Best HEAD Pickleball Paddles: Radical, Gravity and Boom Compared

Our Top Picks

HEAD, the Austrian racquet maker, lists more than 20 paddles and paddle packs on its US paddle page, from the Attitude starter paddles to the 2026 foam-core Gravity PRO EX15 and Boom Pro EX15. These are nine of them. Every pick has HEAD’s own specs from head.com, its entry on the USA Pickleball approved-paddle list (or, for one paddle, the lack of one), and a new Amazon offer at or below HEAD’s regular price on November 9, 2026. Other brands: our paddle brands roundup and the Wilson paddle guide.

Related guide: 4 Best Onix Pickleball Paddles: Evoke, Z7, Lucent, Stryker

Compare the 9 HEAD paddles

Each row is the version we link, with HEAD’s figures from head.com; “USA Pickleball” is the approved-list entry name and the date it was added (entries carry no model year). Face, size, handle and grip are in each review.

Do HEAD Make Good Pickleball Paddles?

Written, independent tests of these nine are few. Matt’s Pickleball, which lists four HEAD paddles it has measured, measured two of our picks: it puts the Radical PRO15’s twist weight in the 80th percentile of the 625 paddles it measured, and the Boom Pro EX15’s at the 1.6% percentile, rating its forgiveness 2 of 5. The Kitchen reviewed the Boom Pro EX15 on video.

Opinions are few and differ. In a 2025 Reddit thread about the Radical Nite, one owner wrote “Did nothing great but everything solid”, one commenter passed on a friend’s delamination report, and another commenter, not saying they own one, wrote “There’s no real reason to unless under contract with them, there are a dozen better paddles that cost less.” Rackets & Runners, a shop that sells HEAD, wrote in 2023, about earlier models: “Head paddles have always represented excellent value for money, as they consistently come in under the industry standard for top-end prices.” So it depends on the model; each review gives what we found on both sides.

HEAD’s Paddle Lines, Faces and Warranty

Lines. The nine picks come from four of HEAD’s current lines: Radical (PRO15, TEAM15, Nite, Xceed), Gravity (PRO EX15, Tour, Team EX), Boom (Pro EX15) and Attitude (TEAM). On HEAD’s pages the 2026 PRO paddles use HEAD’s three-layer TRIFLEX builds, the Gravity Tour and Team EX have 17 mm cores, and the Xceed and Attitude paddles sit in HEAD’s “Value Pickleball Paddles” group.

Faces. HEAD names two kinds: carbon (T700 Carbon, 12K Raw Carbon, Hexagon Raw Carbon or Micro-Forged Raw Carbon) and fiberglass (“Fiberglass Composite”). None of HEAD’s pages for these nine uses the word graphite. On five of these pages HEAD gives the face two names, “T700 Carbon” in the Specifications tab and a raw-carbon name in the description or Technologies tab; on the Gravity PRO EX15 page the tabs also give two core thicknesses. Each review prints both.

Warranty. HEAD’s US terms say: “Most HEAD racquet sports products, except racquetball racquets, squash racquets and certain accessory items, are covered by a limited warranty for defective material and workmanship for one year from the date of purchase of the original product when purchased on the Website.” Their table gives pickleball paddles one year. The same paragraph adds: “Proof of purchase from a HEAD USA authorized dealer or an invoice or receipt from HEAD USA is required.” The terms do not say whether Amazon or its marketplace sellers are authorized dealers; two of the Amazon listings show “1 Year Manufacturer” in their warranty field.

Not picks. The Project FLEX had no Amazon listing we could find on November 9, and HEAD’s Extreme paddles are no longer on its US paddle page. The Radical TOUR15, PRO EX15, TOUR EX15 and Tour Grit, the Boom Xceed and the Flash CORE are picks on our other guides, among them the paddle brands roundup and paddles to reduce vibration. Coming from tennis? See paddles for tennis players. HEAD also sells pickleball shoes; for another brand’s, see On Cloud shoes for pickleball.

Related guide: Best Pickleball Paddles for Ping Pong Players: 6 Picks for Table Tennis Converts

How the Nine HEAD Paddles Were Chosen

What each pick had to show

• A current HEAD paddle on head.com (US), with HEAD’s figures for face, core, shape, handle, weight, length and width.
• A new, in-stock Amazon offer at or below HEAD’s regular head.com price (none was on sale) on November 9, 2026.
• A USA Pickleball approval check on the approved list. Entries have no model year, so we name the entry, its date and, where it matches HEAD’s product number, its MD#.
• A distinct role. Two picks are also picks on our other guides: the Radical PRO15, and the Radical Xceed on our composite paddle guide.

