Discover how the Head Radical Elite pickleball paddle review suits power picklers on a budget.
The Head Radical Elite Picklball Paddle is a forgiving graphite construction made for intermediate picklers.
The lightweight components, large sweetspot and comfortable grip make it an easy paddle to swing. It’s also half the price of many premium paddles, which suits experienced players on a budget.
Its not the best paddle for defensive shots, but its fast, durable surface helps power players catapult the ball towards your opponent.
Table of Contents
Head Radical Elite Pickleball Paddles Set Verdict
| Category | Score |
|---|---|
| Price | 8.7 |
| Power | 9.4 |
| Control | 7.9 |
| Forgiveness | 7.4 |
| Feel | 7.9 |
| Traction | 8.2 |
| Sound | 8.5 |
| Design | 8.1 |
| Total Score | 8.26 |
Head Radical Elite Paddle: PROS And CONS
| What we Love | What we dislike |
| Lightweight easy to swing | Limited spin |
| Powerful | Less control |
| Durable |
Power-Packed Performance
The Radical pickleball paddles is crafted with a large sweet spot and a thicker core, which has been engineered to deliver superior power, but also maintain a soft feeling and touch. I noticed the expanded sweet spot provided enhanced hitting accuracy, and the thicker optimized tubular core drowned vibrations, allowing me to play smoother, controlled shots.
Ergonomic Excellence
The 4.25-inch grip size and ergo grip of this Pickleball paddle offered me a comfortable and secure grip, which assisted me to focus only on my Pickleball match without worrying about slippage or discomfort. It’s the small details that make a big difference in your Pickleball performance.
Built for Durability
The Head Radical Elite Pickleball Paddle boasts a robust construction with a graphite frame material. This ensures the paddle can make it effortlessly through the demands of intense Pickleball matches, in my case, especially during my Sunday league game with over 3 consecutive games every weekend.
Clean Aesthetics
Sporting a striking black and yellow or black and orange color scheme, the Head Radical Elite Pickleball Paddle performs at the highest level and also looks slick on the Pickleball court. It’s a paddle that combines style with substance.
Customer Acclaim
With a stellar 4.6 out of 5-star rating on Amazon, this paddle has won the hearts of our Pickleball players across the board. Users praise its performance, comfort, and durability, making it a fantastic choice for our beginner and intermediate pickleball enthusiasts.
Affordable Excellence
Priced at $64.95, Head Pickleball Paddles always deliver premium performance and this one will not be taking too many of our hard-earned benjamins. Moreover, the free returns and a $60 coupon for the Amazon Store Card sweeten the deal even further.
How To Find The Best Pickleball Paddle
- Weight: Lightweight paddles (<7.2 oz) are easier to swing and provide more accuracy, while heavier paddles (>8.5 oz) offer more power.
- Material: Paddles can be made from wood, composite, or graphite. Wood is cheapest but heaviest, while graphite is lightest but most expensive.
- Grip Size: The grip size should match your hand size for comfort and control.
- Price: Pickleball paddles range from $40 to $250. There are an abundance of paddles under $100 that are powerful, soft and spin high.
Remember to try a range of different paddles to find what suits your Pickleball playing style best.
Exploring Alternatives: Paddles That Stand Out
While the Head Radical Elite Pickleball Paddle is an outstanding choice, it’s worth considering some alternatives that have earned their own stripes in the pickleball community. In addition, we’ve included a couple more options in our Head Radical Elite pickleball paddle review.
1. Head Extreme Elite
The Head Extreme Elite is as powerful as the Radical Elite, but it feels better and offers greater control on defense. I enjoyed the softness of the grip, and thought the hydrosorb material absorbed moisture well maintain traction throughout my game.
2. SLK By Selkirk Evo Control 2.0
The SLK By Selkirk Evo Control 2.0 provides a combination of power and control, but lacks the forgiveness of the Radical Elite paddle. I liked the new SpinFlex surface on the paddle, because it made it easy to play drop shots. It also transmitted fewer vibrations up the handle on drives, providing a pleasant soft feel.
3. Joola Journey
The fibreglass surface on the Joola Journey produces similiar power levels to the Radical Elite, but feels soft and reduces vibrations. The light paddle increased my speed of my swing, and the large sweet spot boosted my power across the surface. I also thought the journey paddles were pretty stylish, with the choice of camo, polka dots and monstera leaves.
Conclusion: Power Up Your Pickleball Game
The Head Radical Elite Pickleball Paddle is built for power and forgiveness. I found they worked best for intermediate power players, but it was challenging to play dinks and defend against drives. The reduced texture on the surface caused the ball to pop off the face, reducing control.
Overall, I was satisfied with the performance of the paddle, especially considering its affordable price tag. Upgrade from your entry level paddle and treat yourself to a legacy brand like Head.
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