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1 / 2Image: Volair

Volair Pro 1 Pickleball Paddle Review

See all Volair paddles

Volair's fiberglass hybrid: 16.35 x 7.5 in with a fiberglass face over a 16 mm honeycomb core and a 5.5 in handle.99 in eight colors.

$69.99Checked October 16, 2026. Prices change often; the checkout price is final.
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Edited by DanPublished How we research

Quick Verdict

An approved fiberglass hybrid in two thicknesses at a budget price.

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Key Specifications

Brand
Volair
Weight
8.1 oz average (14 mm: 7.8 oz)
Shape
Hybrid
Length
16.35 in
Width
7.5 in
Core thickness
16 mm (14 mm version also available)
Grip length
5.5 in
Grip circumference
4.3 in (14 mm: 4.25 in)
Core material
Polypropylene honeycomb
Surface material
Fiberglass
Balance
Swing weight 120; twist weight 6.09 (per Volair, 16 mm)
USA Pickleball status
Approved: the Pro 1 16 mm and 14 mm are on the USA Pickleball approved paddle list (checked 2026-10-02).

Pros and Cons

Pros

  • $69.99 in 14 mm or 16 mm and eight colors
  • Fiberglass face adds power on our scale
  • On the USA Pickleball approved list in both thicknesses
  • 5.5 in handle for two-handed backhands

Cons

  • Lowest twist weight (6.09) of the Volair paddles we review
  • High swing weight (120) for a beginner paddle
  • Too few buyer reviews on Volair's site to summarize
  • No thermoformed construction

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
Spin7.5
Sweet spot8.5

Scores by Player Type

Beginners8.2/10Best fit
Touch players8.1/10
Power hitters8.2/10Best fit
Spin players7.9/10

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 fiberglass face, hybrid shape and 8.1 oz weight add power, while the 16 mm core keeps it controlled. Volair lists the 16 mm as all-court and the 14 mm as a power paddle.

The specs behind the rating

Core thickness
16 mm (14 mm version also available)
Core type
Polypropylene honeycomb
Weight
8.1 oz average (14 mm: 7.8 oz)
Shape
Hybrid
Face
Fiberglass

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

8/10

Why it scores 8 for control

A 16 mm core and hybrid shape give it a control rating of 8; the fiberglass face loses a little control on our scale.

The specs behind the rating

Core thickness
16 mm (14 mm version also available)
Weight
8.1 oz average (14 mm: 7.8 oz)
Shape
Hybrid
Face
Fiberglass

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 fiberglass face and hybrid shape give it a spin rating of 7.5. Volair rates its spin as medium.

The specs behind the rating

Face and texture
Fiberglass
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

8.5/10

Why it scores 8.5 for sweet spot

A 7.5 in face, 16 mm core and 8.1 oz weight give it a sweet-spot rating of 8.5.

The specs behind the rating

Width
7.5 in
Core thickness
16 mm (14 mm version also available)
Weight
8.1 oz average (14 mm: 7.8 oz)
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 120; twist weight 6.09

Volair publishes a swing weight of 120 for the 16 mm (114 for the 14 mm), the joint highest of the Volair paddles we review.

Handle & comfort

Volair lists a 5.5 in handle: long enough for most players who hit two-handed backhands. The grip circumference is 4.3 in, thicker than most paddles, which favors larger hands; it can't easily be made slimmer. At about 7.95 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 6.09 for the 16 mm (5.82 for the 14 mm), the lowest of the Volair paddles we review.

Build quality

Manufacturer information

The Pro series uses a fiberglass face over a polypropylene honeycomb core, with a 5.5 in handle for two-handed backhands. It comes in 14 mm and 16 mm versions and eight colors. Volair's comparison chart lists no extra construction technology or accessories for the Pro series. 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 doesn't describe the feel beyond its comparison chart, which lists it as an all-court paddle in 16 mm. Volair's site has too few buyer reviews for this paddle to summarize (as of October 2026: two reviews), so we haven't used buyer feedback here.

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 Pro 1 tournament legal?

Approved: the Pro 1 16 mm and 14 mm are 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 Pro 1 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.

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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".
  • Hands-on testing: we haven't play-tested this paddle. Everything here comes from the sources listed and our analysis of them.
Volair Pro 1Research score 8.1/10 · Volair$69.99at Volair
$69.99at VolairBuy at Volair