Introduction: While typically hesitant to recommend excessively priced pickleball paddles, I’ll make an exception for the Gearbox Pro Power Elongated, provided you can snag a substantial discount. At $274.99, it’s steep, and though commendable, its superiority over other paddles isn’t overwhelmingly evident.
Specifications:
- Paddle Face Finish: Toray T700 (Raw Carbon Fiber)
- Core Material: Toray T-700 Carbon Fiber
- Core Construction: Patented Carbon Fiber Chambers
- Head Shape: I (Elongated™)
- Weight: 8.0 oz
- Handle Circumference: 4” grip
- Handle Length: 5-1/2″
- Paddle Length: 16 1/2″
- Head Length: 11″
- Paddle Width: 7-3/8″
- Paddle Thickness: 14mm
- Grip: Gearbox Smooth Wrap – Black
Performance: This paddle boasts significant power. Upon trying it, a friend’s serves overshot the baseline by three feet, indicating a brief adjustment period. It exhibits finesse around the net with a gentle touch and subdued sound, but its power requires careful handling.
Comparisons to Other Paddles:
Rather than go into detail on the drills I used to evaluate this paddle, I will simply compare it to some others that I have in my inventory (but not all my paddles).
- Six Zero Double Black Diamond Infinity Paddle: The DBD has similar power but is not quite as soft around the net. Regarding spin, I can put more side spin on the ball with the DBD than with the Gearbox paddle. This is most likely due to the fact that the Infinity is 16 MM, compared to 14 MM for the Gearbox. It is at least $50 less expensive as well. See my review here: https://theadventurousboomer.blog/review-of-the-six-zero-double-black-diamond-infinity-edgeless-paddle/
- Six Zero Double Black Diamond 14 MM Paddle: There is not much difference between the Gearbox and the 14 MM DBD except that the 14 MM DBD is about $100 less. See my review here: https://theadventurousboomer.blog/review-of-the-six-zero-double-black-diamond-14-mm-paddle/
- Body Helix X-4 Paddles: Body Helix has both a 14 MM and 16 MM version of the X-4 paddles. The 16 MM provides better feel and spin than the Gearbox, but is probably not as powerful. The 14 MM performs as well as the Gearbox and is essentially as powerful and is about $100 less expensive. See my review here: https://theadventurousboomer.blog/body-helix-x-4-paddle-review/
- HUDEF Viva Pro Gen2: This is a heavier paddle and, as such, you can apply more power to your strokes. I will say that the Gearbox is a bit more powerful, though, but performs similarly around the net. The HUDEF paddle has more spin capability and is about ½ the price. See my review here: https://theadventurousboomer.blog/review-of-the-hudef-viva-pro-gen-2/
- Vatic Alchemy: Vatic has a number of great paddles, including the V7 and the Flash. The Alchemy, however, is the one that comes closest to the Gearbox paddle. It may not be quite as powerful as the Gearbox paddle, but I think it compares favorably around the net, and it costs #100 less. Read my review here: https://theadventurousboomer.blog/review-of-the-vatic-alchemy/
- Bread and Butter Filth/Loco: These are two of my “go to” paddles for rec play. Each has sufficient power and feel around the net, and the Loco has the hybrid shape which increases the sweet spot. Both are reasonably priced. Read my reviews here: https://theadventurousboomer.blog/review-of-the-bread-and-butter-loco-paddle/
Bottom Line: For 3.5+ (potentially 4.0+) players seeking added power, the Gearbox Pro Power Elongated is worth considering, especially with a discount. However, numerous alternatives offer comparable performance at more favorable price points.
These are some comments I have read about this paddle:
The Gearbox Pro Power delivers crazy power and spin, but it won’t be for everyone.
Just slightly below EVA for power but above all other paddles currently on the market. Also, tournament legal. Muted sound, 14mm width. This thing is a game changer and people will complain about the pop and power.
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