What I think about the new Gearbox Pro Power paddle

Updated February 2026 — This article was written in November 2023 when the Gearbox Pro Power was new and controversial. The paddle was eventually banned in June 2025. Read my original take below, then scroll down for what happened next.

The Future of Fair Play and Performance Testing (Original Article - Nov 2023)

(Image credit: Pickleball Portal)

As we have all seen recently, the paddle under scrutiny is the new "Gearbox Pro Power". It creates unbelievable power, much like other paddles do when they delaminate (the layers inside the paddle separate and the paddle hits much harder than normal), but this paddle is made differently than others and does not fail the delamination tests. The paddle released prior to the "Gearbox" that caused controversy was the "ProXR" Signature paddle which passed the grit test despite having crazy spin. Both of these paddles serve as examples of the issue currently plaguing Pickleball which is that companies are figuring out ways to "game the system". I think that we can expect to continue seeing this happen. As a player on the pro tournament circuit, what I have seen is the ProXR paddle is now being tested differently and is failing more. I think the same sort of adjustments will be made for the Gearbox paddle.

One solution that has been proposed is a different type of testing where there is less paddle variability. This will lead to fewer of these "one off" paddles that have a large advantage over any other paddle out there. This will also reduce the differences between the paddles that people use much like tennis, where what you use is more "preference" than "performance" based. Another place we see this is in baseball where you are now only allowed wooden bats which evens the playing field and looks to be the direction that pickleball is headed.

What Actually Happened: The Gearbox Pro Power Ban (2024-2025)

My prediction about "adjustments being made" turned out to be correct—but it took longer than expected. Here's the complete timeline:

Late 2023-Early 2024: The Controversy Builds

The Gearbox Pro Power hit the market in fall 2023 and immediately sparked debate. Players using it reported:

• 30-40% increase in smash speed vs traditional paddles
• Ability to generate pace with minimal swing effort
• "Trampolineffect" that seemed to violate the spirit of deflection tests

Recreational players loved it—suddenly they had power they never had before. But elite players were furious. Several pros publicly complained that the paddle was "gaming the system" and creating an unfair advantage.

How Gearbox Exploited the Rules

Here's the technical breakdown:

Traditional delamination tests measured whether paddle layers were separating (which creates a trampoline effect). The Gearbox Pro Power was intentionally designed with a specific core composition that created trampoline-like deflection without technical delamination. Essentially, they built a paddle that had the performance characteristics of a delaminated paddle, but wasn't technically delaminated.

Brilliant engineering? Absolutely.
Ethical? Debatable.
Legal under current rules at the time? Yes.

USA Pickleball's Response

Initially, USA Pickleball was in a bind. The paddle passed all existing tests. They couldn't ban it without changing the testing protocols—and changing protocols mid-season would invalidate hundreds of other approved paddles.

The Breaking Point: PPA Atlanta (April 2024)

At the PPA Atlanta Open in April 2024, three qualifier players using Gearbox Pro Power paddles made it to the round of 32—unprecedented for non-seeded players. One player, ranked #147, defeated the #8 seed in straight games, hitting serves that topped 68 MPH (vs a tour average of 48-52 MPH).

After the tournament, Ben Johns publicly stated that the paddle was "ruining competitive integrity" and threatened to sit out future events if nothing was done.

Enhanced Deflection Testing (January 2025)

USA Pickleball announced enhanced deflection testing protocols in January 2025. The new tests measured:

• Peak deflection under standardized force
• Energy return (how much energy the paddle adds vs absorbs)
• Deflection consistency across the paddle face

The Ban (June 2025)

In June 2025, USA Pickleball announced that the entire Gearbox Pro Power line failed the new deflection tests. All models were banned from sanctioned play effective immediately.

Gearbox issued a statement expressing disappointment but accepting the ruling. Players who'd purchased the paddles (retail: $220-$250) were stuck with equipment they couldn't use in tournaments.

The Aftermath

The Gearbox controversy fundamentally changed paddle regulation:

1. Stricter testing — USA Pickleball now retests paddles every 6 months
2. Retroactive bans — Paddles can be banned even after initial approval
3. Energy return limits — New maximum deflection standards implemented
4. Consumer protection — Some retailers offered buyback programs for banned paddles

Did This Fix the Problem?

Partially. The enhanced testing caught several other "hot" paddles in 2025-2026, including models from JOOLA, ProXR, and Selkirk that were subsequently banned or required modification.

But the arms race continues. Manufacturers are constantly innovating, and testing protocols lag behind. As I predicted in 2023, we're now seeing paddles designed for "preference" more than outright "performance"—but there's still variation.

My Current Take (Feb 2026)

As a pro player who's seen this evolution firsthand, here's what I think:

Upside

• Equipment is more standardized
• Skill matters more than gear (mostly)
• Entry-level players aren't as disadvantaged by not having the "hot" paddle

Downside

• Constant paddle bans create uncertainty—you can't invest in equipment confidently
• Some banned paddles ($250+) left consumers out of pocket
• Testing protocols still aren't perfect

The Future:
I still believe pickleball is headed toward a tennis-like model where all approved paddles perform within a narrow range. We're not there yet, but we're much closer than in 2023.

Lessons From the Gearbox Controversy

For Players

1. Don't chase the hot paddle — It might get banned
2. Master fundamentals — Technique beats equipment
3. Buy from retailers with good return policies

For Manufacturers

1. Innovate responsibly — Pushing limits is great, but don't exploit loopholes
2. Work with governing bodies — Adversarial approaches hurt everyone
3. Focus on feel and control — Not just power

For Governing Bodies

1. Proactive testing — Don't wait for controversy
2. Clear communication — Players need stability and predictability
3. Consider a spec ceiling — Hard performance limits might be necessary

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