Sources and their ties

Sources and their ties

Matt’s Pickleball and The Kitchen carry affiliate links and discount codes for head.com; Pickleball Collective links HEAD paddles to Amazon; none of the three sells HEAD paddles. Rackets & Runners sells them, so we label it a shop. Matt’s Pickleball and head.com refuse our page checker, so we read them through a reader service on November 9, and HEAD’s collapsed tabs from the page’s own product data.

Detailed Reviews

HEAD Radical PRO15 2026, TRIFLEX Widebody

Evidence: Independently reviewed, exact model. Matt’s Pickleball (measured specs): Radical PRO15 Standard 15mm.

HEAD writes: “Sharing the same advanced construction as the Radical PRO EX15, the shorter, more rectangular shape of the Radical PRO15 enhances maneuverability, enlarges the sweet spot, and delivers superior control—perfect for players who value precision and placement without compromising feel.” HEAD’s Amazon listing: “PRECISION & CONTROL PADDLE: Ideal for advanced players seeking superior feel, shot accuracy, and placement without sacrificing responsiveness.” Matt’s Pickleball (reviewed February 2026, updated October 2026) measured a static weight of 8.29 oz, a swing weight of 111.95 and a twist weight of 6.9, and finds it plays head-heavy. Its “Buy if”: “Hit off-center often — high twist weight keeps the face stable on off-center contact”. Its “Skip if” list includes “New to pickleball — more forgiving options exist at this price”. Sold and shipped by Amazon.com on November 9.

Specs (HEAD Radical PRO15, 2026, grip 4 1/8)

• Weight: 235 g / 8.3 oz, “Heavyweight” (head.com)
• Core: 15 mm / 3/5 in, TRIFLEX Versatility (PP honeycomb, EPP and EVA) (head.com)
• Face: T700 Carbon (Specifications tab); “micro-forged raw carbon surface” (description)
• Size: widebody; length 419 mm / 16 1/2 in, width 197 mm / 7.8 in (head.com Facts tab); HEAD’s Amazon listing: 408 mm (16 in) long, “197 mm (7.4 in)” wide; Matt’s: 16 in long
• Handle and grip: 127.0 mm / 5.0 in handle (Matt’s lists 5.5 in); grip size 4 1/8 (head.com; “105 mm (4 1/8 in)” on HEAD’s Amazon listing)
• Warranty: one year (HEAD terms: head.com purchases; proof from HEAD USA or an authorized dealer)
• Approval: “Radical PRO15”, MD# 200145, added 10/22/2025

HEAD Gravity PRO EX15 2026, Foam Core, Hybrid Shape

Evidence: No independent test; maker specs. Source: HEAD.

HEAD writes that “The GRAVITY PRO EX15 is engineered for players who use precision, touch, and consistency to control the game — those who gain points through placement rather than power.” HEAD’s page describes it two ways: the Specifications tab names the face “T700 Carbon” and the core “15 mm”, while the description names a 12K Raw Carbon surface and the Facts tab lists a thickness of “17 mm”. USA Pickleball’s entry lists “12K raw carbon” and a 15 mm depth. HEAD’s Amazon listing gives the Skill Level as Intermediate. We found no independent written test. Sold and shipped by Amazon.com on November 9.

Specs (HEAD Gravity PRO EX15, 2026, grip 4 1/8)

• Weight: 235 g / 8.3 oz, “Heavyweight” (head.com)
• Core: 15 mm (Specifications tab) or 17 mm (Facts tab); EPP foam core, honeycomb perimeter, EVA shell (head.com)
• Face: T700 Carbon (Specifications tab); 12K Raw Carbon (description and Technologies tab)
• Size: hybrid shape; length 419 mm / 16.5 in, width 191 mm / 7.5 in (head.com Facts tab)
• Handle and grip: 140.0 mm / 5.5 in elongated handle; grip size 4 1/8 (head.com)
• Warranty: one year (HEAD terms: head.com purchases; proof from HEAD USA or an authorized dealer); “1 Year Manufacturer” in the Amazon listing’s warranty field
• Approval: “Gravity PRO EX15”, MD# 200706, added 02/02/2026

HEAD Boom Pro EX15 2026, Full-Foam Elongated

Evidence: Independently reviewed, exact model. The Kitchen: Boom Pro EX15.

