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RCF-Obsidian 16

This paddle delivers control-oriented 55.2 MPH power, plush 16mm feel — a control option in an elongated shape.

$159.99USD list
See current price on Amazon
Creator code: PBEFFECT

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Elongated16mm coreCarbonGen 2Firepower Control+Control

USAP approved since Jan 23, 2024

  • Certified under the previous test (before Oct 1, 2026)
  • Eligible for Pickleball Canada sanctioned play

Official USA Pickleball entry · Approved paddle tracker
Always confirm on the official USA Pickleball list before tournament play.

Specs & Lab Data

What do these mean?
Swing Weight
120
83rd percentile
Twist Weight
6.53
65th percentile
Weight
8.1 oz
Core Thickness
16mm
Power
55.2 MPH
18th percentile
Pop
34.6 MPH
7th percentile
Spin
1897 RPM
Medium
Balance
244mm
Grip Length
5.75"
Grip Size
4.125"
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Find Your Perfect Match

Pros

  • +Heavy swing weight of 120 (83rd percentile) delivers extra momentum and plow-through on drives
  • +Elongated shape gives extra reach on defense, overheads, and two-handed backhands
  • +Thick 16mm core provides a soft, controlled feel
  • +Competitive price at $159.99 (below the $189 average)

Cons

  • −Below-average power at 55.2 MPH (18th percentile, avg 56.4) — you'll need to generate pace with technique
  • −Lower pop at 34.6 MPH (bottom 7%, avg 36.1) — may feel sluggish in fast hands exchanges
  • −Narrower face means a smaller horizontal sweet spot
  • −Thick core trades some pop and hand speed for control

Best For

Beginners

Twist weight of 6.53 (65th percentile) and 16mm core create a forgiving sweet spot for learning

Control / Touch Players

Soft feel and high stability prioritize placement and touch over raw pace

Singles Players

Swing weight of 120 (83rd percentile) plus elongated reach for court coverage and driving

Tennis Converts

Swing weight of 120 and 5.75" grip feel familiar coming from tennis

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Compare with similar paddles

The closest paddles to the RCF-Obsidian 16 on swing weight, twist weight, power, spin, core and price.

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Data sources

Data sources. Specs from The Pickleball Studio's paddle database (mostly manufacturer figures; swing and twist weight measured by the source), power, pop and spin from lab testing credited to Pickleball Effect. Percentiles compare this paddle with the other paddles in our database. Pros and world ranks from the PPA Tour, as of Nov 8, 2026. The price is the list price from the source database and may have changed. How we score paddles.