Oct 5, 2025

Every season I put together a list of our Top 5 Best-Selling Paddles, based on sales at the store. It’s one of my favourite roundups to make, because it does more than just show you what’s popular — it gives us a snapshot of where the sport is today and where it might be heading in the future.

I actually forgot to make this in 2024, but when I went back to check the 2023 rankings, it was quite the surprise. The list consisted of the CRBN 2, Gen 2 Joola, the original Ben Johns Hyperion, and Gen 1 & 2 Vatic Pros, but now, those paddles feel like relics from another era. We’ve since moved through Gen 3, Gen 4, and even early claims of Gen 5 technology, and players’ preferences have shifted dramatically. This just demonstrates how quickly pickleball is changing.

Before we get to the countdown, let’s quickly lay out the ground rules.

Criteria to Make the List

• We only consider paddles we carry at Rackets & Runners.
• Recent releases only — paddles released after September 2024. Older models, even if still popular, were excluded to keep the list focused on modern tech.
• One paddle per line — if two paddles share the same core technology, only one makes the cut. For example, the Hyperion Pro IV and Scorpeus Pro IV couldn’t both make the list. However, the Honolulu Pickleball J2NF and J2FC+ could, as they don’t share the same core.

With that out of the way, let’s get into it.

5 – CRBN2 Trufoam Genesis

Coming in at number 5, we have the CRBN2 Trufoam Genesis. This paddle represents one of the first truly successful Gen 4 foam-core designs, and its sales reflect just how influential that innovation has become.

Gen 3 paddles were very fun to play with, no doubt. They had massive power from the trampoline effect the core created, huge spin, and a unique feel that was highly addictive. But over time, it became clear that they had one fatal flaw: durability. They broke down too quickly and often became uncontrollably powerful after break-in.

The Trufoam core in the Genesis solved that problem. It’s made up of one piece of foam so it’s more streamlined with fewer moving parts, making it less susceptible to breaking down. Yes, it still “breaks in”, but the change is nowhere near as dramatic as Gen 3s, especially because it never becomes too powerful.

Beyond it’s better durability, the Genesis delivers a blend of playability that feels modern yet balanced. Power is strong enough to finish off points at the net and from the baseline, but not overwhelming. Spin is competitive with anything in its class and with Gen 3s, but what really sets it apart is control. This paddle was the first that helped swing the industry back toward valuing precision and touch, rather than all-out power.

Now some players, myself included, found the Genesis a little too muted in stock form, but adding weight transforms it. That expands the sweet spot, extends dwell time for more spin potential, and it becomes a true all-around performer.

It’s also no surprise that the CRBN 2 version has sold so well. The widebody shape gives players the most forgiving sweet spot right out of the box, and the extra maneuverability makes it perfect for control-oriented players who spend most of their time at the kitchen.

 

4 – Honolulu Pickleball J2FC+

Honolulu Pickleball has quickly become a powerhouse in the pickleball industry, and the J2FC+ is a perfect example of why. This paddle doesn’t just sell well — it has shot to number four only weeks after hitting our shelves back in August. That kind of dominance is astonishing and there are a few important reasons for why it has sold so well.

The J2FC+ is another Gen 4 paddle, but with a more unique construction than the Trufoams: a dual-density foam core. The denser interior foam provides the stability and consistency of a Trufoam-style design, while the softer perimeter foam adds some spring and power, similar to Gen 3s.

This paddle feels plush, stable, and consistent during touch play, but it has a dynamic quality — when you swing harder, it produces much more power. It’s still more subdued than the most powerful Gen 3s, but higher than a lot of Gen 4s, and that versatility makes it attractive for players who want the best of both worlds: top-tier control, yet adequate power to take over points.

Spin is also excellent on the FC+, with the softer perimeter foam grabbing onto the ball a little longer to shape it for softer spin shots. The paddle’s hybrid J2 shape is also a huge selling-point, with its big, forgiving sweet spot and an excellent balance of maneuverability and plow-through.

And then there’s the value. Honolulu has priced its paddles well below most Gen 4 competitors, so for players who want cutting-edge tech without paying $400+, the J2FC+ is an easy choice.

3 – Honolulu Pickleball J2Ti+

If you thought that was it for Honolulu Pickleball, it’s not. The J2Ti+ is one of the brand’s only true Gen 3 paddles, and after last year’s rollercoaster ride with Gen 3 durability issues, I wasn’t sure we’d see one on this list this year. But the J2Ti+ proves that when done right, there’s still a place for Gen 3 technology.

