Quick Answer: The best elongated pickleball paddle in 2026 is the JOOLA Ben Johns Perseus CFS 16mm — a 16.5-inch raw-carbon paddle that delivers pro-level reach, power, and spin without giving up control. The Six Zero Double Black Diamond is the best balance of power and forgiveness, the Selkirk Power Air Invikta is the best for pure reach, and the Vatic Pro V7 is the best value at around $99. An elongated shape trades a little face width for extra length, so it’s ideal for singles players, former tennis players, and anyone who wants more leverage — but beginners are better served by a wider standard paddle.
An elongated paddle is longer and narrower than a standard one — usually about 16.5 inches long against a standard 15.75–16 inches. USA Pickleball caps total paddle length at 17 inches and length-plus-width at 24 inches (USA Pickleball Equipment Standards), so going long means going narrow. That extra length pushes mass toward the tip, which raises swingweight for more power, a higher sweet spot, and a few crucial inches of reach at the kitchen line. We tested the 2026 field to rank the elongated paddles worth the trade.
By the numbers
- 16.5 inches — the typical length of an elongated paddle, versus a standard 15.75–16 inches. USA Pickleball’s rules cap length at 17 inches and length-plus-width at 24 inches, so every inch of length is an inch of width given up (USA Pickleball Equipment Standards).
- According to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA), pickleball reached roughly 19.8 million U.S. players and has been the country’s fastest-growing sport for several years — fueling a wave of singles play and former-tennis players who gravitate to the reach of an elongated shape.
- The extra length moves mass toward the paddle tip, raising swingweight — which is why manufacturers like JOOLA and Selkirk market their elongated models (Perseus, Invikta) for power and reach over the wider, more forgiving standard shapes.
Best elongated pickleball paddles at a glance
| Paddle | Best for | Core / length | Price | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JOOLA Ben Johns Perseus CFS 16mm | Best overall | 16mm · 16.5" | ~$220 | ★★★★★ |
| Six Zero Double Black Diamond | Best power + control | 16mm · 16.3" | ~$170 | ★★★★★ |
| Selkirk Power Air Invikta | Best for reach | 14mm · 16.5" | ~$200 | ★★★★½ |
| Vatic Pro V7 | Best value | 16mm · 16.5" | ~$99 | ★★★★½ |
| Ronbus R1.16 Pulsar | Best budget | 16mm · 16.5" | ~$85 | ★★★★½ |
| CRBN 1X Power Series | Best premium control | 16mm · 16.3" | ~$200 | ★★★★½ |
1. JOOLA Ben Johns Perseus CFS 16mm — Best Overall
JOOLA Ben Johns Perseus CFS 16mm
- 16.5-inch elongated shape with the reach singles and former tennis players want.
- Charged Carbon Surface (CFS) generates heavy spin and a soft, controllable feel.
- 16mm core balances pro-level power with enough control to reset and dink.
- Flagship price — you're paying for the most complete elongated paddle made.
The paddle Ben Johns himself plays, the Perseus is the elongated standard everything else is measured against. Its 16.5-inch frame gives you reach at the kitchen and leverage on the drive, while the Charged Carbon Surface grips the ball for the spin that defines modern pickleball. The 16mm core keeps it controllable enough to reset a hard ball — the rare elongated paddle that doesn’t punish you for playing soft. It’s the flagship from our best pickleball paddle pillar and the one to beat in this shape.
2. Six Zero Double Black Diamond — Best Power + Control
Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control
- 16.3-inch elongated frame with a famously large, forgiving sweet spot for the shape.
- Thermoformed unibody build delivers pop and durability.
- Toray T700 raw carbon face for spin and a connected feel.
- Heavier swingweight than a standard paddle — a developed swing helps.
The “DBD” earned a cult following by solving the elongated paddle’s biggest weakness: forgiveness. Its thermoformed build and clever weighting give it one of the more generous sweet spots in the elongated class, so you get the reach and power of the long shape without quite as much punishment on off-center hits. At ~$170 it undercuts the flagships while matching them on raw performance — the value-minded power player’s pick, and a natural step up from our best pickleball paddle for power guide.
3. Selkirk Power Air Invikta — Best for Reach
Selkirk Power Air Invikta
- Invikta is Selkirk's longest shape — maximum reach at the kitchen line.
- Air-Dynamic throat aids handling despite the long frame.
- 14mm core leans toward power and a fast, poppy response.
- Premium price and the firmest feel of our picks — built for hitters.
When players think “elongated,” they often picture the Invikta — Selkirk’s long shape, played by pros like Tyson McGuffin and built for reach and put-away power. The 14mm Power Air core makes it a faster, firmer paddle than the 16mm picks here, rewarding an aggressive, attack-first style. If your game is about extending your wingspan and ending points with a drive, the Invikta is the most singles-friendly paddle in this guide. Coming from tennis? Pair it with our best pickleball paddle for tennis elbow advice to manage the firmer feel.
