Pickleball’s exponential growth in popularity has led to an influx of new paddle options from a variety of brands. One relative newcomer making a splash is Rev Sports, offering a lineup of graphite and carbon fiber paddles tailored to players from novice to pro. In this in-depth Rev Pickleball Paddles Review, we’ll break down the key features and performance of Rev’s paddle collection to see how they stack up against the competition.
Overview of Rev Pickleball Paddle Review
Rev Sports was founded in 2017 by premier pickleball instructor and pro player, Marc Roux. Frustrated by the lack of quality paddle options at affordable prices, Marc set out to design paddles that captured the speed, control and power that competitive players demand.
The Rev nebula Pickleball paddle series is focused on high-end performance using quality materials like graphite, fiberglass and carbon fiber. By keeping overhead low and selling direct-to-consumer online, Rev is able to offer pro-caliber paddles at mid-range prices, making them enticing options for aspiring tournament players.
Rev Pickleball Paddle Review
Let’s take a close look at how the different paddles in Rev’s lineup compare in terms of construction, key features, and playing performance.
PICKLEBALL PADDLE – ELATION
Best For: Intermediate Players, Control & Forgiveness
The Rev Elation Pickleball Paddle is Rev’s fiberglass option, making it very lightweight at around 8oz. The 13 mm polypropylene core gives it good balance of pop and stability. Though not as powerful as Rev’s graphite paddles, the Elation really shines in providing outstanding control and forgiveness.
The fiberglass face has a satisfying flex that pockets the ball nicely while still giving you enough zip on your shots. It’s an ideal step-up paddle for strong beginners looking to take their skills to the next level.
Features:
- Fiberglass hitting surface
- 13mm polypropylene core
- Lightweight 8oz
- Comfortable grip
- Great control and stability
- Very lightweight at 8oz for quick maneuvers and fast reaction time
- The fiberglass face provides outstanding control and accuracy on shots
- 13mm polypropylene core gives great touch and stability
- Forgiving sweet spot results in fewer mishits off center
- Great paddle for intermediate players looking to develop control and consistency
- Does not generate as much power on full swings as graphite or carbon fiber paddles
- The standard 16” x 7.75” size lacks the reach of extended length paddles
Playing Performance
- The flexible fiberglass face cushions the ball nicely on contact for great control and feel
- Lightweight design makes it very easy to maneuver quickly with fast reflexes at the net
- Provides enough pop on shots to be effective for all-around offense
- Polypropylene core enhances stability for excellent touch on finesse shots like drops and blocks
- Large sweet spot results in very few mishits making it easy to sustain rallies
Design & Construction
- Fiberglass composite hitting surface for increased flex and control
- 13mm polypropylene honeycomb core manages vibrations and provides stability
- Standard length of 16″, width of 7.75″
- Weighs approximately 8oz, making it one of the lightest paddles
- Perforated cushion grip with ribbed texture for comfort
- Edge guard protects rim of paddle from nicks and chips
PICKLEBALL PADDLE – EAGLE
Best For: Control & Consistency
The Rev Eagle Pickleball Paddle is one of Rev’s original graphite offerings. It’s designed to provide a well-balanced blend of control, touch, and power. The graphite face gives good surface friction to allow you to impart spin while also driving the ball with force when you swing aggressively.
At 7.5oz, the Eagle is lightweight enough for quick reaction shots but packs plenty of punch. The polypropylene honeycomb core enhances the sweetspot to make this a very forgiving paddle. Excellent option for beginner to intermediate players.
Features:
- Textured graphite hitting surface
- Polypropylene honeycomb core
- Weighs approx. 7.5oz
- Enlarged sweetspot
- USAPA approved
- Provides great balance of power, control, and stability
- Weighs just 7.5oz making it very quick and easy to maneuver
- Textured graphite face allows applying heavy spin on shots
- Large sweet spot makes it forgiving for beginners and intermediates
- Great value at an affordable price point
- Not as powerful on full swings as oversized paddle heads
- Shorter in length than elongated paddle shapes
Playing Performance
- The graphite face offers excellent touch and control to place shots accurately
- Cushions the ball well at impact for solid feel on contact
- Generates good pop on shots for all-around offense
- Lightweight design provides quick reactions at net and baseline
- Polypropylene core enlarges sweet spot for fewer mishits across the face
Design & Construction
- Textured graphite hitting surface for spin and control
- Polypropylene honeycomb core dampens vibrations and provides stability
- Standard 16″ length and 8″ width head
- Weighs approximately 7.5oz
- Comfortable perforated cushion grip
PICKLEBALL PADDLE – ARIA 8.0 oz
Best For: Power & Quickness
The Rev Aria is Rev’s ultra-lightweight carbon fiber paddle made for speed and pop. At just 8oz, the Aria delivers explosive power from anywhere on the court. The durable Extreme carbon fiber provides touch and control to allow shaping shots with spin and precision. The 16 mm polypropylene core enhances stability for great touch on drop shots as well. Quickness is further boosted by the elongated shape. Aggressive players that rely on speed and power will love the Aria.
