RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 vs RPM Pickleball Q2 Elongated 16mm
RPM's two premium 16mm elongated paddles at the same price: the Gen 3 honeycomb Friction Pro V2 against the Gen 4 full-foam Q2, compared on construction, power, spin, swing weight and twist weight. Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
Add a third paddle to this comparison →
As an Amazon Associate and affiliate of specialty retailers, we may earn from qualifying purchases — full disclosure.
Quick answer
RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 edges it on the overall Paddle IQ score (86.3 vs 85.1), but the two split the scored categories — pick on the one trait you care about most.
Power
Too close to call
93 vs 92
Spin
RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2
94 vs 90
Control
Too close to call
86 vs 84
Forgiveness
Too close to call
85 vs 84
Hand speed
RPM Pickleball Q2 Elongated 16mm
114 vs 117 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
Too close to call
$249.99 at IQ 86.3 vs $249.99 at IQ 85.1
Overall pick: RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 · $249.99 · IQ 86.3
Watch: RPM Q2 vs RPM Friction Pro V2
Same manufacturer. Nearly identical pricing. Two very different core technologies. Watch our RPM Q2 vs Friction Pro V2 breakdown covering full-foam construction, power, spin, swing weight, stability, and which RPM paddle better fits your game.
Quick takeaway: RPM publishes the Q2 16mm Elongated with a Gen 4 full-foam core, swing weight 114 and twist weight 6.1; the Friction Pro Elongated V2 uses a honeycomb core with an EVA foam ring, swing weight 117 and twist weight 6.5. The Q2 is the lighter-swinging, power-focused option; the Friction Pro V2 is the spin-focused option with more published stability. The Q2's Paddle DNA below is an estimate from published specs. Prices shown are current tracked figures and can change.
Compare the full specifications and available Paddle DNA scores below.Related comparison: Jade vs Q2 — is Jade an upgrade? →
Related comparison: RPM Q2 vs Honolulu J6CR →
Related comparison: RPM Friction Pro V2 vs Six Zero Coral Pro →
Paddle DNA head-to-head
Estimated scores: the RPM Pickleball Q2 Elongated 16mm Paddle DNA is our estimate from published specs, not a sourced profile.
- 92Power93
- 86Control84
- 94Spin90
- 84Forgiveness85
- 86Sweet spot87
- 88Stability84
- 72Maneuverability76
- 88Pop91
- 82Touch80
- 86Consistency85
- 80Swing weight76
- 86Twist weight80
- 60Launch angle62
- 88Plow through85
- 74Softness70
RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 vs RPM Pickleball Q2 Elongated 16mm specs
Every spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 | RPM Pickleball Q2 Elongated 16mm |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $249.99 | $249.99 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 86.3 — better | 85.1 |
| Weight(oz) | 7.9 | 7.8 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 117 | 114 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.5 — better | 6.1 |
| Shape | elongated | elongated |
| Face length(in) | 16.5 | 16.5 |
| Face width(in) | 7.5 | 7.5 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.5 | 5.5 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.125 | 4.125 |
| Surface | CarbonBite raw carbon with Axial Carbon Layup | Carbon fiber surface |
| Core material | Tri-Density honeycomb core with EVA foam ring | Gen 4 full-foam core |
RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 verdict
The James Ignatowich signature build is an unapologetic attack paddle: 16.5 in of reach, a grippy CarbonBite face and a tri-density core that launches drives without giving up the sweet spot the first V2 lacked.
RPM Pickleball Q2 Elongated 16mm verdict
RPM's Gen 4 full-foam Q2 trades the Friction Pro's honeycomb feel for a firmer, more powerful response. The published 114 swing weight is lighter than most elongated power paddles, while the 6.1 twist weight is on the low side for the shape.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is twist weight: RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 scores 86 against 80 for RPM Pickleball Q2 Elongated 16mm — a 6-point gap. They are effectively level on pop, plow through, control, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Both sell for $249.99, so price cannot break the tie.
Twist weight
RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 leads by 6 points (86 vs 80).
Spin
RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 leads by 4 points (94 vs 90).
Stability
RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 leads by 4 points (88 vs 84).
Maneuverability
RPM Pickleball Q2 Elongated 16mm leads by 4 points (76 vs 72).
Which one is right for your level?
Each call below re-weights the Paddle DNA traits that matter at that level, so the winner can differ from the overall pick.
Beginner
New to 3.0 — still building a consistent contact point
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (85.8 vs 84.5 on the weighted index). Pick on static weight — 7.9 oz on the Friction Pro Elongated V2, 7.8 oz on the Q2 Elongated 16mm.
