Short Thoughts: Gearbox Pro Ultimate Review

Hey guys, it’s Kip, I’m very excited about this paddle—the new Gearbox Pro Ultimate. I’ve reviewed the Gearbox Pro Power and the Pro Control in the past. Both paddles had great qualities, especially the Pro Power, which had tremendous potential. However, the Pro Power was a bit chaotic, and I always felt that if they could just tame that chaos a bit, it would be an excellent paddle. Well, Gearbox seems to have addressed that with the Pro Ultimate. View the Pro Ultimate at JustPaddles.

Paddle Specifications and Key Features

This paddle is 16mm thick, which should help control that chaos. Everything else is similar to the Pro Power—it still has the Power Matrix core, T700 carbon fiber, and SST (Solid Span Technology) for extra pop. The key difference is the increased thickness, which should make it more controllable. The face is still the T700 carbon fiber, known for providing good dwell time and exceptional spin. This was essential with the Pro Power, where you needed to use topspin to keep the ball from flying out.

They’ve also introduced what they now call Smart Dampen Technology, previously known as the power ring. It allows the face to still have some trampoline effect while also increasing dwell time. I’m really excited to get out on the court and test this. The dimensions are 16 1/12 inches long and 7 3/8 inches wide, making it an elongated paddle. It has a 5 1/2 inch long handle with a small 4-inch circumference grip. For me, the handle needs to be built up a bit, so I’ve already added an overgrip and plan to add more. The paddle weighs in at 8 ounces and is surprisingly well-balanced, not head-heavy at all.

Gearbox’s Promising Direction

I’m really impressed with the direction Gearbox is going in with this Pro Ultimate. It could be the answer for players who liked the Pro Power but found it a bit too wild.

Testing on the Court: Performance Breakdown

After spending the last couple of weeks getting to know the Gearbox Pro Ultimate, I can confidently say that it’s essentially a thicker Pro Power. Gearbox seems to have designed it to add control and accuracy while reducing the chaos of the Pro Power. The added thickness didn’t result in much extra weight, which is usually a concern when increasing the size of a paddle. It’s slightly head-heavy, but nothing too extreme, and it still moves through the zone quickly.

Power: Effortless Depth and Speed

In terms of power, this paddle delivers. My average serve speed ranges from 48 to 50 mph, but this paddle clocked in at 51.2 mph without me even trying hard. The ball just trampolines off the face, making it easy to generate depth and pace. Compared to the Pro Power, this paddle allows for a bit more swing, although it’s still not a high-effort paddle. The ball springs off easily, offering effortless depth and consistency.

Accuracy and Control: Improved Over the Pro Power

Accuracy and control are where the Pro Ultimate really stands out compared to the Pro Power. While you might still get some flyers, they’re much less frequent. The spin is phenomenal, better than I expected. You can really roll the ball with heavy topspin, which helps in controlling power. The paddle also excels in slice shots, although you need to watch your full swing to avoid sending the ball long.

Accuracy test

Feedback and Feel: Smooth and Responsive

The feedback and feel are very similar to the other Pro models—sweet across the face with a medium-sized sweet spot. It’s not too small, but you don’t want to stray too far from it, as performance drops off outside the sweet spot. The sound is nice and plush, making it feel smooth and responsive. Defensively, this paddle is fantastic. When you block a ball, it springs back with good control, making it great for resets and quick net exchanges.

Drawbacks: Consistency and Price

There are a few drawbacks. Consistency can be an issue as there are still some flyers, although it’s better than the Pro Power. The price is another consideration—it’s listed at $274.99, which is on the higher side. However, considering the technology Gearbox has packed into this paddle, it’s understandable.

Getting Used to the Paddle: Time and Patience Required

One important thing to note is that this paddle, like all Gearbox paddles, takes some time to get used to. It’s not a paddle you can just pick up and instantly feel comfortable with. It’s like breaking in a new pair of shoes—you need to spend time with it to really understand its strengths and weaknesses. From the non-volley zone, it’s excellent for fast hands battles, dinking, and speed-ups. Where it struggles is with pure drives. You’ll need to put in work to control those, especially if you’re used to swinging hard. Shortening your swing and focusing more on topspin will make a big difference.

To Wrap Things Up

Overall, if I were to recommend one paddle out of the Pro Control, Pro Power, and Pro Ultimate, it would be this Pro Ultimate. It offers more versatility and game variety while retaining the power. I really like this paddle, but again, it requires some patience to master.

If you’ve tried this paddle or any of the other Gearbox models, I’d love to hear your thoughts.