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In this article I’m going to be going over the Ronbus lineup and just explaining the differences between their paddle offerings so you can better decide what is right for you.
Ronbus is another enthusiast brand of paddles and has something for beginner to intermediate players at competitive prices. They also have been developing new technologies and techniques in the manufacturing process to bring some innovation to the paddle space as well.
The Ronbus paddles are divided into 4 different series which are the Original R Series, The Pulsar Series, the Nova Series, and the EV series.
Paddles are then further categorized into different shapes, R1, R2, and R3.
ORIGINAL R SERIES
Let’s first get into the original R Series. These paddles are the most affordable in the Ronbus lineup, coming in at $120 USD at the time of recording this video. They are solid Gen 1 paddles that utilizes a raw carbon fiber texture in the paddle face and a polypropylene honeycomb core which is common into the vast majority of paddles out there today.
All of the R series and actually all of the paddles that Ronbus offers come in at 16mm thickness. If you look on the paddle face of the R Series, you will see that the shape is listed first, followed by the number 16 which delineates the thickness of the paddle. So R1.16, R2.16, and R3.16…makes sense right? I’m going to presume that if Ronbus ever decides to release 14mm versions of the R Series that it would follow a similar naming convention by naming the shape first followed by the core thickness, such as R1.14 and so forth.
Speaking of shapes, you are probably wondering what’s the difference between them.
R1
The R1 is an elongated hybrid shape with a curved edge at the top. It has a 16.5 inch length, 7.5 inch width, and a grip length of 5.5 inches. This shape is probably the best option for most players that are looking for a great all around, all court paddle. With the swing weight of 115 it’s not too heavy to swing through the air but you aren’t sacrificing too much power since the elongated shape still provides the leverage you need to put some pace on your drives from the back of the court.
Specs
* Paddle Length: 16.5''
* Face Width: 7.5''
* Grip Length: 5.5''
* Grip Circumference: 4.25'' Octagon
* Weight: 7.9oz, +/- 0.2oz
* Swingweight: 115
* Paddle Surface: Raw Toray T700 Carbon Fiber Textured
* Paddle Shape: Hybrid
* Core Material: Polypropylene Honeycomb
* Core Thickness: 16mm
* Edge Guard: Yes
R2
In comparison, the R2 prioritizes speed and maneuverability for those quick volley to volley exchanges you might find yourself in when you are at the no volley zone. The R2 is about an inch shorter than the R1 but also half an inch wider, with a more oval face shape. The handle is a bit shorter as well coming in at 4.9 inches. This combination of specs along with its very low average swing weight of 102 makes the paddle incredibly fast in the hands and ideal for counters, resets, and off the bounce attacks. If you like to play a very quick and fast at the kitchen then this could be an ideal shape for you.
Paddle Specifications
* Paddle Length: 15.7''
* Face Width: 8.1''
* Grip Length: 4.9''
* Grip Circumference: 4.25'' Octagon
* Weight: 7.9oz, +/- 0.2oz
* Swingweight: 102
* Paddle Surface: Raw Toray T700 Carbon Fiber Textured
* Paddle Shape: Isometric
* Core Material: Polypropylene Honeycomb
* Core Thickness: 16mm
* Edge Guard: Yes
R3
The last shape to go over is the R3. Honestly this shape is not that much different from the R1. It’s an elongated shape just like the R1 but it has a more rectangular face. The length, width, grip length is pretty much identical. So you may be wondering is there a difference at all or why one would choose the R3 over the R1. Well the main difference is the swing weight. That additional mass in the top 2 corners found in the R3 gives this shape a bit higher swing weight coming in at an average score of 118. This makes it a bit slower to when moving through the air but what you lose in speed you gain in power and court penetration from your drives and full strokes. I’d recommend this shape to players who like to drive the ball and have strong serves and returns. If you play a fair amount of singles this is a good option.
Paddle Specifications
* Paddle Length: 16.5''
* Face Width: 7.5''
* Grip Length: 5.5''
* Grip Circumference: 4.25'' Octagon
* Weight: 8.0oz, +/- 0.2oz
* Swingweight: 118
* Paddle Surface: Raw Toray T700 Carbon Fiber Textured
* Paddle Shape: Standard
* Core Material: Polypropylene Honeycomb
* Core Thickness: 16mm
* Edge Guard: Yes
Ok so the original R series is an entry level line of paddles catered to but not limited to people just getting into the sport. I know plenty of high level players who play with the R3.16 and I would honestly start with a paddle in the Original R series to see if you think you might need more power or durability as you start to play pickleball more and more.
