Pro-Lite Sports has been making pickleball paddles for over 3 decades, it’s one of the oldest and most well-known companies in the industry. The company’s original owner, Arlen Paranto is known for inventing the first composite pickleball paddle ever made and is a member of the Pickleball Hall of Fame.
The company has been making pickleball paddles since 1984. Pro-Lite is one of the leading companies in the industry and continues to revolutionize the industry by introducing new paddle technology and innovation.
If you are buying your first paddle or looking for guidance on getting the best match for your grip size and playing style, click here to see our complete pickleball paddle buyers’ guide.
Top Selling ProLite Pickleball Paddles
ProLite Titan Pro Black Diamond Review
The Titan Pro Black Diamond by ProLite is one of the top high-end paddles on the market, seen in the hands of gold medal winners like Brian Ashworth. The Tian was the first paddle in ProLite’s Professional Black Diamond Series.
This is definitely an advanced paddle, worthy of professional play at national championships– or if you can afford the sticker price, any intermediate to advanced players will surely appreciate the quality of this paddle.
According to the company, the core material inside the Titan Pro makes it the strongest Polymer currently on the market. The 100% carbon fiber paddle face gives it great shock absorption while still enough texture to help you put extra spin on the ball.
The Titan Pro ranges from 7.5 – 8.3 ounces with an average paddle coming in right at 8 oz, giving it a good boost of power. The medium 4 1/4″ grip and 5″ handle are finished with Pro-Lites own comfortable “No Sweat” Diamond Grip, one of the most highly regarded pickleball grips on the market.
This paddle is made of the same carbon fiber material used to manufacture NASCAR racing car bodies. The low profile edge guard protects the paddle edge while maintaining a very minimal impact on the paddle face and reducing chances if mis-hits or unintended redirection of the ball.
I think the low profile solution is the best and I would take that over an edgeless pickleball paddle if you are looking for longevity, especially for gear in this price range. On a cheap pickleball paddle maybe no edge guard is fine, but this is a Pro level paddle with a price tag to match.
If you’re serious about pickleball, looking to invest in a quality pro paddle and can afford to pay the price, the Titan Pro Black Diamond by ProLite is on my short list of the best paddles to consider.
ProLite Chrome N-R-G
The Prolite Chrome N-G-R is one of the newest paddle offerings by Pro-Lite.
This is an unusual looking paddle, actually may have set the course for a new style of paddle in the industry. While there are many blade, elongated or “long” paddles on the market, the Chrome by ProLite is unique with its stylistic tapered head hinting at the current trend in oversized tapered head rackets in racquetball.
This shape, while unusual in pickleball, may feel familiar to players coming from other racket sports and to me seems like a logical evolution of the trend in paddle design – from the traditional boxy 16×8 square to a more aerodynamic shape.
The elongated shape widens at the paddle head giving a hybrid look between a teardrop and traditional long paddle. ProLite has designed the sweet spot to be more proportional to the paddle, taking up more of the paddle head and given a more optimal hitting surface. One of the complaints or challenges of other elongated paddles is the hard-to-hit narrow sweet spot.
This is becoming a more appreciated paddle, especially for players who play singles pickleball and are looking for the extra reach as they try to cover the whole court by themselves. It also landed on our list of best elongated pickleball paddles.
The gel-coated, triple-layer fiberglass paddle face gives good touch an feel while the 7.6 – 8.0 oz. weight give it plenty of heft and the QuadCore™ polymer core gives it a good amount of power.
ProLite SuperNova
The ProLite SuperNova™ was specifically designed for women’s national champ Simone Jardim who went on to win the Triple Crown at the 2017 Minto US Open Pickleball Championships using this paddle. (FYI, this paddle is still available but Jardim now plays with Prince pickleball paddles.
This is the newest paddle in ProLite’s Black Diamond Pro line. The paddle’s 100% carbon fiber face is great for control and extra spin.
At 8 oz, it gives a good boost of power and the 5.25″ long handle and weight will appeal to cross over players migrating from tennis.
The elegant design and detailed finish put it in a class of its own. See our ProLite Brand page for an in-depth review of the SuperNova.
ProLite Crush Paddle
CRUSH PowerSpin with SPINtac™:
This ProLite paddle is a power-hitters dream, featuring their proprietary QuadCore™ polymer core and finished with their newest paddle face material- SPINtac™ fiberglass- and lands it on our list of best pickleball paddles for spin. The paddle features the brands “QuadCore” polymer honeycomb cell technology With an average weight of 7.6 ouncesWeight (Range: 7.4 – 7.8 ounces) and a small grip size of 4 1/8″ and 5 1/2″ paddle length.
ProLite Rockstar Paddle Review
The Rockstar Composite Paddle a balanced paddle for a beginner or intermediate players. It has a medium weight of 7.6 ounces (7.4-7.8 range) with a polymer core and composite hitting surface and a small 4” grip. The Rockstar made it as one of our top picks for on our list of best beginner paddles.
