Good paddle, loads of control and reasonable power. Bought this as I’ve just stared playing pickleball it’s well made gives you lots of control when hitting the ball and not too powerful.

I recently had the opportunity to try out the Vatic Pro Prism Carbon Fiber 16mm pickleball paddle, and I must say, it's a game-changer. As an avid pickleball enthusiast, I've used various paddles over the years, but this one stands out for several reasons.Performance:The first thing I noticed was the lightweight feel of the paddle, which made it incredibly maneuverable during play. The 16mm thickness strikes a perfect balance between power and control. The carbon fiber face provides excellent responsiveness, allowing for precise shots whether I’m going for a soft drop shot or a powerful drive. I found myself consistently hitting the ball with more accuracy and less effort.The foam-injected walls of the paddle contribute significantly to its overall performance. This innovative feature not only enhances the paddle's cushioning effect but also helps in reducing vibrations on impact. I experienced less arm fatigue during extended play sessions, which is a huge plus. The build quality is impressive; the paddle feels durable and well-constructed, which gives me confidence that it will last through numerous games.Given the quality and performance it offers, I believe this paddle is reasonably priced compared to other high-end options on the market.Overall, I wholeheartedly recommend the Vatic Pro Prism Carbon Fiber pickleball paddle to both recreational and serious players. Its combination of lightweight construction, excellent control, and striking design makes it a fantastic addition to any player's gear. Whether you're just starting or looking to elevate your game, this paddle delivers on all fronts. Don’t hesitate to give it a try—you won’t be disappointed!

Short Version: If you are a new or new-ish player looking for a "good paddle", this is it. It's objectively as good as paddles 2-3x as expensive and has a feel that will help teach the game whether coming from table tennis, tennis, or no prior racket sport experience.Long Version:I played pickleball 8-9 times with some cheaper paddles I bought on Amazon, enjoyed the game, but figured a nice paddle wouldn't make a huge difference. Then, I met a really good player who played in the US Open. He had a very nice paddle that retailed for about $200. I used it for about 10 seconds and my mind was blown. 2 hours of games with him later, and I decided 2 things: 1) I suck at pickleball, and 2) If I got a good paddle I'd still suck, but at least I could have a good tool to improve with.I played table tennis somewhat competitively during college, but never "real" tennis. I'm comfortable with light, grippy paddles, and a spinny game, so I wanted a paddle to match that. I also didn't want to blow my life savings on one of those crazy $250-300 paddles that some pickleball bro said is the best thing since sliced bread.After researching around 4-5 sites, this paddle always came up as a solid paddle for "control and spin", and almost always THE paddle for under $100. The semi-pro I played with recommended I go for a carbon fiber paddle since it's the latest technology in pickleball paddles, and this seemed like a good buy, so I went for it at 10 PM on a Sunday Night.At 7:30 Monday morning, a new paddle was waiting at my door. So naturally, my dad and I hit the court at 7:35.WOW.First impressions, it comes in a nice paddle sleeve that feels premium. The paddle is very light. The surface is carbon fiber, so very grippy on the ball. The bounce feels and sounds soft. If you've played with random paddles your friends gave you, they make a "clonk" sound. This makes a soft "thunk". There is no dead spot around the edges, just a tiny one near the tip of the paddle.It took 15-20 minutes for me to get used to how responsive the paddle is. I couldn't blast serves at 60 MPH, it's a soft paddle, but I could get remarkable control on short shots and slice serves. Spins felt very intuitive to me as a table tennis player. I'm still learning not to rely on wrist action in this game though... it's a learning curve! But, after that 15-20 minutes of warm-up, I soundly thrashed my dad and decided that I had ascended to Pickleball Pro with 20 minutes of practice.Then I made one of the dumbest decisions of my life. I bought my dad the same paddle. It arrived within 6 hours, the same day. The next morning, we played again, and he kicked. my. butt. This paddle magically makes you better.My dad was a tournament tennis player as a kid. He wanted a paddle that focused on power, but pickleball is all about soft shots that open up to an attack - you rarely win by always hitting fast, long shots. This paddle (definitely a soft, control paddle) has been great for him because he's had to learn to hit dinks and drop shots. He can't just rely on his insane backhand drives from the baseline.Also, in our first 2 days of playing for about 3 hours, never ONCE did we go for a shot and hit the "dead spot" on our paddle. With our old, cheap paddles, it happened probably 1-2x PER GAME. It's hard to explain how much consistency and control this paddle gives you vs. whatever cheaper ones you are using now.By day 2, we noticed our paddles were getting really dusty - a lot of dirt was getting trapped in the grippy carbon fiber surface. (See the picture - that's after about 90 minutes of playing on an outdoor court) We got a couple of carbon fiber erasers on Amazon ($10 each?) and they really helped clean our paddles and keep them nice and grippy. If you're investing $100 in a paddle, might as well drop another $10 to care for it properly.After a few play sessions, my dad and I are both incredibly happy with this paddle. For my table tennis background, it's as comfortable as a light, spinny paddle. For his tennis background, it's a consistent paddle that forces him to learn the control needed in pickleball. And all our noob friends who have tried our paddles have started salivating instantly.If you kinda enjoy pickleball, a nice paddle makes the game WAAAAY more fun, and gives you a lot more expression of skill, or suck, as the case may be. This is a fantastic option if you're considering buying a nice paddle. It is forgiving and consistent for new players, and teaches good habits to players with crossover experience. At this price point, it feels better (to my not-very-experienced hands) than some 2x-3x the $$ PrEmIuM paddles. If you can feel the difference, you aren't the type that would be reading a random review about this paddle on Amazon...Get it, a carbon fiber eraser to clean it, destroy your dad/friend/wife/boss, and enjoy the ego boost until they get one themselves.Edit, a few months later:Well, I'm officially addicted to Pickleball now. I've gotten private coaching, played multiple times per week at all my local parks, achieved a tournament rating somewhere in the late intermediate range (3.8-4.0), and still love this paddle. I'm editing this because I'm buying one for my girlfriend to learn the game on. Every single good player I've met at this point all agree that this paddle is THE one to buy if your budget is anywhere south of $150, and always a very solid option even if you have a super high budget.I'm starting to actually notice how this paddle compares to other "super nice" ones. First, it's not good at super fast shots. There are MANY other paddles that have more "pop" or hit fast. That's not a problem for me at all, but might become one in the future. This paddle is exceptionally good at slowing down fast shots and hitting drops (shots that "drop" just as they pass the net). Many players have started commenting on my drop shots, and I'm realizing my paddle really helps that playstyle.If you want to hit the ball SUUUUPER hard AND you've learned good form with a soft paddle like this, you may want an upgrade. If you learn the game on this soft paddle and want a maximally spinny paddle or paddle with a "pop" feeling, you might want to upgrade. If you want a soft paddle that will let you slow down and play a controlled game, low-key this might actually be your paddle for life... but regardless, start with this one. It will teach you the game way better than a paddle that automatically gives you a boost in power/spin/pop.Basically, even after becoming "one of those pickleball bros", I still love this paddle and highly recommend it. It's the perfect price and style for a new player. Even as I've gotten more advanced and pickleball takes over my personality, I'm very happy with it. Good stuff Vatic!