Features:
- Extreme Carbon fiber face
- 16mm Polypropylene honeycomb core
- Just 8oz for lightning quick response
- Elongated shape for more reach
- Designed for elite tournament play
- Extremely lightweight at just 8oz for lightning quick maneuvers and reflexes
- Powerful carbon fiber face generates tremendous pop and speed
- Quickness allows explosively fast reaction shots at the net
- Excellent touch and control from the carbon fiber surface
- Elongated 16.5” length provides extra reach on shots
- Premium carbon fiber face increases cost over other models
- The ultra-lightweight design lacks stability of heavier paddles
Playing Performance
- Blazing fast reflexes and easily controlled quick shots at the net
- Powerful and fast shots with the ability to put the ball away more effectively
- Provides outstanding finesse and touch on blocks, drops, and roll shots
- Elongated paddle shape allows reaching more shots especially crucial on defense
- Polypropylene honeycomb core enhances stability for a responsive feel
Design & Construction
- Extreme spread tow carbon fiber weave for the hitting surface
- 16mm polypropylene core for improved vibration dampening
- Featherlight 8oz weight makes it one of the lightest paddles
- 16.5″ length and 7.5″ width for extra reach
- Comfortable cushioned perforated oval grip
PICKLEBALL PADDLE – MEDUSA
Best For: All-Around Performance
As the name implies, the Rev Medusa Pickleball Paddle is built to provide maximum bite on every shot. The textured graphite surface grabs the ball with tremendous friction to allow both power and control. Weighing in at 7.5oz, the Medusa offers a blend of quickness, pop, and touch.
The polypropylene core enhances stability and sweetspot size. This exceptional all-around performance makes the Medusa a top choice for intermediate and advanced players that want one paddle to handle every aspect of the game.
Features:
- Textured graphite for maximum surface grip
- Polypropylene honeycomb core
- Approx 7.5oz weight
- Ideal balance of power, control, touch
- Suited for all-around versatility
- Provides excellent all-around performance for both offense and defense
- Textured graphite face allows applying heavy spin on shots
- Great pop on drives along with finesse for touch shots
- Polypropylene core gives outstanding stability and control
- Suited for intermediate and advanced players due to versatility
- Not as quick and reactive as ultra lightweight paddles
Playing Performance
- Powerful groundstrokes, blocks, and drives at the baseline
- Ability to shape shots with topspin or slice using the textured surface
- Excellent stability on blocks, drops, and rolls at the net
- Very well balanced feel from the midweight design
- Polypropylene honeycomb core enlarges the sweetspot nicely
Design & Construction
- Textured graphite face with diamond etching for maximum surface grip
- Polypropylene honeycomb core for excellent vibration dampening
- Standard 16” length and 8” width head size
- Weighs approximately 7.5oz
- Perforated cushioned grip with great comfort
PICKLEBALL PADDLE – ORION
Best For: Power & Stability
The Rev Orion was engineered with one goal in mind – deliver maximum power on every stroke. To achieve this, Rev amplified the paddle size to 17″ x 8″ to generate tremendous momentum. Even at 7.5oz, the oversized Orion cranks out loads of power while maintaining excellent stability thanks to the polypropylene core. The enlarged sweetspot provides outstanding forgiveness as well. For players that rely on overpowering opponents, the Orion is the sledgehammer in Rev’s lineup.
