Which Paddle Gives you the Most Spin?

When I started playing pickleball earlier this year, I was really interested in having a paddle that would help me generate spin. Coming from tennis, I loved trying to hit huge spin shots. As we all eventually learn, spin is not the end all be all of pickleball, but then I became curious: which paddles actually put the most spin on the ball?

No one has had objective tests or data to back up any claims that companies make. Every company has a lot of marketing hype around why their paddle technology gives you the most pickleball paddle spin. After being tired of the marketing hype, I decided to try and come up with a way to run my own tests.

I took a Franklin X-40 and covered three-fourths of it in sharpie, took my 120FPS camera and would do drop serves with topspin (as to not influence the spin on the ball before hitting). From there I count how many video frames it takes to complete one full revolution on the ball. I plug those numbers into an RPM (Revolutions Per Minute) calculator and then it spits out my RPM for that shot.

To help keep the data consistent, I do 10 shots with each paddle and average the results. I also take a second person (my brother) and have him do the same.

While this is not a 100% perfect test, I do believe it helps give a general idea of which paddles put good amounts of pickleball paddle spin on the ball. In the future I would like to add testing for dink spin shots as well, since many people believe the results for each paddle may change. Maybe in the far future, we can have robots do the tests for perfectly accurate results, but until that becomes feasible, humans will have to do.

Pickleball Paddle Spin Test Results

The results of the paddles can be seen in this spreadsheet that I made with results for me and my brother. The results were actually quite similar across the board except for one major stand-out, which was the Engage Encore 6.0. My brother achieved the highest RPMs of 1788 while my result was 1166.

Unfortunately, I wasn't able to retest this paddle as I had to give it back to our friend. My best guess is that the way my brother swings, along with the longer handle, helps him snap his wrist more to help generate spin. Besides this abnormal result, all the other results were generally within less than 100 RPM of each other, which is very close.

Which Paddle Produces the Most Pickleball Paddle Spin?

When it comes to the highest average RPM, the winner was a newcomer to the pickleball scene: crbn. The combined average RPM for the 13mm crbn was 1650! You can get 10% off yours at Fromuth Pickleball by using the code 10DINK.

Editor's Note: Thomas here. crbn was kind enough to ship us some paddles recently, and let me tell you, they live up to the hype. These paddles also have exceptional touch and an impressive ability to "carve" the ball.

We found that spin becomes noticeably better in increments of 300 RPM. So if you have a paddle that is doing 1,000 RPM, going up to 1,300 was a noticeable improvement on the court. Or say, 1,300 to 1,600.

In the video, I grouped paddles into 3 categories. Low spin (1,000-1,199), average spin (1,200-1,499), and high amounts of spin (1,500+). According to CBS Sports, carbon fiber paddle faces are among the top choices for players seeking spin at every angle of contact CBS Sports, which aligns closely with our own RPM findings on carbon surface paddles.

Personally, for how I like to play, anything under 1,300 RPM didn't feel like enough spin. After 1,300, it starts to fit my play style more.

Pickleball Paddle Spin Should Not Be Your Only Deciding Factor

Now I do want to make it clear: spin should not be the only deciding factor when choosing a paddle. Especially because there is clearly a variance in spin from paddles depending on how you hit your shots, as seen with the Encore 6.0. These tests were done simply to help give a base idea of which paddles may give you more paddle spin in pickleball.

It is not a perfect test and I will continue to refine it as I try more paddles in the future. Understanding how topspin works in pickleball is just as important as the paddle you choose. Even the highest-spin paddle won't help if your swing mechanics aren't generating the right racquet-head speed.

If you're also a tennis player transitioning to pickleball, the instinct to lean heavily on topspin is completely understandable. Just be mindful that the slower game of dinking at the kitchen line will demand more from your paddle control and touch than from raw RPMs alone.

A Note on Grit Paint and Pickleball Paddle Spin Durability

One final note I want to give is you may want to be cautious of paddles that use grit paint. It is known to wear off and eventually you can't generate as much spin because the paddle face becomes smooth. The biggest culprit of this is the Ben Johns paddle.

People often say the grit wears off very quickly. We tested a Ben Johns that was brand new, and one that had no grit left. The results for my brother were 1458 for the new Ben Johns and 1108 for the old.

Like I mentioned before, 300 more RPM is where we started to see a difference in paddles. So going from 1458 to 1108 is a pretty big fall off. Something to be careful of when choosing a paddle. You can also learn how to check your paddle for core crushing and overall wear to make sure your equipment is performing its best.

Why Paddle Spin Matters at the Kitchen Line

Higher paddle spin in pickleball becomes especially valuable when you're engaged in dink exchanges at the kitchen line. A paddle that generates strong topspin RPMs allows you to carve the ball lower over the net and make returns harder for your opponent to attack.

ESPN has covered how pickleball's popularity across all levels of sport is driving athletes to look for every possible competitive edge, including choosing equipment specifically optimized for spin and control. As the sport grows, so does the demand for data-backed gear decisions.

If you want to dive deeper into shot selection that maximizes your pickleball paddle spin, take a look at mastering topspin technique and the role your paddle grip plays in generating rotation. It is also worth reviewing slice vs. topspin comparisons so you can develop a complete, well-rounded spin game.

Written by Dink Contributor: Chris Olson The Pickleball Studio

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best pickleball paddle for generating spin?

Based on our RPM testing, the crbn 13mm paddle produced the highest combined average spin at 1,650 RPM, making it the top performer for spin generation among all paddles we tested. Carbon fiber surface paddles generally outperform graphite or fiberglass options when it comes to raw pickleball paddle spin.

How many RPMs does a good pickleball paddle spin produce?

Paddles producing 1,500 RPM or above fall into the high-spin category in our testing framework. We found that noticeable performance improvements on the court tend to happen in increments of about 300 RPM, meaning the difference between 1,200 and 1,500 is genuinely felt during play.

Does grit wear off pickleball paddles, and does it affect spin?

Yes, grit paint on paddle surfaces can wear off significantly with regular use, which reduces your pickleball paddle spin potential over time. Our testing showed a drop from 1,458 to 1,108 RPM on the same paddle model once the grit was fully worn, which is a substantial performance decline.

Should pickleball paddle spin be the main factor when choosing a paddle?

Spin is an important consideration, but it should not be the only factor when selecting a pickleball paddle. Your swing mechanics, play style, control preferences, and how quickly a paddle's surface degrades all play a role in whether a high-spin paddle will actually benefit your game.

Is the crbn pickleball paddle worth buying for spin?

The crbn paddle earned the top spot in our spin testing with an average of 1,650 RPM, and players noted it also delivers strong touch and the ability to carve the ball. For players who prioritize spin and control, it is one of the strongest options currently available on the market.