Bread & Butter Loco Review
Consensus score
The Loco has a fan base that borders on evangelical: around 1,000 owner reviews averaging 4.8 stars across listings. Reviewers agree it is one of the hardest-hitting paddles under $200. The catch is getting one. Restocks sell out, and patience is part of the purchase.
We may earn a commission when you buy through links on this page. Our rankings are never influenced by commissions or brand partnerships. Consensus score 96/100 (Exceptional) — aggregated Oct 2026 from 1,081 reviews across 2 source types — how we rank.
The consensus verdict
Best for
Aggressive 3.5+ players who want maximum pop per dollar. The drives-and-counters crowd.
Not for
Beginners, control purists, and anyone who needs a paddle this week. Stock is the recurring problem.
Consensus 96/100 · Exceptional
Weighted from Pickleheads 5.0/5 and Pickleball Studio 9/10 (editorial, late 2025) plus 1,076 verified owner reviews averaging 4.8/5. Per-dimension scores pending more editorial data. Power, spin and forgiveness are the consensus strengths. The tradeoff: the lively response makes touch shots harder to control.
Money where my mouth is
The score on this page is consensus, aggregated from reviews across the web. This part is separate: my own money, my own sessions.
Bought it, played it last night. First thing you notice: the ball comes off the face quick, quicker than my elongated Perseus. That means your soft game has to be yours, because this paddle will not babysit it. Call it a 3.5 and up paddle. The trade is worth it at the net. It rotates faster than the elongated shape, and my hands feel it. As Dwight Schrute would put it, the speed is somewhere between a snake and a mongoose.
Specs
| MSRP | $199 (routinely ~$179 with brand discount codes; some retailers list $149.95) |
|---|---|
| Shape | Hybrid. 16.2" × 7.6" (standard and elongated versions also available) |
| Thickness | 16mm |
| Face | T700 raw carbon fiber + fiberglass layer |
| Core | Dual-density foam: EPP + EVA |
| Weight | 7.9–8.1 oz |
| Handle | 5.3" · octagonal profile |
| Measured (third-party) | Swing weight ~112–115; spin ~2,280 RPM (independent reviewer measurement) |
| Approval | USAP approved |
| Warranty | Manufacturer warranty (details vary by retailer) |
Specs from Bread & Butter and retailer listings; measured figures from independent reviewer data (unit-to-unit variance applies). Pricing is genuinely messy on this one — our tier pages use $179 (typical code price); $199 is list.
What reviewers agree on
Strengths
- Explosive power for the money. The most repeated claim in reviews: the dual-density foam (EPP + EVA) pops like paddles that cost $100 more. Drives, counters, overheads. All of them come off hot.
- High spin too. ~2,280 RPM in independent measurement puts it near the top of its price class. Reviewers say the fiberglass layer adds dwell and bite you can feel on topspin drives.
- Surprising control for a power paddle. The kitchen game is better than the power numbers suggest. Drops and resets are workable, which is not a given in this category.
- The community loves the brand. Around 1,000 owner reviews at ~4.8 stars, but paddle nerds rate it closer to 3.5/5. The gap between delighted casual owners and pickier gearheads tells its own story.
Weaknesses & caveats
- Availability has been the real review. The single most common complaint is not performance, it is restocks. Reviewers report ordering delays and sold-out stretches. Check stock before you fall in love.
- Power needs a pilot. Beginners and developing players will spray with this. It is a 3.5+ paddle that rewards technique you already have instead of teaching it.
- Pricing is a moving target. $199 list, ~$179 with codes, $149.95 at some retailers. The value story depends on the price you actually pay, so compare live prices.
- No pro tour usage verified. The Loco's credibility comes from the player community, not the pro tour. That is fine. Just know what you are buying into.
Synthesized from video reviewer testing, retailer owner reviews (~1,000 ratings at ~4.8), community ratings, and player discussion. How we rank →
Who it's for
Who it's for
- Aggressive 3.5+ players chasing maximum power per dollar
- Doubles attackers who live for counters and putaways
- Players who like buying from a scrappy boutique brand
Who should skip it
- Beginners and developing players. Too hot for developing swings
- Control-first players. See the control picks in the tier
- Anyone who needs a paddle this week. Check stock before you buy
Pro usage
No verified pro tour usage at last check. The Loco's case rests on overwhelming owner consensus.
Where to buy
Use code picklepicker at checkout for 10% off. This is my ambassador code — I may earn a commission if you buy through it.
← Best paddles $100–$200 · Foam cores explained · Paddle shapes explained
Loco FAQs
How much does it cost?
$199 list, ~$179 with the brand's usual codes, sometimes $149.95 at retailers. Compare live prices before judging the value.
Is it a power paddle?
Yes. Reviewers rank it among the hardest-hitting paddles under $200, with high measured spin (~2,280 RPM). It rewards aggressive players.
Good for beginners?
No. Reviewers say it is too powerful for developing players. Start with a control paddle instead.