One of the best parts of my role with Pickleball Union is getting to test and review products before they hit the market. There’s something special about being among the first to open a package and try out new gear. Celebrity status? Not quite—but still very cool! Most of these products feature cutting-edge materials and designs, which is right up my alley as a self-proclaimed “materials science nerd.”
One brand that keeps innovating and sending great gear our way is Diadem. Some of my all-time favorites come from them, like the Edge Speed Pro 18K paddle, the ICON V2 XL paddle, the Hush paddle, and my go-to pickleball shoes, the Court Burst.
Then came the ICON Infinity Pro, a gen 3 paddle that borrows the best from its predecessors. As always, I approach reviews critically, but I was thrilled to find that I loved this one too. After testing, I’m giving the ICON Infinity a solid 4.75 out of 5 balls!
The Diadem ICON Infinity V3 Pro is a great pick for intermediate to advanced players, offering a carbon fiber face for power and precision. Its elongated shape gives extra reach and great spin. Use code UNION10 at checkout for 10% off your purchase.
Quick Video
By The Numbers
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Length | 16.54″ |
| Width | 7.22″ |
| Core Thickness | 10 mm honeycomb / 13.7 mm overall |
| Grip Length | 5.5″ |
| Grip Circumference | 4.125″ |
| Weight | 8.11 oz (marketed as 8.15 oz) |
| Price | $219.95 |
Nuts And Bolts
- EVA foam wall – dual foam core
- High density “orange” foam surround along the frame edge
- EVA foam inside edge
- Edgeless frame with replaceable low-profile guards
- Long, cushioned and tacky grip
- Double grit paint
- USA Pickleball-approved
From the Diadem Founders: The Forever Player
In a chat with Evan and a follow-up email from his co-founder Michael, they explained that the Infinity name reflects the paddle’s target audience: the “forever player.” This is the paddle for intermediate to advanced rec players—whether tournament or purely rec—who play often and need a versatile paddle with pop, control, spin, and arm comfort.
After using it for a few weeks, I can confidently say it delivers on that promise. While I sacrificed a bit of power for the comfort, the trade-off was absolutely worth it.
First Impressions
After using the ICON V2 as one of my go-to paddles for the past few months and hearing about the new features of the Gen 3 version, the Infinity from Diadem co-founder Evan, I was eager to open the box. It had everything I expected—the ICON pedigree, long handle, edgeless design, elongated shape, replaceable edge guards, and plenty of surface grit. It felt solid right away after my usual air swings. My only small gripe? The color and design felt a bit bland for my taste, mostly black with white graphics (called the Ghost colorway), but that’s a very minor and least important detail (and a cool Inferno orange on black is also available).
What really grabbed my attention was the new dual foam edge. This is what sets the ICON Infinity apart from the V2. The foam duo, designed to minimize vibration while maintaining power, control, and comfort, had me intrigued.
With mild tennis elbow, I was hoping this feature would help with both performance and reducing strain. Diadem’s bet on this innovation seems to be for consistency and balance, and I was excited to see how it played out.
Game on… The Play Testing
I was both eager and hesitant to try the ICON Infinity. What if it didn’t meet my expectations? But that’s my job—to find out. My first test involved drills with my pitching machine, focusing on dinks, drives, and spin returns, followed by some serving practice.
Right away, the paddle felt reminiscent of the ICON V2, but with noticeably more control and spin. As Evan had mentioned, it has the maximum allowable grit, and I could feel the pop and deliver the spin.
While it’s hard to judge after just 20 minutes of drills, I did notice reduced vibration. The paddle felt less stiff than expected.
Testing the Serve
Next, I moved on to practice serves. The Infinity performed as well as any paddle I’ve tried in terms of control and spin, and came close to my Diadem 18K Speed Pro and Bread & Butter Shogun paddles for power.
It had a great balance of power and precision, which was exactly what I was hoping for.
Indoor Rec Play: Putting it to the Test
My next outing was indoor rec play, and I really wanted to push the Infinity against opponents with fast reflexes and power. I practiced sideline serves and drops, where both control and power are essential. The large sweet spot and dampening system were immediately evident.
The spin potential was fantastic, and I felt fast, natural transitions from serves to drops and dinks. But my biggest concern—would it cause any elbow pain after 90 minutes of play?
Outdoor Play: A Pleasant Surprise
The following day, I took it outdoors for another hour of rec play. No elbow pain and my shots were accurate. The paddle continued to deliver excellent touch, control, spin, and power. Its swing weight and balance were spot on.
By the next day, only minor elbow discomfort, which quickly faded. For players like me, prone to elbow strain, the paddle’s dampening system makes a noticeable difference. So far, it’s proven to be a strong contender for my go-to paddle.
The Final Score
| Feature | Rating (out of 5) |
|---|---|
| Design/Build | 5 |
| Grip | 4.25 |
| Control | 5 |
| Spin | 5 |
| Power | 4.75 |
| Aesthetics | 4.25 (black/white version) |
| Price Point/Value | 4.75 |
| Overall | 4.75 |
If you’re hesitant to move away from a traditional 16 mm paddle with an edge guard, the ICON Infinity Pro has you covered. It offers great control, spin, touch, and more than enough power. The smaller grip was easily fixed by adding a Lizard Skins grip. I’m also excited to see the orange colorway and customizable edge guards.
While it’s on the pricier side, I factored in the proven pedigree of the ICON and its intended audience of the forever player: it’s worth the investment for the serious player. It is definitely making my regular rotation and likely my new go-to!
Lastly – use our code UNION10 at checkout for 10% off your purchase on Diadem.com. 😉
Pickle on my friends, pickle on…
