Ultimate Guide to the Best HEAD Pickleball Paddles in 2024

HEAD is a well-known sports equipment company that produces a wide range of products, including tennis rackets, skis, Paddles, etc. 

The company was founded in the United States in 1950 and has since expanded to become a global brand. HEAD’s pickleball paddles are popular among players due to their high quality and innovative design.

The company offers a range of pickleball paddles, including the HEAD Radical XL, Radical Pro,  Radical Elite, and many more.

After carefully analyzing 19 Head Paddles on the court, we have Finalized the Top 5 Best HEAD Pickleball Paddles.

A Guide To The Best HEAD Pickleball Paddles

The following is a detailed review of paddles following on-court testing.

1. HEAD Radical XL – Editors Choice

The Head Radical is one of my favorite paddles in my backpack. This is something I frequently use in my games. I like the following features the most.

Extra Reach

The extended length of this HEAD Radical XL paddle is fantastic. At 17 inches long, it provides me with much-needed extra reach compared to other paddles. 

I find that I can easily get to balls that used to glide past me or ones that were close to the net. 

It has helped improve my ability to extend and get low balls that come right near the kitchen line. Paddles in the market are usually around 16 inches, but this one is an inch longer. The 1-inch gain in length makes a big difference.

I am reaching many shots that I had just missed or hitting the rim of the paddle with other shorter paddles.

Control

In pickleball groups, it is commonly said that a longer paddle will lack control, but that isn’t the case here. 

Despite its increased length, the HEAD Radical XL offers amazing control. The textured face on this paddle makes your spin and groundstroke better. 

My fast topspin serves with the Radical have even more topspin and dip due to its soft face. This extra control near the net is especially valuable for touch shots like dinks and stop volleys. 

Comfortable In Hands 

This paddle feels extraordinary in my hands. Despite being made of lightweight graphite, it has a well-balanced feel. 

More importantly, the oversized grip remains non-slippery even during lengthy pickleball sessions with heavy sweating. Its comfort level is top-notch.  

Many people say that switching from shorter to longer paddles is difficult, but for me, it wasn’t an issue. I found transitioning from my old paddle to the extended one easy. 

Extra Spin

I have seen a significant improvement in my spins after using this paddle. One of its best features is its soft face, which helps you spin your ball more effectively. 

My groundstrokes now have more topspin that carries the ball over the net more easily. The extended sweet spot makes it easier to curl shots along the lines.   

The soft face combined with the rounded edge of this paddle allows superb backspin for touch volleys, though it took some getting used to since it was my first soft-face paddle. 

Overall, the radical XL gives a distinct advantage in placements and spins.

2. HEAD Radical Pro

The Second Best Paddle In the Head is Radical Pro. Currently not using this one, but have used it a lot in the past 3 months.

Power and Control

I really like the combination of power and control it provides. 

With its well-textured surface, I am able to generate a decent amount of spin on my shots. It is also lightweight at 8.1 ounces, which allows me to swing quickly without getting tired.

Durability and Performance

This paddle has held up very well over many hours of play both indoors and outdoors. The paint has remained undamaged without any chipping so far.

I have noticed an improvement in my shot accuracy compared to my previous paddle. The sweet spot seems wider, which makes it easier to hit powerful shots consistently. It has performed beyond my expectations.  

Comfort And Feel

The thicker grip on this paddle makes it very comfortable to hold. My hands do not slip even when they are sweaty. 

The extra cushioning allows me to play longer sessions without any pain or soreness. I can generate topspin easily due to its textured face. It has a nice balance, which provides an excellent feel of the ball on contact. 

Adaptability

This paddle performs well, Whether I am at the baseline powering drives or dropping delicate touch shots. Its versatility suits my game the best. Two friends also loved this paddle I gave it to. Both improved their consistency after switching from a different brand. 

3. HEAD Radical Elite – Best HEAD Pickleball Paddles For Beginners

The Radical Elite is my third favorite after the Radical Pro. Since I had heard so much about this paddle, I borrowed it from a friend for a month.

I use this paddle as a reserve paddle in my Games. The following features made me happy after using this.

Lightweight and Balanced

At just 8.1 ounces, it feels lightweight on the arm yet balanced on the hand. Coming from a tennis background, the light weight of this paddle helps me generate fast swing speeds. 

