Best Pickleball Guide

With so many pickleball paddle brands in the market it’s hard to find a best pickleball paddle for beginner which also fit a specific budget. You might not have heard of Neonic before, and truth be told, neither had I. With numerous paddle brands vying for attention, it’s easy to overlook newcomers.

However, Neonic piqued my interest with a unique blend of characteristics that set it apart from the rest. At just $100, this paddle caught my attention with its attractive price point, making it perfect choice for players looking for an affordable yet high-quality option.

Before we dive into the details, it’s essential to highlight what makes the Neonic stand out from other new paddle companies. Neonic is a Southern Californian paddle company and Neonic Force 16mm Pickleball Paddle is their first model. With features like foam injected edge walls all the way into the handle, raw carbon fiber face, a thermoformed paddle with unibody construction, a 5.3-inch handle perfect for 2 handed back hands and elongated shape, it meets the specifications that players commonly seek.

What sets it apart is the low swing weight and high twist weight combination, which makes it remarkably maneuverable while maintaining stability and forgiveness. Such a balance in an elongated-shaped paddle is a rarity. You can easily customize it with a lead tape to serve best for you.

Now, let’s dive in the comprehensive Neonic Force 16mm Paddle review and see how it lives up to its promises in this in-depth review.

Technical Specifications of Neonic Force 16mm Paddle

• Paddle Shape: Elongated
• Paddle Type: All Court
• Paddle Length: 16.5”
• Paddle Width: 7.5”
• Paddle Face: Toray T700 Carbon Fiber
• Grip Length: 5.3”
• Grip Circumference: 4.25”
• Core Thickness: 16 mm
• Avg Weight: 8.1oz
• Swing Weight: 116
• Twist weight: 6.35
• USAPA Approved
• Thermoformed paddle with unibody construction
• Foam injected edge walls

Neonic Force 16mm Paddle Review

The Neonic Force 16mm cost less than other thermoformed paddle available in the market but when you play with it, it plays and feels like a quality paddle. It falls into the all court category with a nice balance power and control. It’s not that powerful as compare to other thermoformed paddle which is obvious due to its low swing weight, but it’s doesn’t matter much if you can produce your own power.

The Neonic force 16mm is really soft and maneuverable in an elongated shape as compare to other thermoformed paddle.

Performance Rating of the Neonic Force 16mm Paddle

Let’s jump in to the court and talk about the performance of this paddle.

Net Play

At the net, the Neonic Force 16mm Paddle truly shines. Its combination of maneuverability and popping power on short swings, such as counter punches and roll volleys, instills a sense of confidence in hand battles. This paddle allows you to take control of the net, providing a distinct advantage in close-quarter exchanges. It wasn’t as powerful from the baseline on drives and serves as a result the paddle is too forgiving and has a very large sweet spot.

When you compare it with other light weight thermoformed paddles like Joola Perseus and the Ronbus R1 Nova which are expensive, it feels more stable than them but not as forgiving as some other elongated thermoformed paddles who have higher swing weight like the CRBN 1X. However, where it may lack in power, it compensates with a high level of control and spin. This makes it an excellent choice for players who prioritize accuracy and placement over sheer force.

Control

While some players may need time to adjust to its stiffer feel which is normal for thermoformed paddle, especially if transitioning from a softer paddle, the Neonic Force 16mm Paddle excels in control. The ball doesn’t come off the paddle with excessive heat from the baseline, allowing for precise shots, resets, and blocks. This level of control ensures that you can execute your shots with confidence and accuracy.

Although it gives you more power than other control paddles it isnt over power that create any issue. But I would say it isn’t a great control paddle like Selkirk Luxx Control paddle or Six Zero Double Black Diamond 16mm and Ronbus R1 Nova.

Spin

Spin enthusiasts will appreciate the Neonic Force 16mm Paddle’s performance in this regard. With an average spin rate of around 1,760 RPMs, it falls into the high spin category. While it may not reach the very highest tier of spin potential, it’s still not that bad spin rating and it didn’t hold you back from being aggressive with the drives and attacks. It offers enough spin to add an extra layer of versatility to your gameplay.

Durability

Durability has been quite an issue in the past with thermoformed paddle like grit wearing down or delamination issues. After playing the whole month with the Neonic Force 16mm paddle I didn’t have any issues with paddle’s durability. And the best thing is Neonic comes with the 30 days warranty and you can get your money back.

Final thoughts on the Neonic Force 16mm Paddle Review

So if you are looking for more reach and an extra touch of power without having a heavy paddle the Neonic Force 16mm is great option. The paddle is great price point with some great features that set it apart and without hesitation it is one of the best pickleball paddle under $100 after Vatic Pro Prism V7 16mm and it competes easily with the higher price paddles. So if you are on a budget the Neonic Force is a great paddle for you. However, Neonic is a new company and currently they just offer the 16mm version so if you prefer a thin core or a different handle length and wider shape then you are out of luck. I hope they will offer more paddles with different shapes and cores in the future but for now this is the only option you have.