The $50 Paddle vs. the Peak Pro vs. the $280 Big Brand Paddle
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There are a lot of pickleball paddles to choose from. You may be wondering: Why should I go with the Peak Pro over the hundreds of other options?
To help you understand your options a little better, we broke down some key differences between the Peak Pro, a cheap paddle you could pick up at Walmart, and a pricey big-brand paddle.
| Paddle | Surface Material | Spin Potential | Price |
| Walmart paddle | Smooth Plastic | None | $50 |
| Peak Pro | T700 Raw Carbon | Elite | $150 |
| Big Brand paddle (Joola, Selkirk, etc.) | T700 Raw Carbon | Elite | $200 - $300 |
The $50 paddle? It’s slick plastic. No grip, no spin, no real control.
The Peak Pro and Big Brand paddle both use raw carbon fiber — the gritty stuff that grips the ball and creates filthy topspin.
The catch? You're paying potentially double for a name on the paddle.
Pro tip: T700 raw carbon is the go-to for advanced paddle construction. It’s not a coating — it’s the actual weave of the carbon that creates grit. That means:
- More dwell time, meaning the ball stays on the face longer.
- More control, especially on soft hands and resets.
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More spin, without sacrificing power.
The Peak Pro gives you all the benefits of pro-level gear — without the hype-tax.