Do Not Buy ProLite Pickleball Paddles Until You Read This Guide
ProLite Pickleball Paddles are the #1 choice of many of the top athletes in the professional pickleball tournaments play with these paddles.
When you buy a ProLite pickleball paddle, you know you are getting a quality product. This company has the experience needed to produce some of the best paddles available. Many of the top athletes in the professional pickleball tournaments play with these paddles.
ProLite has a wide range of products. These options include various composite and graphite paddles of varying widths, lengths, and grips. If you are new to pickleball or an avid player looking for the next best paddle, compare options with the following Pro Lite pickleball paddle reviews.
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ProLite Is a Trusted Paddle Manufacturer
Pro-Lite Sports is one of the original pickleball paddle manufacturers. They remain the best selling and most well-known brand.
The first ProLite pickleball paddles were released in 1984, which included the first composite pickleball paddle. The founder of the company invented the composite paddle after realizing that composite material used in airlines is lighter compared to wood and more balanced.
The company eventually changed hands, but continues to innovate with the release of new paddles. ProLite Sports is also a major sponsor of pickleball. They have endorsement deals with various professional players and manage clubs and tournaments in regions around the country.
Overview of the ProLite Paddles
With over 30 years in the industry, ProLite has released a lot of paddles. Many of these paddles are used by pro players. They are also regularly featured in lists of the best pickleball paddles.
The top-selling Pro Lite paddles include:
Pro Lite pickleball products are always exceptionally crafted to provide players with long-lasting paddles. Whether you choose a composite or graphite face, you get a durable paddle that should offer years of use. Here are the top Pro Lite pickleball paddle reviews and comparisons.
With the ProLite Titan pickleball paddle, you get one of the top-selling paddles available. The paddle face is made from carbon fiber and provides the best grip, along with these features:
The Titan includes a blend of high-quality material designed to improve your game. It has a medium-sized grip and middleweight design, offering balance for players of all levels. You also get a razor-thin guard, which helps provide a clear hitting surface.
Most players find that it has optimal control at the net while still offering the power that you need from the back end of the court. The QuadCore polymer honeycomb core is a big part of the reason why people love this paddle. The polymer core is thick and provides superior shock absorption, as does the carbon fiber facing.
It is hard to say anything bad about the Titan. While it is one of the top-rated paddles, it is also one of the most expensive options. For the higher price, you get a durable, high-end paddle used by professionals.
The Magnum Stealth Graphite provides an average weight combined with the same quality design featured in all Pro Lite Sports pickleball products. It is a well-built paddle with a high-end graphite face.
However, the Nomex honeycomb does not offer the same bounce and spin offered with the QuadCore polymer core. You get a little more pop with each hit and the core absorbs less of the impact from the ball, which can lead to extra stress in your wrist, elbow, and shoulder.
Despite a couple of drawbacks, the Magnum remains one of the most recommended options due to its agile design. If you want more control, you may want to try playing with the Magnum.
The Intercept is the first paddle in the ProLite I-Series. It is considered a beginner paddle and features a strong polymer core, along with these features:
The Intercept was released as an entry level paddle for novices. It includes the polypropylene core that is commonly used in less expensive paddles. It also includes the advanced vibration-dampening system that helps limit noise and impact on your wrist.
The grip is also comfortable. It is contoured, allowing you to play or practice without tiring your hand.
In the end, the Intercept is one of the best choices for beginners. However, intermediate and experienced players may not enjoy the polypropylene core or composite face. These materials do not offer the same responsiveness and power that you get from other ProLite options.
The well-balanced Covert can help give you more power. It includes a large hitting surface with even distribution. ProLite also claims that it offers the largest sweet spot. Here is a closer look at its features:
With the Covert, you are getting one of the most-balanced paddles available. It has the optimal width-length ratio to provide a bigger sweet spot, which makes this paddle more forgiving compared to most other options. You also get more spin control and overall accuracy.
