Best Gamma Pickleball Paddles | Comparative Reviews

The former well-known tennis sports industry has broken out some pickleball paddles that instantly started to rule the courts! Yes, we’re talking about Gamma Sports that’ve been providing quality racket sports goods for over 40 years. Previously, it was all about tennis rackets and strings that gave the brand popularity beyond the US. Manufacturing pickleball paddles just gave the brand authenticity, with the game being expanded and players getting better!

Well, Gamma paddles “surely” can provide you with the best durability and “power” you need on the court. While everyone has a different preference about size and shape, we’re getting you covered with a full lineup of gamma pickleball paddles. Hold on! We’ll be also rating the best gamma pickleball paddles across this article, based on their quality and performance, so let’s dive in!

In a hurry? Here’s our Top Picks:

Take Gamma Compass if you need the elongated paddle with optimized power and spinning ability. Gamma Shard is a perfect intermediate-advanced paddle with its wide body and thicker core. While Voltage 2.0 stands out in the 2.0 series. 

Besides that, Gamma Needle shares the same specification as the Compass while Gamma RZR is similar to Shard, except for the different core SENSA Poly core, which changes the application for intermediate players as they are more control-oriented. 

Lastly, the Gamma sports 2.0 series has our heart because of its well-constructed features and the way it performs on the court, complementing players of all skill levels.

Update:

If it was 2021, we’d be having the three same series been in the scene for quite a few years, i.e. Neucore Polycore, Sensa Poly Core, and Aramid Core 2.0.

Recently, Gamma has launched its brand new series with Neucore Polypropylene core on the inside. The paddles it includes are

• Gamma 405
• Gamma 505
• Riley Newman 206
• Lindsey Newman Havoc

All these four paddles are identical in shape. They share similar length, width, and handle size, i.e.,

• Paddle Length: 16-3/8” 
• Paddle Width: 7-3/8” 
• Handle Length: 5-1/4”

We are pretty much convinced that these four paddles are in pairs for the way 405 and 505 react the same, having a similar weight and face option. While the 206 and Havoc are much of a professional level paddle with a greater spin, much weight, and signature of professional players, i.e., Riley Newman on 206 and Lindsey Newman on Havoc.

These paddles further got a quick recognition in the global Pickleball community of 5.0 players. Not for nothing Lindsey signature the 206 paddle, she won the US 2021 championship with Havoc that gave her, and her weapon quite the appreciation.

What to expect from a Gamma Pickleball Paddle:

Before we get down to the reviews, here’s a quick explanation of the technologies and features that you may get in a Gamma paddle. 

Core:

There’re three types of cores in Gamma paddles that form up the entire lineup. The first one is the SENSA Poly core, which has a honeycomb structure covered in polypropylene with an increased number of cells. The core is 1/2” thick, having an excellent blend of touch and power. You’ll find this core in Gamma Needle, Dart, Mirage, and RZR.

Later on, they upgraded the SENSA Poly core with more thickness and closed cells. The core has then been given the name of NeuCore Poly Core, which carries the thickness at 5/8 inches. The paddle made with this core is Compass, Compass LH, Jester, Legend, Hellbender, and Shard.

Other than Polypropylene, there’re Nomex Cores as well, which they’ve built for their 2.0 series. The core comes with the name Aramid Honeycomb. It provides a lot of pop and gives immense responsiveness to the court.

Surface:

80% of the Gamma paddles feature a textured graphite surface. The rest are either textured fiberglass or plain graphite. The textured surface gives the ball enough time to stray on the paddle, plus you can feel the responsiveness and biting that the surface enables the ball with. 

Grips:

Lastly, all these paddles have similar Gamma Honeycomb grips that give better traction ability and excellent sweat-resistant ability that keeps your hand dry and fatigue-free while enhancing the quality of playing.

