Franklin Sports is one of the best-known sporting goods brands in America. Founding in 1945, Franklin supply official goods for the MLB, NFL, MLS, NHL, and other leading professional sports organizations – so it was no surprise when they stepped into the pickleball game. Franklin now supplies Frankling pickleball paddles and other pickleball equipment and merchandise that rivals all other established brands in the market. In fact, Franklin sponsor and supply the best Franklin pickleball paddles to top pickleball pro’s like 2019 Triple Crown Champion Ben Johns.
Here at PickyPickleball.com, we compare all of the best pickleball paddles on the market. That’s why we’ve taken a deeper look into the Franklin Sports pickleball range, showing you the best paddles currently available across the Franklin range.
What’s more, out detailed Franklin buying guide runs through the tech that is packed into the best Franklin pickleball paddles, as well as showing you the top pro’s that use Franklin paddles to win championships.
Top 5 Franklin Pickleball Paddles
Check out our list of the best Franklin pickleball paddles. We constantly update and evolve our top lists to include the latest and best paddles and equipment. Make sure you check back whenever you’re shopping for your next Franklin pickleball paddle.
1. Franklin Ben Johns Signature Pickleball Paddle
The top paddle in our best Franklin paddles list (and Franklin’s best selling paddle ever) is the Ben Johns Signature Pickleball Paddle. Built for 2019 Triple Crown Champion, Ben Johns the Franklin Signature Paddle leaves nothing on the table.
The Franklin Ben Johns Signature Pickleball Paddle is a brilliantly balanced pickleball paddle. The Signature paddle measures 16.5″ in length, and measures 7.5″ across the paddle face. This gives the Signature paddle great reach and plenty of space on the paddle surface to connect great shots. The paddle face itself includes Franklin’s Max Grit Fiberglass surface layer technology, which is designed to provide a gritty surface that can influence the pickleball with spin and swerve. The paddle’s core is made from polypropylene which like other leading paddles helps to provide power and control on-court. The polypropylene helps to absorb shock in the paddle, while also transferring energy into the pickleball when you hit hard.
If you’re looking for an elite middleweight paddle (weight range of 7.5 – 8 ounces) that is suitable for elite-level play, then the Franklin Signature Ben Johns Signature Pickleball Paddle is for you. Also suitable for those looking to up their level.
Standout Features
- Features Franklin’s Max Grit Fiberglass Surface Layer Technology – easily spin and swerve the pickleball
- Polypropylene core helps to provide power and control
- 16.” paddle length gives exceptional reach on-court and helps to create leverage when hitting hard
2. Franklin Christine McGrath Signature Pickleball Paddle
Second (or joint-first) on our best Franklin pickleball paddles list is the Christine McGrath Signature pickleball paddle. Containing identical tech to the Ben Johns signature paddle, this is a great paddle for someone who wants a middleweight paddle packed into a smaller frame.
The only difference between the Ben Johns Signature and the Franklin Christine McGrath Signature Pickleball Paddle is the dimensions and weight of the paddle. Like the Ben Johns paddle, you will get a paddle that contains a polypropylene core, with a Fiberglass MaxGrit paddle face. However, the Christine McGrath Signature measures 15.9″ in length and has a wider 8″ paddle face. This created a wider hitting surface with a shorter paddle length. More suitable for those who like to play strategically at the net, and need a paddle surface that can control fierce opponent-play.
With an average weight of 7.6 – 8.1 ounces, the Christine McGrath Signature isn’t any lighter than the Ben Johns paddle, so you will not get any less power from the paddle.
Depending on whether you like a longer, leaner paddle, or a shorter, wider paddle pick between both Signature versions. Either way, you won’t be disappointed.
Standout Features
- Features Franklin’s Max Grit Fiberglass Surface Layer Technology – easily spin and swerve the pickleball
- Polypropylene core helps to provide power and control
- 8″ wide paddle face, excellent hitting surface, and sweet-spot zone
3. Franklin X-Charge Pickleball Paddle
Next on our best Franklin pickleball paddles list is the Franklin X-Charge Pickleball Paddle. The X-Charge is an elite level paddle with a huge sweet-spot and power in abundance. Not outshone by the Franklin Signature paddles, the X-Charge is another great paddle in the Franklin range that is worth your attention.
The Franklin X-Charge Pickleball Paddle is a stand-out paddle in the Franklin range thanks to its state of the art Polymethacrylimide core. Also used in the development of aircraft, the Polymethacrylimide core is incredibly durable and robust – allowing you to create power and control wherever you are on-court. Likewise, the Franklin X-Charge has a fiberglass paddle face that helps to control the pickleball with spin and swerve, while the paddle width is a massive 8.25″ wide. This gives you a huge sweet-spot to control shots at the net with blocks and dinks.
Lighter than other Franklin paddles, the X-Charge has an average paddle weight between 7.1 – 7.6 ounces and is equipped with a form-fitting, quality grip.
If you are looking for a wide, powerful and lightweight paddle, the X-Charge should be top of your list.
