niupipo Pickleball Paddles Set of 2, USAPA Approved Pro Graphite Pickleball Rackets, Polypropylene Honeycomb Core, Cushion 4.72In Grip, 4 Balls, Portable Bag/Paddle Cover

VOYAGER PRO VS EXPLORER PRO…WHICH WINS?
I’ve had the pleasure of playing over 100 games these past few weeks with Niupipo’s Voyager Pro, as well as Explorer Pro. I really enjoy both of these paddles, and want to share my personal take on each…VOYAGER PRO: Elongated pickleball racquets seem to be all the rage, and the Voyager Pro was my very first experience playing with one. Its16.5″ x 7.5″ dimensions were different than my usual 16″ x 8″ paddles (the Explorer Pro falls into this category).It took me a few sessions to get used to a longer, skinnier paddle, but I successfully navigated the learning curve. Soon afterwards, the Voyager Pro became a favorite of mine. Its extended length improved my reach near the sidelines and kitchen. The graphite face, with its textured surface, provided enough grit for effective topspin, sidespin, and backspin shots. The 13.5 mm PPH (polypropylene honeycomb) core produced a plush feel for decent (but not great) control of my dinks, drops, and resets, without compromising the power and pop of my groundstrokes, backhand flicks, and put-aways. The only aspect of my game that suffered a bit of consistency was my serves.Weighing in at just 7.7 ozs. (see photo), my Voyager Pro was a bit lighter than the advertised 8 ounces, although certainly within the acceptable variance range. I happen to prefer the swing of a lighter paddle; those who don’t could always bulk it up a bit with lead tape.The racquet is well-balanced, and does not feel head-heavy or bottom-heavy. The leatherlike grip around the octagonal handle is micro-perforated for sweat resistance, and feels very comfortable and cushiony in my hand. My measurement of the grip circumference showed it to be about 4.3″ (see photo). Perfect size for my hand; for those accustomed to a tennis racquet, you could always add a layer or two of overgrip tape.I measured the handle length as an even 5″ (see photo). So, although the racquet itself is “elongated,” the handle is not. That designation is usually reserved for handles in the 5.25″ and up range. Many high-end paddle makers go with a 5.5″ handle, which seems to best accommodate the two-hand back-handers.Since I don’t come from a tennis background (my main sports were racquetball and table tennis), my righty pickleball backhand is a one-hander. Therefore, the 5″ handle length of the Niupipo is ideal for my game. Nevertheless, for low defensive blocks, I do like the added support of my left (non-dominant) hand. In such instances, I’m able to simulate a two-hander by getting the first three fingers of my left hand around the Voyager Pro’s throat, thanks to its well-tapered, teardrop slope near the grip.BUYER ALERT: Here’s a tip to help you avoid possible confusion. There is another great company within the Amazon marketplace called Onix. Although they primarily manufacture pickleballs, Onix also happens to feature a graphite “Voyager Pro” model in their own product line. It is an exaggerated widebody (8.3″ wide, and just 15.5″ long), and therefore completely different from Niupipo’s offering.EXPLORER PRO: As mentioned earlier, the 16″ X 8″ dimensions of the Explorer Pro are similar to the “standard” paddles to which I had grown accustomed. This one is a definite upgrade from most of the cheapies on Amazon that are sold in sets.The Explorer Pro’s graphite surface offers much better control than the poppier Explorer Fiberglass model. In most aspects it plays similar to the Voyager Pro, except of course it is a half-inch shorter, and a half-inch wider. Handle length, grip circumference (see photos), as well as core thickness measurements are virtually the same for both models.My Explorer Pro weighed in at 8 ounces (see photo). The paddle is light enough to maneuver fluidly at the kitchen line for fast-hand battles. I had no issues with vibration or wrist fatigue. The Voyager may have a bigger sweet spot. But for serves, particularly my vicious sidespin and screwball varieties, the Explorer seems much more consistent.A logoed (on both sides), black paddle cover is included with each Niupipo model. The fit is snug, as it took a bit of prodding, pushing, and