Quick Specs at a Glance

• Rhombus Quanta R3 16 – $113 – 4th Gen foam core (EPP + EVA + TPE ring), 16mm, elongated with curved top.
• JOOLA Simone Jardim Hyperion C2 CFS 14mm – $100 – Reactive polymer honeycomb core, 14mm, elongated control-power shape.
• JOOLA Anna Bright Scorpeus CFS 14mm – $100 – Reactive polymer honeycomb core, 14mm, wide sweet spot for attacking.
• Honolulu J2K (Kevlar) – $155 – Premium polypropylene honeycomb core, 16mm, Aero Hybrid Plus shape.
• Bread & Butter The Filth 16mm – $165 – Thermoformed polypropylene honeycomb core, 16mm, available in multiple shapes (including elongated and hybrid).

1. Rhombus Quanta R3 16 – Foam-Core Control With Pop ($113)

If you want a modern “Gen-4 style” paddle feel without breaking the bank, the Rhombus Quanta R3 16 is a killer starting point. Instead of traditional honeycomb, it uses a 4th Generation Foam Core:

• Core: EPP foam core paired with an EVA + TPE elastomer ring.
• Thickness: 16mm for comfort, dwell time, and forgiveness.
• Surface: Raw Toray T700 carbon fiber (textured) for spin and control.
• Shape: Elongated with a curved top for reach and a tall sweet spot.
• Weight: ~7.8 oz with light swingweight (easy to whip and customize with lead tape).

Translation for beginners: you get easy depth on drives, a soft feel on dinks, and less vibration in the hand. The lightweight build and low swingweight also make it great for players who want to add lead tape later as they level up.

The Quanta line also comes in multiple shapes (not just this elongated R3 16), so as you get more comfortable, you can move into the shape that best matches your style while keeping a similar feel.

Shop Rhombus Quanta R3 16

2. JOOLA Hyperion C2 CFS 14mm – Smooth All-Court Performer ($100)

The JOOLA Simone Jardim Hyperion C2 CFS 14mm is a great choice if you want a paddle that feels “easy” to use right away — tons of control with sneaky power when you swing through.

• Core: Reactive honeycomb polymer.
• Thickness: 14mm for a quicker, more connected feel to the ball.
• Surface: Carbon Friction + Carbon Charged Surface Technology for spin and pop.
• Shape: 16.5" x 7.5" elongated profile with JOOLA’s Aero-Curve design for faster swing speed.
• Power / Control / Spin: High ratings across the board, but still very beginner-friendly.

For a newer player, the Hyperion C2 is nice because it’s forgiving on mishits but will absolutely scale with you into intermediate play. Think of it as a safe, tour-proven platform that still feels comfortable on day one.

Shop JOOLA Hyperion C2 CFS 14mm

3. JOOLA Scorpeus CFS 14mm – Beginner-Friendly Offense ($100)

Want to attack a bit more but still have control? The JOOLA Anna Bright Scorpeus CFS 14mm is a great option for newer players who already like to be aggressive at the kitchen or from the baseline.

• Core: Reactive polymer honeycomb.
• Thickness: 14mm for a crisp, responsive feel.
• Surface: Carbon Friction face for spin and bite on the ball.
• Shape: ~16" length with an 8" width and Hyperfoam Edge Wall for stability and a big sweet spot.
• Feel: Easy power on drives and punch volleys, but not a “wild” power paddle.

If you’re the type of beginner who already likes ripping drives and put-aways, Scorpeus 14mm gives you free power while staying stable on blocks and resets.

Shop JOOLA Scorpeus CFS 14mm

4. Honolulu J2K – Kevlar Hybrid With Huge Upside ($155)

The Honolulu Pickleball Company Sword & Shield J2K 16mm is a step up in tech and feel, but still absolutely usable for a focused beginner who knows they’re sticking with the game.

• Surface: 100% aramid fiber – DuPont™ Kevlar® control weave for a super connected, “grabby” feel.
• Core: Premium polypropylene honeycomb, 16mm thick.
• Construction: Thermoformed unibody with perimeter edge foam for stability and power.
• Shape: Aero Hybrid Plus – a blend of elongated reach and standard-shape forgiveness.
• Weight: Middleweight (8.0 – 8.4 oz) with swingweight in the 113–115 range.

For beginner to intermediate players, the J2K feels like a paddle you can grow into for a long time: big sweet spot, excellent spin, and a hybrid shape that works at every part of the court.

Shop Honolulu Sword & Shield J2K

5. Bread & Butter The Filth 16mm – Custom-Friendly Weapon ($165)

Bread & Butter The Filth 16mm is for the player who wants a paddle that can be tuned and customized as their game gets more advanced. It’s already a monster out of the box — and gets even better with the right grip and weighting.

• Core: Polypropylene honeycomb, 16mm, with a thermoformed unibody build.
• Surface: Textured carbon-style face for heavy spin and control.
• Shapes: Offered in multiple head shapes, including elongated and a hybrid option, so you can pick what matches your swing and sweet spot preference.
• Feel: High spin, high stability, and plenty of put-away power when you want it.

For a beginner who plans to play a lot and move into tournaments, The Filth is a great “future-proof” choice: it’s forgiving enough to start with but has the ceiling to hang with very high-level play once you dial it in.

Shop Bread & Butter The Filth 16mm

Why Customization Matters (Especially for Beginners)

One of the easiest ways to level up any of these paddles is with simple customizations:

• Grips & Overgrips: Hesacore, tacky overgrips, or thinner builds if your hand is smaller.
• Edge Guard Tape: Protects your investment and lets you play more aggressively without worrying about chips.
• Speed Caps / Accessories: Change balance, feel, and hand speed without buying a whole new paddle.

At Spinwave, our specialists can install accessories for you so your paddle arrives ready to play right out of the box. If you’re not sure what to choose, reach out and we’ll help match paddle, shape, and setup to your game.

Not sure which of these five is your best fit? Start with how you play: control & comfort → Quanta or Hyperion C2, attacking & spin → Scorpeus or Filth, hybrid do-everything with Kevlar feel → J2K.