Best paddle at this price point HANDS DOWN. Were tried a half dozen paddles (maybe more) and this one out performs paddles 2x the price. If you are just starting out and need a “first paddle” this is the ONE.Easy grip with comfortable handle length, great control and power, forgiving, and it’s awesome for learning how to spin.

Great at everything but not best at anything. Paddles are very suggestive and varies between players. To me it's a stiff paddle, with good grit for curves, and pop is responsive. The ball will go confidently in the direction you want it to. Large sweet spot. If you naturally have good flicks and power behind your hits you'll do fine but if you need more pop or power off the paddle you'll need to look elsewhere. To me this is a very good control paddle for the price and well made. I prefer control paddles. Looks to have held up for the month or so I used it and I dont baby my paddles. Worth the money but if you can shell out about $40 dollars more there are better options out there in the market. Paddles are getting better and cheaper, like this one. Do not be fooled by the overpriced stuff. I have played against +4.5 dupr and it makes a subtle difference in their performance playing on "high" and "low" end paddles. You just become specialized in a type of playing style and the paddle is just complementary to that. This paddle is a great entry to the "higher" paddle world.

The spin and control is exceptional on this racket. Perfect for some body new to the sport and those who prefers spin & control over power in their play.

I got this at the beginning of the season after dabbling and loving Pickleball the previous year. Frankly for the price these Prism paddles go for this is a no-brainer.I got this to upgrade from a generic beginner pickleball 2 player set and it has been worth every penny. I instantly had more control, could dink way more accurately, and could drive balls much more easily. It's more than enough paddle for me as a casual player, but gives me top tier quality and technology at a totally reasonable price!The biggest surprise in the switch was the subtle grippy texture of the raw carbon paddle face. I all of a sudden could start to impart a bit of spin to some balls, and my serve got WAY better. But mostly, just having a very decent paddle to play with every game has let me build consistency and that's really the key to so much of this game (at least at my advanced beginner level).About me: I'm a 3.0 player who loves the game but only plays casually with friends. I don't expect I'll ever get beyond a 4.0, and I'm totally comfortable with that. Middle-aged, bad knee, never played a tournament, play once or twice a week for 4-5 games a session in the nice months and once or twice a month over winter. Absolutely love the game and plan on playing regularly for as long as my meatsack holds out.Note about the pics I'm including, this is after a full outdoor season of play (probably over 50 games) and it's held up beautifully.

I would highly recommend anyone who’s starting out to get this paddle. Nice and plushy for the price. Great control, but lacks power.

Thought I’d leave a review seeing how some people have experienced getting sent used paddles. I received a new one with the grip plastic wrapped and with the surface of the paddle looking brand new. Have played with it and love it!

I am an intermediate PB player and this paddle is perfect for both control and spin. I am sure ill keep it for a few years to come!