Control vs Power Pickleball Paddles: Which Should You Choose?

Choose a control pickleball paddle if you want a softer, more composed response for dinks, resets and placement; choose a power paddle if you prefer a firmer response for drives, volleys and put-away balls. The OpenClip T700 16mm paddle offers both Cold-Pressed Control and Thermoformed Power constructions, so the useful question is which response better matches your current game.

Control versus power at a glance

These descriptions are playing profiles, not guaranteed outcomes. Technique, contact point, ball condition and personal feel still matter. Neither construction is universally better.

What stays the same between the two versions?

Both current variants of the OpenClip T700 Raw Carbon Pickleball Paddle share the same core platform:

• Raw T700 carbon fibre face with a textured finish
• 16mm polypropylene honeycomb core
• Wide-body shape with a 190mm face width
• Overall dimensions of 418 × 190 × 16mm
• Listed weight of 225g
• Velocity Blue and Afterglow Pink colour choices

That common shape makes the construction choice easier to isolate. You are not comparing two entirely different paddles; you are choosing between two response profiles within the same 16mm wide-body design.

Choose Control if the soft game is your priority

The Cold-Pressed Control version is the more approachable starting point when your main goals are consistent placement, absorbing pace and developing touch around the non-volley zone. Its softer response can help a player focus on a relaxed grip and controlled swing path rather than trying to tame a very lively face.

It may suit you if rallies often break down because resets sit too high, blocks travel too far or dinks are difficult to keep compact. A control-oriented paddle will not fix technique by itself, but its response can align better with deliberate practice.

Control does not mean the paddle cannot hit drives or overheads. It means the design emphasis is on a composed feel. Players who generate their own racquet-head speed may still find ample everyday pace for social and club play.

Choose Power if you want a firmer response

The Thermoformed Power version is intended for players who prefer a firmer, more responsive feel. It can make sense when you build points with drives, attack balls above net height and value a direct response during fast exchanges.

Power is not simply about swinging harder. Compact volleys and well-timed counters can benefit from a responsive construction because the player can use incoming pace. The trade-off is that touch shots may demand a quieter grip and shorter movement.

If your current paddle feels muted or you consistently leave attacking balls short despite sound contact, the Power version may be the more natural fit. If your misses already run long, moving to a firmer response may not address the underlying issue.

Use your miss pattern to decide

Your last few games offer better evidence than a generic skill label. Think about where unforced errors occur.

• Resets and blocks regularly pop up: prioritise control and practise absorbing pace.
• Dinks travel deeper than intended: a composed response may feel easier to manage.
• Drives land short despite clean swings: a firmer construction may suit your preference.
• Fast volleys feel dull or delayed: consider the more responsive Power option.
• Errors occur on both sides: technique and decision-making may matter more than construction.

What should a newer player choose?

Many beginners will find the Control version easier to learn with because it prioritises a softer response and placement. That is a starting recommendation, not a rule. A player coming from tennis, squash or another racquet sport may already create pace comfortably and prefer the firmer Power construction.

Choose according to the shots you want to build over the next few months. If the goal is rally consistency and a reliable soft game, start with Control. If you already strike confidently and want a more direct attacking response, Power may fit sooner.

Remember the rest of the setup

A paddle comparison is only useful when the practice conditions are consistent. Use sound outdoor balls, warm up with compact swings and test both touch and pace rather than judging from one hard drive. The OpenClip Outdoor Pickleballs 6 Pack provides a current 40-hole outdoor option for social sessions.

If two people are starting together, the OpenClip T700 Pickleball 2-Player Bundle offers the same Control and Power construction choices in Velocity Blue or Afterglow Pink.

Frequently asked questions

Is a control paddle only for beginners?

No. Players at any level may prefer a softer, more composed response for resets, blocks and placement. “Control” describes the playing emphasis, not the player's ability.

Is a power paddle always heavier?

Not in this comparison. OpenClip currently lists the T700 paddle at 225g across the product, while the construction changes between Cold-Pressed Control and Thermoformed Power. Individual production variation can still occur.

Does thermoforming guarantee harder shots?

No. The Thermoformed Power version is designed for a firmer, more responsive feel, but shot speed depends on technique, timing, contact and normal equipment variation.

Can the Control version still produce spin?

Both versions use a textured raw T700 carbon fibre face designed to help players work with spin. No laboratory spin rate is claimed, and results depend on technique and surface condition.

Which option should I buy if I am unsure?

Choose Control if consistency, touch and learning the soft game are the priorities. Choose Power if you already prefer a firmer paddle response and build points with drives and attacking volleys.

Make the choice around your next improvement

The best construction is the one that supports the part of your game you are actively developing. Compare the current OpenClip T700 16mm Control and Power variants, then choose the response you are most likely to trust under pressure.