The short answer
The 11SIX24 Vapor Power 2 heads Matt’s Pickleball’s Gen 4 shortlist, Pickleheads reviewed the 14mm all-foam CRBN4 TruFoam Genesis, and the Ronbus Ripple V2 R5.14 is an approved curved widebody (Pickleball Studio rated the series 4/10).
Our Top Picks
“Gen 4” is a marketing label, not a standard (Friday and Pickld say so below), so each paddle here passed one test: its maker calls it Gen 4 or fourth generation in its own product text. All nine were new and in stock on Amazon on November 9, 2026, at or below the maker’s regular price where published. More: our pickleball paddles section.
Related guide: 3 Best Engage Pickleball Paddles: Pursuit Pro1 and Encore
Find the Gen 4 paddle for how you play
Pick how you play and what you want to spend. The suggestion is our editorial starting point, drawn from the nine paddles below, not a test result.
$ to $$$ are price tiers within this guide.
Compare the 9 Gen 4 paddles
Maker figures; “USA Pickleball” is the approved-list entry on 2026-11-09.
11SIX24 Vapor Power 2Floating Foam, HybridHybrid, power16 mm floating foam8.0-8.3 oz$159.99
Evidence: Matt's Pickleball (Gen 4 guide), this exact model
CRBN4 TruFoam Genesis100% Foam, 14mm HybridHybrid, fast hands14 mm8.0 ± 0.2 oz$229.99
Evidence: Pickleheads, this exact model
NOX X-Foam Nexo 14mmX-Foam, 14mm HybridHybrid, fast hands14 mm X-FOAM8.1 ± 0.1 oz$199.00
Evidence: no independent test found; maker specs
Ronbus Ripple V2 R5.14FIRE Core, Curved WideWidebody, power14 mm carbon grid in EVA8.0 ± 0.2 oz$99.99
Evidence: Pickleball Studio, Ripple V2 R1.14, R2.14 and R4.14; the R5.14 shape was not reviewed
NOX X-Foam JC6 16mmX-Foam, 16mm ElongatedElongated, reach16 mm X-FOAM8.1 ± 0.1 oz$209.00
Evidence: no independent test found; maker specs
Racket Stop Aero Pro 4Foam Core, ElongatedElongated, power16 mm foam8 oz$159.99
Evidence: no independent test found; maker specs
Bravixs Vortyx 16mm4th-Gen HoneycombElongated, honeycomb16 mm honeycomb7.9 oz$188.98
Evidence: no independent test found; maker specs from its Amazon listing
PicklePro Max VoltaFoam Ring + HoneycombHybrid elongated, honeycomb16 mm honeycomb7.9 oz$79.00
Evidence: no independent test found; maker specs
Roore Gen 4 GritMPP Foam, RecreationalElongated, recreational16 mm MPP foam8.0-8.1 oz$59.95
Evidence: no independent test found; maker specs
What “Gen 4” Means
Friday Pickleball, a paddle maker: “‘Gen’ refers to the generation of paddle construction technology. It’s not an official industry standard — but it’s the most common way to talk about how paddles are built.” Friday on Gen 3 (see our thermoformed paddle roundup): “Gen 3 introduced the use of a polypropylene honeycomb core enhanced with perimeter foam and a thermoformed construction.” Our Gen 4 vs Gen 5 explainer walks through the generations.
Related guide: Best Pink Pickleball Paddles (2026): 6 Picks in Pink, Rose and Coral
Pickld, an Australian paddle retailer: “Neither term is defined by any governing body: they are manufacturer marketing labels, brands draw the lines in different places, and the construction spec on the product page tells you far more than the generation number on the box.”
Friday on foam replacing honeycomb: “The result is a paddle that’s more durable against core crushing and has a unique feel and sound compared to honeycomb.” In a r/Pickleball thread, one player calls foam’s lower core-crush risk an improvement, “more evolutionary than revolutionary”. Another: “The cores on the other hand are still up for debate. They debond pretty easily in the heat.” A third, of an Enhance MPP Turbo: “I had it delaminate in a month but warranty was easy and I have the replacement back already.” None of them cites a lab test. Unbadged foam paddles: our foam-core paddle guide.
