Breaking Down the Carbon Pickle Max

Hey guys, it’s Kip. I’ve got a brand-new paddle to review: the new Carbon Pickle Max. Carbon Pickle has been around for a little while, and their original paddle, the Carbon Pickle Pro, is a more standard shape—16 by 8 inches—and a bit thicker. I believe it was 18mm, but I’m not entirely sure on that. You see it a lot in open play and tournaments. It’s a really good paddle, and a lot of people play with it.

Overview of the Carbon Pickle Max

Carbon Pickle has now come out with the Max, which is a little different. It’s a 14mm polycore with T700 carbon fiber, Gen 2 Thermoformed. The paddle has a more elongated shape, with a 16.52% increase in the neck width, which should move the sweet spot up. My guess is that this paddle is going to have a lot of power. It certainly looks like it, and it feels like it too. I haven’t hit a ball with it yet, but I’m really excited to try it out (See testing below).

This paddle weighs 8.1 ounces, so it should feel nice and balanced. It’s not head-heavy at all, which can sometimes happen when the weight is distributed down toward the handle. The Max feels evenly balanced and moves quickly through the air.

WIN THE PADDLE OF YOUR DREAMS!

Sign up now for a chance to win any paddle of your choice currently in stock at JustPaddles. Plus, receive expert tips from pro players and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.

Initial Playtest

Wow, this thing is not bad at all. The effort it took was minimal, and the paddle had a great balance of power and accuracy. I’m really liking it so far. It’s got a little extra pop, and the shots feel good.

It’s got a little extra pop, and you’ll need to control that. But overall, it’s a great paddle. Even when I miss the sweet spot, it still performs pretty well. The ball gets there with plenty of power, and you don’t have to overswing.

Accuracy and Spin

One thing that stands out is how accurate this paddle is. You don’t have to put too much effort into it; the ball really gets where it needs to be. I did a few tests to see how well it spins, and to my surprise, it didn’t generate as much spin as I thought it would. The first shot had a decent amount of spin, but the rest were a bit lackluster.

The paddle still performs well in other areas, though. It’s very accurate and has a great balance of power, but if you’re someone who relies on heavy spin for your game, you might want to look elsewhere.

Accuracy test (Picture Kip Lacey)

Final Thoughts

After a few weeks of getting to know the Carbon Pickle Max. I didn’t know what to expect with this paddle at all. Usually, I have some idea before I step onto the court, but this time I was in for a few surprises.

Power

The biggest standout is the power. The average service speed with this paddle was 50.2 mph at 8.2 ounces. If you add a little more weight, it’s going to increase that speed even more. The power is controllable, though; it’s not chaotic. You won’t have to worry about wild shots. The ball is accurate, consistent, and has a nice, easy depth to it. Even during dinking or fast hands battles, the ball pops right off the paddle, giving you that extra push back at your opponent.

Sweet Spot and Balance

The sweet spot is relatively small, especially for an elongated paddle. It’s not terrible, but you do have to hit it. When you find the sweet spot, though, you’ll get accuracy, consistency, and excellent feedback. Despite being a 14mm paddle, it feels soft and smooth, with a nice dwell time. It’s also quick to maneuver at the net, making it easy to transition from defense to offense.

The paddle weighs 8.2 ounces, and the weight is evenly balanced, so it’s not head-heavy. It gets through the air fast, which is great for fast hands battles.

Spin

Now, the one thing that really surprised me was the lack of spin. Despite the soft feel and decent dwell time, there’s not a lot of spin generated with this paddle. If you’re a spin enthusiast who relies on heavy topspin or slicing, you might want to look elsewhere. There is some spin, but not as much as I expected.

Wrapping Up

In conclusion, the Carbon Pickle Max is a great paddle for those who are looking for power and control. It has a small sweet spot, but when you hit it, it’s very rewarding. The paddle is quick, accurate, and performs well in fast exchanges.

While it may not excel in spin, I think we’ll start seeing more of these paddles on the courts soon. The Carbon Pickle Pro has already gained popularity, and I have a feeling the Max will follow suit. Plus, the paddle looks fantastic—it’s bright white, and you can spot it from across the court.

Leave me a comment if you’ve tried any Carbon Pickle paddles before. I’ll see you next time!