Wild looking graphics- as the name suggested- resembling a splash of paint in a variety of fun color combinations. The Rockstar with its balanced weight, green zone and USAPA approval, quality ProLite cushion grip and lifetime warranty along with a very affordable price tag landed it on our shortlist of best beginner pickleball paddles.
ProLite Rebel PowerSpin Paddle Review
It’s in the name- the Rebel PowerSpin is for the nonconformist player in mind. From the bold graphics on the paddle face to the bright colors, this paddle shouts out your arrival at the courts.
The Rebel is built on the ProLite’s durable QuadCore poly core. While the core is strong and built to last, the noise factor was also a consideration and kept to a minimum, qualifying it as a quiet paddle suitable for noise-restricted green zone communities (see our full list of paddles)
The paddle specs are a balance of power and control with an average weight of 8 ounces (ranges from 7.8-8.2) and a medium grip of 4 ¼”.
As the name suggests, Spin was a major consideration in this ProLite paddle, the PowerSpin™ paddle surface is textured to give a player optimal spin on the ball which landed it on our list of top pickleball paddles for spin
In early 2018 ProLite announced a new version of the Rebel with more muted tones, the specifications of the paddle are the same, proving a more mellow look to this same paddle for players looking for a more “conventional” looking option. The original rebel graphics are still available for true rebels!
ProLite Bolt Pickleball Paddle
The Prolite Bolt is a new lightweight entry-level paddle with an average weight of 7.6 ounces (the paddles range from 7.4-7.8 oz.)
This is a good paddle to consider if you are looking for a relatively light paddle now that the Blaster has been discontinued. The paddle is also sold in a two-piece bundle with a carry sack.
Paddle Specs:
- Length: 15 1/2″
- Width: 7 3/4″
- Weight: 7.4-7.8 oz.
- Grip: Contoured Tacky Grip
- Grip Circumference: 4″ Length: 5″
“Best Pickleball Paddle for Women”
Prolite Groove Paddle Review
Prolite does make a paddle called the Groove that they’ve designed specifically for women and they claim is best in class (although as the only “pickleball paddle for women” currently being marketed, I’m not sure how much that really means…?
The paddle is light, has a small grip and is slightly smaller than the average paddles on the market so it makes sense that it would be a good match for the average female player.
However, I really don’t think it’s a question of gender.
Buying a pickleball paddle (click to see our complete buyers guide) mostly comes down to hand size and paddle weight to match your size and playing style.
For example, my sister is 6′ tall (or 5’12” as she says 🙂 She has large hands, is tall, athletic and has a powerful swing and likes a heavier paddle – so she really doesn’t need “paddle designed for a woman“, she needs a mid-heavy weight paddle with a large grip.
We’ve actually put together a list of our top picks for the best pickleball paddles for women.
The main criteria we used for paddles making that list was that the paddles had to be light (around 7 ounces) and have a small grip (4″ to 4 ¼”).
Although the list was made for younger players, they would also be great picks for anyone with smaller hands looking for a light paddle.
While the “Groove” is a quality paddle, I wouldn’t be steered totally by the marketing and limit yourself to just one paddle, any of those light/small grip paddles would be a quality choice if that’s your main shopping criteria.
Ok, enough on that, back to the Groove: this paddle features ProLite’s QuadCore™ polymer core covered in a durable fiberglass paddle face. It’s lightweight (7.4 oz), has a small grip (4 3/16″) and contoured handle. The paddle comes in bright fun colors like lime green and pink. The Groove paddle is approved for USAPA tournaments.
ProLite has a special edition Breast Cancer Awareness version of the Groove that features pink graphics and a unique twist on their logo (ball with lightning rods) covered in a pink ribbon pattern. They sell the paddle directly on their website and donate $30.00 to the Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation for each sale.
ProLite No-Sweat Diamond Grip
ProLite is also well known for their quality replacement grips. The No-Sweat Diamond grip is designed to channel sweat away from the surface and features a diamond shaped underlay. This is a great option for players that need an extra absorbent replacement grip to keep their hand dry during play with an extra level of surface tackiness. The grip is specifically designed for pickleball paddles and made it on our list of top replacement grips as the best option for sweaty hands.
ProLite Blaster Pickleball Paddle (DISCONTINUED)
The ProLite Blaster is a light 7.0-7.8oz carbon fiber paddle with a medium grip. It will most likely appeal to beginners, especially those that are transitioning from a heavy wood paddle looking for an upgrade. The paddle features an extra wide hitting area and a 5” handle with medium sized 4-1/4” grip.
The Blaster has been a popular paddle over recent years and was even endorsed by 2015 Women’s National Champion Gigi Gigi LeMaster. In 2017 the Blaster received a cosmetic makeover with new colors (Purple Haze, Crystal Blue and Fire Orange) and we still see some of these occasionally for sale.
However, the Blaster paddle has since been discontinued. While you may see a few for sale online or find a used model of this paddle, the company is no longer producing these paddles.
