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The most expensive pickleball paddles you can still buy retail in 2026 are a tie: the Selkirk LABS Project Boomstik and Selkirk LABS Project 007, both listed at $333 on Selkirk’s official site. Behind them are Proton’s Series Four Project Roadrunner at $300, JOOLA’s Pro V line at $299.95, and Proton’s Project Peacock / Flamingo family at $280.
Key Takeaways
- Selkirk LABS Project Boomstik and Project 007 currently top regular retail pricing at $333.
- Proton’s Series Four Project Roadrunner is next at $300.
- JOOLA Pro V paddles sit just behind at $299.95.
- The next price tier is $280, where Proton’s Project Peacock and Project Flamingo currently live.
- The most expensive current-production paddles are now being pushed by foam-core systems, durability-focused spin surfaces, Kevlar/carbon hybrids, and small-batch R&D, not just by luxury branding.
Ready to see what top dollar buys in pickleball in 2026?
Top 5 Most Expensive Pickleball Paddles – 2026
| Rank | Paddle | Current Regular/List Price | Core Thickness | Face / Core | Shape / Handle | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 (tie) | Selkirk LABS Project Boomstik | $333 | varies by shape | BoomCore system + InfiniGrit | Widebody or elongated, long-handle options | Players chasing maximum power and durability |
| 1 (tie) | Selkirk LABS Project 007 | $333 | 10mm or 14mm | long-lasting spin-focused build | Epic / Invikta options | Spin-focused all-court players |
| 3 | Proton Series Four – Project Roadrunner | $300 | 15mm | Hybrid core, carbon + Kevlar face | Elongated, 5.375″ handle | Lightweight power with reach |
| 4 | JOOLA Perseus Pro V | $299.95 | 14mm or 16mm | Pro V / KineticFrame platform | Elongated, 5.5″ handle | Aggressive all-court play |
| 5 | Proton Project Peacock Elongated 15MM | $280 | 15mm | Atomic foam core, roughness-enhanced surface | Elongated, 5.375″ handle | Players who want plush feel with spin and durability |
*All prices and specs above are pulled from current official brand listings or product pages as of April 10, 2026.
Let’s dive into the details of each paddle so we can really judge whether they’re worth the hefty price tag…
1. Selkirk LABS Project Boomstik
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Price | $333 |
| Shapes | Widebody or elongated |
| Handle | Longer-handle options available |
| Face / Surface | InfiniGrit surface |
| Core | BoomCore system |
| USAP Approval | Yes / current retail LABS product line |
Highlights
- Selkirk’s current LABS flagship power paddle
- BoomCore system built for speed and durability
- InfiniGrit surface designed for long-lasting spin texture
- Long-handle shapes for extra reach and two-handed comfort
- Small-batch LABS positioning keeps the price at the very top of the retail market
The Selkirk LABS Project Boomstik is now one of the two most expensive paddles you can buy retail in 2026. Selkirk describes it as its most advanced LABS paddle to date, and the company says the BoomCore system delivers up to 12% more ball velocity compared with a Gen 3 paddle while also chasing better long-term durability than many power paddles.
Selkirk also says Boomstik’s InfiniGrit surface is built to last 3x longer than raw carbon, which is one of the big reasons this paddle sits in luxury territory rather than normal premium territory.
Real-world feel: Boomstik is priced like a “money no object” power paddle. If your idea of luxury is maximum pop, fresh R&D, and Selkirk’s newest tech stack all in one frame, this is the 2026 version of that.
2. Selkirk LABS Project 007
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Price | $333 |
| Core Thickness | 10mm or 14mm |
| Shapes | Epic or Invikta |
| Face / Surface | Spin-focused long-lasting texture platform |
| USAP Approval | Yes / current retail LABS product line |
Highlights
- Available in 10mm and 14mm options
- Built around durability-focused spin performance
- Updated Air Dynamic Throat for quicker swing speed
- Premium LABS release with long-lasting texture positioning
The Selkirk LABS Project 007 is the other paddle tied at the top of the current retail market. Selkirk positions it as an all-court LABS paddle built around long-lasting spin performance, and its official materials emphasize the 10mm option for aggressive players and the 14mm version for a more hybrid balance.