Budget-friendly paddle:

Budget and Gamma paddles? Well, you might not know about it, but there’re three basic paddles with the simplest construction. These are under $60 dollars paddle to aid the young and beginners in getting started with the game.

Conqueror, Odyssey, discovery, and Quest are in the series. Plain graphite, textured graphite, and textured fiberglass–all the face types are available across these four paddles, with a typical polypropylene core. Aside from the elongated Discovery and medium-height Quest, the rest are wide-body paddles.

Fusion LE and Fusion Pro are other budgeted paddles. Gamma built them in the name of the Fusion paddle that got the best-selling trends in the year it was launched. Besides, they’re polyester paddles and most suited for young players.

Discontinuation:

So far, it’s the 1.0 series of Gamma Neutron, Micron, Fusion, Atomic, Phaser, and Voltage that the brand has discontinued. There have been rumors that RZR and Needle are getting discontinued. However, Gamma has not announced it yet.

Best Elongated Gamma Pickleball paddles

1. Gamma Needle pickleball paddle

9.7/10 – Our Score

01

Specifications

• Colors:
  Green
• Weight:
  7.6 ounces
• Surface:
  Textured Graphite
• Core:
  Sensa Poly Core
• Skill Level:
  Intermediate
• Grip size:
  4-1/8″

• Handle length:
  4 1/4″
• Paddle width:
  7 1/8″
• Paddle length:
  16 5/8”
• Grip type:
  GAMMA Honeycomb

Check Check Reviews

The Needle is Gamma’s entry into the elongated paddle world. It was the first-ever enlarged paddle with improvised paddle features and a favorite one of Lucy Kitcher. The Textured surface is 2 times thicker than the regular textured paddles of Gamma, providing you with more spin and response. Embedded with the Sensa Poly Core that enables you with control and cushion effect.

GAMMA Honeycomb allows you to play for extended sessions as they absorb the sweat and keep your hand strain-free all the time. The grips, being a medium diameter of 4-⅛ inches thick, fit perfectly in your hand and provide you with the option to over-grip it for enhancing the power. Though the handles at 4 1/4″ length do the work of maximizing power, however, makes them less control-oriented for a beginner’s play. 

Combined with the weight of 7.4 ounces that delivers the power when you need to block the shots or go a little overhead. While speaking of overhead shots, this paddle with the 16 5/8” paddle length and  7 1/8″ paddle width can give you an edge for smashing and hitting overheads.

Full Review: Gamma needle extensive review.

Drawbacks: 

The handles are a bit shorter, which can be trouble for beginners. However, these are a perfect pick for any player on a run to be a pro in the game.

2. Gamma Compass pickleball paddle

9.6/10 – Our Score

02

Specifications

• Colors:
  grey
• Weight:
  7.75 ounces
• Surface:
  Textured Graphite
• Core:
  NeuCore Poly Core
• Skill Level:
  Intermediate-advanced
• Grip size:
  4-1/8″

• Handle length:
  4 1/4″
• Paddle width:
  16 5/8”
• Paddle length:
  7 1/8″
• Grip type:
  GAMMA Honeycomb

Check Check Reviews

Gamma Compass is an upgrade to the Gamma Needle with an added ounce of the paddle, making it the best gamma pickleball paddle for advanced players. These 7.75 ounces are well-distributed on the paddle that enhancing the power and control factor. 

The surface is spin-friendly with a more thick textured surface of ⅝ inches. Similar specifications are followed here as the Needle with a width of 7 1/8″, 16 5/8” length, and medium grips having a diameter of 4-1/8″ and 4 1/4″ shorter handles. Plus, the honeycomb cushion grips keep you playing with optimum comfortability.

What’s different is the NeuCore Poly Core that helps in improvised spin shots with speed. In addition, you’ll also get a generous sweet spot in this paddle. Results? Complete domination on the court! players transitioning to compass after needle constantly report having a longer ball biting time-spam than they’ve in their previous paddle.

