RPM Pickleball Q2 vs V2 Paddle Review: Which is Best?

I purchased the RPM V2 16mm and 14mm paddles to compare against the V1 RPM paddle, but I completely forgot to also compare the RPM Friction Pro Q2, so I just purchased the paddle so I could review it and compare it to the other RPM paddles.

One of the most important questions I first asked is what is the Q2 and V2?

1. The RPM Q2 is the new Gen IV full foam core paddle.
2. The V2 is the updated Gen 3 paddle to match the requirements for PbCor requirements (basically USA Pickelball’s desire to set a maximum power for the paddle). Here’s the email I had got

Here’s the email I got from RPM about the new V2 launch, and the new features of the V2.

Now let’s talk about Q2 vs V2 first impressions, how the paddles actually played, how the BEPICKLEBALLER discount code works to get you 15% off, and which paddle I would choose.

First Impressions

Firstly, I liked how each paddle (14mm or 16mm) has it’s own color personality. The Q2 has purple shades, and my 4 year old quickly noticed those colors immediately. One thing that stood out right away was how well the cover matched the paddle underneath. It just looked clean and put together.

The design is another win. The blue or red or purpose and white combo really pops, and the edge guard is so minimal that it almost feels like you’re playing with an edgeless paddle.

I also noticed some of the smaller details. The side profile is a great example. Most paddles stick to a single color, but RPM went with a dual-color edge, which gives it a unique look without feeling overdone.

And then there’s the grit. It’s honestly ridiculous in the best way. I tried to capture it up close, but it doesn’t fully translate in pictures. Out of the ~100 paddles I’ve tested, the RPM Q2 and V2 feel a step up from other paddles. That being said, the paddles do not feel as gritty as the new 11six24 Power 2 with it’s new super gritty surface.

So yeah, first impressions were strong. But the real question is how the Q2 plays against the V2, and that’s where some similarities disappear.

Q2 vs V2 Playability

The Q2 is a really powerful paddle with a lot of pop. My opponent commented soon after I started serving just how powerful my serves felt to return.

I noticed it as well. The Q2 has this sort of feeling of a springboard while the the V2 has more of a stiffer feeling.

I know many people have compared the Q2 to the Selkirk Boomstick, and I would agree. It also reminded me a lot of my Luzz Tornazo in terms of power.

When my opponent compared the Q2 vs the V2, he mentioned the Q2’s pop, but he also mentioned that he felt that the Q2 was a bit more difficult to control.

I would agree with his sentiment, but I felt that it was not as big of an issue as some other power vs control paddles I’ve played with.

I really liked what James Ignatowich (founder and CEO of RPM) stated recently on PickleballWilly’s YouTube channel.

When the CEO of the company says something, I listen.

Now, what I really liked about the Q2 was it’s raw power, but it also had a ton of the classic RPM spin. You can put so much spin and power behind the ball, and I could literally see my balls curve to the right when putting some side spin on the ball. That combination was dangerous.

Now, the RPM V2 is a really well rounded paddle with a refined inner construction and enhanced EVA foam ring to help with control.

I would definitely say that the RPM V2 was easier to control and has insane spin, but I would also say the paddle had a lot of power.

I know I got in trouble with my last YouTube video covering the RPM V2 vs V1 stating that I felt that the RPM V2 had more power, but you really do get a ton of power that you can easily see in serves that are deep with heavy top spin.

Overall, here’s how I would rank the winners between Q2 and V2:

Power: RPM Q2

Control: RPM V2

Spin: RPM Q2 or tie (With more power, you can potentially generate more spin)

Cost Implications

Each of the RPM Q2 and V2 have the same cost, so that’s nice to know that you can get the Gen IV for the same price as the Gen 3.

Both paddles are $249.99 before the discount code, so after the 15% discount code BEPICKLEBALLER, you can get this paddle for $212.50, which feels like a strong value.

Let’s talk about which of these paddles I would choose.

Would I choose the RPM Q2 or V2?

Personally, I am going to stick with the RPM Q2 in singles and the V2 in doubles.

The RPM Q2 strongly resembles the Selkirk Boomstick and my Luzz Tornazo which is just such a great power singles paddle. With strong serves, you get weak returns allowing you to get to the kitchen quickly, forcing your opponent to stay back.

The RPM V2 reminds me a lot of the V1, which was one of the best paddles in 2025, but I love the little updates they made as the differences are noticeable even in terms of how the ball sounds coming off of the paddles face.