In other words, Project 007 is not just expensive because it is LABS-branded; it is expensive because it is being sold as a next-step texture-durability experiment that still plays like a high-end tournament paddle.
Real-world feel: If Boomstik is the luxury power flex, Project 007 is the luxury spin-and-innovation flex.
3. Proton Series Four – Project Roadrunner
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Price | $300 |
| Weight | 7.9 oz |
| Length | 16.5″ |
| Width | 7.375″ |
| Grip Circumference | 4.25″ |
| Grip Length | 5.375″ |
| Face | Bi-directional weaved aerospace-grade carbon fiber + Kevlar |
| Core | Hybrid |
| USAP Approval | Yes / dual-stamped listing language appears on Proton pages |
Highlights
- Kevlar + aerospace-grade carbon face
- Hybrid core design
- Edgeless, lightweight build
- Extended reach with a long handle and elongated profile
Proton’s premium retail ceiling is now $300 thanks to the Series Four Roadrunner. On paper it looks exactly like the kind of paddle that gets expensive in 2026: hybrid core, Kevlar/carbon face, extended shape, and a premium-materials story built around lightweight power and sustained spin.
Real-world feel: This is a boutique-tech luxury paddle. If Selkirk’s LABS pricing says “R&D prestige,” Proton’s Roadrunner says “materials science flex.”
4. JOOLA Perseus Pro V
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Price | $299.95 |
| Weight | 7.9 oz (14mm) or 8.1 oz (16mm) |
| Length | 16.5″ |
| Width | 7.5″ |
| Grip Circumference | 4.25″ / 4.125″ |
| Grip Length | 5.5″ |
| Face | Textured carbon fiber |
| Core / Platform | Pro V / KineticFrame |
| USAP Approval | Yes |
Highlights
- Ben Johns’ signature shape in the Pro V family
- KineticFrame / Pro V platform
- 14mm and 16mm options
- Elongated shape with a long handle for reach and two-handed comfort
JOOLA’s current Pro V family is priced at $299.95, and that puts the Perseus Pro V right on the edge of the $300 club. JOOLA positions the Perseus Pro V as the aggressive, consistency-friendly elongated shape trusted by Ben Johns, and it is clearly part of the brand’s current premium flagship tier.
Real-world feel: This is not a collectible-luxury paddle. It is a top-tier performance luxury paddle — the kind of thing players buy because they want JOOLA’s newest platform, not because they want shelf jewelry.
5. Proton Project Peacock Elongated 15MM
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Price | $280 |
| Weight | 8.0 oz |
| Length | 16.5″ |
| Width | 7.5″ |
| Grip Circumference | 4.25″ |
| Grip Length | 5.375″ |
| Face | Roughness-enhanced surface |
| Core | High-density Atomic foam core |
| USAP Approval | Yes / dual-stamped listing language appears on Proton pages |
Highlights
- High-density Atomic foam core
- Elongated shape and long handle
- Roughness-enhanced surface for spin
- Lifetime warranty
Proton pitches Peacock Elongated 15MM as a durable, foam-core paddle with longer dwell time and strong responsiveness, which fits neatly into the 2026 trend of high-end paddles using more advanced foam or hybrid core systems to justify premium pricing.
Real-world feel: Peacock is expensive, but in 2026 it is almost “normal premium expensive” rather than outrageous. That tells you how high the category ceiling has moved.
Why Are Pickleball Paddles So Expensive?
High-end paddles are not just marked up. In 2026, they really are being built differently. Here are some of the biggest cost drivers behind the current luxury tier:
- Small-batch R&D programs: Selkirk’s LABS and Paddletek’s new Reserve line are explicitly built around innovation-first, smaller-batch releases rather than mass-market volume.
- Foam and hybrid core systems: Proton’s Roadrunner uses a hybrid core, Peacock uses high-density Atomic foam, Selkirk Boomstik uses BoomCore, and JOOLA is now leaning into KineticFrame in Pro V.
- Durability-focused spin surfaces: Selkirk says Boomstik’s InfiniGrit lasts 3x longer than raw carbon, and Project 007 is marketed around long-lasting spin technology.
- Premium face materials: Kevlar/carbon blends, textured carbon fiber, aerospace-grade carbon, and roughness-enhanced surfaces are now common in the upper tier.
