolulu J6FC+

    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

  2. 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

  3. Classic honeycomb control

    Chorus Shapeshifter EX

    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. 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. 2

    Every pick is a widebody 16mm or thicker that I'd recommend today.

  3. 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. 4

    Prices are what each brand's own store charged on October 14, 2026, with my code.

  5. 5

    Under the picks, you'll find all 28 widebodies that qualify, ranked by control.

How I test every paddle

Every widebody that qualifies, ranked by control

28 paddles. The ones on this list are marked. Sort every paddle in my database

#PaddleControlSweet spotPrice, with code
1Volair Mach 2 Forza 16mmWidebody · No. 1 on this list10091$107.99
211SIX24 Pegasus Jelly BeanWidebody · 16mm · No. 2 on this list9593$89.99
3Pickleball Apes Harmony VWidebody · 16.5mm · No. 3 on this list9290$71.99
4Selkirk SLK Dauntless WidebodyWidebody · 16mm · No. 4 on this list8989$150
511SIX24 Pegasus PowerWidebody · 16mm · No. 5 on this list8897$89.99
611SIX24 Pegasus Jelly Bean 2Widebody · 16mm · No. 6 on this list8891$159.99
7Selkirk AMPED Pro Air EpicWidebody · 16mm · No. 7 on this list8681$100
8Franklin C45 Tempo 16mmWidebody · No. 8 on this list8183$206.99
9Bread & Butter Loco StandardWidebody · 16mm · No. 9 on this list7995$134.33
10Honolulu J3NFWidebody · 16mm · No. 10 on this list7782$175.50
11Engage Pursuit Pro EX 6.0Widebody · 16mm7777$116.99
12Enhance MPP Turbo WidebodyWidebody · 16mm7692$99.99
13Selkirk OMNI WidebodyWidebody · 16mm7689$300
14Honolulu J3CR Crystal BlueWidebody · 16mm7686$175.50
15Selkirk SLK ERA Power WidebodyWidebody · 16mm7682$200
16Gearbox GX2 HyperWidebody · 16mm7573$152.99
17Enhance MPP Turbo ArmorGrit WidebodyWidebody · 16mm7493$99.99
18Ronbus Quanta Pro R2.16Widebody · 16mm7488$107.99
19Ronbus Quanta R2.16Widebody · 16mm7377$107.99
2011SIX24 Pegasus Power 2Widebody · 16mm72100$199.99
Show all 28
#PaddleControlSweet spotPrice, with code
21Enhance DUO WidebodyWidebody · 16mm7289$154.99
22Selkirk Boomstik WidebodyWidebody · 16mm7098$333
23Enhance EPP Turbo WidebodyWidebody · 16mm7088$99.99
24RPM Q2 Widebody 16mmWidebody6481$224.99
25Vulcan White NoiseWidebody · 16mm5872$179.10
26Gearbox Pro Ultimate HyperWidebody · 16mm5763$134.99
27Friday Aura Pro WidebodyWidebody · 16mm5684$159
28Ronbus Tenon R2.16Widebody · 16mm4377$152.99

What makes a paddle good for control

Shape comes first. The average widebody scores 76 for control. That's a little more than the average hybrid, at 71 for control, and far more than the average elongated, at 45 for control. At the very top, it's even clearer. I've tested 38 paddles with a control score of 80 or more. Of those, 26 are widebodies, 12 are hybrids and not one 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 Loco Standard, which has the most pop on this list.

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 Bread & Butter Loco Standard has the most pop on this list, 82 out of 100, with a control score of 79 and a sweet spot of 95, at $134.33 with code STSPICKLEBALL.

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

Six paddles people ask about, and where they are instead.

  • JOOLA Scorpeus Pro IV 16mmJOOLA Scorpeus Pro IVIt was eighth here until October 22, 2026, when JOOLA showed it out of stock. JOOLA now sells the newer Scorpeus Pro V.
  • Honolulu J2NFK 16mmHonolulu 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 6.0 16mmEngage 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 Widebody 16mmEnhance 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 2 16mm11SIX24 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 Forza 14mmVolair Mach 2 ForzaThe 14mm Forza has clearly less control than the 16mm, 81 against 100, and this list starts at 16mm.

What changed

  • The JOOLA Scorpeus Pro IV came off, because it's out of stock at JOOLA. The original 11SIX24 Pegasus Power comes in fifth, so the Jelly Bean 2, the AMPED Pro Air Epic and the C45 Tempo each move down one spot. The Loco Standard and the J3NF stay ninth and tenth.
  • 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.

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My other best lists

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Latest paddle reviews

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11SIX24 · Elongated

Hurache-X Power 2 review

Get it for reach and drives if your soft game is clean, and skip it if your resets float.

  • PowerS92
  • PopA89
  • SpinA89
  • Sweet spotC64
  • ControlF32

11SIX24 · Widebody

Pegasus Jelly Bean review

Get it if your soft game is still coming, and skip it if you win with power.

  • PowerD36
  • PopC58
  • SpinC64
  • Sweet spotS93
  • ControlS95