HEAD Radical Elite Pickleball Paddle Review: Perfect for Beginners and Intermediates
The HEAD Radical Elite Pickleball Paddle is a high-quality pickleball paddle designed for beginning and intermediate players. With its optimized tubular core and composite hitting surface, this paddle delivers excellent playability, feel, and sound. The ergo grip provides added comfort and enhanced feel, making it easy to play for extended periods. The paddle is made from durable materials, including fiberglass for the frame and carbon fiber for the shaft, ensuring it can stand up to even the toughest games. In this review, we will take an in-depth look at the HEAD Radical Elite Pickleball Paddle and explore its features, benefits, and drawbacks to help you decide if it's the right choice for your game.
Product Description
The HEAD Radical Elite Pickleball Paddle is a great choice for beginning and intermediate players looking to improve their game. This paddle features a Tubular Construction (OTC) of the polypropylene honeycomb core that is optimized to create perfect playability, feel and sound suited for all levels of play. The Composite Hitting Surface (CHS) offers maximized power with a softer feel and more power for all levels of play. The engineered surface also creates increased comfort on impact for great playability.
One of the standout features of this paddle is its ergonomic foam handle, which provides added comfort and enhanced feel. This handle is designed to reduce stress on the wrist, making it a great choice for players who suffer from wrist pain. The paddle is also lightweight, weighing only 9 ounces, which makes it easy to maneuver and swing.
The HEAD Radical Elite Pickleball Paddle is made from high-quality materials, including a fiberglass frame and carbon fiber shaft, which make it durable and long-lasting. The paddle is designed to be used by adults and has a grip size of 4 1/8 inches.
Overall, the HEAD Radical Elite Pickleball Paddle is a great choice for players of all skill levels who are looking for a high-quality, durable paddle that is comfortable and easy to use. Its optimized tubular core, composite hitting surface, and ergonomic grip make it a popular choice among pickleball players. With over 1300 positive customer reviews, it's clear that this paddle is a favorite among players and a great investment for anyone looking to improve their game.
Pros and Cons
If you're a beginner or intermediate player looking for a quality pickleball paddle that won't break the bank, the HEAD Radical Elite Pickleball Paddle is definitely worth considering. Here are some pros and cons to help you make an informed decision:
Pros
Affordable Price: The HEAD Radical Elite Pickleball Paddle is a great value for its price. It is significantly cheaper than many other paddles in the market, making it an excellent choice for those who are just starting or don't want to spend a lot of money on a paddle.
Lightweight: At 9 ounces, the HEAD Radical Elite Pickleball Paddle is lightweight and easy to maneuver. This makes it a great option for players who prefer a more agile paddle that can help them respond quickly to fast-moving balls.
Durable Construction: The paddle features a polymer core and a fiberglass frame, as well as a carbon fiber shaft. These materials make the paddle durable and able to withstand some wear and tear, ensuring that it will last for a while.
Cons
Small Sweet Spot: Some buyers have mentioned that the sweet spot on this paddle is quite small, which may make it more challenging for players to hit the ball with consistency.
Not Suitable for Advanced Players: While the HEAD Radical Elite Pickleball Paddle is an excellent choice for beginners and intermediate players, it may not be the best option for more advanced players who are looking for a paddle with more advanced features and capabilities.
Limited Size Options: The paddle only comes in one size, 4 1/8 inches, which may not be suitable for all players. If you prefer a larger or smaller grip size, you may need to look for a different paddle.
Customer Reviews
The HEAD Radical Elite Pickleball Paddle has an overall rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars on Amazon. This paddle has received a lot of positive feedback from the buyers, with many stating that it is a great paddle for beginners and intermediate players.
One buyer said, "Excellent Paddle at least through intermediate level! Looked at lots of options and reviews prior to purchase. This one stood out and it has been great in use. Good value!" Another buyer mentioned that it was a "Bargain for the price, feels no different than one priced much much higher."
While most buyers are happy with their purchase, some have mentioned that the sweet spot is small. One buyer said, "Good for beginning player, sweet spot is pretty small." Another mentioned that they found it difficult to control the ball with this paddle. However, these comments are few and far between.
Overall, the HEAD Radical Elite Pickleball Paddle is a great option for those who are just starting out with pickleball or who are at an intermediate level. It is lightweight and easy to grip, making it a comfortable option for extended gameplay.
Conclusion
The HEAD Radical Elite Pickleball Paddle is a great option for beginner and intermediate players looking for a quality paddle at an affordable price. The optimized Tubular Construction of the polypropylene honeycomb core and Composite Hitting Surface provide a perfect balance of playability, feel, and sound. The ergonomic foam handle also adds to the comfort and feel of the paddle.
The paddle does have a small sweet spot, which may take some getting used to for players who are used to larger sweet spots. However, once players adjust to the smaller sweet spot, they will find that the paddle offers excellent value for the price.
Based on the reviews and our own testing, we highly recommend the HEAD Radical Elite Pickleball Paddle for beginning and intermediate players. It offers great performance and comfort at a reasonable price, making it an excellent choice for those who are new to the game or looking to upgrade their equipment without breaking the bank.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the HEAD Radical Elite Pickleball Paddle made of?
The HEAD Radical Elite Pickleball Paddle is made of polymer material for the core, fiberglass for the frame, and carbon fiber for the shaft. This combination provides a lightweight and durable paddle that is suitable for beginning and intermediate players.
What is the grip size of the HEAD Radical Elite Pickleball Paddle?
The grip size of the HEAD Radical Elite Pickleball Paddle is 4 1/8 inches. This size is perfect for players who have medium to small hand sizes.
Is the HEAD Radical Elite Pickleball Paddle suitable for beginners?
Yes, the HEAD Radical Elite Pickleball Paddle is designed for beginning and intermediate players. It is lightweight and easy to handle, making it a great option for those who are just starting to play pickleball.
What is the weight of the HEAD Radical Elite Pickleball Paddle?
The HEAD Radical Elite Pickleball Paddle weighs only 9 ounces. This lightweight paddle allows for quick and easy maneuvering on the court, making it perfect for players who prefer a more agile playing style.
What is the sweet spot of the HEAD Radical Elite Pickleball Paddle?
According to customer feedback, the sweet spot of the HEAD Radical Elite Pickleball Paddle is relatively small. However, this should not be a major issue for beginning and intermediate players who are still developing their skills.
Is the HEAD Radical Elite Pickleball Paddle a good value for its price?
Yes, the HEAD Radical Elite Pickleball Paddle is a great value for its price. Customers have reported that it performs just as well as paddles that are priced much higher, making it an affordable option for those who want a high-quality paddle without breaking the bank.