The Kitchen (July 2026) reviewed this paddle and writes: “HEAD has officially entered the full-foam core paddle market with the brand new TriFlex Boom, but does it compete with the best modern pickleball paddles?” Its answer is in the video linked from that page, which we have not transcribed. Matt’s Pickleball, which lists it as the “Boom Pro X15 15mm” and links HEAD’s Boom Pro EX15 page, measured a static weight of 8.07 oz, a swing weight of 112.75 and a twist weight of 5.55, at the 1.6% percentile; it rates forgiveness 2/5 and gives the paddle 2/5 stars. HEAD’s description says “The result is a paddle that feels alive in your hand — responsive at impact, stable through the swing, and genuinely forgiving when it counts.” The two disagree on forgiveness. Matt’s also measured a 5.75 in handle against HEAD’s 139.7 mm / 5.5 in. On level, head.com says “If you’re an advanced player who plays aggressively but doesn’t want to sacrifice comfort in longer matches, this paddle was designed with you in mind.” HEAD’s Amazon listing says it is “Designed for aggressive intermediate-to-advanced players who thrive on drives and deep returns.” Sold and shipped by Amazon.com on November 9.

Specs (HEAD Boom Pro EX15, 2026, grip 4 1/8)

• Weight: 230 g / 8.1 oz, “Midweight” (head.com)
• Core: 15 mm / 3/5 in, “Thin Core”; TRIFLEX Power foam (PP, EPP, EVA) (head.com)
• Face: T700 Carbon (Specifications tab); Hexagon Raw Carbon (description and Technologies tab)
• Size: elongated; length 419 mm / 16.5 in, width 188 mm / 7.4 in (head.com Facts tab)
• Handle and grip: 139.7 mm / 5.5 in elongated handle; grip size 4 1/8 (head.com)
• Warranty: one year (HEAD terms: head.com purchases; proof from HEAD USA or an authorized dealer)
• Approval: “Boom PRO EX15”, MD# 200506, added 02/10/2026

HEAD Radical TEAM15 2026, Honeycomb Widebody

Evidence: No independent test; maker specs. Source: HEAD.

HEAD writes: “The Radical TEAM 15 delivers dependable all-around performance for players stepping into the modern game.” And: “Built with a traditional construction and the rectangular shape shared by the PRO15 and TOUR15 models, it offers an enlarged sweet spot and excellent control.” HEAD’s Amazon listing pitches it at developing and recreational players and gives a 14.2 mm PP honeycomb core with 10 mm cells inside a 15 mm thickness. Against the PRO15, it shares the “Micro-Forged Raw Carbon” face name, the widebody shape and 235 g; USA Pickleball lists its core as “PP Honeycomb”, against “PP Honeycomb + 10P EPP foam + GS-EVA15 foam” for the PRO15. Its USA Pickleball entry carries the MD# “HPB30.2”, not the 200125 in HEAD’s product URL. We found no independent written test we could read. Sold and shipped by Amazon.com on November 9.

Specs (HEAD Radical TEAM15, 2026, grip 4 1/8)

• Weight: 235 g / 8.3 oz, “Heavyweight” (head.com)
• Core: 15 mm / 3/5 in; PP honeycomb, 14.2 mm, 10 mm cells (HEAD’s Amazon listing)
• Face: T700 Carbon (Specifications tab); Micro-Forged Raw Carbon (Technologies tab)
• Size: widebody; length 408 mm / 16 in, width 197 mm / 7.8 in (head.com Facts tab; same on HEAD’s Amazon listing)
• Handle and grip: 127.0 mm / 5.0 in handle; grip size 4 1/8 (head.com; “105 mm / 4 1/8 in” on HEAD’s Amazon listing)
• Warranty: one year (HEAD terms: head.com purchases; proof from HEAD USA or an authorized dealer)
• Approval: “Radical TEAM15”, added 08/08/2025

HEAD Radical Nite 2024, Thermoformed Elongated

Evidence: No independent test; owner reports. Reddit r/Pickleball: Radical Nite 2024.

HEAD lists SpinFusion and ThermoTech among its technologies and writes: “Thermoforming ensures consistent performance and heightened pop, empowering players with every shot.” On level: “Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a novice player, Radical Nite elevates your game to new heights.” In a 2025 Reddit thread, one owner (a 4.25 player) wrote: “It’s a good paddle. Played it for a while cus it looked cool. 4.25 player. Switched to Joola and a CRBN but enjoyed it. Did nothing great but everything solid. Looks way cooler than it plays”. Another commenter relays a friend’s experience, second-hand: “It delaminated on her at about 6 weeks.” Pickleball Collective, an Australian site whose paddle shop lists no HEAD paddles (its review links the Nite to Amazon), tested it and tags it “Best for: All-Court Advanced/Pro Players”. Sold and shipped by Amazon.com on November 9.

