The pickleball paddle landscape is constantly shifting. If you were a 90s kid like me, this era of pickleball reminds me of growing up alongside rapidly evolving tech. Not too long ago, the standard pickleball paddle was made with simple wooden or plastic cores, but as players began taking the sport seriously, they sought more sophisticated paddle construction techniques, starting with the advent of the honeycomb polypropyele core. We'll explore how pickleball paddles have made generational improvements since then, up to our current Gen 4 era as of the time of writing.

What are Pickleball Paddle Gens?

Paddle generations, shortened as "gens", refer to the level of core technology used in modern pickleball paddle manufacturing. Starting from Gen 1, which began the use of honeycomb polypropylene, to the current Gen 4 foam core paddles. While USAPA standards keeps performance levels between paddles in check, differences in core technology go a long way in determining a paddle's consistency and feel.

Gen 1: Honeycomb Polypropylene Cores

Gen 1 technology marks the "modern" era of pickleball construction, akin to when tennis racquets shifted from wood and aluminum construction to graphite. As pickleball began to be taken more seriously as a competitive sport, players began experimenting with more advanced construction beyond solid wooden and plastic paddles. A honeycomb structure made of sturdy, yet flexible polypropylene material forms the basis of Gen 1 core technology: this "honeycomb polypropylene" core enables incredible rebound when hitting a ball while maintaining a lightweight construction.

Examples of Gen 1 Paddles

• Dunlop PT-One
• Engage Pursuit Pro1

Gen 2: Thermoformed Construction

The main improvement Gen 2 paddles have over their Gen 1 counterparts is with their thermoformed construction. Whereas Gen 1 paddles are generally held together with adhesives and cold-pressed to keep the materials together, Gen 2 paddles use heat and pressure, often with the help a forming mold, to create a more unified paddle. This may not seem that significant an improvement at first, but the difference in build quality shows after many games, with Gen 2 paddles much less susceptible to breaking after extensive play.

Examples of Gen 2 Paddles:

• Diadem Edge 18k
• Joola Perseus Pro V

Gen 3: Foam-Fused Cores

Where Gen 2 paddles feel more like an incremental refinement of the previous gen, Gen 3 paddles represent a more intermediary step between advancements. Gen 3 paddle cores incorporate some level of foam into the construction, often used around the perimeter though sometimes injected within the honeycomb cells as a "fusion" of technologies. The springiness of foam creates more dwell time on the ball with each shot, making it easier to launch them back with more spin and power.

Examples of Gen 3 Paddles:

• Selkirk Labs Boomstik
• Dunlop TT 5IVE

Gen 4: Full Foam Cores

Gen 4 marks the next major step in paddle construction, abandoning polypropylene altogether in favor of fully foam cores. While foam cores existed in the past, they were either for novelty purposes (i.e, quiet foam) or were disqualified from professional play by tournament standards. Manufacturers have since fine-tuned parameters to ensure Gen 4 paddles don't provide unfair advantages. Foam core construction also resolves the dreaded "core crush" problem plaguing honeycomb polypropylene cores since their inception, wherein the honeycomb structure collapses from overuse, resulting in dull, inconsistent shots. 

Examples of Gen 4 Paddles:

• Wilson Blaze SF Tour
• CRBN TruFoam Waves

Ultimately, what gen your pickleball paddle belongs to won't correlate to its overall quality. Gen 2 and 4 pickleball paddles are comparable in performance, and some players might prefer the crisper feel of a polypropylene core over the plushness of foam. A gen 1 paddle might not have the durability of their later gen contemporaries, but they offer great competitive value at a lower price point.