4. Vatic Pro V7 — Best Value
Vatic Pro V7
- 16.5-inch thermoformed elongated build at roughly half the flagship price.
- Raw T700 carbon face for genuine spin, not a painted-on coating.
- 16mm core balances the long shape's power with usable control.
- Direct-to-consumer stock can sell out; less brand polish than the majors.
Vatic Pro built its name on giving you a $200 paddle’s performance for under $100, and the V7 is its elongated answer. You get a thermoformed unibody, a real raw-carbon T700 face, and the 16.5-inch shape for around $99 — the same value logic behind the Prism Flash that anchors our best budget pickleball paddle picks. If you want to try the elongated shape without flagship money, start here.
5. Ronbus R1.16 Pulsar — Best Budget
Ronbus R1.16 Pulsar
- Elongated 16.5-inch shape with a thermoformed build for around $85.
- 16mm core gives a soft, control-friendly feel rare at this price.
- Raw carbon face for spin; a genuine performance paddle, not a toy.
- Boutique brand with smaller stock runs and less resale presence.
Ronbus is the enthusiast’s value brand, and the R1.16 Pulsar packs a thermoformed, raw-carbon elongated paddle into an ~$85 package. The 16mm core makes it one of the softer, more forgiving cheap elongated paddles, which helps offset the narrow face’s smaller sweet spot. It’s the pick for a budget-minded intermediate who wants the long shape without sacrificing feel — and a clear upgrade over the entry paddles in our best pickleball paddle for beginners guide once your contact gets consistent.
6. CRBN 1X Power Series — Best Premium Control
CRBN 1X Power Series
- 16.3-inch elongated frame with CRBN's deep, plush 16mm feel.
- Power Series build adds pop while keeping the brand's signature control.
- Raw carbon face delivers heavy, predictable spin.
- Premium price; a touch head-heavy for players who prefer a quick hand battle.
CRBN paddles are known for a plush, controlled feel, and the 1X brings that into the elongated shape with the Power Series adding extra drive. The result is an elongated paddle that’s easier to control on resets and dinks than most long frames, making it a favorite of players who want reach without giving up touch. If your priority is a soft, connected feel in a long paddle, the CRBN 1X is the most refined pick here — and a natural companion to our best pickleball paddle for control recommendations.
How to choose an elongated pickleball paddle
- Decide if the shape fits your game. Elongated paddles reward singles players, former tennis players, and anyone with a developed swing who wants reach and leverage. If you’re a beginner or a dink-heavy doubles player, a wider standard shape is more forgiving.
- Mind the swingweight. Length pushes mass toward the tip, so elongated paddles feel heavier through the swing. That’s power, but it can tire your arm and slow your hands in fast exchanges.
- Core thickness still matters. A 16mm core softens the long shape for control; a 14mm core makes it faster and poppier for power — see our 14mm vs 16mm guide to pick your feel.
- Expect a narrower sweet spot. The face is narrower, so center contact matters more. Stronger, more consistent ball-strikers get the most from the shape.
- Match the weight to your body. Heavier players and bigger swings handle the added swingweight better; lighter players may want to add lead tape gradually rather than start with a head-heavy paddle. Our pickleball paddle weight guide breaks it down.
Elongated pickleball paddles by the numbers
- 17 inches / 24 inches — USA Pickleball’s maximum legal paddle length and maximum length-plus-width; an elongated paddle (≈16.5”) spends nearly all its length allowance, leaving a narrower face (USA Pickleball Equipment Standards).
- 16.5 vs 15.75 inches — typical elongated length versus standard length; that extra ¾-inch is meaningful reach at the kitchen line and added leverage on the drive (manufacturer specs across JOOLA, Selkirk, and Vatic Pro).
- ~19.8 million — Americans who played pickleball in the most recent count, the fastest-growing U.S. sport for several years running (Sports & Fitness Industry Association, SFIA) — with singles and ex-tennis players driving demand for the reach an elongated shape provides.
The bottom line
The JOOLA Ben Johns Perseus CFS 16mm is the best elongated pickleball paddle of 2026 — pro-level reach, power, and spin in a shape that still resets and dinks. For the best balance of power and forgiveness, the Six Zero Double Black Diamond is the smart buy, and the Vatic Pro V7 delivers the elongated shape for around $99. Just remember the trade: the long frame buys you reach and leverage at the cost of a narrower, less forgiving face, so it’s a paddle for confident ball-strikers. Not sure the shape is for you? Start with our best pickleball paddle pillar to compare every shape, then dial in your paddle weight and core thickness — and round out your kit with the right shoes and a bag to carry it all.