RPM Friction Pro V2 Review
Consensus score
RPM is James Ignatowich's brand, and the Friction Pro V2 is the paddle he actually plays. The V2 keeps the Gen 3 honeycomb build of the original, adds an EVA foam ring around the perimeter and a reworked Axial Carbon Layup, and Ignatowich himself calls it an iPhone update: 5 to 10 percent better, not a reinvention. Reviewers mostly agree the update lands where it matters. Pickleheads gave it 4.5 out of 5 and says it has the best spin of any paddle right now, and The Kitchen's lab measured spin at 92 against power at 84. The price of admission is swing weight: 119 makes this one of the heavier-swinging paddles in its class, and you will feel every point of it.
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 90/100 (Exceptional) — aggregated Nov 2026 from 11 reviews and lab tests across 6 source types — how we rank.
The consensus verdict
Best for
Aggressive all-court players who generate their own head speed and want maximum bite on the ball. You brush up on drives, you roll volleys, and you want a paddle tuned by a pro who plays exactly that way.
Not for
Players who want a quick paddle at the kitchen or a bargain. A 119 swing weight is a commitment, $249.99 is full freight, and the Gen 3 build carries some delamination risk.
Consensus 90/100 · Exceptional
Weighted from Pickleheads 4.5/5, The Kitchen lab scores (power 84, spin 92, swing weight 119), Matt's Pickleball 2,279 RPM camera-measured spin, bepickleballer's V2-vs-V1 hands-on review, and owner reviews. Spin is the consensus elite trait; swing weight is the consensus tax.
Specs
| Price | $249.99 (JustPaddles; used from $149.95) |
|---|---|
| Shape | Elongated 16.5" × 7.5" (also hybrid and widebody; 14mm and 16mm) |
| Thickness | 16mm (reviewed variant) |
| Face | CarbonBite carbon fiber, Axial Carbon Layup |
| Core | Tri-density honeycomb + EVA foam perimeter ring (Gen 3) |
| Weight | 7.9 oz average |
| Handle | 5.5" |
| Grip | 4.125" |
| Measured (third-party) | Swing weight 119, twist weight 6.4 (The Kitchen); spin 2,279 RPM camera-measured (Matt's Pickleball) |
| Approval | USAP approved |
Specs from RPM and retailer listings; measured figures from independent labs (unit-to-unit variance applies). One retailer listing calls the core full foam; hands-on reviewers are explicit that this is a Gen 3 honeycomb build with an EVA foam ring, not an all-foam Gen 4. This review centers on the 16mm elongated Ignatowich signature, the variant every lab tested.
What reviewers agree on
Strengths
- Elite spin, best in class right now. Pickleheads calls it the best spin of any paddle right now and scored the CarbonBite face 10/10 in play testing. Matt's camera rig measured 2,279 RPM. bepickleballer called it the best grit he has seen across roughly 100 paddles. Give it a fast, brushing swing and the V2 likes to party. (Hot Rod)
- More pop than V1 without losing the Gen 3 feel. Ignatowich's iPhone analogy holds up: the update went to power and spin. bepickleballer won games with the V2 that he lost with the V1 against the same opponents, and calls power the biggest upgrade.
- Bigger, more stable sweet spot. The EVA foam perimeter ring is the headline change from V1. Mishits hold up better, the effective hitting area is wider, and Rackets & Runners calls it the best Gen 3 they have ever played.
- Pro-tuned, not marketing-tuned. Ignatowich co-founded RPM and moved to China to work at the factory where the paddles are made. His own line on the V2: forgiving and controllable, but the top-end power and spin are elite.
Weaknesses & caveats
- The 119 swing weight is real. Heavier than 79% of paddles The Kitchen has tested. Flicks and speed-ups shine, but kitchen hand battles ask more of your wrist and reactions.
- Gen 3 delamination risk. Pickleheads is blunt: this is not an all-foam Gen 4, and honeycomb carries some risk of delamination over time. RPM's full-foam answer is the Q2 line.
- $249.99 is full price in a crowded field. It sits against CRBN and Paddletek money, and Pickleheads notes the value case depends on catching a discount code.
- Handle could be longer for two-handers. The one complaint in the owner reviews so far: the 5.5-inch handle is fine for one hand, tight for two.
Synthesized from lab and hands-on reviews (Pickleheads, The Kitchen, Matt's Pickleball, bepickleballer, Rackets & Runners, Pickleball Insiders) and owner reviews. How we rank →
Who it's for
Who it's for
- You generate your own head speed and want maximum ball bite
- You play an aggressive all-court game built on heavy topspin
- You liked Gen 3 feel and want the best version of it going right now
Who should skip it
- Kitchen-speed seekers. The swing weight works against fast hands
- Bargain hunters. The $200-plus tier has cheaper spin, just not this much of it
- Players who want zero delamination worry. Full-foam Gen 4 builds are the safer bet
Where to buy
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← Best paddles $200 & up · RPM Jade review · CRBN TruFoam Genesis 4 review · Grit & spin explained
Friction Pro V2 FAQs
Friction Pro V2 or the original V1?
The V2 wins on power and spin in the direct comparison published so far, with a wider sweet spot from the EVA foam ring. Same price. Unless you find a V1 on clearance, the V2 is the buy.
Is the Friction Pro V2 a full-foam paddle?
No. It is a Gen 3 honeycomb paddle with an EVA foam perimeter ring. RPM's full-foam line is the Q2.
Which Friction Pro V2 shape should I get?
The 16mm elongated is the Ignatowich signature and the most reviewed. Take the 14mm for extra pop at the net, the widebody for stability, or the hybrid to split baseline and kitchen.