Head Radical Elite
Who This Paddle Is For
balanced
Balanced beginner option from HEAD.
About the Head Radical Elite
The Head Radical Elite is a widebody-shape pickleball paddle with a fiberglass face over a 13mm core. It comes in around 8.1–8.1 oz with a 5.25" grip. Listed price: $79.95.
Playstyle fit: balanced. The widebody shape favors a forgiving sweet spot.
Balanced beginner option from HEAD.
Available Amazon.
Where to Buy
Affiliate disclosure: We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Compare Head Radical Elite with
Not sure this is the right paddle for you?
Our AI selector asks 5 quick questions and matches you to the perfect paddle for your game.
Find My Paddle →Pickle's Take
13mm core, fiberglass face. Pop on demand without giving up the soft game. Best for players looking for a do-it-all paddle without a sharp learning curve.
- PickleSwaps editorial team
Pickle's 5-axis score
Spec-grounded, quartile-ranked across our 322-paddle catalog. 0–10 per axis.
- Power
- 6.0 / 10
- Hand speed
- 4.2 / 10
- Forgiveness
- 10.0 / 10
- Touch
- 2.0 / 10
- Spin
- 1.7 / 10
At the catalog median on power
Below the catalog median on hand speed
Top 26% of catalog on forgiveness
Bottom 13% of catalog on touch
Bottom 9% of catalog on spin
Who it's for
Best for advanced power players (4.0+) who can manage a hot face who play with a balanced two-handed/one-handed mix. The widebody profile gives you a generous sweet spot, the 13mm core delivers high pop with a tighter touch window, and the fiberglass face emphasizes pop over spin.
Should you buy the Head Radical Elite?
Best for
True beginners and casual rec players; forgiving fiberglass widebody at $80, a start-here paddle for learning the game.
Who should buy the Radical Elite
Buy it if you're a brand-new or casual player who wants a legitimately fine starter from a name you recognize, widely available and easy to buy. The fiberglass face plays lively and a touch poppy, the widebody is cushioned and forgiving with a big sweet spot, and at $79.95 it does the one job a first paddle needs - keep you playing while you learn. Good for tennis converts who hit drives.
Who should skip it
Skip it if you're past the beginner stage. The smooth fiberglass face grips far less than the raw carbon even $20 more buys, so spin players and improving 3.5+ players will quickly want carbon. This is a start-here paddle, not a keep-it paddle - don't over-think buying it, but don't over-stay in it.
The main tradeoff
The fiberglass face that keeps the price low and the pop lively is the same thing that limits your spin. It's a fine place to start and an easy paddle to outgrow once you want carbon's bite and a sharper spin game.
Is it worth it?
At $79.95 it's an honest, low-risk entry - a recognizable brand, wide availability, and enough paddle to learn on. Fair for what it is. Just know that about $20 more buys a raw-carbon paddle like the Ronbus R1.16 that you won't outgrow nearly as fast.
Closest alternatives
Last updated: 2026-06-28
Price & Availability
| Retailer | Price | Availability | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon | $79.95 | Check Amazon | Buy → |
Prices may vary — confirm the current price on the retailer’s site. Affiliate disclosure: PickleSwaps may earn a commission from purchases made through these links at no extra cost to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Head Radical Elite USA Pickleball approved?
Yes — the Head Radical Elite is on the USA Pickleball approved equipment list and is legal for sanctioned tournament play. View the official USA Pickleball listing at https://equipment.usapickleball.org/paddle-list/entry/3421.
What's the core thickness of the Head Radical Elite?
The Head Radical Elite uses a 13mm polymer honeycomb core paired with a fiberglass face. Thicker cores (16mm+) trade some power for better control and a softer feel.
Who is the Head Radical Elite best for?
The Head Radical Elite is best for players who prioritize a balanced game and prefer a widebody shape, in the 8.1–8.1 oz weight range.
Related paddles to consider
Stack the Head Radical Elite against any paddle in our database
Side-by-side specs, 5-axis diff, and a "pick X if…" verdict. Sharable link.