Quick Answer: Most top pros play a paddle from the brand that sponsors them. As of October 2026, Ben Johns plays the JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16mm, Anna Bright plays the JOOLA Scorpeus Pro V 14mm, and Anna Leigh Waters is playing an unreleased Franklin paddle. A pro’s paddle is partly a paid choice, so pick yours for your own game.
By Dylan | Last updated: October 2026. This list is reported pro equipment, not my ratings. I only link a review where I’ve tested the paddle myself and bought it with my own money. Some links below are Amazon affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.
What paddles do pro pickleball players use? It changes more than most people think. Several top pros switched brands in 2026, and a few are currently playing paddles you can’t buy yet. Below is the current lineup for 15 top pros, what changed this year, and what I’d actually take from it before you spend money on your own paddle.
Pro Pickleball Paddle Database: What 15 Top Pros Play (October 2026)
This table lists each pro’s most recently reported paddle. Sponsorships shift often, so treat it as a snapshot, not a permanent record. Thickness means core thickness in millimeters. I’ve left it blank as “—” where I couldn’t confirm it.
| Pro player | Brand | Paddle | Thickness | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ben Johns | JOOLA | Perseus Pro V (my JOOLA Pro V review) | 16mm | Amazon |
| Federico Staksrud | JOOLA | Kosmos Pro V | 16mm | Amazon |
| Noe Khlif | JOOLA | Perseus Pro V | 16mm | Amazon |
| Anna Bright | JOOLA | Scorpeus Pro V | 14mm | Amazon |
| Kate Fahey | JOOLA | Agassi Pro V | — | Amazon |
| Hayden Patriquin | Franklin | C45 Dynasty, Patriquin edition (my Franklin C45 Dynasty review) | 16mm | Amazon |
| Parris Todd | Franklin | C45 Parris Todd Signature | — | Amazon |
| Tyra Black | PIKKL | Hurricane Pro | 14mm | Amazon |
| Catherine Parenteau | Luzz | Glider | — | Amazon |
| Kaitlyn Christian | Luzz | Glider | — | Amazon |
| Gabe Tardio | Facolos | Elite X V2.0 | — | Amazon |
| Christian Alshon | Paddletek | Honeyfoam TKO-X | — | Amazon |
| Andrei Daescu | CRBN | CRBN1 TruFoam Barrage | — | Amazon |
| Rachel Rohrabacher | Friday | Fever 102 Elongated | 16mm | Amazon |
Which pros are playing paddles you can’t buy yet?
Three of the biggest names are on unreleased paddles right now, so there’s nothing to link. I’ll add the model name here once it’s on sale.
| Pro player | Brand | Status (October 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Anna Leigh Waters | Franklin | Playing an unreleased Franklin paddle |
| JW Johnson | PIKKL | Playing an unreleased PIKKL paddle |
| Jorja Johnson | PIKKL | Playing an unreleased PIKKL paddle |
What Paddle Does Ben Johns Use?
Ben Johns uses the JOOLA Perseus Pro V in 16mm. It’s an elongated paddle, meaning the face is taller and narrower than a standard shape, which gives you more reach and usually a smaller sweet spot. He’s been with JOOLA for years, so this is a sponsor paddle first and a personal pick second.
I’ve reviewed the JOOLA Pro V myself. [CONFIRM WITH DYLAN: one firsthand testing observation on the Perseus Pro V, e.g. dink touch, drive pop, or the sweet spot compared with a 14mm paddle.]
What Paddle Does Anna Leigh Waters Use?
Anna Leigh Waters now plays for Franklin. Her long Paddletek deal ended in January 2026, and she has recently been using an unreleased Franklin paddle. Earlier this year her setup was the Franklin C45 Aurelius 14mm. If an older article says she plays the Paddletek Bantam ALW-C, that one is out of date.
I can’t tell you how her new paddle plays, because nobody outside her camp can buy it yet. If you want to see how Franklin’s C45 line feels in my hands, start with my Franklin C45 Dynasty review.