pulling for me to squeeze each paddle into its case. Fortunately, the neoprene material is stretchy, so the paddles do fit (see photo) and are nicely shielded. Ideally, it should have been designed with an extra quarter-inch lengthwise and widthwise. But hey, who’s complaining? I’ve seen many high-quality paddles, some costing well over $200, that aren’t bundled with any cover or protective sleeve at all; nor even an attractive gift box, such as the ones that housed my Niupipo racquets.Both paddles feature aesthetically pleasing graphics on each side. I particularly like the distinctive “distressed” Niupipo logo on the faces. Surprisingly, after banging away for many hours with each paddle, they show minimal wear & tear. The edge guards are slightly scuffed, but fully in tact. The handles are still solid, and the surfaces have maintained most of their initial grittiness. No complaints about build or durability on either model.Yes, I double-checked the official website…and both Pro paddles are indeed “USA Pickleball Approved,” and therefore eligible for sanctioned tournament competition.So, are these so-named “Pro” paddles actually suitable for pro-level players of, say, DUPR 5.0 and up? Well, perhaps they might have been back in 2021, when they first hit the market. Paddle technology has advanced significantly since then. Today’s pro would probably opt for a Gen-2 model, featuring a Toray 700 raw carbon fiber weave and thermoforming.But one of those paddles can cost $250 on average. For us mere mortals, bounded by the law of diminishing returns, how much better would we actually play with a paddle that expensive? Presumably, notenough to justify paying double or triple the price of a Niupipo.I would say the Voyager and Explorer Pro paddles are ideally suited for Beginners, Intermediates, and even Advanced-level players, within an approximate DUPR range of 2.0 to 4.0. That would certainly include me, as well as the vast majority of players I see regularly at my club and on the outdoor pickleball courts of my gated community. If you’re reading this review, it undoubtedly includes you too.So, how would I answer the question I posed in my subject line: VOYAGER PRO VS EXPLORER PRO…WHICH WINS? Honestly, it’s a win-win situation!I usually arrive at the courts with 3 or 4 racquets in my bag. Whenever I’m in the mood for a wider paddle and better serves, I pull out the Explorer Pro. And whenever I’m game for the benefits of an elongated paddle, the Voyager Pro is my weapon of choice.I would rate both paddles a solid 4.5 out of 5. I boosted their ratings to 5-Stars based on the outstanding customer service and company reputation that we’ve come to expect over the past decade from Niupipo. I’ve read many accounts of Niupipo resolving customer issues by going above and beyond any warranty. This is a company that truly stands behind the quality of its products, and I can vouch for this with my own personal experiences with them.In conclusion, you really can’t go wrong with either the Voyager Pro or the Explorer Pro. I recommend each of them highly. So, if your budget allows, why not nab both? If you happen to catch a sale or discount…sweet! It would make your investment even more affordable and a greater value.Have fun pickling, and hope to see you soon on the courts!

Mostly Great, Not Good for Power Shots
I loved the colors and size of these paddles. carrying bag is lightweight and nice. Pretty good price and quick shipping.Only problem I have encountered is I tried to do a power shot and one of the paddles cracked. Not sure if I was just unlucky or what. The cracked section almost cut my hand, so I tossed it in the garbage to be safe. Turns out if I toss it I can’t get a refund, even if it was dangerous to hold on to.

Love the beachy theme!
These are really nice, light weight paddles, I love playing with them and are great as I live close to ocean so they fit the area and get lots of compliments. They are easy to use, have a great grip, and great for beginner players

Quality
Good quality and easy use

I absolutely love this new paddle the design is great and it handles very nicely and is very light weight. The handle it very cushionyand fits the hand nicelyvery happy with this product.

bon produit mais j’ai payé le double du prix.