Electrum has been steadily growing in popularity and takes their time with paddle development to make sure they get it right. It seems like most brands come out with a couple of new paddles every year but Electrum is more deliberate in their approach. This is only the second paddle they developed. It is the paddle used by Collin Johns, one of the best mens doubles players in the world.
After drilling and playing with the Electrum Model E for over two weeks, here is my review of its performance.
Performance Summary
The Model E has just the right amount of a soft feel to it that I quickly connected with and could control it well. It’s not very lively off the face, it absorbs speed well and gives you good control of the pace of play. Its heavier weight and T700 carbon face made it a very forgiving elongated shape. Its excellent feel, forgiveness and stability made this one of my favorite elongated control focused paddles I’ve played.
I felt in control from the baseline and transition zone. My consistency from those areas of the court improved with this paddle in my hands. Usually you sacrifice some forgiveness with an elongated shape but I didn’t feel that way with this paddle. This reduced errors with dinking and block shots that you don’t get with other elongated shapes.
It has the swing weight to power through the ball with high put aways, but it didn’t have as much power with counters and other shots that used a shorter swing. However, it has a medium to high spin rating which improves its attacking ability by increasing your accuracy.
It did feel a little clunky and slow in your hands, though. I felt behind in quick volley exchanges sometimes and I was as fast with it when scrambling. One other downside is the lack of customization options. They don’t offer the paddle in any other shapes or weights.
The bottom line: This is one of the better elongated control focused paddles out there. Its higher spin rating gives it some attacking ability, though its thicker core and heavier weight does make it feel slower.
Price: $180
Quick Stats
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Is the Electrum E the right paddle for you?
If you think this is the right paddle for you. Pick one up from our friends at Fromuth Pickleball for 10% off using code 10EFFECT.
Shop ElectrumPaddle Design and Technology
This paddle features your classic elongated shape (16.5” x 7.5”) with a 5.25” handle. The handle length is longer to make room for two handed shots and increases the leverage you can get to add power.
It’s a thicker core paddle at 16mm with a raw carbon fiber face. The texture of the face is built into the material and is not laid on top so it lasts longer. The facing material is similar to what’s used by the Engage Pursuit and CRBN paddles.
Attacking
This is a pure control paddle and I noticed less power in my shots across the board. My serves, drives, and counters all had less speed. However, it was high in control and had a medium spin rating which helped control the point when at the net and create opportunities to attack. It was an excellent doubles paddle. There are so many ways to beat your opponents other than just power. My control and accuracy was improved with this paddle which helped me beat my opponents in a variety of ways other than just overpowering them.
I found that my rolls from below the net were landing a foot in, where with non control paddles it’s a lot closer to the base line or long more often than I’d like ha. I enjoyed that about the less power.
I don’t mind a paddle with less power in doubles. However, there were moments with shots like backhand putaways where I wish it had more pop than what I could get out of it.
The paddle is on the heavier side and you could feel it. There are benefits of heavier paddle like stability but there are also downsides like paddle speed. It felt slower in hand battles and when scrambling.
Soft Game and Defense
The Electrum Model E really excelled in the soft game. It’s one of the best control paddles I’ve played. No doubt I was more accurate with my thirds and as I worked my way into the net. The paddle was forgiving for an elongated shape and the heavier weight helped stabilize it. Making it great for dinking around the net and reducing the amount of unforced errors in general. This was what really made the paddle unique to me. Elongated shapes usually require higher skill levels, but this one was more player friendly than say the Diadem Warrior or the CRBN 1.
The face isn’t very lively. The paddle takes pace off the ball making it easier to control the speed and placement of the ball. Its mute face also made it easier to block shots and reset things into the kitchen. I have a tendency to leave the ball up sometimes when I hit a volley dink, but that didn’t happen as often with this paddle. This is a top-tier control paddle.
Other Player Comments
Who Would Like This Paddle?
This is the paddle used by Collin Johns, and I think it matches his playstyle really well. He is a patient player that likes to work the point and wear his opponents down. If you have a similar playstyle then you will love the touch, control and reach this paddle gives you. Additionally, its forgiveness and stability will keep you in points longer as you work the point.
One downside to this paddle is the lack of customization options. They don’t have any weight options and they don’t offer a similar paddle in different shapes. You only get one option. If you don’t like heavier paddles or if you wish they offered a different handle length or something then unfortunately, they don’t have it.
Is the Electrum E the right paddle for you?
If you think this is the right paddle for you. Pick one up from our friends at Fromuth Pickleball for 10% off using code 10EFFECT.
Shop ElectrumBraydon competes at the 4.5 level and plays in 5-10 tournaments a year. He plays/drills 3 to 4 times a week and would play more if time allowed it.
