Paddle Review Digest

5 Reasons Pickleball Players Are Switching to This Paddle (And Never Looking Back)

Over 30,000 players and 8,000 five-star reviews later, CPX has quietly become the paddle everyone is talking about. Here's why.

Mike Reynolds

Updated March 18, 2026 · 6 min read

CPX paddles have rapidly become a go-to for competitive and recreational players alike. Photo: CPX Pickleball

If you've been on a pickleball court recently, you've probably noticed something: more and more players are carrying a paddle with a bright orange logo. That's CPX, and its rise hasn't been subtle.

What started as a small brand out of Chicago — built by a founder who landed on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list — has quietly become one of the most talked-about names in pickleball. With over 8,000 five-star reviews on Amazon, a 4.7 rating on Trustpilot, and endorsements from athletes like NHL Hall of Famer Chris Chelios, CPX has built the kind of trust that takes most brands a decade.

But the question isn't really if CPX is popular. It's why. We talked to players, coaches, and gear reviewers to find out what's actually driving the switch. Here are the five reasons that came up again and again.

The Feel

The Sweet Spot Is Massive — And You Can Actually Feel It

Most paddles have a sweet spot about the size of a credit card. Hit outside of it and you get that dead, rattling vibration that kills your shot.

CPX paddles use a thermoformed construction with foam-injected edge walls that expand the sweet spot across nearly the entire face. The result: off-center hits still feel clean. You get consistent power and touch whether you're reaching for a dink or loading up on a drive.

Players described it as "forgiving but responsive" — the kind of feel that makes you instantly play with more confidence, especially on shots you'd normally mishit.

"I've played with paddles twice the price. Nothing comes close to how this feels off the face. The pop is unreal."

— Sarah T., 4.5 Player, Austin TX ★★★★★

The Spin

Raw Carbon Fiber Surface That Generates Tour-Level Spin

CPX uses a raw 3K carbon fiber face — the same gritty, textured surface used by touring pros. Unlike coated or polished surfaces, the raw carbon grabs the ball on contact, giving you dramatically more spin on serves, drops, and third-shot drives.

This isn't marketing fluff. Spin is measurable, and the difference between a coated surface and raw carbon fiber is significant — often 200+ RPM more on average shots. Over the course of a game, that compounds into points your opponent simply can't return.

If you've been struggling to add topspin or slice to your game, the surface technology alone is worth the switch.

The Price

Premium Performance Without the Premium Price Tag

Here's where CPX really breaks the mold. Competing thermoformed paddles with carbon fiber faces run $180 to $250+. CPX Pro starts at $99.97.

That's not a stripped-down version, either. You're getting the same construction — thermoformed unibody, foam-injected edges, raw carbon face, USAPA approved — at nearly half the price of comparably-built paddles from JOOLA, Selkirk, or Engage.

The reason? CPX sells direct to consumer. No retail markup. No middleman. The savings go directly to the player. It's the same playbook that disrupted mattresses, eyewear, and razors — and it's now changing how people buy paddles.

CPX Pro Series

Thermoformed. Raw Carbon Fiber. USAPA Approved. The paddle 30,000+ players trust.

$99.97 $119.00

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90-Day Guarantee

Free Shipping

8,000+ 5-Star Reviews

The Options

A Paddle for Every Play Style — Not a One-Size-Fits-All Approach

One thing that stands out about CPX is the lineup depth. Most brands push a single flagship and call it a day. CPX offers four distinct paddle series, each built for a different type of player:

Pro Series — The all-rounder. 19mm core for maximum control, spin, and touch at the net. Best for players who value consistency.
Air Series — Lightweight and fast. Built for quick-hands players who live at the kitchen line.
MAX Series — Maximum power. Extended length and thicker core for players who want to dominate from the baseline.
Ultra — The premium tier. Cutting-edge materials and performance for serious competitors.

This means you're not compromising on play style just to get a good paddle. You're getting a paddle that's specifically engineered for how you play.

Players Trust CPX

Five-Star Reviews

Trustpilot Rating

Premium Paddles

The Trust

A Brand That Actually Stands Behind What They Sell

In a market flooded with generic white-label paddles, CPX stands apart. The brand was built from scratch in Chicago by a founder recognized on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list — not by slapping a logo on an overseas product and calling it premium.

Every paddle comes with a 90-day money-back guarantee, free shipping, and an available lifetime warranty. Their customer service team responds same-day, and the company has a 4.7/5 on Trustpilot with over 500 verified reviews.

When NHL Hall of Famer Chris Chelios — a three-time Stanley Cup champion — puts his name behind a paddle brand, that's a signal. When 30,000+ everyday players do the same, that's proof.

Chris Chelios playing pickleball with CPX

How CPX Stacks Up

Feature	CPX Pro	Brand J	Brand S
Thermoformed Construction	✓	✓	✓
Raw Carbon Fiber Face	✓	✓	—
Foam-Injected Edge Walls	✓	—	✓
USAPA Approved	✓	✓	✓
90-Day Money-Back Guarantee	✓	—	—
Free Shipping	✓	—	✓
Price	$99.97	$219.99	$189.99

Ready to Feel the Difference?

Join 30,000+ players who made the switch. Free shipping. 90-day guarantee.

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90-Day Guarantee Free Shipping 4.7/5 Trustpilot USAPA Approved

CPX Pro

$99.97