The only issue is that it is slightly heavy. The lightest option is 7.9 ounces. While this is not exceptionally heavy, it may cause an issue for those with a weaker wrist.
The well-rounded Chrome N-R-G has an elongated shape and large sweet spot. The loaded head helps you slam the ball harder and faster. Here are the primary details of the paddle:
The N-R-G stands out due to its elongated design. It looks like an oar with a short handle. With the unique shape, you get a longer face and more reach. When you deliver a big swing, the top-heavy design delivers more power, especially if you choose the 8-ounce version.
With this paddle, you also get the same QuadCore core used in the popular Titan paddle. However, the facing material is different. The N-R-G uses a composite face coated with gel. It has good texture, but not as much spin control compared to other options.
Overall, the N-R-G is suited for racquetball players, singles matches, and extra power. The only drawback is the narrow sweet spot. Due to the elongated shape, you end up with a landing strip of a sweet spot, which may limit your accuracy.
The Cypher Pro is part of the Black Diamond Series, which also includes the Titan. It features the same 100% carbon facing and micro guard. Other features include:
This long paddle packs a swing, thanks to the elongated design. With the stretched face, you have a longer hitting surface, which allows you to deliver more power when playing from the back side of the court. Just keep in mind that you will lose accuracy up close.
To help improve the overall control, the paddle features carbon facing with vibration dampening. This slightly limits the natural power by dispersing more energy. You get a little more control and spin, while still having the longer face for delivering more torque.
This is not the most balanced paddle. It is most suited for one play style – aggressive. However, if this is how you play, you should enjoy this paddle from the Black Diamond Series.
Because this paddle is long, it needs to be narrowed to meet the USAPA requirements for pickleball paddles. This creates a combination of Pros and Cons. With the longer paddle, you get more reach and more power for long shots.
However, the narrow design is often more difficult for beginners to master. If you are just starting to play pickleball, the Rebel may not be the best choice. For intermediate and experienced players, the Rebel is a well-rounded composite paddle with amazing spin control.
Tom Grubb who is a Certified Coach and Trainer has given his opinion about ProLite Rebel Power Spin Paddle. It’s a nice short video which discusses the majority of the key elements when selecting a paddle.
The Supernova is another paddle in the Black Diamond Series. The carbon fiber facing helps grab the ball, such as using the Titan paddle. If you want more finesse, check out these features:
The Supernova was designed for Simone Jardim. She won the Triple Crown during the Minto US Pickleball Championships. While she switched to Prince paddles, the Supernova was still the paddle that she used when she won the 2017 matches.
Former tennis players, such as Simone Jardim, likely appreciate the long handle on this paddle. Holding this paddle may feel more familiar for people that play tennis. However, the square shape does limit the overall reach of the paddle.
The main drawbacks include the price and the edge guard. This is a relatively expensive paddle. While it is reasonably priced for high-end paddles, the price may put it out of reach for beginners. It also features a thick edge guard that some people do not enjoy playing with.
With the Crush, you get the best spin control. It includes a textured composite surface for more accuracy, which may suit beginners or anyone needing better responsiveness from their paddles. The primary technical details include:
While this paddle uses the same MicroEdge guard used on most ProLite products, it is more prominent on this paddle. The thicker guard may occasionally impact your accuracy if you hit near the edge. However, the edge is already outside the sweet spot where you want to try to hit the ball.
The Pros include the longer handle, which is the same length used for the Supernova. It is also slightly longer and narrower compared to the Supernova, making it more suitable for tennis players that are learning how to play pickleball.
The most unique feature of the Crush paddle is the textured composite facing. This paddle uses a new SPINtac hitting surface, which is designed to improve spin control. In the end, it’s a versatile paddle for beginners, intermediate players, and advanced players.
