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Control paddles changed a lot in the last two seasons. The best control paddle 2027 lineup includes 19 mm cores, full EPP foam, aramid faces and refined raw carbon, all aimed at making dinks, drops and resets more predictable.
This page focuses on what is new and trending for control this year. We compared Selkirk, JOOLA, Vatic Pro, Diadem and SOCITECO paddles from listing specifications. Prices on Amazon change often, so confirm the current price and seller before you buy.
Quick Answer: The Best Control Paddle 2027
- Best Thick-Core Control (19 mm): Selkirk LUXX Control Invikta
- Best Elongated Control Benchmark: JOOLA Ben Johns Hyperion CAS 16
- Best Full-Foam Control: Vatic Pro V-SOL Pro 16mm
- Best Crush-Resistant Control: Diadem Warrior BluCore
- Best Value Control of 2027: Vatic Pro Prism 16mm
- Best Aramid-Face Control: SOCITECO Kevlar Fiber Paddle
The Selkirk LUXX Control Invikta is our best control paddle 2027 pick for its 19 mm X7 ThikSet core. The Vatic Pro V-SOL Pro shows how full foam has become a control option, and the JOOLA Hyperion CAS 16 remains the benchmark elongated control paddle.
Best Control Paddle 2027 Comparison Table
Compare 2027 control trends and the paddles that lead them.
| Product | Best For | Type | Key Feature | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Selkirk LUXX Control Invikta | Best Thick-Core Control (19 mm) | Raw carbon | 19 mm X7 core | Check Price ↗ |
| JOOLA Ben Johns Hyperion CAS 16 | Best Elongated Control Benchmark | Carbon | Carbon Abrasion Surface | Check Price ↗ |
| Vatic Pro V-SOL Pro 16mm | Best Full-Foam Control | Foam core carbon | Full EPP foam core | Check Price ↗ |
| Diadem Warrior BluCore | Best Crush-Resistant Control | Aramid-carbon foam core | Aramid face, EPP core | Check Price ↗ |
| Vatic Pro Prism 16mm | Best Value Control of 2027 | Raw carbon | T700 raw carbon, foam walls | Check Price ↗ |
| SOCITECO Kevlar Fiber Paddle | Best Aramid-Face Control | Kevlar (aramid) face | Aramid face, thermoformed | Check Price ↗ |
The 6 Best Control Paddles of 2027
These are our picks for the best control paddle 2027, each representing a current control trend.
Selkirk LUXX Control Invikta
1. A 19 mm X7 ThikSet honeycomb core under Florek carbon with InfiniGrit.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- Extra-thick 19 mm core for control
- InfiniGrit surface for durable spin
- EVA handle reduces vibration
- Premium Selkirk construction
Cons
- Less pop than thinner power cores
- Premium price tier
📄 Detailed Review
- Face: Florek carbon fiber with InfiniGrit surface
- Core: X7 ThikSet honeycomb, 19 mm
- Handle: EVA foam-injected handle and throat
- Shape: Invikta (elongated)
The LUXX Control is Selkirk’s premium control paddle. Its 19 mm X7 ThikSet honeycomb core is thicker than most paddles, which slows the ball down for soft drops and resets.
Selkirk’s InfiniGrit surface is designed to triple raw carbon durability, and the proprietary Florek carbon fiber enlarges the sweet spot. EVA foam in the handle and throat smooths out vibration. Foam-injected handle and throat.
JOOLA Ben Johns Hyperion CAS 16
2. Carbon Abrasion Surface over a 16 mm Response core.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- Sand-blasted carbon texture for spin
- Elongated shape for reach
- 16 mm core reduces vibration
- Developed with Ben Johns
Cons
- Elongated shape has a narrower sweet spot
- Heavier than lightweight paddles
📄 Detailed Review
- Face: Carbon Abrasion Surface (CAS)
- Build: Hybrid-Ply layering
- Core: 16 mm Response polypropylene honeycomb
- Weight: about 8.3 oz
- Shape: elongated
- Handle: 5.5″ length, 4.25″ grip
The Hyperion CAS is the original Ben Johns paddle from JOOLA. Its Carbon Abrasion Surface is sand-blasted to create texture for spin, and the Hybrid-Ply layering is tuned for dinking and blocking control.
A 16 mm Response honeycomb core keeps the feel soft, while the elongated shape and 5.5-inch handle add reach and two-handed backhand room. About 8.3 oz.
3. Full EPP foam with an EVA ring under a carbon face.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- Full foam core delivers power with a soft feel
- Multiple shapes for different playstyles
- EVA outer ring boosts stability
- Competitively priced for a foam-core paddle
Cons
- Foam-core feel is livelier than some control players like
- Smaller 4.125″ grip
📄 Detailed Review
- Face: carbon fiber
- Core: full EPP foam with EVA outer ring
- Weight: about 8.1 oz
- Shapes: Flash (16.2″ x 7.7″), V7 (16.5″ x 7.5″) and more
- Grip circumference: 4.125″
- Includes paddle cover
The V-SOL Pro moves away from the traditional honeycomb core. Vatic Pro uses a full EPP foam core wrapped by an EVA outer ring, a design meant to add power without sacrificing durability.