I can play lengthy rallies without my arm tiring. The balanced head gives me better control on placement shots, too.

Forgiving Sweet Spot

This paddle has a very forgiving sweet spot. Even when I don’t make a perfect connection with the ball, it seems to pop off the paddle well. This makes it easy for me to generate a consistent pace. 

I can also connect well even when I am extending out wide or close to the net because the sweet spot is generous in size. 

Power and Spin

Despite being lightweight, I am surprised with the power I can generate with this paddle. The HEAD branding is known for rackets that provide power without sacrificing control. This paddle is no different. 

I can really put my whole body into my strokes, and the ball zips off the paddle. It also assists me in adding reliable topspin to my shots. 

Even though the paddle has a smooth touch, it generates a lot of spin. 

Comfortable Grip

The grip on this paddle is very comfortable. Made of a soft-touch material, my hands do not tire even after long practice sessions. 

The grip thickness is perfect for my hand size without feeling too bulky. This ensures a very secure and tight hold on the paddle during practice and matches. 

A couple of other players I know felt the same about the grip and preferred it over smaller grips on cheaper paddles.

4. HEAD Extreme Elite

The Fourth paddle for today is the Head Extreme Elite.

Lightweight Control

The Head Extreme Elite is incredibly lightweight. At around 7.8 ounces, it is very easy on the arms. 

This allows me to maintain my shots for extended periods without tiring. The lightweight feel also translates to excellent control. 

I was able to place the ball with precision both during serves and groundstrokes. Spin shots feel very natural with this paddle.

Quality Construction

The quality of this paddle really shines through. Despite the lightweight build, it feels highly durable. 

The Fiberglass face and waffle texture provide a smooth surface that doesn’t show any signs of wear even after repeated use. 

The ergonomic handle ensures comfortable gameplay. I particularly like the sturdy design that protects the paddle edges during impact. 

After several months of regular games, the Extreme Elite looks and plays like new. HEAD has focused on longevity with this model.

Wide Range of Spin

Producing different types of spins is a huge part of competitive pickleball. This paddle has a textured face, which makes achieving topspin, backspin, and sidespin very accessible, even for players like myself who are still developing spin techniques. 

When I hit drop shots or winning shots, my shots are difficult to return because of the spin this paddle generates.

Comfortable Feel

After using this paddle for several months, one thing that still stands out is how comfortable it feels in the hand. The ergonomic handle allows a secure yet relaxed grip throughout long practice sessions and matches. 

This comfort prevents hand fatigue, so energy levels stay up. As someone with larger hands, I appreciate that the handle width is generous without feeling oversized. 

Overall, the balanced weight distribution and versatile design have resulted in minimal soreness or aches, unlike other paddles I have tested.

5. HEAD Cyber Elite

The last Paddle for today is the HEAD Cyber Elite.

Smooth Hitting Surface

The smooth-hitting surface of the Cyber Elite makes consistent ball placements easy. It is made of fiberglass, which provides vibration-free ball pop on each hit. The face texture gives a good feel while hitting shots.  

This helps achieve clean groundstrokes as well as precise placement of lobs, dinks, and drops.  It took me no time to adapt to hitting with confidence on this surface.

Comfortable Grip

Another aspect I appreciate is its comfortable grip design. Wrapped around a 4 ⅛  inch handle, the black grip fits my hand snugly and provides a secure hold of the paddle. 

Its tacky texture ensured sweat-free grip during rallies on hot days. The ergonomic shaping prevented hand fatigue even after long play sessions.  Switching between forehand and backhand felt natural and effortless with this grip design.

Lightweight Construction

The HEAD Cyber Elite pickleball paddle excels due to its lightweight construction that is also durable at the same time. Weighing only 8.1 ounces, it allows for excellent maneuverability on the court. 

Its Polypropylene Honeycomb core keeps the weight low while maintaining a sturdy feel on ball contact. 

The composite face and core give it a well-balanced feel that is neither too heavy nor too handle heavy. This allows players to swing fast and switch directions smoothly.

 

Reflection On The Whole Thing

In conclusion, HEAD makes impressive paddles that perform beyond expectations on the court.

I hope sharing my insights into these five top models helps you discover your Best HEAD Pickleball Paddles for taking your pickleball game to new heights. 

My personal favorite among the Top 5 is the HEAD Radical XL.

Thanks For reading along. Have a nice Day!!