Joseph works as an editor in one of the magazines dedicated to video games. Here, at RecRoomPick, he’s given the opportunity to enjoy the reverse of the medal – the no less engaging world of offline games.
Ryan knows everything when it comes to gaming, both online and offline. Since his early years he’s been in love with arcades, air hockey, and foosball. Finally, he’s given the opportunity to share his knowledge and opinion on the hobby of his life (and even get paid for it!).
Last updated: January 27, 2025
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With the market saturated with many low-quality paddles out there, Gamma is one of the few manufacturers we still trust. Tired of endless promotional reviews that contain nothing but praising the product? Then you’ll love our all-encompassing unbiased analysis, which will show you each model’s pros and cons.
Like we always do, we’ve created this comprehensive guide to give you pointers as regards the best Gamma pickleball paddles. A good paddle must be made of high-quality materials, so we selected only models made using premium-quality and sturdy materials. Knowing how different players are when it comes to playing styles, we also selected paddles of different sizes, weights, and shapes, so everyone will find something suitable for their playing style.
Gamma is the industry-leading manufacturer and, in our opinion, the Gamma Neutron 2.0 Pickleball Paddle is the company’s leading invention. This paddle is not only exceptional in the way it looks, but also in the way it feels in your hands and the way it allows you to control your game. If you’d like to add some spin to your shots, you can’t look beyond this paddle from Gamma. With its special textured surface, the racket allows you to apply a tremendous amount of spin to your shots.
Apart from the textured surface that aids top and backspins, the seven-ounce weight of the paddle is also perfect for hitting with control and power. Plus, the product has a very narrow width, which makes it very easier to swing. In addition to that, the lightweight nature of the paddle makes it easy for you to move around during the game. Impressively, there is a textured fiberglass face on the paddle, which allows for a highly-performing and long-lasting construction.
What are our favorite features? We loved nearly everything about this paddle, especially that with all its advantages, it’s fairly affordable. It’s remarkable how the construction is made of aramid honeycomb, which delivers and maintains the right combination of control and power for all players. It also goes without saying that the paddle is very comfortable to hold, as the mild padding guarantees non-skid hold.
What could be better? There’s almost nothing in the world that doesn’t have a flaw, and it’s the same with this product. While we enjoyed its all-round performance a lot, we couldn’t help but notice how noisy it was as the ball was hit.
In second place is the Gamma Compass Pickleball Paddle, which with unique features like a highly textured face and a thicker, more extensive core has quickly become the darling of many Pickleball players. For flexibility and to give players the luxury of being able to choose from many options, the racket is made in four styles and sizes – Compass, Jester, Shard, and Legend. That apart, you’d also love to learn that this product is USAPA-approved, which is amazing.
Another notable feature you’ll find on the paddle is an elongated face, which features an unbelievable sweet spot that allows for optimum shot control. Besides, there is a honeycomb cushion grip as well, which lets you easily move quickly within the court. With that sort of grip, the paddle is able to mix high-intensity control and predictable power, resulting in a lot more confidence for you. The product also has NeuCore Technology, which offers a more responsive and quieter feel during your games.
What do we love it for? This amazing paddle is everything you can dream of as a pickleball plater. To give the players more control, the product features a textured graphite hitting surface, which provides an improved responsive feel. You’d also love the predictability of the paddle, depending on which style you choose. While some styles are made of graphite, some offer fiberglass. Meanwhile, both are textured perfectly, so you’re not likely to be going wrong with either option.
What were we disappointed with? As far as we know, this product is the closest you can get to perfection. However, if we must mention a drawback, it would be its price as most people believe it to be overpriced, even with everything it offers.
Though expensive, the Gamma Mirage Pickleball Paddle is one of the best paddles money can buy. With its incredible mix of power, balance, and touch, it doesn’t come as a surprise to anyone how popular it is among professional players. It offers literally everything you need to reach and maintain a very high level as a pickleball player. The product is made with high-quality materials, which gives it enough durability to keep you on the court of play for many hours.
Furthermore, the Gamma Mirage Pickleball Paddle features a 4.24-inch Honeycomb cushioned grip, which makes the racket feel excellent in your hand and offers you a great shot response as well. If you’d prefer a wider handle on your paddle, you can easily add an extra layer of premium-quality grip tape. Without compromising on the amount of power you produce on your shots, the Sensa Poly core included in this paddle allows users to enjoy optimum control.
What makes it special? At eight inches, the large width of this paddle puts you right on top of your game for as long as possible. It also features textured fiberglass, which gives it a tacky surface that results in great touch and excellent spin.
What cons did we find? At this price range, you’d be tempted to expect this paddle to not have any shortcomings but that’s impossible. Despite all its brilliance, this product has more dead spots than we’d prefer, which is the only blemish in an otherwise perfect unit.
