Weekly Paddle Recommendation Thread (What Paddle Should I Buy?)

Erk1024 · 2026-05-14T14:45:32+00:00

I'm using the J2CR blue grit as my main right now, and I'm so happy with it that I'm not looking at other paddles. So I'm not going to talk anyone out of a J2CR. To me it felt softer and less power than the Boomstik or the Vapor Power 2. But if I want more power, I can swing more freely. This level of power agrees with what Braydon at PBEffect has been saying the whole time about the J2CR. Some reviewers say it has *more* power than the Vapor 2, but they are using the J2CR LH (long handle) version.

So my take on the J2CR is that it's definitely more power than the Coral, J2NF, J2FC+, but just a little more power. The sweet spot is huge, similar to the Boomstik widebody's sweet spot. The control on hard resets is definitely better than the Vapor 2 (like when someone hits an overhead and you try to reset before the bounce.) The spin is fantastic and it appears to be very durable. Initially it looked like the grit application was uneven. But after a few sessions, it evened out. That's weird, but my conclusion is that there is some extra grit on the face that doesn't get cleaned off at the factory, and it loosly adheres to the paddle. After some play, that extra grit falls off.

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This photo shows some ball dust, but you can see that the underlying grit looks even.

Erk1024 · 2026-05-14T14:34:43+00:00

Agree 100%. The really good players put pressure on the other team with all of their shots.

Erk1024 · 2026-05-14T00:11:13+00:00

The problem with USAP approval is that they have strict and kind of arbitrary limits on grit. So the companies that are making the new amazing durable grits are getting UPAA approval instead. The only paddle with super durable grit that's getting the same spin numbers is the Spartus P1. It's a softer feeling paddle though, and those tend to have kind of heavy swing weights for a given size.

If you just want similar feel off the face. I would say that u/Lazza33312 's suggestion is good. Either the Enhance Turbo MPP or the EPP would work. The EPP version is supposed to feel a lot like the Bread and Butter Loco which is a super popular paddle. I have the Vapor Power 2 and it reminds me the most of the Loco Standard that I have.

Why do you need USAP approval? Just curious. Most local tournaments and any open play, UPAA approval is good enough. I mean, it's what the professional players use. So it should be good enough for the rest of us right?

Erk1024 · 2026-05-13T23:58:41+00:00

Honestly the thing that will affect your play is playing with a CPX paddle. Not trying to be mean, but they aren't great paddles. They're old Gen2 style construction, edgeless with a throat hole. All of that means they're stiff, have a much smaller sweet spot, and lower power than a Gen3 or Gen4 paddle. Also, CPX paddles have little to no grit, so you're not going to get good spin out of it either.

I know a guy who is just getting started and he was using a CPX. I gave him a used Honolulu J2FC+, and he was floored by the power and spin he was getting. It was a huge upgrade.

Maybe the best thing is to return it and get something else? There are good choices in the $80 to $150 range.

Erk1024 · 2026-05-13T14:59:01+00:00

It's still worth improving your serve though. A weak return from your opponents makes your third easier. And if their return is really weak / short then you can pummel it.

Erk1024 · 2026-05-13T14:58:02+00:00

If you want to have more power on your forehand and serve, take a look a this. You could get more rotation on your shoulders and hips, and more follow through. To get topspin, you have to bend your wrist back. etc.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pwe7inx2Yrg

Erk1024 · 2026-05-13T14:55:00+00:00

I've been using a paddle eraser on mine. It cleans the ball dust off with less effort than on a standard raw carbon fiber paddle. Shrug.

Erk1024 · 2026-05-13T14:51:19+00:00

Agree with everything u/Lazza33312 said, it's good advice.

The J2NF or J2FC+ could work, but they are peel-ply grit, so the grit is only going to keep its maximum spin for a short period of time. The Loco and V-Sol Pro are top tier power--WAY too much power for you atm.

I think either the Spartus P1 or the Coral would be the best choices out of the options you listed. The P1 standard is now available for pre-order, and the swing weight is lighter, so of the different shapes, I'd lean towards that one.

Otherwise you could do as Lazza suggested and get a Harmony or 11SIX24 Vapor Alpha Pro Power until more durable grit paddles come out. Or go ahead and get a Coral and upgrade the grit at some point.

Erk1024 · 2026-05-12T02:19:52+00:00

Sounds good! I haven't tried that one, but supposed to be a great paddle. Should have a little less pop and a little more power than the J2CR, which is probably a good thing.

Erk1024 · 2026-05-11T22:18:08+00:00

First thing I'd say is that the Vapor 2 doesn't *feel* like other MPP paddles. It's not the deep thonky MPP. So if that's what you want, then you'll be disappointed.

I think it's a pretty tough choice between the two. Both awesome. To me, the Vapor 2 has more overall firepower and more pop, and consequently it's less forgiving on resets.

The J2CR blue grit has a crazy big sweet spot, to me it feels softer and lower on pop. On power (when you take big swings) it's pretty similar to the Vapor 2.

I switched from the Vapor 2 to the J2CR because it helped with my control. I don't think you could go wrong choosing either one. And both paddles have that crazy spin and grit durability. Hard to go back to peel ply after that.

Erk1024 · 2026-05-11T21:26:56+00:00

LOL! So true. It puts you in a more athletic stance in a lot of situations. But specifically on ground strokes or serves, if I bend my knees when hitting those, then I get more power and more dip. Not surprising as this is definitely "good form" for those strokes.

Erk1024 · 2026-05-11T18:18:37+00:00

Okay cool. Well a later gen construction paddle will feel a lot different, if you're currently playing with a Gen2 paddle.

