CPX ULTRA
CPX Pickleball • All-Court • Elongated
Quick Summary
Best for
Best for intermediate to competitive players who want one paddle that does a bit of everything. When I played with the CPX Ultra, the Kevlar face gave me easy spin, while the 16mm core kept things controlled at the net. The elongated shape added reach on overheads and flicks, and the leather grip felt very natural, especially coming from tennis.
Standout
The spin-power combo is the highlight. The raw Kevlar surface bites the ball, making topspin and slice easy even on softer swings. Drives and speed-ups come off hot without much effort, yet the paddle still feels stable in hand battles and counters.
Watch out
This isn’t a beginner paddle. At 8.2 oz, it has noticeable weight, and the elongated shape means a smaller sweet spot. It took me a few games to fully control the pop. The handle is under 5 inches, so two-handed backhands may feel cramped, and players with elbow sensitivity may prefer a softer-feeling paddle.
Buy if
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You want legal power with serious spin, this paddle really grabs the ball
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You like an elongated shape for extra reach on overheads and rolls
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You want a balanced mix of pop and control from a 16mm core
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You prefer a tennis-style leather grip instead of a soft foam grip
Pass if
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You want a lightweight or very forgiving paddle
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You rely heavily on a long handle for two-handed backhands
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You prefer a very soft, muted feel at the net
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You’re new to pickleball or shopping on a tight budget
Specs
Performance Ratings
Pros & Cons
Pros
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Raw Kevlar face delivers strong power and heavy spin
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Balanced all-court feel for drives, counters, and touch
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Thermoformed unibody build feels solid and durable
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Great extras included: cover, edge tape, key chain
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Tennis-style leather grip feels natural in hand
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Multiple color options
Cons
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Heavier than many 16mm paddles; arm fatigue for some players
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Short handle limits two-handed backhands
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Premium price compared to similar thermoformed paddles
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Kevlar face feels stiffer than soft carbon
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Less forgiving than widebody shapes
What’s Actually Doing The Work
The Ultra’s face and frame are molded from a single piece of raw Kevlar. This unibody construction stiffens the paddle for explosive power and prevents delamination or surface bubbling over time.
A 16 mm polypropylene honeycomb core surrounded by foam gives the Ultra a responsive feel. The core is tuned to balance power and control, while the foam perimeter enlarges the sweet spot and damps vibration.
The woven Kevlar face is rough out of the box and stays gritty over time. It grabs the ball like Velcro, producing heavy topspin and cut shots. This texture also helps control dinks and third‑shot drops.
My setup tip
Use the included edge tape and add a small amount of lead tape at 3 & 9 o’clock to boost stability and widen the sweet spot. Because the handle is short, adding an overgrip helps thicken the grip without changing the length.
Durability note
The Kevlar face and unibody build feel very durable. After weeks of play, I noticed no delamination or rattling. Wipe the face after play and store it in the included cover to keep the surface fresh.
Play Test Notes
Short, honest notes with hover lift for each card.
Gritty Kevlar face produces easy, heavy spin right away
Drives and speed-ups come off hot with little effort
Drops took a short adjustment; once dialed in, touch is reliable
Medium sweet spot - foam edges help on slight mishits
solid counters and fast hand battles
Short handle feels good for one-hand play, tight for two-hand backhands
spin-heavy CPX Max with more pop and a firmer response
Alternatives
CPX Max
FAQs
Ready to buy?
Use the code if it’s active and if this paddle isn’t your style, check alternatives above.