5 Best Pickleball Paddles for Spin

The best pickleball paddles for spin feature a gritty textured surface, a large sweet spot, and are mid-weight for easy maneuverability. The best spin-generating facing materials on a pickleball paddle are raw carbon fiber and graphite.

Pickleball players who have mastered the basics and want to improve their game should learn how to create and control spin. Being able to add spin to a ball can give a player a competitive edge over opponents who haven’t developed this critical skill.

It’s important to have a paddle that is versatile enough to work with the more difficult mechanics of the game, yet comfortable to play with.

The 5 Best Pickleball Paddles for Spin

These paddles are proven and have consistently high ratings for paddle construction and design that enhance spin ability.

Paddle	Core	Facing	Weight	Grip Size	Tournament Approval
Electrum Pro Middleweight Carbon Fiber	Polypropylene Honeycomb	Carbon fiber	7.8 to 8.0 ounces	Standard 4 1/4″	USAPA
Selkirk AMPED S2 X5 FiberFlex	Polypropylene Polymer Honeycomb	Fiberglass	7.4 to 7.8 ounces	Standard 4.25″ Thin grip 4″	USAPA
Onix Graphite Z5	Nomex honeycomb	Graphite	7.5 to 8.2 ounces	4.25″	USAPA
Engage Pursuit MX 6.0	Polymer Composite	Graphite	7.5 to 8.3 ounces	4.25″	USAPA
CRBN1 16mm	Polypropylene	Raw T700 carbon fiber	8 ounces	4 1/4″	USAPA

Electrum Pro Middleweight Carbon Fiber

The Electrum Pro Middleweight Carbon Fiber pickleball paddle is a top-quality paddle custom-made for enhancing spin. It is ideal for intermediate to professional competitive players.

It features the latest technology with a raw carbon fiber grit surface that is excellent for producing any desired spin shot. If you are a player who loves spin and the ability to hit with force, the heavier weight of this paddle will be a solid performer.

Core: 12mm Polypropylene Honeycomb

Facing: Premium Toray T700 raw carbon fiber

Weight: 7.8 to 8.0 ounces

Grip Size: Standard 4 1/4″

Tournament Approval: USAPA

Pros: 

• Super gritty facing that won’t wear down easily
• Customization available
• Wide body paddle (width of 8 1/2″) for a large sweet spot
• Appropriate for pro players

Cons: 

• Weight of the paddle that takes more strength to wield
• Short handle length of 4″ which may be undesirable for reach

Selkirk AMPED S2 X5 FiberFlex

The Selkirk Amped S2 is a stellar choice for playing styles focusing on control and spin. The core offers Selkirk’s thick X5 polymer reducing vibration and noise while keeping the ball engaged with the surface for a longer time, allowing better manipulation of the ball.

The overall shape of the paddle maximizes the surface area, which is ideal for players who love to finesse the ball and enhance spin. The FiberFlex fiberglass face was redesigned for this paddle to maximize the sweet spot and the shorter handle length further amplifies it.

Core: X5 Polypropylene Polymer Honeycomb Core

Facing: FiberFlex Unidirectional Fiberglass Face

Weight: 7.4 to 7.8 ounces

Grip Size: Standard 4.25″ or Thin grip 4″

Tournament Approval: USAPA

Pros: 

• Maximum surface area and huge sweet spot
• Excellent dinking ability
• Two grip sizes available
• Low-profile edge guard

Cons: 

• Comfort grip adds extra weight to the paddle
• Shorter handle reduces reach

Onix Graphite Z5

The Onix Graphite Z5 may be the right paddle for you. Featuring a wide-body paddle shape, it has a large sweet spot perfect for controlling spin.

It combines a graphite face with a Nomex core and has a comfortable grip size. This paddle is a mid-weight option that is widely used because of its versatility.

Best of all, the Onix Graphite Z5 won’t break the bank and is approved for pickleball tournaments by USA Pickleball.

Core: 11mm Nomex honeycomb core

Facing: Graphite

Weight: 7.5 to 8.2 ounces

Grip Size: 4.25″

Tournament Approval: USAPA

Pros: 

• Large sweet spot (8 inches) for controlling spin
• Has stood the test of time and continues to be a popular paddle for all skill levels
• Budget-friendly

Cons: 

• Heavier paddle requiring more torque to wield

Engage Pursuit MX 6.0

Pickleball paddles designed by Engage are known for having an optimal balance, offering power, control, and reach. All of those qualities can be seen in the MX 6.0, along with some newly designed features.

The paddle face is constructed with a proprietary graphite skin designed to enhance friction with the ball.

The skin is not just a painted overlay texture but the actual skin itself, so it won’t wear out over time. This new skin is combined with the extra soft ‘black’ core that Engage paddles are known for, which controls vibration and allows for ultra-responsive play.

Core: 5/8″ Polymer Composite

Facing: Omni-directional friction-based graphite

Weight: 7.5 to 8.3 ounces

Grip Size: 4.25″

Tournament Approval: USAPA

Pros:

• Extra long handle length of 5 3/4″ offering increased reach
• Vibration and sound control
• Superior surface for spin

Cons:

• Smaller sweet spot

CRBN1 16mm

CRBN is known for sleek, high-performing paddles. Their new paddle, the CRBN¹ 16 mm, has a hitting surface featuring a raw T700 carbon fiber facing allowing for epic spin. It also has a thick polypropylene honeycomb core offering plenty of forgiveness for next-level net-based play.

