Why Doubles Requires a Different Paddle Setup
In doubles, success hinges on quick reactions, soft hands, and net dominance. Your paddle needs to be:
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Light enough for rapid hand speed
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Stable enough for blocks and resets
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Precise enough for dinks and kitchen play
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Comfortable enough to prevent fatigue over long matches
Unlike singles, doubles is less about baseline power and more about hands battles and placement.
Top 5 Pickleball Paddles for Doubles Play in 2025
1. JOOLA Scorpeus 14mm
Why It’s Great:
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Aerodynamic and lightweight for quick hands
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Responsive 14mm core helps with fast resets
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Carbon Friction Surface adds spin for flicks and rolls
Best For: Competitive doubles players who attack at the net
Upgrade Tip: Add lead tape at 3/9 o’clock for stability and use a custom paddle band to prevent slippage during quick transitions.
2. CRBN 1X 14mm (Lightweight Edition)
Why It’s Great:
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Designed for advanced hands-speed play
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Lightweight and slightly head-light balance
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Carbon face offers clean touch and control
Best For: Defensive counters, speed rallies, elite resets
Upgrade Tip: Swap in a tacky grip for consistent feel. Use lead tape for better depth on blocks.
3. Selkirk Luxx Control Air Invikta
Why It’s Great:
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High dwell time for soft touches
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Larger sweet spot for forgiveness during hands battles
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Comfortable weight and low vibration
Best For: Touch-focused doubles teams who drop and dink all day
Upgrade Tip: Use grip-enhancing bands for wrist control and add tape at 6 o’clock to stabilize resets.
4. Electrum Model E Lite
Why It’s Great:
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Lightweight feel with great spin access
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Raw carbon surface adds grip for quick flicks
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Great balance for finesse and control
Best For: Soft-handed players who control tempo
Upgrade Tip: Add lead tape to the sides for stability and match it with a pro-level grip for extra precision.
5. Gearbox CX14H Ultimate Control
Why It’s Great:
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Unibody carbon construction = vibration-free
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Compact shape ideal for quick maneuvering
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Excellent feedback and control
Best For: Strategic doubles players who value clean resets
Upgrade Tip: Install a custom paddle band for wrist awareness. Consider dampeners or extra grip layers if you play in humid conditions.
Paddle Comparison Chart for Doubles Play (2025)
Paddle | Weight | Surface | Best For |
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JOOLA Scorpeus 14mm | ~7.5 oz | Carbon Friction | Aggressive hands battles |
CRBN 1X 14mm Lightweight | ~7.4 oz | Carbon Fiber | Speed + reset defense |
Selkirk Luxx Control Air Invikta | ~7.7 oz | Hybrid Control Face | Soft touch + forgiveness |
Electrum Model E Lite | ~7.4 oz | Raw Carbon | Spin control + feel |
Gearbox CX14H Ultimate Control | ~7.6 oz | Carbon (SST Core) | Strategic resets + smooth feel |
Key Paddle Upgrades for Doubles Players
Even the best paddle needs the right setup for elite-level doubles play:
🎯 Lead Tape
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Improve paddle stability for fast exchanges
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Add depth to resets and blocks
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Fine-tune swing weight to your preference
🎾 Custom Paddle Bands
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Reinforce grip consistency
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Help train paddle face orientation
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Add visual flair for quick paddle ID
🧤 Premium Grips
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Prevent grip fatigue in long matches
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Improve traction in sweaty conditions
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Rotate monthly to maintain consistency
Final Tips: How to Pick the Right Paddle for Doubles
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Play aggressive? Choose something fast and responsive (like the JOOLA or CRBN 1X)
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Play soft and slow? Look for dwell time and control (Selkirk or Electrum)
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Need all-around balance? Gearbox is ultra-reliable and smooth
But don’t stop at picking a paddle — elevate it with:
Shop the Full Paddle Upgrade Arsenal
Head to CustomPickleballBands.com to get:
Gear up, level up, and dominate the doubles court in 2025.