Niupipo Pickleball Paddle Review:Top Picks for Beginner Paddles
Whenever I hit the pickleball court, I often see players using Niupipo pickleball paddles. These paddles are very versatile and offer a great mix of power, control and spin at an affordable price.
A lot of people were curious about my thoughts on low-cost paddles, so I decided to buy a few and give them a try. Today we’ll take a closer look at the Niupipo Pickleball paddle. Niupipo paddles have gained immense popularity, but are they as good as people say they are?
In this review, I’ll give you all the important information you need to know before buying a Niupipo pickleball paddle.
Quick Recommendations
Check out this quick list of our favorite best niupipo pickleball paddle, or continue scrolling to see our full list with in-depth reviews.
Best Overall: Niupipo Explorer Pro
Best For Power: Niupipo Voyager Pro
Best Budget: Niupipo MX 01 Graphite Pickleball Paddle
Niupipo Pickleball Paddles – Overview
Niupipo MX 01 Graphite Pickleball Paddle
Specs:
- Face Material: Graphite Carbon Face
- Core Structure: Polymer Honeycomb Core
- Paddle Length: 15.55″
- Paddle Width: 7.80″
- Paddle Face Thickness: 0.42″
- Paddle Edge Thickness: 0.55″
- Handle Length: 4.80″
- Handle Diameter: 1.42″
- Grip Circumference: 4.65″
- Paddle Weight: 7.60-8.00 oz
Price:$48.99 from niupipo
Score:
Power: 4/5
Control: 3.5/5
Spin: 3/5
PROS:
-Best price for beginners.
-The grip is firm and the paddles are well balanced.
CONS:
-The Spin is not too much.
Control point:
In this review, control is where the Niupipo pickleball paddles really shine. The graphite surface has a soft feel and the ball contact with the paddle surface is exceptional.
The sweet spot is remarkably large and forgiving, allowing for plenty of wiggle room on errant shots, making it pleasantly surprising in terms of forgiveness.
For shots like drops, resets and dinks, this paddle performs flawlessly. Its consistency instills confidence in your game.
A minor drawback is the edge guard, which extends a bit too far over the face for my liking, resulting in a slightly dead feel when hitting the ball too high on the face.
However, it’s important to note that most paddles would produce similar results on missed shots.
The standard shape and 16mm core width contribute to its remarkable stability in close quarters at the net. Weighing in at 8oz, it offers a feeling of complete control over the paddle face.
Power point:
The core of the paddle is closer to a Nomex core than a thick polymer core. This makes it feel a little firmer, which gives you more power but a little less control. I was generally impressed with how it played and felt a good amount of pop when hitting the ball.
I think it performs particularly well when hitting powerful shots from the back of the court where you have more space to work with.
However, while it delivers power, its placement isn’t always as consistent as I’d like. Still, when it comes to power for your money, this paddle is one of the best options available today.
Spin point:
Getting a lot of spin with the Niupipo MX was a bit of a challenge. However, considering this is more of a beginner’s paddle, you shouldn’t be too worried about spin.
I was able to add some topspin to my serves and overheads and some backspin to my dinks and drops, but it wasn’t quite the spin you’d get with a high-end paddle.
BOTTOM LINE:
I had a really good time playing with this paddle, and I think it’s a solid choice for beginners, especially considering its fantastic price.
It offers impressive power, but as expected for a less expensive paddle, it may not offer the same level of control and finesse. The paddle has an average weight of about 8.2 ounces, which falls in the medium to heavy range, so keep that in mind when choosing your paddle.
I’ll definitely recommend this paddle to my friends who are new to pickleball, and I’ll keep it with me when I hit the courts, just in case I need a spare paddle or want to introduce someone to this wonderful game.
If you’re looking for a more mid-range paddle, I recommend checking out the Bantam EX-L and the HEAD Extreme Tour Lite. These paddles take the excellent aspects of the Niupipo and refine them even further.
Niupipo Explorer Pro Graphite Pickleball Paddle
Specs:
- Face Material: Graphite Face
- Core Structure: Polymer Honeycomb Core
- Paddle Length: 15.94″
- Paddle Width: 7.91″
- Paddle Face Thickness: 0.54″
- Paddle Edge Thickness: 0.65″
- Handle Length: 4.96″
- Handle Diameter: 1.35″
- Grip Circumference: 4.45″
- Paddle Weight: 8.00-8.20 oz
Price: $96.99 from niupipo
$79.99 from amazon
Score:
Power: 4/5
Control: 4/5
Spin: 4/5
PROS:
-Good for beginner and intermediate play.
CONS:
-Usually play 3-4 times a week, about 18 months on the surface has a very obvious dead point.
Spin point:
The Explorer Pro offers a little more face texture than the Niupipo MX, which makes it a little easier to generate spin once you’ve mastered the technique.
I found myself more confident on all spin shots when using the Explorer Pro with the graphite face. It was much lighter and more maneuverable than the fiberglass face.
While the fiberglass face was fine for topspin shots, it felt heavy and less maneuverable for drops and dinks around the net. If you’re a touchy player who likes to add movement to the ball, I’d recommend the Explorer Pro with the graphite face.