PULSAR
Next series I want to go over is the Pulsar series. I made a video on the Pulsar which you can check out in the link in the description. The Pulsar is Ronbus’ Power centric series that is heat molded, thermoformed, and unibody. It’s a quite plush and muted feeling paddle which can be either a good thing or bad thing depending on your personal preference.
The Pulsar only comes in the R1 and R3 shapes which I think is kind of a shame as I would have loved to see an R2 option as I think that shape would benefit the most from getting a bit more power combined with its speed.
I personally played with the R3 Pulsar and it served me really well especially for singles and for the hard drives, serves, and returns I like to hit. However, I’d probably say the R1 Pulsar is a better overall pick for most people if you want just a bit more versatility and hand speed in your game, however both are great and I think the Pulsar series is my personal favorite from the Ronbus Lineup.
If you need some extra heat on your shots or feel like you are having a tough time getting enough pace to put away balls then I would definitely pick up the Pulsar. I will say though that the Pulsar series utilizes a more fine peel ply textured surface which is actually incredible for spin from the baseline when fresh out of the box but I think they don’t last as long as the rougher surface you find in the original R series. Just something to keep in mind in your purchase making decision.
NOVA
Next up is the NOVA series of paddles and you can sort of think of this as the sibling to the the Pulsar series but with more control. Ronbus states that it’s a thermoformed unibody paddle similar to the Pulsar but with some new tech implemented in the edge walls to help with durability. In fact thats kind of how I would describe it, the Nova is a premium paddle that sits between the original R series and the Pulsar series in terms of power but has the added benefit of more durability and less likely to have problems such as delamination in the paddle face sheets, disbonding of the face from the core, and core corruption/crushing.
The NOVA only comes in the R1 and R3 shapes much like the Pulsar and while it’s good I don’t know if I would choose it over the Pulsar or even the Original R series unless paddle durability and longevity are of the utmost importance to you. The reason I say this is because I mean if you are looking for power you are going to be looking at the Pulsar series right? But if you are looking for a more control centric paddle then you are also considering the original R series. The Nova does get more power than the original R series but in my opinion it’s not by much. Not only that but with the way the edge wall is constructed in the Nova to make it more rigid with that “edge grid” they claim they use, which is essentially holes they drill into the edge wall. It increases the swing weight of the paddle and you lose the hand speed without the benefit of the additional pop you would find in a paddle that has a solid edge wall, like the one you would find in the Pulsar series. On top of these considerations, the Nova also is more expensive than the Original R series and the Pulsar coming in at $180 USD compared to the $120 and $150. You can use my code “PickleballWill” to help save you some cash but just something to keep in mind. With all that being said I do think the Nova is still a great performing paddle and the light Blue edge guard found on the R3 Nova looks really good and might sway me towards the Nova.
EV2
Last but not least we have the EV2 which is Ronbus’ latest version of their EVA foam paddle. I had their EV1 and did a video about on it which you can check out in the description. These paddles are not USAP approved for sanctioned tournament play but you can use them for recreational play and maybe your local tournaments. The EV2 is only offered in the R3 shape and utilizes EVA foam in the core and is probably the most powerful paddle in the lineup. It has plush but springy feel that gives off an affect of a trampoline when striking the ball. It feels surprisingly soft and absorbs the fast hits well but if you are not careful with your swings, the shots you hit are going to be flying fast and out.
The EV2 has an upgrade over its predecessor, the EV1, in the fact that the EV2 sports a raw carbon fiber face to help with spin along with an edge guard to help with stability and protect the edges.
The EV2 paddle is definitely a fun paddle to whip out every once in awhile and I think most people should at least try to hit with an EVA foam paddle a few times to kind of see what is possible for a paddle to do.
Summary
So to recap you have the original R series for overall playability and affordability. The Pulsar for power. The Nova for control and durability. The EV2 for some fun. From there you can further narrow down your selection based on shape, R1, R2, R3. Just keep in mind that not all the shapes are available in the different series. The R1 is probably the most versatile shape and I think the R1.16 and R1 Pulsar is what I would recommend to most players from a performance and price standpoint. Here is how I would rank the Ronbus paddles:
Control
1. R1.16 / R2.16
2. R3.16
3. R1.NOVA
4. R3.NOVA
5. R1.PULSAR
6. R3.PULSAR
7. EV2
Power
1. EV2
2. R3.PULSAR
3. R1.PULSAR
4. R3 NOVA
5. R1 NOVA
6. R3.16 / R1.16
7. R2.16
Pop
1. R3 PULSAR / R1 PULSAR
2. EV2
3. R1.NOVA / R3.NOVA
4. R1.16 / R2.16 / R3.16
Spin
1. R1.16 / R2.16 / R3.16
2. PULSAR
3. NOVA
In this article I’m going to be going over the Ronbus lineup and just explaining the differences between their paddle offerings so you can better decide what is right for you.
