Diadem Sports, Edge 18K SP Pickleball Paddle, 18K Raw Carbon Face, Speed, Control, Spin, 14 mm Polymer Honeycomb Core, Fast Reloads and Quick Reaction

The carbon face of this paddle is definitely a step up from your "T700" carbon fiber. 12k is stronger and lighter than T700, and it shows with this paddle, which has easily the stiffness of a 16mm paddle, stuffed into the svelte 14mm width.Know what all that means? Higher speeds without sacrificing power normally lost to paddle flex in a lighter thinner paddle. The best of both worlds, in other words. So not only will fast finesse players enjoy this paddle, but brutal power players will find something they like here, too, delivering 16mm equivalent power in a 14mm package. You won't lose anything with a lighter, thinner paddle here, folks, unlike with other 14mm paddles made out of T700.Reaching well northward of $200, this paddle isn't a "budget" paddle by any means. But what it brings to the table, is a lot of compromises, which aren't really compromises at all. You get a thinner, lighter paddle, which normally compromises power, but doesn't thanks to the higher-spec carbon, and it delivers good power which normally means you compromise some control or spin, as flatter, harder paddles have less grip, but you don't compromise grip at ALL with the 12k carbon. If anything, it grips better than a T700.So, why only 4 stars? Because for whatever reason, once paddles get x-dollars expensive, manufacturers tend to forget what it means to add value to their products. Buy a $50 paddle and get a nice neoprene case and a paddle eraser. Buy a $250 paddle and get diddly squat. I'm really not a fan of that mentality, so -1 star for making an excellent paddle then not even giving me a nice case with your company name emblazoned across it for free advertising when I'm playing.Just because you're making an "expensive" paddle, doesn't mean the customer doesn't appreciate some value-adding accessories. A paddle case being first and foremost among them, because who wants a $200+ paddle bouncing around in their trunk unprotected?If you can forgive having to supply your own case and eraser, what you'll get here is an amazing paddle that seems to make compromises, but then you find out it hasn't made any compromises at all. It's thin, but still rigid and powerful. It's powerful, but still has finesse and control. If all that sounds like it might be right up your "pickleball alley", then this might be the paddle for you. 4 stars. A simple case would make it 5 all the way for me.

The Edge 18K Speed Pro from Diadem has a nice feel with the short handle. Power and spin is good. I really like the carbon weave on the surface.