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I’ll admit it: I have a pickleball paddle problem. I’ve tested 50 pickleball paddles under $100, and while some weren’t worth the grip tape they came with, a handful punched way above their price tag. Here’s a portion of my list.
So here it is: The best pickleball paddles under $100. If you’re looking for carbon fiber, T700 grit, or just a sweet spot that won’t betray you in a kitchen battle, I’ve got you.
If you’ve found a paddle you love under $100 that isn’t here, drop it in the comments, I’m always game to try another.
1) Engage Pursuit V2.0 (~$99)
I’ve tested around 70 paddles now, and Engage has always been one of those premium brands I’ve wanted to try. So when I finally got my hands on the Engage Pursuit V2.0, I had high expectations, and honestly, this paddle didn’t just meet them, it exceeded them.
I’d just come back from vacation when I picked up the V2.0, and during a match, my opponent asked, “Have you been playing in tournaments every day or something?” That’s how much better this paddle made me look.
- First Impressions: The design is slick. The bullseye graphic is sharp, and I love that it comes in multiple colors: Sky Blue, Crimson Red, Lime Flash, and Pink Blaze. The thin edge guard matches the paddle color, giving it a clean, professional look. Grit-wise, Engage nailed it, the surface has even, consistent grit across the entire face. No cheap gloss or sprayed-over grip here.
- Control: This is where the paddle shines. The 15.2mm core offers fantastic touch. I felt like I could place serves exactly to backhands or forehands, and my dinking accuracy was spot-on. During drills like 7-11, the touch and drop control really stood out.
- Spin: The Amplified Carbon Surface has a soft carbon finish that bites the ball nicely. I use a heavy spin serve, and the V2.0 had no problem generating aggressive spin. It’s a spin-friendly shape with a generous sweet spot.
- Power: While this isn’t a pure power paddle, it’s far from weak. I was able to hit my usual power serves without sacrificing pace, and forehand drives had a great mix of pop and control. Honestly, it felt like a complete paddle.
Check out this paddle:
2) Warping Point Neon -$99.99 ($75 w/code BePickleballer)
This one surprised me as it’s Warping Point’s newest lineup in 2025. A sleek 16mm paddle that feels premium out of the box, with fun color options.
- Control: Tight sweet spot and consistent touch.
- Spin: T700 surface = reliable topspin and slices.
- Power: Enough for doubles, but don’t expect massive pop.
- Feel: Comes in different colors: red for more power, green for more control.
Verdict: Great for intermediate players who want a blend of all three: control, spin, and touch.
Check out this paddle:
3) Warping Point Grasp Control (~$75 w/code BePickleballer)
If you had told me a year ago that a 20mm thermoformed carbon fiber paddle with T700 and an edgeless design would come in under $100, I’d have laughed mid-serve. But here we are.
- Control: Insane. This is one of the few paddles where I feel like I can literally aim the ball.
- Spin: T700 face has that raw carbon fiber bite. You’ll feel it on your topspin serves.
- Power: Surprisingly solid for 20mm thickness. I wouldn’t call it a banger, but it holds up.
- Feel: Light enough for hands battles, and that edgeless frame makes resets feel silky.
- Bonus: Not on Amazon, but the brand has a beautiful unboxing experience and customer service.
Verdict: If control is king in your game, this paddle deserves a royal spot in your bag.
Check out this paddle:
4) Vatic Pro Prism Flash – $99 ($89 w/code BePickleballer)
This paddle has been my measuring stick. I’ve tested it against $200+ paddles, and it just holds its ground every time.
You’ve got two options:
14mm = more power.
16mm = more control.
Given that I have a problem purchasing paddles, I have both. Here’s the gist:
- Control: The 16mm is a finesse machine. Drops, dinks, resets, you name it.
- Spin: T700 surface with a raw texture that’s spin-friendly, especially on serves and roll shots.
- Power: The 14mm version has enough pop to put points away with confidence.
- Feel: Comes with grip tape and paddle cover, which is a nice touch.
- Bonus: You can often find it cheaper on Amazon or direct with a discount code.
Verdict: Still one of the best values on the market. Legit performance for under $100.
Check out this paddle:
5) Doctor Pickleball Surgical Control (~$65)
You don’t expect to find a thermoformed T700 carbon fiber paddle at this price point, but here we are again.
- Control: I stayed undefeated for a week using this paddle. The 20mm core gives it incredible stability.
- Spin: Gritty enough for real movement off the paddle.
- Power: Not explosive, but definitely enough to finish points when set up well.
- Feel: Good balance and light in hand. The grip felt better than expected.
- Extras: Clean branding, solid cover, and a nice weight.
Verdict: The best sub-$50 paddle I’ve ever tested. No question.
Check out this paddle:
6) PBVMURTG Carbon Fiber (~$49)
This is a paddle with a name like someone typed on a keyboard mid-sneeze, but I was shocked how well it played.
- Control: Not as buttery as Doctor Pickleball, but respectable.
- Spin: Surprisingly grippy. I hit some solid backhand slices with it.
- Power: Enough for casual play, though not a rocket launcher.
- Feel: Super light, includes grip tape, a paddle cover, and a carbon fiber cleaning bar (!).
- Bonus: I beat a 4.0+ DUPR player 11-3 using this paddle after switching mid-match. No joke.
Verdict: If you’re tight on budget but want a legit carbon fiber feel, this is your underdog pick.
Check out this paddle:
7) Selkirk Latitude 2.0 Set (~$100)
Used to be a Costco exclusive. Two paddles, balls, and a bag. Great for families or friends jumping into pickleball together.
- Control: Super forgiving. Easy to get used to even for beginners.
- Spin: Has a textured face, not elite, but enough to get spin on serves and returns.
- Power: Lightweight, so not a bomber paddle. But it’s solid for control players.
- Feel: Very fun set to play with, and the carry bag makes it a great starter gift.
Verdict: The best starter set under $100. If you’re gifting or splitting, this is the one.
Check out this paddle:
8) Fanovae Power 3D (~$25)
If you’re looking to barely spend anything and still have a carbon fiber paddle with spin, and Fanovae delivers.
- Control: Solid for its price.
- Spin: Surprisingly gritty for a budget carbon face.
- Power: It’s light, but can still finish points.
- Feel: Comes with grip tape, cover, and eraser.
Verdict: Best true budget paddle I’ve tested. Ideal for absolute beginners or a travel backup.
Check out this paddle:
Final Thoughts
There are a lot of junk paddles under $100, but there are also hidden gems. If you’re looking for raw carbon fiber, spin-friendly surfaces, or paddles that hold up against the $200+ crowd, the Warping Point and Vatic Prism Flash series are tough to beat.
And if you’ve got a paddle under $100 you swear by, drop a comment, I’ll happily try it and update this list.