The Bolt is lightweight and powerful. It also has just enough texture to help add spin to the ball. If you want an affordable paddle, check out these features:
The Bolt does not feature the same high-quality cores and facing materials used in other Pro Lite products. It uses an affordable polypropylene honeycomb core with a composite face. You get less power, control, and accuracy compared to most of the options discussed.
If this paddle does not match up with the other paddles, why should you choose it? The best reason to use this paddle is the price. It is the least expensive non-wood paddle available from ProLite.
This cost-effective paddle is a decent choice for new players that want to try using a composite material. It has a standard width-length ratio, long handle, and a thin grip.
With the thinner grip, people with smaller hands should find this paddle more comfortable. The grip also accommodates two-handed play.
The Cadet is a low-cost beginner paddle and one of the few wooden paddles that come highly recommended. Here is a closer look at this entry-level option:
With the Cadet, you are getting a simple, inexpensive paddle. It is not exceptional in any way, other than the overall quality that you get from a wooden paddle.
Wooden paddles are rarely used outside of recreational play. However, most people are simply playing recreational games at local facilities. If you are playing this game for the first time, you do not need to spend $100 or more on a high-end paddle. The Cadet provides the best entry point for learning how to play.
While most people move on from wooden paddles to composite or graphite options, some players enjoy the traditional feel. If you like wood paddles, the Cadet is perhaps the best wood paddle currently available.
The versatile Blaster was a popular option thanks to its wider hitting area. While it is slightly shorter, it provides extra power from the graphite facing. It also has a long handle that tennis players tend to prefer.
With these features, the Blaster offers exceptional power and spin. It is also lightweight, which some players may find more comfortable. The heaviest Blaster paddle weighs just 7.6 ounces while the lightest is 6.5 ounces.
This Pro Lite pickleball paddle is a top choice for all types of players. Unfortunately, it is discontinued. While you can still purchase this paddle, the price is likely to slowly rise as fewer new paddles are available.
How to Choose the Right Pickleball Paddle
You have now compared the top Pro-Lite pickleball paddles, but which one should you choose?
With dozens of options, finding the right ProLite pickleball paddle is a challenge. Some of the factors to consider include:
Weight
Width and length
Grip length and thickness
Core material
Face material
A light paddle is well suited for players that play from the net and perform a lot of dink shots. You also tend to get more control. The ProLite graphite paddles are great lightweight options.
A heavier paddle typically provides more power, as does a polymer core. The Titan offers the best balance of power and control, due to its mid-weight design, polymer core, and composite face.
The width and length are also important when comparing paddles. A longer paddle is often easier for those that are used to playing tennis. The ProLite Chrome N-G-R has a long head that offers more hitting surface and comfort for tennis players.
When choosing grip size, consider your play style and hand size. A thinner grip is better if you have small hands, switch hands frequently, or need more spin. A thicker grip can offer more stability and control.
A longer grip is great for two-handed players. If you do not play two-handed, the grip length is not a major concern.
The core and face material are considered two of the biggest factors when choosing Pro-Lite pickleball paddles. The main three core materials include the polymer, Nomex, and aluminum cores. The polymer core offers more control, less weight, and less noise.
The Nomex cores are the heaviest and most powerful cores. Aluminum cores are lightweight and provide great balance.
The face materials are typically either composite or graphite. Graphite is the preferred choice, as it offers texture for gripping the ball, allowing more finesse. Composite faces are often smoother and heavier, providing more power and less control.
Last Thoughts on Pro Lite Pickleball Paddles
Pro Lite pickleball products are trusted by players of all skill levels. These paddles are carefully designed to provide specific benefits. Whether you want more power, control, spin, or balance, Pro Lite produces a suitable paddle.
After checking out the pickleball racket reviews, you should have a general idea of which paddle to get. The Pro Lite Titan remains a top choice for all types of players. However, there are many other options.
Remember to consider the features that matter most for your game. You may need a heavier paddle to help you deliver more power or a long paddle for more reach.