Standout Features
- Polymethacrylimide core is durable and powerful, year after year
- Average paddle weight between 7.1 – 7.6 ounces means the paddle is easy to move with, without sacrificing power
- 8.25″ paddle face gives you a huge sweet-spot for blocks, dinks, and spin shots
4. Franklin X-Caliber Pickleball Paddle
Next on our best Franklin pickleball paddles list is the Franklin X-Caliber Pickleball Paddle. Built to be a great all-rounder, this is the perfect paddle for someone looking to take their game to the next level with their first high-quality pickleball purchase. Slightly more affordable than other Franklin paddles, the X-Caliber is a great option.
The Franklin X-Caliber Pickleball Paddle is a very well balanced pickleball paddle that is suitable for any player looking to step into pickleball more seriously. The X-Caliber is well balanced with an average paddle weight of 8.0 – 8.2 ounces and contains a great mix of attributes. Firstly, the X-Caliber has a fiberglass paddle face that helps you gain control over the pickleball, while the Nomex core provides plenty of power and ‘pop’ when you’re ball-striking around the net, or from the back of the court.
If you are looking for an affordable paddle, that is super-responsive while giving you plenty of balance, control, and power then it’s worth checking out the X-Caliber. Well deserving of its place on our best Franklin paddle list, you won’t feel let-down if you’re wanting to level-up.
Standout Features
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5. Franklin X-Factor Pickleball Paddle
Completing our best Franklin pickleball paddles list is the Franklin X-Factor Pickleball Paddle. Another affordable paddle option, the X-Factor is known as Franklin’s ‘nimble-ninja’ thanks to its lightweight build, large sweet-spot, and carbon-fiber paddle face.
The Franklin X-Factor Pickleball Paddle is a lightweight pickleball paddle that gives you a great mix of important paddle attributes. Firstly, the paddle weighs between 7.4 – 7.6 ounces, which makes it an easy paddle to move with – helping to improve reaction times at the net. Secondly, the Nomex paddle core teamed up with the carbon-fiber paddle face creates a controlled paddle that is just as capable of absorbing shock, as it is providing the power and ‘pop’ required to put away your winners. Finally, the paddle has a large sweet spot which makes the paddle a great option for beginners and recreational players who are looking for a forgiving paddle that will help them improve.
If you want a paddle that can help you improve all aspects of your game, from volleying to dinking then check out the Franklin X-Factor Pickleball Paddle. While you won’t get the advanced level tech that is packed into the X-Charge and the Signature paddles, this is a great paddle for beginners and recreational players who want to level up.
Standout Features
- Nimble-Ninja – lightweight paddle that will improve your speed and reaction times on-court
- Carbon-fiber paddle face combines with Nomex core to provide power and precision
- Perfect paddle for beginner and recreational pickleball players looking to take the game more seriously
Franklin Pickleball Paddles Buying Guide
Now that we have completed our review of the best Franklin pickleball paddles, let’s turn out attention to our Franklin Buying Guide. Here we give you the ultimate low-down on the Franklin pickleball paddle range, as well as show you which of the top pro’s are using Franklin paddles.
Franklin Pro Players
There are some top pickleball pro’s utilizing Franklin paddle tech. Not to mention, Ben Johns, 2019 Triple Crown Champion, and Christine McGrath, US Open Pro Champion and 5x Tournament of Champions medalist and gold medalist who have both developed signature Franklin paddles. There are others though, including Aspen Kern who is not only a leading pickleball pro but also a massive advocate of the sport, pushing and promoting pickleball to a wide audience via his social profiles. In our view, Franklin is one of the top pro sponsors out there. That means when you pick up a Franklin pickleball paddle you will get access to the same tech that they do.
Franklin Pickleball Paddle Core Options
Franklin pickleball paddle core’s come in a variety of options. In the Signature paddles, the core is a polypropylene core that provides control and power. In the X-Charge however, Franklin has plugged in their Polymethacrylimide core which is specially designed for durability and robustness. If you like the feel of a polypropylene paddle core, then you will love the Franklin pickleball paddle series. Likewise, there are some great Nomex options in paddles like the X-Factor.
Franklin Paddle Face Options
When it comes to the Franklin pickleball paddle face, the majority of the paddles are made from fiberglass. In the signature range, the paddle face has built-in grit which helps to control fastballs, and supply spin and swerve. Much like other rough paddles from the likes of PROLITE and Paddletek, MaxGrit is a great addition to the Franklin paddle series.
Best Value Franklin Pickleball Paddles
When it comes to value, the entire Franklin paddle range offers excellent affordability. Unlike some elite paddles that retail over $150, the top Franklin paddles tend to retail around the $100 mark. This means they offer you a lot of bang for your buck. With that said, there are some even cheaper pickleball paddle options. Both the Franklin X-Factor and the Franklin X-Caliber come down in price point to around the $50 mark. If you are looking for a top paddle around that price point, you will be hard-pushed to find a better value paddle.
