Paddle Comparison Lab

KewCOR Paddle Surface Map×

The KewCOR Curve maps paddle power along the centerline of the face, typically from 3–6 inches below the tip. It shows how consistently the paddle returns energy across the hitting surface.

A flat, smooth curve indicates a more uniform response and a longer sweet spot, while a steep curve suggests a concentrated hot spot with a sharper drop-off in power away from the optimal contact zone.

Higher values indicate greater energy return at that location on the paddle face.

Ball Speed in Play×

Ball speed in play converts the measured face response (KewCOR) into the ball speed a swung paddle would produce, using the collision-efficiency relation from a baseball study (Nathan, A. M., American Journal of Physics 71, 134 (2003)).

A paddle's measured rebound isn't a fixed number. It depends on how fast the ball and paddle are closing on each other, which is different at every point on the face and at every combination of head speed and incoming ball speed.

Paddle head speed categories are approximate ranges. Every player is different, and outbound speed is affected by swing mechanics and inbound ball speed.

Firepower×

Firepower is a 0–100 score, a scaled z-score on KewCOR using the same −2.75/+2.75 anchor as Power and Pop. It saturates: any paddle at or above KewCOR 0.4694 reads 100, so a few of the hottest paddles in the fleet show the same Firepower number while sitting at different points on the bar below. The bar carries that detail; the number alone does not.

KewCOR measures power at the paddle's sweet spot on a 0.340–0.550 scale: Control 0.340–0.366, All-Court 0.366–0.400, Power 0.400–0.445 (subdividing into Low, Mid and High), Very High Power 0.445–0.550. A narrow zone around each interior cut (0.010 wide) reads as a boundary rather than either neighboring band, since the measurement error is close to that width. The top of the scale is compressed: 0.340–0.445 is linear, and the remaining range above 0.445 is squeezed into the last tenth of the bar so the crowded middle of the fleet stays readable.

Positions below 0.340 sit at the left edge of the bar. A KewCOR above 0.550 pins the pointer at the right edge, and the bar marks it with an outward chevron and the words "above dial range" rather than relying on color alone.

KewCOR×

Controlled laboratory data capturing efficiency of paddle-ball collision using a ball cannon and clamped paddle. Bands (Control, All-Court, Power, Very High Power) describe measured power only and are not a statement about USAP certification or any other standard.

The scale from 0.340 to 0.445 is linear. Above 0.445, the scale compresses the remaining range so the crowded middle of the fleet stays readable: the top band is not drawn to the same scale as the rest.

Spin Durability Tier×

Spin durability tiers are based on an accelerated wear test that measures how well a paddle maintains spin over time. Initial spin is measured using a ball cannon (60 MPH, paddle clamped at 30°), followed by 100 impacts at 70 MPH to simulate wear. Spin is then re-measured under identical conditions.

• Tier 1: <5% spin loss (Elite)
• Tier 2: 5–9.9% spin loss
• Tier 3: 10–19.9% spin loss
• Tier 4: ≥20% spin loss

This accelerated laboratory test is designed to compare surface durability under controlled conditions. Actual on-court wear will vary based on play style, conditions, and maintenance.

All Tier 1–Tier 3 ratings are confirmed through accelerated wear testing. Tier 4 also includes untested traditional raw carbon fiber and spray-grit paddles, as every tested example of these surface types has exhibited approximately 20% or more spin loss.