Everybody knows that Gamma Voltage is one of the highest-ranking pickleball paddles on the market, so it’s not surprising that it made it to this list of ours. In fact, this paddle is professional-grade, so you’d be right to have a lot of expectations regarding its performance and design. Remarkably, it impresses on both fronts. The rachet is large enough to make sure that you miss no ball, but you can’t expect less from an 8.25-inch hitting surface. And surprisingly, the large width doesn’t affect the weight of the paddle, as it measures 7.6 ounces.
This amount of weight puts you in total control, thereby making sure you never miss any ball. The Nomex core in the construction is also hard to guarantee longevity, which is something you’re not assured of with most models nowadays. The surface also allows the ball to pop off on time, which means your shots will always have great zip. The textured graphite hitting surface also offers a high-responsive feel, which gives you a lot of confidence.
What stands out? As you must have figured, there’s a lot to like about this model. We especially love its four-inch Honeycomb grip, which allows for a firm surface and high traction, which subsequently gives you the best grip and control. To aid moisture absorption, the surface is perforated also.
What cons did we manage to find? While the quality of this racket is never in doubt, we believe there’s still some room for improvement. For instance, it produces some noise as you hit the ball, which can cause distraction. The product is also somewhat expensive, which may put beginners off.
Just as its name suggests, the Gamma Atomic 2.0 Pickleball Paddle is a destructive weapon on the pickleball court. It doesn’t only have an ergonomic design, but also offers a performance to match, giving you all the control and accuracy you need when competing at the highest level. At eight ounces, the paddle may be a little heavier than its rivals, but we assure you the little extra weight is not likely to adversely affect your game.
Just like upstreet rackets, this one also has the company’s signature honeycomb core design, which helps to facilitate power and control. The paddle also comes with a large handle, which with its sweat-absorbent cushion, offers players the highest amount of comfort. Apart from the comfort, the grip also improves players’ confidence, which is primarily what a good paddle should do. Another feature worthy of note is the textured fiberglass face of the paddle, which allows players to add a good amount of spin on their shots.
What makes it stand out? With its perfect combination of power and control, this paddle is perfect for both beginners and professional players alike. The product also complies with official USAPA specifications, which means it’s good enough for whatever you’d like to throw at it. The edgeless design of the product is also magnificent and the grip on the handle is brilliant. It’s also worth noting that it comes at a very reasonable price, making it a good fit for beginners especially.
Which disadvantages must you keep in mind? No invention is perfect as there’s always something to improve, of course. For this product, there are two primary drawbacks. First, it’s a bit tough to generate power, and secondly, it generates quite a lot of noise.
For beginners and intermediate players who are not willing to invest a lot of money on a pickleball paddle yet, the Gamma Fusion Pro Pickleball Paddle looks like a reasonable option. Despite costing a fraction of the price of some of Gamma’s top models, this product produces a decent performance that argues with its price. We think it’s especially impressive that even though this is a low-budget product, it complies with official USAPA specifications. This is a product that delivers a lot more than it costs and we love to see it.
At eight ounces, the unit is from the midweight category, and with its textured fiberglass hitting surface, it delivers a greater response, which in turn allows you to move easily and quickly around the court. On top of that, the model features Honeycomb Core, which helps to enhance control and intensifies the touch of the paddle’s face. With all of these, the racket puts you completely in charge, giving you more control and a superior feel.
What stands out? Who wouldn’t love a budget-friendly piece of gear that delivers more value than its cost? We especially love the company’s patented four-inch Honeycomb cushion grip, which includes a soft, sweat-absorbent grip to help sustain paddle control.
What cons did we manage to find? Considering the price, it would be unfair to expect this product to be perfect. It does have failings, which include the loud noise it generates and the many dead spots on it.
The next paddle on our list is the Gamma Micron 2.0 Pickleball Paddle, which at 7.9 ounces, belongs to the middleweight category. With this weight, the product is suitable for power players as it offers a decent amount of power and a stable feel on your strokes. Like most of the best models on the market, this one also comes with a textured fiberglass face, which provides greater response for precise shot placements. If you’re a hard-hitting player looking to put an extra thump into your game, you can’t go wrong with this.
As we said, this is a paddle that has been specialized for a power play, and the double edge guard it comes with is enough evidence. The double edge guard offers a promising grip, which helps boosts your performance and enhance your game on the court. The paddle also sports a signature Gamma honeycomb core, serving as the ideal mix of control and power. Professionals apart, this paddle also helps amateurs to put a good amount of power behind their shots.
What are its best features? While this is not the best model on this list, there are many things to love about it. First, it has a sweat-absorbent grip, which makes it a great fit for every weather condition and helps to inject enough confidence in your play. The racket also complies with official USAPA specification, which can only mean one thing – it’s professional-grade. It’s also worth noting that we love the superb, edgeless design.
What could be improved? Are there downsides? Definitely. For a start, it feels soft when you try to strike a ball. Then, it produces a loud noise when you hit a ball, which can be distracting.
