GoKawiilThis is a versatile control paddle, and while it's certainly capable of plenty of power, it's best for someone who wants to improve the consistency of their game.
A cheaper option: The SLK Valkerie ($80) is about half the price of the Dauntless and has none of the new tech, but a very solid option for someone looking to buy a paddle to play once a month or on a vacation. You get a fiberglass face and a polymer core, so you won't have as much grit to create lots of topspin, and it won't last as long, but Selkirk makes nice paddles with comfortable grips and well-distributed weight. This paddle is very similar to SLK Evo, which was the first serious paddle I bought with my own money and have always liked (you get a carbon fiber face for more spin with the current edition of the Evo).
More power: A beginner player who wants more power should check out the Jojolemon Shark 002 ($100). (This is also classified as a control paddle, but I'm not a masher and rarely love paddles made for that style of play.) It has a face that uses carbon fiber and Kevlar for excellent spin. While this is a traditional thermoformed third-generation paddle and doesn't have a full foam core, it has a foam injection on its perimeter that helps dampen vibrations and balance the striking surface while still offering what I would consider plenty of power.
The Best Expert Paddle Right Now: Paddletek Honeyfoam TKO-X
Photograph: Martin Cizmar
Photograph: Martin Cizmar Chevron Chevron Save to wishlist Save to wishlist Paddletek Honeyfoam TKO-X $250 Paddletek
The new Paddletek Honeyfoam TKO-X ($250) is my overall favorite paddle after testing this year's offerings from a dozen new brands. Paddletek paddles are known for being poppy, and past generations have been among my picks for power players. The Honeyfoam series, which is a full release version of the Reserve I tested last year, is a Goldilocks paddle precisely because it strikes a balance between what Paddletek has always done well and the benefits of foam cores. This is a paddle that makes you swing with total confidence—it's got power and precision in equal measure. I have not tested another paddle that has as much pop as this one without sacrificing any control.
Photograph: Martin Cizmar
The TKO-X uses three different types of foam. The center is a low-density foam. The bottom half of the paddle has a denser EVA closed-cell foam that helps with energy return and shock absorption. Around the outside of the paddle is a third type of foam that helps create a sweet spot. The face is raw carbon, which offers great spin.
A cheaper option: The Onix Hype X ($90) doesn't have a large and forgiving sweet spot like I'd want as a beginner, but its thermoformed honeycomb core has lots of pop while playing very consistently. This is a popular budget pick for advanced players for a reason, as it's below $100 but has a carbon fiber face and weight distribution to favor harder strikers.
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