As pickleball continues to grow in popularity, more and more paddles are hitting the market promising top-notch performance. The HEAD Extreme Elite Composite paddle is one such offering, providing players with a quality composite paddle at a mid-range price point.
In this in-depth of head extreme elite pickleball paddle review, we’ll take a close look at the materials, construction, performance, and other key factors to help you determine if the Extreme Elite is the right paddle for your game. We’ll also compare it to similar composite paddles to see how it stacks up. Read on for the full rundown on this paddle from the well-known HEAD brand.
Overview Of Head Extreme Elite
The Extreme Elite Composite Paddle from HEAD delivers a nice balance of power, control, and forgiveness in a midweight design. Weighing in at 7.8oz, the paddle has a comfortable, balanced feel right away as you grip the ergonomic HydroSorb Pro handle.
Visually, From the Head Extreme Elite Pickleball Paddle Review makes a bold statement with the prominent HEAD logo set against a vibrant blue upper paddle face. The lower portion sports a clean black finish. The tapered diamond shape aims to provide a large sweet spot for ample pop and control.
Right off the bat, the Extreme Elite felt solid yet responsive when hitting balls. The composite surface paired with the polymer honeycomb core gives a pleasing pop without being overly stiff. Let’s take a more in-depth look at the build and materials next.
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Paddle Surface | Composite |
| Paddle Core | Optimized Tubular Polymer Honeycomb |
| Paddle Width | 7 7/8 inches |
| Total Length | 16 inches |
| Handle Length | 5 inches |
| Grip Size | 4 1/8 inches |
| Paddle Weight | 7.8 ounces |
Construction and Build Quality
HEAD constructed this paddle using a durable composite fiberglass face bonded to their optimized polymer honeycomb core. The fiberglass face is both lightweight and stiff for great touch and control. The polymer core adds rigidity while also providing a touch of flex and vibration dampening.
The core creates what HEAD calls an “OTC” or optimized tone and control feeling. Along with the diamond shape, this tuned core aims to enhance the sweet spot and provide an ideal blend of power, control, and forgiveness.
Build quality overall seems solid. The paddle feels sturdy and durable yet maintains a comfortable 7.8oz weight. The edges are protected by a 1/4″ overlapping guard which should help increase longevity.
The 5″ HydroSorb Pro grip provides cushioning and absorption. It has a nice, tacky feel that helps the paddle stay firmly in your hand. The medium 4 1/4″ circumference should fit most hand sizes well.
- Lightweight and comfortable feel
- Nice pop and power
- Excellent control and stability
- Ideal for touch shots and finesse play
- Durable composite construction
- Large, consistent sweet spot from diamond shape
- Not as forgiving as other paddles
- Needs clean contact for best performance
- Price is mid-range but not budget-friendly
Playing Performance
Now for the fun part is seeing how the Extreme Elite actually performs on the court! We tested this paddle in matches against various opponents using different pickleball styles. Here are some key performance takeaways:
- Power – With its lightweight face and polymer core, the Extreme Elite delivers very nice pop when you make flush contact. It has enough punch to put away volleys and returns with authority. The pop isn’t overpowering though and maintains good control.
- Control – The diamond shape really shines here, allowing for excellent directional control thanks to the large sweet spot. The paddle face feels very responsive, giving you ability to place shots accurately.
- Touch – Again, the composite face does a nice job of providing the right blend of touch and grip on the ball to finesse shots. Short game play around the net felt dialed in with good precision on drops, dinks, and spins.
- Stability – Despite its midweight design, the Extreme Elite provides a rock solid and stable platform even on power shots. The polymer core balances rigidity and flex well.
- Forgiveness – While very stable overall, the Extreme Elite is not the most forgiving paddle we’ve tested. You need to make clean contact to get the best results. Mishits can fly a bit awry compared to more flexible paddles.
Overall, the Head Extreme Elite provides an excellent blend of control, stability, and power. Touch shots and finesse play are also very capable with this paddle. The one knock is that it does demand reasonably clean hits to maximize performance, so it may not be as forgiving as other options for beginners.
Comparisons to Similar Paddles
How does the Head Extreme Elite stack up against other composite paddles in its price range?
Here we compare it to two similar mid-tier offerings:
- Selkirk Amped S2– The Amped S2 is a very similar midweight model also made with a FiberFlex composite face and polymer honeycomb core. It offers nearly identical power and control but has a slightly more forgiving face. The Amped S2 normally retails around $20 more than the Extreme Elite.
- Franklin X-40 – Franklin’s X-40 has an aluminum honeycomb core for more stability and pop. It plays very stiff though with less flex or touch compared to the Extreme Elite’s more responsive face. The X-40 is usually the same price as the Extreme Elite.
Overall, the Extreme Elite can hold its own against these major competing models. For its price point, it delivers an excellent balance of key attributes and playability. The Amped S2 may be slightly more forgiving, but the Head Extreme Elite’s diamond shape provides a larger sweet spot when you make clean contact.
Ideal Player Level and Type
Based on our testing, here are our recommendations on ideal player types and levels for the Extreme Elite:
- Level – Intermediate to advanced players. Developing beginners may find it too stiff without maximum forgiveness.
- Style – Suited for all-around players looking for a control-oriented paddle. Aggressive hitters and finesse players will both appreciate the well-balanced design.
For players seeking more power or maximum forgiveness, other options may be better suited. But the Head Extreme Elite Composite really hits the sweet spot for intermediate to advanced players wanting a very stable and precise paddle that can do it all on the court.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Extreme Elite pickleball paddle is comparable in size, shape, and core to the Extreme Pro or Tour paddles, but it has a unique surface material and grip. Compared to the Extreme Pro or Tour’s graphite surfaces, the Extreme Elite’s composite surface is softer and smoother. The ergonomic foam grip on the Extreme Elite is also more comfortable and improved than the hydro-sorb pro grip on the Extreme Pro or Tour.
The Extreme Elite pickleball paddle’s diamond design boosts reach and decreases wind resistance, helping you to cover more court and smash more shots. The paddle’s optimised tubular core is built of polymer honeycomb, which absorbs sound and vibration to produce the ideal feel and sound for players of all skill levels.
The Extreme Elite pickleball paddle is designed to be durable and resistant to damage. The composite surface is made of high-quality materials that can withstand wear and tear. The premium edge guard protects the paddle from ground hits and chips. The ergonomic foam grip is also sweat-absorbent and easy to clean.
The Extreme Elite has a fixed design and graphics setup from HEAD that cannot be customized or altered.
Conclusion
The HEAD Extreme Elite Composite pickleball paddle delivers exactly what its name promises – an elite-level performing composite paddle at a very competitive mid-range price point.
The Extreme Elite provides a precise, rock-solid platform for executing all the shots and techniques in the game. While it demands reasonably clean contact, the payoff is excellent power, control, stability, and touch thanks to the balanced design. For intermediate and advanced players seeking quality composite construction without breaking the bank, the Extreme Elite deserves strong consideration.
We have tried in our head extreme elite pickleball paddle review to provide you with all the information in detail, still if you have any queries please let us know in comments.
I am a professional physiotherapist and the author of the BallSportsPro. I worked with athletes of all levels, from amateur to professional, and i helped them overcome injuries and improve their performance. I am a certified Pickleball instructor and has been playing the sport for over 10 years.
