Forgiveness vs Power: 80 paddle matchups compared
Forgiveness comes from a wide, stable face that still produces a playable ball off-center; power comes from mass behind the ball. Elongated, head-heavy builds win the second and lose the first. These matchups put the two philosophies directly against each other.
Forgiveness
More forgiving
Power
More powerful
How to choose between them
If your contact point is still moving around, forgiveness wins more points than power does — a mishit that stays in play beats a put-away you hit twice a game. Once your contact is repeatable, the trade flips.
Matchups that split on this axis
In each pair below, one paddle measurably leads forgiveness and the other leads power. Strongest contrasts first.
- Selkirk Vanguard Power Air vs Selkirk Luxx Control AirIn depthSelkirk Luxx Control Air leads forgiveness 87 vs 71; Selkirk Vanguard Power Air leads power 92 vs 71.
- Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 vs Paddletek Tempest Wave V3In depthPaddletek Tempest Wave V3 leads forgiveness 86 vs 72; Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 leads power 91 vs 72.
- Selkirk Labs Project 006 vs Selkirk Luxx Control AirIn depthSelkirk Luxx Control Air leads forgiveness 87 vs 80; Selkirk Labs Project 006 leads power 92 vs 71.
- CRBN-2X Square vs CRBN-1X Power SeriesIn depthCRBN-2X Square leads forgiveness 89 vs 73; CRBN-1X Power Series leads power 90 vs 80.
- Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control vs JOOLA Hyperion CFS 16In depthSix Zero Double Black Diamond Control leads forgiveness 90 vs 74; JOOLA Hyperion CFS 16 leads power 89 vs 79.
- Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 vs Gearbox Pro Power ElongatedIn depthGearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 leads forgiveness 86 vs 66; Gearbox Pro Power Elongated leads power 94 vs 88.
- Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated vs Six Zero Double Black Diamond ControlIn depthSix Zero Double Black Diamond Control leads forgiveness 90 vs 78; Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated leads power 93 vs 79.
- Six Zero Ruby vs Selkirk SLK Halo ControlIn depthSelkirk SLK Halo Control leads forgiveness 88 vs 81; Six Zero Ruby leads power 85 vs 69.
- Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 vs Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14In depthPaddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 leads forgiveness 88 vs 72; Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 leads power 91 vs 85.
- Honolulu J6CR vs Six Zero Double Black Diamond ControlIn depthSix Zero Double Black Diamond Control leads forgiveness 90 vs 81; Honolulu J6CR leads power 90 vs 79.
- JOOLA Perseus CFS 16 vs Selkirk Luxx Control AirIn depthSelkirk Luxx Control Air leads forgiveness 87 vs 82; JOOLA Perseus CFS 16 leads power 84 vs 71.
- Franklin Signature 16 Composite vs Franklin Signature Carbon STRIn depthFranklin Signature Carbon STR leads forgiveness 85 vs 72; Franklin Signature 16 Composite leads power 81 vs 76.
- Legacy Pickleball Pro XS 16 vs Electrum Model E Max V3In depthElectrum Model E Max V3 leads forgiveness 86 vs 78; Legacy Pickleball Pro XS 16 leads power 92 vs 82.
- Six Zero Ruby vs Vatic Pro Prism FlashIn depthVatic Pro Prism Flash leads forgiveness 85 vs 81; Six Zero Ruby leads power 85 vs 71.
- CRBN TruFoam Genesis 1 vs CRBN TruFoam Genesis 2In depthCRBN TruFoam Genesis 2 leads forgiveness 89 vs 78; CRBN TruFoam Genesis 1 leads power 93 vs 87.
- Six Zero Quartz Control vs Six Zero RubyIn depthSix Zero Quartz Control leads forgiveness 91 vs 81; Six Zero Ruby leads power 85 vs 78.
- Engage Pursuit Pro MX 12.7 vs Engage Pursuit Pro1 6.0 HybridIn depthEngage Pursuit Pro1 6.0 Hybrid leads forgiveness 77 vs 70; Engage Pursuit Pro MX 12.7 leads power 85 vs 75.
- JOOLA Perseus Pro V 14 vs JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16In depthJOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 leads forgiveness 86 vs 76; JOOLA Perseus Pro V 14 leads power 94 vs 88.
- Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated vs Selkirk OMNI 16In depthSelkirk OMNI 16 leads forgiveness 90 vs 78; Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated leads power 93 vs 89.
