Franklin Sports Activator Pickleball Paddle - Wood 13mm Core Racket - Blue

This review covers the following pickleball paddles: #1 – Amazin' Aces Signature Pickleball Paddle | USAPA Approved | Graphite Face & Polymer Core | Premium Grip | Paddles Available as Single or Set | Set Includes Balls & Bag | Includes Racket Case & eBook (includes 2 paddles, 2 covers, 4 balls, carry case) $78.99 #2 – Boealzhl Pickleball Paddle Graphite Pickleball Racket Honeycomb Composite Core Include Cover (cover wasn't included, paddle graphic is different from product profile) $25.98 #3 – Pro Focus Pickleball Paddle P30 Pickleball Paddle (aluminum) $19.99 #4 – Pro Focus Pickleball Paddles P40 Doubles Pickleball Paddle Set (wooden; includes 2 paddles, two balls, and carry case) $24.99 #5 – Pro Focus Pickleball Paddle P50 Pickleball Paddle - Features a Fiberglass Paddle Surface with Cushioned Grip $34.99 #6 – Franklin Sports Pickleball Paddle - Polypropylene Core - X-1000 - USAPA Approved $54.99 #7 – Franklin Sports Pickleball Paddle - Activator Wood Pickleball Paddle $14.99 #8 – Franklin Sports Ben Johns - Christine McGrath Pro Pickleball Paddles - Pro Tournament Pickleball Paddles with Extra Grip MaxGrit Technology $99.99 I only play outdoors. Since I live in a rainforest, I don't get to play a lot due to weather. I'm a beginning pickleball player, so I'm still trying to figure out what works best for me. The people I've consulted with have made several suggestions regarding paddle material, grip size, and paddle size. There's so much to consider that I ended up overwhelmed. Here are some things to consider: PADDLE FACE DIMENSIONS: Longer paddles have more reach, but must sacrifice width to still be legal. It's harder to find the “sweet spot” on a longer paddle, therefore a wide or standard paddle is recommended for newbies. The Amazin' Aces, Boealzhl, and Christine McGrath paddles have the longest faces, while the P50 and X1000 have the widest faces. GRIP SIZE: A smaller grip circumference is good for control, and a larger grip circumference provides stability and eases strain. Based on suggestions from hand measurements, I should use a 4 ¼” grip. My size was actually slightly larger, but all of the websites say to go with the smaller size when you are between measurements. The X1000 has the smallest grip size (4.125”), while the P50 and Activator have the largest (4.5”). HANDLE LENGTH: When the handle length is shorter, the paddle face is allowed to be larger. Longer handles give you more leverage, though. One fellow pickleball player preferred short handles, but he holds his paddle with his thumb and pointer finger on the paddle surface. However, when I tried holding the paddle this way, my fingers kept getting hit by the ball. I think the official measurements only count the rubberized part of the handle in the length, but I measured from the end of the playing area. The P30 has the longest handle. The Activator has the shortest handle, which allowed them to make the face longer. EDGE GUARD: The edge guard is supposed to protect the paddle, but I think it makes the ball fly off unpredictably. The P40 has no edge guard, the P30 has a minimal edge, and the others have a noticeable edge guard. Edgeless paddles are not recommended for beginners, but I have not found an explanation for why that is. MATERIAL: Wood was recommended to me as a beginner, but I don't remember why. Wood paddles tend to be much cheaper, and it might be a good idea to start here if you aren't sure if you will stick with the game. The P40 and Activator are the only wooden paddles in my review. WEIGHT: Wood is supposed to be the heaviest, while graphite and composite are lighter. I'm not sure where aluminum fits in, but the P30 feels much heavier than the rest. Lighter paddles allow more control, while heavier paddles give more power. Beginners should use a paddle somewhere in the middle (7.3 to 8.4 oz). The Christine McGrath is the lightest paddle in this review (7.85 oz). The P30 is well over the range for a beginner at 11.7 oz, and the Amazin' Aces, P40, and Activator are also outside of the beginner range. APPEARANCE: The Amazin' Aces paddle is my favorite, appearance-wise, while the Boealzhl (with the goofy cartoon character) is my least favorite. No one else has a paddle that looks like the Amazin' Aces paddle, so it's easy for me to spot my paddles when it's time to go home. The other paddles are generic looking. EXTRAS: To me, the covers are unnecessary. The balls are good if you are starting out, but you will probably develop a preference after awhile and might not be happy with the balls included with the paddles. I like the carry case included with the Amazin' Aces set because it is larger and has shoulder straps so it can be worn like a backpack. The carry case that came with the P40 set is small and just a mesh bag. VALUE: The Franklin Sports Christine McGrath paddle is the most expensive, and the P40 paddles are definitely the cheapest. However, value is more than just the initial cost. How long will the paddles last? How do they affect my play? Are they tournament approved? How comfortable are they to play with? If the paddle is the wrong weight, that will cause strain on my wrist, elbow, and shoulder. Value is something I will need more time to determine. When you put everything together, the best paddles for an adult beginner should be the P50, X1000, or Amazin' Aces. The Boealzhl or X1000 paddles would probably be best for a child. The Activator is probably a good intermediate paddle. However, all of these paddles are good choices.

We really like these paddles. They are a good weight not too heavy my wrists don’t hurt. This is simple fun game that the equipment hasn’t improved over the years. These paddles are well made. The grip is quite comfortable