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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. Joola Agassi Edge (~$59 limited time sale, $99 is the normal price)
The Joola Agassi Edge was the first paddle that dethroned my favorite pickleball paddle under $100, the Vatic Pro Prism Flash.
I cannot believe that this paddle is 40% off now, considering Joola is also a top brand.
I competed both paddles head to head, and it was obvious near the beginning.
Joola Pro IV ($400) vs Joola Agassi Edge ($59)
I’ve been playing with both the Joola Pro IV Ben Johns and the Agassi Edge, and honestly, the difference didn’t feel big enough to justify the Agassi Edge costing about three times as much. That said, I still lean toward the Pro IV, it just gives me a better mix of control, power, and that satisfying pop on contact. The Agassi Edge, though, deserves credit. It has a buttery smooth feel at impact, and in my opinion, the feel is even nicer than what you get from the Vatic Pro Prism Flash.
Vatic Pro Prism Flash vs Joola Agassi Edge
Between the two build options, I’d go with carbon fiber all day over fiberglass. The carbon fiber version keeps a textured partial print that really hangs onto the ball, which I love.
Now, don’t get me wrong—the Vatic Pro Prism Flash is still one of the best intermediate budget paddles around, and it punches way above its price. But when it comes to head-to-head comparisons, here’s how things stacked up for me:
Dinking
With dinks, the Agassi Edge felt more reliable overall. The sweet spot is generous, and I found myself landing shots with consistency and control. The Prism Flash was solid too, but I caught myself losing a bit of precision on the softer game. The Agassi Edge just gave me that extra level of trust when dropping balls in the kitchen.
Serving
Both paddles held their own on serves. I like mixing in pace and spin, and honestly, I couldn’t pick a winner here—they both felt equally dependable from the baseline.
Game Play
I tried switching paddles mid-match to see how much difference I’d notice in real time. Starting with the Agassi Edge, I jumped ahead 6-1. When I switched to the Prism Flash, my opponent clawed back until it was 7-6. Back on the Agassi Edge, I scraped out the win 11-9. We flipped paddles again for the next game, and with the Prism Flash I battled through to win 11-7.
So while both paddles have their strong points, the Agassi Edge gave me a bit more confidence in my touch game. Price is where things get interesting, though—so let’s break that down before I share which one I’d actually pick.
Check out this paddle.
2) Engage Pursuit V2.0 ($99.99, $89.99 after using code: bepickleballer10)
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:
3) 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:
4) 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:
5) 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:
6) Doctor Pickleball Surgical Control (~$50)
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:
7) 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:
8) 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:
9) 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.