Specs (HEAD Radical Nite 2024, grip 4 1/8)

• Weight: 230 g / 8.1 oz, “Midweight” (head.com)
• Core: 15 mm / 3/5 in, thermoformed (head.com); USA Pickleball entry: 14mm
• Face: T700 Carbon (head.com)
• Size: elongated; length 419 mm / 16 1/2 in, width 188 mm / 7.4 in (head.com Facts tab); “Width: 7 1/2 in” (HEAD’s Amazon listing)
• Handle and grip: 139.7 mm / 5.5 in elongated handle; grip size 4 1/8 (head.com)
• Warranty: one year (HEAD terms: head.com purchases; proof from HEAD USA or an authorized dealer)
• Approval: “Radical NITE”, MD# 200064, added 12/22/2023

HEAD Gravity Tour 2025, 17 mm Core, Short Handle

Evidence: No independent test; maker specs. Source: HEAD.

HEAD’s description starts: “The HEAD Gravity Tour is HEAD’s most control-focused paddle, offering a compact sweet-spot shape and a 12k Raw Carbon surface for maximum precision.” It continues: “The short handle boosts maneuverability, while the soft butt cap adds comfort, making it ideal for players seeking ultimate control and easy handling.” HEAD’s Amazon listing describes a polypropylene honeycomb core with 9 mm cells. The Specifications tab names the face “T700 Carbon”; the description, the Technologies tab and the USA Pickleball entry name 12K raw carbon. The USA Pickleball entry “Gravity TOUR” carries MD# 200214, the number in HEAD’s 2025 product URL; an older “Gravity Tour” entry dates from 2022. We found no independent written test. Sold by RacquetGalaxy and shipped by Amazon on November 9.

Specs (HEAD Gravity Tour 2025, grip 4 1/8)

• Weight: 240 g / 8.5 oz, “Heavyweight” (head.com)
• Core: 17 mm, “Thick Core”; PP honeycomb, 9 mm cells (HEAD’s Amazon listing)
• Face: T700 Carbon (Specifications tab); 12k Raw Carbon (description)
• Size: widebody; length 400mm / 15 3/4 in, width 207 mm / 8.1 in (head.com Facts tab)
• Handle and grip: 125.0 mm / 4.9 in “Short Handle”; grip size 4 1/8 (head.com)
• Warranty: one year (HEAD terms: head.com purchases; proof from HEAD USA or an authorized dealer)
• Approval: “Gravity TOUR”, MD# 200214, added 07/03/2024

HEAD Gravity Team EX 2025, Fiberglass, 17 mm Core

Evidence: No independent test; maker specs. Source: HEAD.

HEAD describes the Gravity Team EX as combining “an elongated sweet spot shape with a durable composite surface for optimal control without sacrificing power. SpinOn lacquer boosts spin potential, while the soft butt cap adds comfort, making it a great choice for players focused on precision and spin.” HEAD’s Amazon listing gives a 17 mm polypropylene honeycomb core with 9 mm cells. Its USA Pickleball entry lists a “Glass Fiber” face, matching HEAD. We found no independent written test. Lower-priced paddles from other brands: our budget paddle guide and paddles under $100. Sold by Great Call Athletics and shipped by Amazon on November 9.

Specs (HEAD Gravity Team EX 2025, grip 4 1/8)

• Weight: 232 g / 8.2 oz, “Heavyweight” (head.com)
• Core: 17 mm, “Thick Core”; PP honeycomb, 9 mm cells (HEAD’s Amazon listing)
• Face: Fiberglass Composite with SpinOn lacquer (head.com)
• Size: elongated; length 419 mm / 16.5 in, width 191 mm / 7.5 in (head.com Facts tab)
• Handle and grip: 140.0 mm / 5.5 in elongated handle; grip size 4 1/8 (head.com)
• Warranty: one year (HEAD terms: head.com purchases; proof from HEAD USA or an authorized dealer)
• Approval: “Gravity TEAM EX”, MD# 200224, added 07/03/2024

HEAD Radical Xceed 2026, Fiberglass Widebody

Evidence: No independent test; maker specs. Source: HEAD.