Things to Consider
The reviews are important, no doubt. However, if you are serious about choosing the ideal Gamma paddle that will help you stay atop your game, you need to know exactly what to look for. To help you in that regard, we have put this detailed guide together.
What’s so special about Gamma?
Established in 1974, Gamma is one of the oldest paddle manufacturers in the world. That explains why the company is so knowledgeable when it comes to making pickleball paddles. With 45 years’ worth of experience, the company knows the exact recipe for making high-quality paddles. Below are some of the reasons why Gamma paddles are so special:
Superior materials – The material used to make a paddle has a big say on its refractive attributes. Gamma has advanced knowledge when it comes to composites, plastics, and different production techniques, which has allowed them to produce exceptional paddles that are of the highest standard.
Superior grip – Gamma paddles usually have superior grips than paddles made by other manufacturers, thereby facilitating control and stability. The company’s paddles are often made in different thicknesses and lengths.
High durability – For longevity, the company has wisely chosen the core and material of their paddles, so a high level of durability is guaranteed when you choose a Gamma paddle. The finish and durability of the hitting surface remain intact, even after hitting the balls with the highest degree of intensity and power. Paddles made by Gamma also resist ultraviolet rays, preventing discoloration and sun damage.
Features to consider when choosing a Gamma pickleball paddle
There are many good paddles on the market, but not everyone is suitable for you. As you shop for the perfect Gamma pickleball paddle for your needs, endeavor to keep the important factors below in mind.
Weight
Pickleball paddles are usually moderate in terms of weight. While they’re usually not excessively heavy, there’re some weights that are capable of everything. For example, paddles that weigh between 7.8 to 8.3 ounces are in the heavyweight category, while models weighing between 7.2 to 7.7 ounces are in the lightweight category. Note that the weight doesn’t only determine your reaction time, but your swing speed as well.
That said, we must also note that every weight does different things for players. While a lightweight paddle like the Gamma Neutron 2.0 Pickleball Paddle is easier to control and maneuver, a heavier paddle makes it easy to deflect power shots. Most beginners prefer heavier paddles such as the Gamma Atomic 2.0 Pickleball Paddle, as it allows them to put more power behind their shots, but most professionals prefer the lightweight options.
Grip size
Another important factor you must keep in mind is the size of the grip. You need to ensure the paddle you’re choosing has a suitable circumference to fit your hand. Using a paddle that does not fit properly in your hand will cause discomfort and adversely affect your results.
If your paddle is too large, for example, you may be susceptible to elbow injuries. Not only that, but you can also find it difficult to hit the ball properly. You can figure out the ideal grip size by measuring your hand before going shopping.
Overall paddle dimensions
While paddles are usually made in different sizes, most of them don’t surpass 24 inches. For amateurs, bigger paddles produce a larger sweet spot, which helps boost your accuracy. However, experienced players may not feel comfortable using a big paddle. Unlike big ones, small paddles are easy to control, which enables you to make accurate shots. To improve your comfort, we also advise you to choose a paddle with an ergonomic handle.
Core material
Paddles are usually made in different cores, with each one offering different benefits and disadvantages. When it comes to the core, below are some of the popular options:
Nomex core – Renown for its industrial flexibility, Nomex is an incredible nylon-based polymer. Despite being light, the core is also durable. However, it’s noisy.
Aluminum core – Aluminum core lacks control due to its weight. The performance, however, can be enhanced by using a fiberglass face.
Polypropylene core – While it has a lot of lightness properties, this core is highly durable. It’s pretty soft and has a flexible construction, though it dulls the shot, thereby needing extra energy exertion.
Shape and design
The paddle’s shape doesn’t only affect your style, but also for your overall comfort. While every paddle is rectangular, some are usually broader than others. The shape determines how the sweet spot is hit.
Gamma pickleball paddles are usually sold separately and not in a pack of two. If you’d like to buy two for your personal court, then you’d need to buy them separately.
Yes, Gamma paddles are USAPA approved, which makes a lot of sense in many ways. Most importantly, it means their pickleball paddles are professional-grade and so can be used in tournaments.
Wrapping It Up
As Pickleball becomes more popular, more manufacturers have also started shifting their attention towards paddles. While this mostly makes sense, its adverse effect is the influx of low-quality paddles into the market. To avoid wasting your money, we advise you to put your trust in Gamma. The company has many premium paddles out there, with the Gamma Neutron 2.0 Pickleball Paddle being the best of the lots. With its super spin, outstanding control and power, and lightweight construction, it’s the best Gamma pickleball paddle that money can buy.
It’s followed closely by two incredible paddles – the Gamma Compass Pickleball Paddle and the Gamma Mirage Pickleball Paddle. While the former, in second place, excels in the way it allows for optimal control with its large face, the latter thrives with its high responsiveness. These models come different advantages and drawbacks, but for sure, each of them exudes high-quality.