Ronbus is another enthusiast brand of paddles and has something for beginner to intermediate players at competitive prices. They also have been developing new technologies and techniques in the manufacturing process to bring some innovation to the paddle space as well.
The Ronbus paddles are divided into 4 different series which are the Original R Series, The Pulsar Series, the Nova Series, and the EV series.
Paddles are then further categorized into different shapes, R1, R2, and R3.
ORIGINAL R SERIES
Let’s first get into the original R Series. These paddles are the most affordable in the Ronbus lineup, coming in at $120 USD at the time of recording this video. They are solid Gen 1 paddles that utilizes a raw carbon fiber texture in the paddle face and a polypropylene honeycomb core which is common into the vast majority of paddles out there today.
All of the R series and actually all of the paddles that Ronbus offers come in at 16mm thickness. If you look on the paddle face of the R Series, you will see that the shape is listed first, followed by the number 16 which delineates the thickness of the paddle. So R1.16, R2.16, and R3.16…makes sense right? I’m going to presume that if Ronbus ever decides to release 14mm versions of the R Series that it would follow a similar naming convention by naming the shape first followed by the core thickness, such as R1.14 and so forth.
Speaking of shapes, you are probably wondering what’s the difference between them.
R1
The R1 is an elongated hybrid shape with a curved edge at the top. It has a 16.5 inch length, 7.5 inch width, and a grip length of 5.5 inches. This shape is probably the best option for most players that are looking for a great all around, all court paddle. With the swing weight of 115 it’s not too heavy to swing through the air but you aren’t sacrificing too much power since the elongated shape still provides the leverage you need to put some pace on your drives from the back of the court.
Specs
* Paddle Length: 16.5''
* Face Width: 7.5''
* Grip Length: 5.5''
* Grip Circumference: 4.25'' Octagon
* Weight: 7.9oz, +/- 0.2oz
* Swingweight: 115
* Paddle Surface: Raw Toray T700 Carbon Fiber Textured
* Paddle Shape: Hybrid
* Core Material: Polypropylene Honeycomb
* Core Thickness: 16mm
* Edge Guard: Yes
R2
In comparison, the R2 prioritizes speed and maneuverability for those quick volley to volley exchanges you might find yourself in when you are at the no volley zone. The R2 is about an inch shorter than the R1 but also half an inch wider, with a more oval face shape. The handle is a bit shorter as well coming in at 4.9 inches. This combination of specs along with its very low average swing weight of 102 makes the paddle incredibly fast in the hands and ideal for counters, resets, and off the bounce attacks. If you like to play a very quick and fast at the kitchen then this could be an ideal shape for you.
Paddle Specifications
* Paddle Length: 15.7''
* Face Width: 8.1''
* Grip Length: 4.9''
* Grip Circumference: 4.25'' Octagon
* Weight: 7.9oz, +/- 0.2oz
* Swingweight: 102
* Paddle Surface: Raw Toray T700 Carbon Fiber Textured
* Paddle Shape: Isometric
* Core Material: Polypropylene Honeycomb
* Core Thickness: 16mm
* Edge Guard: Yes
R3
The last shape to go over is the R3. Honestly this shape is not that much different from the R1. It’s an elongated shape just like the R1 but it has a more rectangular face. The length, width, grip length is pretty much identical. So you may be wondering is there a difference at all or why one would choose the R3 over the R1. Well the main difference is the swing weight. That additional mass in the top 2 corners found in the R3 gives this shape a bit higher swing weight coming in at an average score of 118. This makes it a bit slower to when moving through the air but what you lose in speed you gain in power and court penetration from your drives and full strokes. I’d recommend this shape to players who like to drive the ball and have strong serves and returns. If you play a fair amount of singles this is a good option.
Paddle Specifications
* Paddle Length: 16.5''
* Face Width: 7.5''
* Grip Length: 5.5''
* Grip Circumference: 4.25'' Octagon
* Weight: 8.0oz, +/- 0.2oz
* Swingweight: 118
* Paddle Surface: Raw Toray T700 Carbon Fiber Textured
* Paddle Shape: Standard
* Core Material: Polypropylene Honeycomb
* Core Thickness: 16mm
* Edge Guard: Yes
Ok so the original R series is an entry level line of paddles catered to but not limited to people just getting into the sport. I know plenty of high level players who play with the R3.16 and I would honestly start with a paddle in the Original R series to see if you think you might need more power or durability as you start to play pickleball more and more.