- Selkirk SLK Halo XL Control vs Selkirk SLK Halo ControlIn depthSelkirk SLK Halo Control leads forgiveness 88 vs 84; Selkirk SLK Halo XL Control leads power 80 vs 69.
- Six Zero Ruby vs Six Zero Double Black Diamond ControlIn depthSix Zero Double Black Diamond Control leads forgiveness 90 vs 81; Six Zero Ruby leads power 85 vs 79.
- Bread & Butter Loco 16mm Elongated vs JOOLA Perseus CFS 16In depthJOOLA Perseus CFS 16 leads forgiveness 82 vs 76; Bread & Butter Loco 16mm Elongated leads power 92 vs 84.
- Gearbox Pro Power Elongated vs Gearbox CX14E Ultimate PowerIn depthGearbox CX14E Ultimate Power leads forgiveness 74 vs 66; Gearbox Pro Power Elongated leads power 94 vs 88.
- CRBN-3X Power Series vs CRBN 2X Power SeriesIn depthCRBN-3X Power Series leads forgiveness 89 vs 78; CRBN 2X Power Series leads power 90 vs 87.
- Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16 vs Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2In depthSix Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2 leads forgiveness 88 vs 84; Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16 leads power 90 vs 80.
- Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta vs Selkirk Luxx Control AirIn depthSelkirk Luxx Control Air leads forgiveness 87 vs 84; Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta leads power 82 vs 71.
- Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) vs Six Zero Double Black Diamond ControlIn depthSix Zero Double Black Diamond Control leads forgiveness 90 vs 82; Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) leads power 85 vs 79.
- JOOLA Perseus CFS 16 vs JOOLA Hyperion CFS 16In depthJOOLA Perseus CFS 16 leads forgiveness 82 vs 74; JOOLA Hyperion CFS 16 leads power 89 vs 84.
- JOOLA Scorpeus 14 vs JOOLA Perseus 14In depthJOOLA Scorpeus 14 leads forgiveness 79 vs 72; JOOLA Perseus 14 leads power 80 vs 74.
- JOOLA Perseus CFS 16 vs Six Zero Double Black Diamond ControlIn depthSix Zero Double Black Diamond Control leads forgiveness 90 vs 82; JOOLA Perseus CFS 16 leads power 84 vs 79.
- Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated vs JOOLA Perseus CFS 16In depthJOOLA Perseus CFS 16 leads forgiveness 82 vs 78; Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated leads power 93 vs 84.
- Honolulu J6CR vs Vatic Pro Prism Flash V2 16In depthVatic Pro Prism Flash V2 16 leads forgiveness 86 vs 81; Honolulu J6CR leads power 90 vs 82.
- Vatic Pro V7 Pro 16 vs Six Zero Double Black Diamond ControlIn depthSix Zero Double Black Diamond Control leads forgiveness 90 vs 84; Vatic Pro V7 Pro 16 leads power 86 vs 79.
- Six Zero Coral Hybrid 16 vs Six Zero Double Black Diamond ControlIn depthSix Zero Double Black Diamond Control leads forgiveness 90 vs 82; Six Zero Coral Hybrid 16 leads power 83 vs 79.
- Selkirk SLK Halo Control vs Selkirk SLK Evo Hybrid 2.0In depthSelkirk SLK Halo Control leads forgiveness 88 vs 84; Selkirk SLK Evo Hybrid 2.0 leads power 76 vs 69.
- ProXR Signature 16 vs ProXR Signature 13In depthProXR Signature 16 leads forgiveness 75 vs 70; ProXR Signature 13 leads power 84 vs 78.
- Volair Mach 1 Forza 16 vs Six Zero Double Black Diamond ControlIn depthSix Zero Double Black Diamond Control leads forgiveness 90 vs 86; Volair Mach 1 Forza 16 leads power 86 vs 79.
- Bread & Butter Loco 16mm Elongated vs Bread & Butter Loco 16mm HybridIn depthBread & Butter Loco 16mm Hybrid leads forgiveness 83 vs 76; Bread & Butter Loco 16mm Elongated leads power 92 vs 89.
- Diadem Edge 18K V2 vs Diadem Warrior Edge 14In depthDiadem Edge 18K V2 leads forgiveness 82 vs 76; Diadem Warrior Edge 14 leads power 88 vs 84.
- JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 vs JOOLA Hyperion Pro V 16In depthJOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 leads forgiveness 86 vs 82; JOOLA Hyperion Pro V 16 leads power 93 vs 88.
- CRBN TruFoam Genesis 2 vs CRBN TruFoam Genesis 3In depthCRBN TruFoam Genesis 2 leads forgiveness 89 vs 84; CRBN TruFoam Genesis 3 leads power 90 vs 87.
- Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 vs Six Zero Double Black Diamond ControlIn depthSix Zero Double Black Diamond Control leads forgiveness 90 vs 87; Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 leads power 84 vs 79.
- Engage Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0 vs Engage Pursuit MX 6.0In depthEngage Pursuit MX 6.0 leads forgiveness 88 vs 84; Engage Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0 leads power 82 vs 78.
- Gearbox CX14H Ultimate Power vs Gearbox CX14E Ultimate PowerIn depthGearbox CX14E Ultimate Power leads forgiveness 74 vs 70; Gearbox CX14H Ultimate Power leads power 92 vs 88.
- CRBN TruFoam Genesis 2 vs JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16In depthCRBN TruFoam Genesis 2 leads forgiveness 89 vs 85; JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 leads power 90 vs 87.
- Franklin Ben Johns Signature Pro vs Franklin Signature 16 CompositeFranklin Ben Johns Signature Pro leads forgiveness 84 vs 72; Franklin Signature 16 Composite leads power 81 vs 70.
- VERSIX Strike 4F vs Franklin Signature 16 CompositeVERSIX Strike 4F leads forgiveness 80 vs 72; Franklin Signature 16 Composite leads power 81 vs 66.
- Franklin Signature 16 Composite vs HEAD Radical Tour Ultra 16HEAD Radical Tour Ultra 16 leads forgiveness 86 vs 72; Franklin Signature 16 Composite leads power 81 vs 74.
- Franklin Signature 16 Composite vs Rally Flare GraphiteRally Flare Graphite leads forgiveness 84 vs 72; Franklin Signature 16 Composite leads power 81 vs 74.
- ONIX Z5 Graphite vs Franklin Signature 16 CompositeONIX Z5 Graphite leads forgiveness 82 vs 72; Franklin Signature 16 Composite leads power 81 vs 73.
- Franklin Signature 16 Composite vs Selkirk SLK Evo Hybrid 2.0Selkirk SLK Evo Hybrid 2.0 leads forgiveness 84 vs 72; Franklin Signature 16 Composite leads power 81 vs 76.
- Engage Pursuit Pro MX 12.7 vs Vatic Pro V7 HybridVatic Pro V7 Hybrid leads forgiveness 83 vs 70; Engage Pursuit Pro MX 12.7 leads power 85 vs 82.
- Selkirk AMPED Pro Air Invikta vs Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14Selkirk AMPED Pro Air Invikta leads forgiveness 84 vs 72; Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 leads power 91 vs 88.
- Vatic Pro V7 Pro 16 vs JOOLA Hyperion CFS 16Vatic Pro V7 Pro 16 leads forgiveness 84 vs 74; JOOLA Hyperion CFS 16 leads power 89 vs 86.
- CRBN⁴ TruFoam Barrage vs JOOLA Perseus Pro V 14CRBN⁴ TruFoam Barrage leads forgiveness 82 vs 76; JOOLA Perseus Pro V 14 leads power 94 vs 87.
- CRBN-2X Square vs CRBN-1XCRBN-2X Square leads forgiveness 89 vs 86; CRBN-1X leads power 89 vs 80.
- ProKennex Black Ace LG vs Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 InviktaProKennex Black Ace LG leads forgiveness 88 vs 84; Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta leads power 82 vs 74.
- Holbrook Pickleball Power Pro X 14 vs Gearbox Pro Power ElongatedHolbrook Pickleball Power Pro X 14 leads forgiveness 74 vs 66; Gearbox Pro Power Elongated leads power 94 vs 90.
- Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 vs Gearbox GX2 Power ElongatedSelkirk Labs 008 Project 16 leads forgiveness 86 vs 78; Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated leads power 93 vs 90.
- Wilson Blaze Pro 16 vs ONIX Evoke Premier ProWilson Blaze Pro 16 leads forgiveness 84 vs 80; ONIX Evoke Premier Pro leads power 85 vs 78.
