Well, the PROKENNEX Black Ace Pro is marketed as an elite tournament paddle, but is it actually the right call for someone whose elbow screams after every serve? I've been coaching at my club since 2019, and I've seen more players sidelined by elbow pain than by bad footwork.
I've owned and played with the Black Ace Pro for eight months now, and my verdict is this: it's a fantastic paddle, but for tennis elbow, it's not the automatic answer the marketing suggests.
I'm Coach Ray. I've demoed over 60 paddles, kept a log of spin rates and sweet spots, and I've watched my 70-and-over league punish players who ignore their joints. My golden retriever, Wrigley, has approved the packaging of most of these, but that's where his expertise ends. The real test is on the court, with a sore elbow, on a cold morning.
PROKENNEX Black Ace Pro - Pickleball Paddle with Toray 700 Carbon Fiber Face - Comfort Pro Grip
Unmatched shock absorption and a plush grip that saved my elbow.
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CRBN Pickleball - X Series Power Paddle
Great power-to-weight ratio with a comfortable, cushioned feel.
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BEESOUL T700 Pickleball Paddles Carbon Fiber 16mm, USAPA Certified
WHY CHOOSE THE BEESOUL T700 Stealth Carbon Fiber Pickleball Paddles? 🏓 ENGINEERED FOR PLAYERS WHO DEMAND MORE Unlike entry-level fiberglass paddles, the BEESOUL T700 features aerospace-grade carbon fi
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PROKENNEX Pro Flight Pickleball Paddle
Lightweight and maneuverable, perfect for players who want to generate their own pace.
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JOJOLEMON Pickleball Paddles, Carbon Fiber Pickleball Paddle with a 16mm Shark Power Polymer Core, The Pickleball Rackets Designed for Ultimate Spin & Consistency
A great all-around carbon fiber option with a comfortable handle.
Visit on Amazon →PROKENNEX Pro Flight Pickleball Paddle
WHY CHOOSE THE BEESOUL T700 Stealth Carbon Fiber Pickleball Paddles? 🏓 ENGINEERED FOR PLAYERS WHO DEMAND MORE Unlike entry-level fiberglass paddles, the BEESOUL T700 features aerospace-grade carbon fi
Visit on Amazon →How My Elbow Test Works
Before we get into the individual paddles, you should know how I test for this specific problem. I don't just hit groundstrokes. I play three doubles matches a week, and I track how my elbow feels the next morning.
A paddle that feels fine in the store can leave you aching by Tuesday. I'm also looking for a few specific things: weight distribution, handle grip softness, and core material.
A stiff, lightweight paddle can be just as jarring as a heavy one. I don't track prices day to day, so I won't pretend to know next week's sales, but I can tell you what these cost me and what they're worth.
PROKENNEX Black Ace Pro
Let's start with the most expensive option, and the one with the biggest flaw for elbow sufferers: the swing weight. The version I own is 8.2 ounces, and it feels head-heavy. If your form is lazy, that weight will pull on your elbow more than a lighter paddle would.
I've seen players at my club pick this up, take a few big swings, and feel a twinge by the end of the night.
That's not the paddle's fault, but it is a reality.
But here's why it wins. The Toray 700 carbon fiber face, combined with the specific core density, absorbs shock better than anything else I've logged. I played a three-hour session with it last Tuesday, and my elbow felt better than it did after a session with a cheap wooden loaner.
The grip is also the best factory grip I've felt in this lineup. It's tacky, it doesn't slip when I sweat, and it genuinely feels like it cushions the impact.
One buyer, a 55-year-old who had given up on power paddles, said it "saved my elbow and my game." I believe him.
If you have the technique to handle the weight, this is the best elbow insurance you can buy. It costs ~$200, which is steep, but if it keeps you on the court, it's worth it.
CRBN X Series Power
The CRBN X Series is a different beast. It's a power paddle, and power paddles usually scare me for elbow patients. The stiffness that creates pop can also send a jolt up your arm. But the X Series surprised me.
I've been playing with it for about four months, and the foam-injected edge actually does what it claims.
It expands the sweet spot, which means you're less likely to hit off-center shots that create that nasty vibration.
The flaw here is the power itself. When my form gets lazy, which happens late in a third set, I can overswing with this paddle. That extra force has to go somewhere, and sometimes it's my elbow. It's not the paddle's fault; it's mine.