Drawbacks:

Again, the handles are shorter, but it also has an added weight that delivers exceptional power, which further limits their use for any player who has just started playing pickleball.

Best Wide-Body Gamma Pickleball Paddles

3. Gamma RZR pickleball paddle

9.5/10 – Our Score

03

Specifications

• Colors:
  blue, pink
• Weight:
  7.6 ounces
• Surface:
  Textured Graphite
• Core:
  Sensa Poly Core
• Skill Level:
  Intermediate
• Grip size:
  4-1/8″

• Handle length:
  4 3/4″
• Paddle width:
  8″
• Paddle length:
  15 7/8”
• Grip type:
  GAMMA Honeycomb

Check Check Reviews

Gamma RZR pickleball paddle comes with the best sweet spot that lets you play the winning shots on the court. The paddle has a unique shape with a wide paddle body of 8 inches combined with a length of 15 7/8” among which the handle takes 4 3/4″ making it longer to give you more control. The grips measure 4-⅛ inches in diameter with honeycomb maintaining your hands dry and strain-free to help you play longer. 

Well, it shares the same core technology as the needle paddle, having Sensa Poly Core covered with the textured graphite surface, providing you with control, power, and spin. The weight is yet another key aspect feature that measures 7.6 ounces. The paddle with that weight being well-distributed on the paddle gives the ball vigorousness you need a game gets heated.

There’s the conspiracy of their discontinuation though, as they usually stay out of stock. Nothing is true, it’s just their demand, because of their price and performance, is higher. You can instantly check their availability through this link.

Drawbacks:

The paddle lacks a power factor which makes it less effective for tournament plays.

4. Gamma Shard pickleball paddle

9.5/10 – Our Score

04

Specifications

• Colors:
  yellow, pink
• Weight:
  7.75 ounces
• Surface:
  Textured Graphite
• Core:
  NeuCore Poly Core
• Skill Level:
  Intermediate
• Grip size:
  4-1/8″

• Handle length:
  4 3/4″
• Paddle width:
  8″
• Paddle length:
  15 7/8”
• Grip type:
  GAMMA Honeycomb

Check Check Reviews

Want a wider surface paired with a thicker core? Gamma Shard can match your needs! The paddles employ ⅝ inches thick NeuCore Poly Core that provides you with responsiveness, ball bite, and a greater touch feel.

The graphite surface on the core is a bit textured, which let the ball stay on the paddle a little longer, which you benefit from making the ball roll. The sweet spot is relatively large than the Compass paddle that backs you up while playing at the back of the court.

The excellent blend of power and control gives you leverage for hitting dinks and groundstrokes. Whereas, the textured surface won’t let you miss any chance of making the ball spin and introducing some backspin or topspin in the game. Other than that, the paddle graphics are very catchy. They’ve pink-blue diamond stone designs that make them easily recognizable on the court.

The medium-weight at 7.75 ounces makes the paddle hit power shots while the 4 3/4″ longer handles give you immense control over it. What’s more? The grips have the perfect diameter that measures 4-1/8″ wrapped with a Honeycomb structure that keeps the grips tacky and sweat-free. 

Drawbacks:

One of the two color options in this paddle is yellow which you cannot use for the game as it resembles the ball color.

Gamma Sports 2.0 Paddles – for all skill levels

Gamma has a 2.0 paddle series having six paddles in the lineup. These paddles were first introduced in 2015 with the names Atomic, Neutron, Micron, Fusion, Voltage, and Phaser. In 2017, Gamma upgraded the series and turned them into the sturdiest pickleball gear any player can own!

Here’s the Specification comparison of the series. 

Micron 2.0:

Micron is the heaviest paddle in the lineup with the weight of 8.1 oz paired with the Textured Fiberglass that delivers immense power and strength. The paddle’s ability to make the ball roll is just WOW! Plus it allows you to enhance control with larger handles measuring 5.25”.  

