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1 / 3Image: Volair

Volair CTRL 1 Forza Pickleball Paddle Review

See all Volair paddles

Volair's aramid-faced hybrid: 16.35 x 7.5 in with an aramid fiber face, a 16 mm honeycomb core and thermoformed construction.

$139.99Checked October 16, 2026. Prices change often; the checkout price is final.
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Edited by DanPublished Updated How we research

Quick Verdict

A forgiving aramid face with thermoformed construction and strong buyer ratings.

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Key Specifications

Brand
Volair
Weight
8.1 oz average
Shape
Hybrid
Length
16.35 in
Width
7.5 in
Core thickness
16 mm
Grip length
5.5 in
Grip circumference
4.15 in
Core material
Polypropylene honeycomb
Surface material
Aramid fiber
Balance
Swing weight 116; twist weight 6.35 (per Volair, 16 mm)
USA Pickleball status
Approved: the CTRL 1 Forza 16 mm is on the USA Pickleball approved paddle list (checked 2026-10-02).

Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Aramid fiber face, which Volair says is durable and impact resistant
  • Thermoformed build with a strong sweet spot (9.5) on our scale
  • 20+ buyer reviews averaging 4.8 out of 5
  • On the USA Pickleball approved list

Cons

  • Our scale gives aramid no face points, so it rates lower for control and spin
  • Costs more than the Mach 1 Forza
  • Two buyers say it lacks power
  • Only sold in 16 mm

Performance Review

Our 1–10 ratings, built from the maker’s published specs and scored the same way for every brand. How we score

Power8.5
Control8.5
Spin7.5
Sweet spot9.5

Scores by Player Type

Beginners8.8/10Best fit
Touch players8.6/10
Power hitters8.5/10
Spin players8.2/10

Calculated from our four ratings, weighted for each kind of player. How these are weighted

Power

8.5/10

Why it scores 8.5 for power

On our spec-based scale it rates 8.5 for power: the thermoformed unibody, hybrid shape and 8.1 oz weight add power, while the 16 mm honeycomb core keeps it controlled.

The specs behind the rating

Core thickness
16 mm
Core type
Polypropylene honeycomb
Weight
8.1 oz average
Shape
Hybrid
Face
Aramid fiber

How our power rating works

Every paddle starts at 7. Points are added or taken away for each feature it has, using the maker’s published specs. Ratings never go above 10 or below 1.

  • Core 13 mm or thinner+1.5
  • Core 14–15 mm+0.75
  • Core 17 mm or thicker−1
  • Weighs 8.3 oz or more+0.75
  • Weighs 7.9–8.2 oz+0.25
  • Weighs under 7.5 oz−0.5
  • Elongated shape+1
  • Hybrid shape+0.5
  • Fiberglass face+0.75
  • Hybrid (mixed) face+0.5
  • Foam core+1.5
  • Heat-sealed or one-piece build+0.75
See the full rating scale

Control

8.5/10

Why it scores 8.5 for control

A 16 mm core and hybrid shape give it a control rating of 8.5. Volair positions the CTRL as a control paddle, but our scale has no category for aramid, so the face earns no material points; that is the main reason it rates lower than the carbon Mach 1 Forza.

The specs behind the rating

Core thickness
16 mm
Weight
8.1 oz average
Shape
Hybrid
Face
Aramid fiber

How our control rating works

Every paddle starts at 7. Points are added or taken away for each feature it has, using the maker’s published specs. Ratings never go above 10 or below 1.

  • Core 17 mm or thicker+1.5
  • Core 16 mm+1
  • Core 14–15 mm+0.25
  • Core 13 mm or thinner−0.5
  • Weighs 7.5–8.2 oz+0.25
  • Standard shape+0.5
  • Hybrid shape+0.25
  • Carbon face+0.75
  • Hybrid (mixed) face+0.25
  • Fiberglass face−0.25
See the full rating scale

Spin

7.5/10

Why it scores 7.5 for spin

Its hybrid shape earns spin points, but the aramid face and unpublished surface texture earn none on our scale, giving a spin rating of 7.5. Volair's chart rates its spin as very high.

The specs behind the rating

Face and texture
Aramid fiber
Shape
Hybrid
Length
16.35 in

How our spin rating works

Every paddle starts at 7. Points are added or taken away for each feature it has, using the maker’s published specs. Ratings never go above 10 or below 1.

  • Carbon face+1
  • Hybrid (mixed) face+0.75
  • Fiberglass face+0.25
  • Long-lasting grippy texture (grit coating or peel-ply)+1.5
  • Basic texture+0.75
  • Elongated shape+0.75
  • Hybrid shape+0.5
See the full rating scale

Sweet Spot

9.5/10

Why it scores 9.5 for sweet spot

A 7.5 in face, 16 mm core and thermoformed build give it a sweet-spot rating of 9.5.

