2024 Hot List Gold Award

The Vatic Pro Prism-Flash 16mm far exceeded my expectations. I feel like I’m stealing money from them with how good this plays for only $100. This paddle plays very similar to the Joola Ben Johns Hyperion CFS 16 that retails for $220 and has been one of the most popular paddles of all time.

It has a very pleasant, soft feel to it that makes it easy to hit drops and take speed off the ball for resets and dinks. It will help enhance your soft game if that is something you struggle with. 

Then it has this unique hybrid shape that gives you a little extra length but still maintains a good sized sweet spot and a lower swingweight of 114. This lower swingweight makes it easier to maneuver and manipulate in a way you don’t get with traditional elongated paddles.

On the power side, it doesn’t give you as much power as the popular thermoformed paddles out there right now but it gives you more than past generation control paddles. So it’s somewhere in between those. Essentially, it has a little power but isn’t overwhelming. If you can create your own power then you’ll find this will have enough for you in most cases but it won’t generate a lot of power for you like a thermoformed paddle will.

Talking about spin, it has a raw carbon fiber face that you just don’t see at this price point, especially from more established brands, so the spin is good.

This is one of the best control paddles available and it happens to only cost $100. The only reason I might not recommend this paddle is if you’re looking for more power or don’t like paddles with a soft, plush feel and prefer something that is firmer and gives you more feedback.

The bottom line: Vatic Pro’s Prism Flash 16mm is a great option for players who want a high quality control and spin paddle at an entry level price.