Though, it’s the only paddle in the lineup that has contour grips instead of honeycomb, which further improvises the playing time with more comfort. However, the width is a bit compromised at 7.75 inches-shrinking the sweet spot as well, making it less useful for beginner players. Overall, the paddle is impressively responsive, being embedded with Aramid Honeycomb Core.

Atomic 2.0:

Alongside Micron, Atomic 2.0 sits with a wider paddle body enhancing the sweet spot and much control! The paddle has a Textured Fiberglass surface sandwiched in an Aramid Honeycomb Core that performs well on the court, especially when you play back-to-back volleys or are stuck in crazy dink rallies.

The 15 1/2″ backs you up when playing at the back of the court, incorporated with an extended length of 5 inches. The grips, however, are smaller, but don’t worry, we can always use the taping! Furthermore, you can have a more improvised hitting area, thanks to the Flush-Fit™ Bumper paired with the Live Periphery™ Frame. 

Fusion 2.0:

Fusion 2.0 enables better ball striking ability with its enlarged body and wider surface. Fusion is the combo of Atomic 2.0 and Micron 2.0 with the length of the Atomic paddle and width of the Micron 2.0, making it the ultimate solution of reduced reach and compromised sweet spot. 

While it shares the identical paddle surface with Atomic 2.0 and Micron 2.0. Having Aramid Honeycomb Core with a textured fiber surface helps you get the responsiveness and ball bite as much as you desire. 

Phaser 2.0:

With the textured graphite surface, Phaser 2.0 breaks the trend of fiberglass paddles and enables the players to enjoy a classy ball-biting surface to roll their ball and hit it with speed. The paddle has 5” long handles that give you control and keep your balance stable while the 7.9 oz weight doesn’t fail to deliver the power.  

Besides, it has a wide body and an enlarged length with an enhanced sweet spot paired with a tacky grip. With all these features combined, it makes the perfect intermediate-advance paddle for the players looking for exceptional power while keeping their balance on the court. 

Voltage 2.0:

Voltage 2.0 is our favorite in the lineup, having the best blend of weight and sizing work on the paddle. It measures 7.6 ounces, making it a perfect mid-weight paddle that compliments well for playing the drives, volleys, and smooth dinks! 

The 15 3/8” length combined with the wider width of 8-1/8” makes it attractive for anyone who wants a generous sweet spot and an added length on the paddle. Another plus is the 4 inches smaller grips that fit the younger players, while the older ones can benefit from it with an added wrap and enjoy double power with it. 

Neutron 2.0:

Neutron 2.0 is the last paddle with the least weight! It just weighs 7 ounces, enabling the player to try to ace some of the finesse shots with ultimate speed. Like the rest of the paddle in this lineup, it also shares the Aramid Honeycomb Core and Honeycomb grips. 

The paddle is identical to the Voltage in terms of shape and size, but the lighter weight and enhanced sweet spot really make it worth it for beginners as well as experts alike who like to play fast and stay in control.

Frequently Asked Question:

Wrap up:

We’re glad that you made it here and are certain you’ve narrowed down which paddle you want by now! Though, each of the paddles reviewed above gives a promising performance only if you choose it with enough consideration in your mind. These considerations may be the paddle width or length, the grip size, or the core thickness that you need to play shots you like. 

Hope you’d a wise decision and do let us know which one you think is the best gamma pickleball paddle selected in the comments section.

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HARRY ANDERSON

Founder at Pickleball Lobby

A quirky Hi from Harry Anderson—the Founder and Editor-in-Chief at Pickleball Lobby. He’s a true enthusiast who loves and enjoys trying new sports, his favorite of which is pickleball. He has played various sports throughout his life. He was former table tennis, tennis, and Minton player mainly and made his transition to pickleball in 2008. Upon joining the game, he got this crazy obsession with collecting pickleball gear and accessories.



Harry is a freak who often argues that O in his name may well stand for “Obsessed with Pickleball.”

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