The specs behind the rating

Width
7.5 in
Core thickness
16 mm
Weight
8.1 oz average
Length
16.35 in

How our sweet spot rating works

Every paddle starts at 7. Points are added or taken away for each feature it has, using the maker’s published specs. Ratings never go above 10 or below 1.

  • 8.0 in wide or wider+2
  • 7.75–7.99 in wide+1.25
  • 7.5–7.74 in wide+0.5
  • Core 16 mm or thicker+1
  • Core 14–15 mm+0.5
  • Heat-sealed, one-piece or extra edge weight+0.75
  • Weighs 8.0 oz or more+0.25
See the full rating scale

In-Depth Review

Each section is our analysis of the manufacturer’s published specs unless it says otherwise.

Maneuverability

Manufacturer data

Weight8.1 oz average
BalanceSwing weight 116; twist weight 6.35

Volair publishes a swing weight of 116.

Handle & comfort

Volair lists a 5.5 in handle: long enough for most players who hit two-handed backhands. The grip circumference is 4.15 in, the most common size; players with larger hands often add an overgrip. At about 8.1 oz, it is in the mid-weight range most paddles fall into. Comfort is personal: grip size, handle length and weight are the published specs that affect it most.

Stability

Manufacturer data

Weight8.1 oz average
Width7.5 in

A published twist weight of 6.35, about the same as the Mach 1 Forza (6.41).

Build quality

Manufacturer information

The CTRL Forza paddles use an aramid fiber face, which Volair describes as flexible, forgiving and impact resistant, over a polypropylene honeycomb core. Volair's comparison chart lists the same thermoformed unibody construction as the Forza paddles. Bought from volair.com, it comes in a gift box with a paddle cover and three overgrips. Volair's warranty and returns pages describe a one-year warranty against manufacturing defects for the original purchaser from volair.com (it excludes normal wear, abuse and modifications), although Volair's FAQ still says 180 days, so confirm the term before you buy. Paddles bought on volair.com can be returned within 15 days of delivery if unused or lightly used; you pay return shipping plus a $20 processing fee per paddle.

Feel

Manufacturer description and buyer feedback

Volair describes the aramid face as flexible and forgiving, built for control and touch. As of October 2026, Volair's site shows 20+ buyer reviews averaging 4.8 out of 5. In those reviews, buyers most often mention its control, followed by spin and power. As of October 2026, only two reviews were below four stars: one buyer found it lacked the power and spin of the Mach 1 Forza, and another found it lacked power and twisted in the hand on off-center hits. These reports don't add up to a consistent pattern the specifications don't already show.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Volair paddle should I choose?

Volair's comparison chart groups its range into the fiberglass Pro 1 and Pro 2 and the carbon Mach 2 (its least expensive paddles), the thermoformed carbon Mach 1 Forza and Mach 2 Forza, and the aramid-faced CTRL 1 and CTRL 2 Forza. Its 14 mm full-foam SHIFT paddles and the CMD HYB are newer. Volair recommends the Mach 2 Forza 16 mm for most players.

What is the difference between Volair's 1 and 2 paddles?

Volair's 1 paddles (Pro 1, Mach 1 Forza, CTRL 1 Forza) use its hybrid shape, 16.35 x 7.5 in, while the 2 paddles (Pro 2, Mach 2, Mach 2 Forza, CTRL 2 Forza) use its patented widebody shape, 15.88 x 8.12 in, which trades reach for a wider face and a higher twist weight.

Is the Volair CTRL 1 Forza tournament legal?

Approved: the CTRL 1 Forza 16 mm is on the USA Pickleball approved paddle list (checked 2026-10-02).

Where to Buy

Ready to Play with More Power?

See today’s price and availability for the Volair CTRL 1 Forza at Volair. We link to Volair, the brand's own store, so you buy new and the manufacturer's warranty and return policy apply. It is on the USA Pickleball approved paddle list.

Buy at Volair

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Sources and How We Researched This Review

  • Specifications and product details: the manufacturer's published information, labelled "Manufacturer data" in the review.
  • Ratings: calculated from those specifications on our published rating scale, the same for every brand, and labelled "Our analysis".
  • Buyer feedback: 20+ buyer ratings on Volair.com, summarized in the Feel section and labelled "buyer feedback".
  • Hands-on testing: we haven't play-tested this paddle. Everything here comes from the sources listed and our analysis of them.
Volair CTRL 1 ForzaResearch score 8.5/10 · Volair$139.99at Volair
$139.99at VolairBuy at Volair