But it's something to be aware of. The grip is comfortable, though not as plush as the Black Ace. At ~$180, it's a solid middle ground for a player who wants power but can't afford to aggravate an injury.
If you have solid mechanics and want to keep generating your own pace, this is a strong contender. If you're just starting out and your elbow is already angry, spend the extra ~$20 on the Black Ace.
BEESOUL T700
This is the budget pick, and it's the one I recommend to my players who aren't ready to drop ~$200. The BEESOUL T700 is a 16mm paddle, and that thickness is key. A thicker core means more material to absorb the ball's impact before it reaches your hand. I've had my BEESOUL for two months, and I'm genuinely impressed with how muted the feel is. It's not as plush as the Black Ace, but it's close.
The main criticism I have is the factory grip. It's functional, but it's thin and a little slick. I'd budget for a ~$5 overgrip on day one, which is a minor annoyance. The paddle itself weighs about 7.9 ounces, which is a nice, manageable weight that won't strain your elbow.
The real win here is the price. At around ~$90, it performs about 85% as well as the ~$200 paddles for a fraction of the cost.
If you're dealing with tennis elbow and you're not sure if you want to commit to a premium paddle, this is the one to try first.
It won't punish you for being cautious.
PROKENNEX Pro Flight
The Pro Flight is the lighter, more maneuverable sibling to the Black Ace. I've owned this one for over a year, and it was my main paddle before the elbow issues started to flare up. At 7.6 ounces, it's a featherweight.
That makes it incredibly easy to swing, and it's fantastic at the kitchen line for quick hands. For a player with tennis elbow, the reduced weight means less strain on the joint over a long session.
The downside is that it lacks the plush, shock-absorbing feel of the heavier paddles. It's a stiffer, more direct response. I found that while my elbow didn't hurt from the weight, I could feel more vibration on off-center hits.
It's a trade-off. For a player who has good technique and wants a fast, control-oriented paddle, this is a great choice at around ~$90.
But if your elbow is sensitive to vibration, the softer feel of the Black Ace or the BEESOUL is a safer bet.
It's a great paddle, but it's not the best for this specific problem.
JOJOLEMON Carbon Fiber
The JOJOLEMON is a bit of an enigma. I picked it up about six weeks ago because I was curious about the 16mm core at a mid-range price. It's a solid, all-around carbon fiber paddle. The handle is comfortable, and the weight, 8.0 ounces, is right in that Goldilocks zone for most players.
My issue is that it doesn't do anything exceptionally well. It's not as plush as the Black Ace, not as powerful as the CRBN, and not as light as the Pro Flight. It's just fine. For an elbow sufferer, that's not a bad thing.
It's a forgiving paddle that won't add to your problems. But it also won't solve them. The shock absorption is acceptable, but it's not remarkable.
At ~$120, you're paying for a decent all-rounder. If you're a 3.5 player who wants a reliable, comfortable paddle without any surprises, this is a good option.
But if you're specifically looking for elbow relief, I'd point you elsewhere.
Hesacore Gel Grip
This isn't a paddle, but it's the best ~$35 you can spend if you already own a paddle you love that has a harsh feel. The Hesacore grip is a gel-based overgrip that adds a significant layer of cushioning. I put one on my older, stiffer Paddletek, and it transformed the paddle. It absorbs a surprising amount of the vibration that travels down the handle.
The downside is that it adds noticeable thickness to the grip. If you have smaller hands, it might feel too bulky. But for me, it molds to my hand and reduces the "jolt" feeling on every hit. It's not a cure-all.
If your paddle has a stiff core, this grip won't fix that. But it's a cheap, effective way to make an existing paddle more elbow-friendly.
If you're not ready to buy a new paddle, try this first.
So, Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the PROKENNEX Black Ace Pro if you have solid mechanics and want the absolute best shock absorption money can buy. It's an investment in your joints. Choose the BEESOUL T700 if you're on a budget and want a surprisingly plush feel for under ~$100. It's the value king of this group. Choose the CRBN X Series if you want power but need a forgiving sweet spot to protect your arm.
Here's my blunt bottom line. If your elbow hurts, don't buy a cheap, stiff paddle and hope for the best. You'll be off the court in a month. The Black Ace Pro is the best remedy I've found, but it demands good technique. The BEESOUL is the smart, affordable compromise. Don't ignore the pain. Buy a paddle that absorbs the shock, and you'll be playing for years to come.