The J2Ti+ has the springy power and spin that Gen 3 paddles are known for, but it tones down the uncontrollable power. Its break-in process is less severe, so performance stays more consistent over time and the paddle never becomes too random. That makes it a safer long-term choice than many of the early Gen 3s.

It is still very much power paddle, though. The ball springs off with pace and pop, dwell time is longer, and spin potential is off the charts. But thanks to its softer and more muted PET Electroplated top sheet, the J2Ti+ has enough control to keep things balanced. For players who want an aggressive paddle without sacrificing too much touch, it’s one of the best options.

And again, the value here is incredible. The J2Ti+ (and it’s Kevlar sibling, the J2K+) are priced significantly lower than other Gen 3 competitors and the sales numbers prove that this is a great tactic by Honolulu Pickleball.

2 – Joola Perseus Pro IV (16mm)

No list would feel complete without Joola, and the Perseus Pro IV comes in at number 2. Joola has been at the centre of pickleball’s technological evolution, especially during the rise of Gen 3s as their Propulsion Core paddles redefined the sport’s performance ceiling. But they also led to one of the most controversial periods in pickleball history. While their initial performance was off-the-charts, it quickly became clear that Joola Gen 3s had some serious durability issues.

After minimal break-in, the original Gen 3 Joola became much more powerful than the legal limit, which lead to the USAP delisting it. Joola took some half measures with the MOD-TAs and their 3S paddles, but those were essentially the same as the original with similar durability issues. Joola became synonymous with the Gen 3 fiasco, and it was clear that they needed to figure something out sooner rather than later.

That’s when they released the Joola Pro IVs. While marketed as a Gen 4, the Pro IV series is really a refined Gen 3. The powerful Propulsion Core is still there, but the bottom half of the paddle is reinforced with denser foam.

This reinforcement tones down the trampoline effect, reduces excessive power, and — most importantly — improves durability. The paddle still plays with the springy, spin-friendly feel of a Gen 3, but it’s more controlled and consistent, especially over time.

The result is a paddle that ticks most of the boxes for players who loved Gen 3s but offers enough reliability to stick with long-term. Many pros continue to use it, and Joola’s powerful endorsements certainly help in the sales department.

This is also a good time to say: Gen 3s and Gen 4s are different, but neither is necessarily “better” than the other. Many players still prefer the feel of Gen 3s and if that’s you, the Pro IV line from Joola is the best option out there right now. The Perseus is the most popular with it’s classic elongated design, but there are a plethora of shapes that will suit most players looking for one of these paddles.

 

1 – Honolulu Pickleball J2NF

Now for the best-seller of 2025… once again, it’s Honolulu Pickleball with the J2NF taking the number one spot.

The NF is a Gen 4 paddle that came out at the same time as the FC+ but it had considerably more hype to it. While I’m torn between the two — probably leaning more towards the FC+ — I understand why the NF edges it out in terms of sales.

While the J2FC+ leans softer and more controlled, the J2NF is firmer, more rigid, and considerably more powerful. While control has certainly become more popular recently, power is still king and the NF’s playability clearly resonates with players who want that without sacrificing too much control and consistency

It has a solid amount of pop to it especially for putaways up at the net, but it doesn’t have the uncontrollably springy feel of a Gen 3.

Of course, with the classic Honolulu Pickleball J2 shape, it’s whippy, forgiving, and has plenty of spin — especially on full-power drives and serves. It doesn’t have quite the same soft spin finesse as the FC+, but for players who have a more aggressive style, it’s the total package.

And while I’ve said this twice already, the J2NF also benefits from Honolulu’s unbeatable value. This is a true Gen 4 performer at nearly $200 less than some of its competitors, like the Selkirk Boomstick.

We also need to give a little shoutout to the J2NFK and J2NFT, the Kevlar and PET Electroplated Fibre versions of the NF core. The only reason they haven't sold as well as the standard NF is because they weren't available for us to bring in until very recently, but they play just as well but with slightly more power and more control respectively. 

 

Final Thoughts

If there’s one takeaway from this year’s list, it’s the rise of Honolulu Pickleball. Three of the top five paddles came from the brand, and two of them were only released in August. That kind of dominance shows how quickly they’ve earned players’ trust with cutting-edge designs and fair pricing.

But the other big story is variety. This list features Gen 3 and Gen 4 paddles and a combination of power-focused and control-oriented designs. That variety is a good reminder that there isn’t one “best” paddle — just the one that fits your game the best.

We’ll be back soon with reviews of the newest releases on our YouTube channel, but until then, if you’d like to try any of these paddles for yourself, come visit us in-store or check them out online.