There are many paddle manufacturers to choose from out there now that Pickleball has arrived on the scene. One of the main players in the space is GAMMA Sports.
GAMMA Sports was founded in 1974 by Dr. Harry Ferrari and is known for producing high-quality sports equipment, including pickleball paddles. Typically you won’t go wrong with a paddle from GAMMA, but we put together this guide to highlight what the best paddles they produce are depending on what criteria your buying criteria.
Best Gamma Pickleball Paddles at a Glance
Paddle Name | Category |
---|---|
GAMMA Sports NeuCore 505 Pro Pickleball Paddle | Best Overall |
Gamma Sports 2.0 Pickleball Paddle | Best under $100 |
Gamma Sports Fusion Series | Most Affordable |
Gamma Obsidian | Best for Spin |
GAMMA Sports NeuCore Hell Bender | Most Powerful |
Gamma Compass Pickleball Paddle | Best elongated |
GAMMA NeuCore 505 Pro | Best for Tennis Elbow |
What type of paddles does Gamma sports make?
Gamma is a high quality pickleball paddle manufacturer who develops several techologies to ensure qaulity play when you take their paddles onto the court. The paddles are made with a mixture of materials and vary in weight depending on the model.
Core material – Gamma’s paddles consist of either a polycore or a honeycomb core.
Surface material – For the surface material of the paddle, you can choose from fiberglass, textured composite, textured graphite or a graphite face.
Weight – the paddles come in 3 weights – lightweight, middleweight and heavyweight. So depending on your size, arm/joint health, and preference for paddles you will be able to find whatever weight suits you best.
Best Overall – GAMMA Sports NeuCore 505 Pro Pickleball Paddle
The 505 Pro is an absolute powerhouse on the court and is the best Gamma Paddle available if you can afford it. It combines comfort, power, and control. A USAPA-approved for tournament play, the graphite paddle boasts a high quality honeycomb grip that ensures a sweat-absorbing, high-traction surface, giving you maximum control over your shots.
Crafted with a NeuCore polypropylene core, it offers ultimate responsiveness, catering to both beginners and seasoned players. It also has an extremely lightweight given the power and control it delivers at 7.6 oz. Designed for two-handed backhand drives and equipped with a textured graphite face, this paddle is fast, powerful, and provides exceptional touch during play, giving you the edge to outshine the competition.
As for the risks in buying this paddle, there were some reported quality control issues. However Gamma should be able to replace any paddle that comes defective. The price point can also be unattainable for some folks, so if this is you we recommend one of the other Gamma paddles on this list that are more affordable.
Best under $100 – Gamma Sports 2.0 Pickleball Paddle
The GAMMA Sports 2.0 Graphite Pickleball Paddle is a highly rated paddle that is much more affordable at an under $100 price point. It features a textured fiberglass face and an aramid honeycomb core, providing a blend of power and control for players at an advanced skill level. The paddle has a 4-inch grip size, making it suitable for most players.
It meets official USAPA specifications for tournament play. Customers appreciate the paddle’s quality, good spin, and reasonable price, making it an excellent choice for beginners or intermediate players. Some users find the sweet spot a bit small, but overall, it’s a well-built and reliable paddle.
Most affordable – Gamma Sports Fusion Series
The Gamma Fusion LE paddle is an 8 oz beginner-level pickleball paddle with a textured fiberglass hitting surface, offering greater feel, power, and control. It features a polypropylene honeycomb core that enhances control and balances power from the fiberglass surface, suitable for both beginners and experienced players. The paddle has a 4″ hi-tech cushion grip for improved paddle control. It meets official USAPA specifications.
Obviously, as one of the more inexpensive paddles that Gamma has to offer, you’ll get what you pay for. Reviews state that features such as vibration are not the best, the sweet spot is not huge and the grip comes apart after much use. But overall, it is a solid entry-level option for those learning the game.
Best for Spin – Gamma Obsidian
As one of the most impressive pickleball paddles Gamma creates, the Obsidian will have your opponents falling left and right with its pechant for creating massive spin on shots. Featuring a generous sweet spot, a raw carbon surface that creates massive spin, and the signature Gamma honeycomb grip, you’ll have complete control in your game with this paddle.
The obsidian recieved very few negative reviews, but the one criticism that came up repeatedly was that carbon faces tend to wear over time, so this paddle might have to be replaced after a few years. However, this is one of the best paddles on the market and well worth the investment.
Most Powerful – GAMMA Sports NeuCore Hell Bender
This middle-weight paddle, weighing approximately 7.6 ounces, offers high-level performance with a generous sweet spot on its oversized face. It features our signature honeycomb cushion grip, providing confidence in your shots in the form of power The Hellbender is equipped with NeuCore Technology, featuring a 25% thicker large-cell core for a quieter and more responsive feel during play. The textured graphite hitting surface enhances responsiveness, also giving you greater control over your shots.
Approved by the USAPA for sanctioned tournament play, this paddle is ready for both friendly matches and professional games. Some players find the sweet spot to be marginally larger than the LH Compass model, offering improved performance. Overall, the reviews of this paddle commonly refer to the Hellbender’s “pop” and slightly bigger sweet spot, along with the comfortable ergonomic handle. While some find it pricey, most love everything about this paddle, especially the power it delivers so if you are a power player, this is the Gamma paddle for you.
Best Elongated Paddle – Gamma Compass Pickleball Paddle
The GAMMA Sports NeuCore Compass Pickleball Paddle is a high-performance paddle designed for advanced players. It features an elongated face for an enhanced sweet spot and weighs approximately 7.75 ounces, providing a perfect balance between power and control. The signature honeycomb cushion grip offers comfortable handling and helps you maintain confidence in your shots.
Equipped with NeuCore Technology, the paddle’s 25% thicker large-cell core enhances predictability and responsiveness during play, while the textured graphite hitting surface provides better control. This USAPA-approved paddle is ideal for both friendly games and professional tournaments.
With positive customer reviews praising its extra length, improved gameplay, and spin on the ball, the Compass paddle is a popular choice among players. While some find the grip size to be small, many appreciate the difference it makes in their game and consider it well worth the investment. So, if you’re looking for a reliable and high-quality pickleball paddle, the GAMMA Sports NeuCore Compass is a great option to consider.
Best for Tennis Elbow – GAMMA NeuCore 505 Pro
The 505 Pro is not only the best paddle, but it’s that paddle with the best weight, and weight distribution for tennis elbow. At 7.6 ounces, this paddle will eat any vibrations that will cause your elbow joint muscles any further harm. It’s definitely an expensive paddle, but well worth the investment if you suffer from tennis elbow, want to ensure your joint health and avoid pain while playing.