I loved my RPM Friction Pro V1 so much that it got a top spot in the best pickleball paddles of 2025, so I was elated to get the RPM Friction Pro V2 this week to provide you this comprehensive review.
First, let’s cover my first impressions, V2 vs V1 playability comparison, cost considerations after the 15% bepickleballer discount code and which should you choose.
First Impressions
Firstly, I appreciated that the custom RPM mailer. It was a fun update from a mailer, but I always appreciate a box over a mailer.
I didn’t get a picture of the mailer, but let’s look at the paddle. Firstly, I loved how the paddles cover matched the paddle below it.
Second, I loved the design of the new RPM paddle. The blues and white combination is awesome. Secondly, I love how small the edge guard is as it almost feels edgeless.
Secondly, I appreciate the little things of this paddle like the RPM’s side view. Most paddles have one color, but RPM has a dual color sides, making it a fun addition.
Finally, the grit on this paddle is insane. I tried to take a close up, but the RPM V2 has the best grit that I have ever seen with any of my ~100 pickleball paddles.
My first impressions were great, but how does the V2 pickleball paddle play vs the V1 paddle
V2 vs V1 Comparison
Here’s a quick look at the RPM V2 vs the V1. If you remember, I stated that I believe the V1 is the best paddle for singles (and a great paddle for doubles as well obviously)
I wanted to hold the RPM V2 vs V1 to show you a comparison of the paddle’s grip. The paddles feel similarly in terms of the paddle’s shape and grip length. Please note that my RPM v1 has a Hesacore grip.
Let’s now compare the RPM V2 vs V1 pickleball paddle in terms of control, spin, and power.
Power
Power is where I immediately noticed the biggest upgrade with the V2. The paddle feels quicker through the air and produces noticeably more pop on drives, counters, and overheads.
I know game play is somewhat subjective, but I still like to share it. With the V2, I won 2 games on Monday, and I lost 2 games against the same opponents with the V1, and I attribute that to the V2’s raw power.
With the V1, power is still solid, but it feels more controlled and slightly muted compared to the V2. The V1 almost feels like it’s designed to balance spin and control rather than pure put-away power.
The V2, on the other hand, feels like it has an extra gear. Drives feel heavier, and counterattacks during hands battles feel faster and more explosive.
Winner for Power: RPM Friction Pro V2
Players who like attacking from the baseline or speeding up balls at the kitchen will probably prefer the V2.
Spin
Spin has always been the calling card of RPM paddles, and both of these paddles absolutely deliver in that category.
The V1 already produced elite spin thanks to RPM’s textured carbon surface. I’ve used a lot of paddles over the years, and the V1 was already one of the better spin paddles I had tested.
But the V2 somehow takes it up another notch. The grit on the V2 is incredibly aggressive, and you can feel it grabbing the ball on topspin drives and slices. My roll volleys and dipping passing shots felt even heavier compared to the V1.
It’s not a night-and-day difference, but the V2 has just a little more bite on the ball.
Winner for Spin: RPM Friction Pro V2
If you rely on heavy topspin or slicing returns, the V2 gives you slightly more spin potential.
Control
Control was one of the most interesting differences between the RPM Friction Pro V1 and V2. The V1 has always been known for having a plush feel, especially with the 16mm core. The ball tends to sit on the paddle just a bit longer, which makes it easier to reset hard shots, drop thirds, and control dinks at the kitchen line.
When I switched to the V2, the paddle felt slightly quicker and more lively. Because the V2 is a bit faster through the air and has a little more pop, the ball comes off the paddle sooner. That helps with speed and counters, but it also means you lose a tiny bit of that soft, dampened feel the V1 has.
That said, the V2 is still a very controllable paddle. It just leans slightly more toward an aggressive style of play.
Winner for Control: RPM Friction Pro V1
If your game is built around resets, soft drops, and kitchen control, the V1 still has a slight edge.
Cost Considerations
Both the RPM V1 and RPM V2 pickleball paddles are $249.99. Given that the V2 has new technology, I would argue that the price point for the V2 is slightly higher value than the V1.
Plus, the RPM team gives a generous 15% coupon code that is bepickleballer that takes off 15% off both of these paddles.
Should You Choose the RPM V1 or V2 Pickleball Paddle?
RPM has created paddles that have made the best pickleball paddles list. Both the RPM V2 and V1 are excellent pickleball paddles, but I would opt for the V2 as I found that my play was much more solid with this paddle.
I had faster hand speed, power and spin than the V1, and the slight difference in control wasn’t enough that I wasn’t extremely excited about the new RPM V2 and V1 pickleball paddle.
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