What is it that makes the Prince Spectrum Pro Pickleball paddle different? The paddles that Prince make combine the finest qualities of a tennis racquet, with a thicker core that is found in some of the best pickleball paddles.
The Prince Spectrum Pro Pickleball paddle is a little more closer in size and shape to a tennis racquet. This also provides a bigger sweet spot. In contrast to hitting the ball from the center of the paddle, you get more room to strike the ball while keeping power and control.
The Price Spectrum Pro Pickleball paddle has a thick polymer core which allows you to control the power you can unleash with every swing. It’s more responsive which lets you hit a dink shot or smash the ball easily.
The information in this article is the result of us not only testing the paddle extensively, but also doing our research to bring you up to date and accurate information on every aspect of this paddle. We hope that you’ll enjoy this review. I’m sure it will help you decide whether the Prince Spectrum Pro paddle is the right paddle for you.
Who Manufactures Prince Pickleball Paddles?
If you are a tennis player then you’ve probably bought Prince products in the past. They manufacture high-quality tennis racquets and balls along with other sports equipment.
Their entry into the paddle market is relatively new. They have also chosen not to manufacture the paddles themselves.
The paddles that are branded “Prince” are made by Paddletek. Paddletek is a small business based in Michigan and is among the top paddle manufacturers.
Instead of making these paddles themselves, Prince decided to partner with this seasoned pickleball manufacturer to create a new line of paddles with the Prince brand.
The Prince Spectrum Pro Pickleball Paddle has a circular shape. This shape provides an extra big sweet spot that exceeds “touch” players’ expectations.
What is a sweet spot you might ask? It is the region of the paddle that produces the lowest amount of vibrations during contact when the ball is hit. When you hit the ball in this area you can increase the control and power. Also, it reduces stress on the wrist which can also lower the risk of pickleball-related injuries too.
The paddle also has a very soft feel, which allows you to hit winners effortlessly anytime you spot an opening.
The thick polymer core is used to improve its responsiveness. A slim edge guard lets you enjoy the largest amount of surface area.
The Prince Spectrum Pro Is A Great All-Rounder
When testing this paddle I realised it is a departure from the usual trade-offs you’ll encounter when you’re using composite fiberglass paddles. I found that it has an incredible sweet spot and outstanding power capabilities. This makes it attractive to those who need an excellent defensive paddle as well as an offensive weapon.
The Spectrum Pro Paddle has a 5″ long handle that can be purchased in two different grip and weight sizes, allowing you to modify the features to meet your requirements.
The large 8-1/4″ gives you plenty of space to take every shot you want with the ability to control your volley’s direction and angle. The design uses the background which is a honeycomb/jagged combination design, which is then overlaid with the Prince “P” logo.
The Spectrum Pro Paddle features a fantastic blend of control and strength that will leave you feeling more at ease with your game than you have ever felt before.
Progressive Core technology is thicker than regular polymer cores. It has a 9/16″ thick core that gives the linear progressive experience.
The more you boost your shots power, the greater the amount of that power is transferred into the ball. I loved the power this paddle possesses.
Fiberglass Face
Typically, with other fiberglass-faced paddles, this creates a concentrated “hot spot” in the centre of the paddle. However it is the “Progressive Core” on the Prince paddle, in conjunction with its unique rounded shape which I found increases the sweet spot and ensures consistency in soft shots such as dinks and defensive volleys, where you have to take the power out of the shots that are coming at you quickly, and shots that can be put away.
Head
The head’s shape is round, which makes for an enormous, consistent sweet spot. I prefer the paddle that allows me to play a good defensive game when attacked by aggressive ground strokes or hard volleys. This Prince paddle is among the finest control paddles I’ve played with.
It’s a composite paddle that has the finesse and feel of graphite, with lots of control and plenty of power when you’re looking to put a ball away. It’s lightweight and consequently, I have a great touch when playing softer shots. The face has enough traction that it gives me great spin control.
Grip
The first thing I noticed with the Prince Spectrum Pro is the shape of the grip. Due to its thick core, the shape of the grip appears more square instead of an elongated rectangle or oval which I found to be an advantage.
I like that it comes in a slim (4 1/8″)”) and standard (4 3/8″) circumference. Its shape allowed me to keep a good feel for the right angles of the paddle when I held it while minimizing the impact sometimes caused by rounder paddles.
Although I think it is a power paddle, because it has a larger sweet spot and shots are more predictable, and so ball control is improved for all types of shots.
Weight
The Prince Spectrum Pro has the feel of a lighter paddle than it actually is. As a result the amount of pop and power can be surprising. The weight of the paddle affects the degree of soft touch or power the paddle has and since this paddle comes with the widest range of weight options , one can easily increase or decrease the weight of the paddle, resulting in more or less control or power.
