Pickleball paddles from Babolat: 5 models for different types of play
13.5.2026
Translation: machine translated
Pickleball is growing rapidly as a sport. Babolat offers five paddles - Xplr, Rngd, Rbel, Mnstr and Mnstr+ - which differ mainly in terms of shape, weight, thickness and feel.
Pickleball looks familiar at first glance. The sport combines elements of tennis, badminton and table tennis. You play on a smaller court, with a deeper net, perforated plastic ball and fixed paddle. This allows you to get into rallies quickly. At the same time, the more practice you have, the more your equipment determines your control, spin and forgiveness.
In the USA, the Sports & Fitness Industry Association reports around 24.3 million active pickleball players by 2025. This corresponds to a growth of 479 per cent since 2020. The reason is simple: pickleball is accessible, social and less physically demanding than many other backstroke sports. This makes the sport attractive to beginners.
Babolat offers five models for different types of players: Rbel, Xplr, Rngd, Mnstr+ and Mnstr. The differences lie in weight, thickness, shape, handle length and surface. All five models work with a polypropylene honeycomb core, which is encased in EVA foam.
Babolat Xplr: the entry-level model
The Xplr is the most accessible model in the range. It weighs 220 grammes, is 14 millimetres thick, 20.8 centimetres wide and 40 centimetres long. The striking surface uses a rough lacquer finish. The handle is almost 13 centimetres long.
According to the manufacturer, this results in a paddle for players who are looking for safety first. The wide shape helps with off-centre hits. The moderate weight is important if you are still working on your basic technique or need to react quickly at the net.
Babolat Rngd: more length, more pressure
The Rngd is also 220 grammes and 14 millimetres thick. However, it is narrower and longer than the Xplr: 19.8 centimetres wide and 41 centimetres long. Here too, Babolat uses a rough lacquer finish.
This shape changes the character. According to the manufacturer, the longer head supports more reach and more leverage. This should help with drives from the half court and with balls that you can barely reach. At the same time, the width of the clubface is reduced. The Rngd is therefore slightly less forgiving than the Xplr, but gives you more opportunities to actively apply pressure.
Babolat Rbel: control through thicker construction
The Rbel marks the switch to the more controlled class. It weighs 225 grammes, is 16 millimetres thick, 20.8 centimetres wide and 40 centimetres long. The surface consists of a peel-ply rough coating, a tear-off fabric structure applied during curing that leaves a permanently rough fibre surface.
The 16 millimetre thickness is the crucial point. According to the manufacturer, a thicker paddle tends to absorb speed better and supports a more stable feel for the ball. This should help with defending hard balls, short stop shots and softly played balls directly behind the net. The wide shape increases the usable hitting area. The Rbel is therefore not designed for maximum hitting power, but for a smoother, more controlled game.
Babolat Mnstr: the all-rounder for advanced players
The Mnstr is closer to the competition game. It weighs 225 grammes, is 15 millimetres thick, 19.8 centimetres wide and 41 centimetres long. The clubface also uses a peel-ply rough coating.
This puts the Mnstr between the Rbel and Mnstr+. It is longer and narrower than the Rbel, but is not designed to be as extreme in terms of length and grip lever as the Mnstr+. According to Babolat, the 15 millimetre thickness offers a middle ground between ball control and energy transfer. The approximately 13.5 centimetre long handle is designed to facilitate two-handed backhand strokes. However, the narrower shape requires cleaner hits.
Babolat Mnstr+: for more leverage and a more aggressive game
The Mnstr+ is the most offensive model in this group of five. It weighs 230 grams, is 14 millimetres thick, 18.8 centimetres wide and 41.6 centimetres long. At 14.7 centimetres, the handle is significantly longer than the other models. The surface uses a peel-ply rough coating.
The shape is clearly designed for leverage. More length means more reach and higher club head speed. The longer handle supports a two-handed backhand. However, the narrower face requires precise ball contact. This is not a paddle that covers up mistakes. According to Babolat, it rewards clean technique and active timing.
Header image: Babolat
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