Ronbus Ripple V2 Pickleball Paddle Review

A New Contender in the Power Paddle Arena

By John Kew, May 30, 2025

The Ronbus Ripple V2 has officially entered the elite power paddle conversation, and it does so with swagger, technology, and a story of resilience. After over a year of R&D and an initial stumble with PBCOR certification, Ronbus retooled, refined, and reemerged with a paddle series that delivers elite-tier power—while staying within USAP's strict limits. The Ripple V2 model is tailored to aggressive players who prioritize power over finesse.

Ronbus Ripple V2 R1.14
(Apply code JOHNKEW at checkout for $20 off)

Transparency Up Front

Ronbus sent me these paddles to review with no strings attached. No payment, no pre-screening, no influence on my opinions. If you choose to purchase using my discount code (JOHNKEW), you’ll save some money, and I’ll earn a small commission—at no cost to you.

Paddle Specs & Technology

  • R1.14 – Elongated shape
  • R2.14 – Widebody for better forgiveness
  • R4.14 – Hybrid shape blending the R1 and R2
Three paddle shapes including R4 hybrid Basic paddle specs

All three shapes feature the same internal structure, built on Ronbus’s FIRE (Fiber Infused Rebounding Elastomer) core. This core ditches traditional honeycomb in favor of EVA foam, reinforced with carbon fiber strips that stiffen the paddle so it passes PBCOR testing. And then there’s the face layup: six layers in total, including unidirectional carbon at alternating angles and a layer of woven fiberglass to fine-tune the pop and feel. The microscopic image below shows the surface layup in profile. Layer 1: Unidirectional carbon fiber at 0 degrees. Layer 2: Unidirectional carbon fiber at 90 degrees. Layer 3: Unidirectional carbon fiber at 0 degrees. Layer 4: Bidirectional fiberglass weave. Layer 5: Unidirectional carbon fiber at 0 degree. Layer 6: Carbon fiber lattice system

X-ray showing EVA foam and carbon fiber Dissected paddle with foam channels Close-up of carbon fiber lattice Microscopic view of six-layer layup

Performance Deep Dive – Metrics and Feel

R1.14 – The Powerhouse

Radar chart for R1.14
  • Power & Pop: Above the 90th percentile
  • Swing Weight: 92nd percentile
  • Balance Point: 97th percentile
  • Spin: ~2131 RPM
  • Twist Weight: Low (5.86)

R2.14 – Bigger Sweet Spot and More Forgiving

Radar chart for R2.14
  • Lower swing weight than R1
  • Trades a bit of power for more pop
  • Identical spin
  • Twist Weight: Significantly higher

R4.14 – The Versatile Hybrid

Radar chart for R4.14
  • Maneuverable with respectable power
  • Lower twist weight than R2
  • Customizable with added perimeter weighting

KewCOR Testing – How Powerful Are They?

KewCOR setup

Using a ball cannon and my own custom power metric, KewCOR, I measured energy return. These numbers place all three paddles firmly in the "elite power" category—comparable to the likes of JOOLA IVs and PaddleTek Bantams.

  • R4: 0.520
  • R1: 0.527
  • R2: 0.542
KewCOR results vs other paddles

On-Court Impressions

These paddles play hot. From baseline drives to lightning-quick hand battles at the net, the Ripple V2 gives you tools to apply pressure. But midcourt resets take finesse—the power can lead to pop-ups if you're not careful. Spin is good, not best-in-class. The V2 tones down the beta version’s spin but still hangs with the top-tier competition.

Customization Tips

The R1 already has a high swing weight, so adding mass can slow down your hands. For the R2 and R4, I recommend 3g of tungsten tape at 8 and 4 o’clock to boost twist weight.

Tungsten tape placement on R2

Durability – The Big Unknown

Ronbus has performed 1,000-slap mechanical tests, and early signs are promising. But EVA foam paddles are still unproven long-term. Compared to the PaddleTek Bantam (durability champ with trade-offs), the Ripple and JOOLA IVs offer better forgiveness but have both seen early durability issues.

Final Verdict – Who’s It For?

  • Buy it if: You want elite legal power, high-end materials...
  • Skip it if: You prioritize durability or ultra-light maneuverability

My picks:

  • R2 – Most forgiving, great all-arounder
  • R4 – Best for customization
  • R1 – If you love elongated paddles

Ronbus enters the elite power tier with the Ripple V2—and they did it at the right time. With the PBCOR crackdown sunsetting legacy power paddles, the Ripple steps into a space with little competition and a lot of opportunity. Just know what you’re buying: it’s a rocket launcher, but long-term durability is still the question.

(Apply code JOHNKEW at checkout for $20 off)

For more data or to build paddle comparisons, visit: johnkewpickleball.com