I appreciate the fact that this paddle manufacturer doesn’t think one one size will fits all. This paddle is a great example of that. Choices in terms of weight range and grip lets the user decide the best one! Regarding ball feel and control of shots, I think it’s here that the Spectrum excels.
At first, I was hitting too many balls out the back. This was because I didn’t realize the amount of pop the paddle had and I was overswinging since it felt lighter. The weight of the paddle seems like it could be slightly more handle-biased.
After playing for about thirty minutes, I began to really get the feel for the paddle. That’s when I was able of put plenty of spin on the ball. I also felt as though I had better control and placement of the shots.
Due to the weighting, it feels very fast and maneuverable. The larger face helped me feel more confident, especially when I worked on spin serves, cutting backhand return and defending volleys.
It has a broad, consistent sweet spot, which allowed for more risky and creative shots. This while ensuring consistency as I didn’t have to think whether I hit it in the right spot.
Paddle For All Skill Levels
Absolutely confidence-building. I believe that this is an excellent paddle for intermediate, beginner and advanced players as long as you are searching for a paddle to improve your performance.
Due to the larger face and the large sweet spot, this paddle is excellent and is also very forgiving.
Pick from four different colors, light (7.2-7.7 OZ) or standard (7.8-8.3 8 oz) weights, and two sizes of grips.
Pros and Cons Of The Prince Spectrum Pro Pickleball paddle
As we’ve mentioned the paddles offer a variety of advantages for players of all levels. Particularly for those with experience in playing tennis.
Pros
#1 Largest Sweet Spot Available
The big sweet spot as well as the an incredibly responsive polymer core are among the main features on this paddle. Like we said, these paddles permit you to hit the ball with more power. Also, you can hold back and hit a soft shot with ease.
#2 A Well-Balanced Design
Apart from the advantages previously discussed this paddle is also very well-balanced. The head isn’t too heavy thanks to the longer grips. For the majority of players the balance is essential for power, spin and control.
#3 Two Different Weight Options
You can also pick between two different weight options as well as two sizes of grips. Spectrum Pro comes with two grip sizes and is available in either standard or light weights.
The lighter models weigh between approximately 7.1-ounces and 7.6-ounces depending on which one you prefer, the thinner or more thick grip. The standard weight paddle weighs somewhere between 7.7-ounces as well as 8.1-ounces.
Although a half-ounce might not seem like a huge difference, the weight could be a factor in competitive games. When you choose lighter weight models you lose a bit of power in order gain more control, whereas the heavier choices offer the exact opposite.
#4 Responsive Polymer Core
Progressive Core technology is thicker, at 9/16″, than regular polymer cores which gives the linear progressive experience.
The more you increase the shot power, the more that power is transferred to the ball.
#5 Two separate grip sizes
The Prince Spectrum Pro Pickleball paddle comes in a standard (4 3/8″) and a slim (4 1/8″) circumference. Its shape also allows you to keep a good feel for your paddle when holding it and reduces the impact.
Cons
There are three problems to think about before purchasing your very first paddle from Prince.
#1 Power
These paddles will offer the greatest power when taking big swings. This could provide too much power for beginners.
#2 Takes Time To Master
If you are just beginning to learn to play the game of pickleball it is best to concentrate on control and precision. While you gain more responsive feel with the thick polymer core, it requires time and effort for mastering the flexibility offered by these versatile paddles.
In addition to beginners, those without a tennis background might be able to see that these paddles come with an learning curve.
#3 Pricey
This paddle is somewhat more expensive than other choices. But, you must be aware of what you are getting in return for the extra cost.
The core of this paddle is the thickest with the biggest sweet spot and this paddle can last for years. The fact that this paddle hold up well adds to it’s value overall.
Who Should Start Playing With The Prince Spectrum Pro Pickleball Paddle?
The Prince Spectrum Pro is an ideal choice for all types of players. Although beginners might need to put in a bit more effort to get used to the flexibility of this well-balanced paddle, it’s closest to the feel of a tennis racquet.
The paddle also ideal to players who are more experienced. Due to the thicker polymer core and racquet-like shape it has the largest sweet spot as well as the most responsiveness.
This Prince Spectrum Pro paddle is designed to last, durable and powerful. It also provides an accurate and reliable spin that is ideal for all players levels.
If you’re looking to purchase a new paddle Prince has their Spectrum Pro for players of any skill level to enjoy for many years to come.
Ratings
FEATURE | RATING OUT OF 10 |
SHOT POWER | 9.7 |
SHOT CONTROL | 9.6 |
SHOT SPIN | 9.3 |
PADDLE GRIP | 9.4 |
SWEET SPOT | 9.7 |
PRICE RANGE | 9.1 |
We hope that you have found this information valuable. We also hope that it will make the job of deciding whether the Prince Spectrum Pro Pickleball paddle is the right paddle for you easier. If you want to read other reviews that we have written please feel free to read the Onix Z5 Graphite Pickleball Paddle review or any of the other detailed reviews we’ve written.
