Franklin C45 Hybrid Review
Consensus score
One hundred and four. That is the swing weight, and it is the whole story. Most premium paddles sit around 115 to 120. The C45 Hybrid comes in at 104, which means your hands get there first in every exchange. Franklin built a power hybrid around that speed: double thermoformed, T700 carbon laid at a 45-degree angle, and a foam-channeled core. Reviewers keep landing in the same place. It is stupid fast, it pops when you ask it to, and it is at its best with a few grams of tape on it. Cool beans.
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 89/100 (Excellent) — aggregated Oct 2026 from expert and owner reviews — how we rank.
The consensus verdict
Best for
Kitchen battlers who win points in fast exchanges, aggressive players who want pop without a heavy paddle, and tinkerers who enjoy dialing in weight. Reviewers say the hand speed is genuinely best in class.
Not for
Players who want max forgiveness out of the box, and anyone allergic to lead tape. Stock it is light enough that hard-hit balls can push it around.
Consensus 89/100 · Excellent
Weighted from three independent expert reviews (PickleTip, Pickleball Blast, and The Kitchen Pickle's multi-session testing against 5.0+ competition) plus Tennis Warehouse and Pickleball Warehouse owner reviews at 5.0/5. Hand speed and pop are the consensus strengths; stock stability and paint durability are the caveats.
Specs
| MSRP | $229.99 |
|---|---|
| Shape | Hybrid 16.3" x 7.6" |
| Thickness | 14mm |
| Face | T700 carbon fiber, 45°/90°/45° weave with peel ply texture |
| Core | PowerFlex core, double thermoformed with foam channel |
| Weight | 7.6–7.9 oz |
| Handle | 5.7", 4.3" grip |
| Measured (third-party) | Swing weight 104 (very low); twist weight 5.6 (independent reviewer lab data) |
| Approval | USAP and UPA-A approved |
Specs from Franklin and retailer listings; measured figures from independent reviewer lab data (unit-to-unit variance applies). Boundary note: $229.99 sits in our $200+ tier by rule.
What reviewers agree on
Strengths
- Absurd hand speed. The 104 swing weight is the lowest reviewers have measured in this class. Quick exchanges at the kitchen get easier because the paddle simply gets there first.
- Pop on demand. For a light paddle it hits heavy. Punch volleys come off crisp, counters jump, and aggressive serves land in a higher power bracket than the weight suggests.
- A customization canvas. The light stock weight is a feature, not a bug, for players who tune. The Kitchen's reviewer added tungsten tape, landed at 8.4 oz, and called it the best of both worlds: tuned power with the speed intact.
- Above-average spin. The 45-degree carbon weave is not the grittiest face on the market, but reviewers say it grips well above average and the texture holds up.
Weaknesses & caveats
- Wants weight to be complete. Stock, it is light enough that hard balls can move it around. Reviewers nearly unanimously suggest perimeter weight for stability and a bigger sweet spot. Budget a few bucks for tape.
- The paint chips. Owners report the edge color scrapes off easily. Cosmetic, but irritating at $230. Edge guard tape fixes it.
- Not a soft-game specialist. This is a power hybrid with manners, not a dinking pillow. Pure touch players have softer options.
Synthesized from expert long-form reviews (PickleTip, Pickleball Blast, The Kitchen Pickle), retailer owner reviews, and player-community discussion. How we rank →
Who it's for
Who it's for
- You win points in kitchen exchanges and hand battles
- You want pop without swinging a heavy paddle
- You enjoy tuning weight and making a paddle yours
Who should skip it
- You want maximum forgiveness with zero tinkering
- True beginners — the under $100 tier is the smarter start
- Your game is all soft touch, all the time
Where to buy
Also at Pickleball Central and Tennis Warehouse. Buying through the JustPaddles link supports our work at no extra cost to you.
← Best paddles $200 & up · C45 Hybrid vs C45 Dynasty · Grit & spin explained · Paddle shapes explained
C45 Hybrid FAQs
Does the C45 Hybrid need lead tape?
Not required, but reviewers keep adding it anyway. The stock paddle is extremely light, so tape around the edges widens the sweet spot without killing the hand speed.
C45 Hybrid vs C45 Dynasty — which one?
The Hybrid is the quick one: shorter and lighter, built for kitchen exchanges. The Dynasty is the elongated reach-and-power option. Net game goes Hybrid, baseline game goes Dynasty.
Is the paint really that fragile?
Owners say the edge color scrapes off easily. Cosmetic, but annoying at this price. A few bucks of edge guard tape solves it.