- Six Zero Sapphire 16 vs Six Zero Coral Pro Hybrid UPA-ASix Zero Sapphire 16 leads forgiveness 86 vs 79; Six Zero Coral Pro Hybrid UPA-A leads power 83 vs 80.
- ONIX Evoke Pro Carbon 16 vs Six Zero RubyONIX Evoke Pro Carbon 16 leads forgiveness 88 vs 81; Six Zero Ruby leads power 85 vs 82.
- Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta vs Selkirk Luxx Control AirSelkirk Luxx Control Air leads forgiveness 87 vs 80; Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta leads power 74 vs 71.
- Ronbus R4 Pulsar vs Bread & Butter Loco 16mm ElongatedRonbus R4 Pulsar leads forgiveness 82 vs 76; Bread & Butter Loco 16mm Elongated leads power 92 vs 88.
- JOOLA Hyperion Pro V 16 vs CRBN-5 TruFoam HybridCRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid leads forgiveness 88 vs 82; JOOLA Hyperion Pro V 16 leads power 93 vs 90.
- JOOLA Hyperion Pro V 16 vs Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 leads forgiveness 86 vs 82; JOOLA Hyperion Pro V 16 leads power 93 vs 88.
- JOOLA Radius CGS 16 vs Engage Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0JOOLA Radius CGS 16 leads forgiveness 90 vs 84; Engage Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0 leads power 82 vs 79.
- CRBN TruFoam Genesis 1 vs CRBN TruFoam Genesis 3CRBN TruFoam Genesis 3 leads forgiveness 84 vs 78; CRBN TruFoam Genesis 1 leads power 93 vs 90.
- Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power vs ONIX Evoke Premier ProONIX Evoke Premier Pro leads forgiveness 80 vs 74; Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power leads power 88 vs 85.
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7 vs JOOLA Perseus 14Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7 leads forgiveness 77 vs 72; JOOLA Perseus 14 leads power 80 vs 76.
- Gearbox Pro Power Elongated vs Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 leads forgiveness 72 vs 66; Gearbox Pro Power Elongated leads power 94 vs 91.
- JOOLA Magnus 3S 16 vs JOOLA Scorpeus Pro IV 16JOOLA Magnus 3S 16 leads forgiveness 89 vs 84; JOOLA Scorpeus Pro IV 16 leads power 86 vs 83.
- JOOLA Mod TA-15 3S 16 vs JOOLA Magnus 3S 16JOOLA Magnus 3S 16 leads forgiveness 89 vs 84; JOOLA Mod TA-15 3S 16 leads power 86 vs 83.
- Bread & Butter Loco 16mm Hybrid vs Bread & Butter Loco 16mm StandardBread & Butter Loco 16mm Standard leads forgiveness 88 vs 83; Bread & Butter Loco 16mm Hybrid leads power 89 vs 86.
- JOOLA Perseus 14 vs Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14 leads forgiveness 77 vs 72; JOOLA Perseus 14 leads power 80 vs 77.
- CRBN TruFoam Genesis X vs CRBN TruFoam Genesis 2CRBN TruFoam Genesis 2 leads forgiveness 89 vs 86; CRBN TruFoam Genesis X leads power 91 vs 87.
- Six Zero Sapphire 16 vs Six Zero Coral Hybrid 16Six Zero Sapphire 16 leads forgiveness 86 vs 82; Six Zero Coral Hybrid 16 leads power 83 vs 80.
- Engage Encore Pro EX vs HEAD Radical Tour Ultra 16Engage Encore Pro EX leads forgiveness 89 vs 86; HEAD Radical Tour Ultra 16 leads power 74 vs 70.
- ONIX Evoke Premier Pro vs Diadem Warrior Edge 14ONIX Evoke Premier Pro leads forgiveness 80 vs 76; Diadem Warrior Edge 14 leads power 88 vs 85.
- Diadem Warrior Edge 14 vs Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14Diadem Warrior Edge 14 leads forgiveness 76 vs 72; Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 leads power 91 vs 88.
Forgiveness vs Power FAQ
- What makes a pickleball paddle forgiving?
- Twist weight, mostly. It measures how much the face rotates when you miss the middle. Higher twist weight plus a larger effective sweet spot means an off-center ball still comes off with usable pace and direction.
- Are elongated paddles less forgiving?
- Generally yes. An elongated shape moves mass away from the centre axis and narrows the face, so the sweet spot is smaller and mishits twist more. You get reach and leverage in return.