How We Chose These Gen 4 Paddles
How this guide was built
built from manufacturer documentation, published third-party reviews and owner reports; we have not tested these products ourselves.
We left out Friday’s Aura Pro (“a Gen 4 Full-Foam paddle”): its Amazon offers were used or above Friday’s price.
Detailed Reviews
11SIX24 Vapor Power 2 16mm, Floating Foam, Hybrid
16mm Teal · 16 mm floating foam
Drive-minded players in UPA-A or rec games.
$159.99 from AmazonAs of Nov 12, 15:47 UTCVerdict
Hybrid floating foam for drives; UPA-A only.
Evidence: Independently reviewed, exact model. Matt’s Pickleball (Gen 4 guide): Vapor Power 2 16mm.
11SIX24: “Built on our new Gen 4 Construction with a floating core design”. Matt’s Pickleball lists the Vapor Power 2 16mm first on its Gen 4 shortlist: “Swing hard and it hits hard.” It warns: “It’s UPA-A only, so check your events before you buy.” A Reddit poster tried it (thickness not stated).
Specs (Vapor Power 2, 16mm, Teal)
- Weight: 8.0-8.3 oz (11SIX24); 7.9 oz measured by Matt’s Pickleball
- Face: HexGrit
- Size: 16.25 x 7.75 in; grip 5.5 in long, 4.125 in around
- Approval: UPA-A; no USA Pickleball entry
Pros
- Gen 4 floating foam core with every spec published
Cons
- One Reddit poster “wasn’t really a fan” of its feel
CRBN4 TruFoam Genesis, 100% Foam, 14mm Hybrid
Intermediate and advanced players wanting an approved all-foam hybrid.
$229.99 from AmazonAs of Nov 12, 15:47 UTCVerdict
CRBN’s hybrid on a 14 mm all-foam core.
Evidence: Independently reviewed, exact model. Pickleheads: TruFoam Genesis 4 (hybrid).
CRBN: “With cutting-edge 4th Generation Technology and a 100% foam core, the Genesis is engineered for players who demand performance, precision, and durability.” Pickleheads: “The hybrid TruFoam 4 is a great option for intermediate to advanced players who want an aggressive, all-court paddle with fewer trade-offs.” Pickleball Studio: “After about two or three hours of play, my CRBN4 developed a small rattle. It didn’t affect performance, and I’m pretty sure it’s just some epoxy that broke loose inside the paddle.” Pickleheads rated durability 9/10: “No delamination or breakdown during testing. Foam core seems stable and consistent.”
Specs (CRBN4, Hybrid/AeroCurve, 14mm)
- Weight: 8.0 oz ± 0.2 (CRBN shape guide, Hybrid AeroCurve); 7.99 oz measured by Pickleball Studio
- Face: T700 raw carbon with a fiberglass layer (CRBN)
- Size: 16.2 x 7.8 in; handle 5.5 in long, 4.125 in around (CRBN shape guide)
- Approval: “TRUFOAM 4 GENESIS”, added 2025-05-27
Pros
- All-foam hybrid with an independent review of this shape
Cons
- Pickleheads on the grip: “Soft and comfortable, but gets slippery after extended play”
Who should buy it
Intermediate and advanced players wanting an approved all-foam hybrid.
NOX X-Foam Nexo 14mm, X-Foam, 14mm Hybrid
Verdict
NOX’s 14 mm foam hybrid.
Evidence: No independent test; maker specs. Source: NOX (maker page).
NOX: “NOX’s fourth-generation foam core: explosive power, precise control and a soft feel.” NOX says the core absorbs vibration; our vibration roundup covers that.
