RPM Pickleball Paddles: The Full Range Explained (Australia 2026)
RPM is the Australian brand behind the Friction Pro and the newer Q Series. It is one of the few ranges where you can hit two paddles from the same maker and feel a genuinely different core under the ball, because the line spans both constructions: the Friction Pro family is thermoformed honeycomb, and the Q2 is RPM's first full foam paddle, developed with paddle engineer John Kew.
Table of Contents
Every RPM paddle, side by side
Specs below are taken from RPM's own product information. Where a figure is not published we have left it blank rather than guess.
| Model | Shape | Thickness | Core | Face | Weight | Handle | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RPM Friction Pro - Elongated | Elongated | 14mm / 16mm | Thermoformed honeycomb | Carbon | 7.8 oz | 5.5" | $369 |
14mm › 16mm › |
| RPM Friction Pro - Elongated V2 - James Ignatowich Signature | Elongated | 16mm | Thermoformed honeycomb | Carbon | 7.9 oz | 5.5" | $369 | View › |
| RPM Friction Pro - Widebody | Widebody | 14mm / 16mm | Thermoformed honeycomb | Carbon | 7.9 oz | 5.5" | $369 |
14mm › 16mm › |
| RPM Friction Pro Elongated V2 - Ryan Fu Signature | Elongated | 14mm | Thermoformed honeycomb | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | $369 | View › |
| RPM Q2 Elongated - Full Foam | Elongated | 14mm / 16mm | Full foam | Carbon | 7.7 oz | 5.5" | $369 |
14mm › 16mm › |
The range at a glance
Every RPM paddle here is the same price, $369, so price is not the thing to choose on. Thickness and shape are.
The one difference that changes how they play
RPM sell both constructions side by side at the same price, which makes this the cleanest comparison in the shop. The Friction Pro is a thermoformed honeycomb build: firm, crisp, and quick off the face. The Q2 replaces the hollow cells with layered foam of varying density, which holds the ball marginally longer and softens what comes back into your hand. Same brand, same money, genuinely different feel.
Friction Pro, thermoformed honeycomb
The Friction Pro comes in elongated and widebody, each in 14mm and 16mm, plus two signature editions.
Q Series, full foam
The Q2 is the paddle John Kew helped engineer. He does not review it, for the obvious reason, but he does explain how the foam densities were tuned.
Which RPM should you buy
Thickness is the single biggest lever here. A 14mm core is firmer and returns the ball faster, which favours drives and put-aways. A 16mm core holds the ball fractionally longer, which makes resets, dinks and third-shot drops easier to place. Shape matters next: elongated buys reach and leverage at the cost of a smaller sweet spot, widebody trades reach for a more forgiving face.
Try Before You Buy: Our Paddle Demo Program
You do not have to guess. Melbourne players can take paddles away and hit them on their own courts before committing.
| The demo program | |
|---|---|
| Cost | $50 per paddle |
| How many | Up to 3 paddles at a time |
| How long | 3 days |
| Pick up & return | In person at Racquet World, Pickleball Parlour, Shop 4/59 Willandra Drive, Epping VIC 3076 |
| What you can try | Control, power and hybrid all-court paddles from the demo wall |
| Where you can play | Anywhere at your club, league night, or local courts across Melbourne |
Return them on time to avoid late fees. Find one you love and the team will order a brand new one in for you.
Read more about the demo program →