The elongated shape allows for consistency and court coverage and is particularly well-suited for those with a two-handed backhand.

Core: Polypropylene Honeycomb 16mm

Facing: Raw T700 carbon fiber

Weight: 8 ounces

Grip Size: 4 1/4″

Tournament Approval: USAPA

Pros:

• Extra long handle for superior reach (5 1/2″)
• Great for two-handed players
• Superior textured surface that enhances spin
• Huge sweet spot

Cons:

• This is a heavier paddle. The average weight is 8 ounces

What’s Different About Pickleball Paddles Designed for Spin?

Paddles designed for spin tend to have a textured surface. 

• A textured surface on the paddle face allows the most spin. The excess friction upon contact allows the ball to spin better. 
• A key component is whether grit has been added to the paddle. Grit maximizes paddle surface texture.

It should be noted that USA Pickleball has rules that limit how much grit a paddle can have and still be approved for tournament use.

Let’s explore the most common paddle surface materials and discuss how they affect spin performance. 

Fiberglass

Fiberglass is an excellent surface material because it offers power and is great for players who enjoy a quick pace during a rally. 

However, a fiberglass face provides a smaller sweet spot and less spin than other materials because the surface is smooth and slick.

Carbon Fiber

Carbon fiber facing is becoming an industry favorite. It works well with softer shots and has a sizable sweet spot. A newer carbon fiber facing called “raw” carbon fiber is increasing in popularity because it enables high spin.

Brands that make models with raw carbon fiber facing include Joola, Engage, CRBN, Gruvn, and Electrum. It is likely that more brands will employ this type of facing in the near future.

Graphite

Graphite pickleball paddles are found in the paddle lineup of most major brands because they offer good control for beginners and can also enhance the skills of advanced players.

A graphite face can have minimal texture or have grit added to it. It’s important to look at the individual paddle properties of any paddle you’re considering. Having a grittier surface will make a big difference in the amount of spin you can generate.

Composite

Composite paddles are made of several different materials. The exact mix of materials differs depending on the paddle. They can perform excellently, particularly if they have a gritty surface.

If you’re considering a composite paddle for spin, head to a store that carries it so you can feel the surface before buying it.

Surface Area

Wide body paddles with a larger sweet spot are ideal for dinks and softer net shots that employ spin. 

Most paddles made for players who enjoy playing with spin will have features such as a shorter handle length or smaller edge guard to enlarge the sweet spot even further.

Tips to Add Spin in Pickleball

Spin is important in advanced games and offers a strategic advantage to players because they can hit unpredictable shots, making returns more challenging.

It can be a great tactic to have in your arsenal. It confuses your opponent’s decision-making process, and can send them in the wrong direction when they go to return your shot.

Topspin

• Topspin is when the ball rotates forward.
• The ball should be rotated in an upward motion by the paddle in order to add topspin.
• Topspin causes the ball to sink quicker than shots that don’t deploy spin.

Backspin

Backspin is when the ball rotates backwards. To deploy a shot with backspin:

• Orient your body to the side.
• Swing the paddle quickly downward at a diagonal angle.
• The goal is to hit the ball just below the centerline or “equator” of the ball.
• Be careful not to hit the ball too hard. This type of spin causes the ball to stay in the air longer.

Sidespin

• Sidespin is when the ball spins on a vertical axis instead of forward or backward.
• If the paddle moves across the ball in a right-to-left motion, it will cause the ball to rotate clockwise. This will also cause it to curve to the right.
• If the paddle moves across the ball in a left-to-right motion, it will cause the ball to rotate clockwise. This will also cause it to curve to the left.
• The key to sidespin is in the quick action of the wrist and the angle of the paddle.
• Usually, the paddle moves in a cross-body direction when deploying sidespin.
• As with most spin shots, sidespin relies on good surface contact with the ball.

Cork Spin

• Corkspin mimics the spin of a football pass, with the spiral axis aimed directly from you to your opponent.
• Corkspin will affect how the ball behaves if it hits the ground, causing it to skid in the direction that it is spinning.
• Corkspin cannot be deployed on its own without using another type of spin because forward momentum is required. The most common is sidespin.
• The best way to return a ball and deploy corkspin is to wait until a shot is hit wide to your dominant forehand side.
• Your arm should be extended with the paddle drawn down towards the net at a 45-degree angle.
• Aim to strike the ball low and on the right side.
• You can also hit the same shot with your backhand by striking the ball low and on the left-hand side.

Mastering Spin Takes Time

Mastering spin can take time. It is important to have basic ball control prior to learning spin techniques because control allows for a good spin and the finesse required to pull off spin shots.

It can take hours of practice to master a spin shot and can take even longer to commit the motion required to muscle memory. But it’s absolutely worth the time investment. Mastering spin allows you to play at a more advanced level, and makes pickleball that much more enjoyable by adding depth and complexity to the game.