Features:
- 17″ x 8″ oversized face
- Textured graphite for power and control
- 7.5oz for stability and quick reactions
- Massive sweetspot
- Made for dominating power
- Massive power on groundstrokes and slam shots due to oversized head
- Huge sweetspot resulting in fewer mishits for more consistency
- Stability from the polypropylene honeycomb core
- Weighs 7.5oz making it quick enough for reactive play
- Requires practice to finesse touch shots with the large surface area
- Challenging for beginners to control due to the power
Playing Performance
- Crushes drives with explosive power using the full momentum of the paddle head
- Extended 17” length allows reaching more shots at the baseline
- Excellent forgiveness results in very consistent power across the face
- Polypropylene core helps provide enough feel for controlled blocks and drops
- Quick enough to react to fast volleys despite the oversized head
Design & Construction
- 17” length and 8” width creates a massive sweetspot for power
- Textured graphite face provides touch along with pop
- Polypropylene honeycomb core for vibration dampening
- Weighs approximately 7.5oz
- Cushioned grip makes it easy to wield
PICKLEBALL PADDLE – SPIRE
Best For: Touch & Spin
Last but not least, the Rev Spire Pickleball Paddle provides surgical precision thanks to its perfectly balanced feel. The graphite face offers tremendous control and finesse for shaping shots. The mid-weight design around 8.5-9.5oz gives the Spire a buttery smooth feel on contact to cradle the ball with just the right touch – equally adept at delicately placing a drop shot or slapping a spinning winner. For players that win by consistency and shot-making skills, the Spire is an ideal finesse paddle.
Features:
- Buttery smooth graphite face
- Polymer honeycomb core
- Mid-weight 8.5-9.5oz
- Extremely well balanced
- Gives outstanding touch and feel
- Provides excellent touch and feel for finesse shots
- Outstanding control and ability to shape shots with precision
- Mid-weight design generates very consistent power
- Ideal for technical players that win with shot-making skills
- Good reach with the standard 16” length
- Does not quite match the speed of ultra-lightweight paddles
- Lacks the crushing power of oversized heads
Playing Performance
- Extremely responsive face with the ball cradling nicely on contact
- Ability to dial in topspin, slices, and roll shots with ease
- Consistent pop from anywhere on the face
- Excellent touch on dropping shots just over the net
- Maneuvers cleanly with the 8.5-9.5oz weight
Design & Construction
- Graphite face provides a smooth yet grippy feel for optimum touch
- Polymer honeycomb core enlarges sweetspot and controls vibration
- Mid-weight range of 8.5-9.5oz
- Standard 16” length and 8” width
- Comfortable cushioned grip absorbs moisture and provides excellent feel
Performance and Quality
Across Rev’s entire pickleball paddle lineup, the consistent outstanding performance is evident from the first hit. The paddle faces provide a solid “pop” on contact that puts plenty of action on the ball without compromising control. Their lightweight designs make them very quick and easy to maneuver. The polymer and polypropylene cores enhance the sweetspot to make them extremely forgiving paddles, especially beneficial to developing players.
The construction quality is rock-solid, with tight bonding and durable materials that can withstand high-intensity play. Rev paddles compare very favorably to premium offerings from other top brands in the $100-$150 range. Players report the paddles maintaining their pop and control even after months of frequent use.
For customization, Rev paddles come in grip sizes Small to Large to fit all hand types. The ProTouch grip and comfortable shape provide excellent comfort and playability.
FAQ’s
Rev uses various materials including graphite, fiberglass, polymer, and carbon fiber for the paddle faces. The cores are made from polypropylene or polymer honeycomb.
Rev offers replacement ProTouch grips as well as universal grip tape and overgrip tape for re-gripping your paddle.
The weights range from ultra-lightweight (Aria at 8oz) to mid-weight (Spire 8.5-9.5oz). Most models are around 7.5oz.
Yes, all Rev paddle models meet USAPA requirements and regulations for use in sanctioned play.
Rev offers a standard 1-year manufacturer’s warranty against defects in materials and workmanship.
Final Verdict: Ideal Performance at Mid-Range Pricing
Rev Sports has delivered a well-rounded pickleball paddle lineup with options tailored for players of all styles. Their graphite and carbon fiber paddles offer the enticing combination of pro-level playing characteristics at very affordable pricing. High build quality further enhances the value.
Intermediate players seeking to upgrade their gear get exceptional performance without breaking the bank. The mix of power, control, quickness, and forgiveness satisfies both offensive and defensive players. Developing beginners also benefit from the enhanced sweetspot sizes as they hone their skills.
Rev pickleball paddles that truly enhance your game without emptying your wallet, Rev deserves a hard look. Their focus on quality materials and construction shines through in the impressive playability across the entire paddle collection. If you want pro paddle performance on a recreational budget, Rev has you covered.
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.
