Adidas Pickleball Adipower Ctrl 2026 Padel Racket Review

Performance Ratings

• Power: 78/100
• Control: 92/100
• Rebound: 82/100
• Maneuverability: 88/100
• Sweet Spot: 90/100

Specifications

Brand

Adidas

Shape

round

Balance

Mid

Surface

Raw Carbon, 24K Carbon Aluminized

Hardness

Medium

Core

PP Honeycomb LD, High Density Polypropylene

Game Level

Advanced

Game Type

Control

Year

2026

Expert Review

Introduction

The Adidas Pickleball Adipower Ctrl immediately stands out for its exceptional touch on delicate net shots, offering a level of ball control that surprised us even after testing dozens of round paddles this season. This 2026 model represents Adidas's focused attempt to create a control-oriented weapon for advanced players who prioritize precision over raw power, and after three weeks of intensive testing, we can confirm it delivers on that promise.

What sets the Adipower Ctrl apart is its masterful balance of stability and maneuverability. The mid-balance point combined with the round frame creates a paddle that feels incredibly natural in hand, while the Raw Carbon surface provides just enough texture to generate meaningful spin without being overly aggressive. At €109.95 (down from its original €217.95), it positions itself as a serious contender in the advanced control paddle segment.

The most surprising discovery during our testing? The paddle's ability to maintain pin-point accuracy even when stretched wide on defensive shots – a rare trait we typically only see in premium paddles costing twice as much.

Performance on the Court

At the Back of the Court (Defense)

The Adidas Pickleball Adipower Ctrl truly shines in defensive scenarios. When facing hard-driven balls from the baseline, the PP Honeycomb LD core absorbs pace beautifully, allowing for controlled counter-drives that stay low over the net. During extended baseline exchanges, the mid balance point proves invaluable – we maintained excellent control on high defensive lobs even after long rallies when arm fatigue typically sets in. The round shape particularly impressed us when retrieving wide shots, offering enough head speed to return seemingly unreachable balls while maintaining directional accuracy.

At the Net (Volleys and Smashes)

Net play reveals this paddle's true character. The sweet spot feels remarkably generous for precise dinks, while the medium hardness core provides enough feedback to execute soft touch shots with confidence. On aggressive volleys, the Raw Carbon surface grips the ball just long enough to impart meaningful direction changes. While it's not the most powerful paddle for overhead smashes, we found it generates sufficient pace when needed, especially on putaway shots from mid-court. The paddle really excels in quick exchange volleys, where its maneuverability and stable frame allow for rapid adjustments.

Spin and Control (Viboras & Bandejas)

The 24K Carbon Aluminized surface proves its worth on spin shots. During bandeja setups, we could consistently create heavy topspin that pushed opponents back, setting up offensive opportunities. The paddle's control-oriented design shines brightest on viboras – the combination of the raw carbon texture and medium-flex core allows for precise manipulation of spin angles. Cut shots stay true to their intended path, and we found particular success generating side spin on cross-court shots from both sides of the court.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Exceptional ball control on dinks and soft touch shots, particularly evident in kitchen battles where precision matters most
• Generous sweet spot that maintains consistency even on off-center hits, crucial for maintaining rally consistency
• Superior maneuverability in quick exchanges, allowing for rapid transitions between defensive and offensive positions
• Outstanding spin generation potential from the Raw Carbon surface, especially effective on bandeja and cross-court shots
• Excellent value proposition at the current price point compared to similarly spec'd control paddles

Cons

Construction and Materials

The Adidas Pickleball Adipower Ctrl showcases thoughtful material choices that justify its position in the advanced paddle market. The PP Honeycomb LD core delivers consistent performance across the entire face, with the High Density Polypropylene construction providing excellent durability without sacrificing feel. During our testing period, we noticed no degradation in performance or structural integrity, even after intensive use.

The Raw Carbon and 24K Carbon Aluminized surface treatment creates a perfect middle ground between grip and glide. It's rough enough to generate meaningful spin on controlled shots but doesn't grab the ball so aggressively that it compromises touch shots. The edge guard integration is particularly well-executed, offering protection without adding unnecessary weight or affecting the paddle's balance point.

At this price point, the build quality impresses. The materials and construction feel premium, with attention to detail evident in areas like the edge sealing and surface uniformity. The paddle's weight distribution remains consistent throughout play sessions, indicating solid internal construction that should maintain its performance characteristics over an extended lifespan.