If you are rated as a solid 3.5+ player, you will find a very solid and fast performer in the Diadem Edge 18K Speed Pro. Excellent features. Period.
If you are a beginner or lower than a 3, spare the expense and go with a lower priced paddle. This bad boy comes in at a steep price – worth it if you have the experience and skill. You can grow into this one otherwise for a future purchase. I give it 4.5 balls out of 5.
- Designed for players focused on spin and control
- Features a 5.3” Comfort Max gripped handle for fast reloads and quick reactions
- The honeycomb core includes 10mm cells for more pop and a foam perimeter for better rebound behind the ball
- Expansive sweet spot and impressive linger time
By the Numbers
| Length | 16.4” |
| Width | 7.5” |
| Thickness | 14mm |
| Grip Length | 5.7” |
| Grip Size | 4.25” |
| Weight | 7.88 oz as tested |
Nuts and Bolts
- Woven carbon fiber face – 3D layers together to create the triaxial weave and very recognizable Diadem 18K pattern.
- Thermoformed 10mm honeycomb core construction.
- Thick, durable protective edge.
- Molded, extended handle with a solid grip surface.
Game on… the Play Testing
Unwrapping this paddle, I noticed right away its premium quality in design and build. It is solid and that 3D carbon fiber weave on the surface is sexy. The signature triangulated face made me want to grab a ball and test the spin ability right away.
Equally important was that long grip – all 5.7” and that is a true game changer for those of us with bigger hands, or anyone who plays (or wants to play) two-handed. The handle itself was just sticky enough for a firm grip. Overall the paddle oozes with quality.
Diadem markets the paddle as very fast and it is – it has power and pop. But I found the larger sweet spot, long handle, and that signature textured face to be the main attributes I liked with it. The balance is solid as expected. I kept trying to find something I didn’t like about it. I couldn’t.
I have used paddles that provide a similar level of spin, and their spin performance was excellent. I had hoped for even more spin, but that was just wishful thinking. With these paddles, I could deliver sideline shots more precisely, and my serves were both powerful and accurate. Despite looking for flaws, I found none.
My backhand shot accuracy improved, my forehand shots stayed the same, and for dinks and drops, I felt I had better control and placement. The elongated grip allowed for better hand placement, enhancing control and precision. Additionally, I started using two-handed backhand shots, which I enjoy a great deal.
I allowed some people in my regular play group to try it – and this cemented my opinion that this was a paddle that could make a real difference for top players, while the features could be lost on newbies and players who were playing at 3 or below. Folks at a 3.5+ level loved it. And, one person at a 2 level said it really improved her game. However, she had been playing with more of a beginners paddle.
Adding some lead tape along the edges would add that extra weight for even more power and spin. Most of the better players out there would naturally do this and reap the benefit.
The Final Score
The paddle is a top perfomer, made for top performers who can get the most out of it. The long grip and power is excellent. At $240, it could be a gamble for some players with so many good paddles out there under that price point, but you won’t be disappointed with the investment if you are a skilled, competitive player who wants speed and power.
I will continue to include it in my paddle rotation and allow others to use it so I can get their input. Look for updates to come.
Pickle on friends, pickle on…