Control point:
The graphite face provides a slightly softer feel and improved control. However, for players looking for precise shot placement, touch and finesse, there are better options on the market.
To sum up, the Explorer Pro offers moderate control, but it’s primarily favored for its power and pop, making it a good fit for those who prefer hard-hitting shots over finesse.
Power point:
The Niupipo Explorer Pro Pickleball Paddle is known for its power, especially when compared to the standard Explorer model.
The Pro version has a graphite face which generally provides more pop and power on shots. This extra power can be advantageous for players who prefer a hard hitting paddle and want their paddle to help drive the ball with speed.
However, it’s important to note that while the Explorer Pro excels in power, it may not provide the same level of control as some other racquets, especially on delicate shots like drops and dinks.
Players who value control and placement over raw power may need to adjust their playing style to take full advantage of this paddle’s capabilities.
BOTTOM LINE:
The Explorer and Explorer Pro Series paddles are designed for players looking for more spin and power than the MX Series.
The Explorer Pro offers a slightly softer feel and more control than the Niupipo Explorer. This softer feel is important because the regular fiberglass Explorer was too hard and less forgiving in some situations.
Although the graphite surface of the Pro model improves control, it may not be enough for some players.
Beginners often prefer harder paddles because they rely on driving the ball and want the paddle to help generate power.
More experienced players, on the other hand, prioritize control and placement, waiting for the right moment to use speed. The Explorer Pro’s stiffness makes it more suitable for beginners and intermediate players who prefer a hard hitting paddle.
The handle on this paddle is a bit shorter than some others, which may not be ideal for those who use a two-handed backhand, but should work well for most players.
Overall, the selling point of this paddle is its price. If you’re looking for a decent paddle for under $80(on Amazon), this is a solid option.
However, if the price exceeds $80, or if you’re a more advanced player, you may want to explore some American-brand paddles. For players at the 4.0 level and above, investing a little more in a performance paddle is often justified.
Niupipo Voyager Pro Pickleball Paddle
Specs:
- Face Material: Graphite Face
- Core Structure: Polymer Honeycomb Core
- Paddle Length: 16.46″
- Paddle Width: 7.48″
- Paddle Face Thickness: 0.53″
- Paddle Edge Thickness: 0.65″
- Handle Length: 4.57″
- Handle Diameter: 1.42″
- Grip Circumference: 4.96″
- Paddle Weight: 7.80-8.20 oz
Price:$79.99 from amazon
Score:
Spin 3.5/5
Power 5/5
Control 3/5
PROS:
-It’s like an elongated version of the Explorer Pro for people who like long paddles.
CONS:
-This paddle is not the best choice for those who rely on a two handed backhand.
Spin point:
The niupipo Voyager pro makes it easy to add spin to the ball. Thanks to its graphite face, elongated shape and lighter weight, it’s great for topspin and slice shots.
Power point:
This paddle also packs a punch when it comes to speed. Its elongated shape and compressed poly core provide excellent pop, while the soft graphite face offers control for precise placement.
Control point:
Surprisingly, the Voyager offers good control for dinks and drops without sacrificing power.
However, it can feel a bit unstable in hand contact due to its lightweight, elongated design. To improve stability, I added some lead tape to the sides without sacrificing power or spin.
BOTTOM LINE:
It took me a while to get used to the longer, narrower shape of the Voyager Pro paddle, but I soon got the hang of it. In fact, it became one of my favorites.
The extra length helped me reach balls near the sidelines and in the kitchen area, while the textured graphite face allowed for good topspin, sidespin and backspin shots.
The 13.5mm PPH (polypropylene honeycomb) core provided a comfortable feel that offered decent control for dinks, drops and resets without sacrificing power on my groundstrokes, backhand flicks and put-aways. The only area where I had some consistency issues was on my serves.
Is a Niupipo Pickleball Paddle Right for You?
If you’re unsure about getting a Niupipo Pickleball paddle, rest assured that it’s a great value. These paddles are great for tournaments and beginners alike.
They feature an ergonomic grip for a comfortable yet powerful feel. They also come with protective neoprene covers.
Niupipo is known for well-made pickleball products, and they offer several fun designs. All in all, it’s hard to beat the value these paddles offer.
Conclusion
Niupipo pickleball paddles are an excellent choice for beginners and intermediate players. Their line of paddles offers a great balance of spin, control and power.
If you are looking for more power, options like the Voyager or Explorer pro are available. For those looking for control, stability and a softer feel, the MX or Explorer Pro are better choices.
Niupipo’s reasonable prices and exceptional customer service explain why they receive outstanding reviews and are a common sight on pickleball courts.
As far as I know, Niupipo pickleball paddles are made in China.
Niupipo, a prominent name in the pickleball industry, was founded in 2012 with a core focus on merging PERFORMANCE & DESIGN in its paddle offerings. We partnered with hofan Group to accelerate the Niupipo brand incubation.
From the beginning, we have worked extensively with professional athletes to create paddles that are tailored to enhance their performance.
Our commitment extends to the use of cutting-edge technology and superior materials to create paddles that are not only stable, but also offer precise control.
Today, Niupipo’s pickleball paddles and balls are in high demand, making them a preferred choice for enthusiasts worldwide. Our commitment to innovation and quality continues to set us apart in the marketplace.
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