ProLite Dink Black & Blue Pickleball Paddle
This is a recognizable paddle from far away due to its and blue graphics and unique teardrop shape that reminds us of a ping pong bat (and does appeal to players that have a background in table tennis). The Black & Blue features ProLite’s QuadCore polymer honeycomb core and the hitting surface is finished with matte textured hardened fiberglass. The construction makes for a very durable paddle.
The paddle is relatively light, weighing an average of 7.8 oz. The exaggerated teardrop shape makes it one of the widest paddles on the market with a total width of 8.75. The paddle has a 4.25 grip circumference and a 4.5 handle. It’s finished with a premium no-slip grip. Like all ProLite paddles, it’s made locally at the company’s headquarters in Wisconsin and offers a lifetime warranty.
Since the company has launched several newer paddles since this one, we seem to be seeing fewer of these on the courts but it’s still a dependable option – especially for players that like the action of a very wide tear shaped paddle. It’s getting harder to find these paddles around as it seems newer paddle cores from Prolite are taking center stage.
ProLite Magnum Stealth Graphite Review
The Stealth Graphite (or ProLite Magnum GS as it’s known) is endorsed by Wes Gabrielsen, National Pickleball Champion who plays with this paddle competitively.
The Stealth weighs an average of 6.8 – 7.5 ounces. The handle length is just a ¼ over 5 inches making it a touch longer than a lot of handles on the market which will appeal to the many converts migrating to from tennis to pickleball.
The small grip size of 4 ⅛” is a good match for small hands and is wrapped with a quality Comfort Contour Grip made by Prolite (known for quality grips). The end of the handle is tapered at the end cap, a feature also designed to help give a solid feel and prevent slippage.
The pop from the graphite hitting surface and lightweight will appeal to players looking for a light, agile paddle for the finesse player looking for ball control over power. The GS paddle is a traditional wide body shape with ample sweet spot. The Stealth just recently received a facelift with new screen printed graphics and now comes with a subtle color accent on a black paddle face.
Pro-Lite Sports: Company History
The company was originally known as “Ultra Lite Paddle Co“ and was founded by Arlen Paranto – inventor of the first modern composite paddle.
Paranto, at the time an industrial engineer at Boeing, decided to use the same lightweight fiberglass honeycomb panels that were being used in the aerospace industry (which he bought as cheap scrap at the Boeing Surplus Store) to make a more lightweight and balanced paddle for his son Steve who was already competing in local pickleball tournaments using a heavier wooden paddle.
The innovation of using composite materials was a pivoting point in the industry and changed the concept of the modern pickleball paddle. The company was later bought by Mark Friedenberg and is now run by his son Neil Friedenberg and the company is now headquartered in Port Washington, WI.
I recently purchased the ProLite Chrome, teardrop (Blue in colour) shaped paddle while in Arizona at the Grand Canyon Pickleball Championship. I considered the design of the paddle carefully as this was the first time I had seen this innovative design. Every consideration of its possible effectiveness has been realized…and more! Now, after a few weeks of use, I am amazed at the dynamic construction and what seems to be endless possibility of this paddle! A recent evening of pickleball at the 3.5-4.0 level yielded the most incredible results. Far reaching shots and “put away” shots are more reachable due to the extra length of the paddle. I find there is the “sweet spot” as identified in the literature and I find that the spot nearer the handle offers incredible drive for those “close to the net/at the NVZ line” shots. I have enjoyed the products offered by ProLite over the years but this, is an amazing paddle. I have a 7.5 oz paddle and would have another as a back up in a moment!! Truly, this is an innovative design. It took time to get used to, but I am thrilled with the product! I am the only one in my Club on Vancouver Island, British Columbia Canada with the paddle and I have been asked MANY questions about the effectiveness of the paddle. My response is always “incredible!” The recent evening of play has been “proof in the pudding” as it were! Well done ProLite!
Thanks so much for taking the time to give a detailed review of your experience using the new ProLite Chrome! It sounds like your experience with the paddle matches exactly what the company set out to do with this new design. Just yesterday, ProLite announced the launch of their new “Cypher” paddle which is a close cousin to Chrome. Actually the specs are almost identical to the Chrome, but the new paddle is finished with their carbon fiber paddle face and is part of their “Black Diamond Series”. We just gave it a brief mention on our page about the latest and greatest paddles on the market but will give an update once we get a chance to try out this new paddle.
Thanks again for your detailed description of using the Chrome…it’s always great to hear from our readers.
Vancouver Island, BC. Lucky you- beautiful place!
Have you discontinued the Pro-Lite Blaster?
Hi Janice,
Thanks for leaving a comment.
Yes, the Pro-lite Blaster paddle has been discontinued. You might want to look at the Crush or Rockstar paddles since they have a similar shape and grip size as the Blaster although these paddles weigh about a half an ounce more.
Prolite has since come out with the lightweight (7.0-7.4 oz.) “I Series-PROLITE Intercept” which looks more similar to the Blaster but I have not had a chance to try it out yet. I hope that helps, otherwise, you might want to contact the company directly to see if they can help find a good replacement for the Blaster. Let us know how it works out for you. Thanks!