PULSAR
Next series I want to go over is the Pulsar series. I made a video on the Pulsar which you can check out in the link in the description. The Pulsar is Ronbus’ Power centric series that is heat molded, thermoformed, and unibody. It’s a quite plush and muted feeling paddle which can be either a good thing or bad thing depending on your personal preference.
The Pulsar only comes in the R1 and R3 shapes which I think is kind of a shame as I would have loved to see an R2 option as I think that shape would benefit the most from getting a bit more power combined with its speed.
I personally played with the R3 Pulsar and it served me really well especially for singles and for the hard drives, serves, and returns I like to hit. However, I’d probably say the R1 Pulsar is a better overall pick for most people if you want just a bit more versatility and hand speed in your game, however both are great and I think the Pulsar series is my personal favorite from the Ronbus Lineup.
If you need some extra heat on your shots or feel like you are having a tough time getting enough pace to put away balls then I would definitely pick up the Pulsar. I will say though that the Pulsar series utilizes a more fine peel ply textured surface which is actually incredible for spin from the baseline when fresh out of the box but I think they don’t last as long as the rougher surface you find in the original R series. Just something to keep in mind in your purchase making decision.
NOVA
Next up is the NOVA series of paddles and you can sort of think of this as the sibling to the the Pulsar series but with more control. Ronbus states that it’s a thermoformed unibody paddle similar to the Pulsar but with some new tech implemented in the edge walls to help with durability. In fact thats kind of how I would describe it, the Nova is a premium paddle that sits between the original R series and the Pulsar series in terms of power but has the added benefit of more durability and less likely to have problems such as delamination in the paddle face sheets, disbonding of the face from the core, and core corruption/crushing.
The NOVA only comes in the R1 and R3 shapes much like the Pulsar and while it’s good I don’t know if I would choose it over the Pulsar or even the Original R series unless paddle durability and longevity are of the utmost importance to you. The reason I say this is because I mean if you are looking for power you are going to be looking at the Pulsar series right? But if you are looking for a more control centric paddle then you are also considering the original R series. The Nova does get more power than the original R series but in my opinion it’s not by much. Not only that but with the way the edge wall is constructed in the Nova to make it more rigid with that “edge grid” they claim they use, which is essentially holes they drill into the edge wall. It increases the swing weight of the paddle and you lose the hand speed without the benefit of the additional pop you would find in a paddle that has a solid edge wall, like the one you would find in the Pulsar series. On top of these considerations, the Nova also is more expensive than the Original R series and the Pulsar coming in at $180 USD compared to the $120 and $150. You can use my code “PickleballWill” to help save you some cash but just something to keep in mind. With all that being said I do think the Nova is still a great performing paddle and the light Blue edge guard found on the R3 Nova looks really good and might sway me towards the Nova.
EV2
Last but not least we have the EV2 which is Ronbus’ latest version of their EVA foam paddle. I had their EV1 and did a video about on it which you can check out in the description. These paddles are not USAP approved for sanctioned tournament play but you can use them for recreational play and maybe your local tournaments. The EV2 is only offered in the R3 shape and utilizes EVA foam in the core and is probably the most powerful paddle in the lineup. It has plush but springy feel that gives off an affect of a trampoline when striking the ball. It feels surprisingly soft and absorbs the fast hits well but if you are not careful with your swings, the shots you hit are going to be flying fast and out.
The EV2 has an upgrade over its predecessor, the EV1, in the fact that the EV2 sports a raw carbon fiber face to help with spin along with an edge guard to help with stability and protect the edges.
The EV2 paddle is definitely a fun paddle to whip out every once in awhile and I think most people should at least try to hit with an EVA foam paddle a few times to kind of see what is possible for a paddle to do.
Summary
So to recap you have the original R series for overall playability and affordability. The Pulsar for power. The Nova for control and durability. The EV2 for some fun. From there you can further narrow down your selection based on shape, R1, R2, R3. Just keep in mind that not all the shapes are available in the different series. The R1 is probably the most versatile shape and I think the R1.16 and R1 Pulsar is what I would recommend to most players from a performance and price standpoint. Here is how I would rank the Ronbus paddles:
Control
1. R1.16 / R2.16
2. R3.16
3. R1.NOVA
4. R3.NOVA
5. R1.PULSAR
6. R3.PULSAR
7. EV2
Power
1. EV2
2. R3.PULSAR
3. R1.PULSAR
4. R3 NOVA
5. R1 NOVA
6. R3.16 / R1.16
7. R2.16
Pop
1. R3 PULSAR / R1 PULSAR
2. EV2
3. R1.NOVA / R3.NOVA
4. R1.16 / R2.16 / R3.16
Spin
1. R1.16 / R2.16 / R3.16
2. PULSAR
3. NOVA
