Pickl'd Review: Pickleball Apes Neo Line One 16mm Pickleball Paddle
“Best value paddle, nothing compares. Great for beginners and intermediate players on a budget”
Pros:
Large sweetspot
Amazing pocketing and feel
Great spin
Balanced weight
Affordable
Cons:
Handle shape - can be improved with overgrip
Full Review
Our most recommended paddle for anyone on a budget.
We must say, their in-house raw carbon fiber face produces almost as much spin as Toray T700 faced paddles. We observed the grit not being as fine textured but definitely at a class unseen in this price range.
Touch and control is where this paddle shines. Intermediate players will love the consistency that comes from being able control your shots and hit your targets. This paddle provides a level of feel that many paddles double and even triple its price struggle to achieve.
The soft core, large sweetspot, and balanced weight provide great pocketing and is beneficial for alot of beginners as it is very forgiving and easy to use.
One minor complaint we have is the handle shape. It feels rectangle-ish and makes it a bit challenging to fine tune your grip. This can be improved by using an overgrip but there have been situations in-game that we still wish the handle was a bit more “octagonal”.
Bottom line is, if you are on a budget but are looking to improve your consistency, control, and touch, with a paddle that has up-to-date features and will not hinder your potential, this is it! There is nothing better at this price.