Franklin Sports C45 Aurelius 16mm vs RPM Pickleball Q2 16mm Elongated
Pickle's 5-axis score
Spec-grounded, quartile-ranked across the 322-paddle catalog. Diff highlighted when one paddle leads by 0.5+ points.
Close call — here's the tiebreaker
These two are closely matched on paper. Franklin Sports C45 Aurelius 16mm and RPM Pickleball Q2 16mm Elongated differ mostly in small spec details — pick on feel.
Side-by-side specs
| Spec | Franklin Sports C45 Aurelius 16mm | RPM Pickleball Q2 16mm Elongated |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 7.6–8 oz | 7.8–8 oz |
| Shape | Elongated | Elongated |
| Core thickness | 16mm | 16mm |
| Core material | — | Honeycomb with foam perimeter |
| Face material | T700 carbon fiber peel ply at 45-degree angle | Carbon fiber |
| Handle length | 5.1" | 5.5" |
| Price | $230 | $249.99 |
Weight
Shape
Core thickness
Core material
Face material
Handle length
Price
What the spec differences mean
- Weight. Franklin Sports C45 Aurelius 16mm is listed at 7.6–8 oz; RPM Pickleball Q2 16mm Elongated at 7.8–8 oz. At the low end of each listed range, the Franklin Sports C45 Aurelius 16mm is 0.2 oz lighter. How paddle weights compare across our catalog
- Handle length. Franklin Sports C45 Aurelius 16mm has a 5.1" handle; RPM Pickleball Q2 16mm Elongated has a 5.5" handle, so the RPM Pickleball Q2 16mm Elongated handle is 0.4" longer. What grip length changes
- Face material. Franklin Sports C45 Aurelius 16mm lists its face as T700 carbon fiber peel ply at 45-degree angle; RPM Pickleball Q2 16mm Elongated lists Carbon fiber. Paddle face materials explained
Who each paddle is for
Franklin Sports C45 Aurelius 16mm
Best for 3.0+ players who want a forgiving control feel who play with a balanced two-handed/one-handed mix. The elongated shape extends your reach at the kitchen line, the 16mm core gives you a soft touch window, and the raw textured carbon face holds spin on rolls and resets.
Playing style: all-court
RPM Pickleball Q2 16mm Elongated
Best for 3.0+ players who want a forgiving control feel who play with a balanced two-handed/one-handed mix. The elongated shape extends your reach at the kitchen line, the 16mm core gives you a soft touch window, and the face surface keeps spin honest without overdoing it.
Playing style: balanced
Both are great. Pick by playstyle, not specs.
Pick the Franklin Sports C45 Aurelius 16mm if…
- ✓you want a quick, hands-first paddle
- ✓you prize control on resets and dinks
- ✓you like reach at the kitchen line
Pick the RPM Pickleball Q2 16mm Elongated if…
- ✓you prize control on resets and dinks
- ✓you like reach at the kitchen line
More matchups with the Franklin Sports C45 Aurelius 16mm
More matchups with the RPM Pickleball Q2 16mm Elongated
Affiliate disclosure: We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.