You can choose a wider Flash shape (16.2 x 7.7 inches) or an elongated V7 (16.5 x 7.5 inches). The 4.125-inch grip suits players who like to adjust their grip quickly between forehand and backhand. About 8.1 oz; several shapes.
4. A solid EPP BluCore under an aramid carbon matrix face.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- Aramid-carbon face
- Foam core resists crush
- Many shape and thickness options
- Durable edge guard
Cons
- Many options can be confusing
- Premium price tier
📄 Detailed Review
- Face: aramid carbon fiber matrix
- Core: solid EPP (BluCore), designed to resist core crush
- 19 mm models add a triple-layer core with aramid center
- Thicknesses: 14, 16 or 19 mm
- Shapes: Pro, Standard and Max
- Molded edge protection
Diadem’s Warrior BluCore pairs an aramid-carbon face with a solid EPP foam core designed to prevent core crush and delamination.
It comes in 14, 16 and 19 mm thicknesses and three shapes, so players can tune power and control. 14, 16 or 19 mm.
5. Cold-molded raw T700 carbon over a 16 mm core.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- Raw T700 carbon at a mid-tier price
- Foam walls stabilize off-center hits
- Cold-molded build favors touch and resets
- Paddle cover included
Cons
- Less raw power than thermoformed paddles
- Long 5.3″ handle listing may not suit every grip
📄 Detailed Review
- Face: raw T700 carbon fiber
- Core: 16 mm polypropylene with foam-injected edge walls
- Build: cold-molded for control
- Weight: about 8 oz
- Size: 16.3″ x 7.7″
- Includes paddle cover; USA Pickleball approved
The Prism series is Vatic Pro’s answer to the question “can a carbon fiber paddle be affordable?” It uses a raw T700 carbon face for grit and spin, a 16 mm core and foam-injected edge walls that increase stability on mishits.
Vatic Pro cold-molds the Prism instead of thermoforming it, which the brand says adds control and touch at the cost of some raw power. That makes it a strong match for players who win points with dinks, drops and resets. Listed under $100 at the time of writing.
6. Textured aramid layers over a 16 mm core in a thermoformed unibody.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- Aramid face for spin and feel
- Thermoformed stability
- Foam-injected edges
- About 8 oz
Cons
- Kevlar paddles are a newer category with fewer reviews
- Elongated shape is less forgiving
📄 Detailed Review
- Face: textured aramid (Kevlar) fiber layers
- Core: 16 mm polypropylene honeycomb
- Build: thermoformed unibody
- Shape: elongated with foam edge walls
- Weight: about 8 oz
SOCITECO uses textured aramid (Kevlar-family) fiber on the face, a material known for toughness and vibration damping.
A 16 mm honeycomb core inside a thermoformed unibody with foam edge walls balances control and stability in an elongated shape. About 8 oz.
How We Chose the Best Control Paddle 2027
To choose the best control paddle 2027 picks, we grouped current control paddles by trend (thick cores, foam, aramid, cold-molded carbon) and scored the leading paddle in each group on core, face, stability and value.
Prices on Amazon change often, so confirm the current price and seller before you buy. Our method is on How We Test.
Control Paddle Trends for 2027
Here is what changed and what it means for your soft game.
Thicker Cores Are Back
19 mm cores like the Selkirk LUXX absorb even more pace than 16 mm.
They suit players who live at the kitchen, but can feel dead on drives.
Full Foam Goes Mainstream
Full EPP foam cores offer a consistent, muted response across the face.
Vatic Pro and Diadem are two examples aimed at control.
Aramid Faces
Kevlar-type aramid adds damping and a softer, connected feel.
Some newer aramid paddles are still awaiting approval, so check the list.
Cold-Molded Carbon Still Wins on Value
Cold-molded paddles like the Vatic Prism remain popular for predictable control at lower prices.
Thermoformed paddles often feel livelier.
Grit Surfaces
Many 2027 control paddles add grit coatings for spin on dinks and drops.
Texture still wears with play.
Getting the Most From a Control Paddle
- Hold the paddle loosely
- Lead with the shoulder on drops
- Use lead tape if it feels unstable
- Practice resets weekly
Quick answers about the best control paddle 2027:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best control paddle 2027?
Our pick for the best control paddle 2027 is the Selkirk LUXX Control Invikta, with the Vatic Pro V-SOL Pro as the best foam option.
Is a 19 mm core too thick?
It is very control-oriented; most players are happy with 16 mm.
Are foam paddles good for control?
EPP foam paddles are usually described as soft and controlled.
What is the best value control paddle this year?
The Vatic Pro Prism 16mm.
Final Verdict
Our final pick for the best control paddle 2027 is the Selkirk LUXX Control Invikta. For full foam choose the Vatic Pro V-SOL Pro 16mm, and for value the Vatic Pro Prism 16mm.
Related Guides
Keep researching with these related pickleball guides from our team:
- Best Pickleball Paddle 2027: 7 Top Picks for Every Skill Level
- Best Control Paddle for 3.5 Players: 6 Picks for a Better Soft Game
- Best Control Paddle for Dinks: 6 Soft-Hands Picks for the Kitchen
- Best Control Paddle Under 100: 6 Picks From $30 to $100
- Best Control Paddle With Some Power: 6 Balanced Picks for 2027
Prices and availability change frequently. Product details are based on manufacturer specifications at the time of writing; always confirm the latest information on Amazon before you buy.