Specs (Nexo, 14mm)
- Weight: 8.1 ± 0.1 oz (NOX)
- Face: T700 raw carbon
- Size: 16.25 x 7.75 in; grip 5.25 in long, 4.125 in around
- Approval: “X-FOAM NEXO 14MM”, added 2025-10-08
Pros
- Fourth-generation foam core in a 14 mm hybrid
Cons
- No independent review found
- Same series as the JC6 (#5)
Ronbus Ripple V2 R5.14, FIRE Core, Curved Wide
R5.14 · 14 mm carbon grid in EVA
Advanced or former-tennis players wanting an approved curved widebody.
$99.99 from AmazonAs of Nov 12, 15:47 UTCVerdict
Curved-top widebody, carbon-lattice EVA core.
Evidence: Independently reviewed, same series. Pickleball Studio: Ripple V2 R1.14, R2.14, R4.14.
Ronbus: “4th Generation FIRE (Fiber Infused Rebounding Elastomer) core combines the high strength of a 3D carbon fiber lattice with the elasticity of EVA foam”. Pickleball Studio rated the series 4 out of 10 from the R1, R2 and R4 (not the R5): “The Ronbus Ripple V2 delivers big-time power with equally big expectations.” It names advanced players who can handle a smaller sweet spot and former tennis players as fits; see our paddles for tennis players. Seller: Okallo Products (2026-11-09).
Specs (Ripple V2 R5.14)
- Weight: 8.0 oz, +/- 0.2 oz (Ronbus)
- Face: raw Toray T700 carbon
- Size: 16 x 8 in; grip 5.5 in long, 4.125 in around
- Approval: “Ripple V2 R5.14”, added 2025-04-17
Pros
- Approved curved widebody with a 4th Generation FIRE core
Cons
- Pickleball Studio found the series “Much heavier than normal for each respective shape”
Who should buy it
Advanced or former-tennis players wanting an approved curved widebody.
NOX X-Foam JC6 16mm, X-Foam, 16mm Elongated
Verdict
The Nexo’s series (#3), thicker and longer.
Evidence: No independent test; maker specs. Source: NOX (maker page).
NOX repeats the core text: “NOX’s fourth-generation foam core: explosive power, precise control and a soft feel.”
Specs (JC6, 16mm)
- Weight: 8.1 ± 0.1 oz (NOX)
- Face: T700 raw carbon
- Size: 16.5 x 7.5 in; grip 5.65 in long, 4.125 in around
- Approval: “X-FOAM JC6”, added 2025-09-23
Pros
- NOX’s fourth-generation foam core, elongated and 16 mm
Cons
- Buy box held by PrimeSupply Inc. on 2026-11-09
Racket Stop Aero Pro 4, Foam Core, Elongated
Our reading, not Racket Stop's: rec players wanting elongated foam.
$159.99 from AmazonAs of Nov 12, 15:47 UTCVerdict
Elongated foam, pitched at competitive play.
Evidence: No independent test; maker specs. Source: Racket Stop (maker page).
Racket Stop: “Brand-new GEN 4 foam core engineered for improved durability, smoother contact, and explosive energy return.” Racket Stop pitches it at competitive, advanced players (“Designed for competitive players”; Player Level “Advanced”), but it has no USA Pickleball entry and its maker claims no approval, so it is not for sanctioned events.
Specs (Aero Pro 4, 16mm)
- Weight: 8 oz (Racket Stop)
- Face: carbon fiber
- Size: elongated; length, width and grip length not published (Amazon listing’s Grip Size field: 4.5 in)
- Approval: no USA Pickleball entry
Pros
- Gen 4 foam core in an elongated shape
Cons
- No independent review found
Who should buy it
Our reading, not Racket Stop’s: rec players wanting elongated foam.
Bravixs Vortyx 16mm, 4th-Gen Honeycomb
16mm Light Blue · 16 mm honeycomb
Players wanting an approved honeycomb paddle.
$188.98 from AmazonAs of Nov 12, 15:47 UTCVerdict
Approved honeycomb under a Gen 4 label.
Evidence: No independent test; maker specs. Source: Bravixs (maker’s Amazon listing).
