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I own every single Friday pickleball paddle model (and multiple colors on some) as I really enjoy playing with Friday paddles, but I wanted to test all of the different models to provide the best Friday pickleball paddles ranked.
I compared many of them actually this morning and much of the week, so I wanted to provide a fresh perspective.
Now each of these have a unique design, so I am not going to focus as much on the first impressions, but focus more on the playability of each of these paddles. The new Friday Aura Pro and Aura (full review) are great paddles, and I’ll explain which type of player they may be best for. I’ll also explain how to use the generous $10 off code BEPICKLEBALLER that the team gave to me to use.
1. Friday Aura
The Friday Aura surprised me because I expected it to feel dramatically weaker than the Aura Pro, but honestly, it still had enough power for aggressive play while leaning much more toward control. The biggest thing I noticed was the softer feel and added dwell time.
Drops felt easier to shape, dinks stayed consistent, and resets felt more forgiving during fast kitchen exchanges. When I played skinny singles, I found myself trusting the paddle on softer shots and transitioning forward quicker because my drops were landing where I wanted them.
I’d describe the Aura as the balanced option in the lineup. It has impressive spin, really good control, and enough pop to avoid feeling underpowered.
At $129 retail or around $119 using code below, I think it offers strong value, especially for doubles players or anyone prioritizing consistency over outright power. If I were choosing based purely on price-to-performance, I’d probably lean toward the Aura unless I specifically wanted extra explosiveness.
$10 Off Discount Code: BEPICKLEBALLER
2. Friday Aura Pro (Close Second)
The Friday Aura Pro immediately felt more explosive when I started hitting with it. Serves had noticeably more depth, speed-ups carried extra pace, and attacking shots felt heavier compared to the standard Aura.
What impressed me most though was that despite the added power, I didn’t feel like I sacrificed as much control as I have with some other power paddles. It still felt playable during resets and counters rather than becoming overly wild.
The Aura Pro feels built for players who already like to attack and want extra help generating put-away power. I could see stronger servers and aggressive doubles players enjoying how much pace it adds without turning into a pure cannon.
The paddle costs more at $169 before discounts ($159 after code), but if maximizing power is your goal while maintaining respectable control and excellent spin, the premium makes more sense. Between the two, I’d call the Aura Pro the power option and the Aura the smarter all-court value choice. See my full comparison review if you’d like more information.
$10 Off Discount Code: BEPICKLEBALLER
3. The Friday Fever
The Friday Fever immediately stood out to me as the more control-oriented paddle between the two.
While both paddles offered solid spin and grit, I felt the Fever excelled most around the kitchen. Dinks felt easier to shape, resets absorbed pace surprisingly well, and I noticed more confidence on softer shots where touch matters. If you’re a player trying to improve consistency, placement, and front-court play, the Fever felt like the safer option in my hands.
I’d describe the Fever as ideal for beginner to intermediate players who want to level up control without sacrificing spin. One thing to note is that the Fever’s handle felt a bit bulkier than some of the other Friday paddles on the list. I have bigger hands, so it’s okay, but it’s one thing to note if you have smaller hands.
The paddle helped generate noticeable topspin on dinks, slices, and third-shot drops, while still feeling forgiving. At under $99 retail before discounts, and with code BEPICKLEBALLER taking another $10 off, I think the Fever makes a lot of sense for players who prioritize finesse and all-around consistency over raw power.
$10 Discount Code: BEPICKLEBALLER
4. Friday Challenger
The Friday Challenger felt noticeably different from the Fever as soon as I started hitting with it. It has a heavier, almost tennis racquet-like feel that translated into extra pace and power on drives, serves, and attacking shots. I found myself winning points quicker because the paddle helped generate more depth and explosiveness without feeling completely uncontrollable. If your game leans aggressive, the Challenger is the paddle I think you’ll notice immediately.
What surprised me was that despite the added power, the Challenger still maintained respectable control and impressive spin. Topspin drives, slices, and baseline returns all benefited from the gritty surface, and I think intermediate to advanced players would appreciate the combination of offense and spin potential.
The Challenger is also typically priced lower than the Fever at under $100 before discounts, which makes it a compelling option if you want a more powerful paddle without spending as much. Between the two, I’d call the Challenger the better choice for offensive players, while the Fever remains the stronger option for control-focused play. See my full comparison review if you’re interested.
$10 Discount Code: BEPICKLEBALLER
5. Friday Original Pickleball Paddle
The original Friday pickleball paddle was one of those paddles that caught my attention before I even stepped on the court. I genuinely think Friday has some of the best paddle designs available right now, and out of the dozens of paddles I’ve tested, this is one of the few where I remember thinking the design looked even better in person.
The graphics are clean, the color options stand out, and even small details like the white side profile made the paddle feel more premium than its price suggests. Friday’s marketing gets a lot of attention, but honestly, the design quality deserves some credit too.
Performance-wise, I liked that this paddle uses a carbon fiber face and comes in around 8.1 ounces, which gave it a slightly heavier feel that I personally enjoy. The added weight helped the paddle feel stable while still remaining maneuverable enough for all-around play. At roughly $50 to $70 depending how many you purchase, and sometimes available in discounted bundles, I can see why the original Friday became popular among players looking for a value carbon fiber paddle. See my full review for more information.
Which Friday Paddle Should You Choose?
Personally, I enjoyed the Friday Fever, Friday Cahllenger and the OG Friday pickleball paddle for what they were, but I can’t help but appreciate the new technology in the Friday Aura and the Friday Aura Pro.
So, if you have the budget, I would definitely purchase the Friday Aura if you are a control player, and the Friday Aura Pro if you are a power player.
If you have less budget, I would consider the Friday Fever, Challenger and OG Friday paddle in that order.
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