Do Pro Pickleball Players Use 14mm or 16mm Paddles?
Both, but the split is visible in this list. Every man here with a confirmed thickness plays 16mm. The women’s list leans 14mm, with Anna Bright and Tyra Black on 14mm and Rachel Rohrabacher on 16mm. A thicker core usually feels softer and gives you more control on resets and blocks. A thinner core usually feels faster and snappier off the face.
That’s a pattern, not a rule, and it doesn’t mean 16mm is right for you. I break it down in more detail in do pro pickleball players use 14mm or 16mm paddles.
Can You Buy the Same Paddle the Pros Play?
Often yes, but not always the exact same one. A few things to know before you assume the paddle in a pro’s hand is the one on the shelf:
- Signature editions: Some paddles, like Hayden Patriquin’s version of the C45 Dynasty, are sold under a pro’s name. That’s the retail paddle with their branding.
- Unreleased paddles: Several top pros are playing models that aren’t for sale yet, as the second table shows.
- Custom tuning: Pros can adjust weight and balance on their own paddles. I can’t verify what any individual pro does, so don’t assume your retail paddle matches theirs.
How Do Pro Paddle Sponsorships Work?
Many top pros are paid to play their sponsor’s paddle, so what’s in a pro’s hand is partly a business decision. Sponsorships also change fast. Anna Leigh Waters moved from Paddletek to Franklin this year, and Catherine Parenteau is now listed with the Luzz Glider. A player tied to one brand this season can be on another next season.
That doesn’t make the list useless. It shows what the pro game is rewarding right now. But I’d never tell you to buy a paddle because your favorite pro plays it. Your swing speed, your style at the kitchen, and your budget matter far more than a logo.
Which Paddle Should You Buy if You Want to Play Like a Pro?
Use the table as a shortlist, then narrow it by what you actually need on court. Here’s where I’d go next:
- Like the Perseus Pro V and 16mm control: read my JOOLA Pro V review, then my guide to the best pickleball paddles for advanced players.
- Want the faster, more aggressive feel of a thinner paddle: see my best power pickleball paddles.
- Chasing spin like the pros: see my best pickleball paddles for spin.
- Not sure what you need: try the paddle finder, or see the full list in my best pickleball paddles guide.
How I Keep This Pro Paddle List Accurate
I check lineups against PPA Tour player reporting and public equipment trackers, and I update the date at the top whenever something changes. I haven’t tested every paddle in the table. The ones I’ve reviewed have a link, and my approach to testing is in how I test pickleball paddles. If you spot a pro who has switched, tell me through the contact page.
FAQs About Pro Pickleball Paddles
What paddle does Ben Johns use?
Ben Johns uses the JOOLA Perseus Pro V in 16mm, as of October 2026. It’s an elongated paddle from his long-time sponsor, JOOLA.
What paddle does Anna Leigh Waters use?
Anna Leigh Waters plays for Franklin after her Paddletek deal ended in January 2026. She has recently been using an unreleased Franklin paddle. Earlier in 2026 she used the Franklin C45 Aurelius 14mm.
What paddle does Anna Bright use?
Anna Bright uses the JOOLA Scorpeus Pro V in 14mm, as of October 2026.
What paddle does Catherine Parenteau use?
Catherine Parenteau is currently listed with the Luzz Glider. Older articles that list a Selkirk Vanguard paddle for her are out of date.
Do pro pickleball players get paid to use their paddles?
Many do. Top pros often sign sponsorship deals that require them to play the brand’s paddle, so their choice isn’t purely about equipment. That’s why I’d pick a paddle based on your own game, not a pro’s logo.
Do pros play the same paddle you can buy?
Sometimes. Some pros play signature editions that match a retail paddle, some play unreleased models, and some may tune weight or balance. You can’t assume your paddle matches theirs exactly.
Pro sponsorships change often. This page reflects the most recently reported setups as of October 2026, and I update it when a pro switches.