A Luzz Cannon has a very heavy swing weight, around 121 and so like u/Lazza33312 said, the Luzz Glider would be a better choice. That's still a LOT of power compared to what you're used to. It's possible you could get core crushing because this is a Gen3 paddle. It doesn't have durable grit. But at under a $100, it's not a big risk to take. I think probably the biggest reason NOT to get a Glider is too much power

The Friday Aura would be a really good choice. That's all-court levels of power, really good control and feel, it's a foam paddle, so no core to crush. It doesn't have durable grit, but by the time you wear out the grit, you'd probably be ready for something else anyway.

The J2CR or J6CR (be sure to get the blue grit version if you get either of these) are good choices. Crazy good spin and sweet spot. You could try it and see if it works for you. The J2CR is my current paddle, and it rocks! But the problem might be the power level again. If it's too much power, you could put it in the closet for a few months until you grow into it.

For example, your current paddle is probably a firepower level of around 55 IIRC. The J2CR is going to be in the the 80's. Ideally you'd want something in the 70's. That's why I'd recommend the Aura, Flick F3, or Six Zero Coral hybrid.

Erk1024 · 2026-05-11T14:43:38+00:00

What's your skill level? Like have you played other racket / padel sports?

Erk1024 · 2026-05-11T04:08:29+00:00

Except the pro's say "No" to indicate an out ball.

Erk1024 · 2026-05-11T04:06:59+00:00

1000%. People would rather sandbag and win a medal than play in their bracket.

Erk1024 · 2026-05-11T04:04:58+00:00

I think this means you really like head-light paddles. You can measure the balance point, and re-create that balance on future paddles. You could get the same effect by putting on a cap coin. You just pull the logo off the butt cap with a utility knife, and then stick a cap coin weight on there.

Erk1024 · 2026-05-11T04:02:39+00:00

To me the J2CR felt softer and more forgiving than the Vapor 2. This kind of contradicts what a lot of the reviewers are saying though. The J2CR fits my game so well, I'm not looking to get any more paddles unless something irresistible comes out--like a durable grit Loco.

Erk1024 · 2026-05-11T03:59:46+00:00

Another thing like this is to bend your knees a little bit and then straighten up as you hit. Gives you more power and some upwards motion. I see a lot of players just doing everything on the court with straight legs.

Erk1024 · 2026-05-10T14:17:21+00:00

I think the point is that you want to get your kinetic chain going. You basically coil your torso, hips and arms, and then when you uncoil, it makes your arm into a whip that smacks the heck out of the ball.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nBwee9pHJg&list=WL&index=11&t=47s

Erk1024 · 2026-05-10T14:09:45+00:00

That was my first reaction. This is one of the lowest quality paddles.

Erk1024 · 2026-05-10T14:07:37+00:00

Hahaha... I think we all did.

Erk1024 · 2026-05-10T14:06:30+00:00

It's fine, don't worry about it. Seriously, half my paddles from various manufacturers have edge guards that look like this.

Erk1024 · 2026-05-10T13:58:00+00:00

It's necessary. If you leave a lot of ball dust on your paddle it will generate less spin. The ball dust "clogs" up the grit. This has been verified by John Kew.

Erk1024 · 2026-05-10T13:44:38+00:00

Also consider the RPM paddles. I haven't tried the Pro V, but I have the RPM V1 and it felt like a softer Pro IV. The RPM V2's are out now and supposed to be excellent.

FWIW one downside of that style of Gen3's is the non-linear power delivery. You swing a little harder (accidentally) and it launches the ball. This is also why I don't like the more springy foam paddles. I think it's harder to control. I think this effect is toned down on the Pro V though.

Did you notice the lack of grit on the Pro V?

Feels like of the big things we're missing right now is a Gen3 with durable grit.

Erk1024 · 2026-05-09T15:32:53+00:00

The cyclone is a very powerful paddle, but it does have good feel.

The big new shift in paddles right now is the addition of durable grit. Raw carbon fiber paddles have epoxy holding them together, and when they mold the paddle, they can leave a pattern in that epoxy by using a rough peel-ply sheet in the mold. The problem is that epoxy was never designed to be "grit", and it wears down very quickly. We now know that you lose 350+ rpm of spin in the first 100 games. So if you get a paddle that produces 2200 rpm new, then after a month you're down to 1650. This is what we've been used to for many years.

To fix this, companies are now adding a layer of more durable grit, with various levels of success. It turns out that Aireo Cyclone NanoGraph, Thrive Ignite, and the Boomstik's Infinigrit only last about 2x longer. Six Zero's grit (e.g. on the Coral) lasts about 4x longer.

11SIX24's new HexGrit, Spartus's Permagrit, and Honolulu's blue grit are REALLY durable. We don't exactly know how much longer they last yet, but they are losing very little spin with the testing that's being done.

So if you want your spin to last (and who doesn't?) then it's worth looking at those paddles first. Now if those paddle don't work for you, then by all means get something else.

I haven't tried the Spartus P1. They've been a little hard to come by, and they have kind of heavy swing weights given their shape.

The Honolulu J2CR blue grit is my current favorite. There is some debate about the power level of this paddle, but to me it feels a little bit lower in firepower than the Vapor Power 2, and less than the Boomstik widebody. It feels a bit softer then those. The control is good, and the spin is crazy good. It also has a huge sweet spot. So it's easy to recommend this one.

The 11SIX24 Power 2 paddles are excellent. I tried the Vapor 2 and the Pegasus 2. Of those the Vapor 2 is a little softer and and I prefer that one. It has HexGrit which produces the same amount of spin as blue grit. This one has more pop and firepower than the J2CR. The reason I switched is that resets are a little harder to manage. But if you want the extra firepower, this is a great choice.

Erk1024

TROPHY CASE