- Twist weight
- Stability
- Consistency
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (85 vs 84.5 on the weighted index). Pick on static weight — 7.9 oz on the Friction Pro Elongated V2, 7.8 oz on the Q2 Elongated 16mm.
- Spin
- Control
- Touch
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (86.8 vs 85.6 on the weighted index). Pick on static weight — 7.9 oz on the Friction Pro Elongated V2, 7.8 oz on the Q2 Elongated 16mm.
- Spin
- Plow through
- Touch
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2
RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 is a narrow pick at this level — softness 74 vs 70, twist weight 86 vs 80. Its 16 mm Tri-Density honeycomb core with EVA foam ring core at 7.9 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
- Twist weight
Which one should you buy?
RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2
Take RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 if you want twist weight (+6), spin (+4), stability (+4). Its swing weight of 117 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 review →RPM Pickleball Q2 Elongated 16mm
Take RPM Pickleball Q2 Elongated 16mm if you want maneuverability (+4). Its swing weight of 114 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the RPM Pickleball Q2 Elongated 16mm review →Where to Buy
RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2
RPM Pickleball Q2 Elongated 16mm
RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 vs RPM Pickleball Q2 Elongated 16mm FAQ
- Which is better, the RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 or the RPM Pickleball Q2 Elongated 16mm?
- RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (86.3 vs 85.1), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — twist weight — RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 leads by 6 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- RPM Pickleball Q2 Elongated 16mm, at 114 kg·cm² swing weight against 117 for RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 or the RPM Pickleball Q2 Elongated 16mm?
- RPM Pickleball Q2 Elongated 16mm scores 93 for power against 92 for RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2. That comes from a 16 mm Gen 4 full-foam core swinging at 114 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 at 86 versus 84. Its 16 mm core holds the ball on the face slightly longer, which is what makes resets and dinks land shorter.
- Which paddle spins the ball more?
- RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 scores 94 for spin off its CarbonBite raw carbon with Axial Carbon Layup face, against 90 for the Carbon fiber surface on RPM Pickleball Q2 Elongated 16mm. In practice a 4-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- RPM Pickleball Q2 Elongated 16mm, with the higher forgiveness score (85 vs 84). RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 actually carries the higher twist weight (6.5 vs 6.1), but RPM Pickleball Q2 Elongated 16mm makes it back on sweet spot (87) and overall face stability.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Both list at $249.99. Too close to call — neither has an advantage here.
- Do they use the same core and face?
- RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2: 16 mm Tri-Density honeycomb core with EVA foam ring core with a CarbonBite raw carbon with Axial Carbon Layup face. RPM Pickleball Q2 Elongated 16mm: 16 mm Gen 4 full-foam core with a Carbon fiber surface.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both run a 5.5 in handle, long enough that neither forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- RPM Pickleball Q2 Elongated 16mm is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 85 and sweet spot 87 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel less stable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- RPM Pickleball Q2 Elongated 16mm at 7.8 oz against 7.9 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (114 vs 117) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the RPM Pickleball Q2 Elongated 16mm to the RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 leads on twist weight by 6 points; everything else is within 4 points. At $249.99 vs $249.99, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
This matchup is a spin vs pop decision
Browse every head-to-head that splits on the same trade-off:
Related comparisons
The other matchups shoppers open in the same session as this one.
- CRBN⁴ TruFoam Barrage vs RPM Friction Pro Elongated V2
- 11SIX24 Ultré Power 2 vs RPM Friction Pro Elongated V2
- Friction Pro Elongated V2 vs CRBN-1X Power Series
- Friction Pro Elongated V2 vs Coral Pro
- Q2 Elongated 16mm vs Jade Elongated 16mm
- Q2 Elongated 16mm vs J6CR
- Friction Pro Elongated V2 vs J2CR
- Friction Pro Elongated V2 vs Jade Elongated 16mm
Also worth comparing
Head-to-heads that share DNA with this matchup — useful if you're still deciding between shapes, cores or price tiers.
- Friction Pro Elongated V2 vs Ultré Power 2
- Friction Pro Elongated V2 vs 1X TruFoam Power
- Friction Pro Elongated V2 vs Agassi Pro 16
- Friction Pro Elongated V2 vs Hyperion Pro V 16
- Q2 Elongated 16mm vs Aura Pro Hybrid 16mm
- Q2 Elongated 16mm vs Mach 2 Forza 16
- Q2 Elongated 16mm vs R4 Pulsar
- Q2 Elongated 16mm vs Spitfire Elongated 16mm
Top alternatives to both
Paddles that beat one of these two on a specific trait or on price.
Guides featuring these paddles
Still deciding? These buying guides put RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 and RPM Pickleball Q2 Elongated 16mm in context against the rest of the database.
Read the full reviews: RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 and RPM Pickleball Q2 Elongated 16mm. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.