HEAD writes: “Versatility meets performance in the Radical XCEED — all-around 15 mm paddle for players who need to adapt quickly.” The face is fiberglass with HEAD’s SpinOn texture, and HEAD’s Amazon listing gives a 14.2 mm PP honeycomb core with 8.0 mm cells inside a 15 mm thickness. We searched the USA Pickleball list for Xceed, XCEED and Radical Xceed and found no entry; HEAD’s page and listing make no approval claim. We found no independent written test. Sold and shipped by Amazon.com on November 9.

Specs (HEAD Radical Xceed 2026, Solar Red, grip 4 1/8)

• Weight: 235 g / 8.3 oz, “Heavyweight” (head.com)
• Core: 15 mm / 3/5 in; PP honeycomb, 14.2 mm, 8.0 mm cells (HEAD’s Amazon listing)
• Face: Fiberglass Composite with SpinOn (head.com)
• Size: widebody; length 408 mm / 16 in, width 197 mm / 7.8 in (head.com Facts tab; HEAD’s Amazon listing: 16 in, 7 3/4 in)
• Handle and grip: 127.0 mm / 5.0 in handle; grip size 4 1/8 (head.com; “4 1/8 in grip” on HEAD’s Amazon listing)
• Warranty: one year (HEAD terms: head.com purchases; proof from HEAD USA or an authorized dealer)
• Approval: no entry found on November 9, 2026

HEAD Attitude TEAM, Fiberglass Starter

Evidence: No independent test; maker specs. Source: HEAD.

HEAD writes: “The HEAD Attitude TEAM is perfect for beginners, offering effortless power and control.” Its Amazon listing describes a one-piece molded construction and a 15 mm core. Sources disagree on two points: HEAD’s page lists a “Fiberglass Composite” face while the USA Pickleball entry (MD# 200015, the number in HEAD’s URL) lists “Carbon fiber”, and HEAD’s page gives a 130.0 mm / 5.1 in handle while its Amazon listing gives a standard 5 in handle. We found no independent written test. More starter paddles: our beginner paddle guide and what to look for in a beginner paddle. Sold and shipped by Amazon.com on November 9.

Related guide: 4 Best Paddletek Pickleball Paddles: Bantams, Genesis Carbon

Specs (HEAD Attitude TEAM, Black/Mint, grip 4 1/8)

• Weight: 230 g / 8.1 oz (head.com Facts tab) (head.com)
• Core: 15 mm / 3/5 in (head.com)
• Face: Fiberglass Composite (head.com); “Carbon fiber” (USA Pickleball entry)
• Size: widebody; length 408 mm / 16 in, width 198 mm / 7.8 in (head.com Facts tab)
• Handle and grip: 130.0 mm / 5.1 in handle (head.com; 5 in on HEAD’s Amazon listing); grip size 4 1/8 (head.com)
• Warranty: one year (HEAD terms: head.com purchases; proof from HEAD USA or an authorized dealer); “1 Year Manufacturer” in the Amazon listing’s warranty field
• Approval: “ATTITUDE TEAM”, MD# 200015, added 06/24/2024

Frequently Asked Questions

It depends on how you play: the short answer above names the Radical PRO15, Gravity PRO EX15 and Attitude TEAM for three kinds of player, and the table sorts all nine by core, weight and use.

HEAD pitches the Attitude TEAM at beginners and the Radical TEAM15 at players stepping into the modern game. Matt’s Pickleball advises new players to skip the Radical PRO15. Other brands: our beginner paddle guide.

On HEAD’s US page, the 2026 paddles include the Radical PRO15, TEAM15 and Xceed, the Gravity PRO EX15 and the Boom Pro EX15 (all reviewed above), plus the Project FLEX, which we could not find on Amazon. The Kitchen describes the Boom Pro EX15 as HEAD’s entry into the full-foam core paddle market.

Ratings vary by reviewer; our roundup of the best pickleball paddles sorts picks from many makers by playing style.

Lists differ by source. Our paddle brands roundup picks one paddle from each of seven brands, HEAD among them, and the pickleball paddles hub links our other brand guides.

Final Verdict

For HEAD’s 2026 builds, take the Radical PRO15 for a stable widebody, the Gravity PRO EX15 for placement with a foam core, or the Boom Pro EX15 for an all-foam elongated paddle. The Radical TEAM15 and Radical Nite 2024 sit in the middle tier, the Gravity Tour and Gravity Team EX bring 17 mm cores, the Radical Xceed is the fiberglass widebody without a USA Pickleball entry, and newer players can start with the Attitude TEAM, which HEAD pitches at beginners. For the rest of the category, see the pickleball paddles hub.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.