RPM Friction Pro V2 Pickleball Paddle Review: 16mm vs. 14mm

Editor's note: This is a guest review submitted by 11sixCheung. Product photo courtesy of RPM Pickleball.

After putting both the RPM Friction Pro V2 16mm and 14mm through their paces side by side, I wanted to share my breakdown of how these two thicknesses stack up against each other.

Context & Testing Setup

• 16mm: A previously used and played paddle.
• 14mm: A demo model that was practically pristine and untouched.
• Setup: Both were played completely stock—no added lead tape, just a single overgrip.

Both feel completely play-ready right out of the box without needing extra customization.

16mm vs. 14mm: Key Differences

Feel / Touch

• 16mm: Plush with great dwell time; the ball sinks in.
• 14mm: Crisp and highly reactive.

Control & Soft Game

• 16mm: Superior feedback with easier shot placement and drop control.
• 14mm: Requires a softer touch and offers less margin for error.

Power & Pop

• 16mm: Controlled, manageable power.
• 14mm: A drive and power monster that is fast off the face.

Accuracy

• 16mm: Higher forgiveness with slight directional variance of around 5–6 degrees.
• 14mm: Pinpoint accuracy on sweet-spot hits.

Performance Breakdown

1. Control & Soft Game

16mm: This is where the 16mm shines. The plush dwell time gives you incredible feedback, making it effortless to dial in soft shots and reset the ball. Third-shot drops felt significantly more consistent and controllable compared with the 14mm.

14mm: Being thinner and highly reactive, it demands a bit more precision. If you miss the sweet spot, the margin for error is smaller. When you execute properly, however, the ball goes exactly where you target it.

2. Power & Pop

General lineup: The RPM V2 overall sits comfortably in the low-to-mid power tier. However, if you drill with it and dial in your mechanics, there is a lot of power waiting to be unlocked.

14mm: A total drive and pop monster. The ball pops off the face instantly with that distinct Gen 3 reactivity, making high-speed resets and drives feel explosive.

3. Forgiveness & Precision

16mm: Offers a bit more forgiveness across the face. On solid hits, shot trajectories might occasionally veer off target by five or six degrees, but the paddle absorbs pace reliably to keep you in the point.

14mm: Precision-oriented. Hitting the sweet spot produces surgical accuracy with zero deflection, though it rewards cleaner mechanics.

The Verdict

The RPM V2 is an easy paddle to highly recommend, and it is clear why it is gaining so much traction and popularity compared with options like the Joola Pro series.

Which core thickness you choose ultimately comes down to your personal playstyle and feel preferences:

• Go with the 16mm if you prefer a plush feel, superior drop control, and a softer touch around the kitchen.
• Go with the 14mm if you want instant pop off the paddle face, aggressive drives, and laser-like directional accuracy on sweet-spot hits.

For another perspective, read Pickle Li's RPM Friction Pro V2 14mm first-impressions review.

— 11sixCheung