- Pro endorsement + signature development: Ben Johns, Federico Staksrud, Anna Bright, Andre Agassi, and others are directly attached to some of the priciest current platforms, and that development/marketing stack is not cheap.
Bottom line: you are paying for more than a paint job. You are paying for new molds, more ambitious core systems, premium materials, and increasingly niche paddle identities.
Okay… some of them are still a little bit of a paint job too.
The Most Expensive Pickleball Paddle Ever Sold
If we’re talking about current retail paddles still available in 2026, the top spot belongs to Selkirk LABS Project Boomstik and Selkirk LABS Project 007, which are both listed at $333 on Selkirk’s official site.
If we’re talking about past limited-edition collector releases, the name that comes up most often is the JOOLA Ben Johns Gold Perseus, which is widely reported to have launched around $999 to $999.95.
Are Pricey Paddles Worth It for Rec Players?
Sometimes. But only if you can actually use what you are paying for.
When a $280–$333 paddle is worth it:
- You already play at a solid 3.5–4.0+ level and can take advantage of more spin, dwell time, power, or stability.
- You play often enough that cost-per-hour drops fast.
- You want a very specific feel or build — like foam-core plushness, Pro V responsiveness, or Selkirk LABS tech — that you cannot find in a cheaper paddle.
When it is probably not worth it:
- You are still below 3.0 and mostly working on clean contact, court position, and decision-making.
- You only play once in a while.
- You would get more from lessons, drilling time, or league play than from another $300 paddle.
Cost-per-hour reality check
Use this simple equation:
Cost per hour = MSRP / (sessions per week × hours per session × weeks of use)
Example: $333 / (3 × 2 × 52) ≈ $1.07 per hour
If you keep the paddle for two seasons, that number gets much friendlier.
That does not make every expensive paddle worth it. But it does make “expensive” look a little less crazy when you actually use the thing.
Cheapest Ways to Try a High-End Paddle
Want the luxury feel without the full luxury risk? Try this:
- Demo programs: major paddle retailers and specialty shops still offer demos or return windows on premium paddles.
- Local club demo days: reps often bring JOOLA, Selkirk, Franklin, Gearbox, and others to league nights and round robins.
- Borrow from the gear nerd on your court: every club has one.
- Buy used, then resell: especially useful for $250+ paddles that still hold value.
- Try before you buy through the brand: Gearbox, for example, promotes a “Try Before You Buy” program on its paddle pages.
Luxury vs. Performance: Price-to-Spec Chart (2026)
| Paddle | Current Regular/List Price | Core / Thickness | Face / Build | Avg Weight | Standout Feature | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Selkirk LABS Project Boomstik | $333 | BoomCore / varies | InfiniGrit + LABS power build | varies by shape | Selkirk’s current most ambitious power platform | Luxury power flagship |
| Selkirk LABS Project 007 | $333 | 10mm or 14mm | long-lasting spin platform | varies by shape | Spin durability + LABS exclusivity | Best luxury spin bet |
| Proton Series Four Project Roadrunner | $300 | 15mm hybrid core | carbon + Kevlar face | 7.9 oz | Lightweight edgeless hybrid tech | Boutique-tech flex |
| JOOLA Perseus Pro V | $299.95 | 14mm or 16mm | Pro V / KineticFrame | 7.9–8.1 oz | Current JOOLA flagship line | Premium performance buy |
| Proton Project Peacock Elongated 15MM | $280 | 15mm Atomic foam | roughness-enhanced surface | 8.0 oz | Plush foam-core feel | Expensive, but usable |
So there you have it: the top 5 most expensive pickleball paddles you can buy right now.
For some players, this list will feel completely over the top. For others, it will look like a dream setup. Either way, it shows where the premium paddle market is headed. At the very top, Selkirk LABS now holds the retail price ceiling, with Proton and JOOLA sitting close behind.
And that says a lot about modern paddle tech. The luxury tier is no longer just about brand prestige. It is about advanced core systems, longer-lasting spin surfaces, new material blends, and performance claims built around power, stability, and durability.
Whether that feels like smart innovation or expensive nonsense probably depends on how much you love new gear — and how brave you are with your wallet.