Bravixs’s listing: “4th-Generation FluxCore Honeycomb System: An ultra-dense 16mm polypropylene honeycomb core with strategically optimized foam-supported zones delivers improved dwell time, cleaner feedback, and greater control during both soft and hard shots”. It lists “Injected foam along the edges”. That matches how Friday describes Gen 3; the Gen 4 label is Bravixs’s own.
Specs (Vortyx, 16mm, Light Blue)
- Weight: 7.9 oz, “lightweight” (Bravixs listing)
- Face: raw Toray T700 carbon
- Size: 16.5 x 7.5 in in one bullet, 16 x 7.5 in in the size field; handle 5.5 in; grip 4.25 in
- Approval: “Vortyx”, added 2025-11-24
Pros
- Approved thermoformed honeycomb with foam-injected edges
Cons
- A honeycomb core under a “4th-Generation” label
PicklePro Max Volta 16mm, Foam Ring + Honeycomb
16mm Vibrant Orange · 16 mm honeycomb
Budget players who accept a honeycomb core.
$79.00 from AmazonAs of Nov 12, 15:47 UTCVerdict
Honeycomb core under a Gen 4 label.
Evidence: No independent test; maker specs. Source: PicklePro (maker page).
PicklePro: “Built using advanced Gen 4 construction, the Volta combines a full thermoformed unibody design, an EVA foam perimeter surrounding the polypropylene honeycomb core, and a premium raw carbon fiber face to deliver explosive power, exceptional spin, outstanding stability, and a larger sweet spot.” That matches how Friday describes Gen 3; the Gen 4 label is PicklePro’s own.
Specs (Max Volta, 16mm, Vibrant Orange)
- Weight: 225 ±5 g (7.9 oz) (PicklePro)
- Face: raw carbon
- Size: 16.4 x 7.44 in, grip 4.25 in around (Amazon listing); grip 5.5 in long (PicklePro)
- Approval: maker says approved; no list entry found
Pros
- Thermoformed hybrid-elongated paddle at the lower price tier
Cons
- “Gen 4” here is a foam ring around honeycomb
Roore Gen 4 Grit 16mm, MPP Foam, Recreational
16mm Elongated · 16 mm MPP foam
Rec players trying a foam-core paddle for little money.
$59.95 from AmazonAs of Nov 12, 15:47 UTCVerdict
Grit-face MPP foam, recreational only.
Evidence: No independent test; maker specs. Source: Roore (maker’s Amazon listing and roore.com).
Roore’s listing: “GEN 4 MPP FOAM CORE: A 16mm thermoformed paddle with a 100% MPP foam core and an EVA foam perimeter ring.”
Specs (Gen 4 Grit, 16mm, Elongated)
- Weight: 8.0–8.1 oz playing weight (Roore listing)
- Face: T700 carbon, diamond-particle grit (Roore)
- Size: elongated; handle 5.5 in; length, width and grip circumference not published
- Approval: no entry; recreational use only
Pros
- All-foam MPP core at the lower price tier
Cons
- Roore: “Recreational use only”
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Are Gen 4 paddles better?
Friday: “Neither is objectively better — they play differently.” Reddit players disagree too.
Q. What is the best budget Gen 4 pickleball paddle?
No source we read names one. See our budget, under $100 and under $150 guides.
Q. What is the difference between Gen 4 and Gen 5 paddles?
See our Gen 4 vs Gen 5 explainer.
Q. Is the DwellPop a Gen 4 paddle?
Kiwi calls it “Designed using next-generation Gen 4 construction”; no Amazon listing on 2026-11-09.
Q. What is the #1 rated pickleball paddle?
Ratings differ by tester; see our best pickleball paddles.
Final Verdict
Makers badge foam, carbon-lattice and honeycomb cores alike: read the core line. The 11SIX24 Vapor Power 2 (UPA-A only) and CRBN4 TruFoam Genesis have independent reviews of the exact model.
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.
