Struggling to generate strong, fast shots? The right pickleball paddle can instantly boost your power on the court.

Power paddles¹ are designed with stiff faces, lighter weight, and thinner cores to maximize speed and energy transfer.

If you want to hit harder and finish points faster, let’s explore how paddle design can help.

What Pickleball Paddle Gives You the Most Power?

Certain paddles are built specifically to maximize your shot force with minimal effort.

The most powerful pickleball paddles have carbon fiber or composite faces, lightweight builds, and thin, reactive cores.

At NEX Pickleball, we manufacture power-focused paddles with high-impact materials and optimized weight balance. These paddles give players the extra push they need in competitive matches.

Key Power Paddle Examples

Some of the best-known high-power paddles include:

• Selkirk Power Air Invikta
• JOOLA Ben Johns Hyperion CFS
• Electrum Pro II

What makes these stand out is their material composition and responsiveness during high-speed swings.

What to Look for in a Power Paddle

Feature	Benefit for Power
Carbon Fiber Face2	Maximizes energy transfer
Thin Core (12mm–13mm)	Adds pop and speed on contact
Elongated Shape	Increases swing leverage
Lightweight Build	Enables faster paddle acceleration

What Is a Power Paddle in Pickleball?

A power paddle is designed for players who want to dominate with forceful serves, drives, and smashes.

Power paddles use stiff materials and responsive cores to enhance ball speed and shot momentum.

From my perspective as a manufacturer, a power paddle is all about speed and energy return. The design is less forgiving but explosive if handled correctly.

Key Characteristics of Power Paddles

• Stiff Surface: Carbon fiber or fiberglass provides fast ball response.
• Thin Core: Reduces dwell time and adds "pop" to each shot.
• Elongated Design: Increases swing radius, translating into more force.

Power paddles are ideal for aggressive players who rely on fast-paced rallies and want to finish points quickly.

Characteristic	Power Advantage
Stiff face materials	High energy return
Less surface friction	Faster ball release
Aerodynamic shape	Quicker swing through the air

How to Increase Power on Pickleball Paddle?

If your paddle feels weak or underpowered, small changes in gear or technique can make a big difference.

You can increase paddle power by choosing stiffer materials, reducing core thickness, or adjusting paddle weight balance.

At NEX Pickleball, we help brands customize paddle specs to match power-focused needs. Here’s how you can maximize paddle output, whether you're buying or modifying.

Techniques to Increase Paddle Power

• Switch to a Carbon Fiber Face: Offers the most energy-efficient surface.
• Reduce Core Thickness: A 12mm core reacts faster than a 16mm one.
• Add Lead Tape to the Top Edge: Shifting the balance upward increases momentum on swings.
• Use Elongated Shapes: Longer paddles generate more torque.

Power vs. Control Trade-Off

Increasing power often reduces control. To maintain balance, we also design hybrid paddles with medium core thickness and moderate weight to offer both.

Adjustment	Impact on Power
Thinner Core (12mm)	Increases speed, lowers control
Lead Tape (Top Edge)	More swing weight = more power
Carbon Face	Faster ball exit
Lighter Handle	Shifts balance to head for added force

Do Thinner Pickleball Paddles Have More Power?

Yes, core thickness plays a direct role in how much force your paddle delivers.

Thinner pickleball paddles³ provide more power by reducing ball dwell time and increasing rebound speed.

We often recommend 12mm or 13mm core paddles to players looking for that extra pop. Thicker cores (16mm+) absorb more energy, which helps with control but reduces shot power.

Core Thickness Comparison

• Thinner Cores (11–13mm): More pop, more power, less control
• Thicker Cores (14–16mm): Softer feel, more accuracy, reduced speed

Choosing the right core is a balance between power and playability. At NEX Pickleball, we work with our partners to find that sweet spot depending on target customers or player levels.

Core Thickness	Power Level	Control Level	Ideal For
11–13mm	High	Low to Moderate	Aggressive, advanced players
14–16mm	Moderate to Low	High	Control-focused, defensive players

Conclusion

For players seeking explosive shots and aggressive play, power paddles with thin cores and stiff faces are the key to peak performance.